Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 15th July 2026 from 7.00 pm at the Clehonger Village Hall
NB- The minutes are “draft” until ratified at the following parish council meeting.
Present: Cllrs J Whittal, A Davies (in the Chair), J Gardiner, K Langdon, N Rider and C Protherough (from 7.05 pm)
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner, Nigel Koch from Herefordshire Council and one member 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 June Meeting.
Ward Cllr Hitchiner advised the meeting that the business plan for the Southern Link (Relief) Road had now been put forward. The plans would be looked at by the Scrutiny Committee and then by the Cabinet. The cost of the road, an enabler of the wider bypass scheme, was anticipated to be just short of £45 million. The Ward Cllr had been looking at the impact of traffic through Clehonger and comparing this with forecast figures for when the link road had been made operational. The overall picture looked like an increase in volume of traffic for Clehonger.
The Chair gave a brief overview of the Speed Indicator Device data, in the absence of the Speed Watch Co-ordinator. The village was experiencing over a million traffic movements per year and maximum speeds were recorded for in and out of the village at 75 and 79 miles per hour in the last period captured. Overall compliance with the speed limits had improved.
Birch Hill Road would be receiving a resurfacing in 2026 – 2027.
19 The Bines driveway proposal and associated works had been granted permission.
Ward Cllr Hitchiner left the meeting at 7.22 pm.
Nigel Koch, the 106 Officer from Herefordshire Council handed round a presentation of ideas for the playing field. These included planting ideas for new trees, football pitch and basket ball facility, table tennis tables and a see saw plus other suggestions. The parish councillors took away the ideas with the view of coming back with what they would like to see progressed in September. It was agreed that Ian Sutton the 106 Highway and Safety Officer would be invited to the September meeting to explain the proposals for safety markings etc.
Nigel Koch left the meeting at 8.04 pm.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr Watkins and there was also notification of the resignation of Cllr Kevin Gardiner as parish councillor. Cllr Gardiner’s resignation was accepted, and thanks were recorded for his time as councillor. The Clerk would write to him and convey the “thank you” from the parish council. A casual vacancy for the position of councillor would be instigated.
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest made.
4. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 17th June 2026
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 17th June 2026 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 £31.38
HMRC Tax Refund £101.20
Zemmat Holdings (bins x 2 months) £1074.10
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £30675.05 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
5.2) To arrange date for Clerk’s Appraisal (and appoint Appraisers)
Cllrs Davies and Whittal would carry out the appraisal for the Clerk on a date to be arranged between the parties.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field and any actions including access point opposite school
A member of the public reiterated the suggestion of a further entrance gate to the playing field in the hedge line opposite the school. This would be looked at as part of the Highways and Safety options being presented under the 106 plans with Ian Sutton. It was commented that the speed limit signs were obscured by hedges on the B4349.
(6.2) To consider any actions concerning the 106, fencing and list items
There were still issues with the gates on the playing field and the latching arrangements. This was being taken up with the installer and the manufacturer. All items on the presentation list shown to the meeting by Nigel would be considered for progression and choice of options.
(6.3) Playing field rules, to consider signage options (circulated) and progress
Items to be considered as per Nigel’s presentation and advised back to Nigel in September. The sign content to be agreed, along the lines of the draft and 4 off at size A2 would be required to cover the areas of the playing field.
6.4) To consider notice boards – possible new one(s) and location
This item would be discussed at a future meeting.
6.5) To update regarding bench repairs
The benches were awaiting the contractor to carry out the repairs.
7. Planning
7.1) To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There were two new applications for discussion at the meeting:
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 261613 – Berryfield, Church Road, Clehonger, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 9SE
APPLICATION TYPE: Full Householder
DESCRIPTION: Garage converted to ancillary living space with external upgrades, solar PV, battery storage, EV charger and replacement of shed with larger ancillary outbuilding.
GRID REFERENCE: OS 346728, 237816
The parish council discussed the application 261613. The parish council resolved to support the proposal for the garage conversion and associated works at Berryfield.
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 261932 – Land at junction of, Cagebrook View and Madley Road, Clehonger, Herefordshire,
APPLICATION TYPE: Planning Permission
DESCRIPTION: Installation of a public art sculpture, including associated concrete foundations and landscaping works, within an area of public open space.
GRID REFERENCE: OS 344738, 237558
The parish council discussed the application 261932 and resolved to strongly object to the application.
The reasons for the objection included:
• Lack of consultation with the parish ahead of the application
• The appropriateness of the spending when there were still many items still to be completed and or rectified concerning the new estate
• The likelihood of vandalising/damage of the sculpture
• Concern if a vehicle should hit the art work in an accident, made of solid metal
• Concern over dazzling or distraction of drivers with light reflecting off the statue
• The primary school had indicated that support for pupil education for new intake pupils would be appreciated ahead of art works, although the school were not unsupportive of art work per se.
The full objection would be circulated to councillors for approval and amendment before submission.
8. Clehonger Welcome packs – to update (as applicable)
Welcome Packs were being kept updated by Cllr Watkins and distributed by Cllr Whittal.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to M Group/Herefordshire Council
As ongoing and also 9 The Bines still had an overgrown hedge plus hedges overgrown in Poplar Road and Croft Road
9.2) To appoint Footpath Officer and consider any issues in relation to footpaths
A new Footpath Officer would be sought. Cllr Gardiner advised that there had been damage reported to a bridge below the pumping station behind The Bines. Cllr Gardiner kindly said that she would look at the inventory request from the Public Rights of Way Team to see if any details could be supplied.
9.3) To appoint Tree Warden and to receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the current Tree Warden, had sent her apologies. The appointment of Tree Warden was again deferred to allow Cllr Watkins to express her interest.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider actions in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and funding
The Lengthsman works were as agreed and ongoing. The resident with concerns about the grass triangle at the Ruckhall Lane end of Church Road had been visited. The resident had written to the parish council and it was agreed that the Cllrs Davies and Rider would meet with the resident, on location, to look at the matters raised. Cllrs Davies and Rider would make arrangements to meet the resident at a time and date suitable to all parties. The Clerk would advise the resident that the Cllrs would be making contact. The Lengthman would be asked to hold back on grass cutting of the triangle until later on.
11. Community Speed Watch
11.1) To hear any updates and determine actions
The data from the two Speed Indicator Devices was discussed during the Open Session. The Speed Watch Co-ordinator was not present at the meeting, but had sent through data for information.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
M Group/Herefordshire Council
Street works updates
James Howells, the Locality Steward E mail: james.howells@herefordshire.gov.uk
West Mercia Police
Newsletter circulated when received.
Ruckhall Lane Triangle
Ruckhall Lane triangle (top of Church Road) – letter as circulated from resident
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was in attendance at the meeting. He updated the meeting in the Open Session.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included plus Playing Field Hedge and access, co-option of councillor(s). Also local water supplies, resolving playing field signage and further 106 options. Ruckhall Lane Triangle – update. Ian Sutton and Nigel Koch would be invited to the September Meeting to help progress the 106 in all areas.
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 16th September 2026, from 7.00pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 8.29 pm.