LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

 

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On November 11th 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

Cllr Phil Page

Cllr Jim Stewart

 

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

 

4 Parishioners attended.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Minute Item

 

Action

 

 

 

 

1

 

Apologies

 

 

1.1

None

 

 

2

 

Declarations of Interest

 

 

2.1

Cllrs Richard Smith and Phil Page declared their interest in the Allotments and signed the Declarations Book for 12 months, as agreed at the last meeting, minute item 4.8.

 

 

3

 

Minutes of the Meeting held On 14th October 2002

 

 

3.1

These were duly signed by the Chairman, with the following amendments:

 

 

3.1.1

Delete “the Plan” at the end of Item 6.2 and replace it with “be deducted from the Parish Plan grant.

 

 

3.1.2

Change “Hospital” to read “Church” in item 15.1.

 

 

3.1.3

In item 15.2, delete the sentence “In Herefordshire, what is known nationally as an Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) is referred to as an Area of Great Local Value (AGLV).” and replace it with “A presentation was given about areas of outstanding natural beauty. AONBs are designated by central government and areas of great landscape value (AGLV) are designated by the local authority.”

 

 

4

 

Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda

 

 

4.1

Item 4.4. Planning Procedures and the Burrups Lane Development.

Cllr Jean Foley said that her draft letter is half way completed. In particular, she is waiting for the appeal hearing.

Cllr Jean Foley

 

4.2

Item 9.4.1. Request to the Volunteers for Parish Plan Photography to Start Work.

The Clerk reported that the letter had been sent and that John Wheble had replied, saying that he had hoped to be present at this evening’s meeting, to report progress.

 

 

4.3

Item 10.3.4. Parish Plans Annual Meeting on October 19th.

The Chairman reported that this meeting, at which he had been invited to speak, was cancelled.

 

 

4.4

4.4.1

Item 4.6. Condition of the Oak Tree.

The Clerk reported that he had received an opinion from the supplier as follows:

 

“Dear Mr Atherton,

I have now heard from Alice Holt.  The oak is suffering from a fungal disease Discula quercina which, while not uncommon, has been particularly severe in some parts of the U.K. this year. It is suggested that damaged wood be pruned back, although it is hard to say at this point what effect this will have on the form of the tree.  Since the spores over-winter in the fallen diseased foliage, it is probably worth clearing the ground and burning the leaves, in an effort to minimise a recurrence.

Yours sincerely

Alan R. Davis”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4.2

Cllr Phil Page volunteered to clear the leaves and Cllr Ken Downham volunteered to discuss the pruning with the Parish Tree Officer, following receipt from the Clerk of the disease name.

Cllrs Phil Page and Ken Downham/The Clerk

 

4.5

The Clerk tabled the eventual formal replies from HALC to long outstanding questions:

 

 

 

“Dear Brian

 

OUTSTANDING QUERIES

 

Further to our recent telephone call, please accept my apologies for the lengthy delay in putting my telephone advice into writing.  There have been administrative problems at the HALC office which have now been resolved and I am sincerely sorry that your queries were held up for so long – I can assure you it will not happen again.

 

ELECTRONIC VERSION OF STANDING ORDERS

 

As a gesture of goodwill, because of the time delay and inconvenience experienced by your Parish Council, please accept the electronic version of Standing Orders (£14.98), which should be with you this week, with HALC’s compliments.

 

PLANNING ISSUES

 

With regard to your query about complaints over inefficiency associated with planning issues, as discussed previously, there is no separate Ombudsman for planning grievances.  In the first instance, any complaint should be made to the Herefordshire Council via their official complaint form, but if the matter progresses further then your case can be put to the Ombudsman for consideration.  Details for making complaints to the Ombudsman can be obtained from Herefordshire Council.

