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.

14		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

15		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