LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Annual Meeting Held On May 13^th 2002

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

Present:

Cllr Richard Smith , Chairman

Cllr Jean Foley, Vice Chairman

Cllr Ken Downham

Cllr Audrey Duke

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Marlene Hartell (From Item 10)

Cllr Gordon Martin

Cllr Geoff Reeve-Black

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

5 Parishioners attended.

Minute Item			Action
1		Election of Chairman for the period 2002 to 2003
	1.1	Proposed by Cllr Ken Downham, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Cllr Richard Smith be elected. Cllr Ken Downham expressed his warm thanks for Cllr Richard Smith’s efforts over the past year, to general approval. The Chairman then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

2		Election of Vice Chairman for the period 2002 to 2003
	2.1	Proposed by Cllr Geoff Reeve-Black, seconded by Cllr Richard Smith and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Cllr Jean Foley be elected. The Councillor then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

3		To fix the amount of the chairman’s allowance (Section 15.5, Local Government Act 1972)
	3.1	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Geoff Reeve-Black and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that this be zero.

4		To appoint members of Working Parties
	4.1	Finance: Cllrs Ken Downham, Geoff Reeve-Black, Richard Smith and Jim Stewart
	4.2	Planning: Cllrs Jean Foley, Audrey Duke and John Foley.
	4.3	Allotments: Cllrs Phil Page and Audrey Duke.
	4.4	Footpaths and Trees: Cllrs John Foley, Ken Downham and Gordon Martin.
	4.5	Highways: Cllrs John Foley, Jean Foley and Ken Downham.

5		To appoint representatives to other organisations
	5.1	Gorsley Village Hall Committee: Cllr Richard Smith.
	5.2	Linton Village Hall Committee: Cllr Ken Downham.
	5.3	Gorsley & Kilcot Millennium Committee: Cllr Audrey Duke.

6		Apologies
	6.1	Cllrs Phil Page and Jim Stewart

7		Declarations of Interest
	7.1	None

8		Minutes of the Meeting Held on 8^th April 2002
	8.1	These were adopted and duly signed by the Chairman, with two alterations: Item 17.2.1 Change Countryside Agency to Community First. Item 19.1 Change A Marfell to A Taylor.

9		Matters arising there from not covered in the Agenda
	9.1	Item 5.1 – Bus Stop Near The Roadmaker Going West. The Clerk apologised that he had forgotten to let Parishioner Gwynne Rowley know of the meeting date but reported that he and Cllr Audrey Duke had met with Derek White, Operations Manager of Stagecoach on May 2^nd. Mr White saw for himself the busy nature of the road and the hazards caused when a bus stops. All three agreed that the siting of the stop at any place along that stretch of road would create a hazard of one sort or another. However, if a bus pull-in were to be constructed just West of the school crossing, this could provide a safe stop. Mr White explained that bus pull-ins are the responsibility of CHDC, not Stagecoach. Council decided that the Clerk should seek the school’s opinion before deciding whether any further action should be taken.	The Clerk
	9.2	Item 10.4.3 – The Clerk to Write to Jim Smith of CHDC to progress the planned road and drainage repairs. The Clerk reported that he had received a reply which said that the work would start soon. Cllr Ken Downham commented that he had spoken about the slippage along the lower Linton Ridge Road and that CHDC had not yet decided upon how to proceed as a proper repair would be extremely expensive.

10		Council Casual Vacancy - Co-option of a Councillor
	10.1	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Gordon Martin and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Mrs Marlene Hartell be elected as a Co-opted Member. Cllr Marlene Hartell then signed the Acceptance of the Model Code of Conduct and completed the Declaration of Interests forms. Subsequently, the Councillor accepted nomination onto the Footpaths and Trees Working Party. The Clerk will inform the Registration Officer at CHDC.	The Clerk

11		Roadmaker Inn
	11.1	Council had not heard anything official. Parishioner Sue Matthews reported that there had been a proposal to simply “box in” the extractor fan but that this would achieve little to correct the problems and Parishioner Dr Swallow had written to CHDC accordingly. Meanwhile, the noise and smells continue and threaten to do so throughout this summer as they did last year. Council sympathised and promised its continuing support but, of course, has no power in this matter. The item to remain on the agenda for special attention next month.	The Clerk

12		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	12.1	Final Accounts for 2001/2002: Proposed by Cllr Ken Downham, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the accounts be adopted, with two changes and then attached to these minutes: a) Make the Village Hall Grant plural and add a note explaining that both halls have received £250. b) Correct the printing so that the notes column is visible.	The Clerk

12.2	Accounts For 2002/2003: These were tabled by the Clerk, in the new agreed format but with work still required to achieve a balance. Council noted.	The Clerk
12.3	Internal Auditor: The Clerk explained that a recently published clarification of the new rules had highlighted that the Internal Auditor must be independent of Council but can be somebody from within the Parish. The Chairman asked that Members and Parishioners present consider names and propose them to the Clerk prior to the next meeting. The item will be separately added to the agenda.	All Councillors, Parishioners, The Clerk.
12.4	Payment of Accounts: Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Gordon Martin and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the following accounts be paid. The cheques were duly signed.	The Clerk

