Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 14th June 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 (in the Chair), J Jones, J Gardiner, K Langdon, W Watkins, N Rider and C Forbes
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner, PCSO Margaret, Bruce Evans from Herefordshire Council and eight 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 in attendance. The Chair welcomed everyone to the June Meeting and introduced Bruce Evans from Herefordshire Council who had come to talk about Speed Indicator Devices and highway safety. Firstly, residents were in discussion with the parish council about lack of parking spaces, particularly around the Bines, Croft Road, Oak Crescent etc. The police had been asked to follow up on cars parked too close to junctions, and had done this, but concern was expressed that parking was becoming increasingly difficult as more homes and cars came into the village. The question was asked “where can residents park?” It was agreed that the Clerk would ask Connexus to hopefully attend a meeting to discuss the possible creation of new spaces, maybe using existing verges and grass areas. The PCSO emphasised that the 10 metre from a junction parking limit was advisory. The police would be performing regular checks to make sure that the junctions were not blocked.
Bruce Evans then explained about Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS) and Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS). The VAS would not be suitable, according to Bruce, but the SID option would be “ideal”. The placing of the SID would be dependent on forward visibility of the location and the general rule was that they were used on a temporary basis, one month on then three months off.
Bruce also explained that there was a budget (amount to be advised) of 106 monies from the recent housing development to be spent on road measures. A comprehensive plan could be drawn up to incorporate a number of measures to try to keep the majority of driving speed down to a “reasonable level”. There was some disappointment expressed about the delay in getting something in place and the question of mobile units or a trial SID was discussed. Other calming options, such as beige roundels on the road, removal of the centre line and side line instead painting, to give the impression of narrowing etc. were mentioned. A package of ideas could be put together in line with the identified budget.
It was noted that a lot of the Welsh roads were having speed limits reduced to 20 mph.
The speed van had been in Clehonger twice in the last month. The question was asked about was there a target attendance for the van, answer “No”. Also, are the PCSOs told about speed van attendance, again answer “No.”
There was a wish to see a possible “twin track” approach (possible Parish Council to fund the SID) to get things moving, but in the first instance the Parish Council would “reach out” to the Herefordshire Council to tap into the Highways portion of the 106 and to set about getting a plan together.
The Clerk would send Bruce correspondence relating to the SID request and Ian Connolly’s visit for his information. The Clerk would also chase up the speed data/van attendance information request.
PCSO Margaret updated the meeting regarding local crime. The theft of a land rover and subsequent theft of a diesel bowser, from a site in Kingstone, and the setting fire to the land rover and abandonment of the bowser was under investigation. There had also been a theft of milk from the school. The CCTV footage had proved inconclusive. There had also been two burglaries in Madley. Plants had also been stolen from their pots and the pots left behind.
The parish council thanked Bruce and Margaret for attending.
Bruce Evans left the meeting at 8.13pm
PCSO Margaret left the meeting at 8.15pm.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr Protherough and Cllr Davies.
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made by Cllr Watkins and Cllr Gardiner in relation to the Village Hall and Cllr Whittal in matters relating to the Clehonger Church. Also Cllr Watkins in relation to planning consultation 231370 for Little Twig Cottage.
4. To approve Minutes of the Annual Parish and Annual Statutory Council Meetings held on 17th May 2023
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 17th May 2023 were discussed. The Clerk noted and apologised for a spelling error for Cllr Rider, should be “Rider” not “Ryder”. Cllr Watkins raised a query about Annual Parish Meetings. The Minutes of the Annual Statutory Meeting were approved. The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting would be looked at for approval in the May 2024 Annual Parish Meeting. In past years village groups had attended this to give and receive updates. This had not happened for many years. All public from any village groups are welcome to join all parish meetings, including and especially the Annual Parish Meeting. The meetings were advertised, every month there is a meeting, in three local notice boards, (shop, church and Poplar Road) plus the parish council website at: https://clehongerparishcouncil.org/
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (June)
Expenses £42.44
HMRC (Tax) £68.40
Longfield Services (Lengthsman/Bins/Notice board etc.) £605.55
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire x 2 evenings) £28.00
Eyelid Productions (web services x 3 months) £90.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £45300.06 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field. This £224.45 was clarified as being a cash deposit collected from the 7th May Coronation Event.
(5.2) To adopt the new Code of Conduct 2023
It was resolved to adopt the new Code of Conduct 2023.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field including damage to swings
The mowing contractor had asked some questions about the swing legs, which had been answered, and was reporting that the swing legs had not been manufactured/supplied by Kompan, as had been thought (the seats were Kompan branded). It was agreed that the Clerk would speak to a previous chair of the parish council to see if he could provide any details of manufacture/date of fitting etc.
