MINUTES OF THE PYONS GROUP PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 6 JULY 2021 AT THE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE NEXT TO THE PLAYING FIELD AT CANON PYON
Present: Mr M. Perruzza (Chairman); Mr R. Shubert (Vice Chairman); Mrs G. Dickson; Mr I. Barber; Mr D. Spooner; Mr B. Thomas; Mr G. R. Vaughan; Mr H. Ray and Mr R. Murray.
In attendance: Mr T. Fisher, Herefordshire Ramblers; Ward Cllr. M. Jones; and Mr R. Hewitt, Clerk. There were two (2) members of the public present.
2021/42 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Apologies accepted from Mrs L. Pugh and Mr D. Bowen-Jones.
2021/43 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION – None.
2021/44 MINUTES OF MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2021 were agreed to be a true record.
2021/45 RESTRICTED BYWAYS AT WESTHOPE
Mr T Fisher, Herefordshire Ramblers, provided an overview of the application made for modification to the Definitive Map for addition of restricted byways at Westhope. The parish council, as a landowner, received the notification which will be assessed by Herefordshire Council in due course. A full consultation on the proposed modification will follow, however this is not expected to happen for a couple of years.
The Chairman thanked Mr Fisher for kindly attending the meeting.
(Mr Fisher left the meeting.)
2021/46 REPORT OF THE WEOBLEY WARD COUNCILLOR
Ward Cllr. Jones reported on the transport strategy which includes a new eastern crossing, children’s services, the provision of free school meals over the summer holidays for qualifying families and provided an update on Covid 19 in the county. The full council meeting scheduled for later in the month has been cancelled.
2021/47 VIEWS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS
A member of the public asked for an update on a defect reported on Westhope Hill at the top of Kilbullock. The lengthsman coordinator said this will be taken up with the locality steward, and lengthsman.
2021/48 PLANNING
212095 and 212096 Derndale, Wellington, HR4 8BG – Proposed conversion of barns to 5 no. holiday lets. The planning application was supported.
The following planning decision by Herefordshire Council was noted: 201780 Land adjacent to Saint Mary’s Church (refused). A local landowner has informed the parish council of an application submitted for a new building at the Old Sawyard, Ledgemoor.
2021/49 CLERK’S REPORT
Parish council accounts and minute books (1977-2013) have been archived at the Herefordshire Archive. The annual return 2020-21 has been put on noticeboards in each parish, the parish council website, and certificate of exemption submitted to the external auditors. The annual data protection fee of £35.00 has been made by direct debit. The End of Grant report on the NDP Review has been completed and Groundwork UK has confirmed receipt of the underspend. The parish council arboriculturist is to provide a report on the two redwood commemoration trees in Kings Pyon parish.
2021/50 FINANCE
The following payments were agreed: R Mills, lengthsman/ footpaths (£99.12); Arbortech, re-issue payment for 2020 Westhope survey (£150.00); Honorarium, internal audit 2020-21 (£25.00); Clerk, office/ administration, March-June 2021 (£184.06); and HMRC, PAYE for period to 5 July 2021 (£135.80).
Consideration of a quotation to re-site the Ledgemoor kiosk at the Club Room was deferred.
HALC has been appointed to manage the recruitment process for a new Clerk. HALC will liaise directly with the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
2021/51 HIGHWAYS/ LENGTHSMAN/ FOOTPATHS
The lengthsman’s drainage report was noted. The report has been brought to the attention of Balfour Beatty. Following a request, the parish council asked the clerk to provide a copy of the report to a member of the neighbourhood development plan review working group. Three defective verges in Kings Pyon have been reported to the highway authority by a local landowner. The Clerk attended a parish service update meeting held online by Balfour Beatty. The parish council has been thanked for requesting the removal of a deceased deer from a PROW in Kings Pyon.
2021/52 NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT PROJECTS/ RESPONSIBILITY OF RIPARIAN OWNERS
Riparian owner responsibilities for maintaining ditches were noted. New guidance is expected shortly from Balfour Beatty/ Herefordshire Council. Canon Pyon and Kings Pyon parishes form part of the catchment for the Wellington Brook Natural Flood Management (NFM) project. A letter from Wellington Parish Council to landowners to encourage NFM measures was noted. The parish council agreed to ask the NDP review working group to look at NFM polices/ measures.
2021/53 SPEEDING AT CANON PYON
A report from Cllr. R Murray on a meeting at Canon Pyon with the Safer Roads Partnership was noted. Herefordshire Council will be asked for options to achieve some of the measures highlighted, starting with an on-site meeting with the county’s accident investigation officer.
2021/54 LOCAL POLICING CHARTER
It was agreed that the following issues should be considered the top policing priorities in the group parishes: speeding, fly tipping and some small scale, localised vandalism. The proposed ‘contact contract’ as set out by the Safer Neighbourhood Team was supported.
2021/55 CULTIVATION LICENCE, KINGS PYON
A cultivation licence for the planting of two mountain ash trees by the church at Kings Pyon will be submitted to Balfour Beatty/ Herefordshire Council.
2021/56 NEWSLETTER – Deferred.
2021/57 TOWN AND PARISH COUNCIL SURVEY
The survey will be completed by interested members individually.
2021/58 MATTERS RAISED FOR NEXT MEETING (no discussion)
Queens Green Canopy.
2021/59 INFORMATION ITEMS – Noted.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday, 7 September 2021, venue, and format to be confirmed.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.56pm.