Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 18th March 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 and C Protherough
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner and two members of the public plus Nigel Koch the 106 Delivery Manager from Herefordshire Council
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 March Meeting. Nigel Koch, the 106 Delivery Manage from Herefordshire Council, was introduced. Nigel gave an explanation of possible additional items for consideration for the playing field. There was some historical background to the field, and a summary about the fencing plus lots of ideas for further thought. There were examples of different goal posts, possible electrical power supply sockets and ideas for trees, hedging and wilding projects. Nigel agreed to receive the invoice for the Speed Indicator Device, from the parish council, as the original post holder who was dealing with this had left Herefordshire Council. He also agreed to send round his slides showing all the options for the playing field so that they could form the basis for further working group discussion. A working group to progress the ideas would be arranged. The parish council thanked Nigel for all of his work on the playing field project and he left the meeting at this point.
1. Co-option of parish councillor
There were no candidates for co-option at the March Meeting.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllrs J Gardiner, W Watkins and C Forbes
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 February 2026
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 18th February 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 (March)
Expenses £23.88
HMRC Tax and Ers National Insurance due £312.51
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (bins February) £537.05
Information Commissioner (ICO) £52.00
Eyelid Productions (web services) £280.00
Ian O’Brien & Son (Install groundworks -Speed Indicator Device) £1152.00
A Davies (Tracking the News for Welcome packs) £9.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £32994.19 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
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. It was agreed that the lengthsman would be asked to check the equipment on a regular basis. It was agreed that the annual inspection, arranged by Fran White, would be booked.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the 106 and the new fencing
The new playing field fencing was awaited. The anticipated start date for the installation was mid April.
(6.3) To consider possible suggestions for additional playing field “wish list” items to be put forward for progression
Nigel Koch had been in attendance at the meeting and had given a number of suggestions to the parish council, via his presentation. The ideas would be reviewed by the working group and suggestions would be made on what to take forward.
(6.4) To follow up on bench welding repairs and reinforcement
Cllr Davies was in touch with the welder and aiming to resolve the requirements as soon as possible.
7. Planning
No new applications for consideration of comments.
8. Clehonger Welcome Packs
Further Welcome Packs were being requested by prospective residents for the new estate. 20 copies of “Tracking the News” had been ordered, from the TTN Team, but had not been sent. Cllr Davies had purchased 15 copies direct from the shop. The parish council approved the order of further supplies of TTN for the future packs.
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. The Lengthsman would be consulted with regarding the next year’s contract. Defects were being reported. Issues were ongoing with water leaks, and potholes, in the vicinity of Vallets Farm, Ruckhall Lane. Further potholes had been reported on Birch Hill Road.
The Lengthsman Contract for 2026 – 2027 was signed by the Chair and Clerk. Clerk to send to the Lengthsman Co-ordinator at Herefordshire Council.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer had sent his apologies for absence from the meeting.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
The Tree Warden had sent her apologies for absence from the meeting.
9.4) Spring Parish Litter Pick – to update
The Spring litter pick would take place on Saturday 25th April from 2.00 pm onwards. Pickers would meet on the playing field and with no set end time. The Clerk had booked the litter picking equipment. The event would be advertised and Clehonger Action Network (CAN) would provide refreshments, as they had previously. Cllr Whittal kindly agreed to 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.
Daffodils update
Cllr Rider advised that the daffodil bulbs had been handed out at the previous litter pick. Others had been planted around the parish. There were also some in containers which could be transferred out?
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 would need to be discussed and the lengthsman consulted with. An appointment would be set up between the Clerk, the Lengthsman and Cllrs Davies and Whittal.
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, overall. The base had been fitted and was in readiness for the new SID. Cllr Whittal would arrange help for Mr Nelder with the fitting of the pole. The parish council agreed that a proforma invoice should be obtained to pay for the actual SID at the April 2026 Parish Council Meeting.
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.
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:
• Houses on the new estate were in progress of being occupied
• Clehonger C of E Primary School had been contacted for school places for new estate occupants
• The issues with the highway at Vallets Farm, Ruckhall Lane, had been subject to a visit with the new Locality Steward, James Howells.
• James Howells Locality Steward on a fixed term contract to June 2026.
• Overhanging hedge at Vallets Farm and environs – “some people like it, some do not”
• Cars with burst tyres by MacIntyres Bend, Dunan – potholes reported and filled
• Gosmore Road and Birch Hill potholes reported
• Belmont Abbey – tree cut down when it was subject to Tree Preservation Order – query regarding possible prosecution?
• Boundary Review – 53 wards confirmed for Herefordshire
• Innesfield – roundabout “keep left” sign had been installed
• Weedland by the Neighbourhood Hall – Ward Cllr chased again but no enforcement forthcoming
• Possible modification of highway opposite Harpacre to deter verge parking
• Communications mast coming to the village on corner near “Silverdale Island”
• Southern Relief Road Contractor had been appointed – document coming out on 23 March 2026 – £36 million cost for road
• Council tax – budget meeting held at Herefordshire Council
• Railway reinstatement business case to be put forward for Ross to Gloucester
The Ward Cllr left the meeting at 7.58 pm.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included, the 106 wish list and a reminder of the Litter Pick for spring on 25th April.
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 15th April 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:
May 20th
June 17th
July 15th
No meeting in August
September 16th
October 21st
November 18th
No meeting in December
The Meeting closed at 8.35 pm.