Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 19th June 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, J Gardiner, K Langdon, W Watkins, N Rider, C Protherough and C Forbes
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner, PCSO Margaret and three 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. The Chair of CAN (Clehonger Action Network) said that she was looking forward to seeing everybody at the Fun Day to be held on the Clehonger Playing Field, from 12 noon until 6.00 pm, on 23rd June 2024.
PCSO Margaret advised that there had not been any crimes reported for Clehonger since the previous parish council meeting in May. The police would be in attendance at the Fun Day on 23rd June 2024. Overall, things in the neighbourhood were described as being “pretty good”. The PCSO circulated some graphs concerning recent speed watch activity. There had been some recent thefts of coping stones from churches, including Craswall where 20 stones had been taken. The PCSO reiterated the need to report any “suspicious” vehicles etc. The police had dealt with a call from the school concerning obstruction caused by parking. A question was asked about HGV use of the Bridge Sollars Road. The PCSO explained that there was an advisory sign regarding suitability of the road for large vehicles at each end of the road, but that this was not an exclusion sign. It was therefore not enforceable for there to be no access for HGV.
PCSO Margaret left the meeting at 7.38pm.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr Davies.
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There was a declaration of interest made by Cllr Whittal in regard to a request for a donation towards mowing expenses for the Clehonger Church.
4. To approve Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 22nd May 2024
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 22nd May 2024 were approved. The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting, held on the 22nd May 2024, would be approved at the Annual Parish Meeting to be held in May 2025
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (June)
Expenses £24.46
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (bin emptying) – prev. cheque cancelled £1367.82
Paul Wright (replacement parts and repairs/recalibration – zip wire) £57.20
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire x 2 meetings) £28.00
Kompan Ltd (whole new slide – cheque raised interim) £2135.25
C Bull (Internal Audit) £40.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £47326.00 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
A request had been received from the Clehonger PCC in respect of the churchyard mowing. The parish council had a proposal of a donation of £1000.00 by Cllr Rider and seconded by Cllr Gardiner. This donation proposal was carried unanimously. It was suggested, by Cllr Rider, that a working party could be arranged to help keep the churchyard clear of weeds etc.
5.2) To sign and approve the Exemption Certificate for 2023 – 2024
The Exemption Certificate 2023 – 2024 was approved by the council and signed by the chair
5.3) To sign and approve the Annual Governance Statement 2023 – 2024
The Annual Governance Statement 2023 – 2024 was approved by the council and signed by the chair
5.4) To sign and approve the Accounting Statement 2023 – 2024
The Accounting Statement 2023 – 2024 was approved by the council and signed by the chair
5.5) To adopt new Financial Regulations 2024 (circulated separately)
The Financial Regulations 2024 were adopted by the parish council.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field
The new replacement slide had been ordered and was on its way.
The zip wire had been repaired and recalibrated and was assembled and back in use.
(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 there would hopefully be a further update from the Section 106 Officer, Jenn Hilton Trout, in July. The Chair had confirmed to the 106 Team that the Clehonger Parish Council were in support of the speed limit reduction traffic regulation order lowering the speed limit around the school area to 20 mph. Design works in relation to the proposals would be coming out from 106 Officer Greg Speller.
The council was advised that the brownies had carried out a litter pick on the playing field recently.
7. Planning and Survey.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There was no further update on planning or the survey.
8. Clehonger Welcome Packs
A draft revised Welcome Pack had been circulated to council members. There was a discussion about the pack and contents plus some further changes were identified. Some councillors felt that there had not been enough time to look at the revised presentation. Advertising within the pack would be managed, and permission to publish details would be sought from businesses, plus criteria for business status re planning would be observed. After discussion, there were two proposals put forward:
1) By the Chair – to have a further meeting to discuss the content before acceptance.
2) By Cllr Watkins – to accept the pack as it stood as at the meeting, and allow it to evolve whist making the identified changes.
Proposal 1 received 3 votes
Proposal 2 received 4 votes
Proposal 2 was carried.
