Minutes – 17th December 2024

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 17th December 2024 at 19.00hrs at Peterchurch Village Hall

 

Present

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

 

In attendance

Clerk Mark Hearne, Ward Councillor Price, Greg Warwick (Footpath Officer) and 4 members of the public.

 

  1. Apologies for absence: Councillor Sandra Salter.

 

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

 

  1. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th November 2024 – It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes as a true and proper record of the meeting. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.

 

  1. Resolution Log – The Clerk reported that all outstanding actions will be addressed by items on the agenda apart from an issue concerning the recent work on roads in the village. Councillors noted that Balfour Beatty are intending to return during the week beginning 6th January 2025 to complete the outstanding works. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contacts Balfour Beatty for details of the work to be undertaken in January plus information on what has been undertaken to date.

 

  1. Public Participation Open Session:
    • West Mercia Police were not present at the meeting but had reported no instances of any recorded crime during the last month but added there had been a spate of “cherry knocking” in the village.
    • Ward Councillors Report: The Ward Councillor covered the following issues in his report.
      • Highlighted the inability of the county’s drainage systems to cope with the excessive rainfall that accompanied the recent storms.
      • Provided brief feedback from a meeting to discuss the recent flooding at Peterchurch primary school. Representatives from Peterchurch primary school plus a senior drainage engineer from Balfour Beatty and Yvonne Coleman (Section 106 officer) were present. It was noted that there is provision to install further drains to support the proposed housing development at Hawthorn Rise should the need arise. Councillors alluded to the fact that no development can proceed until there is confirmation that there is an adequate water supply to serve the new houses and that the drainage systems will cope with the increased surface water. Further, it was also stipulated by the Local Planning Authority that no houses should be occupied until there is an assurance that the drainage systems can handle the increased wastewater.
      • Herefordshire Council continue to consider a new bypass to serve Hereford which if built would relieve the pressure of arterial roads which are used by more frequent and heavier traffic which has a detrimental impact on the condition of the road surfaces.
      • Station and track closures over the Christmas will make travelling to London by rail very challenging.

 

  • Representations from Members of the Public: The following issues were raised.
    • A resident asked if Balfour Beatty could repair broken up tarmac outside Bufton’s drive. It was noted that work was undertaken at this site recently but since then it has again deteriorated. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk reports the issue through the Herefordshire Council website.
    • The Parish Council was asked if ring fenced monies generated by the duck race that took place in June 2022 could be used to replace a broken bench on Stockley Hill. It was RESOLVED that this issue is included on the agenda for the January meeting.
    • The Parish Council was asked if some of the trees left over from the Queens’ Canopy could be used to plug the gaps in the recreation ground arising from the felling of six trees in 2023. Councillors supported this request, and it was agreed to plant the trees on a date convenient to all parties concerned.
  1. Footpaths – The report from Greg Warwick was circulated prior to the meeting and there was nothing further to add.

 

  1. Planning – To comment on applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council.
    • Planning Consultation 242746 – Lower Snodhill, Dorstone, Hereford. Proposed repairs of timber framed, grade II listed cottage, demolition of west facing conservatory and extension to fully expose listed cottage and building of small extension on the northeast corner of existing modern extension. Councillors voted in support of this planning application, and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk informs the LPA accordingly.
    • Planning Re-consultation 242072 – Land adjoining Hawthorn Rise, Hawthorn Rise, Peterchurch. Application for approval of reserved matters following outline approval 201441 – Proposed erection of up to 89 dwellings (35% affordable housing). Construction of new vehicular access and associated works. Councillors noted that there is much more detailed information supporting the proposed development but re-iterated their main concerns around the ability of the drainage systems to dispose of both surface and wastewater. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk registers these points in a response to the LPA.
    • Planning Consultation 242740 – Fincham, Peterchurch. Proposed erection of timber garage and demolition of existing brick garage. New garage to be located in a different area to the existing garage. Councillors voted in support of this planning application, and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk informs the LPA accordingly.

 

