MINUTES – 15th October 2024

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 15th October 2024 at 19.00hrs at Peterchurch Village Hall

 

Present

Councillors: Isabelle Watkins (Chair), David Morgan, Sandra Salter, Richard Gaze, Robert Metcalfe and Anna Coda.

 

In attendance

Clerk Mark Hearne, Ward Councillor Price, PCSO Margaret Andrzejewska and 4 members of the public.

 

  1. Apologies for absence: Councillor Chris Richardson.

 

  1. Declarations of interest & written dispensation requests: None.

 

  1. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17th September 2024 – It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes as a true and proper record of the meeting. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
  2. Resolution Log – The Clerk provided an overview on the progress against the resolutions passed at previous meetings commenting on those which will not covered by a specific agenda item.:
    • Ward Councillor Price advised that planings are available from Herefordshire Council and they will be delivered when future road works takes place in the parish.
    • The Clerk reported that he has spoken to the Housing Manager at Connexus concerning the use of the community car park close to the doctors’ surgery as a site for a business operation. The resident concerned has been instructed to cease the activity. It was confirmed that no activity has occurred recently. Councillors agreed that no further action is required at this time.
    • Following discussion, Councillors agreed that no further action is required following comments from the Duchy of Cornwall in response to the Parish Council concerns over the use of high velocity rifles close to PR59 and PR63.
    • The Clerk reported that the Lengthsman has started work on cleaning and repainting the telephone box in the village.

 

  1. Public Participation Open Session:
    • West Mercia Police – PCSO Margaret Andrzejewska reported that there was no record of any crime in the local area since the last meeting. There was a brief discussion on the problem of littering in the recreation ground and it was noted that the local police have raised the issue when visiting Fairfield School and will do again in the future. The local police are aware of the problem of children riding bicycles in the village at night without lights and have already taken action.
    • Ward Councillors Report: The Ward Councillor covered the following issues in his report.
      • Commented that it is the view of Herefordshire Council that the Government’s new housing target (27,500) for the county is undeliverable.
      • Community grants will soon be available for Parish Councils with details due to be provided by Talk Community in the near future.
      • Reported on his recent survey of the drains in the parish along with the Locality Steward and two Parish Councillors.
      • Read verbatim a letter from the developer of the 89 houses at Hawthorn Rise which detailed the proposed financial allocation of the Section 106 monies arising from the development. The letter also referenced plans for dealing with drainage issues emanating from the site. Ward Councillor Price agreed to provide a copy of the letter which will be attached to the minutes and will be in the public domain[1]. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contacts the Section 106 officer at Herefordshire Council to seek details of the process that the Parish Council will need to follow in order to acquire the available funding.
      • Reported that funding will made available probably in 2025/26 to tarmac the track that leads from Hinton Farm to the church. Also, the cost of removing the two ash trees on the track will be reimbursed from the PROW budget. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk seeks written confirmation from Stephen Organ (PROW Development Officer).

 

  • Representations from Members of the Public: No issues were raised.
  1. Footpaths
    • Neither of the Footpath Officers were present but Greg Warwick had circulated a written report prior to the meeting. No issues were raised.

 

  1. Planning – To comment on applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council.
    • Planning Consultation 232420 – Whitehall, Peterchurch. Proposed erection of an agricultural style steel-framed portal building for mixed B19c) – Light industrial & Sui Generis – Hobby workshop use and associated drainage. Appeal under Section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Councillors noted that objections to the proposals had been submitted to the Local Planning Authority and concurred that there was no reason to change that view.
    • Planning Re-Consultation 240364 – Land adj Nags Head Public House, Peterchurch. Proposed change of use of land to a seasonal glamping site comprising four yurts with associated facilities. Councillors commented that their previous concerns over the lack of clarity over the source of the water supply and the disposal of wastewater had not been alleviated. On this basis, the majority of Councillors voted to object to the re-consultation, and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk responds to the LPA accordingly.
  2. Finance:
    • To note the current bank balance- £76,868.26. The Clerk reported that there are two uncashed cheques to the value of £540 which reduces the balance to £76,328.26.
    • It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:
      • Clerk’s salary (September 2024) in accordance with his employment contract.
      • Clerk’s travel costs (September 2024)- £5.40
      • Printer Ink – £7.99 (including VAT)
      • Hire of Village Hall (September 2024) – £20.00
      • Marches Ground Maintenance (September 2024) – £240.00
      • HALC (Hosting & Domain Name)- £72.60 (including VAT)
      • Lengthsman (Phone Box refurbishment) – £588.00[2]
    • Financial Monitoring and Bank Reconciliation 2023/24 – The Clerk reported that there are no uncashed cheques and the bank reconciliation proforma was signed by the Chairman. The Clerk reported that based on current spending assumptions the reserves at year end will be circa £67k.

