Minutes -18th April 2023

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting PPC/MH/176 held in the village hall on

Tuesday 18th April 2023 at 19.00 hrs.

 

Present

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

 

In attendance…. PCSO Pete Knight, PSCO Margaret Andrzejewska, Mark Hearne (Parish Clerk) and five residents[1].

 

  1. Apologies for absence – Councillor Johnny Scrimgeour. The Chairman took the opportunity of recognising the important contributions of Councillors Scrimgeour and Thacker- Vuts who will be leaving the Parish Council. The Chairman also paid particular tribute to Councillor Treanor who, after serving at least 30 years on the Parish Council, has decided to step down.

 

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

 

  1. Minutes of the previous meetings held on 21st March 2023. 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 21st March 2023 – The Clerk provided a brief update on the resolutions from the previous meeting.
    • The Clerk reported that correspondence received today from Balfour Beatty advised that it will not be possible to hold a further meeting to discuss the designs for road safety measures until after the May 2023 elections.
    • The Clerk advised that he has approached the licencing department at Balfour Beatty seeking their approval to install the memorial bench on the verge opposite the Nags Head.
    • It was RESOLVED to defer any action to procure repeater 30 mph signs until we have a clearer understanding what will be implemented through the road safety initiatives being developed by Balfour Beatty.
    • Councillor Samantha Metcalfe reported that the owner of the fish and chip van has agreed to place a sign encouraging customers to dispose of any rubbish in a bin kept in the vehicle.

 

  1. Open session –
    • West Mercia Police – PCSO Knight was welcomed back to the parish. There was no crime of note to report. PCSO Knight and Andrzejewska asked residents to be wary of scam phone calls. A couple of speed enforcements have taken place over the course of the last month but there were no instances of speeding traffic.
    • To receive a report from the Ward Councillor – Ward Councillor Hewitt was not present at the meeting.
    • To receive views from local residents on parish matters – The following issues were raised:
      • A resident reinforced concerns over scam phone calls and recommended the Neighbourhood Matters scheme.
      • Comments on planning application 230917 were expressed by a resident who had no issues with the proposed change of use but highlighted concerns over the level of traffic on the road serving the school plus reservations over the proposed car park.
      • A resident highlighted the poor condition of the road from Fairfield School to the Nags Head.
  1. Footpaths
    • Both Footpath Officers have offered their apologies for the meeting but had submitted written reports.

 

  1. Planning – To comment on applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council
    • Planning Consultation 230917 – Fairfield High School, Peterchurch. Change of use of agricultural land to sports field and educational use (use Class F1) with associated engineering operations to form sports pitch and overflow parking area. Mr Eacock was invited to provide a brief overview of the proposals set out in the planning application. Councillors noted that the plans will not lead to an increase in the number of pupils attending the school. During the subsequent discussion Councillors were supportive of the plans for the sports field but were disappointed that the proposed car park area will not fully address the current parking problems in the village. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk notifies the LPA of the Parish Council’s general support but include the stated reservations over car parking.
  2. Finance
    • The current bank balances are:
      • Business Bank Instant account … £51,416.73
      • Treasurers Account … £8,793,65
    • It was RESOLVED to make the following payments:
      • Clerk’s Salary (March 2023) -£592.80
      • Clerk’s Travel Costs -£5.40
      • Postage – £2.05
      • PAYE (March 2023) – £148.20
      • Village Hall Hire – £20.00
      • Printing – Cllr J Scrimgeour
    • Financial Monitoring 2022/23 – The Clerk reported that the Parish Council has end of year reserves of £60,210.38 based on the current bank statement.
    • For audit purposes, the Clerk provided information to compare the BACs payments authorised at the March 2023 meeting with the latest bank statement.
    • Councillors considered the renewal of insurance for the next 12 months and decided to opt for the 3 LTA at a reduced cost of £561.83. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk notifies the insurance company accordingly.

