LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

 

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On Monday December 9th 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 plus the Rural Beat Manager, PC Peter Beasley.

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Minute Item

 

Action

 

 

 

 

1

 

Apologies

 

 

1.1

These were received from Cllrs Marlene Hartell and Jim Stewart.

 

 

2

 

Declarations of Interest

 

 

2.1

None other than the annual.

 

 

3

 

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 11th November 2002

 

 

3.1

These were approved by Council and duly signed by the Chairman, after the following changes:

 

 

3.1.1

Item 5.1 for Dr Swan read Dr Swallow.

 

 

3.1.2

Item 9.1.5 Delete “Cllr Jean Foley asked if Council would agree to be represented by her” and replace with “Cllr Richard Smith suggested that Council might wish Cllr Jean Foley to be its representative”.

 

 

3.1.3

Item 9.5.1 Change B4222 to B4224.

 

 

4

 

Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda

 

 

4.1

Item 16.1 – Heather Wadley re Fireworks at Hayward’s Caravan Park.

The Clerk reported on discussions with PC Beasley and CHDC’s Environmental Health Department. There are no laws relating to firework displays on private land. The only grounds would be noise or other nuisance but these would not apply in the case of occasional displays. Nevertheless, CHDC asked for the details of Ms Wadley’s statement to Council and say that they have written accordingly to the owners of Hayward’s Caravan Park. The Clerk has asked for a copy of that letter.

 

 

4.2

Item 14.1 – HR9 Partnership Meeting

Cllr Jean Foley attended as agreed and reported that some 120 attended. The eventual partnership is expected to be about 20 in number with just one person representing parish councils.

 

The Clerk reported that he had attended wearing several hats. The following day, Wayne Langford, the Market Town Officer said that 42 people expressed an interest in joining the partnership, some as members of working groups to be set up by the partnership or offering special skills to it rather than as a “partnership member”. There are parallel meetings related to securing Tier III funding for Ross (Some £300,000) and, for the moment, the Clerk is being invited to those, as he reports to more than one Parish Council and other bodies.

 

Council decided that Cllr Richard Smith should attend the next Partnership Formation meeting on Tuesday January.14th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Richard Smith

 

4.3

Item 13.1 – Letter to Gordon Martin

The Clerk confirmed that he had written extending Council’s thanks for Gordon’s prior service.

 

 

4.4

Dog Fouling

The Clerk has received details of the CHDC By-Law (D795) and it is possible that Linton’s public places could be included. Council decided that the Clerk should write; asking for Linton Pound, Sugar Tump, Ivy House Lane, the Allotments and the Quarry to be added to the by-law’s defined list.

The Clerk

 

4.5

Item 15.4 – “Face Lift” for The Quarry

English Nature’s Geological Site Management Coordinator has written to say that the Quarry should qualify and that he is informing the Area Team office in Ledbury, who have local responsibility.

The Clerk

 

4.6

Letter to Paul Keetch re Police Numbers

This arose from correspondence (D745) requesting support of HALC’s campaign. The Clerk was asked to copy the letter to the West Mercia Constabulary Police Authority, Shrewsbury.

The Clerk

 

4.7

Letter to DCI Hancock re Speed Cameras for Parish Councils

The DCI has replied saying that the scheme is in development and he will send more details when known. Council decided to add the matter to the next agenda.

The Clerk

 

5

 
Roadmaker Inn

 

 

5.1

The Clerk has written to CHDC’s Chief Executive but so far, not received a reply.

 

 

6

 

Jubilee Oak Tree

 

 

6.1

The tree installer has written to say that he has spoken to the suppliers of the oak tree who confirm that there is no recourse against "causes beyond their control". A replacement tree is likely to cost in the region of £30-40. However, he recommends taking no action until after “bud break” next spring when the true extent of the damage can be seen.

 

 

6.2

Cllr Ken Downham said that the Tree Officer can obtain replacements, perhaps at no cost. He will progress the matter.

Cllr Ken Downham

 

7

 

Review of the Clerk’s Time Sheets

 

 

7.1

The Clerk tabled his time sheet analysis:

SUMMARY FOR PAST 12 MTHS

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage

 

Activity

Hours

of 288 Hours

 

Accounts

20:45:00

7.20

 

Agenda

7:26:00

2.58

 

Correspondence

19:48:00

6.88

 

Distribution (Excluding Travel)

8:03:00

2.80

 

Matters Arising

64:26:00

22.37

 

Minutes

72:17:00

25.10

 

Other

17:47:00

6.17

 

Parish Plan

12:35:00

4.37

 

Planning

1:27:00

0.50

 

Preparing for Meetings

44:48:00

15.56

 

The Meetings

28:51:00

10.02

 

Totals

298:13:00

103.55

 

 

 

 

 

Web Site

59:34:00

 

 

Cllr Phil Page asked for an explanation of “Matters Arising”. The Clerk explained that this is a compendium of phone calls, letters, e-mails etc., arising from the business of each meeting.

