LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On September 8^th 2003

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

Present:

Cllr Richard Smith , Chairman

Cllr Jean Foley, Vice Chairman

Cllr Ken Downham

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Keith Summers

Cllr John Wheble

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

10 Parishioners attended.

Minute Item			Action

1		Apologies
	1.1	Cllrs Rob Crawford, Audrey Duke, Margaret Pearce and Gary Woodman.

2		Declarations of Interest
	2.1	None; the Chairman said that he would invite Cllr Jean Foley to take the chair for Item 9.

3		Minutes of the Meeting Held on 11^th August 2003
	3.1	With one correction to a typing error (Item 11.1 – D992, for Sore read Store) these were accepted as a true record and duly signed by the Chairman.

4		Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda
	4.1	Item 5.4 – Lack of Reply From Mr Colyer. The Chairman has chased, without result and will try once more.	Cllr Richard Smith
	4.2	Item 11.2 – Seeking Cooperation over Road Closures. The Clerk reported that the correspondence has now been forwarded to Stephen Oates, the head of department and a reply is awaited from him.	The Clerk

5		Roadmaker Inn
	5.1	The Chairman read out D1028 from Miss S L Wilson, Environmental Health Officer (Commercial). The Clerk was asked to reply with thanks for the letter and ask for clarification of the items inspected or to be inspected, with special reference to the filtration.	The Clerk

6		Lengthsman Project
	6.1	Cllr John Foley reported that two parishioners have complimented the Lengthsman for his work and other Councillors mentioned that they had heard favourable comment.
	6.2	The Clerk reported that, as Administrator, he had heard two criticisms, one from Lea and one from Linton, where the Lengthsman had cut overhanging hedge or growth encroaching onto the footways. These criticisms arose from a lack of understanding of statutory requirements. The Clerk said that, in future, he will write to relevant owners just prior to any such cutting, giving notice that it will be done and explaining why.
	6.3	Cllr Ken Downham asked for a dead branch to be removed from the road between his location and the Alma Inn.	The Lengthsman
	6.4	The two proposed “nominated tasks” at Talbot’s Well and Quarry Lane can not be done under that arrangement as they do not affect the highway. Council, therefore, decided to put both subjects on the Agenda for the next meeting, to discuss whether Parish funds should be used.	The Clerk

7		Evaluation of Electronic Distribution of Documents
	7.1	Unfortunately, the volume of documentation is still too great for fast emailing, even using the technology so kindly offered by Cllr Rob Crawford. Therefore the initiative has had to be abandoned.

8		Parish Footpath Partnership
	8.1	Cllr Jean Foley announced that funds of £50 a Km are available for footpath maintenance and the (14.6km) footpath length in the Parish would attract £730. The scheme can operate in conjunction with the Lengthsman. The Clerk will arrange for a presentation to the next meeting.	The Clerk.

9		Letter from Parishioner Phil Page re Council Standards
	9.1	Cllr Richard Smith vacated the Chair in favour of Cllr Jean Foley but remained in the room.
	9.2	Cllr Jean Foley read out an opinion which addressed each of the points raised in Parishioner Page’s letter.
	9.3	Cllr Ken Downham said that Cllr Foley had obviously done her homework and that, in his opinion, Cllr Richard Smith’s originally anonymous donation was merely an extension of the spirit of giving found with all Councillors.
	9.4	Cllr Keith Summers and John Wheble both spoke in support of the web site.
	9.5	Cllr Jean Foley said that, whilst she had been sceptical in the beginning, she was now grateful to Cllr Richard Smith for the web site initiative as it is demonstrating its usefulness to the community.
	9.6	Parishioner Phil Page said that he “stands corrected” on the points raised in his letter. Proposed by Cllr Jean Foley, seconded by Cllr Ken Downham and approved unanimously (Cllr Richard Smith abstaining) , IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk will write to Parishioner Page, enclosing a copy of the “opinion” and providing contact details for the Standards Board for England should the Parishioner wish to take the matter further. A copy of the “opinion” is also attached to these minutes.	The Clerk
	9.7	Cllr Richard Smith then resumed the Chair.

