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

PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), E Williams, I Chadwick, A Picton, R Lloyd, J Andrews, G Deas, D Cross and J Kernahan.
IN ATTENDNACE – Ward Councillor M Engel, Mrs L Cowles (Clerk) and one member of the public.

  1. ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors S Craddock, A Mason and the Police.
  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 – 20th June 2024 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
  4. OPEN DISCUSSION – The member of the public present requested that the Parish Council consider purchasing the telephone box at Newton St Margarets crossroads to be used primarily as a book swap with the possibility of including some local information, puzzles and seasonal goods. They offered to paint and install any shelving etc and were happy to maintain it. It was thought that you could purchase these old phone boxes for £1.00. The Parish Council agreed to go ahead and adopt the telephone box and requested the Clerk made necessary arrangements.
    Ward Councillor Matthew Engel joined the meeting.
  5. REPORTS
    5.1 Local Police – The local police were unable to attend the meeting.
    5.2 Ward Councillor – Councillor Engel gave an update on how the general election had impacted locally with the possibility of three up-coming by-elections.
    The Conservatives are still a minority in Herefordshire Council.
    5.3 Lengthsman report – The Lengthsman was unable to attend the meeting. His latest reports had been distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting via email.
  6. CLERKS UPDATE – Planning has been granted at Application No. 241184, Upper Court, Newton St Margarets.
    The agents for the planning application at Chanstone Court Farm has requested a meeting with Councillor W/C 29th July. It was agreed that the following week of 5th August would be more acceptable for Councillors J Kernahan, G Deas and E May.
  7. CONSIDER PLANNING
    7.1 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
    Site: 2 Birch Cottages, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RA
    Description: Proposed Studio
    Application No: 240781 Grid Ref: 335869:236293
  8. FINANCE
    8.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £11253.20 dated 30th June 2024.
    To include £18.00 bank charges.
    Receipts – None
    8.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for July & August 2024 Clerk’s hours and £312.00 allowance for home office use 2024-25 – Payment agreed.
    8.3 Payment to SLCC invoice no. MEM249653-1 of £112.00 gross for Clerks membership 2024/25 – Payment agreed.
    8.4 Payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC2783 roads account June 2024 (1) of £559.20 gross (VAT £93.20) – Payment agreed.

8.5 Payment to WyeHost Ltd invoice no. 36623 UK domain name renewal of £11.99 gross (VAT £2.00) – Payment agreed.
8.6 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. Spending against the budget was also checked.

  1. LENGTHSMAN MATCH FUNDING WORKS – The Clerk advised that the Lengthsman funding available was a total of £12840 including match funding of £3210 by the Parish Council. Routine maintenance days equate to £8388 of funding leaving £4452 available. It was agreed to instruct the Lengthsman to complete job VGPC005 at a cost of £3750.00 to use some of the remaining funds.
  2. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY GRANT FUNDING – Councillors Deas and May and completed the PROW grant funding application and have requested a fund totalling £6171.00 to cover purchase of equipment in all five parishes. It was noted that this had been a difficult exercise and there are concerns regarding how and who will be completing these works. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Balfour Beatty to ask if the grant funding would also cover installation costs.
  3. BT PHONE BOXES – As minute item 4 above.
  4. B4348/C1206 SPEED REVIEW – The response to Herefordshire Council sent on 1st July 2024 was noted. Since the last Parish Council meeting another speed survey has taken place on C1206 and B4348. It was agreed that the Clerk would chase Herefordshire Council for the results and their latest update.
  5. LAPTOP – The Clerk explained that the battery on the Parish Council laptop needed replacing and as the laptop is now over ten years old requested a new laptop. It was agreed to spend up to £500.00. The Clerk will liaise with Councillor Kernahan to find the best deal available for current requirements.
  6. NEWSLETTER – Talk Community page to include home upgrade grants and children’s activities during the school holiday for lower income families.
  7. NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
  8. RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 19th September 2024 at 7.30pm at Newton Church Room

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.10pm

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

Skip to content