Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 18th September 2024 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU
Minutes 09/2024
Present: Clive Brazier (Chair), Pete Stoddart (Ward and Parish Councillor), Nigel Shaw, Karen Rock, George Johnson, Gwen Dumpleton
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), two members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcomed residents.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence.
Apologies were noted from Viv Burdon.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests: With reference to items on the agenda councillors are reminded of their responsibility to declare interests and to update their register of interests as required.
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests: To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Nil declared.
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Nil declared.
3.4. Dispensations: To consider any written dispensations from councillors who have declared an interest but wish to stay in the meeting during that time to aid discussion / speak / vote.
Nil received.
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. Ward Councillor
Pete Stoddart provided a report as follows:
Following the General Election we have received information from the Deputy Prime Minister indicating the Government will bring forward legislation in the parliament period to support universal coverage of strategic planning through ‘Spatial Development Strategies’. The Government will restore a revised calculation methodology based upon ‘the Standard Method’ for calculating housing targets (this was removed in the Levelling Up Bill by the previous Government in Dec 2023). The revision to the calculation makes the target more ambitious and significantly increases the number of homes required. Councils will be required to review boundaries to release green belt and lower quality of the green belt land (Grey belt) to be brought forward for development if required to meet housing targets. 50% of all homes to be built on green / grey belt to be affordable.
The UK Government also published a consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system on 30th July 2024. This consultation has come from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Herefordshire Council will be providing a comprehensive response to this consultation once all the wider implications are fully analysed.
The process to produce Herefordshire Council’s budget for 2025/26 has commenced and will include engagements with Parish Councils, residents and businesses.
Herefordshire’s unprecedented Luston Wetland project has been acknowledged with a Local Government Chronicle (LGC) award for Environmental Services. economic repercussions. Luston Wetland has already secured The judges recognised it as a groundbreaking initiative that tackles the critical issue of nutrient pollution and its subsequent credits for 1112 new homes. High levels of Phosphate have long been known to damage our rivers including the Wye and Lugg. By 2019 Natural England advised Herefordshire Council that the levels of phosphate in the Lugg sub catchment meant that in order to protect the river, any new housing development must fully offset its phosphate load. Herefordshire Council has responded to this issue by developing the Luston Wetland to capture and remove phosphate and trade Phosphate Credits with developers to enable housing growth in the north of the county. The scheme ensures that more phosphate is removed from the river system than is returned to it through any form of development. The creation of the wetlands have the added benefit of boosting local biodiversity and wildlife.
In July, Cabinet approved the addition of £5m to the capital budget to provide and enable the cabinet to take decisions quickly if and when properties or land become available. We wish to use that funding to take up opportunities to buy land or suitable housing, for example, for those requiring temporary accommodation without delay. Each project will be subject to its own governance, a full business case will be presented for approval where required and compliance with the council’s contract procedure rules as applicable. The overall aim of capital expenditure is to benefit some of our most vulnerable in society, those currently, or at risk of being homeless.
Finally I am very pleased to confirm that the new 420 bus service from Bromyard to Worcester will commence on Monday 2nd September.
I would like to remind all Ward residents that using the Herefordshire Council website they can report non-emergency pot holes, drainage issues and Public Rights of Way (PROW) issues via the following link
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1/report-problems-road Once the entry is created you will receive a response with a BBLP reference number which will enable you to track this item through until it is resolved. Alternately you can add an app to your smart phone using the https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/reportingapp/ For those residents who do not wish to use the web service or they wish to report an urgent issue, or any of the following, please call 01432 261800, this number is manned 24hrs per day.
I am also present at the Surgery in the Foyer of the Conquest Theatre on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30 – 12:00 for residents to meet with me in person. It remains my pleasure to assist residents of the Bromyard Bringsty Ward with their Herefordshire Council issues and concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me via telephone or email if you have any Herefordshire Council related issues.
Brockhampton Group of Parish Councils
The Parish Council have installed a Speed Indicating Device (SID) on the B4203 by the entrance to the Football ground. This has been funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and is shared with two other Parish Councils who will share it on an equitable basis. The installation was completed by the Parish Council Lengthsman and the Clerk.
Balfour Beatty will be resurfacing the B4203 from Church Street to Burying Lane during late August with a completion date of 8 Sept.
The Lengthsman has also engaged with a local resident who has a wealth of local knowledge in respect of drainage across the Parish. The aim is to produce a comprehensive diagram of the Parish Drainage to assist future works.
I have also met with the owner of the Royal Oak pub who has confirmed to me that it is his intention to re-open the pub, with accommodation, at a point in the future.
4.2. Bromyard Downs Common Association
A short update was received:
• It was anticipated that there would be a reduction in government grant funding in future.
• The hay had been cut on the Bromyard Downs.
• Additional volunteers for work parties were needed.
It was RESOLVED to write to the BDCA to change the parish council’s representative from Karen Rock to George Johnson.
4.3. Bringsty Common Manorial Court
No matters were reported.
