Withington Group Parish Council
Meeting Held on Thursday 19th January 2023
At 7.30pm in Withington Village Hall
M I N U T E S
Present: In the Chair: Kevin Hewison (KH); Jonathan Beech (JB); John Bennett (JB); Tom Nellist (TN); Barclay Rogers (BR); Bob Rudd (BR); Bob Wood (BW); Simon Dent (SD); Paul Hudd (PH); Judith Howe (JH); Anna Smith (AS); Julie Williams (JW) from 8pm.
Also: Sophie Glover (Clerk), Paul Andrews (Ward Cllr); 4 members of public – 2 left after item 1.
The Meeting opened at 7.30pm
- Public open session: 10 minutes was allowed from 7.30pm for members of the public to raise any issues that they would like the Parish Council to consider.
A member of the public mentioned:
– Their concern about the main road through the village. Large potholes are often hard to miss.
– The hedge at Vine Tree is so overgrown that it becomes impossible to pass another vehicle safely.
– The wall that has been built by the new houses on Duke St is completely out of keeping, do we know any more about it?
– The speed limit by the school up to the war memorial should be 20mph vehicles travel that stretch far too fast.
– Number of farm vehicles going through the village has notably increased, is there another route they could use?
– Local bus service from the village to Hereford is appalling, it does not serve the community.
Ward Cllr Paul Andrews said that the council had just applied for funding for the bus route – but they were turned down. He addressed some of the other points at item 6.1.
Another member of the public thanked the PC for sorting out the new dog poo bins and getting them emptied more regularly. He also told the meeting of his disappointment in the hedges not being cut despite being told by the clerk that the work had been commissioned in September 2022.
Finally, he was concerned that the quantity of water allegedly coming off the field onto Withies Rd, is a problem that needs to be addressed.
He also, commented that the dog walking area needed to be better looked after.
The clerk had received an email asking about the possibilities of better signage through the village of Westhide to remind people of the speed limit, and indeed of reducing the speed limit. There was a brief discussion about this, with Westhide councillors feeling that they were not keen on more ‘urbanisation’ of the village by putting up more signs, and the Ward Cllr reminded people that the speed limit would need a TRO for which the wait list is about 10 years unless the PC were prepared to pay for it themselves? it was agreed that the situation would be kept in mind for future meetings.
- To accept Apologies for absence – Ingrid Heatly (IH); Howard Mansell (HM); Alison Bainbridge (AB); Sue Rudd (SR);
The Chair congratulated Tom Nellist on being awarded the MBE in the New Years honours list for his contribution to farming.
- To receive Declaration of Interests.
None received
- Acceptance of minutes of the:- PC meeting (Nov 2022)
Proposed: SD Seconded: BW All were in favour.
They were duly accepted as a true record of the meetings.
- Action Points from previous meetings.
From previous meetings completed or on the agenda.
- Open discussion/public forum
6.1 Report from Ward Councillor – Cllr Paul Andrews had informed the meeting: Westhide Solar Farm, will not be going to the Feb planning meeting, so it might be at the March Planning Committee.
Issues on the roads: There had been a water leak on Withies Rd which exacerbated the recent flooding problem– he has asked Welsh Water if there are plans to update any of their pipes in the village?
There was a new locality steward, who started and lasted for a month before being recruited to another post with Balfour Beatty. He did do a tour of the village with the Ward Cllr, and they discussed the drainage at Withies Rd, clarifying that they can put water into the pond at Bramble Cottage. He also took the drainage team up to Duke St, whilst there they were shown that there was a ditch showing on maps that was not there. The drainage team and BB team have been asked to look at all of Duke St and Withies Rd for drainage issues.
The Wall at the Mintons on Duke St is in the hands of enforcement – It was not granted by planning so will certainly go to an inspector. This could take between 6 and 12months. Ward Cllr will keep us informed as he knows more.
The Chair talked to the owners of the Vine Tree Cottage who has let the hedge become overgrown, back in July. Nothing has been done so PW will request to the locality steward to make an official visit to the land owner, the matter needs to be resolved by BB or Herefordshire Council.
S106 monies: we need to spend the monies shortly, but there is a working group including the Chair and the clerk to ensure that we are pushing for the parish to benefit from the money that has been allocated. PA said that there needed to be a crossing point at the correct spot, so we need to carry on the discussion with the glebe lands.
PR asked about the possibility of putting an additional cutting from the road to the drainage ditch/field to move the water off the road at the entrance to Preston Wynne.
Action: Clerk to contact BB ref the over grown hedge at Vine Tree Cottage, PA to also talk with them. Clerk to remind PA of the Preston Wynne point and PR to do the same.
6.2 Local police – no one was able to attend but they have been out to local events.
6.3 Balfour Beatty – Newsletters Come out weekly and cllrs can comment on them. We are waiting for our new locality steward to start in February.
- Planning –
7.1 Applications: To consider comments on applications to be determined by Herefordshire Council as listed below or on the Herefordshire Council Planning website prior to the meeting:-
223865: Hereford Quarries, Lugg Bridge: proposed retention of a ready mixed concrete plant
Concern was voiced about readymix lorries only using the main roads. TN raised the problem of their flood lights being very invasive.
Moved to submit the comment: WGPC has concern over the extended hours and the fact that the site is flood lit all night. Also stick to the separate traffic plan. Proposed by:KH Seconded: BW All were in favour.
224005: The Grey House, Nunnington: Proposed new link building from main building to an existing outbuilding also listed building consent.
Comment: WGPC has no objection.
223876: Field adjacent to Blackberries, Marsh Farm, Cross Keys; Proposed access into existing field.
