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 June 2026 at 7.30pm in Escley Sports Pavilion, Michaelchurch Escley.
PRESENT – Councillors E May, A Mason, E Williams, T Smith, K Price, D Cross, J Kernahan, A Picton and R Lloyd.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Councillor M Engel, J Probert (Lengthsman), Mrs L Cowles (Clerk) and three members of the public.
- ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors I Chadwick, S Craddock and the Police.
- RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – Councillor A Mason declared a non-disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item 7.3. Councillor J Kernahan declared a non-disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item 7.2; the declarations book was signed accordingly. There were no written requests for dispensation.
- ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 7th May 2026 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
- OPEN DISCUSSION – One member of the public present raised concerned regarding a motocross which had taken place recently and the issue with noise. Councillor Smith advised that she had also received complaints and enquiries as to whether these events were to take place on a regular basis.
- REPORTS
5.1 Local Police – The police were unable to attend the meeting. Their report was read by the Clerk which included information that two thefts have been reported in the parish since the last meeting, both involved thefts of trailers from farms in the Newton St Margaret area. Between 13th & 14th May an Ifor Williams plant trailer was stolen from a farm and between 28th May & 1st June a livestock trailer and Ifor Williams flatbed trailer were stolen from another farm. Please continue to report any suspicious activity/ vehicle to the police, including the registration number, description and direction of travel.
5.2 Lengthsman – Jamie Probert reported that he had been working in the parish today, 18th June. He has noticed that some of the recent ditching/drainage works on C1206 have not been completed, outlets are still blocked and some gullies have not been put back. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Herefordshire Council regarding these works. There is some ditching works through Newton and St Margarets that need urgent attention. It was agreed that the Lengthsman would quote for these works.
5.3 Ward Councillor – Following on from the members of the public concerns, Ward Councillor Engel advised that he has also received complaints and had tried to contact the landowner and was awaiting a response, but you could report the noise concerns via email at ethelpline@herefordshire.gov.uk This appears to be an Autograss event rather than Motocross. Councillors requested that Ward Councillor Engel pursue the landowner and report back to the parish council.
Herefordshire Council has offered each Ward Councillor £1000. The money is intended to support a project in their ward that benefits or improves the local community. The deadline to spend these funds is December 2026 and each Ward Councillor has the sole discretion on how to spend it.
It is councillor Engel’s intention not to stand at the next local elections in May 2027, he would therefore like to find a suitable local candidate to stand in his place, and he hopes someone will come forward.
5.4 Public Footpath Officer for Vowchurch & Turnastone – The report has been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting.
One member of public left the meeting. - CLERKS UPDATE – The Clerk reported that works on the website to upgrade to WCA 2.2AA are on-going, this is taking longer than originally thought, with an increase in cost expected. It was agreed to continue with the update. The Clerk reminded Councillors that this may cause the external auditor to comment regarding Assertion 10 on the 2025/26 Governance Statement. Herefordshire Council approved the amendments to the Local Resolution Protocol although they will not insist or impose these changes and you can carry on with your current arrangements and refer complaints to the Monitoring Officer. Work on an unreasonable complainant policy are on-going. A reminder that the next parish council summit will take place on Tuesday 14th July from 4.30pm in Herefordshire Councils Plough Lane offices.
- CONSIDER PLANNING
7.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION – LISTED BUILDING CONSENT
Site: Glendore, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RA
Description: Removal of fuel pumps to facilitate renovation works, including removal of flaking paint and the repair and repainting of external cases. Cleaning/repair of internal parts and reinstatement of pumps on site.
Application No: 261233 Grid Ref: 335743:236392
SUPPORT THE APPLICATION – The parish council has no objection to this application and appreciates the efforts being made in carrying out these renovation works to the pumps.
