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 June 2024 at 7.30pm in Escley Sports Pavilion, Michaelchurch Escley
PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), I Chadwick, G Deas, S Craddock, R Lloyd, A Mason and J Andrews.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Councillor M Engel, Mrs L Cowles (Clerk) and three members of the public.
- ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors Picton, Kernahan and Williams.
- RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – There were no declarations of interest or written requests for dispensation.
- ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – 18th May 2024 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record
- OPEN DISCUSSION – Members of the public present had grave concerns regarding safety because the verges have not been cut in Newton St Margarets. Whilst it was appreciated that some residents wanted the verges left others would like them cut on safety grounds. The Clerk advised that she has spoken to the Locality Steward and that the contractor should be returning W/C 24th June. Unfortunately, it seems that some residents have taken it onto themselves to disturb the contractor and ask them not to cut. The Parish Council and Balfour Beatty are equally frustrated that the contractor has not completed work as instructed. Residents would also like some reassurance that this would not happen next year.
Councillor J Andrews joined the meeting. - REPORTS
5.1 Local Police – The local police were unable to attend the meeting.
5.2 Ward Councillor – Councillor Engels report included: –
As the General Election is approaching very little is happening at Herefordshire Council. Elections of the Chair and committee members have recently taken place.
An informal meeting was held between representative of the five parish councils in the Golden Valley South Ward. Most have concerns about the same problems and more recently the request from Herefordshire Council concerning the PROW funding and its timescale and information requested. It had been agreed that Ward Councillor Engel would write to raise these concerns.
The planning at Aubreys in the Olchon Valley may be resolved next month at the planning committee.
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 - CLERKS UPDATE – The Clerk has received a number of enquiries regarding the verge cutting at Newton St Margarets. The Locality Steward initially advised that this had been completed although following further contact with local residents this was untrue. Having spoken to the Locality Steward again the cut should now be completed W/C 24th June.
Planning no 233325, Sylvista, Peterchurch. HR2 0SF has been granted.
Councillors are invited to a parish summit on 9th July from 1730 at Herefordshire Councils Plough Lane offices.
Councillors are invited to a lecture on hedges: management, values and landscape context on 24th June from 1000-1200 either virtually or at Plough Lane offices.
The Clerk will be on annual leave between 3rd – 15th July 2024. - CONSIDER PLANNING
7.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Upper Court, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QN
Description: Proposed single storey extension to side of dwelling.
Application No: 241184 Grid Ref: 334348:233362
COMMENT – The Parish Council support the application as a single storey extension to the side of the dwelling is acceptable. Whilst policy 10 of the adopted neighbourhood plan refers to external lighting, the intention is to limit light pollution in a dark sky area therefore consideration should also be given to internal lighting.
7.2 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Cornel Farm, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0RF
Description: Gravelled agricultural track (Retrospective)
Application No: 233751 Grid Ref: 334584:235638
7.3 PLANNING PERMISSION/LISTED BUILDING CONSENT REFUSED
Site: Park Farm House, Rock Road, Newton St Margarets. HR2 0QW
Description: Proposed installation of 16 x Solar PVs on south east facing roof.
Application No: 240121/240122 Grid Ref: 335562:233860
Ward Councillor Engel left the meeting - FINANCE
8.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £13116.16 issued 31st May 2024.
Receipts – £860.00 Herefordshire Council Lengthsman Funding
8.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for June 2024 Clerk’s hours – Payment agreed.
8.3 Payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC2724 roads account April 2024 (1) of £466.00 plus VAT and invoice no. TGC2740 roads account May 2024 (1) of £466.00 plus VAT – Payment agreed.
8.4 Payment to Parish & Town Auditing Services, invoice no. IA/020/24 for Internal Audit of £135.00 – Payment agreed.
8.5 Payment to The Escleyside Hall invoice no. AB131 for hall hire of £36.00 – Payment agreed.
8.6 Payment to Wyehost Ltd, invoice no. 36543 for website updating of £15.00 plus VAT – Payment agreed.
8.7 Payment to HMRC for PAYE April – June 2024 of £137.20 – Payment agreed. - PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY GRANT FUNDING – It was agreed that the Parish Council would like to be included in the PROW grant funding. A number of concerns were raised, predominantly the lack of time to send the information to Herefordshire Council, the reasoning behind using What3Words rather than map co-ordinates and photographing every defects. Would defects previously reported need to be re-reported? It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Herefordshire Council raising these concerns. The request for funding from a landowner in Michaelchurch Escley was noted.
- B4348/C1206 SPEED REVIEW – The Clerk had received a response from the Traffic Management team at Herefordshire Council on the afternoon of the Parish Council meeting. This stated that they were looking at existing signage and the possibility of white lining arrangements to make the area safer for pedestrians and vehicles moving quickly around the double bends. It was agreed that this was not what the Parish Council requested, this would destroy the characteristic of the village. A speed limit is needed. It was agreed to respond with the draft letter from Councillor Craddock further highlighting the point that it is the Governments policy that a 30mph speed limit should be the norm through villages. This will also be sent to Mark Averil the Service Director of Transport and Highways at Herefordshire Council.
- PRE ORDER CONSULTATION – FOOTPATHS PR5 (Part) and VO34 (Part), Bridleway VO57 (Part), VO69 (Part) and PR5A (Part) – Following further discussions it was agreed to respond with Councillor Craddock’s letter which had been distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting.
- CODES & POLICIES – Approve amended Community Resilience Plan – Approved.
- NEWSLETTER – Agree items for July Newsletter – Verges, walk footpaths, countryside code, pick up dog mess.
- NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
- RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 18th July 2024 at 7.30pm at Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall. – BT Phone Boxes
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm
Signed……………………………………………………………….
Dated………………………………………………………………..