Agenda – Almeley Parish Council – 2 September 2026

ALMELEY PARISH COUNCIL

To members of the Council:

You are summoned to attend an extraordinary meeting of Almeley Parish Council called by the Chairman under the provisions of Standing Order 6(a) to be held on Wednesday 2^nd September 2026 at 8 p.m. at Almeley Village Hall, Almeley, Herefordshire, to consider the business set out below.

Dr David Thame

Clerk to the Council

26^th August 2026

AGENDA

2026/33. Apologies for absence

2026/34. Declarations of Interest/Requests for Dispensations

2026/35. Minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd July 2026 (copies previously circulated).

DRAFT Minutes – Almeley Parish Council – 22 July 2026

2026/36. Chairman’s Announcements

2026/37. Public Session (15 minutes)

To receive a report from the Herefordshire Ward Councillor, and to hear the views of local residents on parish matters.

2026/38. Defibrillator

To consider relocating the defibrillator, and if necessary the acquisition of replacements/sundries

2026/39. Public Rights of Way

To consider maintenance of public rights of way and the next steps on the provision of bridges, following the successful application to the Herefordshire Council Public Rights of Way Fund.

2026/40. Lengthsman

To consider tasks for the lengthsman, including grass cutting.

2026/41. Traffic Regulation Order: Woonton A480

To consider Herefordshire Council’s response.

2026/42. Bus Shelter

To consider Herefordshire Council’s response.

2026/43. Audit Reports

To receive and consider the external auditors report.

HE0005 S3

2026/44. Budget

To consider appointing councillors to consult with the Clerk in the preparation of a draft budget for consideration at the November meeting.

2026/45. Employment

To consider referring the Clerk’s letter (circulated) to a meeting between the Clerk, Chairman and Vice Chairman, for subsequent report to the November meeting, with the aim of satisfying Financial Regulation 4.2 (Budgets for salaries and wages, including employer contributions shall be reviewed by the council at least annually in October for the following financial year).

2026/46. Financial Report

To consider the report of the Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer (attached).

Financial Report – 2 September 2026

Almeley Parish Council – Cash Book 1 April 2026 to 26 August 2026

To appoint a Councillor to conduct the quarterly verification of bank reconciliation to 30^th September 2026.

To consider the following invoices for payment:

PV111 PKF (External Auditor) £252.00

PV112 GWG Tree &b Garden Care £240.00

(mowing, June)

 

To confirm the following payments made since the last meeting under delegated powers or earlier resolutions:

PV113 Salary tax month 5 £502.61

To note the following payment made via direct debit:

PV107 HMRC Tax month 4 £157.31

PV114 HMRC Tax month 5 £157.51

2026/47. Dates of future meetings

To resolve that the meeting scheduled for 23^rd September will not take place, and that further meetings, in addition to those already planned, take place as follows:

Wednesday 20^th January 2027

Wednesday 17^th March 2027

Wednesday 19^th May 2027

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE THE 8PM START TIME

Agenda – Almeley Parish Council – 22 July 2026

ALMELEY PARISH COUNCIL

To members of the Council:

You are summoned to attend a meeting of Almeley Parish Council to be held on Wednesday 22^nd July 2026 at 8 p.m. at Almeley Village Hall, Almeley, Herefordshire, to consider the business set out below.

Dr David Thame

Clerk to the Council

16^th July 2026

AGENDA

2026/21. Apologies for absence

2026/22. Declarations of Interest/Requests for Dispensations

2026/23. Minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th May 2026 (copies previously circulated).

DRAFT MINUTES – Almeley Parish Council – 20 May 2026

2026/24. Chairman’s Announcements

2026/25. Public Session (15 minutes)

To receive a report from the Herefordshire Ward Councillor, and to hear the views of local residents on parish matters.

2026/26. Planning Re-consultation – 250205 – Land North of Spearmarsh House, Almeley, Herefordshire

To consider the reconsultation.

2026./27 Planning Consultation – 253588 – Station Farm, C1079 From Questmoor Farm To Meadows Farm Via Almeley, Almeley, Herefordshire, HR3 6LJ

To consider the reconsultation.

2026/28. Public Rights of Way

To consider maintenance of public rights of way and an application to the Herefordshire Council Public Rights of Way Fund.

2026/29. Lengthsman

To consider tasks for the lengthsman, including grass cutting.

2026/30. Traffic Regulation Order: Woonton A480

To consider speed data and the appropriate action.

