Minutes of the Full Council meeting held in Bishopswood Village Hall
At 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th January 2016
Present: Frank Myers – Chairman
Councillors: Dave Berry, Shane Carlson, Karen Chinn, Simeon Cole, Eric Drummond, Heather Evans, Nesta Hirst, Sophie Hurley.
In attendance: Clerk Catherine Murray. Ward Councillor Paul Newman.
1. Apologies: Martyn Jenkins (Work commitment), Murray Alston (On leave) Angus McIntosh (Work commitment) Luke Freeman (Work commitment).
2. Declarations / Dispensations: Cllr Cole declared a pecuniary interest in items 8.6 and 7.1.4. Cllr Drummond declared a pecuniary interest in item 7.1.1. Cllr Chinn declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7.1.1. Cllr Drummond had requested and was given a dispensation to share information regarding the planning application reference 153405.
3. Minutes: It was unanimously RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the meeting held on 25/11/15.
4. Reports: Information available from the Clerk.
4.1 Localities Steward Kevin Williams: Had nothing to report, but took questions. A member of the public mentioned a hole in the highway in Deepdean where the culverts have collapsed.
4.2 Police representative: Of note – There has been an increase in local burglaries, please be aware and tighten home security, also record registration numbers of suspicious vehicles. Credit card thefts have been occurring at Morrisons supermarket – guard your pin and keep your possessions safe.
4.3 Ward Councillor Paul Newman: Of note: The Lengthsman and P3 grants will remain the same for 2016-17. Due to steeper than anticipated government cuts, there will be future cuts to the budget; Cllr Newman will keep Parishes informed. A list has been published of companies who will be given fracking licenses; the licensee will be South Western Energy Ltd. Any fracking in this area will be low density.
5. Public Participation Session:
A parishioner drew attention to the perceived increase in HGV traffic on Howle Hill and the damage to ditches and culverts possibly being caused by these wide-based vehicles. The Chairman asked for the information to be passed on to the clerk so that the ‘damage’ aspect can be pursued. It was acknowledged that the PC had approached the local businesses concerned and suggested that they could be encouraged to use smaller vehicles where possible. The same parishioner also raised the issue of unauthorised street furniture, with many signs located on the verges and tied to street furniture. The Chairman said that the PC had done what it could to address this and that it is a highways matter, but that the PC would continue to apply pressure.
6. Finance: The bank reconciliation Appendix A and bank statements for November & December were signed.
6.1 Precept: It was confirmed that as there will be no reduction in the Lengthsman and P3 grants for 2016-2017, the precept increase will remain at 1.9%, as agreed by the Parish Council on 25th November.
6.2 Payments: It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the following:
Gerald Green – Lengthsman / Clerk Expenses / HMRC / ICO – Data Protection / Viking Office Depot.
6.3 The following payment was noted: Clerk Salary for December.
7. Planning
7.1 Applications: Planning Appendix B was noted and comments put forward on:
7.1.1 Application No: 153405. Site: Hom Farm, Hom Green, HR9 7TF.
Cllr Drummond explained the application to the council and then left the room.
Comments: There were no objections.
Cllr Drummond returned to the room.
7.1.2 Application No: 153455. Site: Yew Tree Cottage, Deepdean, HR9 5SQ.
A decision had already been made on this application, so it was not considered.
7.1.3 Application No: 153625. Site: Vine Tree Cottage, Bishopswood, HR9 5RA.
The applicant explained the application to the council.
Comments: There were no objections.
7.1.4 Application No: 153570. Site: Stable Block at Arthurs Dingle, Leys Hill, HR9 5QU.
Comments: Provided that sympathetic materials are used, there were no objections.
7.2 Neighbourhood Planning: Cllr Berry explained that some new members will be joining the working group; he has contacted Carla Johnson at Herefordshire Council, who has agreed to attend the next working group meeting.
8. Highways / Rights of Way / AONB:
8.1 There was a report of a drain which needs attention and the Lengthsman will be asked to look at the bus shelters, to see what work needs to be done.
8.2 Work orders: Holes outside Home Farm and on Howle Hill.
8.3 Daycroft Lane: It was reported that the planned feasibility study will not now take place in 2016-17, despite previous assurances. Councillor Newman has requested a meeting with Balfour Beatty representatives on site, to discuss the situation, an approach which has proved successful in other areas. After a discussion about who could be challenged about Herefordshire Council meeting its obligations it was RESOLVED that the Clerk & Chair will draft a letter to the leader and Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council. <>
8.4 Dog waste bins & signs: Cllr Chinn has established that dog waste can be placed in normal bins if it is double-bagged; she has been looking into potential sites and suggests Howle Hill, Bulls Hill and Walford Church. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Drummond, who offered to pay for a bin by Walford Church. Cllr Chinn will look into signage and holding a publicity drive before the next meeting. Cllr Newman said that waste collection is now carried out by Balfour Beatty and that he believes that on low usage sites a free bin can be provided, installed and emptied by them. Kevin Williams is to be asked to provide information on what Balfour Beatty can do. <>
8.5 Public Green Spaces community grant scheme: Information was handed over to Cllr Berry.
8.6 WA50: A notice has been published by Herefordshire Council that the footpath closure has been extended by another 6 months.
