Draft minutes 13 November 2023
TARRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL (TPC)
MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2023 AT 7.30 PM IN LADY EMILY COMMUNITY HALL
Present: Cllrs Paul Grey, Robert Hodges, John Tallis (Chairman), Janette Ward.
In attendance: Paul Hayden (Clerk).
Public: Four.
91/23 APOLOGIES
Apologies received and accepted from Cllrs Gillian Board, Jakki Cunningham, Ian Howard, Linzy Outtrim. Apologies were also received from the Ward Councillor, Cllr Graham Biggs.
92/23 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & WRITTEN DISPENSATION REQUESTS
Cllr Tallis declared an interest for agenda item 104/23 LECH funding request. Cllr Hodges also declared an interest for the same agenda item. As this would leave only two Members to consider the request it was agreed to defer consideration of this item until the next meeting. No written dispensations requested.
93/23 MINUTES FROM THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 11th SEPT 2023
RESOLVED: These minutes were approved as an accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.
94/23 PUBLIC SESSION
94.1/23 The Ward Councillor did not attend and so no report was presented.
94.2/23 A local resident raised their opposition to turning the green space and play area in Pound Close into resident parking. The resident feels strongly that the parish council should maintain this area in its current form as it is a well-used community area. The resident stated that they would be prepared to support a modification to the area to allow the creation of some extra parking if the parish council decided to support the request to create additional parking, but would not support the complete removal of the play area.
95/23 REQUEST TO CONVERT POUND CLOSE PLAY AREA INTO RESIDENT PARKING
Members considered requests received from two residents of Pound Close to turn the play area into parking. The play area is owned by Herefordshire Council and is protected as a green space in the made Neighbourhood Development Plan, and as such, it would be difficult to obtain planning permission to convert into a parking area. Members concluded that the demand for a play area/green space in this location and the benefit achieved by local residents from the play area outweigh the benefit that would be achieved by converting into a parking space.
RESOLVED: To oppose the conversion of the play area in Pound Close to parking and the Clerk is requested to write to the Herefordshire Council Officers concerned of this resolution and to inform them that the area is included as a protected green space in the Tarrington NDP.
96/23 ROAD MARKINGS IN LITTLE TARRINGTON
The Ward Councillor has informed the Clerk that he is progressing the speed issues in Little Tarrington, namely painting red and white road markings, repainting the eroded ‘SLOW’ road markings and to improve the road marking at Little Tarrington Farm, which although recently repainted, look temporary in nature. Secondly, he will look to apply for a speed reduction to 40mph on the section of road around Little Tarrington Farm, the Campsite and the new housing development.
RESOLVED: The Ward Councillor requested to keep Members informed of progress.
97/23 TARRINGTON ARMS RESTORATION
The owner of the Tarrington Arms kindly updated Members on the restoration progress. The leadwork has been completed on the roof. The grass area and car park have been swapped over and the milk vending shed has been built and is expected to be operational in early December 2023. Planning applications will be submitting to instal log-burners in the main and back bar areas, and also for new toilets. Work is continuing rectifying unapproved building work completed by previous owners which is deemed by Herefordshire Council Planning Department not to be in-keeping with the building. There is still a great deal of work to be completed before they can re-open as an inn and the owner was unable to give any dates for re-opening at this stage.
98/23 PLANNING
Members considered the following Planning Consultations:
98.1/23 Planning Consultation – 233015 – Shepherds Cottage, Eastwood, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 2RP. Proposed urgent repair works to timber frame – including posts, studs and sole plate with attention to infill panels on facade with intervention to restore structural integrity. Listed Building Consent.
RESOLVED: To support this application.
98.2/23 Planning Consultation – 233079 – 6 Leys Farm, Tarrington, Hereford HR1 4EX. To install new 19mm double glazed units to existing front door & frame. Install new flue pipe to serve wood burning stove. Listed Building Consent.
RESOLVED: To support this application.
99/23 COUNCIL PLANNING SPOKESPERSON AND DEPUTY
Members considered the HALC recommended good practise of appointing a spokesperson and deputy to represent the Council on planning matters.
RESOLVED: To defer this item to the next meeting.
100/23 SECTION 106 PRIORITIES
Members considered the HALC recommended good practise of regularly reviewing S106 priorities for the parish and sending to Herefordshire Council Planning Department.
RESOLVED: Individual councillors will send their ideas to the Clerk for consideration at the next meeting.
101/23 ROAD SAFETY
Members considered the update from Cllr Hodges on road safety matters. Key points included:
- The gully at the junction of Church Lane and School Road is still blocked due to a broken drain-pipe. Cllr Hodges has raised with BBLP the urgent concern of flooding, particularly in icy conditions.
- Road markings by Little Tarrington Farm. The eroded white lines at the junction with the road accessing Little Tarrington Farm have been re-painted, but is considered to be poorly done. The worn ‘SLOW’ road markings have not been re-painted.
- The dangerous worn road markings at Durlow Lane have not been re-painted.
- The blocked drains on both sides of the A438 towards the end of the village heading towards Little Tarrington have been cleared.
- Cllr Grey and the Clerk are meeting (16th November 2023) to tour the parish to produce a list of all the road drains and gullies in the parish for the Clerk’s reference and use for reporting and arranging remedial work.
102/23 SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE (SID) INSTALLATION
Formal permission has been received from Herefordshire Council for TPC to instal a SID at Garbrook.
RESOLVED: The Clerk requested to progress installation using the ground screw and hinged post installation method. The Parish Lengthsman will instal.
103/23 TARRINGTON TATLER
Members considered the request for a grant of £700 for the 2024/25 financial year.