 

  1. Future Parish Council Objectives
    • Traffic – It was noted that traffic issues were discussed earlier in the meeting. Councillors were disappointed that the follow-up meeting with Balfour Beatty to discuss traffic calming measures will take not place before the May 2023 elections. Councillors asked about the certainty of the promised £150k and whilst there has been no direct correspondence confirming the availability of the monies it was referenced in the minutes of the recent meeting with Balfour Beatty and Herefordshire Council.
    • Drainage
      • Councillors discussed the issues raised in a note from Cllr Scrimgeour. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk instructs the Lengthsman to clear the obstruction identified by Councillor Scrimgeour and unblock the drain in the same location. It was RESOLVED that the other issues identified in Councillor Scrimgeour’s note will be addressed by the Parish Council after the May elections.
      • Councillor Robert Metcalfe reported further drainage problems at New Haven plus a blocked drain at Hinton Bridge. The Chairman highlighted a further drainage problem at Cwm Farm where the road is in danger of collapsing into the adjacent cottage. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk reports the issue to Balfour Beatty.
    • Facilities
      • Councillor Samantha Metcalfe asked if details of the proposed bus shelter could be referenced in the minutes. The Clerk confirmed that the bus shelter will be a three-bay shelter with seating for 7-8 people. The Clerk confirmed that no further information on the likely timescale for installation has been received and it was RESOLVED that an update from Herefordshire Council is sought.
      • It was RESOLVED that the timing of the tree felling work in the recreation ground will be determined at the May 2023 meeting.
    • Environment
      • Councillor Watkins reported no substantive developments since the last meeting.
      • Councillors discussed the damage to the verges by Countrywide Maintenance during recent work in the village.
      • Councillor Robert Metcalfe reported that there is a fallen tree in the recreation ground, and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk asks the Lengthsman to remove it.

 

  1. Newsletter – Councillors suggested some amendments to the newsletter which the Clerk agreed to implement. Councillor Watkins suggested that the newsletter may offer an opportunity to seek the views of local residents on whether the primary school should seek to raise funds for a new swimming pool which will not form part of the new build.

 

  1. Defibrillator – Councillor Thacker-Vuts reported that the owners of the Casa Lupo are prepared to consider having a defibrillator placed on the wall of their restaurant. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contacts the Bredwardine Hall Society for information on the grants they acquired to fund a new defibrillator. Councillor Robert Metcalfe added that the Peterchurch Sports Fund have agreed to make available monies to fund a new defibrillator.
  2. Clerk Correspondence
    • Correspondence has been received from a resident who raised concerns about the condition of the road from Fairfield School to the Nags Head. This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
    • A resident has written asking about the possibility of allotments in the parish. Councillors briefly considered potential land that may be suitable for community use, and it was RESOLVED to include the matter on the agenda for the next meeting. It was further RESOLVED that the Clerk asks the correspondent how many people might be interested in having an allotment.
    • A resident has written asking for the assistance of the Parish Council in resolving problems in exiting their property in their vehicle. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk replies advising the work ongoing which is designed to combat vehicle speed in the village.
    • A resident has raised concerns over the condition of the pavement between Princes Orchard and Casa Lupa. Councillors noted that this particular pavement is unadopted and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk refers the issue to Balfour Beatty.
    • A parent governor from Peterchurch Primary School has asked for advice on how the local community could be consulted on the possible closure of the swimming pool. It was RESOLVED that the newsletter planned for distribution at the end of the April 2023 includes something about the swimming pool.
    • Correspondence has been received highlighting a problem where Stagecoach insists that passengers alight from the grassy bank which poses a safety hazard for people with mobility issues. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contacts Stagecoach requesting that drivers make sure passengers can alight safely.

 

  1. Matters for the Next Meeting
    • Arrangements for progressing the Parish Council objectives (traffic, drainage, facilities, and environment).
    • Membership of the Financial Working Group
    • Bank Mandate for amend signatories.

 

The Chairman closed the meeting at 20.27.

 

[1] Included amongst the residents was Mr Bernard Eacock who is the architect supporting planning application 230917.

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