Withington Group Parish Council
Meeting Held on Thursday 13th July 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); Ingrid Heatly (IH); Howard Mansell (HM); John Bennett (JBe); Tom Nellist (TN); Sue Rudd (SR); Judith Howe (JH); Ralph Barber (RB); Barclay Rogers (BR);
Also: Sophie Glover (Clerk), Ivan Powell (Ward Cllr); 1 member of public.
The Meeting opened at 7.30pm
1. 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.
Two separate residents had been in contact with the chair and ward councillor about over grown trees which had no identifiable owners. One gentleman came to talk about an overgrown willow tree, which used to be pollarded but since the building of 33 homes in the field behind him, the tree hasn’t been pollarded since – at least 4 years and it has now become a real problem. The ward councillor has taken the problem to the council to see if they will take action on the tree.
Another resident had emailed in to voice her concerns about the flooding on the bottom of Withies Rd. There is still a case in with enforcement to look at these drains. HM is on the case.
2. To accept Apologies for absence – Simon Dent (SD); Julie Williams (JW); Bob Rudd (BR);
Absent without apologies:
3. To receive Declaration of Interests.
None received
4. Introduction of all Councillors – The Councillors took a few minutes to talk with a cllr who they did not know, they then introduced the other person to the meeting.
5. Acceptance of minutes of the:- Parish Meetings (May 2023)
Preston Wynne, Westhide and Withington All were confirmed as accurate.
Acceptance of May PC meeting minutes
Proposed: KH Seconded:JH All were in favour.
They were duly accepted as a true record of the meetings.
6. Action Points from previous meetings – Actions from previous meetings completed
7. Open discussion/public forum
7.1 Report from Ward Councillor – Cllr Ivan Powell had
1. I have asked clerk how best to get abreast of live issues which Cllr Andrews was progressing that I need to pick up. This is an ongoing activity, the main issues would appear to be traffic calming etc A4103 and possible traffic restriction order in Nunnington.
2. Resident at Withies Close has raised concerns over trees along the lane between Whitestone and the top cross roads in Withington village.
3. Support to a family regarding a planning application in Nunnington and request for information regarding previous enforcement notification. (In hand with Chloe Smart from planning department)
4. Request for speed limit consideration Westhide village, which is being progressed with relevant officer.
On his to do list:
1. Residents surgeries
2. Meet with local policing team.
Cabinet Issues
1. Remain busy progressing the improvement plan for children’s services in particular
2. Attended LGA new cabinet members briefing session at Warwick business school
7.2 Local police – no one was able to attend but they hope to be at the September meeting.
7.3 Balfour Beatty – Information sheets come out weekly and cllrs can comment on them.
8. Planning –
8.1 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:-
232066: Unit 14, Whitestone Business Park – proposed mix of light industrial storage and distribution, retail, offices etc.
The chair outlined the background of the application. Moved to support all were in favour.
Action: clerk to submit the above comments.
8.2 Planning decisions made:
None this month.
9. Financial:
a. Balances
Public Sector Deposit Fund (07.07.23) £ 16,516.31
Lloyds Parish Acct (07.07.23) £ 21,656.20
Lloyds Withington Field Acct (04.07.23) £ 9,084.92 £47,257.43
b. Cheques to be paid
Parish Acct:- Already paid
Clerks Salary June £722.63
July £ 722.63
Clerks Expenses June £ 32.29
July £ 38.29 £ 760.92
Village Hall Hire in June £ 7.00
Chris Rudd – Electrics for Westhide defib £ 1,000.00
Total: £ 1,767.92
Internal Transfer: £3,000 to savings acct for depreciation
Withington Field Acct:- Already paid
Herefordshire Council bins
(July to Sept) £180.96
J Smith litter picker expenses June £ 90.00
July £ 135.00
Countrywide Grass Cutting inv 514250 £ 198.00
Total £ 333.00
Total chequesfrom both accts: £2,100.92
It was moved that all cheques should be paid.
Proposed: KH Seconded: JH All cllrs were in favour of making the payments.
c. Receipts:
VAT reclaimed Parish Acct £951.61 WF acct : £2,382.60 Total reclaimed £3,334.21
d. Application for Financial Aid: None.
9. TEKSS: Update on ‘Discharge of Conditions’ as per circulated letter. Westhide had a consultation evening to discuss this. General view was that the money should be used to improve the facilities in the village. They will reply to the letter saying that it will be for Westhide alone, to ask when they would see the first funds. Letter to be drafted by Westhide Cllrs who will send it to the clerk for distribution.
10 Withington Fields – including discussion on the football club, depreciation on playground equipt.
Depreciation: S106 monies to be used for sports, to be spent on the Withington Field instead of on the changing rooms. This was moved as an action: all were in support. At annual playground inspection ask which pieces need to be replaced first. Andrew Houston suggested that we can use the S106 – Clerk to write to him to find out how we can do this.
Action: Clerk to write to Ray Rice to ask what his intentions are with football in Withington. If no clear plans, she is to link him with Lugwardine FC who want to use our pitches.
11. Working parties:-
a- A4103/A465: Nothing further to report
b- traffic calming in Withington and school access. KH and JB had a meeting with the head of S106 monies, Andrew Houston, and a road expert was in attendance on zoom. They went to the school to see the crossing. They have spent £25k on the plans that they currently have, but some of the ideas will not be able to be used. They hope to progress the work this financial year.
12. Lengthsman Scheme – identification of jobs for the lengthsman.
Jobs so far identified: repair and refill of sandpit. Retention zip line. Grease may pole. Quote for full replacement of outer post and rail fence. Also to cut back the hedge at vine tree.
Also to do the P3 jobs in Withington and to complete the Westhide gullies. There are also jobs in Preston Wynne that BR will forward to the clerk to pass to the lengthsman.
The finance group have suggested that the PC pay the match funding for the new Herefordshire Council Lengthsman grant, all approved and the clerk will submit the papers this week.
Action: Clerk to chase the lengthsman and get a date on these jobs to be completed.
13. Foot paths officers reports
PW: no problems to report.
WH: all clear.
W’ton:.We have 3 footpaths that are fully blocked by crops. JBe has talked with the landowner, who, whilst alleging that they would talk with the tenant farmer did not inspire confidence that this would happen any time soon.
14. Tree Warden report – Ingrid Heatly the Tree Warden, has stepped down and will assist the new tree warden, Kevin Powders, as he takes over the role. He has been introduced to the Tree Warden Network group for Herefordshire.
15. Feedback on any training or meetings attended: None attended. Cllrs reminded that we do have a training budget if they do wish to access courses.
16. Items for Facebook Site and / or social media for WGPC AG was the link person for Social media, JBe to continue in this role. Councillor vacancies to be put on the PC pages.
17. Receive items for the next agenda (no discussion)
18. Agreed time and date of next meeting: Following a discussion, it was moved to change meetings from the third Thursday of alternate months to the second Wednesday so that we dont have to compete with the Zumba class next door. All present agreed with this and so the next meeting is 13th September 2023 starting at 7.30pm
Action: clerk to amend our hall bookings to reflect this decision.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm
Signed: _________________________ Date: _________________
Dates for 2023/4 meetings:
Remaining 2023 dates – Meetings are now on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month
13th September 7.30 pm start
8th November 7.30 pm start
2024
10th January 7.30 pm start
13th March 7.30 pm start
8th May 7.00 pm start
10th July 7.30 pm start
11th September 7.30 pm start
13th November 7.30 pm start