Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 19th November 2025 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU (///upon.surfacing.outfit)
Minutes 11/2025
Present: Viv Burdon (Chair), Pete Stoddart (Parish and Ward Councillor), Nigel Shaw, Gwen Dumpleton, Annie Grocott, George Johnson
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Sally Webster (Herefordshire Tree Warden Network)
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Viv Burdon opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies were noted from Clive Brazier.
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.
George Johnson declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 9.1 (Lengthsman Scheme).
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Viv Burdon declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 10.
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.
Viv Burdon had been granted a dispensation for a period of four years to allow participation, but not voting, on all matters pertaining to the Linton Rail and Trail project.
4. Co-option: To consider applications received to fill the councillor vacancies.
No further applications received.
5. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
5.1. Public participation
No questions were received.
5.2. Herefordshire Tree Warden Network
Sally Webster provided a talk on the Herefordshire Tree Warden Network:
• The HTWN works closely with the UK Tree Council.
• There are around 60 Tree Warden Networks across the country.
• There are approximately 50 tree wardens across Herefordshire, supported by several assistant tree wardens.
• Membership costs £30 per year.
• Tree wardens can be involved in a variety of issues, for instance supporting protected trees, data collection for special trees/hedgerows, planting of trees, monitoring condition, education and fundraising.
It was RESOLVED to advertise the scheme on the parish council’s website and to review membership at the next meeting.
5.3. Ward Councillor
Pete Stoddart provided a report as follows:
The Leader of Herefordshire Council recently provided the following update. Across Herefordshire we’re seeing strong delivery across schools, roads, transport, employment land and the public realm. Construction is underway on the £10 M Hereford Transport Hub, improving travel options and connectivity across the county. The ground-breaking ceremony in August marked a major step forward for infrastructure and economic opportunity. Work has begun on Peterchurch School, expanding from 105 to 210 places, with new SEN and Nurture Hub facilities. Works are also due to begin on the £2.4 M redevelopment of Hampton Dene Primary School, delivering new classrooms, improved accessibility, and enhanced Special Educational Need provision. We’ve approved £7.2 M to progress Ross Enterprise Park, unlocking space for up to 1,000 jobs and 29,400m² of employment floor space. We’ve also committed £2 M to the development and implementation of flood resilience measures to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure in the ‘at risk areas’. In addition, we have commissioned flood investigations in forty locations to identify causes, responsibilities and recommended actions. To tackle housing and homelessness, we’ve acquired the former John Haider building – now renamed after philanthropist John Venn – to provide emergency accommodation and reduce hotel reliance, saving over £600,000 annually. We’ve launched consultations on our Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy to shape our approach over the next five years. Our highways investment continues, with dozens of miles of roads improved or made safer. New quieter road schemes are starting soon, and essential bridge repairs – including at Mordiford – have been completed on time or ahead of schedule. We’re progressing regeneration at Merton Meadow, including a £2 M flood alleviation scheme and space for up to 400 homes. Our commitment to public services remains strong, with improvements in children’s services, new bus routes, and upgrades to Hereford Leisure Pool that reduce energy costs.
Herefordshire Council has recently appointed John Hobbs (lately the Director of Economy and Infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council from 2006) as our new Director for Economy and Environment. A qualified quantity surveyor and solicitor, he has held senior roles in the private sector with organisations including Tarmac, Bombardier, and Alstom Transport, and has led major infrastructure and regeneration programmes and brings a strong track record of delivery and partnership working. He arrives in Herefordshire to lead on the first phase of the Hereford Bypass, completing the development of Ross Enterprise Park, and overseeing our public realm contracts to keep the county running smoothly. In addition, he will oversee the development and implementation of the new Local Plan, champion environmental sustainability and guide the council’s response to improving the health of the county’s rivers and everyday operations (such as waste, parking, planning and enforcement).
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Ward residents for your cooperation and understanding with the various highway closures we have had while some of our main roads have been subjected to resurfacing. This has been the largest investment in the highways for many years, and we await government funding proposals to see if we can allow ourselves more capital investment.
Bromyard celebrated Remembrance weekend with a marvellous Festival of Remembrance concert in St Peter’s Church on Saturday afternoon with Colin Hales and the Bromyard Wind Band. Remembrance Sunday was marked by the traditional RBL parade and church service, with an RBL lunch in the Falcon Hotel. I had the honour of starting Armistice Day on Tuesday 11th November at Hereford Railway station as I, representing the Herefordshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, together with a number of other organisations placed poppy wreaths onto the 5.23 train to London Paddington. These wreaths would then be placed at the GWR cenotaph on Paddington’s Platform 1. Later that day I attended the Armistice ceremony outside the HALO Centre which was well attended and marked this solemn occasion.
Please remember to inform Herefordshire Council of the location of non-emergency pot holes, drainage issues and Public Rights of Way (PROW) issues using the Herefordshire Council website https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1 For any emergency potholes please report them via the 24hour telephone number: 01432 261800
Brockhampton Group of Parish Councils.
