Minutes – 7 November 2023 – APPROVED
PYONS GROUP PARISH COUNCIL (PGPC)
MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF PYONS GROUP PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2023 AT CANON PYON PARISH HALL
Present: Cllrs Ian Barber, David Bowen-Jones, Gill Dickson, Louise Evans, Anna Forster, Richard Gibbons, Jon Lee, Ross Murray, Mike Perruzza (Chairman), Colin Rees.
In attendance: Mr Paul Hayden (Clerk).
Public: Seven.
2023/151 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Carr and Shubert.
Apologies were also received from the Parish Footpaths Officer and the Ward Councillor.
2023/152 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION
Cllr Lee declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 2023/172 as he is a member of CPRE.
2023/153 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the ordinary meeting of PGPC held on the 3rd October 2023 were approved as an accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.
2023/154 PUBLIC SESSION
2023/154.1 The Ward Councillor was unable to attend this meeting and so no report was presented for Members to consider.
2023/154.2 Local residents raised the following issues for consideration:
- Speed limit reduction requested in King’s Pyon. Rural roads with the national speed limit of 60mph. Danger presented from delivery drivers, large agricultural vehicles and drivers not driving to the prevailing road conditions and residents feel it is dangerous for walkers, pets and drivers. Would like the speed limit reduced to 20mph. The Clerk warned that such requests take a significant amount of time to progress, generally years rather than months.
RESOLVED: The Clerk asked to write to Herefordshire Council and request a speed reduction in King’s Pyon.
- Residents requested a defibrillator for King’s Pyon. The defibrillator and cabinet in neighbouring Ledgemoor was discussed which was purchased by resident fundraising and a small grant from the PC.
RESOLVED: Residents will look at fund-raising for a defibrillator and storage cabinet for King’s Pyon and re-approach the PC if funding is required to top-up.
- King’s Pyon residents had previously requested the PC to replace storm damaged trees in King’s Pyon, but nothing further has been heard. The Council replied that the project to identify, source and plant suitable replacement trees had been stopped as on investigation there was little local interest in replacing the trees, and the local church were reluctant to incur the extra financial cost maintaining the trees.
RESOLVED: The Council will reconsider this project if residents provide evidence of need. Cllr Forster will be the point of contact for residents on this project.
2023/155 PLANNING
There were no planning consultations to consider at this meeting. Members considered forming a planning sub-committee to visit all future planning consultations.
RESOLVED: A planning sub-committee consisting of Cllrs Ian Barber, Gill Dickson, Anna Forster, Richard Gibbons and Jon Lee be formed with immediate effect.
2023/156 PLANNING SPOKESPERSON & DEPUTY
Members considered the HALC recommended good practice of appointing a spokesperson and deputy to represent the PC at planning hearings.
RESOLVED: Spokesperson – Cllr David Bowen-Jones. Deputy – Cllr Gill Dickson.
2023/157 DRAINAGE ISSUE BROOKSIDE
The Ward Councillor committed at a previous meeting to obtain a copy of the report on the camera work report carried out at Brookside in July 2021 that would give Members an understanding of the problem and possible solutions.
RESOLVED: To defer to the next meeting.
2023/158 HEDGE REMOVAL IN CANON PYON
It was NOTED that over 18 months have passed since Cllr Barber reported this illegal hedge removal (no planning permission had been applied for). Cllr Barber followed-up his complaint several times, but with no response from Herefordshire Council (HC) Environment Service. The Ward Councillor was requested to raise the matter with the HC Officer and report back at the next meeting.
RESOLVED: To defer to the next meeting.
2023/159 FLOOD RESILIANCE
Members considered the report on flooding resulting from Storm Babet 20-23 October 2023. The flooding in Canon Pyon was considered to be unacceptable and the Ward Councillor will be urged to escalate the problem to Herefordshire Council.
RESOLVED: The Clerk requested to send the report to the Ward Councillor and ask that he escalate to Herefordshire Council for a long-awaited resolution.
2023/160 SECTION 106 PRIORITIES
Members considered the HALC recommended good practice of regularly updating and informing HC Planning Team of each parish’s S106 priorities.
RESOLVED: Cllr Gill Dickson will represent Canon Pyon Parish and Cllr Rob Shubert will represent King’s Pyon Parish.
2023/161 FINANCE
2023/161.1 The finance reports from the Responsible Finance Officer were accepted.
Members considered and approved the following payments:
2023/161.3.1 Autela Payroll Services inv. 12357 £45.48 plus VAT.
2023/161.3.2 Clerk’s October 2023 salary.
2023/161.3.3 Clerk’s expenses 31 October 2023 £673.71.
2023/161.3.4 RBL Poppy wreath £50.
2023/161.3.5 HALC invoice H1949 planning training £220 plus VAT.
2023/161.3.6 Richard Mills invoices 3669 &3671 £615 plus VAT.
2023/161.3.7 Marches Ground Maintenance invoice 114417/0118 £60.
2023/162 HIGHWAYS/ LENGTHSMAN/ FOOTPATHS
2023/162.1 Footpaths – No report was presented.
