Minutes – 12th December 2022

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting PPC/MH/172 held in the village hall on

Monday 12th December 2022 at 19.00 hrs.

 

Present

Councillors David Morgan (Chairman), Johnny Scrimgeour, Robert Metcalfe, Samantha Metcalfe, Isabelle Watkins, Brendan Treanor, Anna Coda and Emma Thacker-Vuts.

 

In attendance…. Allan Gibbs and Greg Warwick (Footpath Officers), Mark Hearne (Parish Clerk), and 19 residents.

 

  1. Apologies for absence – None.

 

  1. Declarations of interest & written dispensation requests – The Chairman declared a non-DPI against Agenda item 7.1 (Planning Re-Consultations 223199). It was RESOLVED that Councillor Scrimgeour will chair the meeting whilst this issue is discussed.

 

  1. Minutes of the previous meetings held on 15th November 2022. It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record, and these were signed by the Chairman.

 

  1. To Review Resolutions reached at the meeting of the 15th November 2022 – The Clerk provided a brief update on the resolutions from the previous meeting.
    • It was previously agreed to replace the broken post at Hinton with plastic bollards and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk procures the equipment accordingly.
    • The Clerk reported that Balfour Beatty have advised that the Parish Council will be expected to fund a new village sign and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk seeks a costing for consideration at the next meeting.
    • No response from the contractors who were invited to provide revised quotes for work for the removal of diseased trees in the recreation ground.
    • Action remains outstanding on the resolution to replace the broken bench at Hinton. It was RESOLVED that Councillor Robert Metcalfe sources the bolts required to install the replacement bench.

 

  1. Open session –
    • West Mercia Police – No representatives from West Mercia Police were present at the meeting.
    • To receive a report from the Ward Councillor – Ward Councillor Hewitt was not present.
    • To receive views from local residents on parish matters – The Chairman suggested that any residents wishing to speak about planning consultation 223199 (Barley Knapp) should speak when the issue is due to be discussed later in the meeting. The following issues were raised.
      • Concerns was expressed over the increasing presence of deer in the local area and the dangers this poses to motorists. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contacts Balfour Beatty asking for details of what evidence is required to support the provision of deer signs. The Clerk to liaise with Councillor Thacker-Vuts to collect the necessary evidence.

 

  1. Footpaths – Messrs Gibbs and Warwick had nothing substantive to add to the report circulated prior to the meeting. Councillor Robert Metcalfe reported that the landowner at Wells Lane has advised that he does not have a stile in his possession. Mr Gibbs agreed to take action to deliver a new stile to the landowner concerned.

 

  1. Planning – To comment on applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council
    • Planning Consultation 223199 – Proposed restoration of the farmhouse, the conversion of the granary attached to the farmhouse to an annex; the conversion of a stone and timber framed barn to form two dwellings; the erection of two new build dwellings in lieu of an extant permission for the conversion of the modern portal frame agricultural building to two dwellings; the erection of solar panels; the siting of three shepherd’s huts for holiday use; and all associated works. Planning Permission & Listed Building Consent.
    • Councillor Scrimgeour invited members of the public to comment on the revision to the original application which seem to consist of the removal of the proposed holiday pods. Members of the public commented that the revised proposals do not address the substantive concerns expressed at the previous meeting. Concern was also expressed over the validity of the process which led to the decision to grant the developer permitted development under the auspices of Class Q. It was suggested that concerns over the process should be directed to the Planning Enforcement Officer at Herefordshire Council. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk refers the concerns over whether due process has been followed to the Ward Councillor with specific reference to the reports received as part of the decision-making process.
    • Councillors discussed the planning application and, in taking careful account of the representations from local residents, agreed to reiterate the objections submitted in response to the original application. It was, therefore, RESOLVED, that the Clerk notifies the LPA accordingly.