RESOLVED: Grant request for £700 agreed. Clerk to arrange payment.
104/23 LECH FUNDING REQUEST
LECH have request grant support to contribute to the playing field maintenance cost; the playing field is a community facility provided at no charge to all residents.
RESOLVED: To defer to the next meeting.
105/23 FINANCE
105.1/23 Members approved the financial reports from the Responsible Finance Officer (RFO).
105.2/23 Members considered all the invoices listed by the RFO.
105.2.1/23 Richard Morgan Jubilee Green mowing invoices 1787, 1810 & 1811 for £330.00.
105.2.2/23 Richard Mills invoice 3666 £56.62 plus VAT.
105.2.3/23 Autela Payroll Services Ltd invoice 12212 £48.32 plus VAT.
105.2.4/23 Clerk’s September 2023 and October 2023 salaries.
105.2.5/23 Clerk’s expenses 23 October 2023 £310.44.
105.3/23 To consider White Digital quotation to tidy-up village website £180 plus VAT.
RESOLVED: All invoices approved for payment.
RESOLVED: White Digital quotation approved.
106/23 TO CONSIDER THE 2024/25 BUDGET AND SET PRECEPT
Members considered the proposed 2024/25 balanced budget and precept.
RESOLVED: The 2024/25 budget was approved and the precept set at £18,150.
107/23 JUBILEE GREEN MAINTENANCE
Members considered the proposal to reduce the mowing frequency to save money.
RESOLVED: To continue to mow at the existing frequency. Item completed.
108/23 FOOTPATHS
Members considered the Parish Footpath Officer’s report. Residents at Durlow Chapel have reported that the footpath (TR15) from above Aldersend Farm to Durlow is impassable due to no footpath provided by the landowner through the field crops as required under public rights of way legislation.
RESOLVED: The Clerk is requested to identify the owner of Aldersend Farm.
109/23 PARISH WALKS LEAFLET
Cllr Board was unable to attend this meeting to present her ideas.
RESOLVED: Item deferred to the next meeting.
110/23 SCHOOL LANE FOOTPATH RESTORATION
Members considered the proposed restoration of an old footpath on School Lane. The Parish Lengthsman has been asked to clear the vegetation along the route in School Lane. Once this has been cleared an assessment can be made on the feasibility of restoring the footpath.
RESOLVED: Cllr Ward and the Clerk requested to progress and keep Members informed of progress.
111/23 H&WFRS RISK CONSULTATION
Members considered the update from Cllr Grey. The response highlighted concerns over pressures on services due to ageing population, impact of climate change, the impact of new houses as well as the ability of emergency services to respond. Cllr Grey has responded on behalf of the parish council.
RESOLVED: Item completed and removed from the agenda.
112/23 TARRINGTON EVENTS COMMITTEE
Members considered the request for TPC to fund or fund-raise to purchase gazebos and stalls to be stored in LECH. Members were unable to reach a decision as not enough information was provided by the events committee.
RESOLVED: The Clerk requested to ask for further information for the next meeting.
113/23 PC MEETINGS 2024
Members considered meeting dates for 2024.
RESOLVED: TPC will meet on Mondays at 7.30pm in Lady Emily Community Hall on the following dates in 2024:
8th January 2024
11th March 2024
13th May 2024 Annual meeting of Tarrington Parish Council
8th July 2024
9th September 2024
11th November 2024
The Tarrington annual parish meeting will be held on Monday the 13th May 2024 time TBC.
114/23 COMMUNITY PROJECT
Members considered the quotation for work to create a parking area in Church Lane. It was agreed that the Chairman and Clerk will meet with the landowner to discuss moving the project forward.
RESOLVED: Quotation approved, Clerk requested to arrange meeting with the landowner.
115/23 MATTERS RAISED FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING ON MONDAY 8th JANUARY 2024
Little Tarrington road safety issue.
Pound Close play area.
Council planning spokesperson and deputy.
Parish Section 106 priorities.
LECH funding request.
Tarrington Events Committee request.
Road safety.
SID installation.
Footpaths Officer’s report.
School Road footpath restoration.
Parish walks leaflet.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30 pm.
SIGNED…………………………………………………… DATE………………………………………
Annex A to parish council meeting minutes 13 November 2023
Tarrington Parish Council Budget for 2024/25
| BUDGET | BUDGET 2024/25 |
| INCOME | |
| Precept | 18,150.00 |
| Bank Interest | 27.00 |
| VAT reclaimed | 500.00 |
| 18,677.00 | |
| EXPENDITURE | |
| Council Insurance | 350.00 |
| Clerks Salary & HMRC PAYE | 5,500.00 |
| Payroll Service | 290.00 |
| Clerk’s home allowance | 100.00 |
| Clerk travel expenses | 250.00 |
| Postage | 30.00 |
| Stationery & Computer Security | 135.00 |
| Internal Audit | 30.00 |
| ICO (Data Protection) | 35.00 |
| LECH Hire | 150.00 |
| LECH Insurance Donation | 995.00 |
| Lengthsman | 1,500.00 |
| Jubilee Green – grass cutting | 1,450.00 |
| Jubilee Green – hedge cutting | 380.00 |
| Jubilee Green projects | 300.00 |
| P3 footpaths | 900.00 |
| Asset Maintenance | 500.00 |
| Parish Council Website Fees | 200.00 |
| Village Website Fees | 450.00 |
| HALC Subsciption | 650.00 |
| HALC Training Courses | 270.00 |
| HGN subscription | 60.00 |
| Donation Tatler Magazine | 700.00 |
| Donations LECH | 1,500.00 |
| Contingencies | 550.00 |
| Community projects | 1,400.00 |
| 18,675.00 | |