LINTON PARISH COUNCIL
Bromsash Gorsley and Linton
Minutes Of The Meeting Held On November 10th
2003
Present:
Cllr
Richard Smith , Chairman
Cllr
Jean Foley, Vice Chairman
Cllr
Rob Crawford
Cllr
Cllr
Audrey Duke
Cllr
John Foley
Cllr
Margaret Pearce
Cllr
Keith Summers
Cllr
John Wheble
Brian
Atherton (Clerk)
7
Parishioners and the Lengthsman attended.
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Minute
Item |
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Action |
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1 |
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Apologies |
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1.1 |
None |
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2 |
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Declarations
of Interest |
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2.1 |
None;
referring to Item 9, the Chairman reminded Councillors that he was Treasurer
of Gorsley Village Hall. |
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3 |
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Minutes
of the Meeting Held on 13th October 2003 |
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3.1 |
Amendments: Under 15.3 add “Query whether any planning
application had been submitted regarding the gates at Map Ref: 663 261.
Action – The Clerk” Also at 15.3 change Shuttons to Shutton. 17.1 Delete the action on Cllr Jean Foley. With these amendments included, proposed by Cllr
John Wheble, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS
AGREED to adopt these minutes and they were duly signed by the Chairman. |
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4 |
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Matters Arising
Not Covered in the Agenda
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4.1 |
Items
14.2, 15.1 and 15.2 from the last minutes have still to been done. |
The Clerk |
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4.2 |
The
Dog Fouling notices have been promised but not received. Chase again. |
The Clerk |
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4.3 |
Mud
remains on the road at Burton Mill. To be progressed again. |
The Clerk |
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4.4 |
Broadband. The
Clerk reported that the meeting with BT and CHDC’s HIT Team had been held.
The working party was now striving to achieve as many registrations as
possible. To date, the number is close to 100. |
The
Clerk |
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4.5 |
Linton Quarry Cllr Ken Downham tabled
his report. The Clerk will put this on the Agenda for the next meeting with a
view to considering action. |
The
Clerk |
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5 |
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Parish Footpath Partnership |
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5.1 |
Paul Seville, CHDC’s Area
Rights of Way Officer and Lisa Lloyd, Area Rights of Way Warden kindly
attended the meeting. Paul Seville explained their roles , confirmed that
£730 is available and explained what it can be used for e.g. Equipment; Maps,
etc. Additionally, CHDC can supply kits for Styles, Gates, etc., to be
erected by Council or the Landowner. The scheme is currently over subscribed
but several new Parishes are interested and all will be reviewed prior to the
next financial year (April 1st 2004). He handed over several
leaflets and an application form. Cllr Jean Foley asked
what are the landowner’s responsibilities. Paul Seville
replied: Gates or styles, once installed, become the property of the
landowner. Cllr John Foley
asked about "naked" styles (where a hedge or fence has been
removed). Paul Seville replied: Consult with the Landowner. In reply to the
Chairman, Paul Seville said that CHDC will take responsibility for serious
issues and safety. There is a waiting list but every Parish has to reapply
every year. So there could be a vacancy from April 1st next year. Cllr John Foley asked
what happens when a footpath crosses a county boundary? Paul Seville replied
that Lisa Lloyd has a list of adjoining Footpaths Officers so the appropriate
Officer can be consulted. Cllr John Foley
asked what happens when there is a drainage problem obstructing the footpath.
Paul Seville replied that first; one should talk to the landowner. If that
does not resolve matters then consult with Lisa Lloyd. Cllr John Foley asked for
clarification of the rules governing “Rights of way”. Paul Seville said
that, once established, a Right of Way is effectively in place for ever. A
footpath can be added either by consultation with the landowner or by
established use. There can be "permissive" rights of way which do
not carry a permanent “Right”, at the discretion of the landowner. Paul Seville confirmed to
Cllr Jean Foley that Council can use the Lengthsman for footpath work. Question from a Parishioner:
What happens if somebody is injured using a style? Paul Seville replied that
if it was recently installed it may be the installer’s responsibility. In all
other cases it would be the landowner. Question from a
Parishioner: Some parts of some footpaths are not inspected for long periods.
How can we deal with damage in the intervening period? Paul Seville replied
that all users should report any damage, either to his department or to the
landowner or the Parish Council, as soon as noticed. Question from a
Parishioner: When a field has been ploughed, obliterating the footpath, what
happens? Paul Seville replied that landowners have a statutory duty to
immediately re-instate the footpath, clearly marked. The same is true for
footpaths crossing crop fields. The Chairman then
summarised the discussion and asked whether Council wished to join the scheme.