 

  1. Finance
    • The current bank balances are:
      • Business Bank Instant account … £46,991,02
      • Treasurers Account … £20,569.99
    • It was RESOLVED to make the following payments:
      • Clerk’s Salary (November 2022) -£558.27
      • Clerk’s Travel Costs -£10.80
      • Postage (Newsletter) – £25.48
      • Defibrillator Parts-£411.99
      • PAYE (November 2022) – £139.40
      • Countrywide Maintenance (Dec 2022) -£241.90
      • R B Montague (Drainage) – £2,322.60
      • Printing (Newsletter & Ballot Form) – £345.73
      • DM Payroll – £60.00
      • Village Hall Hire – £20.00
      • PWSS – £180.00
      • Lengthsman – £172.00
    • Financial Monitoring 2022/23 – The Clerk reported that based on the spend to date plus the predicted income and expenditure to year end it is expected that the final reserves will be in the region of £59k.
    • Following discussion, Councillors agreed to leave the precept unchanged for 2023/24 (£21,660) and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk advises Herefordshire Council accordingly.
  2. Peterchurch Primary School –Councillor Scrimgeour provided some feedback following a recent meeting with the school governors which included details of the future plans for the re-build. There was discussion on the proposed hub, which forms part of the plans for the school, which will be used to accommodate children with specific and challenging needs from other schools in the local area. It was noted that the provision of the hub will lead to increased traffic and there are access issues which will need to be considered. Councillors noted that no funds have been allocated by Herefordshire Council for a swimming pool (& changing rooms) and any future provision (including ongoing maintenance) would need to be financed by the local community. The Chairman suggested that a community swimming pool might be something that interests local benefactors/trusts. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk writes to Herefordshire Council expressing interest in the future provision of a swimming pool subject to sourcing the requisite funding with collaboration with the local Parent Teacher Associations.

 

  1. Future Parish Council Objectives
    • Traffic – No progress has been made in the proposed meeting with Bruce Evans to further discuss the Parish Council’s priorities in terms of road and pedestrian safety.
    • Drainage – Councillor Scrimgeour reported that drainage work at Stockley Hill remains outstanding. The Clerk confirmed that the Lengthsman has been asked to undertake drainage clearance work in readiness for the winter.
    • Facilities
      • Councillor Scrimgeour reported that planning permission is not required for the installation of the bus shelter at Crossways.
      • Councillor Robert Metcalfe reported that the defibrillator has been re-attached to the wall outside the doctors’ surgery. It will be necessary to install the replacement battery and pads to make the kit operational. Councillor Thacker-Vuts suggested that a more prominent location for a defibrillator would be preferable, and it was RESOLVED to defer discussion on this matter to a future meeting.
    • Environment – Councillor Watkins reported that she has successfully delivered trees to local sites.

 

  1. Public Consultation – Councillor Scrimgeour briefed the Parish Council on the results of the public consultation which ended on the 10th December 2022. It was RESOLVED to use the outputs from the public consultation to produce a costed “master” plan to inform the future priorities of the current Parish Council. It was further RESOLVED that the results of the public consultation should be published using the usual media platforms such as the Parish Council website, Facebook and Golden Valley News.

 

  1. Agricultural Planning Supplementary Planning Document (AP SPD) – It was RESOLVED that the Clerk circulates details of the consultation to allow Councillors to respond as necessary.

 

  1. Almhouses – Councillors agreed to defer discussion on this subject to the meeting in January 2023.

The Chairman moved a resolution to suspend Standing Orders to allow the completion of business on the agenda.

 

  1. Clerk Correspondence – No correspondence has been received for consideration at this meeting.

 

  1. Matters for the Next Meeting – No additional issues were raised for consideration.

 

The Chairman moved a resolution to exclude members of the public from the following confidential item

 

  1. To consider an application to join the Parish Council – Following discussion it was RESOLVED to invite Mrs Sandra Salter to join the Parish Council. Formal co-option will be take place at the January 2023 meeting and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk forwards the necessary paperwork to Mrs Salter.

 

The Chairman closed the meeting at 21.17

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