AP47	Community First Subscription	25.00
AP48	Grass Cutting from A Taylor	24.00
AP49	Jubilee Oak Tree Commemorative Plaque	52.87
AP50	Annual Subscription to HALC at £44	44.00
AP51	Insurance for 2002/2003	216.55
AP52	Clerk's Salary for April 2002	159.50

13		Working party reports:
	13.1	Planning
	13.1.1	D551 – Letter from Mrs V Douglas re Apparent Change of Use of Glencarn, Quarry Lane, Gorsley: The Clerk reported that he had contacted the Planning Enforcement Office (Louise Hill) who, in turn, had written to the owners and also advised Mrs Douglas to contact the Environmental Health Officer over the question of noise. In a telephoned reply, the owners said that there had been no change of use. The dogs were their own, bred for show purposes. Louise Hill had told the Clerk that she will now make a site visit to check that the buildings do not contravene planning regulations and would let the Clerk know the outcome. Mr & Mrs Douglas were present at this meeting and explained their position. The Chairman sympathised and, in turn, explained the limit of Parish Council powers. He recommended Mr & Mrs Douglas to talk personally to the owners at Glencarn to see if there can be a mutual resolution of the issues. Other suggestions were to talk to the Dog Breeders Association and other like bodies.	The Clerk
	13.1.2	P54. SE2002/1118/F. Subdivision of Unit 5 to create additional dwelling (Unit 5A); conversion of byre to dwelling (Unit 4A); amendments to access road and parking areas. Barns at Revells Farm, Linton, HR9 7SD. Cllr Geoff Reeve-Black declared an interest as he lives locally. Council decided that it has no good grounds to object but is concerned about the concentration of development in a small area and the increased traffic on an already inadequate road structure, one of two main routes into Linton Village and the route to and from the M50. The Clerk was instructed to respond accordingly.	The Clerk
	13.1.3	P53. SE2002/0918/F. Erection of four dwellings with detached double garages on Brandons Poultry Site, Burrups Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SP. This was presumed to have been superseded by P55 SE2002/1261/RM. Erection of 4 dwellings (approval of reserved matters) on Brandons Poultry Site, Burrups Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SP. Cllr Jean Foley reminded Members that this relates to an earlier provisional approval and, as such, cannot be objected to. However, she read a re-statement of Council’s Views at that earlier time and it was decided to attach that as Council’s comment.	The Clerk
	13.1.4	P56. SE2002/1295/K. To fell 1 Sycamore, crown reduce 1 Beech and fell or cut back Hedge as appropriate. Linton Village Hall, Linton, HR9 7RT. Council supported.	The Clerk
	13.1.5	P52. SE2002/0699/O. Proposed erection of two bungalows with ancillary works on land adjoining Rose Cottage, Gorsley, HR9 7SL. Permission was refused on 30/04/02.

13.2	Allotments
13.2.1	The working party has not met. Clerk’s Note: rents for 2002/2003 are now due.	The Clerk
13.3	Finance
13.3.1	The working party has not met.
13.4	Footpaths
13.4.1	Cllr John Foley asked whether an earlier Council provision of Styles etc. should be included in the list of Parish Assets. It was decided that as the items are on private land, Council can not be involved.
13.5	Highways
13.5.1	The working party has not met.

14		Parish Projects for 2002/2003
	14.1	Further Contribution to The Chimes
	14.1.1	Cllr Ken Downham said that for this year, the Chimes’ finances were in good order and so a donation for the current year is unnecessary.
	14.2	Stabilisation and Recovery of the Linton Pound
	14.2.1	Cllr John Foley said that at a meeting a few days ago it was decided that the Scouts will start clearing the area next month. Brian Evans, the Tree Warden is being involved. Council was content that this remains a Parish Project for the current year and the sum of £500 will continue to be committed to the purpose to complement any grant funds that might be obtained. Cllr Jean Foley warned that the Council may yet be obliged to increase its financial support..
	14.3	Reordering of Talbot’s Well
	14.3.1	There was general agreement that Parishioners consider this an important project. The Clerk was asked to write to the Historical Society, asking them for ideas and proposals. Parishioner Gwynne Rowley made the welcome suggestion that Council should place a picnic table there.	The Clerk
	14.4	Reordering of the Allotments
	14.4.1	This was deferred until next month’s meeting.	The Clerk
	14.5	The Council’s Web Page
	14.5.1	Cllr Jean Foley opined that this project has no value and she was supported by Parishioner Gwynne Rowley. The Chairman explained the possible benefits and it was decided to ask the Clerk to prepare firm proposals for the costs of publishing and maintaining a web site and the cost of procuring Council’s own Domain Name.	The Clerk
	14.6	Parish Photographic Survey
	14.6.1	Various proposals were made and it was decided to ask the Clerk to quote for his doing the work, using digital photography.	The Clerk

15		Quality Council & Parish Plan
	15.1	Police and Stagecoach Consultation Reports
	15.1.1	These were tabled and noted.
	15.2	Proposed Press Release
	15.2.1	This was tabled by Cllr Richard Smith and approved. The Clerk will send copies to the Ross Gazette; Hereford Times; Newent edition of the Gloucester Citizen and the Hereford Journal. (Clerk’s Note: They will first be scrutinised by Parishioner Percy Roberts, a newspaperman of some repute).	The Clerk

15.3	Proposed Articles for The Chimes