2023/162.2 Highways – No report was presented.
2023/162.3 Lengthsman – The Clerk is meeting the Lengthsman shortly to discuss planned work in the parishes and tree work in Westhope. The Lengthsman has submitted a quote to clear grass growing in the middle of the roads in Westhope.
RESOLVED: Clerk request to clarify with the Lengthsman what weed killer he proposes to use and where the soil debris will be deposited once cleared from the road and any cost implications if the soil is to be removed and dumped in an approved waste site.
Cllr Dickson requested to speak to the Friends of Westhope to see if they might contribute to the cost once finalised.
2023/162.4 Other roads in the parish requiring grass removal – King’s Pyon, Nupton and Ram Road were identified by Members.
2023/162.5 Fly tipping – Raven Causeway in Ledgemoor identified as a problem area.
2023/163 PROW WORKING GROUP
The PROW working group held a meeting with local landowners on the 19th October 2023. Several issues and potential ways in which the Parish could cooperate were discussed. This input will now be used to produce a course of action to be presented to the full council in due course.
RESOLVED: Cllr Lee requested to update Members at the next meeting.
2023/164 NDP REVIEW
Members considered the updated NDP Review incorporating the Independent Examiners recommended modifications. It was NOTED that Herefordshire Council had already published the revised NDP Review and set a referendum date of the 11th January 2024.
RESOLVED: Revised NDP Preview approved and to proceed to referendum. Clerk requested to ask for a delay in the referendum date.
2023/165 LITTER PICKING
Cllr Gibbons was requested to produce a proposal of how the PC could involve local school pupils in a project which enriches the school environment curriculum to be considered at the next meeting. He is still working on this.
RESOLVED: Item deferred to the next meeting.
2023/166 DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING
Training will take place in the meeting room at the Nags Head Inn on the 16th November 2023. The training will start at 6.20pm and will be free of charge. All residents welcome.
RESOLVED: To cover all costs to deliver the above defibrillator training from parish funds.
2023/167 SECTION 106 CANON PYON PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND FOOTWAY SCHEME
Members considered the update from the Clerk. The Clerk has written to the S106 project manager requesting a face-to-face meeting with Members on the project due to the unavailability of internet connectivity in the parish hall. No response received.
RESOLVED: The Clerk requested to progress.
2023/168 PARISH TREE SURVEY
Members considered the update from the Clerk. The Clerk is meeting with the Lengthsman to prepare a costed work plan to deal with the trees identified as needing work in the tree survey.
RESOLVED: The Clerk will present to Members for consideration.
2023/169 PLANNING MATTERS & COUNCILLOR CODE OF CONDUCT TRAINING
Members considered the training on the Councillor Code of Conduct prepared by Herefordshire Council Governance Support which was presented to PGPC councillors on Tuesday the 5th September 2023 and planning matters training delivered by Lynda Wilcox from HALC on Tuesday the 24th October 2023. The training on planning matters was considered to be very good but the training on the Councillor Code of Conduct was considered to be poor.
2023/170 H&WFRS RISK CONSULTATION
Completed and submitted by Cllr Lee. The response highlighted concerns over pressures on services due to ageing population, impact of climate change – flooding in particular and consequent impact on homes as well as the ability of emergency services to respond.
RESOLVED: Item removed from agenda.
2023/171 UPDATING PARISH CHAIRMAM BOARD
Cllr Rees reported updating in progress.
RESOLVED: To cover cost for updating from parish funds.
2023/172 POLLUTION IN BROOK RUNNING FROM CANON PYON WWTW
Members considered a report from Cllr Lee on pollution levels in Wellington Brook.
Cllr Lee has learnt from the Friends of the Wye that CPRE have carried out regular surveys of Wellington Brook and phosphate and nitrate pollution levels are more than twice the recommended limits. He is informed that the Wye and Usk Foundation has conducted a more formal and technical survey for Herefordshire Council. The PC do have riparian landowner responsibility as a result of the Canon Pyon Open Space and should be aware of the problem as it is in a position to put in place combined natural flood management and environmental measures. However, any such proposal should be informed. The ecology of the parish is under pressure, and a number of small but unique habitats have been lost to development. The issue has been raised by local residents who are aware of the overloading at the WWTW and how this could be contributing to pollution in Wellington Brook.
RESOLVED: Clerk requested to write to the flood officers at Herefordshire Council and ask for a copy of the report produced by the Wye and Usk Foundation.
2023/173 MATTERS RAISED FOR THE ORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON 5th DECEMBER 2023, CANON PYON PARISH HALL
Drainage report/Brookside update from Ward Councillor.
Hedge removal in Canon Pyon update from Ward Councillor.
Highways/ Lengthsman/ Footpaths reports.
S106 pedestrian crossing and footway scheme.
PROW working group report.
NDP.
Litter picking schools proposal.
Defibrillator training.
Parish tree work.
Pollution in brook running from Canon Pyon WWTW.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.40 pm.
Signed: ……………………………………………….. Date: …………………………………………………..
These minutes were approved and signed at the ordinary meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday the 5th December 2023.