Draft 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 20th November 2025 in Vowchurch & Turnastone memorial Hall

PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), A Picton, E Williams, T Smith, K Price, A Mason, J Kernahan, D Cross, R Lloyd and S Craddock.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Councillor M Engel, PC Jeff Rouse and Mrs L Cowles (Clerk).

  1. ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillor I Chadwick.
  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 – 16th October 2025 – 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.
    4.1 Local Police – PC Rouse reported that there had been no thefts or burglaries in the parish since the last meeting. There has been an increase in poaching in neighbouring parishes, please continue to report any suspicious activity and note registration numbers if possible. There is some free equipment available for cyclists, including high vis jackets, lights, and reflective strips, please contact PC Rouse to arrange collection.
    4.2 Ward Councillor – Ward Councillor Engel reported on the effects of the recent floods primarily in Ewyas Harold. Clodock had also been affected. Councillors were unaware of any badly flooded properties in the local parishes.
    There have been no further updates regarding improved broadband, it does appear that the suppliers have mutually agreed to terminate the project in this area.
    4.3 Lengthsman report and any new road defects – The Lengthsman was unable to attend the meeting. The Chair confirmed to Councillors Price and Smith that the Lengthsman does routinely cover four routes within the parishes. It was agreed that the Clerk would send the routes to both Councillors.
  5. CLERKS UPDATE – The Clerk reported that the planning appeal at Park Farm, Newton St Margarets has been dismissed. Planning consultation 252474 at Poston Mill Caravan Park has been approved.
    The Clerk reminded Councillors about the Teams meeting on 26th November regarding the Electoral Review.
    A response has been received from Welsh Water concerning supply, this was unsatisfactory, therefore another query was raised and the Clerk awaits that response.
    The drainage grant funding has been chased.
    The Small Sparks Grant review panel next meet on 16th December to consider the Parish Councils recent application.
  6. CONSIDER PLANNING
    6.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION
    Site: Maescoed Farm, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QL
    Description: Self build project for the restoration, reuse, and redevelopment of the farmhouse so that it is capable of habitation, with the recovering of the roof of the attached listed stable building.
    Application No: 252939 Grid Ref: 333341:233196
    SUPPORT – The Parish Council are delighted to see the respectful renovation of this beautiful property. The proposed plans demonstrate a thoughtful and sympathetic approach to preserving the character of the house and its setting.

6.2 PLANNING CONSULTATION (PART 3) CLASS Q – Prior Approval
Site: Barn at Llanbaddon Farm, Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire.
Description: Application to determine if prior approval is required for the conversion of an agricultural building into one dwelling (Use Class C3) and associated works.
Application No: 253013 Grid Ref: 330833:233322
COMMENT – The Parish Council expressed concerns about the extensive glazing proposed on the northern elevation. Given the structure’s height of 280 m, this element is likely to be prominent and visible from long range.
Ward Councillor Engel left the meeting.
6.3 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Upper House farm, Michaelchurch Escley, Hereford HR2 0JZ
Description: Proposed change of use of agricultural land for siting of 2 nos, shepherd nuts and glamping site from 1st April to 1st November annually. Retrospective.
Application No: 243053 Grid Ref: 330913:236697
6.4 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Sweeps Cottage, The Common Road, Lower Maescoed, Hereford. HR2 0HP
Description: Proposed conversion of outbuilding to holiday let and proposed conversion of the garage to holiday let
Application Nos: 233275/233274 Grid Ref: 334521:230808
6.5 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Barn North of Marlborough Grange, Newton St Margarets, HR2 0QN
Description: Proposed continued occasional use of existing access (variation of planning permission ref. 213593)
Application No: 252374 Grid Ref: 334316:233508

  1. FINANCE
    7.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £22,032.23 issued 31st October 2025.
    To include £6.00 bank charges.
    Receipts – £1467.90 Lengthsman match funding
    7.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for November & December 2025 Clerk’s hours and £42.00 gross (VAT £7.00) for ink cartridges – Payment agreed.
    7.3 Payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC3540 roads account October 2025 (1) of £587.16 gross (VAT £97.86) and TGC3562 roads account October 2025 (2) of £587.16 gross (VAT £97.86) – Payment agreed.
    7.4 Donations – It was agreed to defer to January meeting to enable time to advertise that some monies are available to help local groups.
    7.5 Budget 2026/27 – The 2026/27 budget was approved with a 5% precept increase
  2. GRIT BINS – The Locality Steward reported that there are no maps for grit bins locally but Herefordshire Council would replace any damaged bins. It would be the Parish Councils responsibility to purchase any new bins. Councillor Kernahan confirmed that any new bins could be purchased for approximately £130.00. It was agreed that Councillors would let the Clerk know of any damaged bins and any bins that have not been replenished with salt.
  3. HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL CHARTER – It was agreed to adopt Herefordshire Councils Charter.
  4. LENGTHSMAN CONTRACT 2026/27 – It was agreed to set up a working group to look at the Lengthsman contract for 2026/27. This would be Councillors D Cross, S Craddock, and A Picton. This would be looked at again in January.
  5. WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN – PONTY PINNA – It was agreed to make the following comment – The Parish Council has very limited expertise in woodland management and would therefore be very much guided by the recommendations of qualified professionals and relevant agencies.
  6. MEETING DATES 2026 – It was agreed to continue meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month except for August and December when there will be no meeting and this would continue to alternate between Vowchurch & Turnastone memorial Hall, Michaelchurch Pavilion and Newton Church Room. Due to the Clerks annual leave dates in May and September would be altered. It was agreed to hold the annual parish meeting on either 23rd or 30th April 2026 and to invite MP Jesse Norman to attend.
  7. NEWSLETTER – Riparian Ownership responsibilities, local salt supplies, resilience plan, warm homes grant, donations.
  8. NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
  9. RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 15th January 2026 at 7.30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall – tbc – Precept, Lengthsman

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.40pm

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


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