WIGMORE GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
WIGMORE GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 12
September 2016
PUBLIC SESSION : Members of the public present: 4
Residents raised the following concerns:
*General state and appearance of Wigmore village – overgrown ash
saplings and weeds on boundary fence between A4110 and school
playing fields; Bury Lane Playing Field has rubble, an old toilet
and 2 knocked-down concrete plinths still on lying on the ground;
some residents ignoring responsibilities to maintain their gardens,
hedges or weeds on their boundaries. A suggestion that parents
could be asked to do some tidying up on school property. AM will
refer this to the school governors.
*Road safety – Further concerns expressed regarding the safety
of pedestrians around the narrow junction of Ford Street and the
A4110. See Item 3.3. A lollipop lady/man was suggested. Also a
request that parents stop parking on the pavement when dropping off
or picking up pupils from the schools. AM will refer this to Dean
Curtis (Head Teacher)
*Street Lights not working – See item 10.
ACTION
1
Present: Graham Probert (GP)(Chairman); Vic Harnett (VH)(Vice
Chairman), Alan Dowdy (AD), Jenny Johnson (JJ); Bryan Casbourne
(BC); Kevan Perkins (KP)
Apologies: Helena Leclezio (HL); Clare Major (CM) – absences
previously notified and accepted.
In attendance: Mike Brookes – Locality Steward BBLP (MB); Cllr
Carole Gandy – Mortimer Ward; (CG); Alison MacArthur – Wigmore
School (AM); Jano Rochefort - Clerk (JR).
2
Declarations of Interest: Cllr Dowdy – Item 6.2; Cllr Casbourne
– Director Wigmore CIC.
3
Open Session: reports received as follows:
3.1 Mike Brookes – Locality Steward: With reference to the Ford
Street junction issue MB re-iterated that a footway was not
possible because of the legislation on minimum width. Traffic
lights would probably be most helpful but that the cost would be
very high. VH asked if MB could find out what Hfds Council’s
minimum road width was as it did not seem to be on their
website.
3.2 Alison MacArthur – Wigmore School: AM started by saying that
Wigmore High’s GCSE results had been good once again although the
Hereford Times report had been somewhat brief and not easy to find.
AM thanked the volunteers who had joined in the litter picking
event the previous day. She would pass on the suggestion to
encourage parents to get involved in keeping the school area tidy.
Feedback from the litter pick noted that the cut-though from the
schools to Ford Street was rather full of litter. KP asked AM to
alert pupils to the danger of ‘nipping’ behind of or in front of
the school buses to cross the road.
3.3 Cllr Carole Gandy - Ward Councillor. (CG) reported the
following items:
Planning issues: Hfds Council has a new planning application
policy to better involve the public and parish councils, with
greater clarity on the process especially on making objections. CG
raised the issue that in rural areas it is almost impossible to get
sufficient objectors to trigger consideration of the application by
the planning committee. Also there is no consistency in officers
changing consultation dates on the website.
The Oak – Despite discussions with the agent regarding the
removal of the yew tree, no application for this has yet been
received by Hfds Council.
Hfds Council Consultations: CG encouraged everyone to take part
in the Budget consultation and the County Bus Service consultation.
Apathy will result in a loss of services especially for those most
in need of them.
Ford Street footway: CG met with Sean Rooney (SR) (Head of
Highways) and inspected the junction. SR has provided a map of the
junction. SR stated that regardless of ownership, the extent of the
highway at this point goes up to the wall of The Oak. The blue area
on the map shows the extent of the highway. (Appendix 1). SR
confirmed that no footpath could be installed at the narrowest
point of the road as the absolute minimum width allowed is 1 metre.
SR noted the amount of vegetation overhanging the road and
suggested asking the pub’s permission to trim it back. Various
suggestions had been considered. A ‘One Way’ system would cause
issues for accessing properties on Ford Street and Bury Lane is too
narrow and windy as it is. A ‘Priority’ system would not work as
there is no clear view ahead from either Ford Street or Broad
Street (A4110). CG and SR agreed erecting ‘No footway for ….. yds’
signs would help – one on Ford Street and one on the lamp post
(owned by WGPC) at the A4110 junction. The cost would be in the
region of £535 for 1 sign and £700 for two signs. CG said it would
help make the case if instances of ‘near misses’ were reported to
her.
Hfds Council Budget Presentation: CG attended this presentation
regarding the on-going savings that need to be found. One point
made was that some 3000 people in receipt of some form of
council-funded care consume over half the available council budget.