Proposed by Cllr Ken Downham, seconded by Cllr Keith Summers and approved
unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Council will apply to join. Cllr John Foley
agreed to be the Footpaths Officer provided that he can have a small team,
especially comprising people with local knowledge, for example, of Gorsley.
The Team is not restricted to Council Members. The Clerk will fill out the
application form. |
Cllr
John Foley The
Clerk |
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6 |
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Lengthsman
Project |
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6.1 |
The Chairman read out a letter (D1101) from Parishioners David and Sheila Jakeway, thanking Council for the clearance of the common land in Quarry Lane and commending the tidiness and efficiency of the Lengthsman. |
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6.2 |
The Clerk reported
that work on Talbot’s Well had been started and that Parishioner John Pugh
had agreed to stone from his quarry being used. Cllr Ken Downham asked about
the funding for work at Quarry Lane & Talbot's Well. The Clerk replied
that Quarry Lane had been funded from the Gorsley & Kilcot Millennium
Grant and that Talbot’s Well is being funded from the Parish Projects budget. |
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6.3 |
Following on Cllr
Ken Downham’s request, a survey of the road from the Alma Inn to Shutton
Cross revealed extensive overgrowth and overhanging branches, causing traffic
hazards. The Lengthsman has prepared a quote to cut back and to a height of
about twelve feet along the entire length at a cost of £380 and this has been
submitted to CHDC as a “Nominated Task”. |
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6.4 |
Cllr John Foley asked how
the Jarvis appointment as Highways Contractor will affect the Lengthsman scheme?
At this stage, nobody knows: see Item 14.1 below. |
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7 |
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Accounts,
Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts |
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7.1 |
The Bank Mandate to change signatories and give the Clerk authority to transfer between current and deposit account required two more signatures which were given at this meeting. |
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7.2 |
Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to adopt the accounts to date as tabled. The Clerk will amend the PWLB note to reflect the balance confirmed by that body. |
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7.3 |
Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr John Wheble and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following accounts and the cheques were duly signed. |
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AP142 |
Lengthsman
for October |
31-Oct-03 |
284.00 |
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AP143 |
Lengthsman
Quarry Lane Clearance |
31-Oct-03 |
540.00 |
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AP144 |
Clerk's
Salary for October 2003 |
10-Nov-03 |
180.00 |
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AP145 |
Clerk's
Expenses for October 2003 |
10-Nov-03 |
12.57 |
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AP146 |
Lengthsman
Administrator's Fee for October 2003 |
10-Nov-03 |
28.40 |
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AP147 |
Web
Master's Time in October 2003 |
10-Nov-03 |
11.12 |
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AP148 |
Parish
Plan Questionnaire Time |
10-Nov-03 |
263.38 |
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8 |
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Budget
for 2004/2005 |
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8.1 |
The draft as presented showed a small drop in the
reserve, and a similar reduction in the Precept. |
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8.2 |
During discussion it was realised that the
allowance for PWLB repayments in 2004/2005 is not needed but Councillors
decided that the allowance for Sundry Repairs and Tree Surgery should be
increased from £500 to £1,000 and that for Parish Projects increased from
£500 to £750. These revisions would imply a Precept of £5,044, down from last
year’s £5,200. It was also decided not to define Parish Projects in the notes
but to make it clear that the G&KM Fund is ring-fenced. |
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8.3 |
There was some discussion about the wisdom of
reducing the reserve but it was pointed out that there would only be a one
year gain and Councillors decided that this would not sensibly benefit the
tax payer. |
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8.4 |
Parishioner Gwynne Rowley pointed out that the
Precept will rise not reduce as the apparent gain stems from the ending of
the PWLB payments. |
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8.5 |
The draft budget, with revisions as above, will be
circulated with the Agenda for the December meeting together with an item to
discuss the Clerk’s salary, with a view to approving the Budget and setting
the Precept at that meeting. |
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8.6 |
At
the request of Parishioner Gwynne Rowley, that agenda will also include an
item “Grass Cutting of Gorsley Common”. |
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9 |
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Gorsley Village Hall VAT Recovery Scheme |
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9.1 |
The Chairman
explained HALC’s recommendation for this scheme and said that CHDC's grant to
the hall is conditional upon VAT being recovered. |
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9.2 |
Cllr Jean Foley
expressed concern over the scheme’s legality and Council decided that the
Clerk should check this before acting on 9.3 below. |
The
Clerk |
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9.3 |
Subject to 9.2 above,
proposed by Cllr John Wheble, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved
unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to proceed with the scheme. |
The
Clerk |
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10 |
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Working
Party Reports
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10.1 |
Planning |
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10.1.1 |
P92. DCSE2003/2465/F. Demolition of side porch and
erection of sun room. Lilly Hall, Darnell's Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SG. Permission granted on
06/10/03. |
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10.1.2 |
P93. DCSE2003/2538/F. Amended proposal to modify
western section of dwelling. Providing entrance way and garage/store (part
retrospective). Great Woodend Barns, Great Woodend Farm, Linton, HR9 7SR.
