LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On June 9th 2003

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

Present:

Cllr Richard Smith , Chairman

Cllr Jean Foley, Vice Chairman

Cllr Rob Crawford (from Item 10)

Cllr Ken Downham

Cllr Audrey Duke

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Keith Summers

Cllr John Wheble

Cllr Gary Woodman

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

1 Parishioner attended.

Minute Item			Action

1		Apologies
	1.1	Cllr Rob Crawford had informed that he would be late.

2		Declarations of Interest
	2.1	None.

3		Minutes of the Meeting Held on 12^th May 2003
	3.1	Proposed by Cllr John Wheble, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that these be accepted and signed, with the following amendments:
	3.1.1	Item 14.1 – In the third line, replace Woodside Lane with Woodend Lane.
	3.1.2	Item 17.1 – Change Inspector Hancock to Chief Inspector Hancock.
	3.1.3	Item 24.2.2 : £35 to each village hall should be £35 per day, total £140. Add that the planning day session prizes will be one per session at up to £20 per prize.

4		Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda
	4.1	CHDC have sent an email confirming that work on approving and erecting dog anti-fouling notices under the appropriate by-law is proceeding.
	4.2	Item 22.1 - Welcome signs to Linton. It was generally decided that these are appropriately positioned.

5		Co-Option of a Tenth Councillor
	5.1	Council had received one application to be co-opted from Margaret Pearce of Uplands, Bromsash, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7PJ. There being no other applicants, under the terms of the election timescale for further co-option without additional prior notice, proposed by Cllr Jean Foley, seconded by Cllr Gary Woodman and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Margaret Pearce be elected. She duly signed the Acceptance of Office. The Clerk to advise the County Registrations Officer.	The Clerk

6		Roadmaker Inn
	6.1	The Clerk had written to Mr Robert King (Environmental Protection Manager), copied to Mr Neil Pringle (Chief Executive), Ms Dawn Evans (Enforcement), Mrs Sue Matthews and Dr D Swallow (both affected parishioners).
	6.2	To date, only Neil Pringle had responded (D945) and the Clerk was asked to acknowledge that response.	The Clerk

7		Lengthsman Project
	7.1	The Clerk reported on Lengthsman activities, tabled supporting time sheets and a copy of the Lengthsman’s insurance cover.
	7.2	Cllr Jean Foley expressed her continuing concern about health & safety but after discussion it was decided that “Council has this evening satisfied itself that all that can be reasonably done has been done.”

8		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	8.1	The Clerk tabled the external audit return, containing figures taken from the accounts approved at the meeting on May 12^th, Item 15.3 and explained that there was a page still to be filled in by the Internal Auditor. Subject to that being done, Proposed by Cllr Jean Foley, seconded by Cllr Richard Smith and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Council approve the return. The Clerk to complete the entries with the internal auditor.	The Clerk
	8.2	A cheque for £750 has been received from the Gorsley and Kilcot Millennium Committee, payable to Council, being a distribution from the surplus arising from the Committee’s activities. The accompanying letter (D951) placed certain constraints on the use of the funds. The Clerk was asked to write in grateful thanks, confirming that the funds will be “ring fenced” for use as prescribed, with a proper and separate record kept. The Chairman said that Gorsley VH had received a cheque for £1,000 from the Committee.	The Clerk
	8.3	2003/2004 accounts for the period to May 12^th were noted without comment.
	8.4	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following invoices and the cheque were duly signed.

AP98	Community First Subscription	30.00
AP105	Insurance for 2003/2004	270.25
AP106	Parish Plan Gift Pens for Gorsley Goffs School	56.40
AP107	Accounts Practitioners Guide	16.99
AP108	Parish Plan Community Day Photocopying	185.22
AP109	Lengthsman for May	284.00
AP110	Clerk's Salary for May 2003	180.00
AP111	Clerk's Expenses for May 2003	18.70

8.5

Via the Council’s web site, there has been a request to rent an allotment on behalf of a Newent resident. Council welcomed this first evidence of a practical result from Council’s e-commerce and decided that allotments can be rented by non-residents.