2026/31. Bus Shelter

To consider the provision of a bus shelter.

2026/32. Financial Report

To consider the report of the Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer (attached).

Financial Report – 22 July 2026

Almeley Parish Council – Cash Book 1 April 2026 to 30th June 2026

To consider authorising a transfer to the current account from the deposit account.

To consider agreeing, following HMRC guidance, to a contract variations uprate the mileage allowance from the NJC rate of £0.45p per mile, to £0.55 per mile, backdated to 1 April 2026.

To consider the following invoices for payment:

 

PV98 GWG Tree & Garden Care

(grass, commons and war memorial) £240.00

PV99 GWG Tree & Garden Care £650.00

(drainage/ditching £250, grass £200)

PV100 Kington Building Supplies £15.11

PV103 HLAC (Internal audit) £330.00

PV104 GWG Tree & Garden Care

(grass, commons and war memorial) £240.00

PV105 Eyelid Productions (website) £100.00

PV106 Autela Payroll Services £57.37

PV108 Salary (tax month 4) £502.81

PV109 Admin expenses £32.40

PV110 Travel expenses £59.40

 

 

To confirm the following payments made since the last meeting under delegated powers or earlier resolutions:

PV102 Salary (tax month 3) £502.61

To note the following payment made via direct debit:

PV107 HMRC (tax month 4) £157.31

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE THE START TIME

Agenda – Almeley Parish Council – 20 May 2026

 

ALMELEY PARISH COUNCIL

To members of the Council:

You are summoned to attend the annual meeting of Almeley Parish Council to be held on Wednesday 20th May 2026 at 8 p.m. at Almeley Village Hall, Almeley, Herefordshire, to consider the business set out below.

Dr David Thame

Clerk to the Council

14^th May 2026

AGENDA

2026/1. Election of the Chairman

To elect a Chairman for the 2026/27 municipal year: the Chairman to make the required declaration of acceptance of office.

2026/2. Election of the Vice Chairman

2026/3. Apologies for absence

2026/4. Declarations of Interest/Requests for Dispensations

2026/5. Minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18th March 2026 (copies previously circulated).

DRAFT Minuites – Almeley Parish Council – 18 March 2026

2026/6. Chairman’s Announcements

2026/7. Standing Orders

To consider the re-adoption of standing orders.

2026/8. Financial Regulations

To consider re-adoption of the Financial Regulations

2026/9. Code of Conduct

To re-adopt the code of conduct.

2026/10. Policy Review: Data, Information and Accessibility

To consider re-adopting the suite of policies on data protection, freedom of information/publication scheme, reviewing and re-affirming the website accessibility and confirming tests of accessibility, re-adopting the privacy policy, re-adopting the information technology, to confirm the Council’s adherence to the Transparency Code, and to confirm the clerk as data controller and data protection officer.

2026/11. Public Session (15 minutes)

To receive a report from the Herefordshire Ward Councillor, and to hear the views of local residents on parish matters.

2026/12. Insurance

To consider the report of the clerk on insurance renewal, the adequacy of cover and to review the risks insured, and to consider agreeing that in view of the expiry of the existing policy on 1^st June 2026.

2026/15. Public Rights of Way

To consider maintenance of public rights of way and an application to the Herefordshire Council Public Rights of Way Fund.

2026/16. Lengthsman

To consider tasks for the lengthsman.

2026/17. Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/26

To receive the cash book and bank reconciliation for 2025/26.

Almeley PC – Bank Reconciliation YE 31-03-26

Almeley Parish Council – Cash Book 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 FINAL

To receive and note the Annual Internal Audit (copy attached).

Almeley PC FY25-26 Internal Review Apr26 FINAL

Almeley AGAR 2025-26 Internal Auditors Report

To consider and approve the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1)(Following Approval the Chair and Clerk of the meeting sign the Annual Governance Statement)

To consider and approve The Accounting Statement (Section 2) (Previously signed by the RFO) is approved. (Once approved the Chair signs the Accounting Statement).A copy of the cash book 2025/26 is attached.

Almeley AGAR 2025-26 – Sect 2 – Annual Accounting Statement

To confirm the Responsible Financial Officer’s recommendation on the commencement date for the exercise of public rights, and to agree publication of the notice.

2026/18. Financial Report

To consider the report of the Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer (attached).

Financial Report – 20 May 2026

To consider an internal transfer to the deposit account.

To consider the independence of the internal auditor and to consider seeking assurances before an appointment.

To consider a resolution on regular payments.