9. Parish Projects: To receive updates and discuss further action.
9.1 Village Agent Scheme: It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve and sign the offer letter from the Wellbeing Innovation Fund, in order to access grant funds for the Village Agent Scheme; which will be known as ‘The Community Support Scheme’. It was also unanimously RESOLVED to delegate responsibility of arranging advertising for the post and setting up and interviewing candidates and volunteers to the Clerk and steering group. <>
9.2 Walford Links: Cllr Carlson explained that there are not enough members of the working group to support the project and appealed to Cllrs and volunteers to come on board. He will arrange a meeting with members of the steering group, in order to establish the current position and to summarise this for the next meeting. <<Action Cllr Carlson>>
9.3 Kerne Bridge Canoe Launch Site and WCs: Herefordshire Council has put forward a form of words to address the issue of the overage clause; before this can be considered, the steering group has to review the business case. Cllrs Drummond, Carlson, Myers, Berry and Cole offered to address this – a meeting will be arranged. <<Action Cllrs named above>>
9.4 War Memorials: The Clerk explained about the volunteer maintenance schedule suggested by War Memorials Trust and will bring a proposal to the next meeting. It was unanimously RESOLVED that the Clerk should submit the formal grant application for the cleaning / repair of Bishopswood memorial and continue to try to gather evidence regarding the fencing, so that a decision can be made. <<Action Clerk>>
9.5 Defibrillator: The Clerk was asked to chase Cllr Freeman for details of the model of defibrillator so that the cost of the external box can be established. <<Action Clerk>>
9.6 BT Phone Box: Ideas for use of the phone box are to be brought to the next meeting for consideration.
10. Wye Valley River Festival 2016. (29th of April – 15th of May 2016) Cllrs Hurley and Chinn are keen to participate; applications are still open for events to be registered. Bishopswood Village Hall will be holding a meeting in February to brainstorm ideas, with a view to holding an event on 2nd May. Cllrs Hurley and Chinn were asked to pursue it and come to the PC for endorsement. <<Action Cllrs Hurley and Chinn The Chairman proposed that WPC support and participate as much as possible; the clerk was asked to approach Cllr Freeman to find out whether Bishopswood Village Hall can make use of the field that he owns behind the hall, to hold an event. <<Action Clerk>>
11. InforInformation and correspondence
11.1 Correspondence Appendix C, Clerks Report Appendix D and HALC Information corner were noted.
11.2 Meetings Schedule for 2016 & 2017: Was circulated to all Councillors and it was noted that the meeting scheduled for 6th April will now be held on 13th April at Walford Village Hall.
11.3 Responses required to correspondence received during December: The Chairman & Clerk will draft a response to the Walford Residents Association. <<Action Cllr Myers and Clerk>>
11.4 Councillor’s reports on local matters: None received.
11.5 Consultations: AONB Management Plan. Herefordshire Local Transport Plan. No response.
12. Public response session: A parishioner drew the attention of the council to the Vodafone Open Sure Signal programme (ROSS), to provide good 3G signals. The Clerk will request further information and it will be on the next agenda. Another asked for an update on broadband. Cllr Carlson said one was expected and it is being chased, as the commissioning was due to be completed by the end of December.
A resident of Daycroft Lanesaid that it had been flooded again and there is debris in the ditches. A meeting has been requested by the Ward Councillor, to be co-ordinated by Kevin Williams and the Clerk will advise on date and time. <<Action Clerk>> Another asked how the PC intended to make headway in approaching members of Herefordshire Council who are involved with Balfour Beatty. Cllr Newman said that Cllr Rone is the cabinet member responsible – his details are on the website.
Another asked about replacement of the fencing at the Bishopswood Memorial. The Chairman explained that we need to find the evidence required by WMT, or fund it elsewhere.
Standing orders were suspended
13. Items for next meeting agenda: None other than those above.
14. Next meeting: 24/02/16 Finance Committee @ 6.30pm, Full Council @ 7.30pm at Bishopswood Village Hall.
15. Confidential Closed session: (The public were asked to leave the room)
The Lengthsman contract discussion is recorded in confidential minutes.