The Clerk

9		Working Party Reports
	9.1	Planning
	9.1.1	P85. DCSE2003/1500/F. Retention of portacabin at first floor level over existing facility, the new building to be used for viewing/safety watch for lake users. Drummonds Dub, Hartleton, Bromsash, HR9 7SB. Council supported.
	9.1.2	P83. SE2003/1255/F. Demolition of some farm buildings, conversion of barn to dwelling with extensions to form domestic accommodation. Former grain barn at Eccleswall Court, Bromsash, HR9 7PP. Cllr Margaret Pearce declared an interest. Council, at its last meeting, appointed a group of Councillors to make a site visit and then, in view of the timescale, respond directly to CHDC. Their response was: “Council supports the application with the reservation that it should be noted that this is still a working farm. The applicant and any prospective purchaser must be made aware of the planning policy in force with regard to livestock units in close proximity to residential property. This will safeguard the amenity of future residents and the working requirements of the farm.” Cllr John Foley asked whether we should be involving Lea Parish Council as Weston PC was well represented at the site visit. Councillors decided that publicisation is a matter for CHDC and that no further action is needed.
	9.1.3	P80. SE2003/1078/F. Alterations & improvements to form a 3-bed house from bungalow. The Bungalow, Gorsley, HR9 7SF. Council supported on 12/05/03 but noted that the existing building will not thereby remain the dominant dwelling (as required in Policy No SH23.2) Amended plans received 22/05/03 and Council supported on 27/05/03. (Clerk’s Note: CHDC Refused permission on 02/06/03 for reasons similar to LPC’s original reservations).
	9.1.4	P75. SE2003/0740/F. Single storey extension and detached garage. Kamberg Cottage, Linton, HR9 7RU. Permission granted on 01/05/03.
	9.2	Finance
	9.2.1	No report.
	9.3	Footpaths and Trees
	9.3.1	Cllr Ken Downham said that the tree warden has inspected the two Scotch Pines on Gorsley Common (reported by the Lengthsman as apparently diseased) and thinks that the symptoms are minor but he will obtain a second opinion.
	9.4	Highways
	9.4.1	The Clerk suggested that, in view of the lack of consultation from CHDC over road closures, Council may wish to make this an issue and Councillors agreed. The Clerk will write to Highways appropriately. (See Item 16.5 below)	The Clerk

Cllr Rob Crawford joined the meeting at this point.

10		Reissue of Council Standing Orders and Chairmanship Rules
	10.1	A copy of the new version, approved at the last meeting, was handed to each Councillor.

11		Community Speedwatch
	11.1	Neighbourhood Watch has formally taken responsibility for this activity. Cllr Jean Foley said that she has names of two new volunteers. Cllr Richard Smith will pass these to Mr R Hale.	Cllr Richard Smith

12		Clerk’s Suggestions for Promoting Council
	12.1	Council examined the Clerk’s proposals and asked him to proceed further along similar lines and especially to produce a cost estimate for the greater use of colour. It was pointed out that the Council’s web site address had been omitted from the sample letterhead.	The Clerk

13		West Midlands Regional Assembly
	13.1	Council noted that the WMRA exists but has no view.

Chairman’s Announcements

14.1

The Chairman reported the sad death of Parishioner Vic Gwyer. Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk should write to Dorothy Gwyer expressing Council’s sympathy.

Clerk’s After-note: Mrs Dorothy Gwyer died shortly after her husband.

