Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 16th July 2025 from 7.30 pm at the Clehonger Village Hall
NB- The minutes are “draft” until ratified at the following parish council meeting.
Present: Cllrs A Davies (in the Chair), J Jones, J Gardiner, K Langdon, W Watkins, N Rider and C Protherough
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner (from 7.41 pm), and six members of the public
- 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 Meeting. The Chair of CAN (Clehonger Action Network), Elaine Horton MBE, thanked everyone who had come to the recent fete on the playing field. She advised that a total of £1387.00 had been raised and this would be distributed as donations to chosen causes. There was a discussion about the Christmas Tree Lighting up event for 2025. There was an even in the hall on the 5th December. The date would be decided. The tree needed some new lights as a number of the previous ones had been taken in 2024. Pat Nelder had the remaining lights and would check them over ahead of purchasing any further sets. It was agreed to agenda the Christmas tree purchase and fitting, plus new lights, for September.
It was mentioned that the parish council had been involved with Welsh Water in the past following some issues. There were some leaks in the village which had been reported. Welsh Water would be sending out an inspector to look at the situation within three days.
The bus stop opposite the Seven Stars Public House had been full of litter and a resident had cleared up the mess. The parish council had been undertaking litter picks and would continue to organise these. It was noted that the bus stop was Herefordshire Council property and would therefore be their responsibility regarding refuse and bins etc.
- To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr Forbes, Cllr Whittal and the West Mercia Police.
- To note Declarations of Interest
There was a declaration of interest made regarding matters relating to planning consultation 252043 for 1, Lilac Cottage, Clehonger for proposed works to a Walnut Tree subject to a Tree Preservation Order. This was for Cllr Davies, the property owner. This was entered into the notebook provided for the purpose.
- To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 18th June 2025
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 18th June 2025 were approved.
5ayley
. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (July and August)
Expenses £24.68
HMRC Tax refund £95.60
HMRC Tax due £211.20
Education Property Partnership Ltd (new lock for playing field) £30.00
P Wright (fence gap filling after kiosk removed) £120.63
HALC (Training 20 May with L Wilcox) £330.00
Clehonger CE Primary School Minibus Funding – thank you letter
The parish council had received a letter of thanks from the Clehonger CE Primary School head teacher, Grace Sage, for the donation of £3000.00 towards the school minibus.
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £39316.69 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
5.5) To review “General Power of Competence” (GEPOC) and determine adoption
The GEPOC was again considered and the parish council decided NOT to adopt the GEPOC at the present time.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field and any actions
Mr Wright had closed the gap in the fence created when the telephone kiosk was removed. There had, previously, been reports about safety when people had been seen riding out of the open gap in the fence into oncoming traffic.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the 106 and the new fencing
There had been an email response to the Ward Cllr’s enquiry regarding the fence and the 106 funding from Jen Hilton Trout. The matter had been lodged with the legal department for about five months and still no progress had been made. The parish council discussed the matter and resolved to request that the Clerk put forward a “Freedom of Information” Request, to the officers in the 106 Team, to ask for all of the correspondence relating to the fence tendering process. This was due to the non-progression of the project.
Cllr Nick Rider advised that the welding repairs and strengthening of the playing field benches should be taking place in the next 3 to 4 weeks.
- Planning
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There were two applications for consideration of comments.
The first was:
| APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: | Planning Consultation – 251754 – Shark House Barn, Clehonger, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 9TE |
| APPLICATION TYPE: | Full Householder |
| DESCRIPTION: | Application for variation of condition 2 of planning permission, 241744 (Proposed demolition of existing conservatory and replacement with a similar sized structure) – To redesign the roof structure of the approved application. The variation of design will result in a more energy efficient structure, reduced weight distribution onto the existing timber frame and a less impactful visual structure. |
| GRID REFERENCE: | OS 344568, 237465 |
The parish council discussed the application 251754 and resolved that there were no objections to the proposals.
The second application was:
| APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: | Planning Consultation – 252043 – 1 Lilac Cottages, Clehonger, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 9SL |
| APPLICATION TYPE: | Works to trees covered by TPO |
| DESCRIPTION: | Walnut tree to be fully reduced by 2-4 meters. Limbs are now elongated and therefore creating to much lateral pressure. |
| GRID REFERENCE: | OS 345074, 237764 |
The parish council discussed the application 252043 and resolved to support the proposals.
- Clehonger Welcome Packs
Welcome Packs were being updated by Cllr Watkins and distributed by Cllr Whittal. The CAN page was being revised. The packs were being advertised in the notice boards, in “Tracking the News” and on social media.
- Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty/Lengthsman
There were overgrown hedges in Croft Road near to the bus stop. The “weed-land” at the end of Birch Hill Road had been referred for enforcement action as it was overgrown.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer Cllr Forbes had sent his apologies.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the Tree Warden advised that the local trees were heavily laden with nuts and fruit which was an indicative sign of them experiencing drought conditions.
- The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and funding
Works were ongoing. The work carried out so far would be reclaimed as grant funding. The new contract grants would be looked at.
- Community Speed Watch
11.1) To hear any updates and determine actions
The Speed Indicator Device had been turned round to face towards the Madley direction. There was a reduction on the people keeping to the speed limit from 93% at the previous reporting to 88% this time. The SID would remain facing this way until September. It was resolved by the parish council that Pat Nelder would look into the purchase and placement of a second SID for the parish. Pat agreed that he would speak to his previous contacts to progress this. Questions were asked about the Section 177 agreement highway safety provision which was being led by Greg Speller. Since Greg had left the council there did not seem to be any further developments on this?
- Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Balfour Beatty
Lara Edwards, the Locality Steward, has circulated her reports.
Members Monthly Update received
Street works updates
E mail: lara.edwards@balfourbeatty.com
West Mercia Police
Newsletter circulated when received.
Letter from the head of the Clehonger CE Primary School
The parish council had received a letter from the head of the primary school thanking them for the donation towards the minibus. The funds were now on target for the vehicle and the school were looking at ongoing running costs.
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was in attendance at the meeting. He updated the meeting about:
- E mail correspondence with the 106 Team about the playing field fence
- Consultation being carried out by Herefordshire Council about the future of the land at Merton Meadow (currently car parking). Flood alleviation was being implemented using 3 x attenuation ponds.
- The Southern Link Road was going out to tender with a framework agreement. The business case currently only comprised two pages.
12.3) To receive any update on the bulb planting initiative.
Cllr Rider advised that the places where bulbs could be placed had been identified. Hereford in Bloom had not purchased their order of bulbs to date and would be looking at this in September. It was estimated that six sacks of bulbs would be needed and the idea of bulb bags for residents, to plant at their properties, was also being considered. Hereford
12.4) To discuss missing Clehonger place name signage
The missing village name signs that were missing or damaged on the approach from Madley, at the Cage Brook and also at the Dunan bend had been investigated for replacement. The response had been that it was being passed to parishes to find replacement signs. This was felt to be unacceptable as the signs were part of highway furniture just as were the directional signs. It was felt that the Highways Department should fund the replacement signs to denote the village place names.
12.5) To begin plans for “Meet your Councillor” Event on 20th September 2025
The parish council discussed the idea of the event. It could be advertised in the Tracking the News in August? The vision for the day could include teas, coffees and food. A private room could be available for chats. The parish council members had many village “hats”. It was suggested that the Young Farmers may wish to have a table at the event. Elaine, Chair of CAN and Peter, the Chair of the Hall Committee were looking at possible groups of hall users for tables. It would be a community day with a table for the parish council. Dore Community Transport might wish to participate and possibly have a recruitment initiative?
- Litter Pick – next litter pick to be organised – date etc.
It was agreed that the next litter pick would be held on Saturday 27th September from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Meet on the Playing Field. Elaine said that “CAN” would provide refreshments again for the day. 30 picker kits would be reserved, 6 x bags of 5 picker kits. It was agreed that littering was an ongoing issue in the village and that litter picks should be carried out quarterly, as a minimum.
- Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included plus the Community Event on 20th September 2025, Litter Pick and daffodils plus Christmas tree and fitting, plus lights
At this point, a resident said that he was concerned that the speed limit on Church Road, Old Clehonger, had not been reduced to 30 mph. He also said that had been traffic collisions on the B4349. The resident also stated that the parish council were not “doing anything” about the Church Road drainage. The Clerk explained that the parish council is not responsible for clearing drainage and that there are riparian responsibilities, upon each householder, for the drainage ditches adjoining their properties. It was explained that it is a good idea to try to keep ditches clear and free from debris, such as hedge cuttings. The resident stated that he had put mesh over a drainage point. Herefordshire Council, and their contractor Balfour Beatty, were responsible for clearing the road gullies and jetting blockages. The parish council may provide a supporting role, but not on a compulsory basis, and may also take part in schemes to undertake works using grant funding, where applicable.
- Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 17th September 2025, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 9.04 pm.