Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 19th July 2023 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU
Minutes 07/2023
Present: Clive Brazier (Chair), Pete Stoddart (Parish Councillor and Ward Councillor), Peter Lane, Nigel Shaw, Karen Rock, Gwen Dumpleton, George Johnson (from 7:33PM)
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Catherine Fuller (Chair Bringsty Common Manorial Court)
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies were noted from Helen Allen and Viv Burdon.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests: Members 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 Disclosable Interests: To declare any Other Disclosable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature
Nil declared.
3.4. Dispensations: To consider any written dispensations from members who have declared an interest but wish to stay in the meeting during that time to aid discussion / speak / vote
Nil received.
4. Co-option: To consider applications received to fill the councillor vacancies
It was unanimously RESOLVED to co-opt George Johnson onto the Parish Council and he joined the meeting from 7:33PM.
5. Open Session
The meeting will be adjourned for the open session.
5.1. Ward Councillor
Pete Stoddart provided a report as follows:
Two months on since the Local Elections on 4 May and I am asking myself where has the time gone?
The Conservative Minority Administration held their first full Cabinet meeting on 22 June with one particularly contentious issue being the implementation of a pause on the move of the Library to Maylords Orchard Shopping Centre. This pause will enable the Council Officers to provide a review which will include a number of other options that the Cabinet will then consider. If the result of the review is that the best option is Maylords Orchard then that will be the recommended option. The result of this review is due later this month.
The Council leader and other Cabinet members have also meet with a number of business forums to make them very clear that Herefordshire is open for business.
In regards to the four big issues that we are dealing with, the recent OFSTED report on Children’s Services has stated that we are making progress which is good news. There is however, much still to do.
In respect to fixing the roads, I have sat in on a number of Working Groups to identify how we can gain best value for money in regards to the amount that we have available. This plan will be announced as soon as it is finalised.
Another working group is addressing the issue of the Hereford Bypass. This will be a long-term task but one which is vital to the future of Herefordshire.
A fourth working group is also reviewing the future waste contract which sees the move to a three weekly collection system.
As the Cabinet member responsible for Finance and Corporate Services I have also spent considerable time getting to grips with the current year’s budget and commencing the plans for next year’s budget. As part of this I have informed all 53 Ward Councillors that the Lengthsman scheme for all Parish Councils across the County is fully funded and that Parish Council Clerks should apply to BBLP.
In respect to Brockhampton specifically:
Following a request from a resident for a speed reduction on the B4203 as it approaches Bromyard I have forwarded this to the Parish Council as they have to submit a request for a TRO to the Traffic Management Department.
I am also engaged with the Balfour Beatty Local Steward in regards to clearing the drains on the Malvern Road.
Following complaints from two local residents I have also contacted the Enforcement Officer to investigate planning issues that two local residents have brought to my attention.
The water issue last month in which Welsh Water tankers were topping up the reservoir behind Brockhampton School led to damage being caused to the pedestrian way. Following my conversation with Welsh Water they have re-laid a new footpath. However, they have not yet removed the old tarmac which was discarded on the grass verge.
Finally, another resident has asked if a Bringsty Common sign can be erected on the Bromyard side of the A44. I have asked the Parish Clerk to submit a request to Balfour Beatty to address this.
5.2. Bromyard Downs Common Association
A brief update was received; Jo Stoddart was elected Chair of the BDCA and James Hawkins Vice Chair.
5.3. Bringsty Common Manorial Court
Catherine Fuller provided an update:
• A new woodland management plan was in effect, with funding for the next ten years.
• A plan for future tree planting had been developed.
• Funding had been secured from Herefordshire Council for biodiversity and conservation.
• The minutes of the last BCMC meeting were circulated.
5.4. Hereford Green Network
No matters were reported.
5.5. Public participation
No questions were received.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
6. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 17th May 2023
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
7. Progress reports
7.1. Election paperwork
Members were reminded to complete any outstanding election paperwork.
7.2. Councillor vacancies
It was noted that there was now one vacancy on the Parish Council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
7.3. Commissioner’s Community Fund application for a Vehicular Activated Sign
It was noted that the Parish Council had been successful in obtaining £2,747.90 in grant funding to support the purchase of a Vehicular Activated Sign, to be shared with North Bromyard Group and Whitbourne Parish Councils.
7.4. Smart Water additional kits
It was noted that the additional kits had arrived and would be distributed to parishioners later in the year.
7.5. Community bus services
A short update was received regarding the Bromyard Beez, a group of local businesses and individuals setting up a community benefit society to foster projects for the benefit of the people of Bromyard. Their current project, with the help of the Plunkett Foundation, is to set up a new community shop in town supported by a local bus service between the local villages bringing people into Bromyard and taking them back home again.
8. Planning
8.1. Planning consultations: To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
8.1.1. P231533/F: Land at Three Oaks Farm, Stonehouse Lane, Bringsty, WR6 5TF. Proposed dwelling house (self-build, passive house, carbon negative) to replace mobile home to serve Three Oaks Farm. To be a permanent dwelling with an Agricultural Occupancy Condition.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council have no objections to the proposals but would ask a condition is imposed to ensure that the new property cannot be sold separately to the farm and main dwelling.
8.1.2. P231643/F and P231644/L: Barns at The Nuttage Farm Bringsty Common Bringsty Herefordshire WR6 5UP. Conversion of former agricultural building to single ancillary dwelling.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no objection or concerns.
8.1.3. P231926/PA4: Barn at Woolner Hill Farm Stonehouse Lane Bringsty Herefordshire. Application for the prior approval of change of use of agricultural building to single dwelling.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no objection or concerns.
