VOWCHURCH & DISTRICT GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St Margarets, Turnastone, Vowchurch.
Minutes of the Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council meeting held on
Thursday 27th April 2023 at 7.30pm in Newton Church Room.
PRESENT – Councillors T Williams, G Deas, S Craddock, I Chadwick, D Cross, E Williams and M Engel.
IN ATTENDANCE – Mrs L Cowles (Clerk).
In the absence of the Chair; Vice-Chair, Councillor T Williams chaired the meeting.
- ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors E May, A Picton, G Franklin and R Lloyd.
- RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – Councillor M Engel declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item 7.2; the declarations book was signed accordingly.
- ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – 16th March 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 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.
5.3 Footpath Officer – Councillor May’s meeting report had been forwarded to Councillors prior to the meeting. Councillor Deas reported that he has walked approximately 10% of the footpaths this year. The VO48 has been planted with roses. The landowner has been to approached with a request to remove the roses obstructing the footpath. - CLERKS UPDATE
The Clerk reported that all Councillor seats within the parishes are uncontested, please attend the May meeting if you can as there will be paperwork to sign.
Work will commence on C1209 near Percival Place in the location previously agreed with the Locality Steward and not as indicated on the map sent to local residents.
As per the email sent to Councillors prior to the meeting, please be aware that some speed signage has been moved in St Margarets. This is unlawful, it is an offence to place anything in, on or upon a highway with the intention of endangering road users, - CONSIDER PLANNING
7.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION – NO OBJECTION RESPONSE WAS NOTED.
Site: Old Weavers, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QF
Description: Proposed conversion of existing garage to provide annex accommodation to the house and artist’s studio, with raising of roof to accommodate first floor level.
Application No: 230628 Grid Ref: 333325:234925
NO OBJECTION
Councillor M Engel left the room
7.2 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Fair Oak, Bacton, Herefordshire. HR2 0AT
Description: Construction of a riding arena for domestic use
Application No: 230436 Grid Ref: 335664:232197
NO OBJECTION
Councillor M Engel re-joined the meeting
7.3 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Land North of Marlborough Grange, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QN
Description: Proposed amendments to extant Class Q permission 220819 (change of use of barn to dwelling) to include single storey side and rear extension and enlargement of domestic curtilage.
Application No: 230868 Grid Ref: 334313:233489
COMMENT – Whilst Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council has no objection to this application, they would like policy 10 of the adopted Neighbourhood Plan to be taken into consideration. Although this policy relates to external lighting the parish council would also like consideration to be taken into account for internal lighting to follow the policy strategy ‘In particular it should be demonstrated that care has been taken to design appropriate lighting which minimises the impact on the occupiers of nearby properties and minimises light pollution and energy consumption’
7.4 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: The Old House, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RB
Description: Erection of replacement garden shed.
Application No: 224082 Grid Ref: 336205:236392
7.5 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Tanners Place, Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire. HR2 0LA
Description: Proposed change of use of barn to private kennelling along with internal reconditioning (retrospective).
Application No: 224246 Grid Ref: 330768:237577
8 FINANCE
8.5 Confirmation of bank balance – £5105.38 Statement Sheet No. 181 issued 17th April 2023
Receipts – £4339.00 Drainage grant.
To include £5.00 bank charges 17th February 2023 – 16th March 2023.
8.6 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for April 2023 Clerk’s hours – Payment agreed.
8.7 Payment to Terry Griffiths Contracts, invoice no. TGC2217a roads account March 2023 (4) of £400.00 plus VAT, invoice no. TGC2219 roads account March 2023 (5) of £400.00 plus VAT – Payment agreed.
8.8 Payment to Wyehost Ltd, invoice no. 35107 for web hosting of £55.00 plus VAT – Payment agreed.
8.9 Uncleared Cheques – It was agreed to write off cheque no. 100445, May 2019 for £319.28 and cheque no. 100462, November 2019 for £972.22 as not cleared through HSBC banking system. It was noted that the cheques had been paid in via a mobile banking app and although had cleared through the recipients account funds had not been taken from the HSBC account. The Clerk had previously contacted both HSBC and Barclays to try and resolve this matter without success.
8.10 CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION 2022/23 – The Certificate of Exemption 2022/23 for smaller authorities was approved.
9 VERGE CUTTING 2023 – It was agreed that whilst both options and timings of cut were not ideal the Parish Council would provisionally request Balfour Beatty to cut the verges twice for the 2023 season. It was agreed that Councillor Engel would source opinion from a local botanist and the Clerk would ask Councillor May to confirm the stretch of road to be omitted in Newton St Margarets before the Clerk confirmed with Balfour Beatty prior to Friday 12th May 2023.
10 NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
11 RAISE MATTERS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 25th May 2023 at 7.30pm at Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall – Ponty Pinna & Councillor Co-option to fill vacancies.
As this was the last meeting for Councillors T Williams and E Williams, they were thanked for all their work over the years in supporting the Parish Council.
The Vice-Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.40pm
Signed………………………………………………..
Dated…………………………………………………