4.4. Footpaths Officer
A short update was received:
• The Footpaths Officer had now received high vis jackets, gloves and secateurs.
• Most footpaths had now been surveyed; six issues had been reported to Herefordshire Council and there were seven more issues still to report.
• Grant funding had been approved (item 8.2).
4.5. Hereford Green Network
A short update was received:
• The March for Clean Water is on Saturday 26th October.
• Community fridge grants were available.
4.6. Public participation
Two members of the public provided an update on recent building works at the Royal Oak on Bromyard Downs and they expressed disappointment at some of the feedback that the work had generated on social media.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 17th July 2024
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Progress reports
6.1. Councillor vacancies
It was noted that there were two vacancies on the parish council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
6.2. Speed Indicating Device rotation schedule
It was noted that a rotation schedule for the SID had been arranged with Whitbourne and North Bromyard Group Parish Councils; the sign would spend three months in each parish.
6.3. Memorial to Dr David Boddington
It was noted that arrangements were being made for a replacement memorial tree.
7. Correspondence
7.1. Bromyard Community Transport: donation request (additional detail)
It was RESOLVED to request extra clarification on the exact number of people using the service within the group parish with a view to adding into next year’s budget (if appropriate).
7.2. Herefordshire Council: Invite to Parish Summit on the 8th October 2024
It was RESOLVED that Gwen Dumpleton would attend on behalf of the parish council.
7.3. Herefordshire Council: Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)
It was noted that Viv Burdon had attended the recent session and it was RESOLVED to add an update to a future agenda.
7.4. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Consultation on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system
An update was provided on the above consultation.
8. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
8.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
An update on the recent activities of the Lengthsman was received.
8.2. To note successful application to Herefordshire Council’s Public Rights of Way Grant Funding (£1,192.85) and to consider next steps
It was RESOLVED to make arrangements for ordering replacement stiles, gates and finger posts.
8.3. To consider an application to Herefordshire Council’s Local Drainage Fund (closing 27/09/24)
It was RESOLVED to make an application to Herefordshire Council’s Local Drainage Fund; George Johnson would supply pictures of the drainage locations requiring maintenance and a contractors day rate would be used to estimate the grant funding required.
8.4. To receive an update on the permanent closure of the A44 layby (junction The Downs Road)
It was hoped that future scheduled resurfacing work on the A44 would allow the layby to be tidied up at the same time.
9. Planning
9.1. To receive an update on the Brockhampton Group Neighbourhood Development Plan and to consider next steps
It was RESOLVED to defer progress on the NDP until the impact of revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and Herefordshire Council’s Core Strategy were understood.
It was RESOLVED to defer drawing down the grant funding from Groundwork UK accordingly.
9.2. To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
9.2.1. P242111/L: Turnpike Cottage, The Downs, Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4QW. The proposal includes the replacement of 3 no. inefficient, single glazed, timber windows, to the SE and SW elevations.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
9.3. To note responses made under delegated authority for the following applications:
9.3.1. P241927/PA7: Land at Bromyard Town Football Club, Delahay Meadow Sports Ground, Bromyard, Herefordshire, HR7 4NT. Application for prior notification for a proposed shareable telecommunications base station installation comprising a 25m lattice tower supporting up to 12 no antennas and up to 4 no dishes together with up to 6 no ground based cabinets, 1 no meter cabinet and ancillary development thereto including compound fencing.
It was noted that the following response had been submitted under delegated authority:
No additional lights should be fitted and that every effort should be made to reduce the visual impact of the mast.
10. Parish matters for discussion/decision
10.1. To consider disposal or replacement of the parish council noticeboard at Bringsty
It was RESOLVED to ask Bringsty Common Manorial Court to see if they want to take ownership of the noticeboard, if not the noticeboard would be disposed of and removed from the asset register.
11. Finance
11.1. Budget expenditure: To consider and approve
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
11.2. Bank reconciliation: To consider and approve
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
11.3. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
11.3.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses)
11.3.2. HMRC (PAYE)
11.3.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension)
11.3.4. George Johnson (Lengthsman): £73.35
11.3.5. HALC (website hosting): £73.20
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
11.4. Clerk’s Delegation: To note the following payments made between meetings:
11.4.1. 01/08/24 – David Hunter-Miller (August salary and expenses)
11.4.2. 01/08/24 – HMRC (August PAYE)
11.4.3. 01/08/24 – Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (August pension)
11.4.4. 01/08/24 – Elite Industrial (Footpaths Officer vests): £24.27
11.4.5. 01/08/24 – G Dumpleton (Footpaths Officer secateurs): £27.99
11.4.6. 01/08/24 – George Johnson (Lengthsman materials): £29.52
The above payments were noted.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Budget and precept setting
• Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (update)
• Community Transport Grant (budget setting)
13. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 20th November 2024.
A resolution was passed to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of the following item.
14. To review the Clerk’s hours in relation to current/future projects
In view of increasing workload it was RESOLVED to increase the Clerk’s contracted hours by 0.75 hours per week (to 7.75 per week) with immediate effect.
The meeting closed at 9:16PM.