VOWCHURCH & DISTRICT GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St Margarets, Turnastone, Vowchurch.
Minutes of the Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council meeting held on
Thursday 12th October 2023 at 7.30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall.
PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), E Williams, I Chadwick, A Picton, S Craddock and J Kernahan.
IN ATTENDANCE – Mrs L Cowles (Clerk).
The Chair welcomed Mr J Kernahan to the meeting as the new Councillor to represent St Margarets.
- ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors G Deas, M Engel and the local police
- RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – There were no declarations of interest or written requests for dispensation.
- ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – 21st September 2023 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
- OPEN DISCUSSION – No members of the public attended the meeting therefore no specific points were raised.
- REPORTS
5.1 Local Police – The local police were unable to attend the meeting.
5.2 Lengthsman report – The Lengthsman was unable to attend the meeting. His latest report had been distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting via email.
5.3 Footpath Officer – Councillor Deas and Councillor May’s reports had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. Councillor Deas had visited the area around VO2 near Piccadilly Farm following a complaint. Having spoken to the landowner it appears that the Locality Steward has also visited. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the Locality Steward for an update before any response to the complainant. - CLERKS UPDATE – The traffic survey on the B4348 and C1206 has now taken place. The company undertaking the survey have advised that the temporary traffic lights on the B4348 for some of the time would not affect the survey data.
A reminder for Councillors to complete their declaration of interest forms. - CONSIDER PLANNING
7.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Linden House, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RL
Description: Proposed single storey side extension
Application No: 232730 Grid Ref: 336472:236843
Comment – The Parish Council support this application but would like a restriction for external lighting as per policy 10 of the Neighbourhood Development Plan.
7.2 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: The Old House, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RB
Description: Proposal to replace the existing modern casement windows with an oak mullioned design containing both direct glazing and opening casements.
Application No: 232349 Grid Ref: 336211:236405
Comment – The Parish Council support this application as the new windows would be more sympathetic to a listed building.
7.3 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Hyde Park, Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire. HR2 0JY
Description: Change of use of agricultural barn to residential dwelling. (retrospective).
Application No: 232765 Grid Ref: 331414:236708
Comment – The Parish Council object to this application. The original application was granted under Q3 – Prior Approval. The building does not comply with Q3 restrictions or the original plans. This application constitutes development in open countryside. Policy 3 of the Neighbourhood development plan does not support development in open countryside.
7.4 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Barn North of Marlborough Grange, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QN.
Description: Proposed detached garage
Application No: 232722 Grid Ref: 334312:233489
Comment – The Parish Council object to this application. This is an excessively large additional structure and does not relate to the barn as an associated facility. The size and scale do not reflect the agrarian character of the local area contrary to policy 1 of the Neighbourhood development plan. The Parish Council would support a simple, smaller structure adjacent to the west of the barn.
7.5 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: The Old House, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RB
Description: Proposed new gazebo in the garden.
Application No: 232350 Grid Ref: 336211:236405
- FINANCE
8.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £9,642.50 Statement Sheet No. 185 issued 17th September 2023.
Receipts – £7836.76 2nd precept payment.
To include £5.00 bank charges 17th August 2023 to 16th September 2023.
8.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for October 2023 Clerk’s hours – Payment agreed.
8.3 Payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC2402 roads account September 2023 (1) of £450.00 plus VAT – Payment agreed.
8.4 Finance Working Group – The latest finance reports were distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting. The Finance Working Group confirmed spreadsheets, invoices and PAYE had been checked and all were in order.
8.5 BANK ACCOUNT – It was agreed to close the HSBC Business Money Manager Account and move the HSBC Charitable Bank Account to Unity Trust Bank. The finance working group members would be the initial signatories. - EMAIL – It was agreed to change the parish council email address to a gov.uk address. clerk@vowchurchgroup-pc.gov.uk with an option for Parish Councillors to also use a gov.uk email address. The domain name will cost £110.00 plus VAT for two years along with email hosting (up to 25 email accounts) of £49.99 plus VAT per year.
- OPENREACH PETERCHURCH EXCHANGE – GIGABIT VOUCHER SCHEME – Defer to November for Councillor Graeme Deas to give a report
- GWATKINS CIDER – Nothing to consider as not in the group of parishes.
- 2024 MEETING DATES AND VENUE – It was agreed to continue to hold meetings on the third Thursday of every month apart from August and December and to alternate between Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall, Newton Church Room and Michaelchurch Escley Sports Pavilion.
- NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER – New Parish Councillor for St Margarets, Riparian Ownership and Speed Survey.
- NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
- RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 16th November 2023 at 7.30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall – Annual parish meeting
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.20pm
Signed………………………………………………………
Dated……………………………………………………….