Approved minutes 12 October 2022
STOKE LACY PARISH COUNCIL (SLPC)
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN STOKE LACY VILLAGE Hall ON WEDNESDAY 12th OCTOBER 2022 COMMENCING 7PM
Present: Cllrs Janet Ivison (Chair), Anne Reece, James Wilson.
In attendance: Cllr Jonathan Lester (Ward Councillor).
PCSO Toby Stephenson, Bromyard SNT. Left meeting at 7.56 pm.
Mr John Thompson (Parish Footpath Officer).
Mr Paul Hayden (Clerk).
Public: Four.
165/22 APOLOGIES
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr John Davies and Cllr Bill Morgan.
166/22 declarations of interest & written dispensation requests
None declared or requested.
167/22 Public Session
167.1/22 Members considered the ward councillor’s verbal report. The main points included:
- The future of the Town Hall in Hereford was considered at the cabinet meeting held on the 29th September 2022. The building requires considerable renovation. No decision reached at this meeting.
- Spending from Council reserves considered including £1.2 million implementing 20 mph zones throughout the county, £300 k on school active travel plans and £1 million on further development of an eastern crossing and bridge. This proposed spending has been challenged as it is expected that due to rising costs currently being experienced, the budget could be £20 million overspent.
- Ofsted downgraded Herefordshire Council Children’s Services from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘inadequate’ citing a long list of failings. The full report is available on the Herefordshire Council website. The Secretary of State has appointed the Children’s Commissioner Eleanor Brazil to work with Herefordshire Council to improve the service.
167.2/22 No matters raised by local residents.
168/22 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the parish council held on the 10th August 2022 be approved as a correct record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.
169/22 PLANNING
Members considered the following planning consultation:
169.1/22 Planning Consultation – 222948 – Newton Farm, Stoke lacy, HR7 4QY. Repairs and alterations to the listed and curtilage listed buildings. Listed Building Consent.
RESOLVED: To support this application.
169.2/22 Appeal under Section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 201390 – Land at the Mill Farm, Little Cowarne, Herefordshire. Provision of a single log cabin for holiday accommodation.
RESOLVED: No change to the original decision to support with reservation concerning access along Woodend Lane submitted on the 18th June 2020. No action required from SLPC.
170/22 FINANCE
170.1/22 The finance reports from Responsible Finance Officer were accepted.
170.2/22 Members considered and approved the following payments:
170.2.1/22 Autela payroll Services Invoice No. 9835 £43.01 plus VAT.
170.2.2/22 Internal Auditor fee £25.00.
170.2.3/22 Clerk’s August 2022 salary £334.39.
170.2.4/22 Clerk’s September 2022 salary £334.39.
170.2.5/22 PAYE £250.80.
171/22 CRICKS GREEN TRO
It was NOTED that the Clerk with the help of the Ward Councillor has progressed this matter and it has been confirmed by the Herefordshire Council S106 Team that an officer will meet with the parish council to discuss their requirements regarding the TRO and previously promised road calming and speed reduction measures. No date has been set yet.
It was NOTED that the proposed street lighting to support the TRO might not be required which would remove a significant cost from the project.
The measures promised in 2020 were:
- Measures to reduce speed where the A465 forms three lanes.
- Two speed indicator devices.
- An additional set of ‘village gates’.
- Hidden dip sign.
- Solid no-overtaking lines.
Members will ask the S106 officer to look at how all these measures can be achieved by reconsidering the Cricks Green TRO design to strip out items such as the proposed street lighting which members feel is unnecessary based on similar TRO schemes within the county.
RESOLVED: The Clerk to arrange this promised meeting to discuss parish S106 requirements.
172/22 ACCESSING SECTION 106 FUNDS FOR SID & VILLAGE GATES
It was NOTED in the previous meeting that Cllr Lester’s request for a speed indicator device for SLPC had been refused by Beech Grove the housing developer that created Woodland View, despite their earlier promise to fund a SID for the parish.
RESOLVED: Cllr Lester was requested to continue to pursue the promised SID with Beech Grove/Sanctuary Housing. Item deferred until the next meeting.
173/22 WEST MERCIA POLICE TRAFFIC SURVEY AND COMMUNITY CHARTER
The West Mercia Police Traffic Management Advisor conducted the requested speed data survey at the hill going south towards Hereford. The TMA has confirmed that no enforcement action will take place as the recorded speeds do not warrant enforcement. Members are astonished.
RESOLVED: To consider at the next meeting.
PCSO Stephenson updated members on local crime, which is predominately theft from farms. Theft of domestic fuel oil has increased. PCSO Toby Stephenson confirmed that speed enforcement remains a priority and promised to send enforcement data to the Clerk.
174/22 PARISH FOOTPATH OFFICER’S (PFO) REPORT
Members considered the verbal report from the PFO. Key points were:
- SL6 – new kissing gate supplied; only the gate has been installed by the landowner.
- Meeting with a local landowner to discuss access issues.
- Attended Herefordshire Council PROW meeting. Members are concerned that the required infrastructure required to support the PFOs is not present despite Herefordshire Council taking PROW in-house on the 1st April 2022.
175/22 NDP
Members NOTED that the Examination has reached the fact checking stage and the Clerk has passed on the report to Cllr Morgan for checking.
RESOLVED: Cllr Morgan and the Clerk to progress.
176/22 STOKE LACY PROPOSED VILLAGE FOOTPATH
It was NOTED that Cllr Davies has spoken to the local landowner about the project and will report back on progress.
177/22 PARISH COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/SUPERFAST BROADBAND
It was NOTED that the Gigaclear Community Broadband Scheme contract will be signed by the nominated village hall trustee who will submit it directly to Gigaclear.
178/22 STOKE LACY HERITAGE WEBSITE
Stoke Lacy and Morton Jefferies PCC have taken on the responsibility for this website.
RESOLVED: Item removed from agenda.
179/22 STOKES HILL DRIVEWAY ENFORCEMENT
The applicants have asked the Planning Inspectorate to reconsider their decision to disallow the appeal as out of time.
RESOLVED: Clerk requested to monitor progress.
180/22 RAIN WASHED OFF SKYRMES FIELD
Members considered the update provided by Cllr Ivison. Cllr Ivison’s previous contact has left Balfour Beatty and the specialist drainage team report/referral appears to have been lost. Cllr Ivison reminded Balfour Beatty that this problem has been ongoing for 14 months which cannot be regarded as acceptable. Balfour Beatty drainage team to liaise with British Telecom about the damaged drain caused by their installers.
RESOLVED: To consider at next meeting.
181/22 LAND AT NETHER COURT
RESOLVED: Clerk will progress and keep Stoke Lacy and Morton Jefferies PCC informed.
182/22 MATTERS TO BE RAISED AT THE NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2022
Stoke Lacy and Morton Jefferies PCC request for churchyard maintenance grant.
2022/23 Budget and Precept.
Cricks Green TRO.
S106 monies, SID and village gates.
West Mercia police traffic survey.
NDP.
Footpath report.
Stoke Lacy footpath feasibility study.
Parish council communications – parish digital venue.
Stokes Hill driveway enforcement.
Rain washed off Skyrmes Field.
Land at Nether Court.
Future meeting dates.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.28 pm.
Signed……………………………….. Date…………………………….
These minutes were approved and signed at the ordinary parish council meeting held on the 9th November 2022.