Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 15th March 2023 from 7.30 pm at the Clehonger Village Hall
NB- The minutes are “draft” until ratified at the following parish council meeting.
Present: Cllrs J Whittal, C Protherough (in the Chair), J Jones, S Savory, K Langdon W Watkins, N Rider and T Griffiths
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner and three 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
The police were not in attendance. The meeting were advised by a resident who was present about the flooding of his land when it rained since the Persimmon Estate had been built. Water was still not finding its way into the Attenuation Pond on the estate. The drains were alleged to be blocked on the B4349 and the parish council had been raising the flooding problems ever since the building work had commenced there. The Ward Cllr had contacted the Drainage Technical Team and advised them that the pond is just not working. The drains on the estate had not been adopted by the local authority and the residents jointly own and are responsible for the infrastructure within the development. The Ward Cllr would go back to them again about the situation. The pipes being blocked under the B4349 was leading to surface water flooding. Some works had been carried out and some improvement had been observed but the drains were believed to be silted up again. The Ward Cllr asked the resident for photographic evidence of the issues when experienced. It was suggested that a camera should be put down the drains to determine their condition.
Disabled Parking at Innesfield
Following on from interventions and representations made to the housing association in regard to the disabled parking provision deficit at Innesfield, some correspondence had been forthcoming and this would be sent to the enquirer.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr A Davies.
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made by Cllr Watkins and Cllr Jones in relation to the Village Hall and Cllr Whittal in matters relating to the Clehonger Church.
4. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th February 2023
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th February 2023 were approved.
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (March)
Expenses £39.19
HM Revenue & Customs (tax) £146.40
Longfield Services (Lengthsman/Bins etc.) £223.10
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire x 3 evenings) £42.00
Eyelid Productions (web hosting and posting) £220.00
Information Commissioner (ICO) £40.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £38853.28
(5.2) To consider request for support with “Food for Families”
The request was discussed and a donation of £228.00 was agreed.
(5.3) To discuss election forms for May 2023 parish and ward elections.
The green forms were circulated to councillors and some completion directions were given.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field
No further update. A question was raised about the provision of the Christmas tree and carols. It was confirmed that the parish council had paid for the tree plus the lights and the erection and disposal of the tree. Cllr Savory had co-ordinated the community event.
7. Planning.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
No new applications for consideration of comments this time.
8. Clehonger Parish Church
Cllr Whittal confirmed that she was in discussions with Connexus about hiring the Innesfield Meeting Room for some future church services. These may potentially recommence in September, following a lengthy “lockdown” interval. Cllr Whittal would advise who the Connexus contact was, for a resident who wished to make contact in regard other issues. It was commented that residents at Innesfield now had individual control over their heating and hot water, previously this had been corporate. It was commented that it would be good to have a second venue available for events and functions and to keep the unit used.
9. Coronation Event – update and next steps
Cllr Griffiths updated the meeting about plans for the Coronation Event on the 7th May. The Working Group had booked an inflatable assault course, dog show etc. The parish council had previously agreed to meet the cost of the hall hire for the day and for the event meetings prior to the day. Cllr Griffiths asked that the parish council support the event up to £1000.00. The hope was to have lunch in the hall (bring your own packed lunch) with people all sitting together at long tables. There would be teas, coffees and squash etc. There would be events out on the field and stalls, candy floss, ices, dog food were mentioned. Parish councillors were involved in organising the event so yes; it was a parish council event. There was a question over charging for things? The parish council discussed the proposals. The proposal was and it was agreed to support the event up to a maximum including all spend, hall hire, refreshments and attractions of £1000.00. The parish council would pay the invoices for attractions direct from invoice when submitted. It was further stated that any income raised, if it were to be, would come back to the parish council and be ring-fenced to the playing field. A majority vote in favour of this proposal was recorded.
10. Questionnaire – update and next steps – a further meeting had been arranged for the 29th March 2023 at 7.30 pm.
11. Clehonger Village Hall – to hear any updates
The Village Hall Annual Meeting had been held and changes to the Chair and Vice Chair positions were advised. The service contribution of Cllr Jones, to the hall, was formerly recognised. Future licensing agreements would be detailed. The architect and extension project were currently “on hold.”
12. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
12.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
The white lines had been renewed at various places. Some were needed at Pleasant Row. The drainage system under the road at the Seven Stars was noted as being blocked. The Persimmon hedge was overgrown and required cutting.
12.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer was not present. The public right of way near the village hall path needed clearing. Cllr Jones would trim brambles with secateurs. The Ward Cllr was chasing up the situation with the Harpacre new path which required a safety chicane, or similar.
12.3) To put forward work for the Lengthsman
To refurbish the map at Old Clehonger plus ongoing as required
12.4) To receive any update regarding trees
No further details reported.
12.5) To consider any matters relating to speeding in the village – progress of community speed watch and Speed Indicator Device SID)
The Community Speed Watch had been chased up and so had the SID. The speed monitoring equipment had been in the village for a couple of weeks. The results should be out shortly and the CSW Co-ordinator would follow this up.
There were questions, in an e mail, about the size of the speed restriction signs, should they be larger. Regulation size had been used. The idea of placing some roadside mannequins/scarecrows, as a deterrent, had not been ruled out.
12.6) To consider village bulb planting
The idea of bulb planting was discussed and would be carried forward. The intention would be to invite the person suggesting the idea to come along to progress, as required.
13. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
13.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Election correspondence including nominations papers (to be circulated at the meeting)
School sign
The school directional sign had been revisited and the school could collaborate with the hall and shop on a directional sign if they wished to do so, subject to highway permissions and regulations.
13.2) To receive any update form the Ward Councillor, if available, (also Leader’s Report)
The Ward Cllr advised that the High Court had been “sticking up” for Neighbourhood Development Plans, in recent planning decisions.
The “all male” asylum seekers to be housed at the Three Counties Hotel was being discussed by Belmont Rural Council in a meeting organised at the Left Bank. It was stated that all facilities were being “supplied by the Home Office.”
The Herefordshire Council would be keeping the children’s services for the time being.
Ideas for an eastern river crossing were being advanced, potentially via Ledbury Road, Rotherwas.
The Kingstone Surgery Charitable Trust was raising funds to help the surgery. Publicity re the trust could be found on Face Book.
It had been stated that Herefordshire Council were not responsible for the upkeep of the Courtyard Arts Centre. The Centre “should have future planned for upkeep.” They held a “full repairing” lease.
The cost of the upkeep of the Town and Shire Halls was mentioned. The possibility of selling of each of these for a £1.00 fee was noted.
The “Masterplan for the City” Consultation was said to be “rolling over.”
14. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included.
15. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 19th April 2023, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 9.17PM.