MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD AT 7.00PM ON WEDNESDAY 31 MAY 2017 AT ORLETON VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT
Parish Council Members: Richard Jack – Chairman; Jenny Harrison; Barry Gandy; Eddie Clanzy-Hodge; Paul Gallagher; and Paul Smith. There were 31 members of the public present.
IN ATTENDANCE Mr D Guerche, Area Ambassador for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC); Mr M Haslam, CAMRA; Mr R Batchelor, Chairman, Orleton Recreation Association; Ward Cllr. S Bowen; and R Hewitt, Clerk.
The meeting was chaired by Richard Jack – Chairman, Orleton Parish Council.
1. Apologies for absence – None.
2. Declarations of interest and written dispensations – Cllr. Tibbles declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in discussion of the Boot Inn.
3. The minutes of the parish meetings held on 3 September 2015, 17 November 2016, and annual parish meeting held on 12 May 2016 were agreed to be a true record and signed.
4. Open session for the general public – Mr M Haslam, CAMRA talked about options for a community bid for The Boot Inn, which is currently on the market. He said there are about 80 community owned pubs in the UK. The key is having the will and ability to do the project.
(Cllr. Tibbles left the meeting.)
It was noted that the pub is listed as an asset of community value, which means there is a six month period to make an offer. There was a discussion of options for financing a possible purchase. Several members of the public objected to the parish council using a loan or public funds to support a bid for the pub.
It was agreed to consider the options and points raised by members of the public, and noted that the matter is on the agenda of the parish council meeting scheduled for later in the evening.
5. Local Policing Matters – Mr D Guerche, area ambassador for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) provided an overview of police initiatives in the county, and emphasised that the overall crime level is very low. The police answer 80 percent of 101 calls in less than a minute and are providing officers with body worn cameras and tablets supported by a state-of-the-art communications centre.
In response to concerns raised about speeding, Mr Guerche said he will introduce the parish council to West Mercia Police’s local traffic adviser. According to the latest data sets the speed of traffic is believed to be slightly above the threshold for enforcement. A request will be made to carry out some enforcement locally.
Mr Guerche said other options to help control speeding include improved signs, making sure existing signs are visible, village gates and use of speed indicator devices.
In response to a question about the speed of traffic on Kitchen Hill Road by the shop, Mr Guerche suggested it could be reviewed by the Safer Roads Partnership. The benefits of using social media to support neighbourhood watch schemes was highlighted as well.
The Chairman thanked Mr Guerche for an interesting discussion.
(Mr Guerche left the meeting.)
6. Orleton Recreation Ground – Mr R Batchelor, recreation ground chairman, asked members of the public to pick up after their dogs and use the bins provided when using the recreation ground. More people are needed to help run the youth club, which is held once per week.
A £64,000 grant has been obtained for the improvement of the two playing pitches. The current pavilion is not fit for purpose and will be replaced by a new building for which significant funding has been found. There is another £50,000 to raise. Plans for the new building, which will improve the use of the ground greatly, were placed on the wall of the hall.
7. Ward Cllr. Report – Sebastian Bowen said Herefordshire Council is just about within budget for 2016-17. The largest item in the budget is for adult and children’s social care. After long discussion with Balfour Beatty, the B4362 at Comberton is resurfaced. Government has provided an additional £4 million for pothole repairs. A legal ruling in favour of the council means there could be up to £8 million paid in compensation and this should be used to improve the roads. Lesser potholes will now be repaired within 60 days, rather than 28 days, and Cllr.Bowen said his view is that the 28 days should be reinstated. All pothole repairs are photographed.
Funding has been raised to establish a university, with £8 million from the Local Enterprise Partnership and £15 million from the Department for Education. Blueschool House is being upgraded. The schools are generally outstanding or good, though government funding is low relative to other parts of the country. Exam results have improved noticeably. There are more planning and conservation officers starting at the council.
The use of the 490 bus service has improved considerably. Ludlow Town Council is set to support the service this year. The support by the parish council has made a real difference.
8. Parish Council Report – Cllr. Richard Jack provided a report (copy is included with the minutes).
9. Orleton Primary School – There was no report.
10. Village Hall Management Committee – A report from the village hall was read out by the Clerk (copy is available and included with the minutes).
11. The meeting closed at 9.18pm.