GOODRICH & WELSH BICKNOR GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
SUMMARY OF ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – THURSDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2023 at 19.30 hrs
Councillors are required to attend a meeting of Goodrich and Welsh Bicknor Group Parish Council to be held on Thursday 7th December 2023 at 19.30 hrs at Goodrich Village Hall, for the purpose of transacting the following business:
1. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS RELATING TO ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA
2. APOLOGIES
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE INVITED TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AT THIS TIME
Members of the public should note that the meeting will be closed after this, so this is the only opportunity for the public to speak unless invited to do so by councillors during the closed element of the meeting. The public are of course encouraged to remain for the entire meeting and listen to the council’s discussions.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF 2ND NOVEMBER 2023.
4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Council to consider and agree any necessary actions or representations
(a) Applications – New Applications
233268 Cats, Leys Hill Road Walford Ross on Wye Herefordshire HR9 5QU
Proposed demolition of all existing structures and redevelopment of land for 8 eco homes
Neighbouring Parish consultation.
(b) Applications – Decisions
232865 Land Adjacent to Ferry Cottage, Goodrich
Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 4, 5, 7, 11, 12 attached to planning permission 214631
All information as submitted considered acceptable. Discharge of conditions confirmed and confirmation that there are no pre-commencement Conditions outstanding.
(c) Other Planning Related Matters
Chenstone – council to consider concerns raised by a resident regarding the installation of a raised hot tub, causing overlooking issues.
5. NEW ITEMS
(a) Highways and Footpaths – council to agree any necessary actions for the following.
i. General update on issues already reported
ii. P3 PROW funding – Council to receive update from Clerk, if available
iii. Footpath Officer – council to review documentation relating to the official position of footpath officer and agree necessary steps.
iv. Flooding at Bryants Court – PC to consider Lengthsman quote for camera investigation and agree actions.
v. Council to consider update from Ward Cllr. Cole regarding road closures affecting Symonds Yat and meeting involving English Bicknor PC.
vi. TRO – parking – Clerk to update on latest developments and council to consider drawings as provided by ADL and comments from residents.
vii. Church Pitch – Council to consider update on costs for new bend / junction warning sign via the Lengthsman and agree actions.
viii. New issues – Council to consider any new highways concerns and agree any necessary actions, including, if appropriate, actions for the Lengthsman
6. GREENSPACE / MOORS MEADOW – Clerk to update following presentation of consultation results to HC – if available
7. FINANCE
(a) Statement of Accounts (after paying November expenses (excluding election costs) + December wages)
Treasurers Account £ 28,360.81
Petty Cash £ 12.19
(b) Grant Applications under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 None
(c) Un-cleared cheques as at 28/10/23 (excluding November payments)
Notice Me (purchase of new notice board) £ 431.94
SADS UK (replacement defib. cabinet for VH) £ 564.00
(d) Adverse variance to budget (˃£10.00)
Website / software ongoing costs (budget did not allow for domain hosting costs via HALC) £ 139.99
Stationery / Postage (printing costs include BA&F and income associated with this (£63.90) cancels out the overspend against budget) £ 16.46
(e) Cheques for Payment
Herefordshire Council (election costs) £ TBC
Miss A Jones (backpay – nationally agreed pay rise) £ 201.65
(f) Other Payments – Clerk’s wages and office allowance (monthly by s/o) £ 474.26
(g) Income Received – None
(h) Clerk online account access – Clerk to update on latest application form.
(i) Budget / Precept 2024/25 – Clerk to provide draft document and council to review / amend / approve as appropriate.
(j) Independent Internal Audit – Council to confirm arrangements for the 2023/24 financial year.
(k) Clerk’s Pay – information item – council to note recent increase advised via HALC / NALC and sign new standing order.
8. CORRESPONDENCE – General – council to review, agree any necessary actions
(a) Herefordshire Council / Balfour Beatty –
i. Various updates on work carried out etc.
ii. Changes to postal and proxy voting
iii. Waste collection dates – Christmas and New Year
iv. Advice of the Notification of Casual Vacancies to Electoral Services process.
v. Advice of a new Bylaw for Acupuncture, Tattooing, Semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis, in effect from 26th October 2023.
(b) West Mercia Police – Ross-on-Wye Safer Neighbourhood Team – information on becoming a Street Watch volunteer.
(c) Ward Cllr. Simeon Cole – Autumn 2023 Update report
(d) Severn Wye / Herefordshire Council – information on a home improvement grant available for inefficient “off-gas” homes for assistance with energy saving improvements.
(e) HALC – post election information corner including nationally agreed pay offer.
(f) Victim Support – Information about a free and confidential service for family members bereaved by suicide and living in Herefordshire.
9. CORRESPONDENCE – Reports / Consultations etc.
(a) Herefordshire Council – Minerals and Waste Local Plan – advice that the Inspectors’ Final Report on the Examination of the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan on 31 October 2023 concludes that, subject to a number of main modifications set out in the Appendix to the report, the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan is sound, legally compliant and capable of adoption. Early next year the council’s Cabinet will decide whether the Minerals and Waste Local Plan should be considered for adoption at the next available Full Council meeting.
(b) Herefordshire Council – Public Space Protection Order relating to dogs – the PSPO is being reviewed and HC is seeking a response from ALL parish and town councils by 13th December 2023
10. INFORMATION SHARE – NOT REQUIRING FORMAL DISCUSSION / DECISIONS / SPEND
11. ITEMS FOR NEXT / FUTURE MEETINGS
• Section 106 – update on highways money
• BBLP evidence gathering of incorrect reporting and “wastage” for forwarding to BBLP
• Local Fundraising – to note the cost of obtaining a certificate of lawful development and receive update of costs for installation of pétanque court and agree next steps. Alternatively, agree a different use of the funds or agree that the expenditure will not involve the parish council.
• Defibrillators – Council to consider update on location for third defibrillator and agree next steps once site visit has taken place
• Update on PROW GR6 (replacement of stiles with gates) – when available
12. NEXT MEETING – Thursday 1st February 2024.
Issued Miss A Jones (Clerk) Sunday 3rd December 2023