Much of that care could be done by volunteers – shopping, cleaning,
gardening, transport. Could parish councils help by co-ordinating
schemes e.g. Good Neighbour schemes of volunteers thus saving
social care money to be spent elsewhere on the more vulnerable?
MB
4
To adopt the minutes of previous meetings: 11 July and 6 August
2016:
The minutes of the 11 July meeting were proposed as a true
record. Proposer - VH; Seconded - AD. ACCEPTED unanimously. The
chairman signed the minutes.
The minutes of the 6 August meeting were proposed as a true
record. Proposer - AD; Seconded - GP. ACCEPTED unanimously. The
chairman signed the minutes.
5
Update on matters previously considered:
5.1 Defibrillator –. Volunteers will now be sought for training
in the late autumn after the village show and Open Gardens events
have finished at the end of September.
5.2 Litter in Wigmore – The litter pick was successful with over
20 volunteers including 2 families involved. The amount of litter
collected was less than the previous event which is encouraging.
Following an investigation into the abnormal amount of litter
placed every week in the Wigmore litter bins and with follow up
action the amount in the bins has reduced significantly.
5.3 Provision of dog bags in Wigmore – KP expressed concern that
the provision of free dog bags was being abused by certain dog
owners who were taking many more bags than were warranted. It was
agreed that the bag dispenser would be removed, the remaining bags
would go to the shop and a limited number handed out at a time. A
notice to explain this would be placed on the Bury Lane Field
bins.
5.4 Bury Lane Playing Field – The portacabin has been removed
but a portaloo and some chairs remain. A new sign for the field is
being investigated. The play equipment needs repairing.
5.5 Leinthall Starkes Vehicle Speed Assessment – Ian Connolly
(Safer Roads Partnership) had been to the village in June. He
reported that there was no suitable location for the team to park a
car to carry out enforcement. Also the hourly volume of traffic was
too low for them to be involved. He commented that the 40mph signs
were obscured by foliage and needed cutting back. JR has asked CSPO
Knight to re-check car speeds now the new school year has
started.
5.6 Road Safety in Wigmore – The Ford Street junction issue had
already been extensively discussed earlier. It was agreed to
consider buying ‘No footway …’ signs independently from BBLP.
Similarly to get quotes from another supplier for Village Gateway
signs. BBLP will need to erect both sets of signs and also need to
scan the ground where the Gateway signs are proposed to ensure no
pipes, wires or cables will be damaged.
5.7 Millennium Green Garden and the Cross of the Tree phone box
– JR informed councillors that Hfds Council owned the Millennium
Green Garden land. It had been the site of a house called Castle
Cottage but this had been demolished in 1973 to improve the
visibility splay from Castle Street. The parish council then took
over maintenance of the site. Hfds Council, as owners of the land,
has been informed of the intention to site the Cross of the Tree
phone box in the garden next to the lamp post. GP will check if the
phone box still has an electricity supply before getting it moved
to the garden. It is proposed that the phone box will then be used
as a tourist information point.
5.8 Elton Vacancy – Gill Bilbrough of Petchfield House, Elton
has expressed her willingness to serve as the councillor for Elton.
Gill’s résumé had been circulated to councillors earlier and all
were happy to welcome Gill onto the council. Gill will attend her
first meeting in November when the necessary forms will be
signed.
JR
BC/JR
JR
JR
JR
GP
6
Lengthsman & P3 Schemes:
6.1 AD reported that DC Gardening Services (Dave Campbell) had
done a good job of clearing the Wigmore Castle footpaths and at a
reasonable rate. It was agreed that he should be taken on as both
the P3 contractor and lengthsman for the parishes. GP will meet
with Mr Campbell soon to discuss the areas of the parishes that
require attention under the Lengthsman scheme.
6.2 AD reported that he has been walking more footpaths around
Wigmore and most provide reasonable access. However footpath WQ1 is
now closed for 6 months as the bridge over the stream by the pond
is dangerous – it has a plank missing. It was agreed that AD could
purchase equipment (secateurs, long handled shears and clout nails)
to the value of up to £100.
GP
AD
7
Finance: There was a brief discussion regarding the value of
continuing with the broadband payment. It was agreed to continue
with it for the time being but that it needed to be more widely
publicised for individuals to use. Item for the next
newsletter.
All Payments from the budget as shown below. Proposer - VH;
Seconded – AD. APPROVED unanimously.
BC
8
Planning: Updates on applications:
8.1 161448 – Wigmore High School, HR6 9UW – Insertion of 5 no.
windows into cladding at Sports Hall. Approved with conditions
8.2 160286 – Millennium Green Garden – removal of silver birch
tree. Powerlines have contacted the Tree Preservation Officer who
is adamant that the tree must remain. Powerlines will therefore
trim the tree sometime in the autumn/winter.
