Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 18th January 2023 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU
Minutes 01/2023
Present: Clive Brazier (Chair), Marianne Boddington, David Boddington, Pete Stoddart, Karen Rock, Viv Burdon
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Nigel Shaw (Ward Councillor)
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Clive Brazier opened the meeting.
2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were noted from Helen Allan.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
Nil declared.
3.3. Other Disclosable Interests
Viv Burdon declared an Other Disclosable Interest in item 7.2.
3.4. Dispensations
Nil received.
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. Ward Councillor
The following written report was received:
Brockhampton Group Parishes
Last month I expressed concern to the Licensing and Travellers Support Manager, and the Police in respect of renewed anti-social and criminal activity affecting occupants at the Linton trading estate, following meetings with unit occupants. The successful prosecution and jailing of two people in relation to fly-tipping was reported on 29th November see https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/23157751.jailed-prolific-herefordshire-flytippers/ . A third person was ordered to carry out community work.
Ward Wide
Winter gritting seems to have been carried out effectively in the last week or so, please let me know of any issues noticed along the primary and secondary routes, which can be found here:- https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1/winter-gritting-routes/2
I attended a meeting of the Chairs of Audit Committees of the West Midlands at the West Midlands assembly in Birmingham and chaired a meeting for the owners of the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP), our internal auditors.
I have chaired an Audit and Governance meeting in November and asked a written question to Council in respect of the shambolic introduction of the Herefordshire County Business Improvement District which has yet to raise any contributions but has exhausted it’s initial Council funding. I also asked questions during the Leader’s report at the full Council meeting last Friday, and contributed to the meeting by challenging the quality of the agenda report on the Taxi Licensing Policy which Council were to be asked to approve. A majority of Council agreed with me and the policy has been sent back to the Cabinet member for redrafting, following my “point of order” of a motion from the floor to refer the matter back. Some 60 taxi drivers were in attendance at the meeting.
On Thursday 13th December I queried at Cabinet the staffing levels of the Council’s ICT provision and asked further questions in respect of the budgeting for the workforce.
On Thursday 12th January I attended the Cabinet meeting as the group representative and asked a written question on the continuing provision of facilities to support the collection and distribution of aid to Ukraine.
Hoping that you all enjoyed a festive Christmas break and wishing you the best for 2023!
4.2. Bromyard Downs Common Association
The BDCA thanked the Parish Council for the donation towards car park maintenance. An expression of interest had been made to Herefordshire Council for a possible community asset transfer.
4.3. Bringsty Common Manorial Court
At a recent meeting of the BCMC a talk was given on wildfires and prevention. The next meeting is scheduled for the 8th February 2023.
4.4. Hereford Green Network
No update was available.
4.5. Public participation
No matters were reported.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 16th November 2022
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 three vacancies on the Parish Council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
6.2. Vandalised noticeboards
It was noted that the noticeboard vandalism had been reported to the Police and the locations would be monitored.
7. Correspondence
7.1. Herefordshire Council: Agricultural Planning Supplementary Planning Document (AP SPD) consultation.
The above consultation was noted.
7.2. Worcester Bromyard Leominster Greenway: Proposal concerning development of the Linton Light Rail section of the project.
An update was received on the project and recent funding applications.
8. Planning
8.1. Planning delegation policy: To consider a planning delegation policy for minor applications that fall between scheduled planning meetings.
It was RESOLVED to adopt a scheme of delegation, to be included in the Parish Council’s Standing Orders.
8.2. Neighbourhood Development Plan: To receive an update.
No update was available.
8.3. Planning consultations: To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
8.3.1. P223640/F: Woolner Hill Farm, Bringsty, Worcester, Herefordshire, WR6 5TF. Installation of a low-level ground mounted solar PV array generating 24kW.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no objections or concerns.
9. Parish matters for discussion/decision
9.1. SmartWater: To consider the purchase of additional kits to allow 100% coverage.
It was RESOLVED to review the costs for the next meeting.
9.2. Vehicle speeding: To consider the purchase of a Vehicular Activated Sign (VAS) or Speed Indicating Device (SID) with adjacent Parish Councils.
It was RESOLVED to make enquiries with adjacent Parish Council’s (Whitbourne and North Bromyard Group) to see if they wished to support a joint application for funding and share a sign on rotation.
It was RESOLVED to submit an application to the Police and Crime Commissioner regarding potential grant funding (in April).
9.3. Hedge cutting/obstruction issues: To consider reported concerns regarding overgrown vegetation.
It was RESOLVED to report hedge cutting issues directly to Herefordshire Council for investigation.
9.4. Lengthsman Scheme: To receive an update on Herefordshire Council’s Lengthsman Scheme and to consider signing up for 2023/24.
It was RESOLVED to submit an expression of interest in the Lengthsman Scheme for 2023/24.
10. Finance
10.1. Internal Auditor: To consider the appointment of an Internal Auditor to review the 2022/23 accounts.
It was RESOLVED to appoint Iain Selkirk to undertake the 2022/23 internal audit at £115.00.
10.2. Bank account: To receive an update on online banking arrangements.
No update was available.
10.3. Budget expenditure: To consider and approve.
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
10.4. Bank reconciliation: To consider and approve.
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
10.5. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
10.5.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses): £396.17
10.5.2. HMRC (PAYE): £69.80
10.5.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund: £142.95
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices and cheques were duly signed.
10.6. Clerk’s Delegation: To note the following payments made between meetings:
10.6.1. 14/12/22 David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses): £ 414.68
10.6.2. 14/12/22 HMRC (PAYE): £69.60
10.6.3. 14/12/22 Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund: £142.95
10.6.4. 14/12/22 KTH Ltd (Downs car park repair donation): £74.40
The above payments were noted.
11. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• SmartWater purchase of additional kits
• Vehicular Activated Sign (VAS) or Speed Indicating Device (SID) provision
12. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 15th March 2023.
The meeting closed at 8:58PM.