MINUTES OF ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ONLINE AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER 2020
PRESENT: B Gandy – Chairman; P Smith – Vice Chairman; E Clanzy-Hodge; S Perry; and P Burnham.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Cllr. Bowen; and R Hewitt (Clerk). There was one (1) member of the public present.
1. Apologies for absence – None.
2. Declarations of interest and written dispensations on agenda items – None.
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2020 were agreed to be a true record.
4. Invitation to members of the public to address the council (limited to 15 minutes) – A member of the public spoke about Covid 19 aware plans for Halloween, the placing of flowers on the war memorial, advent displays and plans to place a Christmas tree at the war memorial.
Councillor Burnham said the church intends to mark Remembrance Sunday and is to prepare a risk assessment.
[Cllr. E Clanzy Hodge joined the meeting.]5. Receive report on Herefordshire Council – Ward Cllr. Bowen reported on a meeting with the Environment Agency to plan an early warning system for the brook. The culvert under the B4361 and proposed leaky dams were also highlighted. The brook under the bridge on Millbrook Way should soon be cleared by Balfour Beatty. Balfour Beatty has provided a new quotation for the road safety scheme. The parish council thanked Ward Cllr. Bowen.
There was a service at the cathedral recently to commemorate the Battle of Britain. Herefordshire Council has committed to make future buildings and estates hedgehog friendly. The school is to have three nearly new buildings to replace the nursery and temporary classrooms.
6. Clerk’s report and reports on meetings attended by parish councillors – The Clerk confirmed storage locations for the parish council’s flood signs. A poppy wreath will be obtained for Remembrance Sunday, and guidance on the event during Covid 19 received by email will be sent to Cllr. Burnham as requested. It was noted that HALC has advised that parish councils should not organise Remembrance Sunday events in line with the practice in earlier years. The two vacancies on the parish council are expected to be advertised shortly. If there is no request made for a by election the parish council will be asked to co-opt. The Speed Indicator Devices will be moved shortly.
The Chairman reported on a meeting attended with the Environment Agency to look at an early warning system for the brook, and an online briefing from Talk Community.
7. Plans
202939 Taliesin, Millbrook Way, Orleton, SY8 4HW – Extend existing dropped kerb to facilitate reversing caravan onto existing driveway so as not to inconvenience traffic and buses. The planning application was supported.
202967 The Bramleys, Church Lane, Orleton, SY8 4HU – Fell because of excessive height of trees with low amenity value and in danger of the roots damaging the adjacent garage. The proposed tree work was supported. The parish council requests that suitable native species are replanted in an appropriate location.
Herefordshire Council has allowed works to trees for 202470 Orleton Manor, 202723 9 Ashley Walk and 202829 The Cottage.
8. Consultation on Planning for the Future White Paper and Neighbourhood Planning – A draft note on the white paper prepared by a member of the public was considered. The member of the public was thanked for their work. The Chairman and member of the public will prepare a draft submission. The Clerk was delegated to submit the parish council’s comment(s) on the white paper.
9. Accounts
i) Financial Statement to date: The balances of the parish council accounts on 30 September 2020 were noted: Treasurer – £15,618.62; and Money Manager – £20,386.65. The Treasurer account includes the payment of the precept from Herefordshire Council made in September 2020 (£12,750.00). It was agreed to transfer £12,750.00 from the reserve account to the treasurer account.
ii) The following payments were agreed: D C Gardening Services, lengthsman/ P3 footpaths (£405.60); Wigmore School, celebration evening award (£30.00); and Leo Pest Control, dog waste removal (£45.60). Payment of pro forma invoice from Glasdon for a dog waste bin and post was agreed (£159.62) subject to agreement on location with landowner.
iii) Quotation from Balfour Beatty for implementing the agreed road safety work on the B4361 and B4362: The Clerk reported that a revised quotation has been received along with an apology for the earlier “incorrect price”. An investigation has been undertaken by Balfour Beatty and processes improved “in delivering community commissioning projects and to improve the experience of those accessing this service”.
The parish council resolved to accept the amended price (£15,313.61) in principle subject to reviewing the detailed project plans on which the new price has been based.
10. Lengthsman/ Highways/ Footpaths – Ward Cllr. Bowen said Balfour Beatty has undertaken gully clearing and resurfacing of Kings Road is “in the system”. The locality steward has been asked to get work completed on Deakins Lane. A reported defect on EX10 over Tunnel Lane will be passed to Luston Group Parish Council.
11. Community resilience plan – A risk assessment drafted by the working group to understand the impact and likelihood of events requiring community resilience support was noted. The steering group is looking at the possibility of broadening support available on an ongoing basis via a network of community wardens. It was noted that the Good Neighbour Scheme was set up to provide support and has volunteers available to provide support. The Clerk advised that the community resilience plan will need to be in line with the parish council’s GDPR policies and regulations.
The following recommendations from the Community Resilience working group were agreed:
i) Adoption of an approach wider than a solely emergency response structure;
ii) To appeal for persons and facilities in relation to the resilience plan via Nextdoor, Grapevine and other local channels of communication; and
iii) To approach appropriate agencies and organisations relevant to the resilience plan.
The Community Resilience working group will report to the parish council at parish council meetings..
12. Preservation of Grade II listed Churchyard Cottage – The parish council agreed that the listed cottage needs to be protected. More information on the significance of the cottage could support a case for it to be listed as Grade II*. Ward Cllr. Bowen said Herefordshire Council has a specialist who may be able to advise the parish council on the historical significance of the building.
13. Review of current arrangements for dealing with code of conduct complaints – The parish council resolved to request that Herefordshire Council’s arrangements include a clear definition of the investigating officer and independent member, like that provided for the monitoring officer.
14. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion) – None.
15. Information items – Noted.
16. Date of next meeting – 19 November 2020. The meeting will be held online.
The meeting closed at 9.20pm.