Meeting of Longdon, Queenhill and Holdfast Parish Council at 7:30PM on Monday 6th January 2025 at Longdon Village Hall, GL20 6AZ
Minutes 01/2025
Present: Trish Mullins (Chair), Neil Gray, Carl Taylor-Hall, Kate Cook, Phil Jones, Nick Radford, Jim Unwin, Hugh Davey
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Tom Wells (County Councillor), one member of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Trish Mullins opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
All members present.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests: With reference to items on the agenda councillors are reminded of their responsibility to declare interests and to update their register of interests as required.
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests: To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Nil declared.
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Trish Mullins declared a non-registerable interest in item 6.3.
3.4. Dispensations: To consider any written dispensations from councillors who have declared an interest but wish to stay in the meeting during that time to aid discussion / speak / vote.
Nil received.
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. District Councillor
Jennie Watkins had sent apologies but had provided updates on several agenda items below.
4.2. County Councillor
Tom Wells provided a report as follows:
• Bear Lane footway will be resurfaced 2025-26
• Footway from Longdon to Yard Bridge will be sided out 2025-26
• A review to consider merging district and county authorities was being undertaken at a national and local level
Tom Wells kindly offered a donation of £500 towards improvements to Longdon Village Hall; it was RESOLVED to accept the funding and ask the Village Hall Committee whether this should be utilised to purchase a TV or put towards energy efficiency improvements.
4.3. Parish Paths Wardens
No matters were reported.
4.4. Public participation
The applicant of M/24/01614/FUL (item 10.2.1.) was in attendance and provided additional detail on the proposals.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 4th November 2024
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Progress reports
6.1. Councillor vacancy
It was noted that there was one vacancy on the parish council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
6.2. AppFest
A response from Worcestershire Regulatory Services was noted.
6.3. Unoccupied property, Marsh Lane
No update was available.
6.4. Community Speedwatch
It was noted that there had been little progress from the Police; it was RESOLVED to write to Marc Bayliss (Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner) to expedite.
6.5. Defibrillator (Longdon) registration, replacement pads and batteries
It was noted that the defibrillator had been re-registered with the Clerk and that replacement pads and batteries had been ordered and would be fitted shortly.
6.6. Defibrillator (Buckbury) installation, registration and training
It was noted that the new defibrillator had been installed and registered and that a training session had been arranged for parishioners on the 21st January 2025.
6.7. Litter bins (X3) disposal
It was noted that the litter bins had been given to Kempsey Parish Council and a £50.00 donation had been received.
6.8. Telephone box light replacement
It was noted that further investigations would be undertaken to identify if an electrician was required.
7. Parish matters for discussion/decision
7.1. To consider a charitable donation to The Baton of Hope and/or the Tewkesbury Masonic Lodge in recognition of defibrillator training
It was RESOLVED to approve a donation of £200.00 to The Baton of Hope.
7.2. To consider and adopt updated Financial Regulations
It was RESOLVED to adopt updated Financial Regulations.
7.3. To consider and adopt updated delegation policies
It was RESOLVED to approve an updated Planning Delegation policy.
8. Playing Field
8.1. To receive an update on the refurbishment of the goal posts
It was RESOLVED to obtain an up to date quote and approve all further arrangements under delegated authority.
8.2. To consider the previous registration of the playing field as a village green
It was noted that the land had been formally registered as a village green with the official name ‘Longdon Burial Ground’. It was RESOLVED to apply to amend the records to identify the land as ‘Longdon Village Green’.
8.3. To further consider the Natural Networks Biodiversity Enhancement Assessment report
It was RESOLVED to enquire with Castlemorton Parish Council and Welland Parish Council to see how they manage their biodiversity enhanced areas.
It was RESOLVED to defer discissions until a future meeting.
9. Highways and Lengthsman Scheme
9.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
No matters were reported.
9.2. To consider the increase to the Lengthsman’s contracted hourly rate
It was RESOLVED to approve the increase to the Lengthsman’s contracted hourly rate from £18.00 to £20.00 per hour.
9.3. To consider the suitability of the 50MPH speed limit at Buckbury
It was RESOLVED to write to residents at Buckbury to gain their views on a lower 40mph speed limit and to invite them to attend the next meeting where the proposals would be considered.
9.4. To receive an update on highway drainage matters and to consider actions
It was RESOLVED to report blocked drainage grips on the B4211 at Buckbury to Worcestershire County Council.
