Held online
Monday 13th July 2020 at 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Monica van Lienden (Chair), Joanne Akers (Vice-Chair), Chris Barron, Ruth Dolman, Eric Drummond, Heather Evans, Elizabeth Jordan, Sian Newbert, Bob Puzey, Bridget Vine.
In attendance: Jayne Putland (Parish Clerk), Yolande Watson (Ward Cllr), 2 members of the public.
1. Apologies: – Cllr Chinn, Cllr Cole.
Cllr Evans to join meeting later after planning application P201688, partner attending as member of
public for planning item (as internet does not allow duel access Cllr Evans would not be able to be
moved to electronic lobby for this item).
2. Declaration of interests:
Cllr Evans – pecuniary interest – planning application P201688/FH
Cllr Drummond – non-pecuniary interest – planning application P201717/F
3. Adoption of Minutes of previous meetings:
It was noted that there were some minor grammatical and typo corrections that were requested to
24.06.20 Minutes. It was resolved to adopt minutes of the 24.06.20 meeting, once corrections had
been made, as a true record of the meeting. The Chair will sign the minutes when physical meetings
are permitted.
4. Planning:
4.1
P201688/FH – Springfield Walford, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5RB – New replacement building as
workshop/garage/storage/office and craft space.
Chair requested confirmation from member of the public that they were representing/talking on behalf
of the applicant (Cllr Evans). Member of the public confirmed that this was correct.
Concerns were raised regarding both the size and height of the proposed building and that it would be
larger than the existing main dwelling. Member of public informed the council that in the preplanning
stage supplementary plans were presented, which had addressed previous preplanning comments, and
now the proposed structure height is 1.5 floors, so will be smaller than main dwelling. Also, window will
be shuttered so structure to look like a barn. Cllr Newbert raised that plans were not on the Herefordshire Council Planning website and member of the public stated that drawings/plans that were supplied at preplanning stage are not published but for the planners to make their decisions as to whether the application can go forward or not. It was resolved that there were no objections.
Cllr Drummond electronically moved to ‘the lobby’.
Cllr Evans joined meeting.
P201717/F – Home Farm, Bishopswood, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5QZ – Proposed general agricultural
building. Concerns were raised regarding the size of the proposed general agricultural building as there is already a large structure on site. It is stated that in section 22 of the application, that the proposed building will not be seen from a public road, public footpath, bridleway or other public land, which is incorrect. The existing building can be seen from the roadside as well as being prominent on the skyline. Proposed building location will also be visible from not only the road but will also negatively impact on the existing skyline due to its size. Surrounding the site are trees which could be housing protected species ie bats, which again has not been noted in the application. It was resolved to object to the proposed general agricultural building as it will be visible from the road, negatively impacting on the existing skyline due to its size, as well as trees surrounding the site could be housing protected species.
Cllr Drummond electronically moved back to meeting from ‘the lobby’.
4.2 Planning Policy
Planning Policy – Procedure 8 states if the clerk cannot obtain extensions to the deadline for comments,
and no requests are received from Cllrs to schedule an Extraordinary Meeting, then responsibility for
commenting on these applications to be delegated to the clerk. It was discussed that if this situation
does occur that the clerk will email Cllrs for their comments and will place a summary of all comments
made on the planning application via Herefordshire Council Planning website. It was resolved to
delegate this responsibility to the clerk.
5. Physical Meetings:
Chair and clerk had visited both Bishopswood and Walford Village Halls on Friday 10th July 2020 to see
what Covid 19 procedures had been put in place and both halls were compliant with the Covid 19
guidelines i.e. Risk Assessments, hand sanitiser, one-way system. Cllr Barron noted that both NALC
and SLCC were advising not to reinstate physical meetings and was concerned that government advice
was for working from home as well as over 70’s to still shield. Cllr Vine was concerned that the council
may not be covered by insurance. Chair stated that NALC guidance does state that in exceptional
circumstances physical meetings could take place and there have been exceptions especially in rural
areas where there are internet issues. Cllr Barron stated that HALC has advised that Hybrid meetings
could be considered and Chair and clerk had previously discussed this option which would ensure that
no one is excluded from meetings. Member of the public (Trustee of Walford Village Hall) stated that
they have checked their insurance and they are covered and that the hall can accommodate 25 people
under 2 metre social distancing. It was resolved not to resume physical meetings for the 29th July 2020.
Clerk to add to 29th July 2020 agenda – Resumption of physical meetings- for discussion.
6. HALC Bespoke Training Session:
Suggestions received for consideration regarding training session:
• Code of Conduct
• Delegation of Power
• Committees and Working Groups
• Communications – i.e. use of emails
Clerk to arrange training session.
7. Complaints
Recently there have been a couple of issues within the Parish that have attracted complaints/concerns
from members of the public. At present there is no way for members of the public to know what or
how the council have dealt with their concerns raised and what the recommendations/outcomes are.
Cllr Akers has spoken to HALC and has been advised such concerns should be recorded in the
minutes so members of the public are aware of actions that have been taken. It was resolved that
this should become a standing agenda item and be reworded to ‘Correspondence received from
Members of the Public’, to encompass complaints, concerns, good news etc.
8. Next meeting: – 7:30pm Wednesday 29th July 2020 – to be held online
The Chair closed the meeting at 20:24.