  1. Finance:
    • The current bank balance is £73,710.36.
    • To consider outstanding payments including (but not limited to) the following:
      • Clerk’s salary (November 2024) in accordance with his employment contract.
      • Clerk’s travel costs (November 2024)- £5.40
      • Postage – £6.80
      • Hire of Village Hall (November 2024) – £20.00
      • Tidy Fellers LTD – £3,600 (inclusive of VAT). The Councillors were satisfied that the work in felling the trees has been completed. (Post meeting note – Tidy Fellers has offered to grind down the remaining tree stumps in compensation for the wood which has been removed from the site). As an aside, Councillor Metcalfe suggested that there would be benefit in erecting some railings at the site and it was RESOLVED to include this on the agenda for the next meeting.
    • Financial Monitoring and Bank Reconciliation 2023/24 – The Clerk reported that based on current spending assumptions the reserves at year end will be circa £65,570 The Clerk reported that there are two uncashed cheques to the value of £260 which reduces the balance to £73,450.36. The bank reconciliation proforma was signed by the Chairman.
  2. Housing Needs Survey—Councillors approved the draft letter provided by the Community First Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Rural Housing Enabler project team. Councillor Coda raised a query concerning the contact details on the survey form and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk clarifies the issue. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk confirms with the project team that the Parish Council would like to proceed with the survey based on a cost of circa £259 which excludes any distribution costs.
  3. Parish Council Objectives – To provide an overview of progress since the last meeting plus feedback from the following workstreams:
    • Traffic
      • Councillor Morgan raised the issue of traffic congestion outside Fairfield School especially at either end of the school day. Councillors noted that the school has abandoned plans to provide additional onsite car parking capacity. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk writes to the Head Teacher registering the Parish Council’s disappointment over the decision to set aside the plans for additional car parking. Councillor Morgan commented that there is a muddy footpath pathway from the new development at Spire View to the bridge which, if hard surfaced, would offer a safe route for children walking to school.
    • Drainage
      • It was the view of Councillor Metcalfe that the scope of the work at Stockley Hill (site 1) included in the submission to Herefordshire Council was completed in the winter of 2023. The Clerk added that there has been no communication from Herefordshire Council regarding the submission for drainage work at site 2 (Stockley Hill) and it was RESOLVED to revisit commissioning the repairs if funding becomes available. Councillor Metcalfe also mentioned a blocked culvert at Stockley Hill, and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk invites the Lengthsman to undertake the necessary remedial action.

 

  • Facilities – Councillor Richardson provided feedback from a recent visit to the recreation ground where he was joined by Councillors Metcalfe and Gaze. As part of this exercise, it was established what adult gym equipment is currently being stored in the storage container. It was agreed that the priority is the relocation of the toddler equipment followed by identifying a suitable site for the adult gym equipment. The Clerk reported that he has been unsuccessful finding a contractor able to relocate the toddler equipment and it was RESOLVED that the Chairman to make some enquiries in an attempt to identify a local contractor who will be able to undertake this work. Councillor Metcalfe also agreed to make some enquiries with his local contacts. In parallel, it was further RESOLVED that the Clerk would approach a local landscaper (Justin Jones) for the same purpose. Councillor Morgan suggested that there would be merit in seeking support from someone with the necessary expertise to help drive this work forward. Councillors also registered interest in procuring additional toddler play equipment and it might be possible for the preferred supplier to include the relocation of the existing kit as part of the procurement.

 

  • Environment
    • It was noted earlier in the meeting that Tidy Fellers have completed the work to remove the two ash trees situated on the track between Hinton Farm and the church. Councillors discussed the proposed tarmacking of the track, and it was RESOLVED that GM Joyce be contracted to undertake the work in accordance with their quote (Option 1). Councillors also noted that preparatory work will be required before the work can proceed and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk invites GM Joyce to quote for that work. To ensure that the track can be used during the Christmas period it was RESOLVED that Councillor Metcalfe arranges for a temporary repair to the track prior to a permanent solution. Councillors also raised the need to reduce the size of the hedgerow on either side of the track and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk writes to the landowner accordingly.
    • Councillor Coda referred to a meeting held on 9th December 2024 at Peterchurch primary school to discuss the proposed new build. Councillors were disappointed that the Parish Council was not invited to the event. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk acquires the information that was made available at the event and to seek an explanation for not extending an invitation to the Parish Council.

 

  1. Clerk Correspondence – The following issues were raised.

11.1      A resident has raised a number of concerns including the tarmacking of the track from Hinton Farm to the church and the poor condition of the road and pavements at Crossways. The same resident also highlighted that there is a “missing” lamp post at Crossways and asked if it could be reinstated. It was RESOLVED that the issues concerning the road and pavement at Crossways should be logged with Balfour Beatty and to ask Herefordshire Council if the streetlight will be reinstalled. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk updates the correspondent accordingly.

11.2      The Chairman of the Hawthorn Rise Residents Committee has written highlighting several concerns over the proposed Hawthorn Rise development. Councillors discussed these concerns and considered that they were matters that have been raised to the Local Planning Authority in the past. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk responds to the correspondent accordingly.

 

  1. Date of the Next Meeting: Tuesday 21st January 2025, 19.00hrs, Peterchurch Village Hall.

 

  1. Items for the next Agenda
    • Replacement bench at Stockley Hill
    • New fence/railings on the track between Hinton Farm and the church.

 

The meeting closed at 20.48 hrs.

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