MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 27 JANUARY 2026 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins (Vice Chairman); Cllr. D Ayres; Cllr. R Smith.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Cllr. V Parry; Mr P Marks, Severn Trent; and R Hewitt, Clerk. Three members of the public were present.
25/62 Apologies – Cllr. A Cowell, Cllr. A Hall, and Cllr. E A Wright.
25/63 Declarations of Members Interests and requests for Dispensation – None.
25/64 To approve the Minutes of the previous Meeting(s)
The minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2025 were approved as a correct record.
25/65 Flooding and flood resilience support from Severn Trent
Mr P Marks, Severn Trent, kindly provided an overview of the community flood team and the help and assistance available. It was agreed to brief the Herefordshire parish council on the community flood team and include in planning for the annual parish meetings in May 2026.
25/66 Ward Councillor Report
Ward Cllr. V Parry’s brief verbal report was noted. A recent devolution workshop was very good. There is to be a two-year pilot scheme. Resurfacing and patching has been done on Park Lane and Wheatcommon Lane. Sheet Road is to be resurfaced as well.
25/67 Letter from Ward Cllr. V Parry concerning devolution of services
Ward Cllr. Parry’s declaration of interest on devolution of services by Shropshire Council was noted and dispensation agreed for the remaining term of the parish council.
25/68 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
A member of the public said they were happy to help and support the parish council.
25/69 Report from Representatives who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – There were no reports.
25/70 Planning
25/04660/FUL Proposed Residential Barn Conversion At Mitnell Lane Farm, Mitnell Lane, Richards Castle – Conversion and extension of agricultural building to form dwelling house. The planning application was supported.
26/00003/FUL Sunrise, 4 Overton Grange Farm, Overton, SY8 4DX – Demolition and replacement/enlargement of existing sun room. Conversion of existing garage into Annexe. New porch and WC to frontage. The planning application was supported.
26/00017/CPL Sunrise, 4 Overton Grange Farm, Overton, SY8 4DX – Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for the proposed erection of a single storey sauna building and a garden storage building. The application was noted. The planning authority have stated that there is not a formal consultation.
25/04333/FUL Proposed Dwelling And Annexe North Of, Station Road, Woofferton – Erection of 1 self-build dwelling house and Annex with garage. The proposal was supported provided materials used are in keeping with the general character of the rural area, and that the annexe is ancillary to the dwelling.
Shropshire Council have granted planning permission for: 25/03819/FUL Land at Proposed Residential Barn Conversion; and 25/03354/FUL Proposed Agricultural Implement Store.
25/71 Devolved Services
Services highlighted in the Town and Parish Devolution Pilots Summary (Dec. 2025) that the parish council might explore delivering under devolved powers from Shropshire Council were noted.
25/72 Financial items
a) The following payments were approved: Shropshire Council, parish council elections May 2025 (£125.00); Clerk, wages January-March 2026; and HMRC, PAYE to 5 March 2026 (£190.80, paid directly by the Clerk).
b) Financial statement for 2025-26 to date and parish precept for 2026-27: The mid-year accounts 2025-26 were noted. Cash at hand on 31 December 2025 was £12,924.43.
The proposed budget and precept for 2026-27 was considered. It was agreed to double the budget for environmental maintenance to £1,500.00 and to increase the precept to £7,500.00 to accommodate this increase.
c) Internal financial controls: Financial controls were reviewed and are considered good.
d) Appointment of internal auditor for Annual Return 2025-26: Several options were considered due to the retirement of the previous internal auditor. It was agreed to appoint Mr Eric Williams as the new internal auditor.
25/73 Biodigester vehicle movements
The Chairman’s brief verbal report was noted. It was agreed to keep the matter under review.
25/74 Highway Items/ Amenity Items/ Footpath Items
a) Consultation (informal) on the introduction of a red route clearway order (no stopping at any time including verges and footways) on the B4361 Overton Road: The following response was agreed: The parish council have grave reservations regarding the proposed clearway as set out in the consultation plan and written traffic regulation order. This is because the implementation of a clearway is likely to increase the speed of traffic on the unclassified road, which will increase the risk of accidents at Policeman’s Corner (the junction of the B4361 and Overton Road by Turnpike Cottage). This is already a dangerous junction with very limited visibility.
b) Road safety initiatives: village gateway signs either end of Overton, reduction in Overton speed limit to 30mph, improvements to junction at Policeman’s Corner. Improvements by the highway authority to the junction at Policeman’s Corner were noted. Other initiatives can be reviewed following the implementation by the highway authority of the traffic regulation order to amend the speed limit by the village hall.
c) Environmental maintenance work 2025-26: The EMG contractor’s proposal to use a sweeper to clear pavements and footways in the parish was supported.
d) Traffic regulation order (TRO) for new speed limit outside the village hall: It was resolved to make a formal complaint to Shropshire Council at the lack of progress and communication in proceeding with the agreed TRO to amend the speed limit on the B4361 by village hall to the county boundary at Richards Castle.
e) Highway / Amenity and Footpath items: Defects were highlighted on Station Road, Woofferton.
25/75 Buckingham Palace Garden Party
The procedure for nominations for the Buckingham Palace Garden Party was noted.
25/76 Police Community Charter
The priorities highlighted in the local policing charter with West Mercia Police were renewed.
25/77 Schedule of meetings 2026-27
The schedule of meetings was agreed.
25/78 Clerk’s Report
Notification of a temporary road closure at Wheatcommon Lane was noted along with an email from the Shropshire Branch of the National Garden Scheme and survey on the Future of the Visitor Economy in Shropshire. An invitation to participate in the Lamp Light of Peace in November 2026 will be shared with the village hall and parochial church council.
25/79 Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion) – None.
25/80 Next Meeting – The next scheduled meeting will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
The meeting closed at 9.10 pm.