Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 19th November 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 A Davies (in the Chair, J Whittal, K Langdon, N Rider and C Protherough
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner (from 7.54 pm), and two members of the public
Before the meeting started the Chair advised the meeting of the recent sad passing of Cllr Jim Jones. The parish council held a minutes silence in remembrance of Jim. Tributes were made and Cllr Jim was described as being central to the village, a loyal and dedicated councillor and resident, doing his best for the village. It was agreed that he would be greatly missed. Condolences were expressed to his family and friends.
1. 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 November Meeting. There were no matters raised during the Open Session.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllrs Forbes, Gardiner and Watkins
3. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest this time. Cllrs N Rider and K Langdon in respect of the Village Hall and the declarations book was updated accordingly.
4. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th October 2025
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th October 2025 were approved.
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (November and December)
Expenses £24.86
HMRC Tax £197.80
HMRC Employer’s National Insurance due £157.48
P Nelder (Christmas tree lights and batteries) £131.14
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (bins October) £805.57
Clehonger Village Hall (hall hire) £40.00
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £40800.04 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
5.2) To consider the Herefordshire Charter for Councils 2025 (circulated)
This would be considered at the January 2026 Parish Council Meeting
5.3) To consider and approve start time for PC Meetings of 7.00 pm from January 2026
The parish council agreed that the parish council meetings would commence at 7.00 pm effective from January 2026
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field and any actions
The annual playing field inspection had been chased up with the provider. Another horizontal bar on the playing field fence had been pulled off.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the 106 and the new fencing
The new fencing plan had been reviewed and it was commented that it “looked good.” Thanks were recorded to Paul Wright who had met with the Procurement Team representative to talk about the technical aspects for the new fencing. A query about responsibility for the decision on contract would be queried with the Procurement Team by the Ward Cllr.
(6.3) To consider possible suggestion regarding power supply with hall and field
Mr Nelder had proposed collaboration between the Village Hall and the parish council in regard to the supply of electricity and water on the playing field. The Village Hall advised that they were not in favour of such collaboration at the present time. This may be revisited in the future and alternative measures may be examined.
(6.4) To consider possible revision and resubmission of playing field “wish list” items to new department for 106
Some suggestions included trees/plants on the field and some remodelling of the planting screen between the “adult” equipment and the children’s play area.
(6.5) To follow up on bench welding repairs and reinforcement
Several avenues to obtain a welder to carry out the required works to the benches had been explored. No action had been forthcoming to date. Cllr Rider advised that he had a new provider of welding services in mind and that he would pursue this.
7. Planning
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There was one new application for consideration of comments:
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 253003 – Minsterley, 7 School Lane, Clehonger, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 9RQ
APPLICATION TYPE: Full Householder
DESCRIPTION: Erection of single storey rear extension.
GRID REFERENCE: OS 345279, 237503
The parish council discussed the planning consultation 253003 and resolved that there were no objections to the proposed extension.
8. Clehonger Welcome Packs
Welcome Packs were being updated by Cllr Watkins and a few more packs had been distributed by Cllr Whittal.
There was a comment made about maybe pointing to areas of activity in the pack rather than specific diary dates to cut down on amendments?
There was no new information as to when the Stonewater homes would be occupied.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty/Lengthsman
The hole in the triangle of grass at the end of Syers Croft, going towards The Hollies had been repaired by the Lengthsman.
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths including a pre-consultation on alteration to PROW Path KS31 (revised details circulated)
It was agreed that the parish council did not have any comments to put forward in regard to the pre-consultation proposals, as revised and circulated, in relation to PROW Path KS31.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the Tree Warden had sent her apologies. The concerns raised, at a previous meeting, about the “lousy oak” on the A465 at the Belmont Road junction with the B4349 had been conveyed to the relevant departments. The tree was still in situ. The tree works to the Tree Preservation Order Walnut Tree at Lilac Cottage had been carried out.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract and funding and determine actions
Routine works were ongoing. A follow up meeting with the Lengthsman would be arranged in the New Year.
The “weed land” overgrowth on the land behind the Village Hall and corner of Birch Hill Road was in the hands of the Enforcement Team at Herefordshire Council.
11. Community Speed Watch
11.1) To hear any updates and determine actions
Mr Nelder would be applying for the new Street Works Licence for the installation of the second Speed Indicator Device pole. The same contractor would undertake the installation as previously ad insurance was up to date. The new pole would be progressed in the New Year, and further speed data from the existing device would also follow. Thank you to Mr Nelder for his work on this matter.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Herefordshire Council
Pre consultation on PROW KS31 (revised information sent by the PROW Team)
Balfour Beatty
Lara Edwards, the Locality Steward, has circulated her reports.
Members Monthly Update received
Street works updates
E mail: lara.edwards@balfourbeatty.com
West Mercia Police
Newsletter circulated when received.
Belmont Country Park – request for support received. To be put forward for consideration in January 2026.
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was in attendance at the meeting. He updated the meeting about:
• Checking regarding the 106 playing field fence and responsibilities
• Predicted budget shortfall for Herefordshire Council in current years budget of £7 million
• The budgets for Adult and Child Social Care and also for Special Educational Needs Transport were under review against a predicted budget deficit of over £27 million for 2026 – 2027
• The current Herefordshire CEO would be leaving the council at the end of March 2026. His replacement would involve a full council appointment. The Herefordshire Motto was “Hope not Fear”
12.3) To receive any update on the bulb planting initiative
The bulb distribution and planting had taken place. The bulbs had been placed in various locations around the village. There were some more bulbs available. Thank you was recorded to all those involved in the bulb planting project.
12.4) To consider any update from HALC on Monitoring Officer
There had not been any further information on this topic provided. It was commented that the role of the Monitoring Officer probably required “beefing up”.
12.5) To consider public transport concerns; availability, cancellations and reliability
The council member who had raised this topic was not present at the meeting, but the parish council agreed that issues over lack of provision etc., delays and cancellations of the service were a concern for users and that a “watching brief” would be kept on the situation.
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included, and the “Herefordshire Charter for Councils”
Cllr Rider gave his apologies in advance for the 14th January 2026 Meeting.
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 14th January 2026, from 7.00pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 8.45 pm.