Annual Parish Meetings held at 7:00PM on Wednesday 17th May 2023 at Bromyard & Winslow Town Council Offices, HR7 4DU
Brockhampton Minutes
Present: Clive Brazier (Parish Council Chairman)
Parishioners: 0
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), 5 members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence
Nil.
3. To approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 18th May 2022
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
4. Matters arising from those minutes (if any)
There were no matters arising.
5. To receive the Annual Report of the Parish Council by the Chairman
It has been a challenging year with the Parish Council balancing on the precipice of ‘quoratism’, with every likelihood of the Parish Council not having sufficient councillors to hold meetings. Following the recent elections the Parish Council has welcomed a number of new councillors and is in a better place than it has been for some time. Our new councillors are wholeheartedly welcomed to the council and their commitment and contributions are most valued.
With some pride we welcome our previous Ward Councillor, Nigel Shaw, to the Parish Council and current Parish Councillor Pete Stoddart has been elected as his successor as Herefordshire Councillor for Bromyard Bringsty Ward. Well done to Parish Councillor Karen Rock for the strong support received during her Ward Councillor election campaign.
This year we say goodbye to Parish Councillor David Boddington, stepping down after many decades working for the community. We also say goodbye to Parish Councillor Marianne Boddington who joined the Parish Council more recently. David and Marianne’s contributions to the council and their vast experience in local matters will be sincerely missed.
My gratitude is also extended to every councillor that has served on the Parish Council in the last year, one of the most successful and productive years we have had. Special thanks to our Clerk, David Hunter-Miller, for his sound guidance and continuing excellent administration.
This year we have successfully rolled out Police Smart kits to parishioners, a scheme that will be extended shortly to cover 100% of parishioners in the group parish. The comments received from parishioners have been very positive and the scheme should prove an effective deterrent against theft and vandalism in the parishes, especially with some of the remote cottages and farms.
Moving forward the Parish Council hope to purchase a Vehicular Activated Sign to reduce vehicle speeding. It is hoped that this sign can take advantage of available grant funding and will be shared with nearby parishes to maximise its effectiveness.
We have kept one of the lowest precepts in the county but manage to meet our commitments whilst implementing a number of parish improvements.
Clive Brazier
Brockhampton Group Parish Council Chairman
6. To receive a report from the Ward Councillor
This is my first Annual Report to the Ward’s four Parish Councils and is in fact my first report to you all since my election as your Ward Councillor last Friday.
It is my aim to continue the good work done by my predecessor, Nigel Shaw, and to ensure that the residents of Bromyard Bringsty continue to have a strong voice heard in Herefordshire Council. I will also continue to provide all of the Parish Councils with regular updates.
The delivery of services as a small rural unitary council over a large geographical area is a challenge. The most significant part of the Council`s expenditure and council tax is spent on Adult and Children`s care services. During the last 12 months the poor performance in Children care services had reached a point where the Government appointed a commissioner to oversee it, and establish an improvement plan. This remains the biggest challenge to Herefordshire Council; as its statutory responsibility to look after the most vulnerable children has huge live changing consequences for individuals. The improvement of this service will require a more stable supported workforce, larger levels of investment and co-operation from all partners.
Nationally and locally the increasing demands of a maturing population are placing pressures on our Adult care services and as the recent census results showed Herefordshire has a higher percentage of over 60s. Although many of these will be self-funders and care costs will not be picked up the council, nonetheless it puts pressure on the care service capacity. Although additional funding for care was given to local authority budgets by HMG we still await longer term national proposals on the adult care service.
Herefordshire has over 2,000 miles of public highways and their maintenance is a challenge. There remains for me concerns on the delivery of the highway contract with Balfour Beatty- the councils’ contractors- on timing and quality of pothole repairs. This year the council took back its Public Rights of Way service but struggled to deliver an effective service for footpaths.
The condition of the highways was the number one concern on the doorsteps across the ward. I will address how the extra £2.5 million allocated to Herefordshire in the Chancellor`s budget in March is spent. In the meantime however, the reporting of highway conditions quickly is important. This can be done using the link below or direct to Balfour Beatty Living Places on 01432 26180. Please also use this number to report a flooded road or a highway obstruction:
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1/report-problems-road
The financial situation within the Council is very poor and the current overspend of the Council now exceeds £9m. Confirmation was given at March’s Cabinet that the whole of the remaining financial resilience reserve is to be used to address any overspend this year and that only £3m is expected to be in that reserve at the end of next year. The finances of the Council are now a lot less resilient than they have been at any time since 2019.
Peter Stoddart
Councillor Bromyard Bringsty ward
7. To invite the public to raise any matters of interest
No questions or comments received.