7.2 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Graig Farm Barn, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QY
Description: Enlargement of domestic curtilage and proposed garages (part retrospective)
Application No: 261322 Grid Ref: 334407:233812
GENERAL COMMENT – The Parish Council would like to query the need for a further increase in the curtilage, given that there has already been an increase previously approved. The Council would welcome clarification as to why additional curtilage is required and the justification for this change. Whilst the appearance of the proposed garages is considered to enhance the area, the Parish Council would request that any planning approval is suitably conditioned to ensure the development remains for its intended purpose in perpetuity and cannot be converted or used for any alternative purpose in the future. The Parish Council therefore asks that appropriate conditions are attached to any approval to protect the character of the area and prevent future changes of use.
7.3 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Barn adj. Llanbaddon Farm, Michealchurch Escley, HR2 0PP
Description: Construction of a self-build dwelling in lieu of extant class Q permission to convert existing barn to dwelling.
Application No: 261442 Grid Ref: 330856:233304
GENERAL COMMENT – The Parish Council has some reservations and concerns regarding this development. The application proposes a change from a barn conversion approved under Class Q (with associated restrictions) to a dwelling in open countryside. The property is located on top of a ridge, and the proposal includes additional windows, particularly on the northern elevation. This raises concerns regarding potential light pollution and the impact on the character of the area, which is within a designated Dark Skies area. The Parish Council is also concerned about the precedent that approval of this application may set for future Class Q planning applications. The Council would urge that consideration is given to the wider implications of this proposal for similar applications in the future.
7.4 PLANNING PERMISSION – GRANTED
Site: St Michaels Church, Michaelchurch Escley. HR2 0JW
Description: Proposed to repair the top 2 feet of retaining wall surrounding stone steps leading to a disused cellar.
Application No: 242968 Grid Ref: 331665:234173
Ward Councillor Engel left the meeting - FINANCE
8.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £22,799.25 dated 31st May 2026.
To include £7.00 bank charges.
8.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for June 2026 Clerk’s hours – Payment agreed.
8.3 Consider payment to Mr J Probert invoice no. 1116 roads account May 2026 (1) of £300.00 gross (VAT £50.00)- Payment greed. - 2025/26 AUDIT
9.1 INTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT 2025/26 – The Internal Auditors report was received and comments noted.
9.2 CONSIDER AND APPROVE ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2025/26 – The Annual Governance Statement was approved and signed by the Clerk and Chair.
9.3 CONSIDER AND APPROVE ACCOUNTING STATEMENT 2025/26 – The Accounting Statement was certified by the RFO prior to being approved and signed by the Chair.
9.4 NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN – The dates of public rights to view the accounts were noted as Tuesday 23rd June 2026 – Monday 3rd August 2026. - FUTURE OF ESCLEY SPORTS PAVILION, MICHAELCHURCH ESCLEY – Six Councillors attended the meeting on 11th June, along with members of the public, and there had been positive feedback. Those present expressed a strong desire for the pavilion facility to continue, and several offers of support and assistance had been received. There is also the potential for a contribution of £1,000 from Ward Councillor Engel. The next social event will be a BBQ on 26th June, and a follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place on 9th July.
- LOCAL ROADS – There have been recent reports of a car driving recklessly, speeding and generally behaving irresponsibly on rural roads in the Newton St Margaret area. It was agreed that Councillor Kernahan would contact local police to raise concerns and request that they attend the July parish council meeting. Reports have also been received regarding 4 X 4 vehicles causing damage at Vaga Hill on a byway/unclassified road. The Clerk has contacted the PROW Officer who has advised that she is currently in the early stages of collating various pieces of evidence and she or the enforcement officer will come back to the parish council with a report in due course.
Councillors noted that the first verge cut had taken place. The contractor had carried out the work to a good standard, and no complaints had been received. Councillors commented that the verges had never looked so good. - NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW – Consider reviewing the Neighbourhood Development Plan – Defer to July meeting.
- NEWSLETTER – Keep dogs under control, reporting vehicles to police, next pavilion meeting on 9th July.
- NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – No additional correspondence.
- RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 16th July 2026 at 7.30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall – NDP review.
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.05pm
Signed……………………………………………………………..
Dated………………………………………………………………