MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2025 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins (Vice Chairman); Cllr. D Ayres; 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.
25/32 Apologies – Cllr. A Cowell.
25/33 Declarations of Members Interests and requests for Dispensation – None.
25/34 To approve the Minutes of the previous Meeting(s)
The minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2025 were approved as a correct record.
25/35 Ward Councillor Report
Ward Cllr. V Parry kindly provided a brief verbal report. A new officer has been appointed with responsibility for trees. The traffic regulation order for the B4361 by the village hall has yet to go forward. Building work at Batchcott was noted.
25/36 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
There were no matters raised.
25/37 Report from Representatives who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – There were no reports.
25/38 Planning
25/03438/FUL and 25/03439/LBC Rectory Farm, Richards Castle, SY8 4EE – Orangery Alterations. There was no objection to the proposed plans.
25/03575/FUL Rectory Farm, Richards Castle, SY8 4EE – Erection of machinery store. There was no objection to the proposed plans.
25/03354/FUL Fairoak, Richards Castle, SY8 4EG – Proposed Agricultural Implement Store, formation of hardcore yard, alterations to existing vehicular access and all associated works. There was no objection to the proposed plans.
25/03461/FUL Mile End, Overton Road, Ludlow, SY8 4AA – Erection of domestic garage. There was no objection to the proposed plans.
Shropshire Council have refused planning permission for 25/01526/FUL Warehouse And Premises, Station Road, Woofferton. Planning permission is granted for 25/01867/FUL Woodcroft Farm and 25/01847/VAR Proposed Residential Barn Conversion At Batchcott. Listed building consent has been granted for 25/02801/LBC. Two planning enforcement notifications from Shropshire Council were noted. An additional alleged planning enforcement matter will be referred to Shropshire Council for clarification.
25/39 Biodigester vehicle movements
Cllr. R Smith reported on recent traffic movements by three bowsers which were not considered to be in line with the understanding reached with the operators of the biodigester on behalf of local members of the community.
The tree bowsers did not appear to follow a one-way system, and their speed and the volume of traffic movements going up and down Park Lane was considered to be excessive and a potential risk to other road users and local people.
The Chairman kindly agreed to speak with the operators regarding the concerns expressed. A one-way system is still seen as the best way forward.
25/40 Financial items
a) The following payments were approved: Richards Castle PC (Herefordshire), defibrillator pads (£25.00); Clerk, wages July-September 2025; Clerk, wages October-December 2025; and HMRC, PAYE to 5 October 2025 (£196.60). The following payment was ratified: ICO, data registration fee 2025-26 (£47.00).
24/41 Council Partnerships, Memorandum of Understanding
The parish council considered the framework for collaborative working proposed by Shropshire Council. It was resolved to support the framework and sign the memorandum of understanding.
25/42 Highway Items/ Amenity Items/ Footpath Items
Hedges on Wheatcommon Lane and Batchcott Lane will be reported as overgrown for high sided vehicles. A request to cut back trees on the county boundary received from the Herefordshire parish council has been referred to the highway authority. The highway authority has actioned the drainage defect on Wheatcommon Lane by the church and reported it as fixed, and also arranged for the repair of a defective gully on Station Road.
Herefordshire Council is to undertake programmed resurfacing and patching on the B4361 up to the county boundary. An enquiry has been received via the adjacent ward councillor to see whether the parish council might support extending work across the county boundary where it might be helpful from a technical perspective so that the job can be done right. It was resolved to support the request and to raise the matter with Shropshire highways to obtain the necessary consent.
25/43 Police Community Charter
Policing priorities were reviewed and agreed. There is no change to the priorities which are: speeding and theft from outbuildings.
25/44 Police and Crime Commissioner survey
The Town and Parish survey was noted.
25/45 Clerk’s Report
The external auditor has confirmed receipt of documents and notification of exempt status. Openreach have scheduled a road closure later in the month to replace a pole. SALC’s annual general meeting is on 29 October 2025. The Pensions Regulator has set a deadline of May 2026 for employer re-enrolment and re-declaration.
25/46 Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion) – None.
25/47 Next Meeting – It was agreed to postpone the meeting scheduled for November to 7.30 pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
The meeting closed at 8.40 pm.