Meeting of Brockhampton Group Parish Council at 7:30PM on Wednesday 21st January 2026 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU (///upon.surfacing.outfit)
Minutes 01/2026
Present: Viv Burdon (Chair), Annie Grocott, Clive Brazier, George Johnson, Nigel Shaw
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Jane Masters (Tree Warden)
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 Pete Stoddart and Gwen Dumpleton.
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 9 (Linton Rail and Trail).
Nigel Shaw declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 9 (Linton Rail and Trail).
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.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Viv Burdon to allow participation, but not voting, on all matters pertaining to the Linton Rail and Trail project.
It was RESOLVED to grant Nigel Shaw 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. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. Public participation
No questions were received.
4.2. Ward Councillor
No matters were raised.
4.3. Bromyard Downs Common Association
No matters were raised.
4.4. Bringsty Common Manorial Court
No matters were raised.
4.5. Footpaths Officer
The following update was noted:
The Footpaths Officer will start doing an annual check of the PROW network once conditions improve and will submit details of any repairs that are needed. A leaflet featuring the ‘Bromyard Ring’ 26km circular, walk created by Bromyard Walkers are Welcome, will be available in various outlets around the town and neighbouring area. It is also featured on the new Bromyard Walkers are Welcome website (https://bromyardwalkersarewelcome.org.uk) together with many other local walks and information. It is intended to have a launch event for the Bromyard Ring on 6th March (details yet to be confirmed).
4.6. Tree Warden
Jane Masters had taken up the role of Tree Warden for Brockhampton Group and was welcomed to the meeting. A number of training sessions had been undertaken.
It was RESOLVED to purchase a high-vis vest for the tree warden.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the parish council meeting on the 19th November 2025
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.
7. Planning
7.1. To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council:
7.1.1. P253633/FH: Hillside Cottage, Bringsty, Worcester, Herefordshire, WR6 5UP. Two storey side extension.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
7.1.2. P253677/FH: Toll Cottage, Linley Green, Whitbourne, Worcester, Herefordshire, WR6 5RQ. Rear extension and porch.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
8. Highways, Public Rights of Way and Lengthsman
8.1. To receive an update on the lengthsman scheme and to consider any items for the work schedule
A short update was received on the work of the Lengthsman.
It was RESOLVED to report to Herefordshire Council a number of blocked gullies between Brockhampton School and the junction with the A44.
It was RESOLVED to report to Herefordshire Council the frequent flooding along the B4203 near the parish boundary.
8.2. To consider an update on permanent closure of A44 layby
No update was available.
9. Linton Rail and Trail
9.1. To consider an update on the Linton Rail and Trail project
It was noted that a valuation report had been received and was under review (item 9.2).
9.2. To consider an update on the valuation of land associated with the project
It was RESOLVED to pass a resolution to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of this item.
It was RESOLVED to submit a number of queries relating to the valuation report.
10. Parish matters for discussion/decision
10.1. To consider membership of the Herefordshire Tree Warden Network
It was RESOLVED to apply for membership to the Herefordshire Tree Warden Network (item 12.4.5)
10.2. To consider a parish council newsletter / update
It was RESOLVED that the Chairman’s annual report (to be delivered at the Annual Parish Meeting) would be circulated as an update for parishioners.
10.3. To consider adopting an updated Freedom of Information Act Guide
It was RESOLVED to adopt an updated Freedom of Information Act Guide.
10.4. To note consultation response submitted under delegated authority to Yearsett Court Farm’s woodland management plan
It was noted that the parish council had responded under delegated authority with no objections.
11. Correspondence for response or action
11.1. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: National Planning Policy Framework – proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system
It was RESOLVED that Viv Burdon would prepare a response for submission between meetings.
11.2. Local Government Boundary Commission: Consultation on ward boundaries for Herefordshire Council
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no comments at this time.
11.3. Parishioner: Parking concerns at Stonehouse Lane
It was RESOLVED to endorse the request for waiting restrictions at the junction of Stonehouse Lane and the A44.
It was RESOLVED to request the Civil Enforcement Team to review parking at the junction in contravention of Highway Code Rule 243.
11.4. Parishioner: Request for speed limit reduction A44
It was RESOLVED to endorse the request for a lower speed limit on the A44.
11.5. Parishioner: Maintenance of (private) grit bins on Bromyard Downs
It was noted that the parish council were not responsible for any grit bins in the parish but had reported a damaged grit bin on The Downs Road to Herefordshire Council.
12. Finance
12.1. To consider and appoint an internal auditor for the 2025-26 financial year
It was RESOLVED to appoint Iain Selkirk to undertake the 2025-26 internal audit.
12.2. To consider and approve the budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
12.3. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
12.4. To approve the following invoices for payment:
12.4.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses January)
12.4.2. HMRC (PAYE January)
12.4.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension January)
12.4.4. G Herbert Banks (land valuation): £2,202.00
12.4.5. Herefordshire Tree Warden Network (subscription): £30.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
12.5. To note the following payments made between meetings under delegated authority:
12.5.1. 21/11/25 George Johnson (Lengthsman insurance): £159.13
12.5.2. 09/12/25 David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses December)
12.5.3. 09/12/25 HMRC (PAYE December)
12.5.4. 09/12/25 Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension December)
12.5.5. 15/12/25 George Johnson (Lengthsman): £105.00
The above payments were noted.
12.6. To note the following Direct Debit payments made between meetings:
12.6.1. 18/11/25 Lloyds Bank (service charge): £4.25
12.6.2. 19/12/25 Lloyds Bank (service charge): £4.25
The above payments were noted.
13. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Parish Plan
14. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Wednesday 18th March 2026.
The meeting closed at 9:03PM.