LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On August 9^th 2004

In Gorsley Village Hall At 7:30 p.m.

Present:

Cllr Jean Foley, Chairman

Cllr Richard Smith, Vice Chairman

Cllr Ken Downham

Cllr Audrey Duke

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Margaret Pearce

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

12 Parishioners attended.

Minute Item			Action

1		Apologies
	1.1	Cllrs Rob Crawford, Keith Summers, John Wheble and Gary Woodman.

2		Declarations of Interest
	2.1	None.

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 12^th July 2004

3.1

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to sign the minutes with the following amendments:

Item 6.2 should read Highways Agency not Highways Authority.

Item 6.3. The last sentence should read Chapel junctions, not GGS.

Item 7.1 Add “if related to the Code of Conduct” to the end of para 3.

Item 9 Add action on the Clerk.

4		Matters arising therefrom not covered in the Agenda
	4.1	The sandbag requirement for Burton Mill still to be checked.	Cllr John Foley
	4.2	The Community Safety questionnaire had been filled in, circulated and returned by Cllr Richard Smith.

5		Traffic Speeds and Management Within the Parish
	5.1	The Chairman reported on a site meeting between Andrew Lee-Jones from CHDC, herself, Cllrs John Wheble & John Foley and Ron Tubb Police‑Community Support Officer. A meeting report is attached to these minutes.
	5.2	If Andrew Lee-Jones has not responded by August 16^th, the Clerk will chase.	The Clerk

6		Dog Fouling Notices
	6.1	Still not received. The Clerk will continue to chase.	The Clerk

7		Lengthsman Project
	7.1	The Clerk suggested that Council might consider a policy of charging landowners for hedge cutting and ditching following a formal warning. There was some debate as to how to define who is responsible for a particular hedge/ditch and how a charge notice might be enforced. The Clerk was asked to seek guidance from CHDC.	The Clerk
	7.2	Further work has been done by the Lengthsman on Burrups Lane following observations of water flows after the heavy rain of August 3^rd. CHDC have said that the ditching will be done by the end of August and the pipe jetting by end of September.
	7.3	The Clerk appealed for Councillors and Parishioners to try to obtain the vehicle number of anybody seen fly tipping. Cllr Richard Smith added that the police should be informed on 08457 444 888.
	7.4	The occupiers at Whitegates have expressed concern over a perceived danger of trees in the quarry falling onto their property in a high wind. Cllr John Foley will arrange for an inspection by the Tree Warden, Brian Evans.	Cllr John Foley
	7.5	Cllr Audrey Duke requested that undergrowth on the southwest corner of the Quarry Lane/B4221 junction be cut back.	The Clerk
	7.6	Cllr John Foley drew attention to fly tipping between Bromsash and Linton and in the vicinity of Pound Farm.	The Clerk
	7.7	The Chairman again expressed dissatisfaction over the clearance of overgrowth from some of the Bromsash signage, saying that Cllr John Foley had had to clear it himself. The Clerk will meet with the Chairman on site to discuss the required level of clearance.	The Clerk/Cllr Jean Foley

8		Allotments Gate and Water Supply
	8.1	The contract for the gate has been let to Richard Luther as resolved at the last meeting.
	8.2	At the last meeting, the Clerk was asked to obtain quotes from two local suppliers, the son of Martyn Davy and Colin Burson. The former declined to quote as he is still an apprentice and the quote from the latter was £873 as opposed to the £584 from Murray Eyles tabled at the last meeting. Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to place the work with Murray Eyles.	The Clerk

9		Annual Review of Standing Orders (Financial Only)
	9.1	The Chairman will remind Cllrs Rob Crawford and Keith Summers that their inputs are awaited.	Cllr Jean Foley

10		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	10.1	Lloyds bank has not carried out the instruction for automatic transfer of funds and has returned the complaint letter because it does not have two signatures! Cllrs Richard Smith and Jean Foley duly signed the letter.	The Clerk
	10.2	The internal audit for April to June 2004 has been completed and not raised any issues. Council thanked Parishioner Richard Delahay for his efforts.
	10.3	The external audit has been completed with no qualifications.
	10.4	Accounts to date were tabled and noted by Council. Cllr Richard Smith asked that the Parish Projects and Transport Plan projected outturn for the year should reflect the budget figure.	The Clerk
	10.5	Proposed by Cllr Ken Downham, seconded by Cllr Audrey Duke and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following accounts and the cheques were duly signed:

AP216	Parish Plan Photocopying expense	5.76
AP217	HALC Annual Subscription	135.00
AP218	Audit Fee	141.00
AP219	Clerk's Salary for July 2004	187.20
AP220	Clerk's Expenses for July 2004	19.60
AP221	Lengthsman Administrator's Fee for July 2004	28.40
AP222	Web Master's Time in July 2004	18.59
B98	Repayment of VAT for GVH Refurbishment less new claims	1154.52

