Meeting of Longdon, Queenhill and Holdfast Parish Council at 7:30PM on Monday 3rd March 2025 at Longdon Village Hall, GL20 6AZ
Minutes 03/2025
Present: Trish Mullins (Chair), Phil Jones, Hugh Davey, Neil Gray, Carl Taylor-Hall, Kate Cook, Richard Morris (from 7:49PM)
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Tom Wells (County Councillor)
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Trish Mullins opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
It was noted that Jim Unwin had resigned and the parish council extended their thanks for his hard work over many years.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies were noted from Nick Radford.
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 7.2.
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. Co-option: To consider applications received to fill the councillor vacancy.
It was RESOLVED to co-opt Richard Morris onto the parish council and he joined the meeting from 7:49PM.
5. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session
5.1. District Councillor
Jennie Watkins had forwarded apologies and had provided updates on several agenda items.
5.2. County Councillor
Tom Wells provided a report as follows:
• The transfer of £500.00 grant funding for a village hall TV was expected the week commencing 10th March.
• Footpath refurbishment works at Bear Lane had been scheduled.
• An update was received on the Government White Paper proposing devolution of local government; it was noted County Council elections would still be held in May 2025.
5.3. Parish Paths Wardens
No matters were reported.
5.4. Public participation
No questions were received.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
6. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 3rd February 2025
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
7. Progress reports
7.1. Councillor vacancy
One councillor vacancy had been filled by co-option (item 4), but a further vacancy was being advertised currently.
7.2. Unoccupied property, Marsh Lane
No update was available.
7.3. Community Speedwatch
It was noted that the Community Speedwatch scheme was now operational.
7.4. Telephone box light replacement
It was noted that a telephone box glass panel had been vandalised. It was RESOLVED to pursue quotes and make enquiries regarding a replacement pane of glass and fitting.
It was RESOLVED to make enquiries with BT/Openreach regarding replacement/repair of the flickering light bulb.
8. Highways and Lengthsman Scheme
8.1. To consider an update on the traffic/speeding issues at Buckbury
It was noted that an application had been made to Worcestershire County Council for a 40MPH speed limit at Buckbury and this was still under consideration.
Further measures for reducing traffic speed, such as an audit of existing warning signs and village gateway features, would be considered in due course.
8.2. To receive an update on highway drainage matters and to consider actions
It was noted that Jennie Watkins was making enquiries with Malvern Hills District Council regarding land drainage issues at Buckbury.
8.3. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
No matters were reported.
8.4. To consider the Lengthsman contract for services
It was RESOLVED to renew the contract for services with Jeremy Moore.
9. Planning
9.1. To consider the following applications to be determined by Malvern Hills District Council:
9.1.1. M/25/00137/HP associated ref. M/25/00138/LB: Hill Court Farm, Roberts End Lane, Forthampton, Gloucester, GL19 4QH. Proposed porch attached to east elevation of Grade 2 listed ciderhouse.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
9.1.2. M/25/00012/HP: The Arches, Roberts End Lane, Forthampton, Gloucester, GL19 4QH. Construct new stable block.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
10. Parish matters for discussion/decision
10.1. To consider options for removing the lock/code from the defibrillators to allow easier access
It was RESOLVED to order two signs (£50.00 budget) highlighting the door lock codes, with a message such as ‘please respect life-saving equipment – do not tamper’. In the event of any issues being experienced the signs could be removed.
10.2. To consider provision of a bench at the village hall (utilising existing concrete plinth)
It was RESOLVED to order a 1.8m teak bench with ‘Longdon Village Hall’ inscription at £619.98 from the Garden Furniture Centre.
It was RESOLVED to defer a decision on a bench at the playing field.
10.3. To consider future projects and parish development (action plan)
It was RESOLVED to review further at the next meeting.
10.4. To consider a community response team (defibrillators)
It was RESOLVED to further advertise the availability of the defibrillators.
11. Playing Field
11.1. To receive an update on the refurbishment of the goal posts
No update was available.
11.2. To consider biodiversity enhancements at the village green/playing field
It was RESOLVED to review further at the next meeting (alongside the action plan).
11.3. To consider additional playground/outdoor gym equipment and grant funding
It was RESOLVED to review further at the next meeting (alongside the action plan).
11.4. To note the scheduled play area inspection
It was noted that the ROSPA play area inspection had been scheduled for April 2025.
11.5. To agree a formal name for the village green (officially registered as ‘Longdon Burial Ground’)
It was RESOLVED to adopt the name Longdon Village Green.
12. Correspondence for response or action
12.1. Citizens Advice: Fundraising
It was RESOLVED to make a donation of £100.00 to support the activities of Citizens Advice.
13. Finance
13.1. To consider and approve the budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
13.2. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
13.3. To approve the following invoices for payment:
13.3.1. David Hunter-Miller (Clerk’s salary and expenses)
13.3.2. HMRC (PAYE)
13.3.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (Clerk’s pension)
13.3.4. Jeremy Moore (Lengthsman): £288.00
13.3.5. WR Agriculture Ltd (hedge cutting): £300.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
13.4. To note the following Direct Debit payments:
13.4.1. 21/01/25 Information Commissioner (registration) £35.00
13.4.2. 07/02/25 Google Cloud EMEA (email hosting) £18.00
The above payments were noted.
14. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Byway QH-521 surfacing issues
• 2025-26 Action Plan
• Longdon Village Green improvements
15. Date of the next meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting is at 7:30PM on Monday 31st March 2025.
The Annual Council Meeting is at 7:30PM on Monday 19th May 2025.
The meeting closed at 9:36PM.