Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 20th November 2024 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), J Gardiner, K Langdon and N Rider
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner (for part) and three 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 Chair welcomed everyone to the November parish council meeting. Thanks were recorded for the tarmac renewal of the lower part of the Birch Hill Road footpath. A member of the public mentioned the possibility of a call out list for the defibrillator. The scheme had not met with great success previously but may be revisited in the future.
2. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllrs J Jones, C Protherough, A Davies, W Watkins and C Forbes.
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 16th October 2024
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 16th October 2024 were approved and signed by the Chair. There was a correction to the word “September” in the welcome which should read “October”.
5. Finance and Policies
(5.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (November & December)
Expenses £20.69
HMRC Tax (Nov) £171.20
HMRC Tax (Dec) £159.40
Zemmat Holdings Ltd (bin emptying) £667.08
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire x 2 hours – Oct & Nov) £40.00
Hereford Christmas Trees (Tree 2024) £130.00
WEL Medical Ltd (Defib battery replacement) £244.74
Mrs F White (Playing Field Inspection 2024) £62.50
Mr P Nelder (SID Socket) £387.84
Elan City (Speed Indicator Device) £2807.99
A payment of £220.00 was approved for the fitting of the SID once this had taken place. This was in line with a quotation for the works.
A request for support with the upkeep of the Belmont Country Park from the Lead Volunteer was considered, and a donation of £250.00 towards the upkeep of the amenity was resolved to be made.
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £46459.44 total, with £224.45 of this total ring-fenced to the playing field.
(5.2) To determine the precept request for 2025 – 2026
The precept request for 2025 – 2026 was discussed and it was resolved that the amount of the request for 2025 – 2026 would remain as £22800.00.
(5.3) To consider HALC training for the New Year
The objectives for the training requirements would be looked at in January 2025.
6.0 Playing Field
(6.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field and inspection report
The inspection report for 2024 had been received after completion of the inspection. There were no red flags for attention. There were also no immediate action points requiring attention. There was a query about the “conformity” of the village hall notice board and the reasons around this would be clarified with the inspector.
(6.2) To consider any further information concerning the playing field 106 proposals and any matters in regard to the School Highways Safety 106 suggestions and decide on way forward from parish council perspective
The parish council discussed the circulated paperwork about the fencing. It was agreed that the desirables were that the hooped top fence be in a black powder coated finish and that it would be 1.2 metres in height.
Ward Cllr Hitchiner joined the meeting at this point.
There would be double width access gates for equipment entry etc. from the driveway adjacent to the field. The stile in the corner would go. The Clerk would notify the 106 Office of the requirements, as resolved, and ask for the progression of quotations for consideration. The enclosure of any elements of equipment within the playing field would be revisited in regard to keeping dogs out of the areas used by children. The positioning of the equipment would predicate this.
7. Planning.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
There were no new applications for consideration of comments.
8. Clehonger Welcome Packs
A few more packs had been distributed to new residents. New information would be communicated, for further packs, when advised.
9. Parish roads and footpaths, trees and land
9.1) To note any defects to be reported to Balfour Beatty
No further reports
9.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer Cllr Forbes had sent his apologies for the meeting. No further update.
9.3) To receive any update regarding trees
Cllr Watkins, the Tree Warden, had sent her apologies for the meeting. No further update.
10. The Lengthsman Contract
10.1) To consider matters in regard to the Lengthsman Contract (including appointment)
The Chair advised that she had spoken with a prospective candidate, for the role of Lengthsman, and would take this forward in January 2025. It was commented that the paths in the Persimmon Estate were very “slippery” and that there was no grit on them. The council would not grit in the estate being a private housing development with un-adopted roads.
11. Community Speed Watch
11.1) To consider any update on the Speed Indicator Devices and confirm purchase and fitting.
The purchase and fitting of the Speed Indicator Device were being progressed and the various elements required were on the agenda for consideration of payment and ordering to be completed. The street works licence for the contractor was being checked.
12. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
12.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Resident
Defibrillator Battery Request
Lead Volunteer
Belmont Country Park Donation Request
12.2) To receive any update from the Ward Cllr including any further update on the uncompleted housing development
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner was in attendance at the meeting at this point.
The Ward Cllr advised that:
• There were issues with getting bookings for the Locality Steward visits due to staffing issues. Appointments were not available until January 2025.
• New Locality Stewards were being recruited
• Three contact attempts had been made with Stonewater by the Ward Cllr – no response.
• Water was going over the road on the Cage Brook from the Stonewater Estate
• The Belmont Oak Tree application was ongoing and the application may be refused due to potential issues with the tree report
• A footbridge over the Cage Brook was down. The Ward Cllr had advised the Herefordshire Council that a replacement was required.
• The Southern Link Road details had been circulated and the council were waiting to see if the Government will provide funding
• The road was being re-evaluated for traffic requirements, possible cycle track provision and pedestrian access – uncertainty as to where the plan was going?
• Devolution and budgets were being discussed at Herefordshire Council
• The current Government were “keen” on devolution
• There was no Herefordshire Council Cabinet Meeting held in October.
• National Insurance increases for employers and increases in the national minimum wage were having to be accommodated
• The Head of Children’s Social Services was staying in post for an additional 18 months
• The recent Parish Summit had included discussion on the Public Rights of Way (PROW) Service at Herefordshire Council and the need for improvement had been identified
• Order were being placed for PROW and “nothing was happening”
• The Stoney Street Caravan Site was the subject of an appeal and the situation regarding the occupation of the site and previous planning detail was ongoing
13. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included, plus the Clerk’s Appraisal, and to review HALC Training Opportunities
14. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 15th January 2025, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall. No meeting in December.
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 implementation of 1/04/24 pay award (back dated) and increment from 1/04/24 in line with NJC correspondence
The Clerk and Public left the meeting for the discussion of Agenda number 15. The parish council resolved that the NJC Pay Award should be implemented, together with an incremental uplift, with effect from 1/04/24, and the arrears backdated.
The Meeting closed at 8.34 pm.