MINUTES OF ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 27 JANUARY 2022
PRESENT: B Gandy – Chairman; P Burnham – Vice Chairman; L Mackay; S Perry; E Clanzy-Hodge; and P Hardwick.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Cllr. Bowen; and R Hewitt (Clerk). There were twelve members of the public present.
1. Apologies for absence – M Simmons.
2. Declarations of interest and written dispensations on agenda items – None.
3. Invitation to members of the public to address the council – The Chairman suspended the time limit of 15 minutes for public participation and said members of the public who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.
A member of the public objected that part of the meeting may be held in closed session and left the meeting. A member of the public urged the parish council to consider their obligation to achieve best value when considering whether or not to make an offer to purchase the shop and post office building. A member of the public said the latest accounts to December 2021 should be part of the information considered in order to have an up to date view of the business. A member of the public raised a concern that a community asset could become a liability.
The following members of the public objected to the meeting being held in closed session for consideration of items minuted below as # 6 and 7 and asked that their names are published in the formal minutes: Mr D Lane, Mr C Mitchell, Ms A Lee, Mrs S Rogers, Mr B Rogers, Prof. F Read, Mrs A Read, Mr J Betteridge and Mrs P Betteridge.
The parish council agreed to the request so long as written consent is given by the individual members of the public for the publication of their names, and this was provided.
A member of the public asked why a community benefit society had not been formed to run the shop and business and suggested that an appeal to do so be made to the wider community. A member of the public said any consultation on the purchase of the shop and post office building should be carried out independently.
4. Receive report on Herefordshire Council – Ward Cllr. Bowen reported on the recent meeting of the county council, children’s services, and decision to have no fireworks on Herefordshire Council owned land.
(The parish council unanimously voted to hold the meeting in closed session to consider a report on a meeting with the vendors for the purchase of the shop and Post Office building and potential negotiating strategy going forward, and employment matters.)
5. Employment matters – It was resolved to appoint Lisa Davies Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. The current Clerk will be employed until 20 February 2022 to enable an orderly hand over to the new Clerk. The new Clerk will be paid from 1 February 2022 and become Clerk and RFO by the time of the next meeting in February 2022. The Clerk was delegated to decide the timing of this in consultation with Ms Davies.
6. Report on negotiations with vendors for the purchase of the shop and Post Office building – A verbal report on a meeting held with the vendors by Cllrs. Mackay and Burnham was noted.
7. Consider whether or not to make an offer for the purchase of the shop and Post Office building subject to valuation, community consultation, finding a tenant, structural survey, financing, and contract – The parish council unanimously resolved to suspend activities for the time being in respect of a possible purchase of the building pending the potential for a private sale. It is understood that the shop and PO is to be put on the market, and it is hoped that this will result in a successful private sale. A statement to communicate this decision will be issued by the Clerk.
8. Date of next meeting – 7.30pm on Thursday 17 February 2022.
The meeting closed at 9.02pm.