Minutes – 16th July 2024

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 16^th July  2024 at 19.00hrs at Peterchurch Village Hall

 

Present

Councillors: Chris Richardson (Chair) Sandra Salter, Richard Gaze, Robert Metcalfe and Anna Coda.

 

In attendance

Clerk Mark Hearne, Allan Gibbs and Greg Warwick (Footpath Officers) and 4 members of the public.

 

1. Apologies for absence: Councillors Isabelle Watkins and David Morgan.

 

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

 

3. Presentation by Mr Stephen McMillan – Community First Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Rural Housing Enabler Project. Mr McMillan and Mr Richard Timley delivered a presentation on the work of the charity which focuses on the process for establishing a possible housing need in rural areas. The Chairman thanked Messrs McMillan and Timley for their presentation. It was RESOLVED to include this topic on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

4. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18^th June 2024 – It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes as a true and proper record of the meeting. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.

 

5. Resolution Log – The Clerk provided an overview on the progress against the resolutions passed at previous meetings commenting specifically on the following issues:
   • The Clerk has requested that the Lengthsman arranges for the memorial bench to be installed at the Nags Head end of the village. No action has been taken to date, so it was RESOLVED that the Clerk contacts the Lengthsman asking that this matter is expedited.
   • It was agreed that there are sufficient village signs already in situ, so it was RESOLVED to abandon action to procure an additional sign. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk advises Balfour Beatty accordingly.
   • The Clerk reported that there has been no action taken to replace the rubber mats under the swings in the recreation ground. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk hastens the Lengthsman accordingly.
   • The Clerk reported that Councillor Salter has some planings which she will make available to the Parish Council to fill some holes in passing places on single track roads in the parish. Councillor Metcalfe agreed to liaise with Councillor Salter to arrange collection and/or storage.
   • The Clerk confirmed that the remaining filing cabinet held in the village hall office has been emptied of Parish Council documentation. Councillor Metcalfe agreed to dispose of the filing cabinet.
6. Public Participation Open Session:
   • West Mercia Police – There was no representation from West Mercia Police at the meeting.
   • Ward Councillors Report: The Ward Councillor was not present at the meeting.
   • Representations from Members of the Public:
     • A resident raised the development at Barley Knapp where planning permission has been granted for six dwellings despite representations from members of the public and the Parish Council. The resident was particularly concerned that no cognisance was given to warnings made to Herefordshire Council that the Black Brook will run dry. Due to the lack of a response from Herefordshire Council the resident provided the same evidence to the Environment Agency who advised that the developer would need to prove that the Black Brook will flow all year round. The resident forwarded the response from the Environment Agency to Herefordshire Council planning department and the developer, neither of whom have replied. Further, the resident expressed disappointment that the Ward Councillor had failed to support residents in their opposition to the development. The resident agreed to provide all relevant correspondence to the Clerk to allow the issue to be raised with the Ward Councillor.
     • Concern was raised about the increasing prevalence of electric scooters in the recreation ground and it was RESOLVED to include this on the agenda for the next meeting.

7. Footpaths
   • Allan Gibbs reported that the entrance to Barley Knapp has been blocked but once the work at the site has been completed access to the PROW which traverse the site will be restored.

 

8. Planning – To comment on applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council. No applications have been submitted for consideration at this meeting.

 

9. Finance:
   • To note the current bank balance- £69,326.83
   • It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:
     • Clerk’s salary (June 2024) in accordance with his employment contract.
     • Clerk’s travel costs – £5.40
     • Marches Ground Maintenance (Grass Cutting) – June 2024 – £240.00
     • Village Hall Hire (June 2024) – £20.00
     • DM Payroll Services – £60.00
     • Stationery (Cllr Richardson) – £4.73 (inclusive of VAT)

 

• Financial Monitoring and Bank Reconciliation 2023/24 – The Clerk reported that there is an uncashed cheque to the value of £474 which reduces the bank balance to £68,852.83 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.

 

10. Parish Council Objectives – To provide an overview of progress since the last meeting plus feedback from the following workstreams:
    • Traffic
      • The Chairman alluded to some forthcoming road closures due to planned work by BT.
      • Councillor Metcalfe reported that the Speed Indicator Devices were operational.
    • Drainage
      • There was no progress on the situation at Pudding Lane which was discussed at the last meeting. It was RESOLVED to include this issue on the agenda for the next meeting.
      • Subject to updating the prices included in the submissions Councillors agreed that the proposals which forms the bid for the local drainage grant should be forwarded to Herefordshire Council. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk takes the necessary action.
    • Facilities
      • Councillor Metcalfe reported that, while the Lengthsman will be able to remove the toddler equipment in the recreation ground, it would require a suitably qualified contractor to re-install the kit in the new location. It was RESOLVED that Councillor Metcalfe contacts Golden Valley Construction to obtain a quote for this work.
      • Councillor Metcalfe asked for assistance in relocating a planter to the recreation ground and it was agreed that this work will take place on the evening of the 18^th July 2024.
    • Environment
      • Councillors noted that guidance was still awaited from the Ward Councillor who agreed to consult officers within Herefordshire Council to establish definitively the status of the various sections of the route from the church to Hinton Farm. Councillors agreed to fund the necessary work from Parish Council funds, and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk refers to the quote presented by GM Joyce for this work. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk invites three contractors to assess and quote for urgent work to make the ash trees safe.
      • Councillors noted that there is graffiti in the recreation ground. It was RESOLVED that Councillor Richardson will attempt to remove the graffiti when he visits the recreation ground on the 18^th July 2024.

 

11. Parish Council Policies – Councillors voted to adopt the following policies and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk will publish the documents on the Parish Council website.
    • Financial Regulations – 2024/25
    • Standing Orders – 2024/25
    • Risk Management Plan – 2024/25

 

12. Community Transport – After consideration, Councillors did not consider that the provision of community transport was currently a feasible option for the Parish Council, but this will be further reviewed at the meeting in September 2024.

 

13. Parish Priorities – Councillors identified anti-social behaviour and speeding as the priorities for the next 3 months. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk responds to the local police team accordingly.

 

14. Clerk Correspondence – The following two pieces of correspondence have been received for consideration.
    • A resident has expressed concern about the increasing numbers of deer in the parish. Councillors noted this concern but were unaware of any planned cull in the local area, but Councillor Metcalfe agreed to make enquiries.
    • A resident has written advising that problems using the path close to Fairfield School was not his responsibility adding that the work he has undertaken on the route has made it safer for pedestrians to use.

 

15. Date of the Next Meeting: Tuesday 17^th September 2024, 19.00hrs, Peterchurch Village Hall.

 

16. Items for the next Agenda
    • Housing Needs in the Parish
    • Pudding Lane
    • Community transport service in the village
    • Electric Scooters in the recreation ground

 

The meeting closed at 20.45hrs.