8.3 162083 - 4 Glen View, Wigmore, HR6 9UU – Erection of single
detached dwelling & garage. This application has been withdrawn
temporarily as the applicant needs to advertise a notice seeking
permission for access over a private drive where ownership is
unknown.
9
Provision of free sandbags for winter: It was agreed to order
the maximum 150 empty sandbags from BBLP and store them at the
village hall.
JR
10
Street lights maintenance in Wigmore: JR had been informed by a
resident that a WGPC owned street light outside Bury Court Farm had
not been working for some time. On investigation it was found that
WGPC owned and was responsible for a total of 10 street lights in
Wigmore – 3 on Broad Street (A4110), 2 on Castle Street and 5 on
Ford Street. These had been installed, at WGPC’s expense, over a
period of years, the bulk being put in in the mid 1970’s. At that
time WGPC had been given to understand that once installed, the
then county council would take over responsibility for maintenance
and electricity. This had not happened. Despite several requests
from the parish council the answer was always ‘lack of money’. JR
asked BBLP to come and do a visual inspection of the WGPC street
lights with a view to cleaning, changing lamps and repairing where
necessary. It was noted that two lights did not work and one light
post had a crack in the concrete base. The BBLP quote for the
maintenance work totals £2253.55 excl VAT. The electricity is
supplied by Npower. The supply is unmetered, Npower have worked out
a yearly kwh for 10 lights, so WGPC has been paying out for the
faulty lights for an unknown period of time. The estimated annual
electricity cost is £578. JR has made enquiries with neighbouring
parish councils that also have street lights – Leintwardine,
Orleton and Kingsland – none of them are required to pay for their
lights. It was agreed this situation was unfair to the residents of
WGPC and that Cllr Gandy would take this issue up with BBLP. JR is
to ask CSPO Knight about the safety implications if all the WGPC
owned street lights were turned off. No action to be taken at
present on the BBLP quote.
CG
JR
11
Policies for Review:
11.1 The Standing Orders, with amendments as agreed at 11 July
2016 meeting, were duly signed by the Chairman.
11.2 The Press and Media policy were reviewed and were AGREED
unanimously. The chairman signed the policy.
12
Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP):
12.1 There are some minor amendments to make to the Wigmore
Group NDP (formatting errors; re-positioning the Wigmore settlement
boundary to run parallel with Bury Lane Playing Field; delete
‘adjacent to’ and replace with ‘inside’). An informal meeting with
Sam Banks (Hfds Council NDP officer) went well. The final version
will be presented to WGPC at the October meeting and if approved
then the Regulation 14 consultation can start.
12.2 Leintwardine GPC’s NDP consultation. This does not impact
on WGPC area so there is no comment to make.
BC
13
Herefordshire Council Consultations:
13.1 Traveller Sites – BC had been to a public meeting on this
matter. Nothing is planned for Wigmore in the next 5 years.
13.2 New Standards Procedure for Complaints – AD queried that if
the complaint is rejected by the Monitoring Officer then the
‘subject member’ is not informed at all. Other councillors felt
this was the appropriate course of action.
13.3 2017/18 Budget Consultation – CG encouraged everyone to
take part. See item 3.3
13.4 County Bus services & Community Transport - CG
encouraged everyone to take part. See item 3.3. CG noted that buses
491/498 and 489 go though Wigmore and are vital to those who don’t
have private transport. All should be maintained and enhanced.
ALL
ALL
14
Safer West Mercia Plan consultation: CG encouraged everyone to
respond especially with regard to rural road safety. See item
3.3
ALL
15
Correspondence, Training and Meetings: Correspondence as below.
AD will attend the Tree Warden Training and the Parish Briefing. JR
will attend ‘Fun with Finance’ a HALC session.
AD & JR
16
Matters for next scheduled meeting: KP requested leave of
absence for the next few meetings due to a scheduled operation.
Noted and granted.
Date of next meeting: Monday 3 October 2016 at 8pm. NB. One week
earlier than usual monthly meeting schedule.
The meeting closed at 10.20pm
APPENDIX 1
FINANCE – SEPTEMBER 2016
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS
BALANCE AT 25/08/16 - £31,538.76 – (incl. RECEIPTS £1,137.80
(VAT refund July 2015 – May 2016) )
No uncleared cheques
NOTES:
EARMARKED RESERVES: £8390.28 Bury Lane Playing Field (Goalposts
- £899 paid for out of Comm. Field Fund; Topping field - £156;
Playground inspection - £60.72)); £386.42 P3 scheme (Wigmore Castle
footpath upgrade - £813.58 from 2014-15 P3 fund); £1884 Election
fund (Full Term elections - £116) £1140 Signage (Road sign ‘Parking
residents only’ - £60); £3000 Parish Council match funding for
Lenghtsman/P3 schemes.
