Minutes of the ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD AT BRAMPTON ABBOTTS VILLAGE HALL,
ON WEDNESDAY 27TH MAY 2026 AT 7.04 PM
Present Cllrs. Robert Lewis, Mike Cunningham, Roger Diggle, Mrs Wendy Gething-Lewis, Keith Lathan and David Teague.
Miss A Jones (Clerk), Ward Cllr. Barry Durkin, 4 residents
Welcome The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting
Foy Parish Residents were invited to speak directly to the council on matters within Foy with responses from parish or ward councillors. Foy Bridge remained a concern as no fundamental repairs appeared to have been done. The Clerk confirmed that the PC had finally received a copy of the inspection report carried out but it had taken a year. The PC was intending to raise this with Herefordshire Council again once the new public realm contract was in place.
Brampton Abbotts Parish Residents invited to speak directly to the council on matters within Brampton Abbotts with responses from parish or ward councillors. A member of the Village Hall Committee advised that the pub night was coming up along with a volunteer weekend and the start of the Blooming Wild Project.
Ward Cllr. Durkin advised that they were no further forward regarding which other council they may have to merge with. He also advised that he had been allocated £1000 for local parish projects and that he would like to hear from PCs and residents if they have ideas.
Chairman’s Annual Report Chairman gave his report for, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
Financial Report Miss A Jones (Clerk) gave her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
Discussion Item Councillors were seeking suggestions from those present, for future small projects to improve the local neighbourhood / environment. Having made a decision to budget funds each year from 2027/28 onwards for specific small parish projects. The following suggestions were put forward and would be considered by the parish council at future meetings :
• New village name signage including “National Landscape Village” – subject to suitable location(s)
• Bench at Hole-in-the-Wall, near Church – subject to landowners permission
• Water bottle filling station(s) for Herefordshire Trail – subject to suitable locations and Welsh Water cooperation?
• Use of village hall for providing courses such as defibrillator training
• Brampton Abbotts in Bloom
Written questions* No written questions had been received.
General Discussion No further discussion was requested.
With no further discussion necessary, the meeting was closed at 7.29pm.
BRAMPTON ABBOTTS & FOY GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Wednesday 27th May 2026
at 19.30 pm at Brampton Abbotts Village Hall
Minutes C26/01 – C26/15
Members Present: R Lewis (Chair), M Cunningham, R Diggle, Mrs W Gething-Lewis, K Lathan, D Teague
In attendance: 3 members of the public, Ward Cllr. Barry Durkin (WCD), Miss A Jones (Clerk).
C26/01 To elect a Chair for the coming year.
Resolution : That Cllr. Robert Lewis be elected as Chair
Proposed : Cllr. Mrs Gething-Lewis Seconded : Cllr. M Cunningham
Voting : All in favour
Cllr. Robert Lewis was duly elected as Chair and signed his Acceptance of Office.
C26/02 To elect a Vice Chair for the coming year
Resolution : That Cllr. David Teague be elected as Vice Chair
Proposed : Cllr. R Lewis Seconded : Cllr. M Cunningham
Voting : All in favour
C26/03 To receive, consider and approve apologies for absence. Apologies were received from Cllr. Scudamore.
C26/04 To receive declarations of interest and consider written requests for dispensation – None declared
C26/05 To receive, amend as necessary and approve the minutes of the meeting on 25th March 2026.
It was resolved that the minutes, as provided by the Clerk, represented an accurate record of the proceedings of the meeting on 25th March and they were duly signed by the Chairman
C26/06 Open Session (10 minutes)
Members of the public to note that this is the only opportunity to address the parish council and that the meeting will be “closed” to the public after this item unless a member of the council specifically asks a member of the public for comment or to answer a question (though the public is welcome and encouraged to stay and listen to the deliberations of the council)
a) To receive the views of local residents on parish matters. The following matters were raised:
• Bins, when collected on a Friday are not put back safely, left in the road causing issues on narrow roads. The Clerk would raise with HC
• Planning application for Abrahall, concern over the PRoW and parking. Clerk to confirm whether the PRoW officer had made any further comment after the PC raised the issue as part of their consultation response.
• Green area to the LHS of the new development was still being mowed despite supposedly being a wild flower area. Clerk to raise with planning enforcement.
b) To receive a report from or on behalf of the Ward Cllr. if appropriate / available. A copy of the ward Councillor’s report is also available on the website, but includes:
• Tony Johnson (former HC Leader) had passed away recently.
• Paul Walker retires from his Chief Exec. Role soon, and will be replaced by Paul Sautoor, who was the successful applicant after 3 rounds of interviews.
• The recent central government settlement provides for an average of 40% more per head for urban councils compared to rural councils, this despite it generally being more expensive to provide services in sparsely populated areas. This makes it extremely difficult for rural councils to continue to provide services. However, HC have not had to seek a loan from the government as some have.
• All core services are being provided.
• It was noted that Birmingham council – previously almost bankrupt, is now in the black, after the most recent central government settlement.