 

  1. Housing Needs Survey—Councillors considered the proposed survey offered by the Community First Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Rural Housing Enabler project team. There were concerns over the relevance of some of the proposed questions and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk makes some suggested editorial amendments to be considered at the next meeting.

 

  1. Parish Council Objectives – To provide an overview of progress since the last meeting plus feedback from the following workstreams:
    • Traffic
      • Councillors noted that work has begun on the remedial action following the recent work on the road in the village.
      • Councillor Morgan raised a concern over the unnecessarily long deployment of traffic lights. Ward Councillor Price acknowledged this was a problem and Herefordshire Council are considering a remedy.
      • Councillor Metcalfe reported that there is a loose manpower cover on the road by the fire station. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk reports the issue to Welsh Water.
    • Drainage
      • The Chairman reported that, as a result of a dip on the Urishay Road, surface water now flows away from the drains and onto the highway.
      • Councillors agreed that the drainage projects circulated by the Clerk should form the submission for additional drainage grant monies from Herefordshire Council. It was therefore, RESOLVED to proceed accordingly.
      • Councillors considered the situation at Pudding Lane and concluded there is nothing practical that will alleviate the issue especially as this lane is naturally wet. It was, therefore, RESOLVED to remove this issue from the resolution log.
    • Facilities
      • Councillors alluded to the original plan for the adult gym equipment and recreation ground and agreed that it would be appropriate to consider whether it remains fit for purpose and it was RESOLVED to include this issue on the agenda for the next meeting. To inform the discussion, it was further RESOLVED that the Clerk circulates details of the original plan/map.
      • Councillors agreed that the arrangements for relocating the toddler equipment should form part of the discussion highlighted at paragraph 10.3.1. In the meantime, it was RESOLVED that the Clerk ascertains if Golden Valley Construction has the requisite licences to relocate the toddler equipment.
    • Environment
      • Councillors agreed to accept the quote from Tidy Fellers to remove the ash trees situated on the track between Hinton Farm and the church. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk notifies the contractors who submitted a quote accordingly. Councillors also noted that the timber from the felled trees will have a market value. It was RESOLVED that Councillor Metcalfe liaises with Tidy Fellers to discuss the options for marketing the timber which best benefits the Parish Council. Councillor Gaze suggested that there may be value in leaving some of the trunk in the ground which could be used as seating.

 

  1. Police Priorities – Following discussion, Councillors decided against changing the priorities for the next three months and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk notifies the local police team accordingly.

 

  1. Declaration of Interests – The Chairman and Councillor Metcalfe completed their declarations of interests form which the Clerk will be forward to Herefordshire Council.

 

  1. Clerk Correspondence – A resident asked if the Parish Council would provide new facilities at the recreation ground. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk explains that the Parish Council will consider plans for the recreation ground at the next meeting.

 

  1. Date of the Next Meeting: Tuesday 19th November 2024, 19.00hrs, Peterchurch Village Hall.

 

  1. Items for the next Agenda
    • Review of plans for the recreation ground
    • Housing Needs Survey

 

The meeting closed at 20.50hrs.

[1] A copy of the minutes, including the letter from the developer, will be forwarded to the village hall representative.

[2] The Clerk will forward payment on completion of the work.

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