To review and consider the continued use of BACS electronic payments.

To review the efficiency and safety of banking arrangements, and signatories and the mandate.

To consider the following invoices for payment:

PV89 Autela Payroll Services £105.60

PV90 GWG Tree & Garden Services £324.00

PV91 D H Thame (printer ink) £27.91

PV92 Clear Councils Insurance £770.95

PV93 Almeley Village Hall

(litter pick catering) £58.00

PV94 Corporate Togs

(litter pick hi-vis) £53.64

PV95 Kington Building Supplies

(cutter screws) £26.99

To confirm the following payments made since the last meeting under delegated powers or earlier resolutions:

PV88 D H Thame (Salary tax month 1) £502.81

To note the following forthcoming direct debit payment:

PV83 HMRC £157.31

PV87 HMRC £157.31

2026/19. Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act, 1960

To consider excluding the press and public for the consideration of item 2026/20 because publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be discussed.

2026/20. Banking

 

calling notice almeley 20 May 2026

PARISH OF ALMELEY

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

I hereby give notice that, further to Part III of Schedule 12 of the Local Government

Act 1972 the Annual Parish Meeting of the Parish of Almeley will be held on Wednesday 20^th May 2026 at 7 p.m.. Almeley Village Hall, Herefordshire, to transact the business on the agenda below, and that all electors in the Parish are entitled to attend and vote.

(Signed)

Councillor Michael Handley

Chairman, Almeley Parish Council

17^th April 2026

AGENDA

1. Welcome and introduction

2. Minutes of previous meeting (if relevant)

3. Brief report from the Parish Council

4. Brief reports from other Parish organisations

5. Open session: an opportunity for electors to raise matters of parish concern

Agenda – Almeley Parish Council – 18 March 2026

 

ALMELEY PARISH COUNCIL

To members of the Council:

You are summoned to a meeting of Almeley Parish Council to be held on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 7 p.m. at Almeley Village Hall, Almeley, Herefordshire, to consider the business set out below.

Dr David Thame

Clerk to the Council

12 March 2026

AGENDA

2025/86. To Receive Apologies for Absence

2025/87. To Receive any Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations

2025/88. Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the the meeting of the Council held on 21^st January 2026 (copies previously circulated).

2025/88. Public Session

To receive report from Herefordshire Ward Councillor, Castle Ward, from the local police, and representations from the public on matters of parish concern.

2025/89. Planning Consultation – – 253624 – Barn at Spearmarsh House,

Spearmarsh Common, Almeley, Herefordshire, HR3 6LQ

To consider the planning consultation for the conversion of an existing barn to a dwelling house.

2025/90. Lengthsman

To consider the work of the lengthsmen (GWG Tree & Garden Services) including a report on progress on the Local Drainage Fund, where a sum of £1,565.83 has been awarded by Herefordshire Council, and agreeing the 2026/27 Lengthsman’s contract with Herefordshire Council, which reduces funding by half to £1665.

2025/91. Grass cutting contract

To consider responses to the Council’s invitation to price the grass cutting contract (report follows).

2025/92. Footpaths

To consider public rights of way, including AM6, AM7, AM8/9, funding for the costs of fitting new gates and stiles, the insurance implications particularly of bridge work, and a bid for Herefordshire funding to improve access at AM10 (The Batch), the replacement of bridges and other maintenance issues.

2025/93. Election Expenses

To consider Herefordshire Council’s response to the Council’s dispute regarding PV46 Herefordshire Council (By-election) £4157.86.

2025/94. Litter Pick

To consider the application for support.

2025/95. Hedging

To consider intrusive hedges.

2025/96. Finance

To consider the Clerk’s Financial Report and cash book (report attached).

Financial Report – 18 March 2026

Almeley Parish Council – Cash Book 1 April 2025 to 12 March 2026

Councillor Skyrme to report on the quarterly verification of bank reconciliation to 31^st December 2025.

To resolve that the Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman, is authorised to settle all invoices relating to the Lengthsman’s scheme and Local Drainage Fund so that payment can be made before 31^st March 2026, and to make the relevant claims to Herefordshire Council for reimbursement before 10^th April 2026.

To consider variations to the bank mandate, and the process of authorisation.

