19th September 2024 Minutes

VOWCHURCH & DISTRICT GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St Margarets, Turnastone, Vowchurch.
Minutes of the Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council meeting held on
Thursday 19th September 2024 at 7.30pm in Newton Church Room

PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), E Williams, A Picton, J Kernahan and J Andrews.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Councillor M Engel and Mrs L Cowles (Clerk).

  1. ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors R Lloyd, I Chadwick, A Mason, S Craddock and G Deas.
  2. RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – There were no declarations of interest or written requests for dispensation.
  3. ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – 18th July 2024 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
  4. OPEN DISCUSSION – No members of the public attended the meeting therefore no specific points were raised.
  5. REPORTS
    5.1 Local Police – The local police were unable to attend the meeting.
    5.2 Ward Councillor – Councillor Engel’s report included: –
    Recent briefings from Herefordshire Council have included possible government plans to join local councils together in return for additional funding. The main contender would be Shropshire although there is little enthusiasm for the plan. Shropshire is still quite a large county and there are concerns that Herefordshire would be swallowed up. There will be a council meeting in early October.
    Network Rail have expressed an interest in the railway station project at Pontrilas (Golden Valley Parkway Station). There are hopes of a meeting within the next month or two.
    The planning at Aubreys in the Olchon Valley has been refused.
    A local resident has contacted Councillor Engel regarding the works at Vowchurch Bridge last year with concerns that the works were not completed to a high standard. It was agreed that the Clerk will look at the paperwork from last year and include on the October agenda for discussion.
    5.3 Lengthsman report and any new road defects – The Lengthsman was unable to attend the meeting. His monthly reports had been forwarded to Councillors prior to the meeting.
  6. CLERKS UPDATE – The Clerk gave an update on the new Lengthsman requirements which included the request to take photos of before and after work on the maintenance days. It was agreed that this was extra work for both the Lengthsman and Clerk and not practical.
    The Clerk reminded Councillors present of the Parish Council summit on 8th October. It was agreed to send out to all Councillors as a reminder via email.
  7. PLANNING
    7.1 LAND AT CHANSTONE COURT FARM
    Councillors May and Kernahan have attended a meeting with landowner and agent at Chanstone Court Farm regarding planning application 240836. They looked at the site and on balance are fairly happy with the plans. The owners are hoping to use this as holiday accommodation with wheelchair accessibility. This is why the building is so long, raised up and with capacity for larger families. The planting is well thought out and sympathetic to the surroundings, care has been taken to hide the building which will blend in well in future years. The Parish Council initially commented that they have concerns regarding the scale and obtrusiveness of the building. It was agreed to comment further that after a meeting with the landowners the Parish Council would support the development considering the usage and tree planting.
  8. FINANCE
    8.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £10855.09 dated 31st August 2024.
    Receipts – £1398.00 1st quarter Lengthsman claim
    8.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for September 2024 Clerk’s hours and £30.97 gross (VAT £5.16) Ink cartridge – Payment agreed.
    8.3 Payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC2846 roads account July 2024 (1) of £559.20 gross (VAT £93.20), invoice no. TGC2847 roads account August 2024 (1) of £559.20 gross (VAT 93.20) and invoice no. TGC2873 roads account September 2024 (1) of £559.20 gross (VAT £93.20) – Payment agreed.
    8.4 Payment to PKF Littlejohn invoice no. SB20241460 for External Audit of £252.00 gross (VAT £42.00) – Payment agreed.
    8.5 Payment to HMRC for PAYE July 2024 – September 2024 of £137.20 – Payment agreed.
  9. EXTERNAL AUDIT 2023/24 – The External Auditors report was noted. The Notice of Conclusion of audit will be displayed from Monday 23rd September 2024 for 14 days. This can also be viewed on the Parish Council website.
  10. LOCAL DRAINAGE FUND – It was agreed to apply for the drainage fund as per the Lengthsman’s recommendations for a sum of £20,092. This would enable current funds to be used on additional projects.
  11. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY GRANT FUNDING – Herefordshire Council have agreed funding for the full amount requested of £6171 although these funds are for equipment only and do not include costs for installation. The Lengthsman has indicated an estimated cost of just over £7000 to have all of the items installed. Herefordshire Council have advised that their original plan was to provide the cost of the materials, and not labour although the Clerk has been asked to let them know the Parish Council requirements for installation costs. Part of the grant funding agreement would be to provide written permission from each landowner before undertaking any works, including like for like replacement. It was agreed that this would be an impossible task. It was further agreed not to sign the current contract and request Ward Councillor Engel contact the head of Highways and Traffic to clarify requirements along with requirements to take photographs of the Lengthsman maintenance day works and supply What3Words locations. Include again on October agenda.
  12. BT PHONE BOXES – The Clerk advised that Community Heartbeat had adopted the phone box in Newton St Margaret in 2018 as BT were going to remove it. They are happy to pass over the phone box to the Parish Council but ask for a £25.00 plus VAT administration fee. It was agreed to pay the fee to adopt the phone box.
  13. B4348/C1206 SPEED REVIEW – The results of the recent speed review have been received from Herefordshire Council and are little different from the previous speed review. Traffic is averaging between 45-50mph through the village on the B4348 and 28-36mph through the village on the C1206. Herefordshire Council have advised that after a thorough review and in accordance with the Department of Transport (DfT) Circular 01/13 on setting local speed limits, the decision has been made not to reduce the speed limit along the B4348 from Poston Mill to the C1222 junction. They have also advised that whilst a speed limit is not currently supported for the C1206 through Turnastone, several engineering measures can be implemented to address concerns regarding specific features, such as the bridge and blind bends. A review of possible engineering solutions will be conducted in the near future, with design drawings to be submitted to the Parish Council for approval. It was agreed to thank Herefordshire Council for the information and whilst the Parish Council are disappointed that the speed limit will not be reduced, they look forward to receiving the suggested engineering solutions in due course. It was also agreed to highlight the concerns of residents at Ladywell Cottage a little further along the C1206 to Herefordshire Council. The full report will be available on the Parish Council website.
  14. NOTICEBOARDS – It was noted that the noticeboard in Michaelchurch Escley was in bad disrepair. It was agreed to include in the October newsletter to try to find out who owns the noticeboard before considering if the Parish Council should pay for costs of repair.
  15. NEWSLETTER – Noticeboard, update on B4348/C1206 speed review and Talk Community information.
  16. NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
  17. RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 17th October 2024 at 7.30pm at Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall – Vowchurch Bridge, PROW and B4348 road markings.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.55pm.

Signed………………………………………………………
Dated………………………………………………………..

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