Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 17th July 2024 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 (in the Chair), J Jones, A Davies, J Gardiner, K Langdon, W Watkins, N Rider, C Protherough and C Forbes
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner and nine 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 Chair welcomed everyone to the July parish council meeting. A resident asked some questions about points in the previous meeting minutes for June. The matters relating to the footpath as mentioned in 9.2 were with Herefordshire Council as the statutory body responsible for public rights of way. The school lane hedges which had been reported to Balfour Beatty as being overgrown had been inspected by the Locality Steward and were “being monitored”. Some of the hedges had been trimmed back. The Clerk said that she would put the reporting number for matters for attention by Balfour Beatty in the minutes. The phone number to report concerns direct is 01432 261800.
There had been a recent “hedges” seminar held with a guest speaker and the Ward Cllr advised that he had attended the seminar.
The recent fete held on the playing field was described as having been a “fabulous day” with lots of people attending. Raffle prizes had been kindly donated. The Chair of CAN (Clehonger Action Network) advised that £1467.00 net had been made and that this money would be used to support local groups in the village and that there would be an annual calendar of events. The meeting were also advised that the CAN Cafes “were working really well” and that the group had attained a 5 star rating from the Food Standards Agency. Cllr Protherough proposed a thank you and Cllr Whittal reiterated this.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence received.
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made by Cllrs Gardiner, Watkins and Langdon in regard to the committee membership of the village hall.
4. To approve Minutes the Parish Council Meeting held on 19th June 2024
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 19th June 2024 were approved.
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (July and August)
Expenses £23.91
HMRC Tax Refund to A Wright £110.20
HMRC Tax £199.00
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (bin emptying) £406.18
Paul Wright (supply of materials and fitting dog waste bin) £75.00
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire x 3 hours) £21.00
Eyelid Productions Ltd (website service x 4 months) £120.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £47326.00 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field
The new replacement slide was going to be fitted on the 31st July 2024.
Cllr Rider asked a question about “playing field funds”. It was confirmed that any funds remaining in the “playing field funds” group account (not parish council account) had been transferred to the bank account of the community group now known as CAN (Clehonger Action Network).
A request was made by councillors that two items from CAN be forwarded to the parish council, 1) Minutes of the inaugural CAN meeting held in the hall and chaired by Ward Cllr Hitchiner and 2) The break down of the CAN accounts for the fete held on the playing field in June. Elaine Horton, the CAN Chair, agreed that she would send the documents. A further comment was made, by Cllr Watkins, about an advertising poster for the fete. The comment was noted about showing who the event was being run by and where the proceeds were going. These details were not on the poster that Cllr Watkins held up in the meeting.
There was a query about the box of equipment that was currently outside the shop. There was a question about ownership of the box and contents and a CAN member stated that they were the owners of the box. CAN would discuss where the box would be kept, going forward, as the owner of the shop had been given to understand that the box was PC property and had given storage permission on that basis.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the playing field survey, the 106 and any matters in regard to the School Highways Safety 106 suggestions (if presented)
The Chair advised that plans were being drawn up by the 106 Team and that by September there should be some plans to look at. The 20 mph speed limit, around the school area, had been agreed. The playing field 106 plans were with Jenn Hilton Trout and these would not be merged with the school highways 106 funding.
7. Planning and Survey.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There was no further update on the survey. Any planning comments on interim planning applications would be circulated and commented under the parish council interim planning comments policy. There were potentially two applications pending for comments but, at the time of the meeting, the details had not been fully published or reviewed.
8. Clehonger Welcome Packs
The new model Welcome Packs had been launched and three of the new packs had been delivered to new residents. People were asked to send any details of packs required, for new residents, to the Clerk, who would then advise the Welcome Pack Group.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
The Croft Road hedges were overgrown at some properties and right over the pavement in places. The hedge along Gosmore Road, belonging to Persimmon Estate was also in need of cutting back. The Pleasant Row white lining had still not been refreshed. There were deep ruts in the road outside the, formerly, Tricas building site and these required urgent attention as the road was very uneven.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer Cllr Forbes was present. The footpaths were being walked. Footpath CH20 was advised to be overgrown and the overgrowth in need of cutting back to make the path accessible.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the Tree Warden was present. She advised that there was no further update on trees.