10		Risk Assessment Return
	10.1	The Clerk’s proposals had been circulated. Councillors suggested that it should include an audit of Trees by the Trees Officer and that it should be spelt out that the Internal Audit includes a Bank Reconciliation check. Another suggestion was to consult Wyenet, CHDC’s web master and HALC on the question of web site security. The Clerk will incorporate the suggestions and circulate again.	The Clerk

11		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	11.1	The Clerk tabled a letter to Lloyds TSB, authorising the Clerk to make transfers between Council’s Current and Deposit Accounts and requesting automatic transfers by the bank, to maximise interest earnings in the deposit account. Proposed by Cllr Keith Summers, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to send this letter which was then duly signed.
	11.2	Accounts for the year to date were tabled and noted.
	11.3	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following invoices and the cheques were duly signed.

AP130	Lengthsman for August	284.00
AP131	Clerk's Salary for August 2003	180.00
AP132	Clerk's Expenses for August 2003	4.79
AP133	Lengthsman Administrator’s Fee for August 2003	28.40
AP134	Web Master's Time in August 2003	17.25

12		Working Party Reports
	12.1	Planning
		P86. DCSE2003/1890/F. First floor extension over garage with balcony to rear. 9 Ivy House Lane, Gorsley. Permission granted on 06/08/03.
		P87. DCSE2003/1931/F. Conservatory Extension. Barland, Sargeants Lane, Kilcot, Newent, Herefordshire, GL18 1PF. Permission granted on 06/08/03.
		P89. DCSE2003/2051/F. Change of use of part of agricultural store for timber storage. Great Woodend Farm, Linton, HR9 7SR. The applicant has seen the minutes on the web site and wants to meet with Council. The Clerk has not received a response from CHDC’s Charlotte Atkins and will chase that. Cllr Jean Foley will arrange for a group of Councillors, possibly including John Wheble, John Foley and the Chairman to meet with the applicant on either September 15^th or 19^th.	The Clerk Cllr Jean Foley
		P90. DCSE2003/2443/F. Conversion of barns to form swimming pool and granny annexe and proposed conservatory to main dwelling. Cothers Farm, Gorsley, HR9 7SE. Cllr Jean Foley will arrange a site visit and is authorised to comment directly to CHDC in the light of that.	Cllr Jean Foley
		P91. DCSE2003/2493/O. Site for the erection of a bungalow. IGLS, Quarry Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Cllr Jean Foley will check the history and arrange a site visit. However, Council felt that the development was inappropriate. Cllr Jean Foley’s working party is authorised to make a decision bearing in mind the general opposition from public present.	Cllr Jean Foley
		P92. DCSE2003/2465/F. Demolition of side porch and elimination of sun room. Lilly Hall, Darnell's Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SG. Council supported.
	12.2	Highways.
	12.2.1	The surface water drainage at Revells Farm has not been attended to, despite Council’s meeting with Jim Smith of CHDC over a year ago. The Clerk will enquire whether the Lengthsman can deal with it.	The Clerk
	12.2.2	Run-off from farm land North of Burton Mill creates a road safety hazard. The Clerk will write to Brian Lea, CHDC’s drainage officer to enquire what can be done.	The Clerk
	12.2.3	There is a pothole near Toad Hall on Linton Ridge. The Clerk will see what can be done.	The Clerk
	12.3	Footpaths
	12.3.1	Cllr John Foley reported that the Brownies will assist with a survey this month.
	12.3.2	The footpath along the back of the village hall car park, towards the Church at Linton is falling into disrepair. The PCC is looking into it.

13		Chairman’s Announcements
	13.1	The Chairman was unable to attend CHDC's Customer Service Standards launch.
	13.2	CHDC’s Patrick Clarke has asked for a personal article on the Parish Plan Initiative which the Chairman has provided, using previously published material.

