Staunton on Wye Group Parish Council – 1st December 2025

Staunton on Wye Group Parish Council

The agenda, draft minutes and supporting paperwork is attached – please scroll to the bottom of the page.

STAUNTON ON WYE GROUP

PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of a meeting of Staunton on Wye Group Parish Council to be held on Monday 1^st December 2025 at 7.30 p.m. at Staunton on Wye Village Hall, Herefordshire.

PRESENT: Councillor Nigel Sellar (Chairman) and Councillors Andrews, Arthur, Boddington, Pearson-Gregory, Jones, Shepherd and Williams.

In attendance: David Thame (Clerk)

Councillor Robert Highfield (Herefordshire, Castle Ward)

PC Emma Turberfield

2025/66. To Receive Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jeremy Price. Councillor Richard Skyrme was absent.

2025/67. To Receive any Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations

Councillors Sellar, Andrews and Williams declared their interest, as Trustees of the Jarvis Trust, in issues relating to drainage at the War Memorial in relation to item 2025/75.

Councillors Andrews and Boddington declared their pecuniary interest as immediate neighbours in relation to item 2025/71.

Councillors Andrews, Sellar, Williams and Pearson-Gregory drew attention to their relationship with the Jarvis Charities, who own land nearby in relation to item 2025/70.

Councillor Boddington declared she was a governor of Staunton on Wye Endowed Primary School in so far as it was relevant to drainage at the War Memorial in relation to item 2025/75, but had submitted a written request for a dispensation before the meeting on the basis of section 32(2)(a) of the Localism Act, 2011, and it was RESOLVED to agree the dispensation.

2025/68. Minutes

It was RESOLVED to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 20^th October 2025 and 8^th September 2025 (copies previously circulated), and that they be signed by the Chairman accordingly.

2025/69. Public Session

PC Turberfield drew attention to a return to full staffing in the Knighton Safer Neighbourhoods Team with two police constables and one police community support officer. The Chairman drew attention to a dog bite incident at Brobury in the last fortnight, leading to injury and a report to the Police.

Councillor Highfield reported that a substantial cut to Herefordshire’s funding from central government would almost certainly mean the end of the Local Drainage Fund and, in its current form, the Public Rights of Way Fund. It was unclear whether the core lengthsman’s grant would be maintained at its current level, or at all.

Councillor Highfield reported that he was pressing for action to resolve drainage problems and deep flooding on C1090 in the vicinity of Lower House, Staunton on Wye.

Councillor Highfield answer questions about the review of local government ward boundaries and the prospects of a governance review at parish level.

2025/70. Planning Consultation – 253173 – The Beeches, Jarvis Close, Staunton

On Wye, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 7NG

The Council considered a response to the consultation for listed building consent for the installation of x 8 500w (1130mm x 1950mm x 30mm) all black bifacial solar panels. After discussion it was RESOLVED to welcome the flexible approach to listed buildings and energy efficiency adopted by Herefordshire Council, and to support the application.

Councillors Andrews, Sellar, Williams and Pearson-Gregory took no part in the discussion or the voting thereon.

2025/71. Planning Consultation – 253022 – Oak House, Staunton On Wye,

Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 7LT

Councillors Andrews and Boddington left the meeting.

The Council considered a response to the consultation for planning permission for change of use of land from agricultural to residential, landscaping works and construction of a summer house for ancillary use (part retrospective). After discussion it was RESOLVED that the Council raise no objection to the application.

2025/72. War Memorial Committee

Councillors Andrews and Boddington rejoined the meeting.

The Council received a financial report from the War Memorial Committee, and considered winding up the Committee’s affairs, and transferring balances to the Parish Council’s Unity Trust account. A copy of the terms of reference is attached, together with the Committee’s bank reconciliation and balance sheet. The Committee has reported as follows:

It has returned £6,000 of donated funds to Ben Bathurst Memorial Trust, 20th November 2025

The remaining project funds are approximately £5,887.31, for transfer to the PC, 1st December 2025

The committee request that these remaining project funds, approximately £5,887.31, be used in future for the following activities:
– Publishing Expenses and Postage, current and future, approximately £1,700
– Care and Maintenance of Doctors Pool and Plaque (plaque cost £150 still outstanding) at the Original War Memorial Site, which is privately owned. Future care will be for the plaque only.
– Maintenance / Replacement of Benches, Paving, Soldier if / when needed
Unused paving stones and a single fence post are currently stored at CR Jenkins in Staunton.

After discussion it was RESOLVED to record sincere thanks to the committee for their work, and their successful efforts to relocate the war memorial; that the disbursement of funds as recommended by the Committee be agreed, the transfer of the balance of funds now received of £5,883.06 is noted, the unspent balance (after current commitments) to be regarded as allocated reserves for the future maintenance of the war memorial, and accordingly the committee is now dissolved.

2025/73. Budget 2026-27 (Minute 2025/54)

The Council considered the draft budget prepared by the Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer in conjunction with the Finance Working Group (copy circulated in advance, now attached), including a review of the Reserves Policy as it bears on budget decisions, and the oral report of the Clerk on an assessment of risks. The budget showed projected payments of £18,337, and balancing receipts.

It was RESOLVED that the appropriate period to reach the level of unallocated reserves indicated in the Reserves policy is three years, with a contribution of £2,500 included in the 2026-27 budget.

After discussion it was FURTHER RESOLVED that the draft budget for 2025-27 be adopted.