• It was noted that there is still no final decision on whether HC will need to join with another adjoining council. It was also noted that both Worcestershire and Shropshire have had to request Tens of millions in government loans and therefore their financial position is poor in comparison to Herefordshire.
• Food waste collections delayed until promised government funding is received
• M Group take over highways and other public realm in June
• Transport Hub due to go online in October
• £1000 for each ward Cllr. to provide for local parish projects. He will consider anything put forward to him
Q A resident had recently paid £2.85 for parking in Ross but received a fine – advised to provide details to WC Durkin.
Q Cllr. Teague asked about the new M Group contract and the following points were made:
• The contract with HC is unique
• There are other contractors as well as M Group, providing flexibility
• BBLP contract was based on cost plus a %, the new contract is fixed costs / process
• M Group can sub-contract work out
• HC will not pay for poorly completed work, but this is dependent on either the Locality Stewards or PCs reporting examples of poor work.
Q Ross Road, not only is the Welsh Water matter outstanding, but the other matters raised during the site meeting between Cllr. Teague and Jason Himsworth (BBLP) had also not been dealt with. WC Durkin asked for the PC to send him a firmly stated email so that he could chase up.
C26/07 Planning (15 minutes)
a) To consider and agree comments relating to new applications
261005 Brynheulog, Gatsford HR9 7QL
Two Storey extension
It was resolved that the council had no objection
b) To note planning decisions – Noted
260773 Fair View, Foy HR9 6RB
Change of use from residential care home (Class 2) to dwellinghouse (Class 3) (no external works)
Permission Granted
c) Applications Between Meetings
260773 Fair View, Foy HR9 6RB
Change of use from residential care home (Class 2) to dwellinghouse (Class 3) (no external works)
The Council raised no objection to this application.
260700 Abrahall Cottage, Foy
Extension and alterations to main house and construction of ancillary accommodation for owners during construction work.
The Council raised no objection in principle but asked that the line of the PRoW be checked as the line currently being used does not appear to align with that shown on the plans and this may cause issues with regard to parking.
It was noted that further concerns had been raised by local residents regarding the additional structure, it’s size and whether it could become permanent. It was resolved that, providing no decision had yet been made, the Clerk would provide a second response specifically requiring the additional structure to be removed upon completion of the construction work and within a reasonable timeframe overall.
d) Other Planning Matters – Council to note that the enforcement case relating to the completion of soft landscaping on the Church Road development has been formally closed by the enforcement team on the basis that it is not in the public interest to pursue the remaining elements.
A new enforcement case has been created to deal with the failure to carry out ongoing maintenance of the landscaped areas as per the planning permission.
C26/08 Finance (25 minutes)
Invoice No. Payee Goods / Services Total £
n/a Miss A Jones Expenses (inc. Office 365) 146.81
4811 Iain Selkirk Internal Audit Services 130.00
282 Brampton Abbotts Village Hall Room hire March 26 25.00
TGC 3828 Terry Griffiths Contracts Lengthsman ditch clearing (part funded by LDG part Lengthsman grant) 2,160.00
TGC 3829 Terry Griffiths Contracts LDG 25/26 1,080.00
TGC 3834 Terry Griffiths Contracts PRoW grant 25/26 steps by VH 660.00
TGC 3847 Terry Griffiths Contracts Lengthsman bins March 26 26.88
TGC 3885 Terry Griffiths Contracts Bins – April 28.20
It was resolved that the above payments be made and the cheques were duly signed.
(b) Other Expenditure to be noted
n/a Miss A Jones Clerks wages and office allowance (paid monthly by s/o) 569.62
n/a Lloyds Bank Bank charges – debited in April 6.25
n/a Lloyds Bank Bank charges – debited in May 5.75
(c) Income
Herefordshire Council Local Drainage Grant 25/26 2,236.90
Herefordshire Council Lengthsman Grant 25/26 1,269.70
Herefordshire Council PRoW Grant 25/26 (materials only) 1,939.00
Herefordshire Council Precept (50%) 7,937.50
(d) Online Banking – Clerk confirmed that she now had online access and could make payments but there was currently no approval process in place and her access level could not deal with it. In any event, in order to have online approvals, signatories will need to be set up with online access to the account. It was resolved that:
• The Clerk should raise the payments
• A signatory should have to approve payments up to £3k
• Above £3k should be approved by 2 signatories
• Cllr. Mrs Gething-Lewis to become a signatory
• Cllr. Scudamore to arrange for himself, Cllr. Teague and Cllr. Mrs Gething-Lewis to have online access
• Once all 3 signatories are set up, the authorisation process can be set up by one of them.
• In the meantime, the council would continue using cheques.
C26/09 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). The documents were available for councillors to review prior to the meeting.
a) Independent Internal Audit – Council to receive and note the internal audit report.
Resolution : That the council confirm receipt of the internal audit report and that it’s contents be noted
Proposed : Cllr. R Lewis Seconded : Cllr. Mrs W Gething-Lewis
Voting : All in favour
b) Annual Governance Statement – Council to consider and approve the statement.