11		Working Party Reports
	11.1	Planning
	11.1.1	P91. DCSE2003/2493/O. Site for the erection of a bungalow. IGLS, Quarry Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Planning Inspectorate Reference: APP/W1850/A/04/1141716. Appeal refused on 15/07/04.
	11.1.2	P117. DCSE2004/1623/F. Two storey extension and conversion of part of garage to living accommodation. New stables. Lyndale, Gorsley, HR9 7SH. Permission refused on 01/07/04.
	11.1.3	P119. DCSE2004/1847/F. Retention of conservation pond (Amended design). This is a re-submission of DCSE2004/0132/F. Land at Darnells Farm, Linton. Planning Committee meets on 04/08/04, 2:00 p.m. at Brockington. Our reference D1371, a letter from Mr Chapman, was read out by the Chairman. The Clerk will write and inform Mr Chapman that this was done.	The Clerk
	11.1.4	P123. DCSE2004/2459/F. Change of use of existing double garage into holiday let. Long Ridge, Linton, HR9 7RS. Council objects for the following reasons: In February 2002 permission was given for extensive enlargement of this cottage ‘Long Ridge’ and included permission for a detached double garage at the end of the garden. The garage used by the previous owners, which was attached to the cottage was then demolished and incorporated as an extension to the living quarters. It is noted from the site plan that if permission were granted for a change of use for the garage there would be no road access to the garden of ‘Long Ridge’ and no accommodation for cars! This would undoubtedly bring forth a further application for a double garage and a second access onto the very narrow Linton Ridge. To allow this new, separate, double garage to be turned into a house for a holiday let would be a serious departure from planning policy and does not fulfil any of the criteria in Policies GD1, TM1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. If the Planning Authority decided to permit this change of use, then it could be used as a precedent and repeated many times along the Linton Ridge. This is designated as an ‘Area of Great Landscape Value’ and is adjacent to a ‘Conservation Area’. Applications for houses in this area have been refused by the Planning Authority in the past and by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal. For these material planning considerations the Parish Council does not support this application.

12		Footpaths & Walks
	12.1	The Chairman thanked Cllrs. John Foley, Ken Downham and Mrs Pamela Downham for the clearing work which they carried out prior to the joint parish walk on August 1st, which was greatly appreciated.
	12.2	Cllr John Foley reported that in 2 days last week, volunteers cleared three out of 27 paths and pointed out that the Parish can not expect the same few people to do all the work. The Chairman appealed for more volunteers, pointing out that there are 30 paths, totalling 14.6 kms. Cllr John Foley is now preparing a proposal for work using the Footpaths Grant.
	12.3	There will be another walk at the end of September.

13		Chairman’s Announcements
	13.1	Cllr Harry Bramer is publicising the RPO Concert at the Ross International Festival for which, so far, only 400 tickets have been sold. It costs £19,000 to bring the RPO to the festival.

Correspondence

14.1

A letter from Wendy Burford about noise from the M50 was discussed. Parishioners present drew attention to Cllr Harry Bramer’s involvement but said that nothing had happened since. The Clerk will write to the Highways Agency asking them to make sound level tests and to attend a Council Meeting to explain the position and answer questions. Cllr Richard Smith reminded Council that there had been several M50 noise objections from both Gorsley and Linton villages recorded during the Parish Plan open days.

The Clerk

14.2

Councillors asked for the following correspondence from the list tabled at the meeting:

Cllr Jean Foley: D1343, 1346, 1348, 1349, 1350, 1352, 1356, 1357, 1360 (taken at the meeting) 1364, 1370, 1371, 1378.

