Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 19th February 2025 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), N Rider, A Davies, J Gardiner, K Langdon, C Protherough, C Forbes, J Jones and W Watkins
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), PCSO Margaret (for part) and four 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
Phil Edwards, from the Belmont Country Park Supporters, was in attendance at the meeting. He thanked the parish council for their ongoing support with the Belmont Country Park upkeep expenses. He advised that he was interested in the agenda item 7 concerning the e mail received about the request for a pedestrian crossing facility on the A465 near Belmont.
The parish council discussed the openings in the new fencing and a request was made for there to be an entry point nearer the far end of the driveway boundary in addition to the lower access point. Gateways in the fence-line were still fluid for discussion. There was also a request for there to be an advertising banner displayed on the fence for the fete at the appropriate time. This was agreed in principle.
PCSO Margaret updated the meeting about local crime trends. There had not been anything further reported for Clehonger, but there had been a spike in burglaries and thefts in the Longtown, Craswell and Kilpeck areas. Tools and petrol operated equipment were being targeted. There had been one incident where masked people had been seen at 3.00 am in the morning in Pleasant Row, Clehonger. The advice given in circumstances like this was for there to be a 999 call made.
PCSO Margaret advised that the police would be in attendance at the fete on 29 June 2025.
A local parking issue with a vehicle causing an obstruction would be looked into.
PCSO Margaret left the meeting at this point.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Ward Cllr David Hitchiner.
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made for the Village Hall by Cllrs Gardiner, Langdon and Rider, on this occasion.
4. To approve Minutes the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th January 2025
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th January 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (February)
Expenses £23.66
HMRC Tax (YTD) £211.20
HMRC Ers NI (Due) £54.09
HALC Subscription 2025 – 2026 £1328.86
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire Jan & Feb) £40.00
Speed Indicator expenses
1) It was confirmed that the parish council accepted the quotation by Ian O’Brien to install the Speed Indicator Device – quote circulated – £960.00 plus VAT – and this will be paid after fitting and upon production of invoice
2) To confirm reimbursement of £69.00 plus VAT to Pat Nelder for purchase of pole for SID (as per Pat Nelder’s email of 17/02/25) This item of expenditure was resolved at the meeting also. To be paid upon production of invoice.
Street Works Licence application for Speed Indicator Device
It was also agreed that the Chair would sign the Street Works Licence application on behalf of the parish council.
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £37290.76 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
(5.2) To consider possible HALC training opportunities
The training objectives/topics and requirements would be looked into and a suitable time and date for training would be booked.
(5.3) To consider a request for support, from the Clehonger Village Hall, for an 80th Anniversary VE Day Celebration to be held on 8/05/25
A request for support with the holding of an 80th VE Day Celebration Afternoon Tea on 8th May 2025 had been received. There was a discussion about this and the parish council resolved to make a donation of £150.00 towards the event. This was agreed after a majority vote of 4 out of 6 people who were voting. There were three declarations of interest and these councillors did not vote. The donation would be paid nearer to the time of the event being held.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field and any decisions
The playing field was reported to be all okay as at the time of the meeting.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the playing field 106 proposals including any decisions and any matters in regard to the School Highways Safety 106
The County Council 106 Team had advised that a legal contract agreement would be required for the new fence installation. This was ongoing and the 106 Team Member Jen Hilton Trout, was progressing the agreement with the County’s Legal Department. The aim was to get the fence installed and then look at other possible options. Greg Speller was moving the School Highways Safety 106 initiatives forward.
7. Planning.
7.1) To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There had been some alterations to the planning consultation 250182 for tree surgery on the Oak tree, at an address in Belmont, but this had not altered, or added to, the previous parish council comments.
7.2) To consider a request for support with the request for a possible installation of a pedestrian light controlled crossing on the A465 near Belmont Abbey
The e mail containing details of the suggestion of a crossing had been circulated. The topic was discussed, including recommendations from the Belmont Country Park representative, Mr Edwards, and it was resolved that the Clehonger Parish Council would write to the Ward Cllr in support of the ambition to ask for consideration of the installation of a crossing on the A465 near to Belmont Abbey. It was suggested that this could form part of any other considerations for the new road strategy. The letter of support would be sent to the Ward Cllr, and the parish council would be copied into this.
8. Clehonger Welcome packs – to update as applicable
Requests for welcome packs had been followed up, including four packs delivered in February. Changes to the pack were being made when required.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
Ongoing issues, including potholes, were being reported and repaired. There was still water and silt coming out of the construction site onto the Madley Road. It was commented that if the water froze on the road there would need to be ice warning signage.
Also – missing Dunan sign at Macintyres Bend, Dunan and missing Clehonger sign on the hill coming down out of Eaton Bishop towards Cagebrook.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer Cllr Forbes advised that the paths were still pretty waterlogged. He would be walking them as soon as possible. There was a finger post down on the road going out of Clehonger towards the A465.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the Tree Warden, advised that there were no actual issues. The trees were mostly asleep. It was commented that a litter pick was essential. It was agreed that a pick would be held on Saturday 5th April from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Meeting at the playing field. The picking kits would be reserved. Clehonger Action Network (CAN) offered to provide refreshments on the day. The pick would be advertised to encourage people to join in and help make the litter pick a success.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract (including appointment and activities)
The Chair and the Clerk had met with John and Dan Sanders. Details of what they could carry out and prices had been circulated for information. It was resolved to appoint them officially to the post of Lengthsman. Paper work and contract details would be followed up. Activities would then be confirmed.
11. Community Speed Watch
11.1) To consider any update on the Speed Indicator Devices and confirm position regarding fitting (quotation accepted).
The fitting contract had been agreed and was just awaiting the contractor to be available to carry out the fitting. The Street Works Licence was being progressed to facilitate.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr including any further update on the uncompleted housing development and drainage issues
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner had sent his apologies for absence. He had sent a comment about some road signs which required replacement, including the missing Dunan sign at Macintyres Bend, Dunan and missing Clehonger sign on the hill coming down out of Eaton Bishop towards Cagebrook.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included, plus a visit from a representative of The Kingstone Surgery Charitable Trust in relation to fund raising for an out of hours and self service prescription dispensing service.
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 19th March 2025, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
Due to the confidential nature of the business of this agenda item, under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (3) it is proposed to put forward a motion to exclude members of the public during discussion of the following agenda item (15 only)
15. To discuss arrangements for the Clerk’s appraisal
The Public left the meeting for the discussion of Agenda number 15. The parish council would be arranging the Clerk’s appraisal with Cllrs Whittal and Davies.
The Meeting closed at 8.37 pm.