MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2024 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins (Vice Chairman); Cllr. A Hall; Cllr. R Smith; and Cllr. A Wright.
IN ATTENDANCE: Cllr. S Bowen, Chairman, Richards Castle (Herefordshire) Parish Council; and R Hewitt, Clerk. There were no members of the public present.
23/73 Apologies – Cllr. D Ayres and Cllr. A Cowell.
23/74 Declarations of Members Interests and requests for Dispensation – None.
23/75 Minutes of the previous meeting – The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2023 were approved as a correct record.
23/76 Ward Councillor Report
There was no report.
23/77 Queen’s Green Canopy
The Clerk reported that Shropshire Council have advised that the parish council is able to proceed with planting. The cultivation licence will follow. It was resolved to proceed with the planting and purchase tree guards to protect the saplings. The costs were reviewed and agreed as follows:
• 7 oak trees, 7-10 feet in height @ £7 per tree – £49.00
• Tree guards @ £130 per unit (metal – unpainted) – £910.00
• Delivery of tree guards – £100.00
• Materials – £50.00
Cllrs. H Salwey and A Hall kindly offered to undertake the planting, in line with appropriate risk assessments and provision of utility maps.
23/78 Amenity Items – Community litter pick
The parish council noted that Shropshire Council’s guidance restricts litter picks to roads with a 30mph speed limit. Litter pick kits are available for volunteers. The parish council’s insurers will be asked to advise on cover for volunteers’ litter picking outside this guidance on rural roads. If cover is not available, it was agreed that the parish council will be unable to facilitate a litter pick in March 2024.
23/79 Views and discussion from members of the parish
Cllr. S Bowen, Chairman, Richards Castle Herefordshire Parish Council highlighted a planning application for residential caravans in the nearby parish of Orleton, Herefordshire.
23/80 Report from Representatives who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – There were no reports.
23/81 Planning
The planning authority have refused planning permission for 23/04402 Proposed Holiday Let Accommodation at The Cedars. Planning enforcement have advised that a planning application is expected for another site “to regularize the matter”.
A letter has been submitted to the Southern Planning Committee as agreed in November 2023. Planning applications 23/05512 and 23/05513 Woodcroft Farm will be considered under delegated powers granted on 14 May 2020 as the deadline for comment falls before the next scheduled meeting and the parish council have commented recently on a similar proposal.
23/82 Financial items
Mid-year accounts, 2023-24, were noted. It was agreed to contribute £1,000.00 from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds held by the parish council for the planting of the Queen’s Green Canopy.
The proposed 2024-25 budget and precept was considered. The budget includes a new parish council laptop. Clerk’s wages were confirmed to be payable at the SCP24 rate based on four hours per week. The 2024-25 budget was agreed, and the precept set at £6,000.00.
Internal financial controls are considered to be good.
23/83 Highway Items/ Footpath Items
The Clerk reported that a request to the highway authority for an update on the new 30mph speed limit by the village hall has gone unanswered. A dropped drain reported on Station Road is has been fixed by Shropshire Council, as has the uncovered drain off the B4361 reported some time ago. The reported drainage problem on the B4361 by the entrance to Moor Park is to be addressed in the highway authority’s “programme of upcoming maintenance”. A highway drainage problem highlighted in correspondence from a resident to the Chairman will be raised with the highway authority.
23/84 SALC Training programme 2024
The training programme was noted.
23/85 Schedule of meetings, 2024-25
The schedule of parish council meetings was agreed.
23/86 Clerk’s Report
The participation of the parish in D Day 80 by lighting a Beacon has been registered with the Pageantmaster. New legislation in December 2023 has clarified the position in respect of financial assistance to the church. The updated Police Community Charter has been submitted to West Mercia Police. The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Road Safety Fund (second round) has been announced. The PCC have confirmed payment of their contribution towards the Coronation Bench (£233.33). Shropshire Council’s budget consultation closes at the end of January 2024. A request for financial support for counselling services was noted.
23/87 Matters raised for next meeting – None.
23/88 Next Meeting – The next scheduled meeting of the parish council is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26 March 2024.
The meeting closed at 8.49 pm.