(6.2) Padlock on side access
The padlock had, again, gone missing from the side access pole off the driveway. This had been mentioned to the school and would be followed up. There were concerns that the pole could be removed and misused.
Tree cages for fruit trees
The chicken wire cages around the fruit trees on the playing field had perished in parts and needed repair. Cllr Watkins asked if the cages could be looked at for repairs and a gap left for clearing access if possible. The Lengthsman would be asked to look at this.
7. Planning.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There had been one new planning consultation for consideration of comments:
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 231370 – Little Twig Cottage, Clehonger, Herefordshire, HR2 9RF
DESCRIPTION: Proposed extension to form additional accommodation at first floor level
GRID REF: OS 345181, 237341
APPLICATION TYPE: Full Householder
Cllr Watkins declared an interest in the consultation and left the hall for the duration of the discussion on the topic. The parish council discussed the proposals in the consultation 231370 and resolved to support the application.
The parish council had also received a request to consider their possible comments for a pre-application planning item. This was Pre-application 223953/CE for 18, The Bines, Clehonger. The proposals included creation of a driveway, extension to the property and other related matters. The meeting heard representation from the applicant, who was in attendance. There was a discussion about the possibilities of the proposals. It was then resolved that the Clerk would write to the Planning Department for advice in regard to any possible contribution, as this was the first time that such input had been requested from the parish council and they wished to be clear on their position. Councillors also indicated that they would like to undertake a site visit, probably individually, to be aware of the perspective.
8. Clehonger Parish Church
Cllr Whittal advised that there was to be a “Memoirs” Evening with Jules Hudson held in aid of church funds on 24th June 2023. Tickets were available at £15.00. Posters with full details were available.
Cllr Whittal advised that she had been in communication with a representative from Connexus and it was hoped that some worship services would reconvene in Innesfield later in the year. There were some ongoing issues with the heating system which were in process of resolution. A resident of Innesfield also gave some input to this discussion concerning the heating.
9. Clehonger Village Hall – to hear any updates on hall and activities
The hall was reported to be “busy as always”. There were some new items of equipment in the kitchen and there had been boiler repairs carried out.
10. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
10.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
There was some question on who was the Locality Steward for the area. The Clerk would check this.
It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the Enforcement Officer in regard to the overgrown front hedges at the Persimmon Estate. The speed repeater signs were being blocked from view. The Lengthsman had cleared the visibility, up to a point, but the rest of the hedge was further impeding the view.
10.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer Cllr Forbes was present. There had been an element of confusion following the last meeting but the appointment of Cllr Forbes had been clarified. Maps of the footpaths would be obtained and any other assistance, for the role, supplied as required.
10.3) To put forward work for the Lengthsman
To look at repairs to fruit tree cages and regular duties plus including replacing the turf that had come off the play tunnel. The Church Road notice board had been unburied and painted and was now with the new map in place.
10.4) To receive any update regarding trees
No further details reported. The Tree Warden had sent his apologies.
10.5) To consider any matters relating to speeding in the village
This was discussed under the Open Session at the beginning of the meeting.
11. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
11.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Chase up for election expenses forms
11.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was in attendance at the meeting. He updated in regard to a situation with damp in some of the Persimmon homes (these were Bromyard Housing), which had now been resolved. He had also visited the Stonewater site and had established where the attenuation pond would be located.
The new Herefordshire Council Administration (21 Conservative seats in conjunction with other party placements) was seeking an urgent decision review in regard to matters including the location of the library, which had been planned for the Maylords. There was a review paper being put forward which would require a quick response in order to effect the changes.
The Ward Cllr was engaged in trying to resolve the issues around grass cutting in Innesfield. There had been some confusion over who was actually responsible between Herefordshire Council and Connexus.
12. Update on progress of the Residents Questionnaire
A revised Questionnaire, modelled by Cllr Protherough, had been circulated with the Information Sheet and Finance papers. It was resolved that a further Working Party would meet to finalise a draft for presentation to the council in September. Progress on circulation would then be made and there would be consideration given also to the capture of residents thoughts on highway safety, following on from the discussion on 106 Highways monies and as mentioned by Bruce Evans earlier in the meeting.
The Clerk would forward the latest draft to Helen Sutherland who was still happy to help with the circulation.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included plus to discuss the arrangement of the Clerk’s annual appraisal. It was advised that the Lengthsman was self employed and no employee appraisal was required.
Cllr Langdon advised that the council members listing on the website required updating following the May elections etc. The Clerk would check this.
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 19th July 2023, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 9.39pm.