Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 15th November 2023 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU
Minutes 11/2023
Present: Clive Brazier (Chair), George Johnson, Viv Burdon, Pete Stoddart, Peter Lane
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), one member of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcome residents.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies were noted from Karen Rock and Gwen Dumpleton.
It was noted that Helen Allan had not been able to attend meetings within a six-month period and was no longer eligible as a parish councillor; it was RESOLVED to register the vacancy with Herefordshire Council and to write a thank you letter to Helen Allan for her service on the Parish Council over many years.
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.
Viv Burdon declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 8.6.
George Johnson declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 10.1.
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Disclosable 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: To receive a brief report.
Pete Stoddart provided a report as follows:
Winter is most definitely upon us, with the return of the short days and long periods of darkness. I trust that all residents were not adversely affected by the recent storms and kept safe. Looking forward we have the switching on of the, always very impressive, Bromyard Christmas Lights on 18 November in the Market Square.
Update from Herefordshire Council
The Herefordshire Council Delivery Plan 2023/24 will go to Cabinet in late November. This is an important document which sets out the Conservative led Administrations plan for the immediate future and is the continuum of a number of key deliverables. These include: Children’s services, river quality, waste strategy, the development of the new Library and Museum, delivering the Hereford Transport strategy, employment land and investment in infrastructure. I will include a link to the document in my next update and would commend everyone to read it.
The Quarter 2 Budget and Performance Report will also go to Cabinet this month. There is no good news in the report which forecasts an overspend of £13.8M. My Cabinet Colleagues and I are working very closely with the various Directorates to ensure that they will meet their savings targets. The majority of the overspend is due to Children’s and Young People Directorate (1£11.8M) and as I have mentioned previously we are fully committed to the three year Children’s Improvement Plan which deliver high quality services whilst taking children’s services to a long-term position of living within their assigned budget.
I am also working with my Cabinet Colleagues and Council Officers in setting the Revenue Budget for 2024/25.
I have no further update in regard to the 420 bus route from Bromyard to Worcester other than the Council Officer expects it to start early in the New Year. I will include any further information in the next update.
As the Ward member for Bromyard Bringsty Ward I continue to assist residents with their Herefordshire Council issues and concerns, which recently have included a range of issues from flooding on the A44 Bypass to bins in Bromyard.
Brockhampton Group of Parish Councils.
I have engaged with the Traffic Management team in Herefordshire Council to respond to the Clerk’s request to clarify if the proposed locations to position the recently purchased speed indicating device are acceptable. It is understood that this will be conducted by the Council Officer at the same time as he carries out his visit to Whitbourne Parish for the same reason.
The issue regarding the provision of some litter bins in the vicinity of Brockhampton School is ongoing as we await a response from Balfour Beatty.
If you wish to contact me, my contact details are:
Councillor Peter Stoddart MBE MBA CEng
Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
Bromyard Bringsty Ward
Address: Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE
Telephone: 07529 188727
Email: peter.stoddart@herefordshire.gov.uk
4.2. Bromyard Downs Common Association: To receive a brief report.
There were no matters to report.
4.3. Bringsty Common Manorial Court: To receive a brief report.
A short update was received:
• A new Committee and Chair have been elected.
• A presentation had been received on the BDCA’s Stewardship Scheme.
4.4. Footpaths Officer: To receive a brief report.
There were no matters to report.
4.5. Hereford Green Network: To receive a brief report.
It was noted that a renewal invoice had been received (item 11.5.4) and that email updates were being received.
4.6. WBL Greenway Project: To receive a presentation on a proposed permissive path based on the route of the Bromyard and Linton Light Railway.
A presentation was received on the WBL Greenway Project which seeks to promote a permissive path based on the route of the Bromyard and Linton Light Railway.
4.7. Public participation
A member of the public welcomed ditching work recently undertaken by Balfour Beatty but it was noted that an adjacent culvert was still blocked; Pete Stoddart would discuss this with Balfour Beatty.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 20th September 2023
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. Surplus Smart Water kits
It was noted that four of the surplus Smart Water kits had been purchased. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would hold the remaining four kits and their availability would continue to be advertised on the Parish Council’s website.
6.3. Smart Water signage
It was noted that the additional/larger Smart Water signs had been installed.
6.4. Speed Indicating Device
It was noted that Herefordshire Council were shortly due to assess the proposed locations for the Speed Indicating Device.
6.5. Memorial to Dr David Boddington
It was noted that a tree and dedication plaque was the preferred option and the BDCA were making the necessary arrangements.
7. Correspondence
7.1. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Community Ownership Fund
The above fund was noted.
7.2. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs: Complying with biodiversity duties
It was RESOLVED to develop a draft policy for consideration/adoption at the next meeting.
7.3. Hedgehogs R Us: Hedgehog Highway Project
The above project was noted.
8. Parish matters for discussion/decision
8.1. To consider offer of bespoke plaques for the Parish Council bus stops
It was RESOLVED to accept the kind offer of free bespoke plaques for the two Parish Council owned bus shelters.