Linton Minutes
Present: Clive Brazier (Parish Council Chairman)
Parishioners: 1
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), 4 members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were noted from the Chair of Bringsty Common Manorial Court.
3. To approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 18th May 2022
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
4. Matters arising from those minutes (if any)
There were no matters arising.
5. To receive the Annual Report of the Parish Council by the Chairman
It has been a challenging year with the Parish Council balancing on the precipice of ‘quoratism’, with every likelihood of the Parish Council not having sufficient councillors to hold meetings. Following the recent elections the Parish Council has welcomed a number of new councillors and is in a better place than it has been for some time. Our new councillors are wholeheartedly welcomed to the council and their commitment and contributions are most valued.
With some pride we welcome our previous Ward Councillor, Nigel Shaw, to the Parish Council and current Parish Councillor Pete Stoddart has been elected as his successor as Herefordshire Councillor for Bromyard Bringsty Ward. Well done to Parish Councillor Karen Rock for the strong support received during her Ward Councillor election campaign.
This year we say goodbye to Parish Councillor David Boddington, stepping down after many decades working for the community. We also say goodbye to Parish Councillor Marianne Boddington who joined the Parish Council more recently. David and Marianne’s contributions to the council and their vast experience in local matters will be sincerely missed.
My gratitude is also extended to every councillor that has served on the Parish Council in the last year, one of the most successful and productive years we have had. Special thanks to our Clerk, David Hunter-Miller, for his sound guidance and continuing excellent administration.
This year we have successfully rolled out Police Smart kits to parishioners, a scheme that will be extended shortly to cover 100% of parishioners in the group parish. The comments received from parishioners have been very positive and the scheme should prove an effective deterrent against theft and vandalism in the parishes, especially with some of the remote cottages and farms.
Moving forward the Parish Council hope to purchase a Vehicular Activated Sign to reduce vehicle speeding. It is hoped that this sign can take advantage of available grant funding and will be shared with nearby parishes to maximise its effectiveness.
We have kept one of the lowest precepts in the county but manage to meet our commitments whilst implementing a number of parish improvements.
Clive Brazier
Brockhampton Group Parish Council Chairman
6. To receive a report from Bringsty Common Manorial Court
A report was awaited following the meeting.
7. To receive a report from the Ward Councillor
This is my first Annual Report to the Ward’s four Parish Councils and is in fact my first report to you all since my election as your Ward Councillor last Friday.
It is my aim to continue the good work done by my predecessor, Nigel Shaw, and to ensure that the residents of Bromyard Bringsty continue to have a strong voice heard in Herefordshire Council. I will also continue to provide all of the Parish Councils with regular updates.
The delivery of services as a small rural unitary council over a large geographical area is a challenge. The most significant part of the Council`s expenditure and council tax is spent on Adult and Children`s care services. During the last 12 months the poor performance in Children care services had reached a point where the Government appointed a commissioner to oversee it, and establish an improvement plan. This remains the biggest challenge to Herefordshire Council; as its statutory responsibility to look after the most vulnerable children has huge live changing consequences for individuals. The improvement of this service will require a more stable supported workforce, larger levels of investment and co-operation from all partners.
Nationally and locally the increasing demands of a maturing population are placing pressures on our Adult care services and as the recent census results showed Herefordshire has a higher percentage of over 60s. Although many of these will be self-funders and care costs will not be picked up the council, nonetheless it puts pressure on the care service capacity. Although additional funding for care was given to local authority budgets by HMG we still await longer term national proposals on the adult care service.
Herefordshire has over 2,000 miles of public highways and their maintenance is a challenge. There remains for me concerns on the delivery of the highway contract with Balfour Beatty- the councils’ contractors- on timing and quality of pothole repairs. This year the council took back its Public Rights of Way service but struggled to deliver an effective service for footpaths.
The condition of the highways was the number one concern on the doorsteps across the ward. I will address how the extra £2.5 million allocated to Herefordshire in the Chancellor`s budget in March is spent. In the meantime however, the reporting of highway conditions quickly is important. This can be done using the link below or direct to Balfour Beatty Living Places on 01432 26180. Please also use this number to report a flooded road or a highway obstruction:
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1/report-problems-road
The financial situation within the Council is very poor and the current overspend of the Council now exceeds £9m. Confirmation was given at March’s Cabinet that the whole of the remaining financial resilience reserve is to be used to address any overspend this year and that only £3m is expected to be in that reserve at the end of next year. The finances of the Council are now a lot less resilient than they have been at any time since 2019.
Peter Stoddart
Councillor Bromyard Bringsty ward
8. To invite the public to raise any matters of interest
No questions or comments received.
