Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Clehonger Parish Council held on 21st December 2022 from 7.30 pm at the Clehonger Village Hall
NB- The minutes are “draft” until ratified at the following parish council meeting.
Present: Cllr J Whittal (in the Chair), S Savory, W Watkins and K Langdon
In attendance: Mrs A Wright (Clerk), Ward Cllr David Hitchiner 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 police were not in attendance. The Ward Cllr requested that his report be moved up the Agenda for the December Meeting.
Ward Cllr David Hitchiner – update
The Ward Cllr advised that he had met with Bruce Evans of Highways with regard to the gap in the hedge line opposite Harpacre. The issue of safety had been highlighted and the Ward Cllr had been advised that there would be resolution on this “by the end of March 2023.” The Ward Cllr advised regarding the erection of poles to facilitate broadband communications in the village. There was local concern about this. The Ward Cllr advised that such poles were difficult to oppose and that “no case had been opposed successfully”, to date. The Ward Cllr updated regarding the Childrens’ Services improvements and initiatives about the phosphate problems in the county. There were a number of consultations online, via the Herefordshire Council website, including those concerning the Hereford Transport Hub (bus station), budget consultation, agriculture and the City Plan. The issue of recent burst pipes, water problems and the empty reservoir at Dorestone were also mentioned.
From those residents present and council the following were noted:
A “sewerage” type smell had been noted opposite the end of Birch Hill Road by some persons.
Sewerage works were being undertaken in the vicinity.
Concerns were noted over mud on the village roads during recent downpours. A car had overturned on the Kingstone Road near the new development site. Sweeping the road free of mud was a site priority and must be observed.
It was commented that the Christmas tree on the playing field was now looking in a “sorry state”. A resident suggested that maybe the parish could work together, including the village hall, on any future events of this nature, and that maybe the tree could be up earlier too? The school and members of the public had attended the event on the 9th December for carol singing and the lights switch on. The lights appeared to have now slipped down the tree, but interference with these could not be ruled out. The lights were battery operated. A mains supply for electricity on the playing field could be part of a funding wish list for implementation? Thanks were recorded to Cllr Savory for all of her work in bringing the tree, and carols etc. to the village for Christmas.
2. Co-option of councillor and signing of forms
There were no candidates presented for co-option at the meeting.
3. To receive Apologies for Absence
There were apologies for absence received from Cllrs A Davies, N Rider, C Protherough and J Jones. The meeting considered a request for an extended sabbatical leave, to six months total, for Cllr Davies and this was approved.
4. To note Declarations of Interest
There were declarations of interest made by Cllr Watkins in relation to the Village Hall and Cllr Whittal in matters relating to the Clehonger Church.
5. To approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 16th November 2022
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 16th November 2022 were approved.
6. Finance and Policies
(6.1) Resolved: The following list of payments were approved:
Clerk paid in accordance with contract (December)
Expenses £30.40
HM Revenue & Customs (tax) £255.40
Longfield Services (Lengthsman/Bins etc.) £417.15
Clehonger Village Hall (Hall hire 16/11/22) £14.00
HM Revenue & Customs (Ers NI) £69.12
Resolved: The bank balance was noted at £42515.17 (December statement)
Dore Community Transport
A request for support with the running of Dore Community Transport had been received and the parish council resolved to donate £650.00 towards the amenity. There was a question raised about the accounts and it was agreed that the DCT accounts are published on a publicly visible website (Charity Commission Website ref: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3998109). Details may be viewed there. The parish had received a total of 246 journeys in 2022.
7.0 Playing Field
(7.1) Update on matters relating to the playing field
No further update.
8. Planning.
To consider response to Planning Applications, as notified, and then determined by Herefordshire Council
One application for consideration of comments this time:
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 222456 – 1 Syers Croft, Clehonger, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 9SU
DESCRIPTION: Proposed change of use of garage area to a salon (business use) retrospective.
GRID REF: OS 344850, 237406
APPLICATION TYPE: Planning Permission
The retrospective application was discussed. The council resolved to support the application subject to comment being made regarding adherence to agreed working times and access arrangements being regulated and observed.
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: Planning Consultation – 223667 – Rochberie, Church Road, Clehonger, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 9SE
DESCRIPTION: Proposed single storey rear extension with dual pitched roof (extension approved with flat roof under application 193822)
GRID REF: OS 346736, 237864
APPLICATION TYPE: Full Householder
The parish council discussed the application 223667 and resolved to support the proposal.
Ward Cllr Hitchiner left the meeting at this point.
9. Clehonger Parish Church
There was no further update about the Church. There was a query about receipt of the Clehonger Church Christmas Card with timetable of services. Cllr Whittal would check with the Parochial Church Council regarding whether any change to the current position on the services at Innesfield would be made. Services at Innesfield had ceased during the Covid Pandemic.
10. To consider HALC Membership for 2023 – 2024
The HALC Membership was discussed. Consideration was to be given to value for money and the benefit of membership. Alternative membership, of the SLCC, may be an option. Cost of this to be ascertained. Decision on whether to renew the membership of HALC would be on the Agenda for January 2023.
11. Clehonger Village Hall
The Village Hall Secretary advised that there was 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
The Village white lining had been chased up and would hopefully be repainted in January 2023. Some potholes had been fixed. Other issues, such as the Birch Hill Road surface were ongoing.
12.2) To consider any issues in relation to footpaths
The Footpath Officer was not present. No update.
12.3) To put forward work for the Lengthsman
Works had been carried out, including clearing the wall area at the bottom of Birch Hill Road and in Church Road near the Notice Board. A request was made for the “pull in” near to the 30 mph speed limit sign in Gosmore Road to be cleared to help prevent overgrowth of weeds/grass in the space.
12.4) To receive any update regarding trees
A resident advised that there was a tree to come down at “Silverdale”. This tree was not the subject of a tree preservation order (TPO).
12.5) To consider any matters relating to speeding in the village – progress of community speed watch and Speed Indicator Device
The Community Speed Watch Co-ordinator advised that details of Clehonger CSW had been passed to Ian Connolly, the Police Safety Advisor. Speed Monitoring devices (via Mark Watts CSW Co-ordinator) were hopefully being installed, in the New Year, to capture the data which would inform the way forward. The Clehonger Community Speed Watch Co-ordinator outlined his commitment to chase progress up on a monthly basis. The Speed Indicator Device assessment, for the B4349 road by the Seven Stars, and the price for this had been requested and also chased up.
13. Information Sheet, Correspondence plus Ward Councillor Report
13.1) To note Information and Correspondence sheet:
Herefordshire Council:
Talk Community bulletins
Section 106 Portfolio of works delivery update
Leader’s Letter to the Prime Minister
Dore Community Transport
Request for support received. 246 trips made, for those in Clehonger, during 2022.
14. Matters to be raised on the Agenda of the next Meeting
All the usual matters would be included. Consideration of the HALC subscription would also be on the agenda. Also whether, or not, to hold a parish council meeting in the month of December, going forward. Parish Wish List Survey
15. Confirmation of date of next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 18th January 2022, from 7.30pm, at the Clehonger Village Hall.
The Meeting closed at 8.22 PM.