Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 19th April 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, C Protherough (in the Chair), J Jones, S Savory, K Langdon W Watkins, N Rider and A Davies
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner, PCSO Pete Knight, PCSO Margaret and nine 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. A question was raised by a member of the public present, who advised that she and her family run the Madley Car Boot, concerning whether there had been comments made at the March Clehonger Parish Council Meeting in relation to the Madley Car Boot. The parish council members and the Clerk confirmed that no mention of the car boot had taken place during the proceedings of the March parish council meeting. There were then some exchanges of comments from the floor, and in interaction with the parish council, who were again able to confirm that no mention of the Madley Car Boot had taken place during the meeting.
The Chair then advised the members of the public that they were welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting and then moved the meeting to the police officers present for the police update.
PCSO Pete Knight was back on the patch and he introduced his colleague PCSO Margaret Andrzejewska. The decision to not permit Community Speed Watch activity in the village had been taken based on the average speed observed being too high. The highest recorded was 44 mph, during a police speed watch session, and this driver had been stopped by the police. There would be more police monitoring of speed through the village. Motorcycle using officers would also be deployed, on speed watch, and it was hoped that this would “increase coverage.”
The Speed Indicator Device had still not been confirmed by Herefordshire Council who had been asked to come back on this. The Ward Cllr would chase this again. Herefordshire Council input was required in order to proceed.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllr Griffiths.
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made by Cllr Watkins and Cllr Jones in relation to the Village Hall and Cllr Whittal in matters relating to the Clehonger Church.
4. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th March 2023
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th March 2023 were approved.
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (March)
Expenses £91.45
Longfield Services (Lengthsman/Bins etc.) £222.10
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire x 3 evenings) £42.00
Whitehill Direct Ltd (map for Old Clehonger) £406.80
Megabounce (Coronation event agility course) £400.00
DJ Lloyd Contracting (playing field hedge cuts x 2) £270.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £37808.70
(5.2) To appoint the internal auditor for 2022 – 2023
It was resolved the Trefor Edwards would be appointed as the internal auditor, in previous years.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field
It was commented that the playing field grass had been cut and that it “looked nice”.
A litter pick would be undertaken.
It was confirmed that the annual playing field inspection would take place. Clerk to confirm this to Mrs Fran White.
7. Planning.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There had been one new application for consideration of comments, (2x numbers – planning permission and listed building consent) but these were not received until the date of the meeting, 19th April. An extension to the deadline for comments would be sought until after the May parish council meeting on the 17th May.
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 231062 – Home Farm, Belmont Road, Herefordshire, HR2 9RX
DESCRIPTION: Proposed development of 8 dwellings incorporating the conversion of two traditional barns into four dwellings and four new dwellings, garaging, access alterations, drainage and landscaping.
GRID REF: OS 348725, 238192
APPLICATION TYPE: Listed Building Consent
Also 231061 – Planning Permission (details as for 231062)
8. Clehonger Parish Church
No further update this time.
9. Coronation Event – update and funding
Cllr Griffiths had sent her apologies but she had been working on arranging the event.
The question had been asked, was the Parish Council funding for the event to be £1000 including any VAT payable, or £1000 excluding any VAT payable. It was agreed that the parish council contribution to the event would be £1000 excluding any VAT payable. VAT was recoverable by the parish council, subject to appropriate VAT receipts being provided.
There was a discussion about seating arrangements and fridge facilities for storage of ices on the day. There was a request for raffle prizes for the event.
Thanks were recorded to Cllr Griffiths and the team for all of their work on the event so far.
10. Questionnaire – update and next steps including distribution methods plus to look at attendance for: Subject: S106 Drop In Session – Members – April 2023 (26/04/2023 & 27/04/2023) Following the Section 106 Briefings held with Members/Parishes, drop in sessions had been noted as a way to enable greater communication with stakeholders, and allow a forum for queries to be raised when required for projects.
It was agreed that some parish councillors and Helen, who was helping with the questionnaire would try to engage with the drop in sessions to find out more about the 106 communications etc.
Once a model questionnaire had been shaped and finalised then distribution options and costs could be explored. A QR code would be included on the questionnaire. Helen would update the questionnaire and share the new version of it.
Further developments/agreement of questionnaire would be carried forward to May.
11. Clehonger Village Hall – to hear any updates
No further update this time.
12. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
12.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
Cllr Savory had reported a number of potholes. Potholes were continuing to appear in Birch Hill Road. The flooding of the area next to Persimmon Estate had happened again, but had not been captured on camera. The Ward Cllr had been looking into the problem and the pipe/pond arrangements and had made further contact with Joel Hockenhull of the Drainage Team. The Ward Cllr was awaiting some “decent flood” pictures to send in.
Cllr Jones advised that he had repaired the gate at the end of the village hall path that had required attention. Thanks were recorded to Cllr Jones for this.
12.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer was present. All paths were open except the one in Field 62 which was being cultivated. The field was open but crop planting was in progress.
12.3) To put forward work for the Lengthsman
To refurbish the map at Old Clehonger (map being ordered) plus ongoing as required
12.4) To receive any update regarding trees
No further details reported.
12.5) To consider any matters relating to speeding in the village – progress of community speed watch and Speed Indicator Device SID)
The Community Speed Watch update was noted, in conjunction with the police, under the Open Session item.
13. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
13.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Election correspondence including including statement of those nominated – there would be no election for the parish council because less than required number of candidates had presented. One vacancy was remaining for co-option. Cllrs Savory and Griffiths were standing down. A vote of thanks for all of their service was recorded. This was the last parish council meeting before the elections on May 4th.
13.2) The Ward Councillor advised that it was quiet in the council as the pre-election period rules applied. The Parish Council recorded a vote of thanks to the Ward Cllr for all of his help and assistance, for the parish, during his term in office.
14. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included and an update on the Coronation Event. The next meeting would be the Annual Parish and Annual Statutory Meetings of the Parish Council.
15. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meetings of the Parish Council, Annual Parish and Annual Statutory, would be held on Wednesday 17th May 2023, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 8.25PM.