Permission refused on 13/10/03. |
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10.1.3 |
P94. DCSE2003/2564/F. First floor extension to
provide level access bathing facility for disabled person. White House Farm,
Gorsley, HR9 7SF. Permission granted on 15/10/03. |
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10.1.4 |
P97. DCSE2003/3055/F. Single storey extension.
Alterations to roof. Replace porch with conservatory and new porch. Bramble
Cottage, Linton, HR9 7RZ. No action to be taken. |
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10.1.5 |
P98. DCSE2003/3074/F. Removal of agricultural
occupancy condition (Condition 3 Application No. SH940797PO 18-Nov-94). Hartleton Farm,
Bromsash HR9 7SB. Council supports. |
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10.1.6 |
P99. DCSE2003/3210/F. Proposed double garage.
Broad Oaks, Darnells Lane, Linton, HR9 7SG. Drawings submitted with the application are not clear but would imply
a large scale of development which would seem to be out of keeping. |
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10.2 |
Footpaths and Highways |
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10.2.1 |
Cllr
John Foley reported that he had walked the footpath written about by Andrew
Chalmers in his letter (D1082). It needs a lot of attention, especially the
styles. Council decided to include this in the proposed Footpath Partnership.
The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Chalmers and thank him for bringing this
to Council’s attention. |
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10.2.2 |
The blocked drain in
Bromsash continues to deteriorate. The Clerk said that CHDC have informed him
that it is on the list of work to be done. |
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10.2.3 |
Cllr John Foley said that
the Lengthsman has done a good job on the ditches on the road to Gorsley
below the Linton Lower Ridge Road. |
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11 |
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Planning
Procedure |
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11.1 |
Cllr Ken Downham
asked if Council would request that somebody from CHDC Planning comes to a
meeting to explain the approval system and how “the rules” are interpreted.
To be followed by a “question and answer” session with Council. |
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11.2 |
It was decided that the
Planning Working Group will produce a set of “agenda questions” which the
Clerk will then attach to the request for attendance. |
Cllr
Ken Downham/The Clerk |
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12 |
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Chairman’s
Announcements |
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12.1 |
The Grand Winter
Quiz will be held in Gorsley Village Hall on December 6th. He
hopes that Councillors will participate. |
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12.2 |
He attended the
Connecting Communities Project and was the only Parish Councillor there. It
transpires that this event has nothing to do with Parish Plans. Nothing of
substance arose. |
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13 |
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Correspondence
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13.1 |
The following correspondence was tabled: |
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D1083 |
18/10/2003 |
Night
Sky Light Pollution Questionnaire |
Campaign
to Protect Rural England |
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D1084 |
26/10/2003 |
Open
Day on November 27th |
Community
First |
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D1085 |
26/10/2003 |
Quote
for Tree Surgery Between the Alma and Shutton Cross Roads. |
The
Lengthsman |
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D1086 |
29/10/2003 |
Bus
& Train Timetable |
CHDC |
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D1087 |
29/10/2003 |
County
Flood Plan |
CHDC |
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D1088 |
29/10/2003 |
Forward
Plan |
CHDC |
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D1089 |
29/10/2003 |
Connecting
Communities Project |
CHDC |
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D1090 |
29/10/2003 |
Festival
and Events Organisers Forum |
CHDC |
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D1091 |
29/10/2003 |
Schedule
of Meetings |
CHDC |
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D1092 |
29/10/2003 |
HIT
Broadband Campaign |
CHDC |
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D1093 |
29/10/2003 |
UDP
News |
CHDC |
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D1094 |
31/10/2003 |
Consultation
on Car Parking Chares |
CHDC |
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D1095 |
01/11/2003 |
Skateboard
and BMX Track Builders |
Gravity
Engineering Ltd |
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D1096 |
07/11/2003 |
Energy
Efficiency & Renewable Energy Grants |
CHDC |
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D1097 |
07/11/2003 |
Clerks
& Councils Direct - General Newsletter |
~ |
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D1098 |
07/11/2003 |
Parish
Newsletter |
Gorsley
& Kilcot |
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D1099 |
08/11/2003 |
Understanding
the Code of Conduct - Meeting on Nov 20th |
HALC |
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D1100 |
08/11/2003 |
Common
Land and Village Green Training Course on November 25th?? |
HALC |
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D1101 |
10/11/2003 |
Letter
of thanks to Council re common land clearance in Quarry Lane. |
Sheila
Jakeway |
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D1102 |
10/11/2003 |
Parish
Paths Partnership Application Form |
CHDC |
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D1103 |
10/11/2003 |
Survey
of Trees in Linton Quarry |
Ken
Downham |