 

DOG BYELAWS

 

The previous South Herefordshire District Council imposed byelaws on footways and highway verges within 30mph speed limit areas (dogs not permitted to foul), which were then added to by the new Herefordshire Council, to include footways and highway verges within 40 mph speed limit areas (person in charge of dog required to clean up dog mess).   At the same time, both Councils asked Parish Councils to nominate areas of parish-owned open spaces which could also be included within the byelaws, e.g. playing fields and village greens. The areas of land to which you refer within your parish, were presumably not put forward for inclusion at that time, and it would be at the discretion of the Herefordshire Council, whether or not they could now be included. If the Herefordshire Council are not minded to include these areas, it is possible (although a lengthy process) for a Parish Council to make byelaws covering its land.  However, the enforcement of such byelaws is not easy, as the only redress the Parish Council has for recovering unpaid fines, would be via the Magistrate’s Court.  This is both time consuming, and possibly expensive, if the case were to be argued and not proven in favour of the Parish Council.

 

In the first instance, the Herefordshire Council should be made aware of the areas which you wish to be covered by anti dog-fouling byelaws, and their assistance sought in including them within the currently specified areas.

 

Problems connected with dog fouling are, unfortunately, common place in most parishes and very difficult to tackle effectively.

 

Once again, I apologise for the delay in responding in writing and wish you every success in your endeavours.

 

Yours sincerely

Lynda Wilcox”

 

The Clerk informed the meeting that Lynda Wilcox’s title has changed from “Secretary” to “Chief Executive”.

 

 

5

 
Roadmaker Inn

 

 

5.1

Parishioner Sue Matthews said that although the chimney has been dismantled and the noise level is reduced both she and Dr Swan have had to complain about the smells. Environmental Health has visited twice but in windy conditions and will come again. The Clerk was instructed to write again to CHDC’s chief executive accordingly.

The Clerk

 

6

 

Annual Review of the Clerk’s Remuneration

 

 

6.1

The Chairman reviewed the position from start of employment as:

·        Engaged on and from 19th Sep 2000 at 18 hours per month and £6.94 per hour, remuneration to be reviewed annually.

·        From 19th Sep 2001 the time was increased from 18 to 22 hrs p.m. and the rate increased to £7.25 p.h.

·        The latest NALC Employment Bulletin (D728) suggested that an annual increase should be paid within the range 3 to 3.06%.  However, £7.25 + 3% = £7.4675 whereas the Clerk falls between National Spinal Column Points 18 & 19, the 2002 rates for which were £7.372 and £7.646 respectively.  Hence the mid-point is now £7.509. 

 

 

 

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to increase the Clerk’s hourly rate to £7.50.

 

 

 

Cllr Phil Page asked how much of the Clerk’s time and expenses was due to the Parish Plan. The Clerk’s provisional analysis suggested that it was not a major factor. The Chairman said that once the plan is in place, more work is likely to flow to the clerk. After further discussion, the Clerk was asked to produce an analysis of his time sheets over the past year, for the next meeting.

The Clerk

 

 

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Phil Page and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to increase the Clerks contracted time to 24 hours per month. The Clerk thanked the Councillors. (Clerks Note: As was his practice last year, he will invoice the new figures from October 1st 2002 rather than from the middle of September.)

 

 

7

 

Budget for 2003/2004

 

 

7.1

This item was discussed after consideration of the accounts in item 8 below, so that Councillors had the latest figures available.

 

 

7.2

Having studied the revised 2002/2003 out-turns and established that the growing overspend in 2002/2003 on the item “Clerk’s Expenses” was not significantly due to extra work from the Parish Plan: Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Phil Page and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to adopt the following:

 

 

7.2.1

A Precept for 2003/2204 of £5,200.

 

 

7.2.2

To make the project Out-Turn for Clerk’s Expenses as £450 and to use that same figure for the 2003/2004 budget.

 

 

7.2.3

To make the projected Out-Turn for Grass and Hedge Cutting £300.

 

 

7.2.4

To reduce the Parish Project Budget figure by £31, to £2019.

 

 

7.2.5

The Clerk is instructed to inform CHDC of the Precept in 7.2.1 above.

The Clerk

 

7.3

Clerks Note: The revised budget, adjusted for 7.2.1; 7.2.2 and 7.2.3 above is attached. However, there was a minor error in calculations during the meeting, so, instead of applying 7.2.4 above, he has adjusted the Carry Forward figure as of March 31st 2004 to £3039 from £3000. This change can be discussed at the next meeting.