The Clerk

Correspondence

15.1

The Clerk explained the circulation procedures and Council decided to leave these unchanged but, perhaps, add a circulation list. The following correspondence was tabled:

D924	13-May-03	Parish Council Minutes	Gorsley and Kilcot PC
D925	13-May-03	Minutes of Meetings	SHVA
D926	14-May-03	Drawing Attention to the Good Councillors Guide	DEFRA
D927	14-May-03	Samples of Keypoint Questionnaire Styles
D928	14-May-03	Draft General Risk Assessment Form
D929	15-May-03	Bringing Attention to the Good Councillors Guide	DEFRA
D930	15-May-03	Application for Membership of the Herefordshire Local Access Forum	CHDC
D931	16-May-03	Parish Plan Training	Herefordshire Partnership
D932	17-May-03	Project to meet the housing needs of young (16-25 year olds) people	Herefordshire Supported Housing for Young People
D933	20-May-03	Training for Parish Councils - Strategy Meeting on June 11th	HALC
D934	20-May-03	New Accounts Regulations Practitioners Guide 2003	NALC
D935	20-May-03	Car Allowances	NALC
D936	22-May-03	Acknowledgment of Community Planning Day Letter to Stagecoach	Stagecoach
D937	25-May-03	Notification that Lea is Selected for Random Audit	Winross Hacker Young
D938	25-May-03	Parish Liaison Service Survey Feedback	CHDC
D939	25-May-03	New funding directory now available	CHDC
D940	25-May-03	Schedule of Council Meetings	CHDC
D941	25-May-03	Way Ahead in Herefordshire	CHDC
D942	25-May-03	Forward Plan	CHDC
D943	25-May-03	Hereford art gallery and museum poster	CHDC
D944	01-Jun-03	Thanks for Community Planning Day Invite	Harry Bramer
D945	01-Jun-03	Acknowledgement of copy letter re Roadmaker to Neil Pringle	CHDC
D946	01-Jun-03	Rural Facts Sheets	DEFRA
D947	02-Jun-03	Request for Funding	Gorsley Village Hall
D948	03-Jun-03	Unable to Attend Community Planning Days But Would Like To Meet Council	Paul Keetch MP
D949	04-Jun-03	Village of the Year Competition	Community First
D950	04-Jun-03	Newsline Newsletter	Community First
D951	04-Jun-03	£750 Donation To Linton PC	Gorsley & Kilcot Millennium Committee
D952	05-Jun-03	Reminder re Access Forum Membership Deadline	CHDC
D953	06-Jun-03	Road Closure Notice U70228 Sargents Lane	CHDC
D954	06-Jun-03	Road Closure Notice U70239	CHDC
D955	08-Jun-03	Request to rent an allotment	Reception1@JamesCook-Propsol.co.uk

	Councillors asked for the following documents:
	Cllr Richard Smith: 926, 929, 933, 934, 938, 941, 946, 948, 952. Cllr Jean Foley: 938, 941, 946, 950, Cllr Rob Crawford: 928, 932, 941, 942. Cllr Keith Summers: 927, 940, 941, 942, 946, 949. Cllr Gary Woodman: 926, 938, 939, 941, 942, 946, 950. Cllr Audrey Duke: 929, 938, 939, 941. Cllr John Wheble: 926, 929, 931, 932, 941 Cllr John Foley: 942, 946. Cllr Ken Downham: 932, 938, 941, 946, 950. Cllr Margaret Pearce: 926, 929, 941.
	In the Clerk’s absence on holiday, Cllr Richard Smith volunteered to arrange the distribution.
15.2	Clerk’s Note: Following the meeting, Cllr Rob Crawford suggested that his company’s facilities might be suitable, at no charge, to facilitate document circulation. The Clerk welcomed this suggestion and he will meet with the Councillor to discuss further.	The Clerk