9.4) To consider possible proposal for a pedestrian crossing on the B4349
The Clerk would chase up the enquiry, as sent to the Cabinet Member, Cllr Philip Price, and to see if any action would be taken.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and funding
There was no lengthsman currently in post. The previous lengthsman had carried out a couple of small jobs for the parish council and appreciation for this was recorded. Cllr Whittal had made contact with some individuals, who had previously applied, but they did not have their own equipment. It may be necessary to approach local contractors to carry out “spot jobs”. Cllr Davies had knowledge of a local person and would see if they were interested in the role.
11. Community Speed Watch
11.1) To consider any matters relating to speeding in the village, and any updates on Speed Indicator Devices etc.
The Community Speed Watch Co-ordinator advised that some information had come back from Joe Grice at Herefordshire Council and liaison on this was ongoing. A potential contractor to fit the poles was required and this would be pursued with a view to having more information ready on the progression for the September parish council meeting.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Police Commissioner
Questionnaire on local policing
It was agreed to postpone another submission of the questionnaire until the 2025 version.
Clehonger Action Network (CAN)
A letter had been addressed to the Chair of the parish council by the CAN Chair, Elaine Horton. There were some requests:
The 2024 Christmas tree lighting up and carols event on the playing field. The lighting up event was requested as being the 6th December 2024. The parish council agreed this date but there were some comments from people wishing to have the tree up for a longer period. This would be reviewed. The parish council agreed, unanimously, that they would be happy to fund the purchase of the tree and the setting up costs.
Following on from the success of the June 2024 event, there was a request for the use of the playing field for a further fete event on Sunday 29th June 2025. A band would be available to come and play on the day. The parish council agreed that they were happy for CAN to hold the event on the field. There were some questions about other events, and dates close to the 29th June, and CAN agreed to liaise with the school to avoid any potential clash.
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr including any further updates on the paused housing development
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was in attendance at the meeting. He did not present any further details on HC activities as they had been minimal during the general election period but he did advise that the Stonewater housing estate was supposed to be starting building again in August, and with occupation of property starting in December 2024.
12.3) To receive any update from Welsh Water regarding recent supply issues
A comprehensive response had been received from Welsh Water and this had been circulated to the parish council members. Welsh Water would be striving to improve communications, and their action plan, should there be any repeat of the issues that had been experienced recently.
12.4) To hear any update regarding the Knife Angel: actions and way forward
Cllr Alison Davies advised that she was one of four finalists in the BBC Hereford and Worcester Good Neighbour Awards category.
Cllr Davies had her own personal testimony about knife crime following the death of her son in a knife crime, which had led to the initiative to bring the Knife Angel Project to Herefordshire. The workshops which had grown on from the project were now being scaled back but the team were working on sponsoring a National Conference on knife crime to be held at Bath University. Cllr Davies advised that the project had reached over 3000 children by visits to schools, including Clehonger, and 200 volunteers had helped with the actual event at the Cathedral and the outreach work, helping to spread the word regarding the impact of knife crime. Cllr Davies advised that the operation would probably have to close down in Hereford in 2025 but the project would be going to both Bristol and Bath and work would be ongoing with related groups. Cllr Davies said that the Knife Angel was still reaching out and that she would keep the council up to date.
12.5) To consider any plans for defibrillators (possible new one(s) and upgrades)
There were no proposals put forward to determine the installation of any additional defibrillators for the village but the parish council did agree to purchase pads and batteries as required for the existing unit as mounted on the community centre in Innesfield. Jane Matthews would advise the clerk regarding replacements as and when needed.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included plus litter pick, bulbs and possible tree planting (Cllr Rider to liaise regarding bulbs, hedge cutting for the playing field and trees)
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 18th September 2024, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall. No parish council meeting in August.
The Meeting closed at 8.36 pm.