MINUTES OF ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2022 AT THE VILLAGE HALL.
PRESENT – B. Gandy-Chairman, P. Burnham-Vice Chairman, L. Mackay, M. Simmons, and P. Hardwick
IN ATTENDANCE – Eight members of the public were present, representing the Recreation Committee.
1. Apologies for absence – Cllr. S. Perry.
2. Declarations of interest and written dispensations on agenda items – None.
3. The minutes of the meetings held on the 17th February were agreed to be a true record.
4. Open session – The Chairman permitted representatives of the village Recreation Committee to speak for longer than the permitted 15 minutes.
● The treasurer of the committee, Mrs Barbara Gittings, confirmed that in 1988 the then Parish Council had purchased the land to ‘improve the conditions of life for the inhabitants of the village’. The Parish Council were the custodian trustees of the land and the Recreation Association acted as the management team. It was explained that the Recreation Association Committee anticipated that expenditure for the maintenance of the recreation area would be more than any income.
● With the existing pavilion coming to the end of its useful life the Recreation Association Committee had originally planned to enter a partnership with the football club to buy a new building, each committing to £50,000 each, however prices of such buildings were now far
exceeding £100,000. The committee have looked at available grants, but all have restrictions, preventing the use of the building by multiple community groups, which the committee would like to happen.
● It was stated that if the Recreation Committee was able to purchase a new building, they had received promises from various local trades that they would donate their time and not charge for their services, thereby reducing the overall cost of the building, requiring the Recreation Association Committee to find funds of a maximum of £50,000.
● Regarding the promises of services, the Chairman advised that the Parish Council can only advance funds if it results in a positive outcome for the village, and the council would need to be certain that the building could be completed and ready for use.
● Councillor Mackay advised that any application to the Public Works Loan Board would require a detailed business plan, and this would need to be provided by the Recreation Association.
● A representative of the committee stressed it was not only the new pavilion that required funding but that the costs of maintaining the woodland was also high.
● The Chairman suggested that the Recreation Committee may wish to consider identifying the costs of maintaining the woodland and apply to the parish council for a grant to assist with this. It was noted that the woodland was used by members of the local community
whereas the pavilion was currently only used by football teams.
● The chairman stressed that the council was fully aware of the importance of this matter to the village and thanked the representatives for attending the meeting.
5. Receive report on Herefordshire Council – Ward Cllr. Bowen was not present at the meeting and no report had been received.
6. New pavilion at the Recreation Ground – The chairman advised that it was not for the Parish Council to decide on the type of building that the Recreation Association Committee should purchase. The representatives were advised that the committee should decide on the building that they want and identify how much it will cost to purchase and fit it out. They should also then identify how much finance they can raise along with confirmed promises of help to assist with the construction/installation of services. The Recreation Association Committee should then approach the parish council with an application for any shortfall and provide a business case, which could then be duly considered. The eight representatives of the committee then left the meeting.
7. Consider the report of the Village Sustainability Group – Cllr Mackay referred to the report which had already been circulated to council members. The report was based on a questionnaire sent to all houses in the village and published on social media sites; Facebook and Nextdoor. This had been followed up with discussions with sections of the community.
The recommendations of the report were –
● Social Sustainability: An over-view should be kept on community groups within the village. Resolved that the parish council will keep this matter on the agenda, under the Appendix and review it every three years.
● Funding of local groups: All community groups should be made aware that they can apply to the council for assistance with funding. Resolved that Cllr Mackay be asked to draft a letter which can be sent to all groups to make them aware of funding opportunities provided by the council.
● Environmental Sustainability: Identify how the council can support environmental issues. Resolved that the council will assist in publicising what residents and businesses can do regarding this matter.
● Economic Sustainability: Suggested that the council can influence the sustainability and accessibility of public transport. Cllr Simmons highlighted that the times of buses leaving Leominster did not fit with trains arriving at the station. Resolved that the council write to
the local bus company to ask if the times of buses can be altered to better match with arrivals of trains.
8. To approve a sub-committee to respond to the sports survey being conducted on behalf of Herefordshire Council – The Chairman agreed to respond to the survey on behalf of the council and attend a Zoom meeting on 7th April.
9. Planning
P220497/FH, Chantry, Church Lane, Orleton. Proposed single storey carport to side elevation. Resolved to support the application.
P220507/FH, Rise Cottage, Hunts Lane, Orleton. Proposed alterations/amendments to garage and single storey extension to dwelling. Resolved to support the application.
10. Upgrade of STWA pumping station – The clerk reported that the last communication on the matter stated that STWA would be meeting in March 2022 to decide on their programme of works for the year and the matter would be discussed at that meeting. Resolved that STWA be written to asking for their decision.
11. Adoption of public space at Kings Road development – The chairman reported that the developers had not increased their financial offer to the council and had decided to retain the land. Cllr Burnham suggested that an expert opinion should be obtained before the council makes a definite decision on the matter. Resolved that the chairman write again to the developers to see if they are willing to re-consider the matter, and that Mr Chris Evans be asked to visit the site and give advice to the council on the maintenance of the land.
12. Finance, update on new bank account – The clerk reported that copies of the last six months bank statements had been forwarded, along with the council’s standing orders and financial regulations. However, Unity Bank have requested a signed copy of the minutes from when the decision was made to bank with Unity, and another copy of a signed submission form. Resolved that the clerk will submit the remaining documents.
13. Finance, resolved to pay the following outstanding payments–
Glasdon 28/02/22 – Dog waste bin £292.93
Leominster Pest Control 24/02/22 £115.20
Lengthsman Duties for February 2022 £1723.20
Eyelid productions – Annual website support £100.00
14. Lengthsman/Highways/Footpaths –
The chairman wished to record a note of thanks to the person(s) who had weeded and tidied the area around the war memorial.
The council will await a response from Ward Cllr Bowen on a proposed 20mph speed limit in the village.
15. Consider joining Balfour Beatty’s verge cutting programme – Resolved that the council would again join the scheme and ask for one cut in the autumn.
16. Consider enrolment on the 2022-23 Lengthsman/P3 Scheme – Resolved that the council join the scheme. It was also resolved that the council write to the Housing Association who are responsible for the land at St George’s Crescent asking if the grass can be cut and if they would agree to volunteers planting spring bulbs at the location.
17. West Mercia Police’s proposal for Smartwater in the parish – Resolved that the clerk write to PS Nick Hall and invite him to attend a parish council meeting to explain the scheme.
18. Second defibrillator at the school and payment for installation be electrician – The clerk reported that the defibrillator and cabinet had been received and the school were still happy for it to be installed there. They were willing to arrange for an electrician to do so but asked for the council to pay the costs of installation. Resolved that the council will pay for the installation.
19. Consideration of a new dog waste bin in at St Georges Church – Resolved to purchase an additional bin for use at the location in order to prevent overfilling of the existing bin.
20. Consideration of a railway hub at Woofferton – It was noted that an additional rail hub would be of benefit to the local community. Resolved that the surrounding parish councils of Richards Castle, Ashford Carbonel and Bromfield and Little Hereford be approached, asking them if they if they would be willing join Orleton Parish Council in writing to the local MPs about the matter.
21. Matters raised for the next meeting (no discussion) – Nothing noted.
22. Employment matters – It was reported that the clerk had submitted her resignation. Under her contact a notice period of seven days was required, so will cease employment on the 30 March. Resolved to offer the position to the second-choice candidate in the interviews from January 2022.
23. Purchase of Microsoft 365 – Resolved that this be purchased for use on the council laptop.
24. Date of next meeting – 7.30pm Thursday 21stApril 2022
The meeting closed at 21.20 hours.