8.2. To consider reported issues with unauthorised signage on the Downs Road
In view of concerns raised it was RESOLVED to write to Brockhampton Primary School regarding the new signage and to remind them of the need to consult the landowner (presumed Herefordshire Council) and to review if planning permission is required.
8.3. To consider the provision of waste bins for Bromyard Downs
It was RESOLVED to apply to Balfour Beatty Living Places for two additional waste bins, one at either end of the car park to Brockhampton Primary School.
8.4. To consider issues with the unsightly barriers at A44 closed layby (nr. junction with Downs Road)
It was noted that Pete Stoddart was working with Herefordshire Council to prioritise the permanent closure of the layby.
8.5. To note delegated authority comments made to the Bromyard and Winslow Finance Committee in relation to the WBL Greenway Project
The following comments made to Bromyard and Winslow Finance Committee under delegated authority were noted:
Brockhampton Group Parish Council wanted to endorse the proposals for a ‘Permissive path based on route of the Bromyard and Linton Light Railway’. This has been debated at previous Parish Council meetings and Councillors have previously been very supportive of the proposals, indeed the project aspiration was due to be included in the emerging Brockhampton Group Neighbourhood Development Plan (the NDP was put on hold due to Herefordshire Council’s proposed revisions to the Core Strategy).
The Parish Council welcomes the project which would open up walking access for people on the downs to access the town centre easily and safely and have potential for people to access employment at the industrial estate etc. The Parish Council understand that the project falls outside their direct purview, and that the land is in private ownership, however we would welcome joint working on developing a strategy to bring this project to fruition.
As we have had elections since the last time this project was discussed, we will be reviewing the Parish Council’s position on the project at a future meeting.
8.6. To consider continuing support of the WBL Greenway Project
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council was in support of the WBL Greenway Project and would assist in promoting the project’s objectives where possible.
9. Planning
9.1. To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
9.1.1. Nil.
No planning applications.
9.2. To note responses made under delegated authority for the following applications:
9.2.1. P232762/FH: Jasmine Cottage The Downs Bromyard Herefordshire HR7 4NZ. Remove the dilapidated garage and replace it with a storage shed with materials to match existing property.
It was noted that the Clerk had responded under delegated authority in support of the proposals.
9.2.2. P232873/F: Hunters Lodge Buckenhill Manor Buckenhill Bromyard Herefordshire, HR7 4PG. Proposed wind turbine and 50 no. ground mounted solar panels.
It was noted that the Clerk had responded under delegated authority in support of the proposals and to request consideration to maintaining grazing below the solar panels and to ensuring that the site is properly reinstated when the solar panel life ends.
9.2.3. PR01626: Brockhampton Estate, Greenfields, Bringsty, Worcester, WR6 5TB. Application to Vary Premises Licence.
It was noted that the Clerk had responded under delegated authority with no objections.
10. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
10.1. Lengthsman Scheme: To receive an update and to consider applications to fill the Lengthsman contract vacancy.
It was noted that only one application to fill the Lengthsman vacancy had so far been received.
It was RESOLVED to open discussions with a contractor that had expressed an interest in the position but who could not justify the high cost of public liability insurance, to see if this obstacle could be removed.
It was RESOLVED that any required Lengthsman work could be undertaken under the Clerk’s delegated authority on an ad-hoc basis until such time as an annual contract was received.
11. Finance
11.1. Budget and Precept: To consider and approve the 2024/25 budget and precept.
It was RESOLVED to approve a budget for 2024/25 and to request a precept of £10,900.00.
11.2. Online banking: To receive an update on obtaining online access for the bank signatories.
It was noted that online banking access had been arranged for David Hunter-Miller, Clive Brazier, Karen Rock and Helen Allan.
11.3. Budget expenditure: To consider and approve.
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
11.4. Bank reconciliation: To consider and approve.
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
11.5. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
11.5.1. David Hunter-Miller (November salary and expenses)
11.5.2. HMRC (November PAYE)
11.5.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (November pension)
11.5.4. Herefordshire Green Network (membership): £24.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
11.6. Clerk’s Delegation: To note the following payments made between meetings:
11.6.1. David Hunter-Miller (October salary and expenses)
11.6.2. HMRC (October PAYE)
11.6.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (October pension)
The above payments were noted.
11.7. Direct Debits: To note the following payments made between meetings:
11.7.1. 22/09/23 – Information Commissioner: £35.00
The above payment was noted.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Review of bank signatories
• Biodiversity policy
• Neighbourhood Development Plan
Peter Lane asked for donations in support of a number of homeless charities, further details would be circulated locally.
13. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 17th January 2023.
A resolution was passed to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of the following item.
14. Clerk’s employment: To note the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) National Salary Award 2023-24.
It was noted that the 2023/24 salary award had been applied and backdated to 1st April 2023.
The meeting closed at 9:30PM.