 

 

 

8

 

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

 

 

8.1

The Precept of £5,200 has been notified to CHDC.

 

 

8.2

The Auditor’s report on the 2001/2002 accounts states, in part, “the information contained in the annual return is in accordance with the Audit Commission’s requirements and no matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.”

 

The Report is available for public inspection as posted on the notice boards.

 

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Phil Page and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk be thanked for his efforts.

 

 

8.3

Accounts Balance Sheet Questions Raised By Cllr Jim Stewart at the last meeting.

 

 

8.3.1

The Clerk said that the Cllr proposed a change in the way that deposit account interest was shown and that the Clerk had no objection and had implemented that change.

 

 

8.3.2

The balance of the Cllr’s questions related to supposed differences in the figures used as opposed to those sent to the auditor. After extensive investigation, the Clerk finds that the figures listed by the Cllr were not from the accounts finally adopted by Council in July but from an earlier set approved in May.

 

 

8.3.3

The figures from the July accounts had been submitted to the auditor and approved by him. They are the basis for this year’s accounts, which do balance, as they did at the time of the Cllr’s query. The Clerk proposed, therefore, to take no further action and Council concurred.

 

 

8.4

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Phil Page and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the following invoices be paid. The cheques were duly signed.

 

 

AP78

Audit fee

23-Nov-02

141.00

AP79

Clerk's Salary for November and October Increase 2002

09-Dec-02

200.50

AP80

Clerk's Expenses for September & October 2002

09-Dec-02

44.08

 

 

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.

This is a revised application, Council having expressed reservations about the original. Mr Magwire was present and presented his case. After due deliberation, Proposed by Cllr Ken Downham, seconded by Cllr Richard Smith and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to support the revised plans.

 

 

 

The Clerk

 

9.1.2

P67. SE2002/3500/T. Telecommunications Apparatus comprising 15m slimline lattice column, equipment cabinet and associated equipment, 3 antenna and 4 transmission dishes at South Hereford Golf Club, Twin Lakes, Upton Bishop, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7UA.

Council Strongly Objects because

  • Proliferation of masts
  • Item 4.1 makes it clear that the company has not followed up its enquiries through the local planning authority
  • Item 6.2 refers to section 11 but there is no section 11.
  • The proposed site is a mere 95 metres from the existing Vodafone Tower and along the same stretch of public road. Yet the company claims that it could not get power to the existing mast site. There is no supporting evidence for this, on the face of it, unlikely claim.

 

 

 

The Clerk

 

9.1.3

P64. SE2002/2889/F. Amendment to existing planning permission SS980913/F to increase length of approved extension by 1.4m to accommodate staircase at The Quarries, Gorsley, HR9 7SH. This application was refused by CHDC on 20/11/02.

 

 

9.1.4

P63. SE2002/2853/F. Two storey side extension to Woodside Cottage, Gorsley, HR9 7SL. Permission was granted by CHDC on 21/11/02.

 

 

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. Appeal hearing on 27/11/02.

Cllrs Jean and John Foley attended; the former as representative of Council.

Cllr Jean Foley reported that the appeal took most of one day and during it, she was subjected to considerable and objectionable pressure from the appellant’s representative. The day involved a site visit in pouring rain. At the end, good sense prevailed and the Inspector has dismissed the appeal.

Proposed by Cllr Ken Downham, seconded by Cllr Richard Smith and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to extend a vote of thanks to Cllr Jean Foley for her efforts in this matter.

 

 

9.1.6

Cllr John Foley suggested that this experience shows the value of the Parish Council being officially represented at Appeal Hearings and perhaps Council should consider making that a regular practice.

 

 

9.1.7

Revells Lane (U70240) at Jays Green is subject to a temporary closure order, effective 09/12/02 for replacement of BT poles and wiring. The work is expected to take 2 days.

 

 

9.2

Finance

The WP has not met.

 

 

9.3

Footpaths

Nothing to report.

 

 

9.4

Parish Roads in Need of Repair

The Clerk has written to CHDC re roads still not repaired as promised but, to date, there has not been a reply.

The Clerk

 

10

 

Parish Projects for 2002/2003

 

 

10.1

Stabilisation and Recovery of the Linton Pound

A coherent plan is needed.

Cllr John Foley

 

10.2

Reordering of Talbot’s Well

Cllr John Foley will ask the History Society for a specified, costed plan.

Cllr John Foley

 

10.3

Reordering of the Allotments

Cllr Phil Page said that he has received information on sources of funding from the Clerk which could amount to £1,000. He is now waiting on quotes and one, small, invoice for clearance work on a defunct plot, done during other work on his own plot.

 

 

10.4

The Council’s Web Site

Visitors to the site (“Hits” in Internet jargon) now total 301 and are rising steadily. The recent position is: