GOODRICH & WELSH BICKNOR GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
SUMMARY OF ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER 2024 at 19.30 hrs
Councillors are required to attend a meeting of Goodrich and Welsh Bicknor Group Parish Council to be held on Thursday 5th December 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
3. CO-OPTION – Council to hear from interested parties and vote as necessary to co-opt a new councillor
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.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF 7TH NOVEMBER 2024
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Council to consider and agree any necessary actions or representations
(a) Applications – New Applications
(b) Applications – Decisions
242127 9 Bivia Meadow, Goodrich. Proposed Prestige orangery to rear elevation GRANTED
233159 Paddocks Hotel, Symonds Yat. Proposed change of use of land to provide car park extension
REFUSED
6. HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS – council to agree any necessary actions for the following.
(a) General update on issues already reported and not covered specifically below
(b) To consider issues regarding road closures on the C1258 and lack of communication with businesses at Symonds Yat.
(c) TROs Parking & Speed Limit Review – Clerk to update as appropriate.
(d) Village Gateways – Clerk to update on advice received from HC regarding “home made” gateways.
(e) PROW at Goodrich Castle – council to consider representations from local resident(s) and response from English Heritage and agree any necessary actions
(f) New issues – Council to consider any new highways concerns and agree any necessary actions, including, if appropriate, actions for the Lengthsman
7. GREENSPACE / MOORS MEADOW – Council to agree any necessary actions.
(a) Asset Transfer – Cllr. Mrs Harbord to update on latest documents received from HC and advise whether the asset transfer / purchase contract can now be signed and Council to sign and / or agree any other actions.
(b) Grass cutting – Clerk to update on response from Lengthsman (re play area) and council to agree actions as necessary.
8. DEFIBRILLATOR – Clerk to update on efforts to arrange for the siting of a third defibrillator on Coppett Hill (at the Welsh Water site). Council to consider cabinet options and agree next steps.
9. RIVER WYE POLLUTION – Clerk to update on information received from Newland Parish Council regarding the proposed Consortium of Wye Valley Councils.
10. FINANCE
(a) Statement of Accounts (after paying November expenses + December wages)
Treasurers Account (incl. payments due to HMRC not yet paid – pd quarterly) £ 24,347.22
Petty Cash £ 12.19
(b) Grant Applications under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972
None
(c) Un-cleared cheques as at 28/10/24 (excluding November payments)
None
(d) Adverse variance to budget (˃£10.00)
Insurance £ 94.97
(e) Cheques for Payment
Herefordshire Council (Community Asset Transfer) £ 1,967.63
(f) Other Payments – Clerk’s wages and office allowance (monthly by s/o Nov onwards) £ 490.64
(g) Income Received
Payment from Clerk representing tax that should have been taken from pay (PAYE software adjustment) £ 18.20
(h) 2025/26 Budget and Precept – Clerk to present second draft budget and Precept for council consideration and council to amend / approve as necessary.
(i) Section 106 – Clerk to update and council to agree necessary actions.
11. CORRESPONDENCE – General – council to review, agree any necessary actions
(a) Herefordshire Council / Balfour Beatty –
i. Various updates on work carried out, road closures and maintenance schedules etc.
ii. Notification of road closure on Kerne Bridge on 23rd & 24th January 2025 to allow for inspection works on the bridge
iii. Keep Herefordshire Warm continues to offer advice and practical solutions to help residents struggling to afford their energy bills
iv. Confirmation of parish Tax Bases for 2025/26
v. Notification that they have launched a new Planning Advice Service
(b) CPRE Herefordshire – supports for Dark Skies projects and encouraging councils to include mitigations for obtrusive lighting in their biodiversity action plans.
(c) Wye Valley AONB – details of their Position Statement relating to Dark Skies and Artificial Lighting
(d) Clear Councils Insurance – notification that they are now partnering with Ecclesiastical Insurance
(e) West Mercia Police – notification of the Annual Canvas. Engagement Officers will be calling at properties between 25th November and 26th January, all will have hi-vis vests and Herefordshire Council ID badges
(f) HALC – Information Corner – including a new pothole filling product being trialled over the Christmas period, HALC subscription and services costs.
12. CORRESPONDENCE – Consultations / Reports etc.
(a) Herefordshire Council –
• 2025/26 budget consultation – open until 15th December 2024.
• Trees, Hedgerows and woodlands – open until 8th December
(b) Goodrich Church of England Primary School – consultation regarding their School Admission Code. Responses by 20th December 2024.
(c) Government Consultation – Remote Attendance and Proxy Voting for Parish Councils. Responses by 19th December (via HALC)
13. MEETINGS, TRAINING AND SEMINARS
14. INFORMATION SHARE – NOT REQUIRING FORMAL DISCUSSION / DECISIONS / SPEND
15. ITEMS FOR NEXT / FUTURE MEETINGS
• NDP – Reviewing the plan once funding arrangements are known and HC Development Plan adopted.
• Online banking
• Pool Ellocks – update on intentions / actions of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust
16. NEXT MEETING – Thursday 6th February 2025.
Issued Miss A Jones (Clerk)
Sunday 1st December 2024