I was very pleased to see that BBLP have cleared the A44 pavement from Linton villas towards Bromyard. This has made access much easier and safer for all residents.
I am 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.
5.4. Bromyard Downs Common Association
No matters were reported.
5.5. Bringsty Common Manorial Court
No matters were reported.
5.6. Footpaths Officer
Gwen Dumpleton (Footpaths Officer) provided a brief update.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
6. To consider and adopt the minutes from the parish council meeting on the 17th September 2025
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
7. Progress reports
7.1. Councillor vacancies
It was noted that there were two vacancies on the parish council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
8. Planning
8.1. To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
8.1.1. P252965/FH: Southington House, Southington Farm, Southington Lane, Stanford Bishop, Herefordshire, WR6 5TS. Entrance porch.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
8.1.2. P253035/F: Bramble Cottage, Bringsty, Worcester, Herefordshire, WR6 5UQ. Change of use of existing outbuilding to short-term holiday accommodation (Use Class C1/sui generis), with no external alterations.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council do not object to the proposals in principle, however, there are concerns at the absence of a dedicated turning area within the site. Without such provision, vehicles may be forced to reverse onto the A44 when exiting, which would pose a risk to highway safety and conflict with Local Plan Policy MT1.
8.1.3. P253200/FH: White Railings Cottage, The Downs, Bromyard, Herefordshire, HR7 4QW. Two-storey rear extension.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
9. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
9.1. To receive an update on the lengthsman scheme and to consider any items for the work schedule
It was noted that George Johnson (Lengthsman) had been working on drainage maintenance across the parish.
It was noted that Herefordshire Council would be scheduling repair of the collapsed drains under the Downs Road near the Royal Oak.
9.2. To review Lengthsman’s Public Liability Insurance
It was RESOLVED to settle the Lengthsman’s liability insurance of £159.13.
9.3. To consider an update on PRoW maintenance and grant funding (PRoW Grant Funding)
It was noted that the work under the PRoW grant scheme had been completed and that the funding had been received from Herefordshire Council.
9.4. To consider an update on drainage maintenance and grant funding (Local Drainage Fund)
Update received under item 9.5.
9.5. To consider an update on permanent closure of A44 layby
It was noted that Herefordshire Council were making arrangements to remove the temporary builder’s bags on the A44 layby and put in place measures to close it permanently.
10. Linton Rail and Trail
10.1. To consider an update on the Linton Rail and Trail project
A short update was received.
10.2. To consider quotes for a valuation of land associated with the project
It was noted that Herefordshire Council had offered grant funding to the parish council to support a valuation of land associated with the Linton Rail and Trail project.
It was RESOLVED to appoint Herbert Banks to undertake the land valuation and to reclaim the funding from Herefordshire Council. Viv Burdon would work with the Clerk to prepare a formal brief accordingly.
11. Correspondence for response or action
11.1. Herefordshire Council: Councillors Code of Conduct Local Resolution Protocol
It was RESOLVED that the parish council were not in support of measures to handle councillor complaint resolution at a local level and that this should remain within the purview of an independent Monitoring Officer.
11.2. Herefordshire Council: Charter for Herefordshire’s Councils 2025
It was RESOLVED that the parish council would adopt the Charter for Herefordshire’s Councils and to publish this on the website.
12. Parish matters for discussion/decision
12.1. To consider an update on defibrillators and grant funding
It was RESOLVED to defer a decision on defibrillator funding until the pub was opened.
13. Finance
13.1. To consider and approve the 2026/27 budget and precept
It was RESOLVED to adopt a budget for 2026/27 and to request a precept of £12,080.00.
13.2. To consider and approve the budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
13.3. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
13.4. To approve the following invoices for payment:
13.4.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses November)
13.4.2. HMRC (PAYE November)
13.4.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension November)
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
13.5. To note the following payments made between meetings under delegated authority:
13.5.1. 18/09/25 Bromyard & Winslow Town Council (room hire): £64.80
13.5.2. 13/10/25 David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses October)
13.5.3. 13/10/25 HMRC (PAYE October)
13.5.4. 13/10/25 Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension October)
13.5.5. 23/10/25 KNJ Property Maintenance Limited (PRoW Grant): £1,423.20
The above payments were noted.
13.6. To note the following Direct Debit payments made between meetings:
13.6.1. 19/09/25 Lloyds Bank (service charge): £4.25
13.6.2. 24/09/25 Information Commissioner (registration): £47.00
13.6.3. 20/10/25 Lloyds Bank (service charge): £4.25
13.6.4. 21/10/25 The Countryside Charity (CPRE): £60.00
The above payments were noted.
14. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Parish council newsletter/updates
• Herefordshire Tree Warden Network membership
It was RESOLVED to advertise the burial fund in the noticeboards, and by emailing Bromyard and Winslow Town Council and local undertakers.
15. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 21st January 2026.
The meeting closed at 8:55PM.