MINUTES OF ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ONLINE AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2020
PRESENT: 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 – B Gandy. The resignations of J Humber and J Page were noted.
2. Declarations of interest and written dispensations on agenda items – None.
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2020 were agreed to be a true record.
4. Invitation to members of the public to address the council (limited to 15 minutes) – There were no matters raised.
5. Receive report on Herefordshire Council – Ward Cllr. Bowen reported on Herefordshire Council’s annual general meeting which was held online using electronic voting. Cllr. Bowen was re-elected chairman of the council by Herefordshire Council. A retirement service for Lady Darnley was held at the cathedral. The new Lord Lieutenant is Mr Edward Harley.
Orleton is top of the list for dredging of the brook. A tour of the roads with the locality steward included Kings Road which will possibly be resurfaced next year. White lining is a safety issue and gullys will be cleared. Ward Cllr. Bowen said the funds borrowed by the council for the roads should be used while the weather is good. The Leominster tip now needs to be booked. The operators have apologised for the notice given, and that the measure has been taken under Covid regulations.
6. Clerk’s report and reports on meetings attended by parish councillors – The Clerk reported the second payment of the precept (£12,750.00) has been made by Herefordshire Council. Cllr. Perry has kindly offered to cascade community information from Herefordshire Council via Next Door and the Orleton facebook page. The Certificate of Exemption 2019-20 has been acknowledged by the external auditor and the annual accounts published on the parish council noticeboard and website. HALC has provided details of a contractor to help implement Office 365 for business. The precept for 2020-21 needs to be submitted to Herefordshire Council by the end of the calendar year. Balfour Beatty has still to decide on the outcome of the drainage grant application.
The Vice Chairman said the village hall is to open from 1 October 2020. The parish council noted guidance from HALC and the recommendation from government that parish council meetings are held online.
7. Plans
202442 Bakers Arms, Green Lane, Orleton, SY8 4JB – Change of use from public house and management accommodation to dwelling with annex. The parish council agreed to object to the proposed change of use on the grounds that the public house continues to have potential. There are a great number of local villages in north Herefordshire that have two public houses, including: Kingsland, Leintwardine, Pembridge, Eardisley, Eardisland, and Brimfield/ Wyson.
202755 Site adjoining The Bakers Arms, Orleton – Erection of 4 No. self-build dwellings with garages. The meeting agreed to object to the planning application on the following grounds:
• The proposal assumes the change of use of the public house in 202442 Bakers Arms and the parish council has objected to this. The public house will require parking and outside facilities to operate successfully, and the proposal to build in the grounds of the public house will remove excessive amenity space to the detriment of the business;
• The site lies outside the settlement boundary in the Orleton and Richards Castle NDP and there is no good reason to consider it an exception site;
• There is a history of surface water run off causing the B4361 to flood by the Bakers Arms, and new houses will add to the volume of run off at times of heavy rainfall; and
• The access on to the B4361 is considered dangerous, and consideration should be given to the potential risk of a situation where the public house continues to operate and additional traffic is generated by the construction of new houses.
202400 Orleton Manor, Orleton, SY8 4HR – Removal of surface finishes to structural timber frame of building. Listed building consent. The application for listed building consent was supported.
202470 Orleton Manor, Orleton, SY8 4HR – Proposed alterations to existing boundary walls, new gates and gate piers. Listed building consent. The application for listed building consent was supported.
202829 The Cottage, Millbrook Way, Orleton, SY8 4HW – The removal of a Cherry tree next to main residence that has caused damage to boundary wall and groundworks adjacent to residence. Written advice from the parish tree officer was noted and the following comment agreed: It is unfortunate that this tree is causing structural damage to the nearby retaining wall as it is well established and a prominent feature from the roadside. However due to the issues caused by the tree roots removal is the best option. The parish council requests a condition to plant a suitable replacement in a more appropriate location on the property.
202723 9 Ashley Walk, Orleton, SY8 4HD – Proposal for works to Cherry tree – crown reduction due to tree being top heavy and causing the trunk to start to split. Written advice from the parish tree officer was noted and the following comment agreed: The proposed crown reduction to reduce the weight on the weak fork junction is appropriate in order to preserve the tree. Some caution should be taken not to reduce the canopy too heavily as Cherry can sometimes deteriorate in health if the reduction is too severe.
202649 Land to the rear of 6 & 7 Ashley Walk, Orleton, SY8 4HD – Oak – crown thinning works, up to about 35%. Not considered as decision already made by the planning authority.
Herefordshire Council has allowed works to trees for 202649 Land to the rear of 6 & 7 Ashley Walk and 202350 Bower Orchard. Works to trees covered by a tree preservation order (TPO) are granted for 202204 The Old Vicarage and 202270 15 Mortimer Close.
8. Consultation on Planning for the Future White Paper and Neighbourhood Planning – Concern was expressed at the proposed relaxation of checks and balances in the planning system. It was agreed to defer a considered response to the next meeting.
9. Accounts
i) Financial Statement to date: The balances of the parish council accounts on 30 August 2020 were noted: Treasurer – £3,400.12; and Money Manager – £20,386.48.
ii) The following payments were agreed: D C Gardening Services, lengthsman/ P3 footpaths (£36.00); Clerk, AVG anti-virus subscription 2020-21 (£51.02); and Leo Pest Control, dog waste removal (£45.60).
iii) Quotation from Balfour Beatty for implementing the agreed road safety work on the B4361 and B4362: The Clerk reported that a revised quotation is being looked at by the contractor. Balfour Beatty will be asked for a letter of apology and to provide reassurance that the community commissioning process has been improved to prevent a recurrence in the future.
(9.30: Standing orders suspended.)
10. Lengthsman/ Highways/ Footpaths – The Clerk reported that a new stile has been purchased by the lengthsman as the reported wobbly stile was not possible to repair. The parish council agreed to ask Balfour Beatty to confirm the route of OL32 from Green Lane to the B4361 behind the Bakers Arms.
11. Community resilience plan – The working group reported that an outline resilience plan has been drafted. It was agreed that the draft plan will be shared with members for review at the next meeting.
12. Install dog bin by entrance to bridleway OL28 by St George’s Church – A selection of dog bins were considered, and it was agreed to purchase a Glasdon Fido 25 dog waste bin. The location will be agreed with the landowner of the bridleway by the start of OL28. Once installed it will be emptied by the contractor that does this for the dog waste bins on Millbrook Way and St George’s Crescent.
13. Leave of absence – Not considered as member has resigned.
14. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion) – Preservation of the Grade II listed churchyard cottage.
15. Information items – Noted.
16. Date of next meeting – 15 October 2020. The meeting will be held online.
The meeting closed at 10.07pm.