14		Correspondence
	14.1	The following correspondence was either tabled at the meeting or had previously been circulated.

D1024	13-Aug-03	Standards Committee Determinations - Guidance for monitoring officers and Standards Committees	Standards Board for England
D1025	15-Aug-03	Annual Report	Marches Housing Association
D1026	21-Aug-03	Invitation to Chairman for CHDC's Customer Services Standards Launch on Sep 3rd.	CHDC
D1027	21-Aug-03	Bromsash Speed Survey reports	CHDC
D1028	22-Aug-03	Letter re Roadmaker	CHDC
D1029	22-Aug-03	South Herefordshire Rural Transport Forum Minutes	SHVA
D1030	22-Aug-03	Rural Services Standard 2003 Flyer for Notice Boards	DEFRA
D1031	26-Aug-03	Bromsash Speed Limit Extension Request	Peter Gibbons
D1032	26-Aug-03	Gorsley & Kilcot Minutes	G&KPC
D1033	01-Sep-03	Community Bus Services - Newent to Cliffords Mesne - Any need from Linton?	Newent Town Council
D1034	01-Sep-03	A free website for parish councils	Thelocalchannel.co.uk
D1035	02-Sep-03	Hereford Cultural Consortium Newsletter	Herefordshire Partnership
D1036	02-Sep-03	Meetings Schedule	CHDC
D1037	02-Sep-03	Forward Plan	CHDC
D1038	02-Sep-03	Electric Blanket Testing Schedule	CHDC
D1039	02-Sep-03	Parish Council Contact Details	CHDC

The Chairman read out D1031 and D1033. The Clerk will respond to the latter and submit a brief piece for the Chimes, to determine interest. Deadline 17th September.

The Clerk will publicise D1038 on web site.

The Clerk

Councillors requested copies of the following:

Cllr John Wheble: D1029, 1034, 1037.

Cllr Keith Summers: D1032, 1036, 1039.

Cllr Richard Smith: D1027, 1028, 1030, 1031, 1033, 1035, 1039.

The Clerk

Councillor’s Submissions, including Village Events

15.1

Cllr Ken Downham

The deadline for submissions to the Chimes this month is September 17^th.

15.2

Cllr John Foley

There was an attempted burglary at the Bromsash nursery this month. Perhaps Bromsash should have a Neighbourhood Watch. The Chairman said he was sure that, should Bromsash residents so decide, Gorsley Neighbourhood Watch group would be pleased to assist.

16		Quality Council & Parish Plan, including Questionnaire Compilation (Keypoint)
	16.1	The Clerk explained that Questionnaire compilation is proving to be a slow process, the first page having taken some 5.5 hours. This is because the software is inflexible in layout and because of the need to test each question to make sure that responses, when entered, will lead to a meaningful analysis. He tabled an example of the first page and, apart from typing errors, Councillors decided that it should set the standard for the complete document.
	16.2	Some discussion of the detail of each the questions led to the decision that those tabled at the last meeting should remain unaltered other than the addition of “bungalow” to the housing options in Q5.	The Clerk

17		Appointment of a Governor to Gorsley Goffs School
	17.1	Cllr John Wheble volunteered to progress Council’s proposal that Cllr Jean Foley be its nominated representative.

18		Public Submissions
	18.1	A parishioner pointed out that the Council’s web site address is not widely publicised. In particular it is not shown on the notice boards. Council decided that it should be added to all copies of the Agenda.	The Clerk

19		Items for Consideration at the Next Meeting
	19.1	Display of Parish Maps in the Village Halls.

Date of the Next Meeting: Monday 13^th October, Gorsley Village Hall at 7:30 p.m.

The Meeting Finished At 10:06 p.m.

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

Matters Arising Not Covered in the Agenda

Roadmaker Inn

Letter from Parishioner Phil Page re Council Standards

Risk Assessment Return

Chairman’s Announcements

No, he has not, even if a councillor has a personal interest (but not prejudicial) he/she may stay in the meeting contribute to discussions and vote.