9.5. To consider quotes for hedge flailing on the A438 at Long Green (for SID visibility)
It was RESOLVED to approve a quote of £250.00 to flail a section of hedge on the A438 to allow the Speed Indicating Device to be turned to face both traffic directions.
10. Planning
10.1. To consider the following applications to be determined by Malvern Hills District Council:
10.1.1. M/24/01340/FUL (amended): Land At (Os 8172 3904), Lockeridge Lane, Upton Upon Severn. Use of land as a caravan site for the stationing of 10 log cabins for holiday let use and associated works.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council maintain their previous objections and have no additional comments.
10.1.2. M/24/01245/OUT: Greenacres, The Rampings, Longdon, Tewkesbury, GL20 6AL. Outline application for the erection of one detached 3-bedroom, self build dwelling, following demolition of existing outbuildings, with matters of access submitted for consideration and matters of appearance, scale, landscaping and layout reserved.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
10.1.3. M/24/01701/CU: Chambers Court, Longdon, Tewkesbury, GL20 6AS. Proposed change of use of the property from a dwelling house to a flexible use either as a dwelling or as a short-stay holiday accommodation (as provided for under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class V of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order).
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
10.2. To note responses made under delegated authority for the following applications:
10.2.1. M/24/01614/FUL: Land At (Os 8223 3370) Long Green Forthampton. Replacement of existing field gate with enhanced security gate and erection of open pole barn for undercover storage of farm machinery and implements.
It was noted that the parish council had responded with the following objection:
Longdon, Queenhill and Holdfast Parish Council considered this application under their delegated authority arrangements and object to the proposals. Insufficient justification has been provided in the application to support the extensive proposals, which would excessively urbanise the countryside and would have an adverse impact on the rural amenity of the area. It would appear that preparations have already been made for the installation of the proposed security gate, ahead of any permission being granted.
11. Correspondence
11.1. Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government: Consultation on enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings
It was RESOLVED that the parish council would respond to the consultation with endorsement of remote meetings but not proxy voting.
11.2. Worcestershire County Council: Draft Streetscape Design Guide consultation
The above consultation was noted.
11.3. Worcestershire County Council: Managing road verges to promote biodiversity consultation
It was resolved that the parish council would respond to the consultation, supportive of the measures to promote biodiversity provided it does not impinge on highway safety or the control of invasive and noxious plants.
11.4. Malvern Hills District Council: Broadband update
An update on broadband provision was noted.
11.5. Malvern Hills District Council: Mandatory Safeguarding Training for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers consultation
It was RESOLVED to write in support of the proposals.
11.6. Malvern Hills District Council: Pavement Licensing Policy consultation
The above consultation was noted.
11.7. Worcestershire County Council: Smoke-free Playgrounds funding
The above funding was noted.
11.8. Worcestershire County Council: Physical Activity Wellbeing funding
It was RESOLVED to seek clarification on the scope of the scheme and whether it could be used to support the purchase of outdoor play/gym equipment.
12. Finance
12.1. To approve a parishioner update regarding increases to the precept
It was RESOLVED to approve an amended update to parishioners detailing the reasons for the precept increase.
12.2. To note change of Lloyds Treasurers Account to a Community Account with additional fees
It was noted that the parish council would be charged a monthly banking fee of £4.25 in future (alternative banks charged similar fees).
12.3. To consider the appointment of an Internal Auditor
It was RESOLVED to appoint Iain Selkirk at £150.00 to undertake the internal audit.
12.4. To consider and approve the budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
12.5. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
12.6. To approve the following invoices for payment:
12.6.1. David Hunter-Miller (Clerk’s salary and expenses)
12.6.2. HMRC (PAYE)
12.6.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (Clerk’s pension)
12.6.4. David Hunter-Miller (defibrillator pads and batteries): £216.00
12.6.5. Jeremy Moore (Lengthsman): £288.00
12.6.6. Longdon Village Hall (room hire): £70.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
12.7. To note the following Direct Debit payments:
12.7.1. 07/11/24 Google Cloud EMEA (email hosting): £18.00
12.7.2. 06/12/24 Google Cloud EMEA (email hosting): £18.00
12.7.3. 21/01/25 Information Commissioner (registration): £35.00
The above payments were noted.
13. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Buckbury speed limit review
• Playground equipment and grant funding
• Village Green biodiversity enhancements
14. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Monday 3rd February 2025.
The meeting closed at 9:40PM.