Norton Minutes
Present: Clive Brazier (Parish Council Chairman)
Parishioners: 1
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), 4 members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome
Clive Brazier opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were noted from the Chair of Bromyard Downs Common Association.
3. To approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 18th May 2022
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
4. Matters arising from those minutes (if any)
There were no matters arising.
5. To receive the Annual Report of the Parish Council by the Chairman
It has been a challenging year with the Parish Council balancing on the precipice of ‘quoratism’, with every likelihood of the Parish Council not having sufficient councillors to hold meetings. Following the recent elections the Parish Council has welcomed a number of new councillors and is in a better place than it has been for some time. Our new councillors are wholeheartedly welcomed to the council and their commitment and contributions are most valued.
With some pride we welcome our previous Ward Councillor, Nigel Shaw, to the Parish Council and current Parish Councillor Pete Stoddart has been elected as his successor as Herefordshire Councillor for Bromyard Bringsty Ward. Well done to Parish Councillor Karen Rock for the strong support received during her Ward Councillor election campaign.
This year we say goodbye to Parish Councillor David Boddington, stepping down after many decades working for the community. We also say goodbye to Parish Councillor Marianne Boddington who joined the Parish Council more recently. David and Marianne’s contributions to the council and their vast experience in local matters will be sincerely missed.
My gratitude is also extended to every councillor that has served on the Parish Council in the last year, one of the most successful and productive years we have had. Special thanks to our Clerk, David Hunter-Miller, for his sound guidance and continuing excellent administration.
This year we have successfully rolled out Police Smart kits to parishioners, a scheme that will be extended shortly to cover 100% of parishioners in the group parish. The comments received from parishioners have been very positive and the scheme should prove an effective deterrent against theft and vandalism in the parishes, especially with some of the remote cottages and farms.
Moving forward the Parish Council hope to purchase a Vehicular Activated Sign to reduce vehicle speeding. It is hoped that this sign can take advantage of available grant funding and will be shared with nearby parishes to maximise its effectiveness.
We have kept one of the lowest precepts in the county but manage to meet our commitments whilst implementing a number of parish improvements.
Clive Brazier
Brockhampton Group Parish Council Chairman
6. To receive a report from Bromyard Downs Common Association
A report was awaited following the meeting.
7. To receive a report from the Ward Councillor
This is my first Annual Report to the Ward’s four Parish Councils and is in fact my first report to you all since my election as your Ward Councillor last Friday.
It is my aim to continue the good work done by my predecessor, Nigel Shaw, and to ensure that the residents of Bromyard Bringsty continue to have a strong voice heard in Herefordshire Council. I will also continue to provide all of the Parish Councils with regular updates.
The delivery of services as a small rural unitary council over a large geographical area is a challenge. The most significant part of the Council`s expenditure and council tax is spent on Adult and Children`s care services. During the last 12 months the poor performance in Children care services had reached a point where the Government appointed a commissioner to oversee it, and establish an improvement plan. This remains the biggest challenge to Herefordshire Council; as its statutory responsibility to look after the most vulnerable children has huge live changing consequences for individuals. The improvement of this service will require a more stable supported workforce, larger levels of investment and co-operation from all partners.
Nationally and locally the increasing demands of a maturing population are placing pressures on our Adult care services and as the recent census results showed Herefordshire has a higher percentage of over 60s. Although many of these will be self-funders and care costs will not be picked up the council, nonetheless it puts pressure on the care service capacity. Although additional funding for care was given to local authority budgets by HMG we still await longer term national proposals on the adult care service.
Herefordshire has over 2,000 miles of public highways and their maintenance is a challenge. There remains for me concerns on the delivery of the highway contract with Balfour Beatty- the council’s contractors- on timing and quality of pothole repairs. This year the council took back its Public Rights of Way service but struggled to deliver an effective service for footpaths.
The condition of the highways was the number one concern on the doorsteps across the ward. I will address how the extra £2.5 million allocated to Herefordshire in the Chancellor`s budget in March is spent. In the meantime however, the reporting of highway conditions quickly is important. This can be done using the link below or direct to Balfour Beatty Living Places on 01432 26180. Please also use this number to report a flooded road or a highway obstruction:
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1/report-problems-road
The financial situation within the Council is very poor and the current overspend of the Council now exceeds £9m. Confirmation was given at March’s Cabinet that the whole of the remaining financial resilience reserve is to be used to address any overspend this year and that only £3m is expected to be in that reserve at the end of next year. The finances of the Council are now a lot less resilient than they have been at any time since 2019.
Peter Stoddart
Councillor Bromyard Bringsty ward
8. To invite the public to raise any matters of interest
No questions or comments received.
The meetings closed at 7:26PM.