LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On 9^th September 2002

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

Present:

Cllr Richard Smith , Chairman

Cllr Jean Foley, Vice Chairman

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Marlene Hartell

Cllr Jim Stewart

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

4 Parishioners attended.

Minute Item			Action
1		Apologies
	1.1	Cllr Audrey Duke, Cllr Gordon Martin, Cllr Ken Downham, Cllr Geoff Reeve-Black. The Clerk reported that Cllr Gordon Martin had told him earlier in the day that he will be resigning from the Council shortly, for personal reasons.

2		Declarations of Interest
	2.1	The Chairman declared his interest in the allotments as a tenant and immediate neighbour and duly signed the Declarations Book.

3		Minutes of the Meeting held On 12^th August 2002
	3.1	These were signed by the Chairman after the following changes:
	3.1.1	Item 6.4. Delete the words “based upon a draft from Cllr Jean Foley” from the second sentence.
	3.1.2	Item 10.1.1. Change the action to “Councillors” rather than just Cllr John Foley.
	3.1.3	Item 16.4. Correct the spelling of Parishioner Gwynne Rowley’s name.

4		Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda
	4.1	Item 4.2.1 Hedges Bounding Mr Carpinina’s property. The Clerk reported that Mick Radnor of CHDC will visit the site and take appropriate action.
	4.2	The Chairman requested to see the signed copy of the Internal Auditor’s report, now received by the Clerk (see Item 6.1 below).	The Clerk
	4.3	The Clerk reported that, in response to his enquiry about road naming within the Burrups Lane Development, he had a reply saying that road naming for new developments is a matter for the developer and the planning department. He was asked to write accordingly, conveying Council’s views as before.	The Clerk
	4.4	Item 8.1.4 The Burrups Lane Development. Cllr Jean Foley confirmed that she is drafting a letter, resulting from her inspection of papers at CHDC.	Cllr Jean Foley
	4.5	Item 10.3.1. Getting People to Stand for Election. The Clerk confirmed that he had not received any requests for changes to the draft papers circulated with the minutes.
	4.6	Item 15.1.1 The Jubilee Oak Tree. The Clerk reported that the supplier had inspected and suspects that the problem is water related. However, there are two known Oak Tree diseases in the area and the supplier has promised to send samples for laboratory testing.	The Clerk
	4.7	Item 15.1.2 Signage of Frowens Lane. The Clerk read out the response from Steve Thompson of CHDC: The placement of the sign caused severe problems with objection from a land owner who took the sign down, it ended up with police involvement. A colleague of mine is dealing with the matter and the sign should be replaced fairly soon. On the second point there is no hard and fast rule, we largely leave it up to the sign crew to position the sign. Usually this is on the visible side unless safety, ownership or other issues dictate otherwise.

5		Roadmaker Inn
	5.1	The Chairman read out letter D673 from CHDC’s Chief Executive, Neil Pringle, which had been received shortly after the last meeting, thus making it unnecessary for the Clerk to write. In essence, the letter stated that the chimney was to be removed as it did not have planning permission and was offensive for all of the reasons complained of by the neighbouring parishioners and detailed more than once in submissions by the Parish Council.
	5.2	Parishioner Sue Matthews said that the fan has been re-positioned and the chimney removed but it is too early to judge the effect of the changes. In any event, other unsightly extension work remained.

6		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	6.1	The Clerk has received the signed copy of the Internal Auditor’s report and has written to him, advising him of the limitations of his responsibilities.
	6.2	The Clerk tabled the accounts and invited questions after drawing attention to the possible small overrun in Expenses due to extra printing costs, largely for the Parish Plan. Council noted without comment.
	6.3	The following invoices were tabled for payment approval:

AP66	Grass Cutting from A W Taylor	24.00
AP67	Hire of Gorsley Village Hall	25.00
AP68	Grass Cutting from A W Taylor	24.00
AP69	Clerk's Salary for August 2002	159.50
AP70	Clerk's Expenses for August 2002	107.99

Proposed by Cllr John Foley, seconded by Cllr Jim Stewart and approved with one abstention (from Cllr Richard Smith on account of his association with AP67), IT WAS AGREED that these be paid in full. The cheques were duly signed.

