News Updates

Notice is hereby given that Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council will meet online
at 7.30 pm on Thursday 30 July 2020

THIS WILL BE AN ONLINE MEETING VIA ZOOM
Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should click on the following link:

7.30 pm: Click to join online Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81160448793?

1. Apologies for absence

2. Co-opt one new member to the parish council

3. Declarations of Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation
(Declaration of any disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at the meeting whether or not it is included in the register of interests. Members are reminded that they are required to leave the room during discussing and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest whether or not the interest is entered into the register of members’ interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer.)

4. Minutes of the previous meeting – 20 May 2020

5. Report from the Herefordshire Councillor for Bircher Ward

6. To invite views and discussion from members of the parish

7. Planning
Update on planning decisions by Herefordshire Council

8. Financial Items
a) To consider outstanding payments:
Luston Group Parish Council, share of new SID batteries and maintenance contract 2020-21 – £514.00
Hitrees, lengthsman – £30.00
Eyelid Productions, accessibility upgrade to website – £50.00
HALC, Leading Lights training – £48.00
Clerk, pads for defibrillator – £43.80
The Clerk, wages April-July 2020 – £729.53
R Bayliss, footpaths maintenance – £ tbc

b) Implementation of electronic banking for payments – Update and agree next steps
c) To ratify payments made by the Clerk under delegated powers
d) External Audit and Annual Return 2020-21 – Update and agree next steps

9. Review appointment of lengthsman for 2020-21

10. Review Drainage grant application and agree next steps

11. Report and recommendations from working group for road safety initiatives on the B4361 through Richards Castle village

12. Report and recommendations from steering group on the NDP review and agree next steps

13. Proposal to increase the frequency of parish council meetings

14. Reports from parish councillor representatives
a) Footpaths
b) Lengthsman
c) Highways
d) Good neighbour scheme
e) Village hall/ communications and PC reports

15. Clerk’s Report

16. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)

17. Close meeting and date of next meeting

Clerk to the Parish Council
26 July 2020

MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (HEREFORDSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 PM ON THURSDAY 23 JANUARY 2020

PRESENT Mr R Alden (Chairman); Ms L Allwright; Ms L Munn; Mr M Ayres; Mr P Enzer; and Ward Cllr. Bowen.

IN ATTENDANCE Mr R Hewitt, Clerk. One member of the public was present.

19/79 Apologies – The resignation of Mr S Greetham from the parish council was noted, and Mr Greetham was thanked for his service to the community.

19/80 Co-opt a new member to the parish council – Mr P Enzer was co-opted to the parish council. Mr Enzer signed the declaration of acceptance of office and joined the meeting.

19/81 Declarations of Members Interest and Requests for Dispensation – None.

19/82 Minutes of the previous meeting – The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2019 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

19/83 Election of Vice Chairman – Deferred.

19/84 Report from the Herefordshire Councillor for Bircher Ward
Ward Cllr. Bowen reported on the closure of the road between Kingsland and Yarpole which has since re-opened. A permanent repair is expected to be completed in April 2020. A new roundabout is to be built at the Lawton Cross junction of the A4110. There has been no action from Highways England on the roundabout requested for the Salwey Arms junction of the A49. Ward Cllr. Bowen said he has proposed that the county council borrow funds to help improve the roads. The 2020-21 budget has been proposed including an increase in Council Tax of 3.9 percent with 2 percent earmarked for social care. A decision on the Hereford bypass is likely to be made in July 2020. The NMITE University will welcome the first 50 students later this year. Herefordshire Council has restored an historic vintage steamroller.

19/85 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
There were no matters raised.

19/86 Planning
194423 Tan Cottage, Richards Castle, SY8 4EL – Permission to add a 2 storey extension. The parish council agreed to support the planning application.

19/87 Financial Items
i) It was agreed to support the installation of broadband/ wifi at the village hall with a donation of £132.42. Richards Castle (Shropshire) Parish Council will be asked to share the cost.
ii) The following payment was agreed: Richards Castle Village Hall, installation of wifi services (£132.42).