16		Councillor’s Submissions, including Village Events
	16.1	Cllr John Foley has put his name forward for membership of the Hereford Local Access Forum.
	16.2	Cllr John Wheble:
	16.2.1	Will the new Woodend Barn be screened? No.
	16.2.2	Is there any plan to build at the Motor Support premises along Woodend Lane? None known.
	16.2.3	He has been told of some grass and other garden waste dumping. He will try to determine the details.
	16.3	Cllr Audrey Duke
	16.3.1	Verge side growth is obscuring the site line when turning right from the East Bound M50 J3 exit, onto the B4221.	The Clerk
	16.3.2	There are overgrowing hedges up Quarry Lane, from Sunny Acre’s location.	The Clerk
	16.4	Cllr Keith Summers together with Cllr Gary Woodman, attended the first instalment of Councillor Training. They found the session very enlightening. Over 90 attended.
	16.5	Cllr Rob Crawford raised the recent notification of road closures affecting the Linton Festival. The Clerk explained that he had been involved and the Landlord of the Alma was satisfied that the Festival would not be affected. (See Item 9.4 above)	The Clerk
	16.6	Cllr Jean Foley reported that she had attended both the Gorsley & Kilcot Parish Plan and the ComDev Survey Results launches. Both were convivial and informative events.

17		Parish Projects for 2002/2003
	17.1	Stabilisation and Recovery of the Linton Pound
		The Scouts have this in their summer programme.
	17.2	Reordering of Talbot’s Well
		Nothing to report but the Clerk was asked to ensure that, in future years, the first cut is not made before the bluebells have finished.	The Clerk
	17.3	Reordering of the Allotments
		Much of the work has been done and the balance is in hand.
	17.4	The Council’s Web Site
	17.4.1	New software recently obtained is reporting a good variety of visitors to the site. We are coming up to 12 months since the site was inaugurated and so the next agenda will have an item to review its continuation.	The Clerk
	17.4.2	Many Parishioners on email took part in a debate, triggered by one Parishioner, on whether to change to Adobe Acrobat format from Microsoft Word for emailing of the minutes. There was overwhelming support for the change and, through the recommendation of one Parishioner, the Clerk has obtained a free copy of a conversion program.	The Clerk
	17.5	Parish Photographic Survey
		This is in hand. Prints are with the chairman.

18		Quality Council & Parish Plan
	18.1	Factual Introduction to the Parish Plan
	18.1.1	Cllr John Foley will ask the History Society for inputs. He has completed much of the Bromsash section and is finalising that.	Cllr John Foley
	18.1.2	Cllr Audrey Duke will write the Gorsley section.	Cllr Audrey Duke
	18.2	Community Planning Days
		Cllr Richard Smith tabled the “starter pack” and various Councillors volunteered to supervise the two weekends of the events.
	18.3	Questionnaire Compilation (Keypoint)
	18.3.1	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk will prepare the questionnaire. He will maintain a detailed time sheet and be paid out of the Parish Plan funds, at his standard rate.	The Clerk
	18.3.2	The questions themselves have been updated in the light of the consultation to date and will need to be further reviewed in the light of the results of the Community Planning Days. The current list is attached to the minutes of this meeting.

19		Risk Assessments
	19.1	Nothing to report.

20		Public Submissions
	20.1	Parishioner Gwynne Rowley said that he was pleased to see a full council at last. He asked “Why don't more parishioners come? It is a “good job” that we have a parish council and we should make sure that we are administered by elected members.”

21		Items for Consideration at the Next Meeting
	21.1	None not already noted.

22		Date of the Next Meeting
	22.1	July 14^th at 7:30 p.m. in Linton Village Hall.

The Meeting Finished At 10:10 p.m.

LINTON PARISH PLAN CONSULTATION

POTENTIAL QUESTIONS: FIRST DRAFT

PART I: THE HOUSEHOLD

REFERENCE INFORMATION

1. How many people including children normally live in your household?

2. Please enter the number of people in your household in each age group.

3. Where do you live - Bromsash, Linton or Gorsley?

ACCOMMODATION

4. Is any individual in your household in need of alternative accommodation, preferably in the Parish: now? within the next 5 years?

5. If the answer to the above question was >Yes=, who is looking for alternative accommodation:

the whole family? Daughter? Son? Parents?

6. Why does your household or the individual(s) need to move? Give the most important reason:

employment, family reasons, newly-formed household, education, to move to a cheaper home/larger home/smaller home, forced to move, to meet the needs of an elderly or disabled person, medical reasons, other reasons.

7. Is there any member of the household who has left the parish in past years but would like to return and live here if suitable and affordable housing was available?

8. What sort of accommodation would be needed by the household/individual(s)?

House/bungalow/flat or maisonette/specially adapted home/rented (ignore the Question immediately below)/owner occupied

How many bedrooms?

9. What would be the likely price range for the new accommodation, assuming it could be found and (if applicable) that a mortgage could be arranged?

Up to ,60,000 £61,000-£75,000 ,76,000 - ,100,000 ,101,000-,125,000

,126,000-,150,000 ,151,000-,175,000 over ,175,000

GENERAL

10. How many children under 16 in the household attend the following:

pre-school playgroup or nursery/Gorsley Goffs Primary School/other primary school/middle school/secondary school/other

11. How many children in the household would attend a pre-school playgroup or nursery if it was available?

12. How many roadworthy vehicles are kept by your household:

cars/vans/motor bikes/bicycles/specially adapted vehicles/lorries/others.

If you have used the >Others= box, eg for tractors, please give details.

13. Does your household keep any animals etc (excluding caged birds and small animals such as rabbits) in the Parish? How many: dogs/cats/horses/donkeys/sheep/goats/ cattle/pigs/poultry/others.

14. Are you already connected to the public mains sewerage and/or a mains gas supply? If not, would you like to be connected, or are you content as things are:

Already connected/would like to be connected/wouldn=t want to be connected.

PART II: PERSONAL NEEDS AND PRIORITIES

In this part, each member of the household has a column, in which the individual can enter his or her own answers.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

15. What is your sex?

16. Which age group do you belong to:

Under 11/11-15/16-17/18-24/25-44/45-59/60-64/65-74/75-84/85+.

17. Do you have a disability, infirmity or long-standing illness? If so, please fill in the special ‘Disabilities and Access’ section at page .

EMPLOYMENT

18. What is your employment etc status at the moment:

employee/self-employed and employing other(s)/self-employed, not employing anyone else/unemployed/in Government training scheme/in full-time education/unwaged housewife or husband/ retired/permanently sick or disabled.

19. If you are in employment, do you need help with any of the following:

occupational training/skills development/re-skilling or career change/re-tooling/starting a business/other.

[If you wish us to follow up any of these for you, please also fill in the enclosed loose sheet and return it separately]

20. If you are unemployed, have transport difficulties prevented you from taking up employment or training opportunities?

[If you would like more information on the help that might be available, please also fill in the enclosed loose sheet and return it separately]

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

21. Would you be in favour of a small development of new homes at affordable prices, for local people, in the Parish?

22. If your answer to the previous question was >Yes=, where should that development be - Bromsash/Linton/Gorsley?

PLANNING

23. Have you had occasion to contact Herefordshire Council Planning Department within the past two years or so?

24. If your answer to the preceding question was >Yes=, were you generally satisfied with the service you received?

25. Are you generally content with the quality (size, appearance, materials, conformity with its surroundings) of any recent development in your village? If >No=, please amplify your views in the >Comments & Suggestions= section at page 7 below.

26. Should the Parish Council encourage any of the following:

Tourism development or attractions/small business development/small scale industrial workshops?

SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

27. Where do you get information on local events:

Notice boards/NewAd/The Chimes/Gorsley PO/Ross library/Newent library/The Citizen/

The Forester/Ross Gazette/Hereford Times/church magazine/internet/radio/other [Please amplify]

28. What are your views on overall social facilities in the Parish?

Please enter code as follows: 1-good/2-reasonable/3-poor/4-no opinion

For children aged up to 15/For people aged 16-24/For people aged 25-44/For people aged 45-59/For people aged 60 and over.

