MINUTES OF ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2022 AT THE VILLAGE HALL.
PRESENT – B. Gandy – Chairman, P.Burnham- Vice Chairman, L. Mackay, M. Simmons, and P. Hardwick
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Cllr. S. Bowen, L.S Davies (clerk), R. Hewitt (outgoing clerk). Three members of the public present, including two representatives from the Recreation Committee.
- Apologies for absence – Cllr. S. Block-Perry and Cllr. E. Clanzy-Hodge
- Declarations of interest and written dispensations on agenda items – None
- The minutes of the meetings held on the 27th and 13th January 2022 were agreed to be a true record.
- Invitation to members of the public to address the council – Two representatives of the village Recreation Committee addressed the council on the need to replace the current pavilion with a new building. An initial quote of £103,000.00 had been received but the recreation committee did not have sufficient funds to proceed with the work and asked if the parish council would be willing to provide the funds. It was reported that there was valid planning permission in place for the work to be carried out.
It was requested that the recreation committee obtain two formal quotes of the work to be done and establish what grants the Football Association would be willing to contribute. Please see also Item 14.
A member of the public also informed the council of the death of Andrew Summers, manager of Orleton Post Office and a highly valued and respected member of the community.
- Receive report on Herefordshire Council – Ward Cllr. Bowen reported on the recent meeting of the county council; current council tax rises and car parking charges had been frozen. He also reported that he had asked Cllr. Harrington to view the condition of the roads in the village and requested that gullies be emptied. Welsh Water and STWA have also been contacted about sewerage in the stream. Bowen confirmed that it has been requested that the white lines at the junction of Tunnel Lane and Kitchen Hill Road be re-painted.
- Training of Orleton Flood Wardens – It was agreed that the Emergency Planning Team at Herefordshire Council be contacted by Cllr. Gandy, to ascertain if they would be willing to train the volunteers. The council agreed to book and pay for the hire of the village hall if such training needed to be provided locally. Mackay reported that she had stood down from her role of liaising with Orleton Flood Group.
- Adoption of the public open space in the new housing development opposite the school – The potential long-term costs of managing the land need to be further investigated. The council agreed to obtain advice from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust on managing the land and for the school also to be consulted.
- Planning applications –
211884 Land to the Northwest of Kings Road, Orleton. The council supported the proposed changes so long as they complied with building regulations. The council noted it’s disappointment with the continued use of fossil fuels in the development and that no solar panels were being installed. Cllr. Bowen would raise those issues with Herefordshire Council.
220410 Ye Olde House, Kitchen Hill Road, Orleton. No objections raised
220104 Agricultural building adjacent to Spout House, Green Lane, Orleton. The application did not require the council to comment however the council agreed to support the application if there was no major structural alteration to the building.
- Finance –
New bank account – The council agreed to change to Unity Trust Bank and for the clerk to proceed with the application to open new bank accounts.
Appoint a payroll provider – The council agreed to use Otella Payroll Services.
Consider application to apply for a drainage grant from the Highway Authority – The council agreed that the clerk should apply for the grant on behalf of the council.
- Lengthsman/Highways/Footpaths – see item 11
- Litter Pick – The large volume of leaf mould in the gullies was discussed. It was decided to ask the Lengthsman to deal with it this year and potentially look at strategy of dealing with the problem for future years.
- 20mph speed limit outside the school – The council asked Ward Cllr. Bowen to investigate the possibility of having a 20mph speed limit throughout the village. It was agreed that if this was not possible then a 20mph limit outside the school will be requested.
- Streetlights at Little Furlongs – The council agreed to request lighting at the junction of Little Furlongs and at the new housing development opposite the school.
- Consider request for a grant to support a new pavilion at the recreation ground – The council requested that the recreation committee obtain quotes for 2 options- A prefabricated structure with associated groundwork and any modifications required (windows etc) & Metal steel framed building, with associated fixtures and fittings and groundworks.
The clerk was requested to email the secretary of the recreation committee with this request.
- Consultation on Herefordshire Local Plan 2021-2041 Strategic Spatial Options – The Parish Council agreed that the clerk will be delegated to respond to this in consultation with the Chairman.
- Dog Bin in Green Lane – The clerk reported that confirmation had been received that the bin was currently being constructed by the supplier and when received the Lengthsman will be requested to put it in place.
- Proposal to establish a working group to support the village sustainability plan – Cllr. Mackay suggested that it was important to not look at matters in isolation and the council agreed to set up a working group. Mackay and Cllr. Burnham kindly agreed to be members of the group.
- Matters raised for the next meeting (no discussion) – Additional dog waste bin at St Georges Church and railway station at Woofferton.
- Employment matters – The council approved the employment contact for the new clerk.
- Date of next meeting – 7.30pm Thursday 24th March 2022
The meeting closed at 21.25 hours.