7		B4221 Safety Survey
	7.1	A notification letter (D674) from Gloucestershire County Council & a draft response to that had been attached to the Agenda for this meeting. Councillors proposed two amendments to the draft and the Clerk was instructed to reply with the amended version, copying the reply to all those on the original letter’s circulation and to our neighbouring parish of Gorsley and Kilcot. A copy is also attached to these minutes.	The Clerk

8		Requirement for Councillor’s Declarations to be Available at Each Council Meeting
	8.1	The Clerk reported on a requirement from the Standards Board for England that copies of each Councillor’s Declarations of Interests and Observations of the Code of Conduct should be available for inspection at each Council meeting.
	8.2	In discussion, Councillors felt that this was taking bureaucracy too far as the declarations are already open to the public and, additionally in this Parish, are available on the web site and, on request, from the Clerk. There is already a great deal of paperwork that has to be carried to meetings and this requirement adds unnecessarily to that burden. Parishioners present supported Councillors’ views.
	8.3	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Jim Stewart and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk is instructed to write, registering Council’s strong objections to this requirement, for the above reasons.	The Clerk

9		Working Party Reports
	9.1	Planning
	9.1.1	The Clerk tabled D696 from CHDC, a 4 page leaflet of advice for the new service of public speaking at Planning Committee Meetings. The Clerk was asked to produce a précis for placement on the notice boards and the web site.	The Clerk
	9.1.2	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. Permission was refused on 15/08/02.
	9.1.3	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. Permission was granted on 27/08/02.
	9.1.4	P61. SE2002/2458/K. To remove one Yew tree adjacent to south side of Church Tower at St Mary's Church, Linton, HR9 7RX. Council supported.	The Clerk
	9.2	Allotments
		No report in Cllr Phil Page’s absence.
	9.3	Finance
		Nothing to report.
	9.4	Footpaths
		Nothing to report.
	9.5	Parish Roads in Need of Repair
		Nothing to report.

10		Parish Projects for 2002/2003
	10.1	Stabilisation and Recovery of the Linton Pound
	10.1.1	A letter (D701) from the Linton History Society supporting Council’s initiative was read out by Cllr Jean Foley. Cllr John Foley reported that clearance work by the Scouts continues. The Chairman asked about major tree clearance but it was decided that this will have to wait on determination of the grant position because, although funds are available in the Budget, work started before a grant is agreed will not qualify for matching funds.	Cllrs Jean & John Foley
	10.2	Reordering of Talbot’s Well
	10.2.1	A second letter from the Linton History Society, making various proposals, was read out by Cllr Jean Foley and warmly welcomed by Councillors. (D702).	Cllrs Jean & John Foley
	10.3	Reordering of the Allotments
		Nothing to report.
	10.4	The Council’s Web Page –a demonstration
	10.4.1	With grateful thanks to Parishioner Bob Anderson for providing the computer projector and Cllr Jim Stewart for running the system, the Clerk presented the current stage of development, explaining that the site is being designed around the following themes: Information about the Parish Information around the Parish Information about the Council Information about the value of the web site
	10.4.2	Each theme was demonstrated in turn and opinions from parishioners at the conclusion included “It's excellent” and “It's the way forward”. There was no dissent.
	10.4.3	Useful suggestions from both Councillors and Parishioners were noted by the Clerk, for early inclusion.	The Clerk
	10.5	Parish Photographic Survey
	10.5.1	The Clerk read out an email from Martyn Poynor offering to do the photography at no charge and the reproduction at cost, subject to timing not interfering with his commercial work.
	10.5.2	John Wheble, who had also been invited to quote, was present at this meeting and also offered to do the work at no charge, explaining that Martyn Poynor used to be a student of his. (Clerk’s Note: Neither knew that the other had been asked to quote).
	10.5.3	It was decided that the Clerk will write to both, accepting both offers and inviting them to work together.	The Clerk
	10.5.4	Parishioner Bob Anderson reminded everybody of Brian Squires’ photographic work.

11		Quality Council & Parish Plan, including
	11.1	Drafting of the Factual Introduction to the Parish Plan
	11.1.1	Nothing to report.	Councillors
	11.2	Consultation Meetings
	11.2.1	Since the last Council meeting these have been held with the PCCs and the Baptist Chapel, the Village Hall Committees, Gorsley & Linton Clubs & Groups, Gorsley & Linton Service providers and Playgroups and Brownies. Reports of each meeting are attached to these minutes.	The Clerk
	11.2.2	The Chairman reported that he and Cllr Jean Foley will be attending a Planning for Real training session on September 14^th.
	11.3	Getting People to Stand for Election
	11.3.1	Nothing to report: item now closed.

12		Standing Orders v New Guidelines Comparison
	12.1	The Clerk reported that he has twice emailed Lynda Wilcox of HALC on three questions, including this and also telephoned, all without response.
	12.2	Council requested that he try again.	The Clerk

13		Signage of Village Place Names and Boundaries
	13.1