Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 20th March 2024 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU
Minutes 03/2024
Present: Clive Brazier (Chair), Nigel Shaw, Peter Lane, George Johnson, Karen Rock, Gwen Dumpleton, Pete Stoddart (Parish and Ward Councillor), Viv Burdon
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), one member of the public
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.
All members present.
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 items 8.2 and 8.3.
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:
Over the last few months I have mentioned drainage and flooding issues due to the record levels of rainfall a number of times. This month is no different and I would ask that if any Councillor or resident has any specific concerns or queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Update from Herefordshire Council as at 18 March 2024
As I wrote last month, the better than expected local Government funding from Whitehall has enabled us, as part of the 2024/25 resource budget to allocate an additional £250k to the Lengthsmen Scheme, £250k to address all footpath issues across the county and £445k for drainage issues. All three of these schemes are aimed at supporting Parish and Town Councils. I can now confirm that Herefordshire Council have written to all 137 Parish Councils outlining how these schemes will work. The process will be streamlined and aimed at empowering the Parish Council in delivering services to local residents.
On a personal note I am delighted that this money will be spent at a local level and not with Balfour Beatty or other Council contractors – I made clear during last year’s election that I wanted to see more funding put in the hands of Parishes and I am delighted to see that progress is being made to facilitate this.
There are two items on the horizon at Herefordshire Council which I believe be of particular interest to Councillors and residents alike. Firstly the Roads / Bypass strategy which will be discussed by the Cabinet on the 24th of March and secondly the end of a tender process for a new highways maintenance framework. I will provide more on these in next month’s update.
Herefordshire Council are currently developing two strategies, the Local Plan and the Local Transport Plan. Both of these strategies are in their public consultation period with public meeting across the county with a meeting in Bromyard on 4th April at 9:30AM and also an online process. I would encourage all residents to engage with these strategies.
The Highway Maintenance Plan for next year has shown that the ward will receive works on the B4203 – two elements, B4214 and the road from Tedstone Wafre to B4214. I am also working with Council Officers to have the Upper Downs Road added to this schedule of work.
As the Ward member for Bromyard Bringsty Ward it remains my pleasure to assist Parish Councillors and residents 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
I am working with the Parish Council to address the issues of speeding on the Upper Downs road and especially around the area of Brockhampton School. A number of parents have met with the Parish Council and raised their concerns. The Parish Council is currently setting up a meeting with the School Governors at which we will seek to address this very important issue.
The damaged sheep sign on the Upper Downs Road has been replaced.
The BDCA carried out a litter pick of the Upper Downs Road and the A44 to the Malvern Road junction. Approximately 20 bags of rubbish were collected.
The next Highway Maintenance Plan will address the B4203 and the strip of repaired pot holes at the bottom of Burying Lane and I am working with Herefordshire Council Officers to have the Upper Downs Road added to the plan.
4.2. Bromyard Downs Common Association
A brief update was received.
4.3. Bringsty Common Manorial Court
A brief update was received.
4.4. Footpaths Officer
Gwen Dumpleton (Footpaths Officer) had recently met with Herefordshire Council’s PRoW Volunteer Development Officer and the following update was received:
• Devolved powers and funding to be given to Parish and Town Councils for PRoW maintenance
• Insurance implications for volunteers were being explored with the Herefordshire Association of Local Councils
• It was hoped that maintenance working parties could be coordinated between parishes
4.5. Hereford Green Network
A brief update was received.
4.6. Public participation
A member of the public spoke in support of Tree Preservation Order 685 at Clater Park Bungalow.
A member of the public raised concerns regarding P240098/FH and P240099/L and the possibility that chlorinated water runoff may cause harm to established trees and adjacent farmland.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 21st February 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
It was noted that Whitbourne Parish Council had been successful in applying for grant funding to facilitate the SID site installations (including on the B4203 at Norton) and an order would be placed for the signpost and sockets accordingly.
6.3. Memorial to Dr David Boddington
No update was available.
7. Correspondence
7.1. Herefordshire Council: Licensing of Sex Establishments consultation
The above consultation was noted.
7.2. Herefordshire Council: Gambling Policy consultation
The above consultation was noted.
7.3. Parishioners: Damaged to surface of lane leading to Down House
The Parish Council were sympathetic to the issues raised regarding damage to the private road surface and would recommend contacting the landowners and the Bromyard Downs Common Association to raise the concerns.
8. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
8.1. To receive an update on traffic/speeding issues at Brockhampton Primary School
An update was received on possible traffic improvements that could be considered for implementation outside Brockhampton Primary School.
It was RESOLVED to arrange a site meeting with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors.
8.2. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
It was noted that the first Lengthsman claim had been successful (including reimbursement for the men-at-work warning signs and high-vis jackets).
It was noted that additional funding for the Lengthsman Scheme and drainage maintenance would be available for 2024/25 and the Clerk had submitted an expression of interest form accordingly.
It was RESOLVED to print and highlight a map of all Unclassified and C roads for use by the Lengthsman.
8.3. To consider the Lengthsman contract for services 2024/25
It was RESOLVED to renew the Lengthsman contract for services with George Johnson for 2024/25.
9. Parish matters for discussion/decision
9.1. To consider arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
It was RESOLVED to hold the Annual Parish Meetings at 7:00PM on Wednesday 15th May 2024.
10. Planning
10.1. To receive an update on the Brockhampton Group Neighbourhood Development Plan and to consider next steps
The Parish Council’s planning consultant (DJN Planning) had advised deferring a ‘policy only’ NDP until further information was available on the new Herefordshire Local Plan and on the availability of grant funding for 2024/25.
It was RESOLVED to wait for the Locality grant funding scheme to reopen for 2024/25 before proceeding with a policy only NDP.
10.2. To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
10.2.1. 240467: Stonehouse, Whitbourne, Worcester, Herefordshire WR6 5RG. Proposed conversion of outbuilding into 2 bed annexe which is ancillary to the main dwelling, including sewerage treatment plant.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council object to the application as insufficient detail had been provided on the proposals. Further information and detail, including a design and access statement, will be required before the application can be properly determined. There are known issues with a high water table at this location and the proposals should demonstrate how the sewerage and drainage will be managed effectively.
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)
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was noted with disappointment that the Asset of Community Value (ACV) application for the Railway Land and Station at Bromyard had not been approved by Herefordshire Council.
13. Date of the next meeting
The next Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for 7:00PM on Wednesday 15th May, followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council starting at 7:30PM.
The meeting closed at 9:29PM.