TARRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL (TPC)
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2025 AT 7.30 PM IN LADY EMILY COMMUNITY HALL
Present: Cllrs Jakki Cunningham, Paul Grey, Robert Hodges, Stuart Greenfield, Linzy Outtrim, John Tallis (Chairman) and Janette Ward.
In attendance: Paul Hayden (Clerk).
Public: One.
15/25 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted for Cllr Ian Howard and the Ward Councillor Cllr Graham Biggs.
16/25 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & WRITTEN DISPENSATION REQUESTS
None requested or declared.
17/25 MINUTES FROM THE ORDINARY MEETING OF TPC HELD ON THE 13th JANUARY 2025
RESOLVED: These minutes were approved as an accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.
18/25 PUBLIC SESSION
18.1/25 Members considered the Ward Councillor’s written report which is attached as
Annex A to these minutes.
18.2/25 There were no local resident views raised at this meeting.
19/25 HIGHWAY CONDITION CONCERNS
The following concerns have been submitted to the Ward Councillor for his support with resolving:
- The general poor condition of the roads within the parish.
- White lining on the A438 worn/eroded to such an extent as to be non-existent presenting a safety concern.
- The extremely poor condition of Durlow Common Road.
- Eroded road surfaces at Barrs Orchard and Station Road.
Traffic Regulation Orders and an ongoing issue in Little Tarrington relating to HGVs driving into the drainage ditch have been raised with the Ward Councillor for his support in resolving if required.
20/25 PLANNING
There were no planning consultations for Members consideration at this meeting.
Following the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024 Herefordshire Council Planning Department have arranged a session to discuss the status of the Local Plan and implication for Neighbourhood Development Plans.
RESOLVED: Cllr Tallis and the Clerk will attend the session scheduled for Monday the 24th March 2025 10am to 11.15am.
21/25 COMMUNITY COMMISSIONING
Members considered the update from the Clerk who reported that following the required meeting with the Balfour Beatty Locality Steward he has prepared a briefing note for the Herefordshire Council Officer in charge of Highways seeking guidance in progressing the project as there is a question over Balfour Beatty’s future involvement in community commissioning projects. This matter is currently with the Ward Councillor for his support (required before submission) and who will clarify responsibilities for some of the requested road calming measures prior to finalising the briefing note and submitting to Herefordshire Council.
22/25 FINANCE
22.1/25 Members received the financial reports from the Responsible Finance Officer.
22.2/25 Members considered and approved the following invoices:
22.2.1/25 Clerk’s January & February 2025 salaries.
22.2.2/25 PAYE months 10 & 11 £46.60.
22.2.3/25 Eyelid Productions annual website support INV-3834 £100.00.
22.2.4/25 Maitland Agency village website SSL certificate INV-27733 £90.00 plus VAT.
22.2.5/25 HALC 2025/26 affiliation & subscription fees £581.16 plus VAT.
22.2.6/25 Clerk’s expenses for 2024/25 dated 10 March 2025 £507.99.
22.2.7/25 RJ & JR Barrell invoice no. 0607 hedge trimming at Jubilee Green £100 plus VAT.
22.2.8/25 Lengthsman invoices 3756 & 3758 village green hedge trimming and drainage work £880 plus VAT.
23/25 VEGETATION, DITCH AND OTHER PROBLEM SURVEY
Members considered the report produced by Cllrs Grey and Tallis.
RESOLVED: Cllrs Grey and Tallis will visit the problem sites and present an updated report at the next meeting.
24/25 FOOTPATHS REPORT
The PFO reported that there are no new issues to be considered. The Clerk reported that the parish Lengthsman has received a copy of the footpath survey with all identified problems and the Lengthsman has agreed to liaise with the PFO to order styles and other materials and to gain landowner permission for effecting footpath repairs.
The PFO raised for consideration the padlocking of the gates preventing pedestrian access to the Registered Common at Little Tarrington (CL116).
RESOLVED: The Clerk requested to clarify the landowner’s responsibilities relating to the Registered Common at Little Tarrington (CL116) and present to Members.
25/25 VERGE CUTTING 2025
Members considered the request from Balfour Beatty asking if TPC wanted one or two verge cuts during the 2025 growing season.
RESOLVED: The Clerk requested to inform Balfour Beatty that two cuts of all verges in the parish area for road safety reasons required.
26/25 PARISH COUNCIL SUMMIT 8th APRIL 2025
Members considered participation.
RESOLVED: Cllr Tallis and the Clerk will attend on behalf of TPC.