A meeting to work on the newly adopted pack would be held on Monday 24th June at the Village Hall from 4.30 pm. The Clerk would let Cllr Davies know about the meeting. All councillors welcome at the meeting. A “thank you” was recorded to Cllr Protherough for her continued work on compiling and distributing the packs, up until the present, and for keeping things going during the Covid Lockdown period and beyond. It was agreed that people would let the Clerk know when further packs were required.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
The School Lane hedges were overgrown at some properties. The Locality Steward would be asked to check these.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer Cllr Forbes was present. The footpaths had been walked. There were issues with a footbridge at path CH2 – EB9. Planks were missing, it was tipping and the bridge was described as “condemnable”. The stile below path CH13 had a footplate missing. Path CH1 was overgrown and required opening up as was ploughed right to the edge.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the Tree Warden advised people to look out for the activities and presence of deer as there were numbers of them about.
9.4) To consider possible proposal for a pedestrian crossing on the B4349
There had been previous discussions, historically, about the possibility if there being a pedestrian crossing on the B4349. MP Jesse Norman had been written to previously and there had been indication of support for the idea. There was likely to be increased traffic going forward due to increased housing development and new road infrastructure. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Ward Cllr Philip Price, the Cabinet Member for Roads and Infrastructure to pose the proposal for consideration of a pedestrian crossing. To copy in the Ward Cllr and parish council.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and funding
The existing lengthsman was no longer working for the parish council. A new lengthsman would be needed. How to find a suitable person? The playing field needed regular inspection. Cllr Whittal would make some enquiries. The idea of asking a previous lengthsman, Mr Wright, to carry out small, ad hoc tasks was discussed and agreed in principle with the playing field inspection element to be confirmed by the Chair, following enquiries. It was agreed that the new dog bin for Poplar Road would be fitted by the previous lengthsman, Mr Wright, who had provided an acceptable quotation.
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 through to progress locating a SID. There could be potentially three sockets and sites for one SID to be rotated to the three spots. The exact placements would need to be agreed. One near the Seven Stars, one near Silverdale and one potentially on the Poplar Road approach end of the village. A place name sign designating “Clehonger” would also be useful from the Eaton Bishop direction coming into the village.
A CSW Working Group Meeting of Cllrs Whittal and Davies plus the Co-ordinator and the Clerk would be arranged.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Reminder to complete new Registrable Interest Forms
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 updated in regard to some recent sewerage pollution issues in regard to the stream at the Persimmon Estate. This had been followed up with the Enforcement Officer at Herefordshire Council. Tankers had been sent to take the sewerage away. The pump issue had been resolved but the overall system had been said to be “inadequate”. The materials that had been observed at the site were for the purpose of remedial works to properties on the estate. The Ward Cllr had offered assistance to the residents of the estate to help them set up an “Action Group” to manage estate matters.
The “Stonewater” development had seen the appointment of a new contractor who had commenced works on the road outside of the estate. There was work going on to get back on site in July/August.
The Ward Cllr advised about an invitation to a Parish Summit at Plough Lane on 9th July 2024. Cllr Whittal would be attending. The condition of Birch Hill Road had been noted at recent Balfour Beatty contact meetings.
There was a “hedges” seminar being held on 24th June from 10.00 am to 12.00pm with two delegates per parish capacity. Full details circulated.
There had been some changes to cabinet leadership within Herefordshire Council and the council were up to date with the audit of accounts process. Investment properties had been re-valued and rent reviews had been carried out.
In regard to the Stoney Street based Madley “caravan park”, enforcement notices had been served. Information had been requested, in regard to the residents, but they were described as “not doing it.”
12.3 To receive any update from Welsh Water regarding recent supply issues
The Clerk had presented the case of the issues, as experienced, with a full recent history to the Welsh Water team via their contact form facility. There had not been a formal response as at the date of the meeting. Some informal information obtained from local technicians, working on a project in a neighbouring village, had highlighted some capacity and supply concerns in relation to local piping and reservoirs. Tankers had been seen conveying water supplies. It was noted that anyone with concerns about obtaining water, in the event of an emergency or disruption to service, should log this with the Water Service provider to ensure that alternative arrangements can be made. It was hoped that Welsh Water would heed the suggestions that had been put forward by the Clerk, on behalf of Clehonger Parish, in order to manage communications and contingency should there be any further incidence of supply disruption.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included plus defibrillators (action plan?)
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 17th July 2024, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 8.50pm.