BISHOPSTONE GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
held on Wednesday 8th July 2026
PRESENT:
Cllr S. Crump (Chairman) Cllr C Taylor; Cllr N Richards; Cllr. L Handscombe; Cllr D Hadley; Cllr. S Keefe and Cllr. C Draper.
Chairman welcomed those present to the July meeting.
1. Apologies for absence. Cllr H Birch; Cllr A Russell; Cllr M Holmes; Mrs Lesley Hay (Parish Clerk); Ward Councillor David Hitchiner.
2. To receive declarations of interest or written requests for dispensations. None received.
2.1 Attendance Ruling. Parish Councillors are legally required to attend meetings and self-disqualification occurs if they fail to attend for six consecutive months (not six meetings) – unless the reason for absence is approved by the council beforehand.
3. To approve and sign the minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13th May 2026 (circulated). It was agreed that these were a true record, and it was unanimously voted by the Councillors in attendance that they be adopted and signed by the Chairman.
4. Chairman’s Report
Good evening and welcome all. The Chairman wished Lesley Hay, our Clerk, best wishes for a speedy recovery.
5. Report from Ward Councillor David Hitchiner. (circulated)
Apologies that I am unable to attend your meeting.
Parish Matters
Speed conditions attached to Bridge Sollars Road.
The modelling prepared by the consultants reporting to the Council, estimate that the effect of the building of the SRR will be to increase traffic by about 10 vehicles per hour on the Bridge Sollars Road. This is not significant. More significant is the increase in traffic through Clehonger as a result of this being a quicker route to the A49 than going through Locks Garage. The increase is estimated as over 100 more vehicles per hour at peak times (with a consequent reduction on the Locks Garage route). The issue of having a speed restriction has also been raised by some residents in Madley. Road Safety and noise are matters of concern. Getting the Council to consider them is likely to be a long haul project.
Planning
I have no news on the Bishon Farm application.
County Council matters
New Chief Executive
Paul Satoor has joined the Council. He has asked me to give him a tour of the Ward. This is being arranged.
Museum and Shirehall projects
Both projects are being scaled back due to costs being above budget. This is disappointing. The current proposal is that the Library is to be housed in one of the former Court Rooms “and surrounding areas”. The funding from the Stronger Towns Fund must be committed by March 2028 otherwise there is a risk that the funds must be returned to the Government. Under the original plan, the Library would have been put in Maylord Orchard by March 2024, a 4 year difference at least.
Southern Relief Road
The Full Business Case is now due to be considered by Cabinet in the second week of September. It is due to be published in July so that it can be considered by the Connected Community Scrutiny Committee. Whilst the Business Case should show that minimum targets for value for money are met, the administration may decide to go ahead even if these are not met.
Adult Social Care
I am currently at the Local Government Association Annual Conference. Baroness Casey gave the conference an interesting address on her report on Adult Social Care. Her report has highlighted the future of Adult Social Care does not look bright. A radical rethink is required which would have implications for the NHS as well as Local Authority’s role.
Devolution
The Labour Government seem intent on pushing through Devolution. The most likely impact for Herefordshire would be the election of a Mayor over a larger, but yet to be decided area, which might include Worcestershire and Shropshire.
Cllr David Hitchiner
Councillors, having read the above report from David Hitchiner, commented that they would like to pursue a speed restriction along the Madley to Bridge Sollars road.
5.3 The Chairman closed the Open Session
6. Issues raised by HALC had been circulated.
7. Finance: Schedule of payment sheet and current accounts sheet circulated.
7.1 It was unanimously agreed to pay the of June invoices.
7.2 There is no update from the External Auditor with regard to the 2025-2026 accounts.
8. Highways and Environmental Matters:
8.1. Update on Parish Litter Pick – it was agreed a date to be determined at the January Meeting.
8.2. Making space of Nature in our Parish.
All parish reports encouraged to be submitted to Cllr Keefe by the next meeting in September.
Items for the Lengthsman July/August – Clerk to liaise with D C Campbell
8.3 Cllr Richards would like to implement some sort of deflector or grid to prevent the recently cleared drain in Mansel Gamage from blocking again.
8.4 Cllr Handscombe reported a broken gate leading onto the footpath in Bishopstone What3words reference: perfectly.upsetting.fever
8.5 Cllr Handscombe reported a broken handrail on the bridge over the ditch on the footpath in Bishopstone (ref to be determined)
8.6 Cllr Taylor asked if we could pursue the spring issue down by Bishopstone Church as in the winter this can ice over causing a safety issue. What3words: abandons.storeroom.sulky
8.7 Cllrs would like clarification on the grant regarding the broken pipe as they are unsure which issue this is referring to. Is it the one that runs up from Bridge Sollars crossroads to the Bishopstone crossroads or the one on the Kenchester Rd? The Clerk asked to clarify.
9. Planning
9.1 Update – Bishon Farm Development.
The Council would like clarity from Ward Cllr Hitchiner on the Simon Withers document.
9.2 Planning Consultation – 261187 – Land off A438 adjacent Belt Wood, Monnington on Wye, Byford, Herefordshire HR4 7LB
DESCRIPTION: Change of use of redundant mushroom farm to commercial yard. After discussion – no comment.
9.3 Planning Consultation – 261655 – Land at Bridge Sollers, Bridge Sollers, Herefordshire,
DESCRIPTION:
Change of use application of land for the creation of a dog walking paddock. During discussion concerns were raised with regard to access; volume of traffic involved and question of more valuable agricultural land being lost.
10. Police – no report available.
11. Items for the next agenda (no discussion) Yazor Brook/FAS (CT)
12. Date of the Next Parish Council Meeting: Wednesday 9th September 2026
The Chairman closed the meeting at 19.57 p.m.
Signed: Date: