Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 16th November 2022 from 7.30 pm at the Clehonger Village Hall
NB- The minutes are “draft” until ratified at the following parish council meeting.
Present: Cllrs C Protherough (Chair), J Jones, W Watkins, K Langdon and N Rider
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Footpath Officer Blue Davies, Lengthsman Paul Wright, Ward Cllr David Hitchiner and two members of the public.
1. Open Session with any parishioners who have joined the Meeting (to include any update from West Mercia Police – if in attendance
No comments were made. The police were not in attendance.
2. Co-option of councillor and signing of forms
There were no candidates presented for co-option at the meeting.
3. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllrs A Davies, J Whittal and S Savory. The meeting was advised that Cllr Davies was out of hospital and back at home in Clehonger.
4. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made by Cllrs Watkins and Jones in relation to the Village Hall.
5. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19th October 2022
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 19th October 2022 were approved.
6. Finance and Policies
(6.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (November)
Expenses £23.97
HM Revenue & Customs (tax) £147.40
Longfield Services (Lengthsman/Bins/repairs etc) £213.10
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire 19/10/22) £14.00
Cllr S Savory (Christmas tree lights and batteries) £61.44
Hereford Christmas Trees (tree and delivery) £125.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £43617.60 (new statement received dated 10/11/22)
A request for support with the upkeep of the Belmont Country Park had been received and the parish council resolved to donate £200.00, towards the upkeep, as in previous years.
7.0 Playing Field
(7.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field
A question was asked about the Christmas tree for the village as in regarding providing the tree, lights and arranging the carol concert. The date of the carols was not known but the Footpath Officer had heard that it may be on the 9th December. Details would be confirmed with Cllr Savory who was co-ordinating the tree arrangements. Mr P. Jones would be asked to quote to set up the tree again.
8. Planning.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
One application for consideration of comments this time:
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 223268 – Belmont Abbey Monastery, Hereford, HR2 9RZ
DESCRIPTION: Proposed link and extension to existing lounge bar. Creation of new staircase and lift in the eastern section of the north wing. Internal alterations to existing guest accommodation.
GRID REF: OS 348255, 238099
APPLICATION TYPE: Listed Building Consent
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 223305 – Belmont Abbey Monastery, Hereford, HR2 9RZ
DESCRIPTION: Proposed link and extension to existing lounge bar, creation of new staircase and insertion of new lift in the eastern section of the north wing and internal alterations to existing guest accommodation. Intensification of existing guest accommodation to allow for holiday/retreat/training vacations. Car park area for North wing to be widened.
GRID REF: OS 348255, 238099
APPLICATION TYPE: Planning Permission
The parish council discussed the applications 223268 and 223305 and there were no comments.
9. Clehonger Parish Church
To hear update on any Church related items
There was no further update.
10. Questionnaire (Survey) for 106 money research with residents – to progress
It was agreed that the arrangement to meet to progress the survey would be revisited in the New Year. This would be communicated to the resident who had kindly agreed to help with the Questionnaire.
11. Clehonger Village Hall
The Village Hall Secretary advised that a new architect had been chosen to help with any proposed alterations. A new village hall website had been set up. Dates for 2023 were being confirmed and there were new updates for functions and classes etc. The lighting in the hall had been changed to LED.
12. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
12.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
It was reiterated that the white lining around the village required renewal, particularly at the end of Gosmore Road, near the school, where people were “shooting across the junction” without possibly realising that they should give way first. This had been raised following an incident of a near miss and also as a request for special budget funding in the summer of 2022. The Ward Cllr would check where the Birch Hill Road resurfacing was on the list also. Copies of the relevant e mails would be forwarded to the Ward Cllr by the Clerk. The lights along Gosmore Road were still not fixed in spite of being reported several times. One was not working at all and one was on in the day time.
12.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer advised that there were cows in the field at Abbey Farm and to use the footpath with care. Field 62 had sheep in and again care should be taken “with dogs on leads”. It was requested that pallets not be laid down in the mud, as had been done previously, as this added to the slip hazard.
12.3) To put forward work for the Lengthsman
The Lengthsman advised that he would be attending to general upkeep plus bins and to strim the pavement around the weed patch at the end of the village hall.
12.4) To receive any update regarding trees
There were no further updates from the Tree Warden.
12.5) To consider any matters relating to speeding in the village
The Community Speed Watch Co-ordinator advised that he had collected the details of nine volunteers for the potential Community Speed Watch Team. The co-ordinator asked if the parish council could confirm their support for the scheme to the police. A request for pricing etc. for a speed indicator device, for the B4349 road by the Seven Stars had been passed to Hoople Ltd. and the idea had been cleared with both Balfour Beatty and the Police Safety Officer, in principle. A question was asked as to whether more speed limit roundels could be painted on the road. These were determined by the specification of the Traffic Regulation Order.
13. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
13.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Parish recharges for May 2023 Elections
Section 106 Portfolio of works delivery update
HALC
Information Corner
Training
Pay Award for Local Government Officers
HALC Annual General Meeting 17/11/22
CPRE
Herefordshire AGM – 19/11/22 – Kindle Centre from 1.00 PM
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner – update
The Ward Cllr updated the meeting regarding the contact he had made with the relevant departments concerning the walk way opposite Harpacre (wood poles and no barrier). He was meeting with Bruce Evans to discuss the gap and possible closure mechanism. He also made the council aware of the telegraph pole installation proposal for Syers Croft. The provider was not minded to go for underground ducting and wanted to install poles to carry the service to the properties. A local resident was organising a response.
There was an update on the ongoing issues with the Children’s Services Department of Herefordshire Council, a lot of money was being spent on trying to improve things. A question was asked “Why can’t Herefordshire Council employ the right people?”. The problem was described as an “ingrained issue”. Coaching from a neighbouring counterpart was being employed to try to introduce “cultural change.”
There had been a press release about the Widemarsh Street kerb, scene of many trips, fall and injuries over the years, and the proposed removal of this kerb. It was stated by the Ward Cllr that the Herefordshire Council do not HAVE to do anything but they are going to get rid of it.
A Government statement had been received and Herefordshire were facing a potential budget deficit of circa £20 million next year. This shortfall would be getting larger year on year. Some councils may be going to declare themselves bankrupt. The Government were making pensions and the National Health Service (NHS) their priorities. Council tax was currently subject to a cap which may be increased to 5% if approved by government.
It was noted that the Transport Hub consultation was still ongoing with the seeking of connectivity from the villages to the station.
14. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All usual matters would be included. Consideration of the HALC subscription would also be on the agenda.
15. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 21st December 2022, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
Due to the confidential nature of the business of this agenda item, under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (3) it is proposed to put forward a motion to exclude members of the public during discussion of the following agenda item (16)
16. To discuss implementation of 1/04/22 pay award (back dated) in line with HALC and NJC correspondence
The public and clerk left the room for the consideration of item 16 only. The pay award for the clerk, back dated to 1/04/22, was agreed.
The Meeting closed at 8.30 PM.