Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 19th March 2025 from 7.30 pm at the Clehonger Village Hall.
NB- The minutes are “draft” until ratified at the following parish council meeting.
These minutes were kindly taken by Cllr Alison Davies in the absence of the Clerk. The Clerk typed up the notes.
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: Ward Cllr David Hitchiner 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
Guest Speaker
To welcome Elaine Horton from the Kingstone Surgery Charitable Trust who wishes to speak about the fundraising initiative for an out of hours and self service prescription dispensing facility
Elaine Horton gave a presentation to the council meeting about the surgery trust. There were 30 people working at the surgery. There were 5555 patients currently registered at the surgery. The aim of the fundraising initiative was to raise funds in the region of £40,000.00 to install a prescription dispensing machine which could be used for collection of prescriptions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was believed that this could save 15 hours a week in time for surgery staff. Nearly £18,000.00 had been raised, so far, and the Trust was seeking support from local organisations and councils. There was a question asked regarding ownership of the service, once installed, and it was confirmed that this would be transferred to the doctor partnership. It was agreed that any possible support for the project from Clehonger Parish Council would be discussed at the parish council meeting in April.
In terms of the police report, as sent by e mail, it had been “reasonably quiet.” There had been an incident, where three people had been arrested, the situation had been controlled and these individuals were now out on bail.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Mrs A Wright (Clerk).
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 19th February 2025
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 19th February 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 (March)
Expenses £33.61
HMRC Tax (YTD) £169.00
HMRC Ers NI (Due) £116.58
HMRC Ees NI (Due) £4.44
Information Commissioner (ICO) £52.00
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (Bin services) £888.24
Eyelid Productions Ltd (web services) £100.00
PM Jones Ltd (Xmas tree 2024 install and disposal) £204.00
The Village Hall rental was confirmed as being invoiced every two months.
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 and determine topics for the 20th May 2025 HALC Training Session
The topics identified were the Code of Conduct and general parish council process.
(5.3) To consider the purchase of bulbs for parish planting and to appoint a co-ordinator to look at locations and to obtain landowner consent
The parish council were supportive of the bulb planting idea. Cllrs Rider and Forbes
were both appointed as joint co-ordinators. Photographs of the current displays would be taken to show where planting was already.
(5.4) To consider the Clehonger Village Hall Constitution and to determine representation, by the parish council, on the Clehonger Village Hall Committee
The constitution of the hall had not been circulated to the councillors. The person asked to do this said that they had not seen the request. There were already three councillors on the hall committee. If there was anything relevant to the parish council it would be sent to the parish council.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field and any decisions
There was a gap in the fence line where the kiosk had stood prior to its recent removal. Temporary fix by lengthsman? Two dead magpies had been observed on the field, query reporting?
(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 section 106 fencing project was still going ahead. No firm dates. Hopefully, parish council would hear more about progress by end of March.
7. Planning.
7.1) To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
No further applications for discussion of comments at the meeting.
8. Clehonger Welcome packs – to update as applicable
A few were being sent round, four to five per month. A thank you was recorded to Cllr Watkins for monthly updates to the pack.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
No further Balfour Beatty reports. The Clerk and Chair were meeting the Lengthsman to discuss lengthsman activities later in the month.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
Cllr Forbes reported on footpath defects.
There were issues with the footbridge at CH2. The condition had worsened. Cllr Forbes would check all the paths.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the Tree Warden, advised that there were no tree issues to report.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and to consider possible appointment of an additional contractor
The Chair and Clerk were meeting with the newly appointed lengthsman to sign the contract. An additional contractor, who works for a neighbouring council had offered the potential to carry out works. The initial appointment would be progressed and the additional offer borne in mind.
11. Community Speed Watch
11.1) To consider any update on the Speed Indicator Device etc. and speeding
The street works licence application for the speed indicator device installation had been submitted. There would be a lead time until work commenced. The work should hopefully proceed in April and be invoiced for April payment. Thank you to the Speed Watch co-ordinator for organising the installation.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Community Litter Pick
Community Litter Pick going ahead on Saturday 5th April from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Meet on playing field. Someone could approach the school for help?
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 was present at the meeting.
He reported:
• The Stoney Street static caravan site – situation ongoing. Planning “wrongly applied?”
• Road closure coming up at the Bridge Sollars Road – end March
• Shark House planning application for eight properties – had been minded for approval
• Innesfield – arranging meeting with the Chief Executive of Connexus
• Stonewater Estate – people would be moving into the houses in the next few months
• Attenuation pond at Stonewater Estate would be completed before residents move in
• The Woodside Gardens tree application – top canopy of tree removal
• Ruckhall Lane and A465 crossing – being looked into, including dropped kerbs?
• Discussion of traffic regulation order reduction on speed limits to 30 mph for Church Road and Cagebrook to Eaton Bishop?
• Herefordshire Council Meeting – borrowing £35 million to fund southern relief road
• Housing targets 27,000. Local Area Plan being rewritten
• Zoom Meetings being held on planning target and neighbourhood development plan matters 24 and 26 March (e mail refers).
• Devolution – less progress being made. Some other counties, Worcester and Gloucester, were merging their respective district councils
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included. Kingstone Charitable Surgery Trust to be discussed regarding support for the 24 hour dispensary service. Additional dog waste bin, Gardiners Oak, approach to neighbouring council. For Annual Parish Meeting consider – meet your parish councillors, drop in?
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 16th April 2025, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 8.40 pm.