Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 15th April 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, N Rider, J Whittal, C Forbes, W Watkins, C Protherough and K Gardiner (co-opted)
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner and five members of the public (one co-opted)
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 April Meeting.
A resident asked the parish council about a request from the 1st Golden Valley Scout Pack. The Scouts would be having a stall at the June Event, on the playing field, and wished to have a fire pit by their stall (for toasting marshmallows etc.). This request would be discussed under the playing field agenda item.
Another resident raised the issues of parking at the junction near “Harpacre” and the obstruction to the pathway. The Ward Cllr had been looking into measures, from the road safety section 178 budget, to help and would follow up as the intervention, that had been discussed, but had not yet been implemented. The Ward Cllr asked the resident to send photographs of the situation. Parking issues would be on the May Parish Council Agenda to feedback on action.
Another resident gave an update on the Kingstone Surgery Prescription Dispensing Machine. The machine was scheduled to be delivered to the surgery on 16 April 2026. There would be an interval before the machine was up and running (whilst installation and training took place). An additional surgery consulting room was also being made ready for use.
The Ward Cllr gave an update at this point. The details of his report are recorded under his agenda item. The Ward Cllr had two parish council meetings starting at the same time. The Ward Cllr left the Clehonger meeting at 7.16 pm to attend the second meeting at Madley.
The Chair then delivered a reminder to the members as follows:
“Can I remind councillors not to participate in social media discussions when their comments may impact on the parish council. If it affects the parish council, all comments should be checked before publication and councillors should abide by the Code of Conduct at all times.”
1. Co-option of parish councillor
There was one candidate for co-option at the April Meeting. Kevin Gardiner introduced himself and was then co-opted by the parish council. Cllr Kevin Gardiner signed his acceptance of office form. Cllr Gardiner would send in his Registrable Interest Form to Herefordshire Council. Welcome to Cllr Gardiner.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr Jo Gardiner
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest this time.
4. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 18th March 2026
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 18th March 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 (April)
Expenses £83.99
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (bins March) £537.05
Tracking the News (Welcome Packs) £20.00
PM Jones Builders Ltd (Christmas tree services) £300.00
Elan City Ltd (Speed Indicator Device) £2605.19
A Davies (Tracking the News for Welcome packs) £9.00
Clehonger Neighbourhood Hall (hall hire) £55.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £30466.58 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
5.2) To appoint internal auditor for 2025 – 2026
The parish council resolved to appoint C. Bull, as in previous years.
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 further reported issues. The lengthsman had been asked to check the equipment on a regular basis.
The parish council discussed the request by the scouts for a fire pit by their stall. The request was approved. The representative, making the request, would present a risk assessment to the May Parish Council Meeting.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the 106 and the new fencing
The new playing field fencing had been delayed due to a powder coating issue. The anticipated start date for the installation had been mid April. The fencing was being chased up.
(6.3) To consider possible suggestions for additional playing field “wish list” items to be put forward for progression
The working party had met and discussed the wish list. The parish council approved the following list of items and notes that had been presented for consideration:
“Clehonger Parish Council
Playing field working party 8th April 2026 – Notes
Present: Alison Davies, Krina Langdon, Carole Protherough, Nick Rider, Jenn Whittal, Wendy Watkins
Apologies: Jo Gardiner
We met to discuss improvements to the playing field using Section106 money
Document to be presented to the Parish Council at the next meeting for adoption and forwarding to Nigel Koch for design implementation, placement and costing
The following was agreed:
1. Football pitch – to be 5 a side with goals with metal backs. Dan Saunders will quote for fitting and marking.
2. Table Tennis table to be installed, no bats or balls provided. At far end of field?
3. Benches – type to be discussed
4. Picnic tables (2) to be placed near others.
5. Village notice board to be provided by Birch Hill Road
6. Solid surface for basketball hoop
7. Nigel to suggest trees for near picnic benches to provide shade.
8. Youth shelter by Birch Hill Road.
9. Fencing around the climbing frame – multi coloured.
Not agreed:
1. Shipping container
2. BBQ area
3. Electricity – no because of liability
4. Water – legionnaires
If any money left it would be used to improve matting under equipment.