19/88 Clerk’s Report
The notice of casual vacancy provided by electoral services has been publicised in the parish. The SIDs were deployed on 10 January and will be taken down week beginning 3 February 2020. New batteries have been purchased so there is now a full reserve. The yellow transfer is to be applied at the end of March/ early April 2020 [a sample of the yellow transfer was noted]. Due to the narrow verge and blind summit, deploying and removing the reserve batteries will require the assistance of the SID lengthsman. The Chairman is to attend a climate change workshop at Leominster in February 2020. Herefordshire Council is to review the transport strategy for Hereford.

19/89 Reports from parish councillor representatives
a) Footpaths: Cllr. Alden said a new gate is due to be put in next week. Poor weather has hampered other planned maintenance. A rotten stile was reported and will be checked.
b) Lengthsman: Cllr. Enzer kindly offered to be the lengthsman coordinator.
c) Highways: Cllr. Enzer kindly offered to be the highways representative on the parish council. Ward Cllr. Bowen reported that Orchard Rise and Castle Road may be included in Balfour Beatty’s programme for 2020-21.
d) Good neighbour scheme: Cllr. Allwright thanked Cllr. Munn for her support in setting up the scheme, which is due to start being able to help local people in early April 2020.
e) Village hall/ communications: Cllr. Munn said there is a Mortimer Society event at Moor Park School, and plots are available via the Allotment Association.

19/90 Road safety initiatives for B4361
A report on the meeting held with West Mercia Police’s traffic management advisor was noted. An assessment of the problem and options to address speeding on the B4361will be requested from Balfour Beatty via Community Commissioning. It was agreed to request a site meeting with Balfour Beatty and the West Mercia Police traffic management advisor to discuss the options that might be available.

19/91 SID socket by county boundary
It was decided to take no action on the proposal to move the SID socket by the county boundary. Richards Castle (Shropshire) Parish Council will be approached to discuss a proposed request to Shropshire Council for a traffic regulation order to reduce the speed limit from 30 to 40mph. This would remove the need to consider relocating the SID socket.

19/92 Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)
It was agreed to undertake a review of the NDP with Orleton Parish Council. The Chairman and Cllr. Munn kindly agreed to attend a joint briefing with Orleton PC at Herefordshire Council in March 2020 to discuss questions about the review.

19/93 Provision of sandbags
The meeting decided not to purchase any sandbags for the time being as it is understood that there have been no problems during the recent wet autumn weather.

[9. 37pm: The parish council agreed to suspend standing orders in order to continue the meeting beyond two hours.]

19/94 75th Anniversary of VE Day, 8-10 May 2020
The parish council agreed to support an event to commemorate the VE Day anniversary, if possible, together with Richards Castle (Shropshire) Parish Council.

19/95 HALC training schedule
Cllr. Enzer will attend the Leading Lights course on 11 March 2020.

19/96 Postponement of first verge cut to improve biodiversity
The parish council agreed to support the proposal from Balfour Beatty to leave verges on C and U roads within the parish uncut until August/September 2020, subject to ensuring that junctions are still cut in line with the usual schedule to keep visibility.

19/97 Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion) – No matters raised.

19/98 The next scheduled meeting will be on 26 March 2020. The meeting closed at 9.54 pm.

Notice is hereby given of an Extraordinary Meeting of Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 20 May 2020

THIS WILL BE AN ONLINE MEETING VIA ZOOM
Members of the public wishing to join the meeting should click on the following links:

7.30 pm: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78567797760

8.10 pm: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78495263064

1. Election of Vice Chairman

2. Apologies for absence

3. Co-opt one new member to the parish council

4. Declarations of Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation
Declaration of any disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at the meeting whether or not it is included in the register of interests. Members are reminded that they are required to leave the room during discussing and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest whether or not the interest is entered into the register of members’ interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer.

5. Minutes of the previous meeting – 23 January 2020

6. Report from the Herefordshire Councillor for Bircher Ward

7. To invite views and discussion from members of the parish

8. Planning
200860 Castle Barn, Richards Castle, SY8 4ET – Conversion of existing outbuilding into ancillary annexe accommodation and occasional holiday let.

200649 and 200650 Cider Mill, Castle Road, Richards Castle, SY8 4EW – Removal of existing conservatory to be replaced by new single storey rear extension.

200689 The Old Chapel, Richards Castle, SY8 4EL – Variation of a condition 4 ref 192158/FH (Erection of detached building to be used as garage and ancillary accommodation.) Amend to allow for a short term holiday let.

