MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 30 JULY 2024 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins (Vice Chairman); Cllr. D Ayres; Cllr. A Cowell; Cllr. A Hall; Cllr. R Smith and Cllr. A Wright.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Cllr. V Parry and R Hewitt, Clerk. No members of the public were present.
24/35 Apologies – None.
24/36 Declarations of Members Interests and requests for Dispensation – None.
24/37 To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2024 were approved as a correct record.
24/38 New septic tank at the village hall
No update noted.
24/39 Ward Councillor Report
Ward Cllr. V Parry provided an update on the Ludford parish boundary review, a new pyrolysis plant at Ludlow, which heats carbon waste from farming and forestry and creates biochar used to improve the quality of soil, a forthcoming visit from the Police and Crime Commissioner and an update on the 30mph speed limit planned for the B4361 outside the village hall. The new 30mph limit still requires funding from the highway authority which could become available in the next financial year 2025-26.
24/40 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
There were no matters raised.
24/41 Report from Representatives who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – There were no reports.
24/42 Planning
Shropshire Council have granted planning permission for 24/01370 Proposed Holiday Let Accommodation East of the Cedars, 24/01838 David Ward Firewood Limited, and 24/01952 Rectory Farm.
24/43 Parish Council website
Government are currently providing support for councils to move to a .gov.uk domain, in the form of a £100 grant for the first year. Pricing for .gov.uk domains has been reduced as well. The meeting agreed the domain name: www.richardscastle-shropshire-pc.gov.uk and commissioned the premium hosting service from the service provider in order to benefit from automated back-ups for the website at a total cost of £49.99 (+VAT) for 1 year. The parish council website will be moved to the new domain by Eyelid Productions Ltd.
24/44 Financial items
a) Receipts: Payment of the environmental maintenance grant 2024-25 (£750.00) by Shropshire Council was noted.
b) Payments: The following payments were approved: Cloud Next, .gov.uk domain and hosting 2024-25 (£59.99); and Clerk, office/ administrative expenses 2023-24 (£240.40). A payment made between meetings was ratified: C Davies, strimming by old church (£86.67).
24/45 Highway Items/ Amenity Items/ Footpath Items
a) Servicing of clock at church: It was resolved to pay for three years maintenance for the period 2024-27 inclusive (£970.80) from earmarked funds set aside for this purpose.
b) Highway / Amenity and Footpath items: Shropshire Council have advised that a pothole repair required by Brick Kiln Cottage has been completed. An overgrown hedge reported on Wheatcommon Lane has been discussed with the local highway officer who has advised no action is required. The highway officer will be asked to review a hedge reported as overgrown on a section of Wheatcommon Lane on the opposite side of the B4361. Shropshire Council are encouraging the reporting of highway defects via Fix My Street. An update from Shropshire Council on Streetscene grass cutting was noted. Gully work has been completed on Station Road.
Cllr. A Hall was thanked for strimming the verge on the B4361 by the Queen’s Green Canopy trees.
(Cllr. A Cowell joined the meeting.)
24/46 Police and Crime Commissioner Survey 2024
The survey was noted.
24/47 Clerk’s Report
The certificate of exemption for the year ended 31 March 2024 has been sent to the external auditors, and notices posted online and on the parish council noticeboard. A member of the public has been advised that All Saints PCC are responsible for the churchyard at St Bartholomew’s. Shropshire Council are exploring ways that parish councils might be able to help with specific services and/ or facilities. Richards Castle Herefordshire PC have been contacted to advise that the number of registered electors in the Shropshire parish is 121, understood to be similar to that in the neighbouring Herefordshire parish.
24/48 Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)
There were no matters raised.
24/49 Next Meeting – The next scheduled meeting of the parish council is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24 September 2024.
The meeting closed at 8.27 pm.