Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 18th February 2026 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), K Langdon, J Gardiner, J Whittal, W Watkins and C Protherough
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk) and one member of the public plus PCSO Margaret Andrzejewska
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 February Meeting. PCSO Margaret advised that there had been some complaints about parking around the school. Margaret had been in contact with the head teacher and had explained. There had been reports of someone firing a possible weapon at birds. There had also been reports of damage to the windows of a property that was being renovated. The marks looked like pellet marks. The incidents had been reported to the police. People were asked to remain vigilant.
There was a new pelican crossing installed on the road B4349 by the estate. Parking concerns were raised around the front of the estate. There were no plans for parking regulation at the present, although it was hoped that there would be zigzags to deter parking either side of the crossing. The road was not wide enough to accommodate on road parking. There were also reports of a blockage to the pedestrian walkway further up from the crossing, making crossing the road difficult due to parked vehicles in front of the gap in the hedgerow. Concerns were also raised about the huge mud pile bund on the estate behind a wall that looked to be weak in nature and had been observed to be leaking out onto the road in the past. This had been previously been mentioned as a concern due to the possibility of the collapse of the mud pile onto the highway B4352. A councillor also stressed a concern for children, possibly resident on the estate, trying to exit the byway opening onto the B4352, as visibility was poor at the location and traffic would be passing.
Another councillor raised the concern about vehicles parking on the bend in Birch Hill road near to the shop as they often caused difficulty for vehicles trying to pass. PCSO Margaret asked for details of persistent instances. She could speak to anyone parking there who may be causing a degree of obstruction.
PCSO Margaret left the meeting at 7.13 pm.
1. Co-option of parish councillor
There were no candidates for co-option at the February Meeting.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllrs N Rider and C Forbes plus Ward Cllr David Hitchiner
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest this time. The declarations were for Cllrs Davies and Whittal in relation to the Clehonger Parochial Church Council who had sent some correspondence
4. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th January 2026
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 14th January 2026 were approved and signed.
5ayley
. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (February)
Expenses £34.68
HMRC Tax and Ers National Insurance due £333.04
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (bins January) £537.05
Clehonger Village Hall (hall hire) £40.00
HALC Subscription 2026 – 2027 £1418.08
Mr P Nelder (Speed Indicator Device – pole, socket etc.) £520.05
Elan City Limited (SID Solar Panel & mounting kit) £503.08
Dore Community Transport (Donation) £800.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £35578.14 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
5.2) To consider the IT Policy for Clehonger Parish Council (circulated)
The IT Policy was considered and the parish council resolved to adopt the content. The Clerk would arrange for the IT Policy to be placed on the parish council website.
5.3) To consider request for support from Dore Community Transport
The parish council agreed to support Dore Community Transport, as in previous years, and awarded a donation of £800.00. Proposed by Cllr Whittal and seconded by Cllr Langdon. The donation decision was carried unanimously.
5.4) To consider a Finance Working Group to look at precept, budget etc.
The parish council considered the setting up of a working group and decided that the whole council would retain the role to discuss finance matters. There was question raised about how the bin collection pricing was worked out. The Clerk would ask the question.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field and any actions
The playing field appeared to be in order and with no reported issues.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the 106 and the new fencing
The new playing field fencing was on order. It was agreed to invite Nigel Koch to a future parish council meeting to discuss further project ideas for the 106 funding.
(6.3) To consider possible suggestions for additional playing field “wish list” items to be put forward for progression
To be looked at with Nigel Koch following a visit to discuss.
(6.4) To follow up on bench welding repairs and reinforcement
Cllr Davies was trying to progress the repairs etc. and the situation was described as being “in hand.” Cllr Davies would meet the contractor later that week.
7. Planning
No new applications for consideration of comments.
8. Clehonger Welcome Packs
Welcome Packs were being requested by prospective residents for the new estate. Cllr Whittal was happy to deliver the packs when the new people moved in. Updates were being made to the packs and new logos for contributors would be included. There was a question about copies of the Tracking the News Publication. The editor had advised the chair that bulk orders for the TTN copies would be charged at £1.00 per copy, being the full print cost. The parish council agreed to sponsor the copies at £1.00 per copy.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty/Lengthsman
Ongoing works for Lengthsman, as identified. Defects were being reported. Overgrown hedges had been reported as being overgrown on Birch Hill Road, just past the corner, coming from Gosmore Road and also multiple hedges in Poplar Road. Potholes had also been reported in Birch Hill, Birch Hill Road and around the parish.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer had sent his apologies for absence from the meeting. He had advised that he had missed the recent training but would take up a future opportunity. The footpaths were wet and consequently somewhat disrupted at present.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
The Clerk had followed up about the Lousy Oak at Belmont as it was still as it had been. The council had advised that the tree was under environmental monitoring due to possible bat roosting. The Tree Warden advised that she had trimmed the apple trees on the playing field.
9.4) Spring Parish Litter Pick – to arrange
The council agreed that the next litter pick would take place on Saturday 25th April from 2.00 onwards. Meet on the playing field and with no set end time this time. The Clerk would book the litter picking equipment. To advertise the event and Clehonger Action Network (CAN) would be asked if they would provide refreshments as they had previously.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and funding and determine actions
The grant funding availability for 2026 – 2027 would need to be discussed and the lengthsman consulted with.
The “weedland” mess in the land parcel next to the village hall would be taken up with the Ward Cllr as the Enforcement Team at Herefordshire Council had not progressed with the clearance via the enforcement route.
11. Community Speed Watch
11.1) To hear any updates and determine actions
Mr Nelder circulated an up to date data report from the Speed Indicator Device. Speeds were down overall, could this be due to flooding and pot holes? Mr Nelder had progressed the purchase of the second Speed Indicator Device (SID) for the village. The installation of the post fitting was pending and the street works licence had been applied for.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Parish Summit – 3rd March, two councillors can attend in person at Plough Lane or online via a link. Booking was required to attend.
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. PCSO Margaret had attended the parish council meeting and provided an update.
Clehonger Parochial Church Council
A letter had been received from the treasurer of the All Saints Church Clehonger Parochial Church Council. The letter concerned advance notice of the future capacity for burials in the churchyard. The parish council clerk would acknowledge the letter, thanking the PCC for the information, and the parish council noted the contents.
Clehonger School Parent Teacher Association
A letter had been received, from the Clehonger School PTA, requesting the use of the Clehonger playing field as a car park for two circus performances to be held, at the school premises, on 5th July 2026. Unfortunately, the parish council was not in a position to grant the request due, primarily, to insurance implications. The parish council clerk would advise the PTA of the council’s decision.
The circus event was noted by the PCSO, earlier in the meeting, in regard to possible parking capacity, within the village, on the day of the event.
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was not in attendance at the meeting. He had sent his apologies. Matters requiring action would be communicated to the Ward Cllr, such as concern over the rear exit from the new estate, out of the green lane, onto the B4352.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included, and the Litter Pick for spring
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 18th March 2026, from 7.00pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
Future Dates for 2026 Clehonger Parish Council Meetings:
7.00 pm in the Clehonger Village Hall on:
April 15th
May 20th
June 17th
July 15th
No meeting in August
September 16th
October 21st
November 18th
No meeting in December
The Meeting closed at 8.20 pm.