Online meeting of Holmer and Shelwick Parish Council at 7:00PM on Monday 8th March 2021 via ‘Zoom’
Minutes
Present: Marc Mohan (Chair), David Cooper, Paul Stevens, Gitta Ferguson, Neil Flanagan
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Duncan Smart (Footpaths Officer), John Harrington (Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport), Mark Millmore (Ward Councillor), members of the public
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were noted from John Phipps, Andy Coultas and Tanya Walshe.
2. Declarations of Interest
Nil declared.
3. Dispensations
Nil received.
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport
Councillor John Harrington answered questions from the Parish Council as follows:
• Public Rights of Way. There had been a lack of progress on a number of PRoW issues, including a broken bridge and the closure of HO3 for a number of years. Councillor Harrington agreed to look into these matters and confirmed that a review of PRoW service delivery was being undertaken.
• Bridge on Roman Road. A request was made for the bridge to be widened / re-aligned as it was a traffic pinch point. Councillor Harrington confirmed that Herefordshire Council were looking to identify funding for capital projects such as this.
• S106 funding. Funding had been identified for various traffic calming improvements in the parish but, years later, there were still no timescales for delivery. Councillor Harrington confirmed that a review of the commissioning of highway works was being undertaken and it was anticipated that this would resolve some of the issues around S106 funded projects. Enquiries would be made regarding the specific traffic calming improvements identified for Holmer and Shelwick.
• NDP Parking standards not being applied by Herefordshire Council. Councillor Harrington would take this matter up with Herefordshire Council.
• Drainage maintenance. Little progress had been made by Balfour Beatty Living Places in resolving a number of flooding issues at Shelwick. Councillor Harrington agreed to raise the matter with Balfour Beatty Living Places.
• Potholes. Councillor Harrington confirmed that Herefordshire Council were working hard to ensure that the limited funding available for highway maintenance was spent as efficiently as possible on Herefordshire’s ageing road network.
4.2. Ward Councillor
Mark Millmore’s full Ward Councillor’s report would be available shortly.
4.3. Footpath Officer
Duncan Smart provided an update on Public Rights of Way matters. The full report is available on the Parish Council’s website.
4.4. Public participation
A member of the public raised concerns regarding P203564/F (item 9.1).
Members of the public attended to discuss the possible new allotments at Holmer West (item 8.1).
A resident provided an update on the ‘East of Canon Pyon Road’ development (7.1).
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on Monday 8th February 2021
It was resolved to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Progress reports
6.1. Councillor vacancies
It was noted that there was currently one vacancy on the Parish Council and applications from parishioners were welcomed.
6.2. S106 traffic calming scheme
Councillor Harrington had offered to review the delays on implementing the parish traffic calming scheme.
6.3. Flooding issues, Shelwick
No update was available.
6.4. Holmer West update
Herefordshire Council had noted the Parish Council’s concerns in respect of increased noise pollution generated by the additional children’s play equipment and the disturbance that this would cause to immediate neighbours.
6.5. The Furlongs adoption update
It was noted that Herefordshire Council were continuing to liaise with Crest Nicholson regarding adoption.
6.6. Pond maintenance, Coldwells Road
It was noted that the opportunity to dredge the pond had now passed and such work would now have to wait until the autumn for ecological reasons. Advice had been sought from the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.
6.7. Smart Water distribution and signage
The Police had circulated a plan showing the proposed locations for the new Smart Water signs; it was resolved to approve the locations suggested but a request would be made for additional signs at the entrances to the Holmer West and Furlongs housing estates.
6.8. Outstanding planning obligations, Church Way development (P151600/F)
It was resolved to continue to raise objections to the lack of mixed hedging provided at this site.
7. Correspondence
7.1. Resident: Query regarding Taylor Wimpey development, East of Canon Pyon Road.
It was noted that residents were undertaking further legal work to establish the site boundaries relating to this development. Some fly-tipping of spoil on the access track to the development had been reported to Herefordshire Council and Taylor Wimpey.
7.2. Resident: Request to consider the reinstatement of a barrier on the access adjacent to Coldwells Road pond.
It was resolved to defer discussions on this item.
7.3. Herefordshire Council: Neighbourhood Development Plans in the River Lugg catchment area.
The above update was noted.
8. Parish matters for discussion/decision
8.1. Allotments: To consider adopting the proposed allotments on Holmer West with a view to leasing to Hereford Allotments (charity).
Representatives of the Hereford Allotments charity were in attendance to answer questions on the possible leasing of an allotment site from the Parish Council.
It was thought that the current provision for allotments within the Holmer West site was inadequate and that additional, larger plots would be needed if the site was to be viable.
It was resolved to contact Bloor Homes to request that the size and number of allotment plots be increased and to see if the Parish Council could take on ownership of the allotment site, with a view to leasing to the Hereford Allotments charity.
8.2. Holmer Park Aviary: To consider how to support the preservation of the historic aviary.
It was resolved to write to the current owner of this Grade II listed structure to enquire about plans for the future maintenance and preservation of this locally significant asset.
8.3. Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Council Meeting: To consider arrangements.
It was resolved to defer discussions on this item until the arrangements for future virtual meetings had been clarified.
9. Planning
9.1. P203564/F: Land adjacent to 1 to 3 Woodland Gardens, Attwood Lane, Holmer, Herefordshire. Proposed single dwelling with on site parking.
It was noted that this was a resubmission of a previous application (that the Parish Council had objected to).
It was resolved to object to the proposals. The proposals would negatively impact the aspect of the adjacent Grade II listed Tudor aviary. Furthermore, it is felt that there is insufficient clearance around the aviary for parking and that additional protection should be afforded to this locally important asset.
It is also maintained that the proposed visibility splay to the site is inadequate and would be detrimental to highway safety.
If the planning authority were minded to approve the application then consideration should be given to the protection, restoration and maintenance of the aviary by planning condition.
9.2. S106: To consider a priority list for potential future S106 contributions for the parish.
It was resolved to defer discussions on this item.
10. Burial Ground
10.1. To receive an update
It was noted that two interments were planned for March.
10.2. Clerk’s Delegation: To note that the Clerk authorised emergency tree works at the burial ground under delegated authority.
The abovementioned delegated decision was noted.
10.3. Burial Ground improvements: To consider potential future works to improve the access and amenity of the burial ground.
It was resolved to defer discussions on this item.
11. Finance
11.1. Budget expenditure
It was resolved to approve the budget expenditure.
11.2. Bank reconciliation
It was resolved to approve the bank reconciliation.
11.3. Schedule of payments
It was resolved to approve the schedule of payments and cheques were duly signed.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was resolved to add the following items to the next agenda.
• Allotments (update)
• Holmer Park Aviary
• S106 priority list
• Burial ground improvements
• Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Council Meeting arrangements
• Parish Council meeting times
13. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:00PM on Monday 12th April 2021.
A resolution was passed to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of the following items.
14. Clerk’s Contract
It was resolved to adopt an updated contract of employment for the Clerk.
The meeting closed at 9:42PM.
| Payments for authorisation | ||||
| Payee | Details | Net | VAT | Total |
| David Hunter-Miller | Salary and expenses | 781.65 | 0.00 | 781.65 |
| HM Revenue & Customs | PAYE | 50.45 | 0.00 | 50.45 |
| Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund | Local Government Pension Scheme | 262.53 | 0.00 | 262.53 |
| SmartWater Group | SmartWater kits | 1833.40 | 366.68 | 2200.08 |
| HALC | Councillor training | 80.00 | 16.00 | 96.00 |
| HALC | Subscription fee | 1186.80 | 237.36 | 1424.16 |
| Total | 4194.83 | 620.04 | 4814.87 |