 

 

8

 

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

 

 

8.1

The Clerk reported that the new auditors have raised some questions which had, in fact, all been answered in the original submission. To forestall further such, he has emailed a full copy of the accounts records and answered the questions again but made clear that Council does not expect to be charged for this additional correspondence.

 

 

8.2

Accounts for 2002/2003 to date were tabled.

 

 

8.2.1

Council noted the latest projections to year end and that, in particular, Clerk’s expenses are running well in excess of budget.

 

 

8.2.2

Cllr Jim Stewart expressed belief that there are balance sheet errors and it was decided that he and the Clerk would resolve these before the next meeting.

The Clerk/Cllr Jim Stewart

 

8.3

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Phil Page and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following invoices and the cheques were duly signed:

 

 

AP74

Grass cutting from A W Taylor

24.00

AP75

Grass cutting from Winston Gooch

35.25

AP76

Clerk's Salary for October 2002

159.50

AP77

Clerk's Expenses for September & October 2002

60.51

 

9

 

Working Party Reports:

 

 

9.1

Planning

 

 

9.1.1

P65. SE2002/3147/F. Demolition of existing double storey extensions. Erection of two storey side extensions and detached double garage at Cothers Farm, Gorsley, HR9 7SE.

Council has received no representations but has reservations over the size & mass of the proposals.

The Clerk

 

9.1.2

P66. SE2002/3220/F. Single storey rear porch extension at 8 Ivy House Estate, Gorsley, HR9 7SN. Council supports.

The Clerk

 

9.1.3

P58. SE2002/1593/F. Alterations and conversion of redundant barn to form additional dwelling and alterations to existing converted barn at Fordings Barn, Linton HR9 7SB. Permission was granted on 07/10/02 with special restrictions to ensure continued habitats for owls and bats and numerous other restrictions to protect the environment and amenities.

 

 

9.1.4

P62. SE2002/2831/F. Extension and new carport/garden store at Cherry Trees, Linton, HR9 7RY. Permission was granted on 01/11/02.

 

 

9.1.5

P47. SE2002/0342/O. Site for construction of detached dwelling with detached garage on land adjacent to Forge House, Bromsash, Ross, HR97PJ.

Cllr Jean Foley asked if Council would agree to be represented by her at the Appeal Hearing on November 27th. She explained that although the site is close to her property, she has no Prejudicial Interest. The concern is that the proposal is contrary to planning procedures. Council decided to appoint Cllr Jean Foley as its representative.

 

 

Cllr Jean Foley

 

9.2

Allotments

 

 

9.2.1

Cllr Phil Page tabled plans and proposals from the working party (D764A) which were welcomed by Council and he was asked to prepare cost estimates.

Cllr Phil Page

 

9.2.1

The Clerk was asked to check into grants. The Chairman mentioned that The Landfill Tax Grants Scheme is a possibility.

The Clerk

 

9.2.4

Especial thanks were extended to Cllr Page for all his work.

 

 

9.3

Finance

 

 

9.3.1

The Finance WP has not met.

 

 

9.4

Footpaths

 

 

 

Nothing to report.

 

 

9.5

Parish Roads in Need of Repair

 

 

9.5.1

Cllr John Foley reported that patch work by Burton Farm had been done well and the B4222 was being surveyed for repairs.

 

 

9.5.2

Cllr Phil Page said that the B4221 is breaking up on the South side along from Quarry Lane towards the M50. The Clerk was asked to take this up with CHDC along with the lack of action on the agreed repairs to the surface by Woodend Farm and the drainage nearer to Gorsley along the same road.

The Clerk

 

9.5.3

The Clerk was asked to enquire after results of the speed survey at Bromsash.

The Clerk

 

10

 

Parish Projects for 2002/2003, including:

 

 

10.1

Stabilisation and Recovery of the Linton Pound

 

 

 

Cllr John Foley reported that he had shown the Scouts the work done at Staunton Pound. There will be little more done at Linton now until next spring.

 

 

10.2

Reordering of Talbot’s Well

 

 

 

As with the Pound, work now waits upon the spring although grants will continue to be sought.

 

 

10.3

Reordering of the Allotments