MINUTES OF THE PYONS GROUP MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON 1 OCTOBER 2013 AT CANON PYON PARISH HALL
Present: Mr. G.R. Vaughan (Chairman)
Mr R. Doran (Vice Chairman), Mrs C. Barrell, Mrs S. Maxwell, Mrs L. Pugh, Mr A. Drew, Mr D. Spooner, and Mr H. Ray.
In attendance: District Cllr. A. Blackshaw; and Mr R. Hewitt, Clerk.
2014/88 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Apologies were accepted from Mrs G. Dickson, Mr H. Patterson, Mr M. Verdin and MrN.C. Davies.
2014/89 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION
There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensation made during the meeting.
2014/90 MINUTES OF MEETING.
The minutes of the Meeting of 3 September 2013 were proposed by the Vice Chairman, seconded by the Cllr. Ray, agreed unanimously and signed as a true record.
2014/91 FOOTPATHS SCHEME
The Clerk said the wheeled strimmer had been purchased at a cost of £809.00 from Ron Smith (Hereford).
2014/92 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Chairman reported that the developer had not been in contact in connection with plans for an alternative scheme on the site opposite the Nags Head.
The hearing by the planning inspector on the site adjacent to 4 Valentine Court (130166/F) is not expected to take place until late January 2014. The hydrologist report commissioned by a member of the public highlights a number of concerns with the drainage of the proposed site.
The planning committee at Herefordshire Council will consider the latest planning application for the site adjacent to 4 Valentine Court on 9 October 2013 (131885/F). This will be an opportunity to explain the problems with drainage at the site.
2014/93 CLERK’S REPORT
The agreement with the Ledgemoor Kiosk Appreciation Society for the maintenance of the former BT telephone box has been completed today.
The current arrangement to deploy two SIDs on the A4110 in Canon Pyon three times per year has been confirmed with Balfour Beatty. The cost of the hire remains the same – £150 per SID.
Weobley Parish Council may be interested in participating in the request for sponsors for the purchase of a joint SID. Cllr. Pugh asked for a copy of the draft letter and will confirm the participation of Weobley in the initiative.
2014/94 VIEWS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS
A member of the public said there were good planning grounds to oppose the development of the site adjacent to 4 Valentine Court at both the planning committee and planning inspector hearing.
2014/95 REPORT OF THE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
District Cllr. Blackshaw talked about a workshop for NHS volunteers, H.Art, adoption services and exam results in the county. There are three sites in the county which may investigate fracking, at Fownhope, Much Marcle and Eastnor. Balfour Beatty took responsibility for maintenance of highways on 1 September 2013 and is in the process of identifying the outstanding defects reported to Amey.
2014/96 LOCAL POLICE MATTERS
The meeting noted there were no incidents within Pyons Group highlighted in the September 2013 report from West Mercia Police.
[District Cllr. Blackshaw left the meeting.]2014/97 FINANCE
The following payments were agreed: Ron Smith (Hereford), wheeled strimmer (£809.00); Friends of Westhope, Section 137 donation (£120.00); and HMRC, PAYE to 5 October 2013 (£90.00).
It was agreed to schedule a meeting of the finance working group prior to the next parish council meeting. The finance working group will look at the precept for 2014-15 and consider the parish council’s risk management procedures.
2014/98 HIGHWAY MATTERS
Balfour Beatty has logged the request to cut the top and footpath side of the hedge between Meadow Drive and the shop, Canon Pyon. The requests for a grit bin at Ledgemoor and Nupton Lane have been “added to the list for prioritisation in due time” by Balfour Beatty. It has been confirmed that the Winter Self Help Scheme will continue. Cllr. Drew requested fresh supplies of grit at Westhope. A request for an update from Balfour Beatty on when the jetting by Derndale, Canon Pyon, will be undertaken remains outstanding.
Cllr. Barrell said potholes by The Hollies, Ledgemoor are getting worse and there is now a rut in the road. The Chairman said the defect will be included in the list of highways issues across Pyons Group that will be reported to Balfour Beatty shortly.
2014/99 LENGTHSMAN SCHEME
The lengthsman is reviewing what needs to be done to prevent further landslip at Westhope. He will cut back foliage shortly to assess the extent of the problem. The hedge at the Memorial, Canon Pyon, will be cut back to provide better visibility for vehicles joining the A4110.
Balfour Beatty is to arrange training for the lengthsman. 25 sandbags have been requested from Balfour Beatty, which will be stored at the lengthsman’s premises.
2014/100 PARISH PLAN
The questionnaire responses have been reviewed and the parish plan, including objectives or actions, is being developed. The planning and development section of the parish plan can be used as the basis of the neighbourhood plan. Members of the steering group plan to attend a workshop which will look at how to deliver the parish plan.
2014/101 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
It was agreed to identify and approach members of the community to request their participation in a neighbourhood plan steering group. The project plan and budget templates provided by Herefordshire Council will be reviewed by the Chairman to see whether a meeting with the liaison officer appointed to help develop the neighbourhood plan is required.
2014/102 SPEED OF TRAFFIC ON A4110 IN CANON PYON
The meeting agreed to request speed enforcement from West Mercia Police after considering reports of fast moving heavy vehicles passing through the village in the early hours of the morning. Herefordshire Council will be asked to provide data from previous deployments of the SID at either end of the village to see if there is a pattern of speeding.
2014/103 SCHOOL TRANSPORT CONSULTATION
The meeting felt that CanonPyonPrimary School was best placed to respond to the consultation.
2014/104 WEST MERCIA POLICE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONSULTATION
The parish council is concerned that the Draft Community Engagement Strategy makes no mention of parish councils, which are one of the main channels through which to engage with local communities. It was agreed that the link and frequency of contact between the police and parish councils needs to be strengthened.
2014/105 MATTERS RAISED FOR NEXT MEETING (no discussion)
The meeting agreed to consider ideas for the Pyons Group website at the next meeting.
2014/106 PLANNING
132182/FH York House, Weobley, HR4 8RR – Two storey extension. There were no objections from the planning group and this was ratified by the meeting.
132049/F Canon Pyon CE Academy, Canon Pyon, HR4 8PF – Rear extension to provide additional classrooms, to replace existing detached mobile classroom (to be removed upon completion of works). Revisions to external hard play areas. There were no objections from the planning group and this was ratified by the meeting.
Planning Decisions – The meeting noted that planning permission was granted for 131738/FH Dower Cottage, Kings Pyon, HR4 8PT.
2014/107 INFORMATION ITEMS
The meeting noted the information items on the agenda.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday, 5 November 2013, Canon Pyon Parish Hall [Please note the date changed to 6 November 2013 subsequent to the meeting.]
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.45 pm.