To remember: There is a 10’ agreed space along village hall lane which can have no structure on it.
Sewage pipes along by school on field.
We will also need to rewrite Regulations for the field after discussion so new boards can be printed.”
The list was proposed by Cllr Watkins and seconded by Cllr Rider. Carried
The list would be submitted to Nigel Koch, the 106 officer, for progression.
The Chair reiterated that the playing field rules would need to be considered and new notices made.
(6.4) To follow up on bench welding repairs and reinforcement
Cllr Davies advised that the contractor was away and that the welding would be looked at when they returned. Cllr Rider offered an alternative option, should the original contractor not be able to undertake the repairs.
7. Planning
No new applications for consideration of comments.
8. Clehonger Welcome Packs
Additional Welcome Packs were being requested by prospective residents for the new estate. Cllrs Davies and Whittal had delivered a large number of packs to the occupants of the new homes. More copies of “Tracking the News” would be ordered, from the TTN Team. Cllr Davies had purchased further copies direct from the shop. The parish council approved the order of further supplies of TTN for the future packs. There were about 40 more packs needed to complete deliveries to the new estate homes.
Thank you recorded to all responsible and to Cllr Whittal for printing and distribution.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty/Lengthsman
Defects were being reported. Issues were ongoing with water leaks (one by the school was supposed to be being fixed), and more potholes were reported on Birch Hill Road and in School Lane. There was hedging overhanging on the B4349 just before the Abbey Farm entrance.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer advised that he was walking the paths and had still some left to complete.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
The Tree Warden advised that some of the trees on the Persimmon Estate had died. The trees were the responsibility of Persimmon.
9.4) Spring Parish Litter Pick – to update
The Spring litter pick would take place on Saturday 25th April from 2.00 pm onwards. Clehonger Action Network (CAN) would provide refreshments, as they had previously. Cllr Whittal would collect the litter picking kits on the 24th April and return them on the 27th April. Bags for collection would be placed on the corner of the playing field and at the top of Church Road by the bus stop. The Clerk would phone in the collection information once the number of bags of litter had been confirmed.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and funding and determine actions
The grant funding for 2026 – 2027 had been discussed and the lengthsman consulted with. Dan Sanders was happy to continue in the role of Lengthsman.
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 again, as was the overall volume of traffic movements. The base for the new SID was ready and the SID itself was on the way, with payment having been agreed by the parish council. The Clerk would ask Nigel Koch if the actual SID may be considered for reimbursement via the 106 or related development highways funding.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Balfour Beatty
James Howells, the Locality Steward, had circulated his reports.
Members Monthly Update received
Street works updates
E mail: james.howells@balfourbeatty.com
West Mercia Police
Newsletter circulated when received. The police had sent a written update about local issues and including recent catapult usage and broken windows. Action was in progress.
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was in attendance at the meeting.
The Ward Cllr advised that:
• Fostering services were in “good shape” and people were coming forward for this
• The Herefordshire Council Audit and Governance Committee were looking at the Transport Hub process and an external audit opinion had found that some steps had not been followed, and that the “process” was not known to some directors. The Audit had decreed a “red flag” on the outcomes but the Herefordshire Council internally commissioned audit had declared the process to be “green”. It was determined that the “red” and “green” reports were not looking at the same thing.
• The Council were reviewing the Southern Link Road as to whether to go ahead?
• Council Tax Year starts in April. Accounts being prepared. Budget savings had to be even more next year
• Talk Community Representatives cut from 5 to 3 in number
• No update on the caravan site in Stoney Street
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included, the Annual Parish and Annual Statutory Meetings content also, including election of officers
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meetings of the Parish Council, the Annual Parish and Annual Statutory, would be held, consecutively, on Wednesday 20th May 2026, from 7.00pm, at the Clehonger Neighbourhood Hall.
Future Dates for 2026 Clehonger Parish Council Meetings:
7.00 pm in the Clehonger Neighbourhood Hall on:
June 17th
July 15th
No meeting in August
September 16th
October 21st
November 18th
No meeting in December
The Meeting closed at 7.51 pm.