2025/74. Precept 2026-27

In the light of decisions on the budget and of the reserves policy, and having considered risks and reserves, the Council considered a precept for 2026-27 for the purposes of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. After discussion it was RESOLVED that the precept for 2026-27 be £14,551 and that the Clerk notify Herefordshire Council accordingly.

2025/75. Financial Report

The Council considered the Clerk’s financial report, together with the cash book and budget monitoring (attached). The report showed, at 25^th November 2025, a Lloyds account balance of £95.75, a Unity current account balance of £2,375.14, and a Unity Deposit account balance of £5,000. Total payments to 25^th November 2025 were £10,875.16.

It was RESOLVED that the probationary period now being completed, the Chairman and Vice Chairman meet with the Clerk to conduct an appraisal and to recommend the next steps.

It was RESOLVED that the Council’s account with Lloyds Bank be closed, and that the War Memorial account be closed, and resources transferred to the Unity Bank current account.

Councillor Boddington reported that she had completed the quarterly verification of bank reconciliation to 30^th September 2025 and was satisfied.

It was RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Boddington to complete the quarterly verification of bank reconciliation to 31 December 2025.

It was RESOLVED to instruct the Finance Working Group to review the outcome of the internal audit for 2024/25, to review the asset register and the compile a risk register, and to report to the next meeting.

It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments, and invoices were initialled by two councillors:

PV38 GWG Tree & Garden Care £165.60

PV41 Clerk’s Travel Sept-Dec £54.00

It was RESOLVED to confirm the following payments made under delegated powers, and invoices were initialled by two councillors:

PV29 HMRC (tax month 6) £23.90

PV30 D H Thame (tax month 6) £461.35

PV31 D H Thame (tax month 7) £335.95

PV32 HMRC (tax month 7) £84.21

PV33 Autela Payroll Services £81.00

PV34 MJN Safety Signs £51.54

PV35 Heloise Kirby (domain) £20.53

PV36 Heloise Kirby (domain guard) £1.20

PV37 Golden Valley Maintenance

(Playground grass) £840.00

PV39 D H Thame (Tax month 8) £335.95

PV40 HMRC (Tax month 8) £84.21

2025/76. Lengthsman Work, Drainage and Highways Issues, and Local Drainage Fund

Councillors Sellar, Andrews and Williams left the meeting.

Councillor Jones (Vice Chairman) in the Chair.

The Council considered drainage and and highways issues including standing water adjacent to the War Memorial at the junction of C1090 and U90404. After discussion it was RESOLVED to thank Councillor Highfield for pressing to improve drainage at this site, which now appears to be draining more freely.

It was FURTHER RESOLVED that on behalf of the Council the Clerk is authorised to draw highways drainage issues to the attention of Herefordshire Council/Balfour Beatty LP, and to take any necessary ancillary steps, in consultation if necessary with any of Councillors Arthur, Shepherd, Jones and Pearson-Gregory.

Councillors Sellar, Andrews and Williams rejoined the meeting.

Councillor Sellar (Chairman) in the Chair.

It was RESOLVED to ask Councillor Highfield to pursue concerns about highways drainage in the vicinity of Lower House, C1090.

2025/77. Freedom of Information, Privacy Policy, Data Retention and Disposal Policies, Breach of Data Security Procedure

The Council considered adopting a freedom of information policy, privacy, data retention and data disposal policies, and data security breach procedure (copies circulated in advance, now attached). After discussion it was RESOLVED to adopt the freedom of information policy, privacy, data retention and data disposal policies, and data security breach procedure, with an amendment to the privacy policy to make it explicit that the Vice Chairman is authorised to act in place of the Chairman.

2025/77. Playground

The Council considered playground maintenance and the potential for funding from a Herefordshire Play Areas Grant. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk make an expression of interest in replacing bark and damaged rubber place surfaces with a new soft play surface.

2025/78. Section 106 Allocation (Minute 2025/50)

The Chairman remarked that, in addition to the expression of interest from the Village Hall, both the playground and Staunton on Wye Endowed Primary School, could have an interest. It was RESOLVED to consider the parish wish-list for section 106 allocations after further public engagement, including inviting views in the parish magazine, and raising the issue at the 2026 annual parish meetings.

2025/79. Neighbourhood Development Plan Review

The Council considered the recent Herefordshire Council guidance (attached) and whether and how to proceed to review the 2016 plan. After discussion it was RESOLVED that the Clerk report to the March meeting of the Council on the extent to which an NDP which did not make site allocations would require a referendum, on the timetable for a review and on the likely financial resources required to complete it.

2025/80. Herefordshire Parish Charter

It was RESOLVED to consider adoption of Herefordshire Council’s Parish Charter (copy attached) at the next meeting.

2025/81. Annual Parish Meetings

It was RESOLVED that the Annual Parish Meetings for both Staunton on Wye, and Brobury with Monnington, take place on 11 May 2026, and that the format would be to offer hospitality and hear a speaker, that Councillors Andrews and Arthur develop a plan, and that the Clerk be authorised to take whatever decisions were necessary to effect it

2025/82. Council Meeting Dates in 2026/27

It was RESOLVED that the Council meeting on the following dates for future meetings at 7.30 p.m. at Staunton on Wye Village Hall:

Monday 2^nd March 2026

Monday 18^th May 2026 (Annual Meeting of the Council)

Monday 7^th September 2026

Monday 7^th December 2026

Monday 8^th March 2027

Monday 17^th May 2027 (Annual Meeting of the Council)

The meeting closed at 9.33 p.m.

Confirmed as a correct record:

Signed __________________________________________ Date: _______________________