TOTAL: (Earmarked reserves (£14,800.70) + NDP grant (£2,600)) =
£17,400.70
RESIDUAL AMOUNT: £14,138.06
i)
PAYMENTS from General funds
Supplier
Item
Amount £ incl. VAT
VAT £
1
Plusnet/ Dir Debit
Broadband (June) @ £33 per month
33.00
5.50
2
J Rochefort
Clerk’s Aug 16 salary £267.43 + Stamps £6.60 + paper £3.00 +
home-working contribution @ £18 p.m.
295.03
-
3
One Stop Print Shop
Printing Mortimer Village News. This invoice was paid by B
Casbourne. Chq cancelled and re-issued to B Casbourne in Oct
2016.
135.00
-
4
Registry
Fees (£40 x 2) for registering Bury Lane Playing Field Deed of
Dedication
80.00
-
5
B Casbourne
Stationery for NDP (Roundabout Stationery)
5.48
0.91
6
TOTAL PAYMENTS FROM PRECEPT / COMMUNITY FIELD FUND
413.51
6.41
ii)
PAYMENTS FROM LENGTHSMAN / P3 FUNDS
DC Gardening Services
Strimming & cutting back hedges on Jacobs Ladder fp
(July)
Strimming Wigmore Castle fp (Aug)
216.00
36.00
POSTBAG – Correspondence received since 11/7/16
Date received
From
About
Action Required
Date forwarded
11/7/16
HALC
Information Corner
For Info
12/7/16
12/7/16
Hfds Council
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
For Info
12/7/16
14/7/16
Hfds Council
July Funding Opportunities
For Info
14/7/16
15/7/16
BBLP
Weekly Briefing
For Info
15/7/16
18/7/16
Hfds Council
Litter Picking Info
For Info
18/7/16
20/7/16
BBLP
TRO workshop on 4/8/16
For Info
20/7/16
22/7/16
BBLP
Weekly Briefing
For Info
22/7/16
22/7/16
Hfds Council
Travellers Sites Consultation
For Sept meeting
25/7/16
25/7/16
BBLP
Sandbag order form
For Sept meeting
??????
25/7/16
Herefordshire Rural Hub
August e-newsletter
For Info
25/7/16
26/7/16
Community First
E Bulletin
For Info
26/7/16
29/7/16
BBLP
Weekly Briefing
For Info
29/7/16
1/8/16
Hfds Council
New complaints procedure
For Sept meeting
1/8/16
1/8/16
Hfds Council
2017-18 Budget consultation
For Info
1/8/16
4/8/16
West Mercia Police
SNT Newsletter August
For Info
6/8/16
4/8/16
PCC
Safer West Mercia Police Consultation – ends 16/9/16
For Sept meeting
6/8/16
5/8/16
BBLP
Weekly Briefing
For Info
6/8/16
5/8/16
Hfds Council
Public Green Spaces Grant
For Info
6/8/16
5/8/16
Hfds Council
Bus & Community transport Consultation
For Sept meeting
6/8/16
10/8/16
Hfds Council
August Funding Update
For Info
10/8/16
12/8/16
BBLP
Weekly Briefing
For Info
13/8/16
15/8/16
HALC
Information Corner
For Info
15/8/16
19/8/16
BBLP
Weekly Briefing
For Info
19/8/16
23/8/16
Leintwardine GPC
NDP Consultation Reg.16
For Sept meeting
28/8/16
25/8/16
BBLP
Senior Management Changes
For Info
25/8/16
26/8/16
BBLP
Weekly Briefing
For Info
19/8/16
27/8/16
Hfds Council
Tree Warden Training 13/9/16 *
For Info
1/9/16
31/8/16 & 6/9/16
BBLP
Parish Briefing 11/10/16 *
For Info
1/9/16 & 6/9/16
6/9/16
HALC
Training Courses Oct-Dec 2016*
For Info
6/9/16
5/9/16
BBLP
Sept newsletter
For Info
6/9/16
1/9/16
Hfds Council
Planning update 6/10/16 *
For Info
6/9/16
7/9/16
BBLP
TRO Briefing
For Info
7/9/16
WGPC DRAFT minutes – 12.09.16 Page 1 of 9