Cllr Richard Smith: D1343, 1345, 1350, 1357, 1367

D1343	14/07/2004	Annual Report and DVD Video	Marches Housing Association
D1344	14/07/2004	Pension Service - an Introduction	Department for Work and Pensions
D1345	16/07/2004	Request for Update of Parish Plan Progress	Countryside Agency
D1346	19/07/2004	Parish Council Minutes	Lea PC
D1347	19/07/2004	Schedule of Meetings	CHDC
D1348	19/07/2004	Road Works Schedule	CHDC
D1349	19/07/2004	Farmers Market Flyer	CHDC
D1350	19/07/2004	Community Safety & Drugs Partnership	Herefordshire Community
D1351	20/07/2004	Internal Audit Report for April-June 2004	Internal Auditor
D1352	21/07/2004	Letter of Thanks from GGS	Gorsley Goffs School
D1352a	21/07/2004	Business Crime Survey	CHDC
D1353	23/07/2004	County Training Partnership Core Programme for 2004/5	HALC
D1354	23/07/2004	Draft Clerk's Salary Increases for 1004/5; 5/6 and 6/7	HALC
D1355	23/07/2004	Notification of Rural Police/Community Consultative Group on July 27th	HALC
D1356	23/07/2004	Agenda for HALC Southern Area Meeting	HALC
D1357	23/07/2004	News Snippets	HALC
D1358	26/07/2004	Forward Plan August 1st to 30th November	CHDC
D1359	26/07/2004	Newsletter promoting travel awareness	CHDC
D1360	26/07/2004	Rural Shops Survey - By August 27th	CHDC
D1361	26/07/2004	Voluntary Sector Training Programme	community first
D1362	28/07/2004	Recruitment of Magistrates	Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee
D1363	02/08/2004	Sitelines	English Nature
D1364	02/08/2004	Minutes of the South Herefordshire Rural Transport Forum	SHRTF
D1365	02/08/2004	Herefordshire Lifescapes Project (Perhaps meant for the other Linton)	CHDC
D1366	02/08/2004	Funding Directory	CHDC
D1367	03/08/2004	External Audit Report	Winross Hacker Young
D1368	03/08/2004	Newsline Newsletter	community first
D1369	06/08/2004	Clerk's Pay Rates for 2004 and 2005	HALC
D1370	06/08/2004	HALC AGM Will be October 28th. Venue to be announced.	HALC
D1371	09/08/2004	Letter re Conservation pond at Darnell's Farm	Mr EJ, CR & GJ Chapman
D1372	09/08/2004	Services Update	CHDC
D1373	09/08/2004	Schedule of Meetings	CHDC
D1374	09/08/2004	Transport Plan Progress Report	CHDC
D1375	09/08/2004	Funding Directory	Herefordshire Partnership
D1376	09/08/2004	War Memorials Grants	CHDC
D1377	09/08/2004	Town Hall Open Weekend Poster	CHDC
D1378	09/08/2004	Involving your Community Workshop	CHDC
D1379	09/08/2004	Parish Plans Networking Event	CHDC
D1380	09/08/2004	Quote for plumbing at the allotments	IC & CA Burson
D1381	09/08/2004	Correspondence between Harry Bramer and Bob Bilbie of the Highways Agency

15		Councillor’s Submissions, including Village Events
	15.1	Cllr John Foley: Saturday September 11th is the annual Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust, Cycle Ride with proceeds in aid of the repair and maintenance of the fabric of local churches.
	15.2	Cllr Richard Smith: August 26^th to the 30^th is the Gorsley Flower festival with teas in the Village Hall other than on Sunday. The next film on September 2^nd is “Lost in Translation”. The last film “Girl with a Pearl Earring” attracted the second biggest audience ever. Fly tipping at the Quarry is getting worse. The Clerk will write to English Nature. The Ross Regeneration Partnership is not making any progress and the Cllr proposes that Council withdraws from regular attendance and simply requests to be kept informed of any changes. Council decided that the Clerk should so write to the Chairman of the Core Group, with a copy to the Market Towns Officer, John Passmore, the letter to make it clear that Council expects a reply.	The Clerk The Clerk
	15.3	Cllr Ken Downham: There is a recital of medieval music in Linton Parish Church on September 10^th and a car treasure hunt on September 5^th, starting from Linton Village Hall at 2:30 p.m.

16		Parish Plan
	16.1	Cllr Richard Smith reported that 6 out of the 7 working groups have met and broadly endorsed the draft proposals. The youth group has yet to meet.
	16.2	New guidance from CHDC (D1330) says that Parish Plans should be submitted to the PP Liaison Officer, without further consultations with CHDC officers. Council decided, therefore, that Cllr Richard Smith should prepare a draft plan and internally circulate that within the next two weeks. After appropriate further consultation the plan can be published and submitted to CHDC.

17		Maps in Village Halls
	17.1	Nothing to report.

18		Public Submissions
	18.1	Parishioner Phil Page pointed out that the hedge bounding Trelights in Quarry Lane has become a hazard. The Clerk will speak to the owners.
	18.2	Parishioner Derek Hewett asked if the date of English Nature’s taking over of Linton Quarry is known. The Clerk will look it up.	The Clerk
	18.3	Parishioner Gwynne Rowley asked who owns the hedge bounding Glen Carn in Quarry Lane. Answer: the supposition is that it is owned by the property.
	18.4	Pinford Farm would like some sandbags. The Clerk will be informed as to quantity.

19		Items for Consideration at the Next Meeting
	19.1	None.

20		Date of the Next Meeting
	20.1	September 20^th 2004 at 7:30 in Linton Village Hall; this is later in the month than usual to accommodate Councillor’s summer holdays. The Clerk will check that the hall is available.	The Clerk

The Meeting Finished At 9:56 p.m.

In Gorsley Village Hall At 7:30 p.m.

Matters arising therefrom not covered in the Agenda

Traffic Speeds and Management Within the Parish

Annual Review of Standing Orders (Financial Only)

Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts

Chairman’s Announcements