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Councillors requested the following: |
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Cllr Richard Smith: D1084, D1090, D1097, D1099,
D1100. |
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Cllr Jean Foley: D1088, D1093, D1097, D1098 |
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Cllr John Wheble: D1086, D1090, D1092, D1096 |
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Cllr Ken Downham: D1089, D1096 |
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Cllr Rob Crawford: D1088, D1096 |
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Cllr Audrey Duke: D1098 |
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Cllr Keith Summers:
D1092, D1096, D1098 |
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13.2 |
Cllr
Gary Woodman is attending the Parish Plans Surgery Event on Nov 12th. |
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13.3 |
The Chairman read
out D1093. |
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13.4 |
Re D1073, the
Chairman will fill out and return the form on Council’s behalf. |
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13.5 |
Re D1094 the Clerk was
instructed to write to Cllr Mike Wilson expressing the concern both of the
Council and of Parishioners at the complete lack of consultation and
requesting that Cllr Wilson attends Linton’s December meeting. Copy to Cllr
Harry Bramer. |
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14 |
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Councillor’s
Submissions, including Village Events |
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14.1 |
Cllr Ken Downham
suggested that District Cllr Harry Bramer should attend at least some of
Linton’s meetings. The Clerk was instructed to write expressing our regret
that he has not attended. He has now
been in post for 6 months, so please come and explain what is happening in CHDC. |
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14.2 |
Cllr John Foley
thanked everybody for their support to the “Churches” bike ride. There will
be a slide show of churches visited and a light supper in Linton VH on Friday
November 14th. |
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14.3 |
The subject of management
of web site content was raised. The Clerk confirmed that if he was asked to
put anything “out of the ordinary” on the site, he would first seek Council’s
approval. |
The
Clerk |
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15 |
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Proposed
Letter re John Colyer |
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15.1 |
The Chairman reviewed the long and unsatisfactory
history of the Council’s dealings with this CHDC officer and tabled a proposed
letter to a senior manager (previously circulated). |
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15.2 |
Council
agreed that “enough is enough” and Proposed by Cllr John Wheble, seconded by
Cllr Margaret Pearce and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the letter
should be sent, unaltered. |
The
Clerk |
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16 |
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Quality
Council & Parish Plan, including: Questionnaire Compilation (Keypoint) |
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16.1 |
One copy of the first draft of the questionnaire
was tabled. |
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16.2 |
Council decided that it should be circulated with
the minutes and made an agenda item for the next meeting, together with
consideration of the associated papers including the means of delivery and
return and the optional loose contact sheet (previously circulated). |
The
Clerk |
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16.3 |
The
Chairman recorded, on behalf of the Council, thanks to the Clerk for his
efforts. |
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17 |
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Maps in Village Halls |
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17.1 |
Proposed
by Cllr John Foley, seconded by Cllr Richard Smith and approved unanimously,
IT WAS AGREED to obtain, frame and offer two Parish maps, one for display in
each village hall. The Clerk will arrange this, based on the map provided by
the Footpath Partnership (Paul Seville) at approximately double that size
(i.e. A2). He will first check the
copyright position. |
The
Clerk |
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18 |
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Public
Submissions |
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18.1 |
A Parishioner
proposed that the questionnaire be sent out with an SAE for replies. Clearly
this would increase cost but it should maximise the response. |
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18.2 |
Another asked how is
the web site publicised. The Chairman explained that the address is on all
correspondence, agendas, emails, etc. and invited further suggestions. Cllr
Ken Downham volunteered to place a banner announcement in every edition of
The Chimes. |
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18.3 |
Parishioner Gwynne Rowley
said that he had heard an official spokesman for Aquila say that he'd been
taken to task by John Foley and was that our Cllr John Foley? This was
admitted and he was thanked by Mr Rowley for his forthright challenge. |
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19 |
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Items
for Consideration at the Next Meeting |
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19.1 |
None
other than as noted above. |
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20 |
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Date
of the Next Meeting: Monday 8th
December, Gorsley Village Hall |
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The
Meeting Finished At 10:16 p.m. |