Update on planning decisions by Herefordshire Council, including: 191749/TD5 Land to north of Westbrook House, Richards Castle – Application for Technical Details Consent for Permission in Principle application 183388 (Proposed residential development of land for 9no. dwellings, with associated hard and soft landscaping). To review decision by the planning authority and agree next steps.

9. Financial Items
a) To consider annual insurance renewal with Came & Co
b) To consider outstanding payments:
Came & Co, parish council insurance – £358.66
Hitrees, maintenance of footpath to village hall – £176.40
Eyelid Productions, annual website support – £100.00
The Clerk, wages/ PAYE January-March 2020 – £683.80
Herefordshire Council, uncontested election – £73.47
HALC, affiliation and subscription 2020-21 – 346.87
R Bayliss, footpaths maintenance – £206.02
D C Gardening Services, SID installation Jan. 2020 – £36.00

c) Implementation of electronic banking for payments
d) To ratify payments made by the Clerk under delegated powers
e) External Audit – review process and requirement to adopt accounts by 31st July 2020

10. Clerk’s Report

11. Consider Annual Maintenance Plan 2020-21, processes to manage ongoing work in light of Covid 19 guidance, and agree next steps

12. Reports from parish councillor representatives
a) Footpaths, including planning for Annual Maintenance Plan 2020-21
b) Lengthsman, including planning for Annual Maintenance Plan 2020-21
c) Highways
d) Good neighbour scheme
e) Village hall/ communications and PC reports

13. Report on meeting held with Balfour Beatty and West Mercia Police traffic management advisor and consider forming a working group to recommend road safety initiatives for the B4361 through Richards Castle village

14. Report on NDP review meetings held with Herefordshire Council and Chairman of Orleton Parish Council and agree next steps

15. Proposal to purchase 1 tonne of sandbags to store at the village hall

16. Proposal to highlight Balfour Beatty leaflet on ditch and drainage responsibilities of riparian owners

17. Fastershire ‘Keep Connected’ Grants – Review and agree next steps

18. Consider grant application to Police and Crime Commissioner to support local community groups which may need to purchase small items such as appropriate PPE (masks, gloves), ID badges, stationery etc.

19. Commission contractor to update website to be compliant with accessibility guidelines by September 2020

20. Review and consider update to the Clerk’s delegated powers in respect of:
a) Delegated powers to spend up to £1,000 between meetings when unforeseen circumstances occur;
b) Delegated powers to spend against specific items in the annual budget e.g. for environmental maintenance, hall hire, clerk’s salary, as identified in the budget when setting the precept; and
c) Delegated powers to comment on planning applications between meetings when unforeseen circumstances occur.

All actions implemented under delegated powers must be undertaken in consultation with the Chairman or Vice Chairman, or other councillor and be reported and recorded in the minutes of the next parish council meeting.

21. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)

22. Close meeting and date of next meeting

Chairman of the Parish Council
15 May 2020

BUSINESS SUPPORT REGARDING COVID-19

Herefordshire Council’s Economic Development Team delivers a service called the Marches Growth Hub Herefordshire.  This online service offers FREE support services for all local businesses.  There are a number of government supported initiatives that can potentially help businesses through this unprecedented time of uncertainty. 

If you are a business wishing to have further information on Covid-19 then the details of the local support are available on the Marches Growth Hub Website – https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/advice-and-support/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/ 

Alternatively if you wish to discuss with a member of the Economic Development team please contact 01432 261758 or 01432 383633 or business@herefordshire.gov.uk 

***

Notice is hereby given that the next Meeting of Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Thursday 23 January 2020 at the Village Hall

1. Apologies for absence

2. Co-opt a new member to the parish council

3. Declarations of Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation
(Declaration of any disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at the meeting whether or not it is included in the register of interests. Members are reminded that they are required to leave the room during discussing and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest whether or not the interest is entered into the register of members’ interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer.)