29. Should any of the following facilities be provided in your village?

Children=s playground/Small kickabout area/Public open space/Playing field/Tennis court(s)/Bowling green/Indoor games/Organised trips & visits/Other

[NB the amount of recreational land needed for certain activities is about: 22 acres for a football pitch, 2 acre for a small kickabout area, 3 acre for a children=s playground]

30. Do you participate in any of the following activities in the Parish?

Please enter code: 1-weekly/2-monthly/3-occasionally/4-never/5-I would if it existed in my village

Art Group History Society

Beavers/Cubs Horse Riding

Bowls Club Keep Fit/Aerobics

Bridge Club Martial Arts

Brownies Moose International

Children's Arts Group Mothers= Union

Clay Pigeon Shooting Neighbourhood Watch

Computer Club/Group Playing Football/Cricket

Dancing Royal British Legion

Drama Club Scouts

Fete Organisation Tennis Club

Gardening Club Women=s Institute

Guides/Rangers Young Farmers= Club

Youth Club

Notes:

1. If you would be prepared to help with organising and running any of the above activities, but do not do so at present, please put a ring around your code entry. Please also fill in the enclosed loose sheet and return it separately.

2. If there is an activity or club not listed above, of which you are a member or which you would like to see started, please enter it in the >Comments & Suggestions= section at page 7 below.

3. If you would like more information on any of these activities please fill in the enclosed loose sheet and return it separately.

4. Lastly, if you do not involve yourself in village life, please say why in the ‘Comments and Suggestions’ section at page 7 below.

31. Do you use a Public House in the Parish: Alma Inn/Roadmaker/both/neither

32. If not, why? Please use a code as follows: 1-Alma Inn, 2-Roadmaker, 3-both

Under age/Need to drive/Food/Atmosphere/Other

33. The Parish Council has allotments available to rent in Gorsley. If you do not already rent one, would you envisage doing so: Yes, if big enough/yes, if not too big/no

[If you ticked >yes=, please also fill in the enclosed loose sheet and return it separately]

SERVICES

34. How do you rate the following services:

Doctor/district nurse/health visitor/home help/ambulance/maternity care/chiropody/loan of medical equipment/home meals/counselling/physiotherapy/prescription collection/mobile library.

[Please amplify low ratings]

35. How satisfied are you with the current arrangements for refuse collection and recycling? Please enter code as follows: 1-very satisfied, 2-satisfied, 3-dissatisfied, 4-very dissatisfied, 5-no opinion/not used

Domestic refuse collection/trade etc refuse collection/recycling facilities at Ross/recycling facilities at Newent/collection of bulky items/other

Would you prefer to receive your free black bin bags weekly or six monthly?

36. If any of the following services were to be introduced in the Village Hall, would you use them?

Please enter code as follows: 1-Yes, in Gorsley, 2-Yes, in Linton, 3-Yes, in either, 4-no (neither)

Health clinic/information bureau/computer and internet access/evening classes

37. If you use a Post Office, what do you use it for:

Postal services/pensions/allowances/Girobank/savings/National banking/foreign currency/travel insurance/road fund or TV licence/paying bills/information leaflets/other services

38. How important is (or would be) a village Post Office to you:

vital/important/useful/not bothered/no opinion

39. Which Post Office(s) do you use: Linton/Gorsley/Newent/Ross/any or all/none

40. Do you think that roads and lanes are adequately maintained in the Parish:

Yes/no/no opinion.

41. Would you like to see any of the following in the Parish:

Better pavements/more pavements/lowered kerbs/street lights/none of these

42. Do you have any reception difficulties with: radio/television/mobile phone?

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

Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda

Co-Option of a Tenth Councillor

Via the Council’s web site, there has been a request to rent an allotment on behalf of a Newent resident. Council welcomed this first evidence of a practical result from Council’s e-commerce and decided that allotments can be rented by non-residents.

Working Party Reports

Reissue of Council Standing Orders and Chairmanship Rules

West Midlands Regional Assembly