18th January 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 18th January 2024 at 7.30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall.

PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), I Chadwick, E Williams, A Picton, D Cross, S Craddock and R Lloyd.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Councillor M Engel and Mrs L Cowles (Clerk).

  1. ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillor J Kernahan.
  2. RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – There were no declarations of interest or written requests for dispensation.
  3. CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLORS TO REPRESENT ST MARGARETS AND MICHAELCHURCH ESCLEY – None received.
  4. ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – 21st November 2023 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
  5. OPEN DISCUSSION – No members of the public attended the meeting therefore no specific points were raised.
  6. REPORTS
    6.1 Ward Councillor – Ward Councillor Engel’s report included: –
    Herefordshire Council celebrating 25 years since splitting with Worcester County Council.
    First Council meeting attendance.
    Herefordshire Council are looking at the library re-locating to Shirehall.
    The East/West link road is to be considered again.
    He continues to liaise with the relevant people concerning the re-opening of Pontrilas railway station.
    There will be a council budget meeting in approximately three weeks and may be looking at reducing the road maintenance budget by £540,000.
    6.2 Local Police – The local police were unable to attend the meeting.
    6.3 Lengthsman – The Lengthsman was unable to attend the meeting. His latest reports had been distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting via email.
    6.4 Footpath Officer report – Councillor Deas gave a report for Vowchurch and Turnastone areas whilst Councillor May confirmed she was continuing to walk the footpaths. Herefordshire Council are looking to complete a register of all Footpath Officers operating in the County. Councillors Deas and May confirmed that they would be happy to continue and signed the Parish Footpath Officers guidelines accordingly.
  7. CLERKS UPDATE – A thank you letter has been received from Dore Community Transport for the Parish Councils donation.
    There will be an overnight road closure through Peterchurch from 29th January – 10th February.
    Abbeydore & Bacton Group Parish Council have invited two members to attend a meeting with The Police & Crime Commissioner, Mr John Campion on Thursday 22nd February in Abbeydore Village Hall from 7.00pm.
  8. CONSIDER PLANNING
    8.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION
    Site: Cornel Farm, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0RF.
    Description: Gravelled agricultural track. (Retrospective).
    Application No: 233751 Grid Ref: 334584: 235638
    SUPPORT – The Parish Council are aware that the route of this track has been in existence for sometime and this application appears to formalise that route which should be purely for agricultural purposes. It is noted that the visitors to the holiday accommodation currently park in the designated car park, this should remain and be observed.

8.2 PLANNING CONSULTATION – TO NOTE RESPONSE
Site: Rose Cottage, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RA
Description: Proposed external boiler.
Application No: 233432 Grid Ref: 335779:236436
SUPPORT – The Parish Council support the removal of the external flue as it is intrusive. The Parish Council would prefer to see the use of an air source heat pump rather than a new oil boiler along with the addition of other thermal insulation measures.
8.3 PLANNING CONSULTATION – TO NOTE RESPONSE
Site: Sylvista, Peterchurch, Herefordshire, HR2 0SF
Description: Proposed replacement dwelling house
Application No: 233325 Grid Ref: 335616:237189
SUPPORT – The Parish Council welcome the consideration given to the sustainable and eco-friendly design. Whilst policy 10 of the adopted neighbourhood development plan refers to external lighting, the intention is to limit light pollution in a dark sky area therefore consideration should be given to internal lighting too as there is a large expanse of glazing in the design.
8.4 LISTED BUILDING CONSENT GRANTED
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
8.5 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Barn North of Marlborough Grange, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QN
Description: Proposed detached garage.
Application No: 232722 Grid Ref: 334312:233489
8.6 PLANNING PERMISSION/LISTED BUILDING CONSENT GRANTED
Site: Barn (known as the cottage) Old Kate’s Farm, Michaelchurch Escley. HR2 0PU
Description: variation of a condition 2 ref- 183961/F (Proposed conversion of barn (known as The Cottage) to form residential accommodation. Vary the materials on the east elevation
Application No: 211726/211732 Grid Ref: 329096:237325
8.7 PLANNING PERMISSION/LISTED BUILDING CONSENT GRANTED
Site: The Barn Old Kates Farm, Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire. HR2 0PU
Description: Proposed single storey extension and alterations
Application No: 222023/222024 Grid Ref: 329095:237316
8.8 BARN NEAR MARLBOROUGH GRANGE – The Parish Council are disappointed with the response from the Enforcement Officer. There appears to be inconsistencies when considering breaches of planning regulations and the options of enforcement. It was agreed that the Chair and Clerk would draft a response to be agreed by Councillors.