Comment: WGPC has no objection.
230002: Stone House, Lock Lane, Withington: Proposed conversion of outbuilding to form office
Comment: WGPC have no objection to the application, although they look forward to the listed building officer agreeing that the development is sensitive to the surrounding buildings and to its status as a listed building. We would also ask for the ‘dark skies’ policies to be considered. (clerk to include wording on this from the Veldo lane development)
224318: Land at Ivy Dene Cottage, Dogmarsh, Westhide: Installation of a shepherds hut to utilise as a holiday let.
Comment: WGPC continue to have no objection to this application.
Action: clerk to submit all of the above the comments.
7.2 Planning decisions made: None.
7.3 Herefordshire Local Plan : Housing land supply may well change in the HLP.
- . Financial: 1.Balances
Public Sector Deposit Fund (31.12.22) £ 16,204.25
Lloyds Parish Acct (07.09.22) £ 21,715.68
Lloyds Withington Field Acct (22.12.22) £ 3,976.26 £41,896.19
- Cheques to be paid
Parish Acct:-
Clerks Salary £ 722.63
Clerks Expenses £ 63.50 £786.13
Terry Griffiths –Roads acct inv 2073 £ 570.00
Terry Griffiths – Inv 2104 £ 860.40
Terry Griffiths – Inv 2105 £ 300.00 £1,730.40
Bespoke visual solutions £ 204.00
Information Commissioners Office £ 40.00
SLCC Membership £ 156.00
£ 2,916.53
Withington Field Acct:-
Terry Griffiths Inv 2074 Oct H&S £ 48.00
Terry Griffiths Inv 2106 Nov H&S £ 48.00
Terry Griffiths Inv 2107 Dec H&S £ 48.00
Terry Griffiths Inv 2108 Fixing dog poo bin £ 180.00 £324.00
Herefordshire Council bins (Jan to march) £ 168.35
Joe Smith litter picker expenses £ 75.00
£ 567.35
Total cheques: £3,483.88
It was moved that all cheques should be paid.
Proposed: JH Seconded: AG All cllrs were in favour of making the payments.
2.Receipts: Drainage grant £4,339
VAT reclaimed Parish Acct £951.61 WF acct : £2,382.60 Total reclaimed £3,334.21 Which is not yet showing on the balances above.
It was agreed by all that when the VAT repayment comes in, the clerk can move the appropriate sum (£951.61) from the Parish Acct to the WF acct.
3.Application for Financial Aid: None.
- Approval sought for joining the clerk to the SLCC and agreeing to follow their ‘Civility and Respect pledge.
Proposed: DrJB Seconded: JB
Action: Clerk to circulate information about the ‘Civility and Respect’ Pledge prior to the March meeting.
10 Withington Fields – dog walking area is mowed three times over the summer – it was felt that this was enough but local cllrs agreed to let the clerk know if an additional cut was needed.
The Football club is currently struggling to get new members, but it is hoped that this will start again shortly as the numbers of young people in the village grows. The club (and Parish Council) have made a significant investment in producing a good playing field with an excellent surface – all are keen to see it being used for what it has been designed for.
Action: Clerk to liaise with the football club/have a WF meeting prior to the March PC meeting.
- Working parties:-
a- A4103/A465: KH had attended a S106 meeting last month. This project was discussed at length and a new company is now looking at all of the information that has been assimilated and they will feed back to us next week.
b- traffic calming in Withington and school access.: As above, we will be updated at the S106 meeting next month.
- Lengthsman Scheme – identification of jobs for the lengthsman. Permission was sought to get him to clean out grips and gullies especially along Duke St after the recent hedge cutting. The work done at the steps at Duke St arranged by a resident worked well as there was no significant water damage during the recent deluge.
Lengthman to be asked to go to Westhide and look at the gullies – to liaise with JH
Drainage problem at Preston Wynne, opposite the Village Hall, a drainage ditch needs cleaning out – clerk to report it to the locality steward.
Further jetting needed in the village, clerk to ask lengthsman to talk to BR about where this is needed.
Action: Lengthman to be asked to go to Westhide and look at the gullies and to liaise with JH.
In Preston Wynne: clerk to ask lengthsman to talk to BR about where jetting is needed.
- Foot paths officers reports
PW: all clear.
WH: all clear.
W’ton:The gate has been done at the back of Withington Court. The rerouting around Nunnington Farm is in the system, it will get done in time.
- Tree Warden report – Ingrid Heatly the Tree Warden, was not present, no report submitted. Clerk asked for permission to get the tree surgeon to check the Copse for ash die back etc. Permission given by all: Ward Cllr asked if he could plant a tree in memory of his dog – all were in agreement and he was directed to talk IH, the tree warden for the best location.
Action: Clerk to send her number to the Ward Cllr.
- Feedback on any training or meetings attended: None attended.
- Update on defibrillators Westhide now have permission to dig a trench from the church to the gate. JH will liaise with the electrician to get the job done.
Action: JH to talk to the electrician and clerk to get lengthsman to quote for the digging work.
- Items for Facebook Site and / or social media for WGPC AG is the link person for Social media. Clerk to send AG the link for flood grants.
- Receive items for the next agenda (no discussion) containers, bus service, road surface.
- Agreed time and date of next meeting: 16th March 2023 starting at 7.30pm
The meeting closed at 9.30pm
Signed: _________________________ Date: _________________
Dates for 2023 meetings:
| 2023 dates | ||
| 16th March | 7.30 pm start | |
| 18th May | 7.00 pm start | |
| 13th July | 7.30 pm start | |
| 14th September | 7.30 pm start | |
| 16th November | 7.30 pm start |