LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

 

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On August 12th 2002

In Gorsley 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 Phil Page

Cllr Geoff Reeve-Black

 

 

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

 

5 Parishioners attended.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Minute Item

 

Action

 

 

 

 

1

 

Apologies

 

 

1.1

Cllr Jim Stewart.

 

 

2

 

Declarations of Interest

 

 

2.1

Cllr Richard Smith declared his interest as an Allotment Holder and immediate neighbour to the allotments.

 

 

3

 

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 8th July 2002

 

 

3.1

These were approved and duly signed without change.

 

 

4

 

Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda

 

 

4.1

Speed Monitoring at Bromsash:

 

 

4.1.1

The Clerk reported that CHDC will be placing speed monitors in three positions for a seven day period once a replacement responsible officer is in post, the previous incumbent having left. Two will be placed 50 metres on either side of the junction, on the B road and one inside the 30 mph limit, on the road to Linton.

 

 

4.2

Hedges on Quarry and Manse Lanes bounding Mr Carpinina’s property.

 

 

4.2.1

These have still not been cut. The Chairman has called twice but nobody answered the door. The Clerk will now write again, stating that if the cutting is not done within 7 days, CHDC will be contracted to do the work. CHDC will then bill the owner.

The Clerk

 

4.3

Overgrowing Trees in Linton

 

 

4.3.1

Cllr Ken Downham reported that, following the Clerk’s request, CHDC’s tree officer had inspected. The trees are all on private land so CHDC cannot take direct action but they will contact the owners.

 

 

5

 
Roadmaker Inn

 

 

5.1

The Clerk had written to CHDC’s Chief Executive, asking the questions posed by Council in Minute 5.1.2. There was an acknowledgment, dated July 16th, saying:

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 13th July, 2002.

I will have to obtain further background information before responding to your enquiry.  I am making enquiry of the relevant Directorate and I will be in touch with you shortly.

Neil Pringle, Chief Executive, Herefordshire Council

 

 

5.2

The Clerk will write again, suggesting that “shortly” has now expired.

The Clerk

 

5.3

Parishioner Sue Matthews said that she has spoken to CHDC’s enforcement officer, Louise Hill who has told her that there is an “order on the pub to remove the chimney” by a date in September.

 

 

6

 

Internal Auditor and the Clerk’s Income Tax Position

 

 

6.1

The Clerk tabled the Internal Auditor’s report, which he had received by email, with an apology from the Auditor for being unable to attend. The accompanying statement was as follows:

Attached is the audit report of 16 July 02 for your records.

I submit this report to the Council, with the following comment,

"The audit result was satisfactory with financial transactions backed up by comprehensive computerised records.

The auditor believes that the Council understands the arrangements in place that supersede PAYE on the Clerk's salary, but no record was found of this arrangement being agreed by the Council."

 

 

 

6.2

All present agreed that the Clerk had previously made an assurance with regard to his Tax Arrangements and accepted his re-affirmation that he is declaring his income from Linton Parish Council on his self-assessment form. The Internal Auditor to be so informed.

The Clerk

 

6.3

The Clerk was instructed to ensure that a signed copy of the auditor’s report be placed on file.

The Clerk

 

6.4

Cllr Jean Foley pointed out that it is Council, not the internal auditor, which remained  responsible for the accounts and hence for the internal audit. It was decided that, based upon a draft from Cllr Jean Foley, the Clerk should write to the Internal Auditor, making this clear.

Cllr Jean Foley/The Clerk

 

7

 

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

 

 

7.1

The Clerk tabled accounts to date and invited questions.

 

 

7.2

Cllr Phil Page asked why the account did not show the £500 donated to the Village Halls for their Jubilee Celebrations. (CLERK’S NOTE: Both payments, of £250 each, were made early in April 2002 but related to Council decisions and budgeting in 2001/2002. The payments had, therefore, been included in the 2001/2002 accounts, a fact which was brought to Council’s attention. See Item 9.3 in the minutes for the meeting of April 8th 2002.)

 

 

7.3

The Clerk tabled the following invoices for payment:

 

 

AP60

Grass cutting from A W Taylor

 

24.00

AP61

Wyenet Internet Services

 

235.01

AP62

Winston Gooch for Grass Cutting 26/4, 3/6 & 23/7

105.75

AP63

Grass cutting from A W Taylor

 

24.00

AP64

Clerk's Salary for July 2002

 

159.50

AP65

Clerk's Expenses for July 2002

 

83.33

 

 

 

Proposed by Cllr John Foley, seconded by Cllr Ken Downham and approved by majority, IT WAS AGREED to pay these invoices and the cheques were duly signed. Cllr Phil Page abstained, citing his opposition to the Wyenet Invoice because he opposed the establishment of Council’s web site.

 

 

7.4

Arising from these invoices, the Clerk read a note forming part of Mr A Taylor’s invoice, to the effect that he was not prepared to continue grass cutting at the present levels of dog fouling.

 

 

7.4.1

The Clerk explained that he had confirmed with CHDC’s dog warden that prohibition notices had lawful effect only within 30 mph speed limit areas. Accordingly, on Council’s behalf, he had enquired of HALC whether Council could pass a by-law that did have legal effect.

 

 

7.4.2

After discussion, Council decided to erect advisory notices, made of A4 laminated paper mounted on wooden posts on each of the areas and to post further notices in each notice board. The Clerk agreed to produce the notices and Cllr Ken Downham volunteered to see to their erection.

Cllr Ken Downham/the Clerk

 

8

 

Working Party Reports:

 

 

8.1

Planning

 

 

8.1.1

P59. SE2002/1869/F. Demolition of the existing four pre-fabricated garages and the construction of four double garages at Malvern House and May House, Linton House and Weston House, Eccleswall Barns, Bromsash, HR9 7PW. Council supported on 12/08/02 provided that it does not infringe upon the existing right of way.

 

 

8.1.2

P60. SE2002/2057/F. To convert existing garage for use as a utility room and snug/study and to add a conservatory room at Barn House, Linton HR9 7RS. Council supported.

 

 

8.1.3

The following permissions have been notified to Council as made:

 

 

8.1.3.1

P57. SE2002/1449/F. Erection of two storey building for double garage, store & games room to replace existing building at The Old Post Office, Gorsley HR9 7SW. Granted 16/07/02.

 

 

8.1.3.2

P55. SE2002/1261/RM. Erection of 4 dwellings (approval of reserved matters) at Brandons Poultry Site, Burrups Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SP. Permission granted 21/06/02 subject to numerous conditions including several prior to development commencing.

 

 

8.1.3.3

P51. SE2002/0678/F. Extension to agricultural building for loose boxes and use of the building and field for keeping and breeding of horses on Land adjacent to Rosedale Cottage, Gorsley, HR9 7SE. Permission Granted on 23/07/02.

 

 

8.1.4

The applications relating to Burrups Lane appear complex and the Clerk asked for clarification. Cllr Jean Foley explained the position:

  • An original application for four bungalows was granted some time ago and, recently, an application for “Reserved Matters” in that original application has also been granted.
  • A subsequent application for 4 Executive Houses has been granted
  • A further application for those same 4 Executive Houses has been refused and is now the subject of an Appeal, ref: APP/W1850/A/02/1095136 , date to be advised.
  • The Cllr is drafting a letter to CHDC for Council’s consideration.

Cllr Jean Foley

 

8.1.5

The Clerk was asked to write asking whether any proposals have been made over the naming of this development and to request assurance that Council will be consulted.

The Clerk

 

8.1.6

Cllr John Foley advised Council of SHALC’s interest in planning. He was authorised to represent Council on planning matters at future SHALC meetings and to press that body to advocate a Planning Application Procedure that takes due account of Parish Council meeting dates.

Cllr John Foley

 

8.1.7

Cllr Ken Downham reported on a suspect unauthorised development. Cllr Jean Foley responded that she is aware of this and has the matter in hand.

Cllr Jean Foley

 

8.2

Allotments

 

 

 

Cllr Phil Page reported that he has drawn up a plan but this has not yet been discussed by the working party.

Cllr Phil Page

 

8.3

Finance

 

 

 

Nothing to report.

 

 

8.4

Footpaths

 

 

8.4.1

Cllr John Foley reported that he went on a footpath walk with Gorsley & Kilcot PC. Some  three dozen people took part, showing great enthusiasm.

 

 

8.4.2

He is considering a register of footpaths walked, to be put on public display. The Clerk asked for an electronic copy to be placed on the web site.

Cllr John Foley

 

8.4.3

The Chairman said that there is hedge overhanging the footpath alongside the allotments. Cllr John Foley agreed to find out who is responsible for the cutting of this.

Cllr John Foley

 

8.5

Parish Roads in Need of Repair

 

 

 

Cllr John Foley reported that he is working on a schedule of ditch clearing, as requested by CHDC. Councillors who undertook the original road survey agreed that they will now check the ditches and report to John.

Cllr John Foley/Cllrs

 

9

 

Parish Projects for 2002/2003

 

 

9.1

Stabilisation and Recovery of the Linton Pound

 

 

9.1.1

Cllr John Foley reported on a meeting and subsequent letter from Noel Knight, CHDC’s  Historic Buildings Surveyor, making various suggestions. Involvement of the Scouts is in abeyance during the school holidays but there will be one more clearing session and then a final plan.

Cllr John Foley

 

9.2

Reordering of Talbot’s Well

 

 

9.2.1

Cllr Jean Foley said that she is still waiting to hear from the History Society. She will inform them of the suggestions made in Noel Knight’s Letter.

Cllr Jean Foley

 

9.3

Reordering of the Allotments.

 

 

9.3.1

Nothing to report in addition to 8.2 above.

 

 

9.4

The Council’s Web Site

 

 

9.4.1

The Clerk reported that, the anonymous donation having been received, the web site had been established and can be viewed at www.lintonpc-herefordshire.gov.uk. It is under construction and he is actively seeking written contributions, particularly from Councillors.

 

 

9.4.2

Cllr Phil Page made his objections to the web site abundantly clear and Parishioner Gwyne Rowley said that he felt the anonymous donation smacked of being a “bit underhand”. Cllr Ken Downham suggested that the Parish Plan Questionnaire should include a section to elicit parishioners’ views. The general view was that Council is content to proceed with the activity for one year, as it is of no cost to the parishioners and that its funding poses no questions of propriety. At the end of that year, the position will be reviewed.

The Clerk

 

9.4.3

The Clerk confirmed that Council will have an opportunity to view the web site, in session, at the next regular meeting in Linton Village Hall.

The Clerk

 

9.5

Parish Photographic Survey

 

 

9.5.1

The Clerk explained that he had approached two photographers but only one had responded. He tabled that quotation, from Ian Walker, photographer to the Ross Gazette. Council agreed that other quotations should be sought and proposed John Wheble (Barrups Lane) and Martyn Poynor (Royal Cottage, Gorsley).

The Clerk

 

10

 

Quality Council & Parish Plan