Resolution : That the Council approves the Annual Governance Statement and that it should be duly signed.
Proposed : Cllr. R Cunningham Seconded : Cll. Mrs W Gething-Lewis
Voting : All in favour
c) Accounting Statement – Council to review and approve the statement as prepared by the Clerk.
Resolution : That the council approves that Accounting Statement and that it should be duly signed.
Proposed : Cllr. R Cunningham Seconded : Cllr. Mrs W Gething-Lewis
Voting : All in favour
d) Certificate of Exemption – Council to determine whether they want to declare the council exempt from limited assurance review and sign the certificate as appropriate.
Resolution : That the council declares itself exempt from limited assurance review for 2025/26.
Proposed : Cllr. D Teague Seconded : Cllr. R Diggle
Voting : All in favour
e) Exercise of public rights – Clerk advised that the notice would be advertised from 28th May and that the period for inspection of the accounts would be 3rd June – 14th July.
C26/10 Highways / Footpaths / Greenspaces (10 minutes)
a) Update on previously raised issues. Clerk advised that Ward Cllr. Durkin had been chased regarding the empty property on Gatsford Lane and staff at HC are apparently dealing. The Chair advised that he had also chased up the situation with Ross Road and Cllr. Durkin was also ensuring that senior managers get the matter sorted. It was noted that an answer regarding the “unsuitable for large vehicles” sign for the C1283 had been chased up.
b) To consider and agree any urgent new highway/footpath issues to be reported to BBLP/HC. Concerns had been raised by a resident regarding obscured road signs. It was resolved that the Chair would speak to the landowners and ask them to cut their hedges to ensure road signs are visible. It was resolved that the Clerk would instruct the Lengthsman to repair the latching post on BA26 at Turners Lane (loose). It was resolved that the Clerk would advise Ross Town Council that concerns had been raised regarding the raised footpath on the U70521, which has collapsed in places.
c) Local Drainage Fund – Clerk advised that the grant application had been completed and submitted to Herefordshire Council. It was resolved that the Clerk would instruct the Lengthsman to carry out LDG activity if/when grant approval was confirmed and subject to advice from HALC that doing so would not open the PC to undue risk.
d) PRoW Grant – Clerk advised that the grant application had been approved. It was resolved that the Clerk would include these works on the schedule to be passed to the Lengthsman for action.
The residents left the meeting at this time
e) Lengthsman – Clerk reminded councillors that the grant for 26/27 was much reduced, at just £810 (with a further £810 in match funding). Council considered what activity could realistically be carried out with this amount of funding. It was noted that the bin emptying alone would be approx.. £300 for the year, leaving just £510. It was resolved that, given the very limited Lengthsman funding, it should be retained until the winter so that it is available in case there is a need to call him out at short notice. The Clerk would advise the Lengthsman that the work to be scheduled at this time is just the bin emptying and the PRoW grant works.
C26/11 Correspondence – general – All note by council, actions in bold
a) Herefordshire Council –
a. Various updates relating to roads including resurfacing works in and around the parish between meetings
b. Notification that the new Chief Executive will be Paul Satoor wef July 2026.
c. Advice for residents with home assistance alarms etc. currently using analogue landlines to contact suppliers in advance of the changeover to internet landlines
d. Consultation regarding the 7.5T weight limit on roads in the Ross-on-Wye area – forwarded to councillors to complete if desired.
e. Response regarding PC question about the results of the Call for Sites activity – currently unable to provide an update or advise when one might be available
b) Ward Cllr. Barry Durkin – April and May reports (also available on PC website)
c) HALC – 10 things you need to know – April 2026 including concerns about the Lengthsman scheme and the impact on PC insurance and ongoing liability.
d) National Highways – Notification of overnight road closure for M50/A417 from 8th June – 24th July. Details on website
C26/12 Information Share – not requiring discussion, expenditure or decision
• Draft Parking strategy – consultation currently open, until 3rd June
• Village Hall volunteer weekend Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May including the commencement of the Blooming Wild Project.
C26/13 Items for next / future meetings
• Councillor Numbers / Community Governance Review – once advice received from HALC regarding their proposed “group approach” to HC. Unlikely now until after the 2027 local elections.
• £1000 per annum ring-fenced from 2027/28 onwards (to be considered as part of budget setting).
• Notice board replacement – once Locality Steward returns to work and is able to assist.
• Foy Bridge – follow up additional report(s) as and when available – review June meeting
• NDP – to confirm the PCs position once clear guidance is received from HC / HALC
• Review of Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Risk Register – June meeting
• Litter near pumping station – Clerk to chase – summer 2026
C26/14 Next meeting – Next scheduled ordinary meeting – Wednesday 22nd July 2026.
As no members of the public remained, it was not necessary to ask anyone to leave the meeting for the PC to consider the following confidential matter.
C26/15 CONFIDENTIAL ITEM – Village Hall Replacement Windows and Doors – supplier and timescale, council to agree any necessary actions. The minutes for this Item are recorded separately.
With no further matters requiring consideration, the meeting was closed at 21:02 hrs