27/25 WOOLHOPE NDP REG 16 CONSULTATION
Members considered the request from Herefordshire Council Neighbourhood Planning and Strategic Planning Team for comments. Members were impressed with the content and ambition of the plan and do not have any comments to make.
RESOLVED: The Clerk requested to submit a no comment return on behalf of TPC.
28/25 CHURCH LANE
Herefordshire Council have written to confirm that TPC’s application for an amendment to the List of Street is being assessed.
29/25 MATTERS RAISED FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING ON MONDAY 12th MAY 2025
Election of PC Chairman.
Election of other officers.
To review and approve Tarrington PC policies.
Local Plan & NDP update feedback.
Parish Council summit feedback.
Community commissioning project.
Vegetation, ditch and other problems report.
Parish Footpath Officer’s report.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9 pm.
SIGNED…………………………………………………… DATE………………………………………
ANNEX A to minutes 10th March 2025
Dear Residents
This is the time of year when the council confirms the Council tax bill incorporating the Council, West Mercia Police, Fire service and Parish precepts. Last month the council set its budget with support across all the political groups and only one councillor against. All precepts were passed at Fridays Full Council.
I attended the launch of the Youth Employment Hub, new hub offering education, employment and training information for young people aged 16-24. The Youth Employment Hub (YEH) aims to upskill, enable and empower young people, building their confidence and experience, supporting them through an important stage of development and aiming to give them future security. The hub is situated at 57-59 Bluecoat school street in Hereford and is a partnership between the Council and the Department of Work and Pensions. It has been so successful that it is clear an additional employment advisor needs to be appointed to the team.
Herefordshire Council has launched a Community Spaces Capital Grant Scheme to help voluntary and community groups to transform and improve existing and unused buildings for community benefit. Grants between 15k and 250K are available to fund renovations, new facilities and essential improvements. EOI’s are now in and being considered.
A multi group of public agencies carried out an operation at four locations and arrested nine people found illegally living and working in the county. Those arrested are now being processed by immigration as further investigations continue into illegal workers linked to organised crime gangs in our county.
We will shortly be announcing a programme of grants and funding from the UKSPF (levelling up) monies from government. This will be split across economic growth, skills and community. I’ll keep you posted as these are launched.
Cabinet have now had the initial designs presented for the new library and learning centre in Shirehall. We are considering these to ensure that this will be all it can and should be as a jewel at the heart of the life of the county.
Also within St Peters Square, I met with Rev Andy. The transformation in St Peters is wonderful. As a concert space it seats 250 and for dinners seats 100. When looking at the vision for Hereford, the significance of St Peters Sq including the Town Hall, Shirehall, St Peters and as the gateway to High Town should not be underestimated.
We are seeing some success with strategic housing. HC now owns Buttercross in Leominster – plans for the conversion of the top floor into 4 flats for affordable rent / emergency housing is now well underway. The building includes the library and some local shops. At the High Street end we are planning to have a business hub and a multi agency space.
You’ll remember I previously reported the desire to create a development company under the control of HC.
Following a best practice report on how other authorities approach strategic housing, I received backing from both scrutiny committee and the cross party working group. The proposal goes before Cabinet tomorrow. I expect the support of colleagues in Cabinet meaning we can get on with working through the detailed governance. It will mean we have a depoliticised route to deliver strategic housing to support those most in need and affordable housing for Hereford residents beyond this administration. (Update – this has been approved)
Last Monday I held the first meeting of the newly formed Hereford Business Growth Board.
An early action was to appoint a chair that must come from the private sector. Adrian Spellar, Joint Managing Director of Spellar Metcalf has taken the role of Chair. The board is a statutory requirement from Gov, directing the spend of UKSPF money I mentioned earlier and influencing the role of the Herefordshire Growth Hub in their role of business support.
Lastly potholes. Many of you will know following a survey of the B4224 it has been listed to benefit from the additional spend we have put into the capital budget. It has been scheduled for April through May with significant works to take place between the M50 and Fownhope, near Mordiford and surface dressing to take place between Mordiford and Haugh Woods.
I have passed on the issues kindly supplied by Tarrington PC and hope to update you soon. I have briefed the Clerk on the process.
Included in this is calling HC where potholes are a danger to any road user. If reported to me I am happy to do this for you.
Please feel free to contact me between meetings if I can help on these or other matters.
Graham Biggs
Ward Cllr Backbury Ward
Cabinet Member – Economy, Growth including Skills and Housing