To consider the following invoices to be paid, and to indicate approval two Councillors to initial

and date:

PV73 Society of Local Council Clerks £79.00

PV75 Herefordshire Association of Local Councils £771.58

PV76 GWG Tree & Garden Care (grips) £220.80

PV79 GWG Tree & Garden Care (woonton) £220.80

PV80 Kington Building Supplies (PRO) £68.41

PV81 Admin expenses £23.65

PV82 Travel £19.80

To confirm payment of the following invoices settled under Financial Regulations or existing delegated powers:

PV78 Clerk’s salary (tax month 11) £502.81

PV74 Kington Building Supplies (PRO) £120.75

To note the following payment made by direct debit:

PV59 PV66 HMRC £342.84

To confirm the following payments due to be made by direct debit:

PV77 PV71 HMRC £314.62

2025/97. Annual Governance and Accountability Return, Assertion 10

To consider resolving, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Clerk is data protection officer, that the Clerk has had training on data protection and privacy and that it be offered to councillors, that the Council continue to provide transparency data quarterly and all spending published before each meeting of the council, and that the Council has reviewed the security of data.

2025/98. Asset Register

To consider the draft revised asset register (copy to follow).

2025/99. Annual Review of Effectiveness: Internal Controls and Risk Register

To consider the annual review of effectiveness and internal controls and to adopt a revised risk register (copy to follow)

ALMELEY PARISH COUNCIL

To members of the Council:

You are summoned to a meeting of Almeley Parish Council to be held on Wednesday 21^st January 2026 at 7 p.m. at Almeley Village Hall, Almeley, Herefordshire, to consider the business set out below.

Dr David Thame

Clerk to the Council

15^th January 2026

AGENDA

2025/75. To Receive Apologies for Absence

2025/76. To Receive any Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations

2025/77. Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the the meeting of the Council held on 19^th November 2025 (copies previously circulated).

DRAFT Minutes – Almeley Parish Council – 19 November 2025

2025/78. Public Session

To receive report from Herefordshire Ward Councillor, Castle Ward, from the local police, and representations from the public on matters of parish concern.

2025/79. Planning Consultation – 253588 – Station Farm, C1079 From Questmoor

Farm To Meadows Farm Via Almeley, Almeley, Herefordshire, HR3 6LJ

To consider a response to the planning consultation for the demolition of agricultural buildings and erection of four new-build dwellings (in lieu of the existing Class Q permission) and associated works

2025/80. Lengthsman

To consider the work of the lengthsmen (GWG Tree & Garden Services) and the grass/mowing contractor (DC Gardening Services), including a report on progress of the Local Drainage Fund, where a sum of £1,565.83 has been awarded by Herefordshire Council.

2025/81. Footpaths

To consider public rights of way, including AM6, AM7, AM8/9, and a bid for Herefordshire funding to improve access at AM10 (The Batch)

2025/82. Parish Policing Priorities

To consider parish policing priorities.

2025/83. Election Expenses

To consider the response to the Council’s dispute regarding PV46 Herefordshire Council (By-election) £4157.86.

2025/84. Finance

To consider the Clerk’s Financial Report and cash book (report attached).

Financial Report – 21 January 2026

Almeley Parish Council – Cash Book 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025

To consider the following invoices to be paid, and to indicate approval two Councillors to initial

and date:

PV67 GWG Tree & Garden Care £110.40

(drainage to Kinnersley boundary)

PV68 Almeley Village Hall £108.00

PV69 GWG Tree & Garden Care £220.80

(drains and grips in village)

PV70 GWG Tree & Garden Care £220.80

(new grips, clearing drains and pipes)

PV72 Salary tax month 10 £502.81

To confirm payment of the following invoices settled under Financial Regulations or existing delegated powers:

PV63 Autela Payroll Services £87.00

PV64 Storage boxes for archives £22.00

PV65 Salary tax month 9 £668.01

To confirm the following payments due to be made by direct debit 22 January 2026:

PV59 HMRC Tax month 8 £113.14*

PV66 HMRC Tax month 9 £229.70

*this is a balancing sum, previous credits had already paid £29.86 of an original £143.00 P32 demand

To confirm the following payments due to be made by direct debit:

PV71 HMRC Tax month 10 £157.31

2025/85. Speed Indicator Device

To further consider locations for and management of speed indicator devices.

Agenda – Almeley Parish Council – 17 September 2025

 

ALMELEY PARISH COUNCIL

To members of the Council:

You are summoned to a meeting of Almeley Parish Council to be held on Wednesday 17^th September 2025 at 7 p.m. at Almeley Village Hall, Almeley, Herefordshire, to consider the business set out below.