9. Correspondence
9.1. Bringsty Common Manorial Court: Request for £200.00 donation towards football pitch maintenance.
It was RESOLVED to approve a donation of £100.00 towards football pitch maintenance; future donations would only be considered if regular formal use of the field is identified (such as for organised sports or local events).
9.2. Parishioner: Request for additional sign for Bringsty Common.
It was RESOLVED to ask Herefordshire Council to provide a new sign.
9.3. Police and Crime Commissioner: Parish and Town Council Survey 2023.
It was RESOLVED to submit a response with similar feedback to the 2022 survey.
9.4. Herefordshire Council: Minerals & Waste Local Plan Main Modifications Consultation.
The above consultation was noted.
9.5. Herefordshire Council: Electric vehicle chargepoint locations needed.
It was considered that there were no suitable locations within the group parish and that priority should be given to locations in Bromyard.
10. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
10.1. Lengthsman Scheme: To receive an update and to consider advertising the Lengthsman contract vacancy.
It was RESOLVED to advertise the Lengthsman contract vacancy for a period of one month. Adverts would be posted on the Parish Council’s noticeboard and website, via email to neighbouring parishes and via Bromyard.info.
All applications would be considered at the next Parish Council meeting.
10.2. Vehicular Activated Sign/Speed Indicating Device: To consider suppliers for the purchase of a sign using grant funding and to consider locations for the sign for submission to Herefordshire Council for approval.
Quotes for the supply of a Vehicular Activated Sign or Speed Indicating Device were considered. It was RESOLVED to purchase an Elan City Evolis Solar-Mobile sign (£2,250.00 excluding VAT) with an additional 6 mounting brackets (£25.00 each). The sign would be added to the asset register accordingly and marked with SmartWater.
It was RESOLVED to inform the Parish Council’s insurance provider and to query whether the sign should be insured by each of the Parish Councils that share the sign.
It was RESOLVED that approval would be sought from Herefordshire Council for siting the sign on the B4203 in the vicinity of the Burying Lane junction. Councillors would forward any other location suggestions to the Clerk, noting that 30MPH or 40MPH speed limited locations were considered the most suitable.
10.3. Footpaths: To receive an update on the Footpaths Officer role.
It was RESOLVED that Gwen Dumpleton would take on the Footpaths Officer role for the group parishes.
It was RESOLVED to add a regular item to future agendas to receive an update on Public Rights of Way matters.
It was RESOLVED to obtain a copy of the definitive map from Herefordshire Council.
11. Parish matters for discussion/decision
11.1. Councillor memorial: To consider possible joint arrangements with the BDCA for a memorial to former Councillor Dr David Boddington and to accept suggestions as to its form.
The Parish Council paid tribute to former Councillor Dr David Boddington and his hard work and dedication serving the community over many decades.
It was RESOLVED to provide a donation, in principle, towards a suitable memorial on Bromyard Downs, to be discussed with the Bromyard Downs Common Association.
11.2. Royal Oak: To consider an application for an Asset of Community Value.
It was RESOLVED that an application to list the Royal Oak as an Asset of Community Value would not be pursued at this time.
11.3. Unauthorised development: To consider issues with unauthorised HGV parking at Bringsty.
It was noted that the matter had already been independently reported to Herefordshire Council for investigation.
11.4. Clerk’s delegation: To note arrangements made under delegated authority to replace noticeboard glazing following vandalism.
It was noted that arrangements had been made under delegated authority to replace the vandalised noticeboard glazing, covering the Clerk’s overtime (2.5 hours) and the replacement glazing panels (item 12.4.4).
11.5. Website: To update the ‘members’ section of the Parish Council’s website.
It was RESOLVED that members would submit a short ‘bio’ and photograph for use on the Parish Council’s website.
11.6. Freedom of Information Act and Publication Scheme: To consider and adopt.
It was RESOLVED to adopt a Freedom of Information Act and Publication Scheme.
11.7. Health and Safety Policy: To consider and adopt.
It was RESOLVED to adopt a Health and Safety Policy.
12. Finance
12.1. Bank mandate
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank mandate variation form to remove David Boddington as a signatory, in preparation to moving to online banking.
12.2. Budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
12.3. Bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
12.4. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
12.4.1. David Hunter-Miller (July salary and expenses)
12.4.2. HMRC (July PAYE)
12.4.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (July pension)
12.4.4. Greenbarnes Ltd (noticeboard glazing): £184.57
12.4.5. HALC (website hosting): £145.20
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices and cheques were duly signed.
12.5. Clerk’s Delegation: To note the following payments made between meetings:
12.5.1. David Hunter-Miller (June salary and expenses)
12.5.2. HMRC (June PAYE)
12.5.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (June pension)
The above payments, made between meetings, were noted.
13. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was noted that the Ward Councillor had received a request to reduce the speed limit on the B4203 from 40MPH to 30MPH. The Clerk would ask Herefordshire Council to consider the request under the Parish Council’s delegated authority arrangements.
The Bromyard Beez had arranged a public meeting on Friday 21st July 2023 with the Plunkett Society on the benefits of community benefit societies. Land was being sought to support the introduction of a community garden.
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Footpaths Officer (regular update)
14. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 20th September 2023.
A resolution was passed to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of the following item.
15. Employment matters: To make arrangements for the Clerk’s annual review and to update the Clerk’s contract of employment.
It was RESOLVED to establish a Staffing Working Group to review the Clerk’s contract and undertake an annual review. It was RESOLVED that Clive Brazier, Peter Lane and Pete Stoddart would sit on the working group.
The meeting closed at 9:48PM.