4. Minutes of the previous meeting – 5 December 2019

5. Election of Vice Chairman

6. Report from the Herefordshire Councillor for Bircher Ward

7. To invite views and discussion from members of the parish

8. Planning
194423 Tan Cottage, Richards Castle, SY8 4EL – Permission to add a 2 storey extension.

9. Financial Items
i) Consider request from village hall to support Wi-Fi installation, including an extender for the Jubilee Room
ii) Payments to approve:
Richards Castle Village Hall, installation of wi-fi services – £132.42
R Bayliss, footpaths maintenance – £ tbc
Hitrees, lengthsman – £tbc

10. Clerk’s Report

11. Reports from parish councillor representatives
a) Footpaths
b) Lengthsman
c) Highways
d) Good neighbour scheme
e) Village hall/ communications and PC reports

12. Report on meeting held with West Mercia Police traffic management advisor and consider road safety initiatives for the B4361 through Richards Castle village

13. Proposal to request the SID socket on the B4361 at the county boundary is moved in order to measure speeds within the 30mph zone and agree next steps

14. Consider request from Orleton Parish Council to begin the review of the Neighbourhood Development Plan and agree next steps

15. Proposal to purchase 1 tonne of sandbags to store at the village hall

16. 75th Anniversary of VE Day, 8-10 May 2020 – Consider holding a community event and agree next steps

17. Review HALC training schedule to March 2020

18. Consider proposal from Balfour Beatty to postpone first verge cut to improve biodiversity

19. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)

20. Close meeting and date of next meeting

Clerk to the Parish Council
19 January 2020

The two Speed Indicator Displays, part-owned by the parish council, were deployed for the first time on the B4361 in the village in October 2019 using the pre-existing sockets installed some years ago.

The data from each SID is set out below:

SID Results – Unit by Post Office Lane, 4 – 31 October 2019:
Total traffic numbers: 23,220
Average speed: 31.1 mph
Total traffic numbers (85%): 19,737
Average speed (85%): 39.7 mph
Highest speed recorded: 75mph at 8.00am on 24 October 2019

SID Results – Unit by county boundary, 4 – 31 October 2019.
Total traffic numbers: 19,952
Average speed: 31.3 mph
Total traffic numbers (85%): 16,952
Average speed (85%): 38.6 mph
Highest speed recorded: 65mph at 10.15pm on 22 October 2019

The measure used by West Mercia Police is called the 85th percentile, which is intended to capture the average speed of most drivers by excluding the highest and lowest speeds.  The results from the Post Office Lane Unit have been shared with West Mercia Police, and a request made for enforcement action.

***

Notice is hereby given that the next Meeting of Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Thursday 5 December 2019 at the Village Hall

1. Apologies for absence

2. Co-opt a new member to the parish council

3. Declarations of Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation
(Declaration of any disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at the meeting whether or not it is included in the register of interests. Members are reminded that they are required to leave the room during discussing and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest whether or not the interest is entered into the register of members’ interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer.)

4. Minutes of the previous meeting – 12 September 2019

5. Report from the Herefordshire Councillor for Bircher Ward

6. To invite views and discussion from members of the parish

7. Planning
193085 and 193086 Church House, Richards Castle, SY8 4ET – Provision of cedar joinery greenhouse; provision of carport / store; redesign and reinstatement of existing timber fencing (partial).

Update on planning decisions by Herefordshire Council.

8. Financial Items
i) Payments to approve:
Boy Thorne Garden Services, short and long grass maintenance – £237.00
D C Gardening Services, SID socket maintenance/ SID deployment – £108.00
HALC, domain name and website hosting – £102.00
Richards Castle Good Neighbour Scheme, donation – £250.00
R Bayliss, footpaths maintenance – £ tbc
Hitrees, lengthsman – £tbc
The Clerk, wages October-December 2019 – £547.00
HMRC, PAYE Q3, 2019-20 – £136.80

ii) Consider request from village hall for £200.00 to install Wi-Fi, including an extender for the Jubilee Room
iii) Review accounts and consider the 2020-21 precept
iv) Review the effectiveness of internal financial controls

9. Clerk’s Report

10. Reports from parish councillor representatives, and review briefs
a) Footpaths
b) Lengthsman
c) Highways
d) Good neighbour scheme
e) Village hall/ communications and PC reports
f) Planning

11. Proposal to purchase new batteries (x4) and ‘convert’ the casing of each SID to be bright yellow, review data from October deployment, and review location of SID sockets on the B4361

12. Consider process to review the Neighbourhood Development Plan and agree next steps

13. Review provision of sandbags in the parish

14. 75th Anniversary of VE Day, 8-10 May 2020 – Consider holding a community event and agree next steps

15. Review HALC training schedule to March 2020

16. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)

17. Close meeting and date of next meeting

Clerk to the Parish Council – 1 December 2019

Parish Council meeting tonight…….. CANCELLED due to the severe weather

Notice is hereby given that the next Meeting of Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Thursday 14 November 2019 at the Village Hall

1. Apologies for absence

2. Co-opt a new member to the parish council

3. Declarations of Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation
(Declaration of any disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at the meeting whether or not it is included in the register of interests. Members are reminded that they are required to leave the room during discussing and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest whether or not the interest is entered into the register of members’ interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer.)

4. Minutes of the previous meeting – 12 September 2019

5. Report from the Herefordshire Councillor for Bircher Ward

6. To invite views and discussion from members of the parish

7. Planning
193085 and 193086 Church House, Richards Castle, SY8 4ET – Provision of cedar joinery greenhouse; provision of carport / store; redesign and reinstatement of existing timber fencing (partial).

Update on planning decisions by Herefordshire Council.

8. Financial Items
i) Payments to approve:
Boy Thorne Garden Services, short and long grass maintenance – £167.00
D C Gardening Services, SID socket maintenance/ SID deployment – £108.00
HALC, domain name and website hosting – £102.00
R Bayliss, footpaths maintenance – £ tbc
Hitrees, lengthsman – £tbc
The Clerk, wages October-December 2019 – £547.00
HMRC, PAYE Q3, 2019-20 – £136.80

ii) Consider request from village hall for £200.00 to install Wi-Fi, including an extender for the Jubilee Room
iii) Review accounts and consider the 2020-21 precept
iv) Review the effectiveness of internal financial controls

9. Clerk’s Report

10. Reports from parish councillor representatives, and review briefs
a) Footpaths
b) Lengthsman
c) Highways
d) Good neighbour scheme
e) Village hall/ communications and PC reports
f) Planning

11. Proposal to purchase new batteries (x4) and ‘convert’ the casing of each SID to be bright yellow, review data from October deployment, and review location of SID sockets on the B4361

12. Consider process to review the Neighbourhood Development Plan and agree next steps

13. Review provision of sandbags in the parish

14. 75th Anniversary of VE Day, 8-10 May 2020 – Consider holding a community event and agree next steps

15. Review HALC training schedule to March 2020

16. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)

17. Close meeting and date of next meeting

Clerk to the Parish Council – 10 November 2019

Notice is hereby given that the next Meeting of Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Thursday 12 September 2019 at the Village Hall

1. Apologies for absence

2. Co-opt a new member to the parish council

3. Declarations of Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation
Declaration of any disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at the meeting whether or not it is included in the register of interests. Members are reminded that they are required to leave the room during discussing and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest whether or not the interest is entered into the register of members’ interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer.

4. Minutes of the previous meeting – 25 July 2019

5. Report from the Herefordshire Councillor for Bircher Ward

6. To invite views and discussion from members of the parish

7. Planning
Update on planning decisions by Herefordshire Council.

8. Financial Items
i) Payments to approve:
Boy Thorne Garden Services, short and long grass maintenance – £ tbc
Luston Group Parish Council, third share of two SWARCO SIDs and associated equipment – £1,500.00
R Bayliss, footpaths maintenance – £ tbc
Hitrees, lengthsman – £tbc
The Clerk, wages July-September 2019 – £547.00
HMRC, PAYE Q2, 2019-20 – £136.80
ii) Review signatories for parish council account(s)

9. Clerk’s Report

10. Reports from parish councillor representatives, and review briefs
a) Footpaths
b) Lengthsman
c) Highways
d) Good neighbour scheme
e) Village hall/ communications and PC reports
f) Planning

11. Hereford Transport Package and South Wye Transport Package decision – Consider decision and agree next steps

12. SIDs at Richards Castle – Review proposed quarterly deployment schedule

13. Consider proposal to have a Parish Council Facebook page, review parish council website and agree next steps

14. Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)

15. Close meeting and date of next meeting

Clerk to the Parish Council