  1. FINANCE
    9.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £18,548.26 Statement Sheet No. 191 issued 17th December 2023.
    Receipts – £3550.00 Lengthsman routine maintenance funding and £2650 Lengthsman nominated task funding.
    To include £10.00 bank charges 17th October 2023 to 16th November 2023 and 17th November to 16th December 2023.
    9.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for January 2024 Clerk’s hours, £5.10 postage and £47.82 plus VAT Ink cartridges – Payment agreed.

9.3 Payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC2476 roads account November 2023 (1) of £440.00 plus VAT, invoice no. TGC2486 roads account November 2023 (2) of £440.00 plus VAT, invoice no. TGC2487 roads account November2023 (3) grant funding of £2500.00 plus VAT, invoice no. TGC2493 roads account November 2023 (4) grant funding of £2800.00 plus VAT, invoice no. TGC2511 roads account December 2023 (1) of £440.00 plus VAT and invoice no. TGC2512 roads account December 2023 (2) grant funding of £750.00 plus VAT – Payment agreed.
9.4 Payment to Herefordshire Council invoice no. 91591415 for 2023 election costs of £605.94 plus VAT – Payment agreed.
9.5 Payment to Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall of £105.00 for 2023 hall hire – Payment agreed.
9.6 Payment to HMRC of £153.80 for PAYE October – December 2023 – Payment agreed.
9.7 FINANCE WORKING GROUP – The latest quarterly 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. The Unity Trust bank account has now been opened.

  1. LENGTHSMAN 2024/25 – The Lengthsman funding has been reduced for 2024/25. The Parish Council can claim £60 per km of C and U roads along with match funding on a 1:1 basis. It was agreed to complete the Expression of Interest form.
  2. 2024/25 REVISED BUDGET & PRECEPT – The revised budget for 2024/25 was agreed following changes with the Lengthsman funding and it was agreed to increase the 2024/25 precept by 10% to request a figure of £17,240.88.
  3. WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WHITE HOUSE WOOD – TO NOTE RESPONSE
    Many thanks for contacting the Parish Council to gain their views regarding the Woodland Management at Whitehouse Woods.
    The Parish Council has very limited knowledge regarding woodland management but having looked at the plan and gathered some local opinion it seems to demonstrate sound woodland management principles applicable to woodland of this type in Herefordshire.
    Can the Parish Council ask that the route of footpath SM14 which passes through large areas of this land be way marked. How are the stages monitored and potential feedback to the Parish Council may be helpful.
  4. WORKS AT PICCADILLY FARM, VOWCHURCH – Correspondence received from a local resident was noted. It was agreed that the Parish Council has no authority or powers to act on any infringements, it is purely the responsibility of Herefordshire Council and Balfour Beatty. It was agreed that Councillor Deas would draft a response accordingly for approval by Councillors.
  5. B4348/C1206 UPDATE – The Clerk had recently held a meeting with Bruce Evans and Callum Bush from Herefordshire Council. After the recent speed survey, they are apprehensive about introducing a speed limit on B4348 or C1206 as results indicated that speed was not a major factor. Moving forward they would like the Parish Council to suggest measures they would like on these roads as an alternative. It was agreed that double white lines through the dip and junction with the B4348 and C1206 would be welcomed along with the re-instatement of the slow markings and the coloured surfacing.
  6. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – It was agreed to hold the annual parish meeting on Thursday 25th April at Escleyside Hall, Michaelchurch Escley. Councillor Craddock would enquire if Tim Hoverd, Herefordshire Council’s Archaeological Project Manager would come to talk about the excavations at Snodhill Castle.
  7. FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER – Co-option of Councillors, Lengthsman contract 2024/25, new email address, Peterchurch fibre upgrade.
  8. NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
  9. RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 15th February 2024 at 7.30pm in Michaelchurch Escley Sports Pavilion – Fire Officer recruitment at Peterchurch.

A RESOLUTION WAS PASSED TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC & PRESS DUE TO EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

  1. PARISH CLERK ANNUAL APPRAISAL – It was agreed to increase the Clerks salary to SCP 24 backdated to 1st April 2023. The Clerks annual review will now take place in April each year.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

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

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