Dr David Thame

Clerk to the Council

11^th September 2025

AGENDA

2025/37. To Receive Apologies for Absence

2025/38. To Receive any Declarations of Interest and Requests for Dispensations

2025/39. Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 18^th June2025 (copies previously circulated).

Almeley Parish Council – Minutes – 18 June 2025 – DRAFT

2025/40. Public Session

To receive report from Herefordshire Ward Councillor, Castle Ward, from the local police, and representations from the public on matters of parish concern.

2025/41. Planning Consultation – 252456 – The Ginger Bread House, Little Upcott, Almeley, Hereford, Herefordshire HR3 6PR

To consider a response to the planning consultation.

2025/42. Planning Consultation – 240419 – Camp Cottage, Camp Lane, Woonton, Hereford, Herefordshire HR3 6QN

To consider a response to the planning consultation.

2025/43. Lengthsman

To consider the work of the lengthsmen (DC Gardening Services and GWG Tree & Garden Services) and to agree future tasks, including a bid to the Local Drainage Fund. A schedule of works from DC Gardening Services is attached: the Clerk will report orally on other work.

Almeley Parish Council – Schedule of Works (April 2025-March 2026)

2025/44. Footpaths

To consider public rights of way, gates, stiles, bridges and access.

2025/45. Finance

To consider the Clerk’s Financial Report and cash book (report attached).

Financial Report – 17 September 2025

Almeley Parish Council – Cash Book 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 – 11 September 2025

To review banking arrangements and signatories.

To appoint a Councillor to complete the verification of accounts to 30th September 2025.

To appoint members to a Finance Working Group.

To consider tasking the Finance Working Group with preparing, in conjunction with the Clerk, a draft budget for consideration at the meeting on 19^th November 2025; to consider a risk assessment and to consider the internal and external auditors’ reports.

To consider the following invoices to be paid, and to indicate approval two Councillors to initial

and date:

PV20 Almeley Village Hall (Makers markets,

July, August, September) £150.00

PV33 DC Gardening Services (July) £696.00

PV34 Autela Payroll Services £105.60

PV35 GWG Tree & Garden Care

(Lengthsman, Bell Orchard) £55.20

PV36 Almeley Village Hall

(room hire, 17^th September 2025) £24.00

PV39 DC Gardening Services (August) £870.00

PV40 GWG Tree & Garden Care

(Lengthsman, drainage investigations) £124.20

PV41 Administrative expenses June-September £45.95

PV42 Clerk’s travel June-September £41.40

To confirm payment of the following invoices settled under Financial Regulations or existing delegated powers:

PV26 Clerk’s salary (Tax month 3) £453.94

PV27 HMRC (Tax month 3) £136.18

PV28 Herefordshire Council (License for

village hall solar panels) £750.00

PV29 Eyelid Productions (website) £100.00

PV31 Clerk’s salary (Tax month 4) £846.94

PV37 Clerk’s salary (Tax month 5) £567.54

2025/46. External Auditors Report

To consider the External Auditors report, if it has been received, and to consider payment of the External Auditors’ invoice.

2025/47. Training

To consider agreeing a programme of whole-council training.

2025/48. Solar Panels

The consider resolving, for the avoidance of doubt, that the solar panels installed on the Village Hall roof as the result of funding in 2024-25 was expenditure permitted by section 133 of the Local Government Act 1972, and that the panels are the property of the Trustees of the Village Hall.

Section 133 reads: “A parish or community council may acquire or provide and furnish buildings to be used for public meetings and assemblies or contribute towards the expenses incurred by any other parish or community council or any other person in acquiring or providing and furnishing such a building.”

2025/49. Community Plan

In view of the foregoing, to consider the Community Plan, particularly whether to fund further Makers Markets.

2025/50. Commons Management

To consider the management of common land.

2025/51. Speed Indicator Device

To consider locations for and management of speed indicator devices.

2025/52. Information Technology Policy

To consider the draft policy proposed by the Herefordshire Association of Local Councils. Audit regulations require clear IT policy in the coming financial year (copy attached)

Almeley PC – Information Technology Policy – DRAFT

2025/53 Grievance and Discipline Policies

To consider the draft grievance and discipline policies prepared by ACAS and the National Association of Local Councils (copies attached)

Almeley PC – Grievance-Policy

Almeley PC – Disciplinary-Policy –

2025/54. Risk Management Policy

To consider a review of the Risk Management Policy (copy attached)

Almeley-Parish-Council-Risk-Management-Policy-