MINUTES OF ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2020 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT B Gandy – Chairman; P Smith – Vice Chairman; J Hobson; J Page; and E Clanzy-Hodge.
IN ATTENDANCE Ward Cllr. Bowen. There were five (5) members of the public present.
1. Apologies for absence – J Humber, M Morrison and R Hewitt (Clerk).
2. Declarations of interest and written dispensations on agenda items – B Gandy in respect of items 9.iii and 11.
3. Approval of the minutes of 20 February 2020 was deferred.
4. Invitation to members of the public to address the council (limited to 15) – A member of the public raised the issue of the mental health of those self-isolating for extended periods. It was agreed to accept the kind offer to produce a plan of action to be promoted through the Good Neighbour Scheme and the Orleton Volunteers.
5. Receive report on Herefordshire Council from Ward Cllr. Bowen – This item was deferred.
6. Clerk’s report and reports on meetings attended by parish councillors – This item was deferred.
7. Lengthsman/ Highways and Footpaths – This item was deferred.
8. Plans
200355 Numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 19 and 20 St Georges Crescent, Orleton – Ground Source Heat Pump installation to properties at the site address. Seven boreholes to be drilled in grassed areas at front of properties. Trenches from boreholes towards properties. Then manifolds will be installed to allow branches from the trenches to individual properties. (7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 19, 20). Pipes will be used to transfer heat from the ground along the boreholes and trenches to deliver the gained heat to the properties concerned. Heat pumps will be installed externally in metal enclosures at 6 of the properties, the remaining properties, 19 and 20, will be internally installed. The planning application was supported.
200428 Orleton House, Orleton, SY8 4HN – Add railings to front of the property immediately adjacent to the footpath on top of the pre-existing wall with the total height of the railings and wall being 1m. The planning application was supported.
200827 Old Orchard, 3 Millbrook Way, Orleton, SY8 4HW – Fell Norway Spruce and Leylandi. The proposed tree work was supported. When it is proposed to remove trees from inconvenient locations, a replanting scheme should be included as part of the application.
200495 Manor Barn, Orleton, SY8 4HR – Fell 1 Lime tree shading and too close to property. Fell 7 Maple trees which were a hedge and have grown to shade an Oak tree. Fell Hornbeam which is causing problems with a septic
tank. The proposed tree work was supported.
200479, 2 Eagle Cottage, Church Lane, Orleton, SY8 4HT – Single Yew Tree. Permission is required to undertake the following work on the Yew Tree sited in the NE corner of 2, Eagle Cottages. 1. Remove low branches to gain light underneath. 2. Cut out dead wood. 3. Shape canopy. The proposed tree work was supported.
9. Accounts
i) Financial Statement to date: This item was deferred.
ii) The following payments were agreed: D C Gardening Services, lengthsman/ P3 footpaths (£1,323.00); Luston Group Parish Council share of new SID batteries (£338.66); Leo Pest Control, dog waste removal (£45.60); and Eyelid Productions, website support (£100.00). In light of the Covid 19 situation, it was agreed to pay an invoice presented by the Good Neighbour scheme for the printing of contact cards (Barrington Print, £75.00).
10. Community resilience plan – This item was deferred with the exception of the decision to support the Orleton Good Neighbour Scheme’s co-ordination of the volunteer response to the Covid 19 emergency.
11. Request from Village Hall management committee for assistance with potential shortfall due to closure in the Covid 19 emergency – It was agreed that up to £2,000 from the 2020/2021 budget be made available. (The Chairman abstaining).
12. Proposal to declare a climate emergency – This item was deferred.
13. Neighbourhood Development Plan review – This item was deferred.
14. Annual Parish Meeting – This item was deferred.
15. Requested Leave of Absence – Cllr Humber’s request for a six month leave of absence was agreed.
16. Review and update the Clerk’s delegated powers in respect of:
a) Delegated powers to spend up to £1,000 between meetings when unforeseen circumstances occur;
b) Delegated powers to spend against specific items in the annual budget i.e. for contractors such as the lengthsman, hall hire, clerk’s salary, as identified in the budget when setting the precept; and
c) Delegated powers to comment on planning applications between meetings when unforeseen circumstances occur.
The delegated powers were agreed.
17. Police and Crime Commissioner’s Road Safety Strategy consultation – Deferred.
18. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion) – None other than the deferred items.
19. Information items – Noted
20. Date of next meeting – To be determined in light of the Covid 19 situation.
The meeting closed at 8.00pm.