MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 21 JANUARY 2025 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins (Vice Chairman); Cllr. D Ayres; and Cllr. A Hall.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Cllr. V Parry and R Hewitt, Clerk. One (1) member of the public was present.
24/72 Apologies – Cllr. A Cowell, Cllr. R Smith and Cllr. A Wright.
24/73 Declarations of Members Interests and requests for Dispensation – None.
24/74 To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2024 were approved as a correct record.
24/75 New waste treatment plant for the village hall
It is understood that the plan is to share the outlet pipe for the waste treatment plant with a neighbouring property.
24/76 Ward Councillor Report
Ward Cllr. V Parry kindly provided a brief verbal report which included raising concerns about speeding and road safety with the Police and Crime Commissioner, a planning enforcement matter, Shropshire Council budget plan for 2025-26, and highway drainage defect on the B4361 by Rectory Farm.
24/77 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
A member of the public was concerned about speeding on the B4361 by the village hall, particularly at rush hour in the morning and at the end of the day.
24/78 Highway Items
Speed limit on Station Road, Woofferton – The parish council agreed to request a speed limit on the B4362 at Station Road Woofferton. Ward Cllr. V Parry said the request will have her full support.
24/79 Report from Representatives who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – There were no reports.
24/80 Planning
24/04729/ADV McCartneys, Ox Pastures, Overton Road, Ludlow – Erect and display 2No. non-illuminated free standing pole mounted signs. The planning application was supported.
24/81 Financial Items
a) Payments – The following payments were approved: Hitrees, environmental maintenance work (£180.00); Village Hall, meetings 2024-25 (£98.00); Clerk, wages January-March 2025; HMRC, PAYE to 5 April 2025 (£204.60); M&J Lewis building contractors, contribution towards boundary wall at St Bart’s (£1,000.00). A payment to All Saints PCC for grass cutting at St Bart’s (£196.66) was ratified.
b) Mid-year accounts 2024-25 and 2025-26 budget and precept – The mid-year accounts 2024-25 were noted. The budget and precept for 2025-26 was set at £6,500.00.
c) Internal financial controls – Internal financial controls were reviewed and agreed to be effective in safeguarding public funds.
24/82 Environmental maintenance/ Footpath Items
i) Temporary environmental maintenance contractor: Following the withdrawal of the existing contractor from environmental maintenance work, the parish council agreed to appoint Yatton Farm Services as environmental maintenance contractor on a temporary basis from 1 February 2025. The Clerk was delegated to brief the new contractor on the agreed environmental maintenance plan for 2024-25 and ask that outstanding maintenance is completed.
ii) Environmental maintenance initiative: It was resolved to suggest that the holiday park might wish to help maintain the footpath to Policeman’s Corner.
iii) Highway and Footpath items: Drainage defects by the new Church and nearby B4361 have been reported and action scheduled by the highway authority. A highway authority officer has indicated that funding is not available to clear mud off roads. It was resolved to ask a landowner off Wheatcommon Land to consider helping the community by clearing mud left after recent harvesting activity.
A public right of way concern raised by a member of the public has been passed to Shropshire Council.
24/83 VE Day 80, May 2025
Participation in the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May 2025 was confirmed. A beacon will be lit on Hanway Common. The event will be open to all members of the parish and a notice placed in Castle News to raise awareness. Refreshments will not be provided.
24/84 Lord Lieutenant’s Shropshire Garden Party 2025
It was resolved to nominate two members of the Richards Castle community to attend the garden party in 2025.
24/85 Shropshire Council’s budget consultation 2025-26 – Noted.
24/86 SALC Training programme 2025 – Noted.
24/87 Schedule of meetings 2025-26
The schedule of meetings was agreed for the period March 2025 to January 2026.
24/88 Clerk’s report
VAT refund for period to April 2024 (£761.37) has been submitted and paid by HMRC. The .gov.uk email address for the clerk should be considered the primary email address to use. The parish council election is scheduled for 1 May 2025. It is anticipated that nomination papers will be available from electoral services by the time of the next meeting in March 2025.
A letter from the bank updating terms and conditions was noted. Richards Castle Herefordshire PC has been informed of the delay to the planned traffic regulation order to extend the 30mph limit on the B4361 to the village hall. The police community charter agreed with the parish council will be renewed for the next period.
24/89 Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)
No matters were raised.
24/90 Next Meeting – The next scheduled meeting of the parish council is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 March 2025.
The meeting closed at 8.55 pm.