LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On 8^th March 2004

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

Present:

Cllr Richard Smith , Chairman

Cllr Jean Foley, Vice Chairman

Cllr Rob Crawford

Cllr Audrey Duke

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Margaret Pearce

Cllr Keith Summers

Cllr John Wheble

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

4 Parishioners attended.

Minute Item			Action
1		Apologies
	1.1	Cllr Ken Downham.

2		Declarations of Interest
	2.1	None.

3		Minutes of the Meeting Held on 9^th February 2004
	3.1	Proposed by Cllr Jean Foley, seconded by Cllr Margaret Pearce and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the minutes be signed, with two amendments: Item 5.4. Change Shuttons Cross to Shutton Cross. Item 7.1 Change Cllr Jean Foley to Cllr Ken Downham.

4		Matters Arising Therefrom Not Covered in the Agenda
	4.1	Wall and Gates Beyond Revell’s Barn CHDC have not yet contacted the owner but will do so soon. Cllr John Foley said that more work has been done since the last Council meeting.
	4.2	Suspect Change of Use at Jessamine Cottage CHDC’s officer has spoken to the owners and he is expecting their application for change of use.
	4.3	Parking Outside the Coach House in Linton Cllr Rob Crawford has spoken with the family and they are aware of the problem. The husband is away a lot but is expected to contact the Councillor when next available. Some local residents complain about the dangers, others welcome the “traffic calming” effect.
	4.4	Drainage of the School Playing Fields The first meeting of the governors since Council’s last meeting will be in a few days’ time and Cllr Jean Foley will be raising the issue at that.

5		Dog Fouling Notices
	5.1	Public notices have still not been posted by the legal department. The Clerk will chase again.	The Clerk

6		Meeting with CHDC Planning Officer(s)
	6.1	Jonathan Barrett, a senior officer in the Planning Department, has agreed that two officers will attend Council’s next meeting on April 13^th. One will speak to the latest UDP position and the other will address questions, such as those raised in our letter. The names will be advised nearer the date.	The Clerk

7		Linton Quarry Maintenance – Response from English Nature
	7.1	The Chairman read out D1188, the reply to our letter. The Clerk will respond with thanks saying that Council looks forward to hearing further.	The Clerk

8		Roadside Inn – Letter to CHDC’s Environmental Health Department
	8.1	This item should have been headed the Roadmaker Inn. The Chairman read out D1193, the reply. Council decided that it can do no more. The Clerk will write with thanks and the item will not be on the agenda again unless there is a significant new development.	The Clerk

9		Lengthsman Project
	9.1	The Lengthsman has cleared the drains near Magnolia Cottage in Bromsash. Three drains yielded a 1/3 load of the Lengthsman’s pick-up truck in soil.
	9.2	Letter D1203 from CHDC on project continuation had been circulated previously. Council noted some contradictions and that the Clerk was seeking clarification.	The Clerk
	9.3	It is clear that the project will continue for at least one more year at the current funding rate. On that basis, once the above clarification has been obtained, the Clerk will write to CHDC, welcoming the continuation and stating Council’s intention to promote the scheme to adjoining Parish Councils. He will then write appropriately to Aston Ingham and Weston-under-Penyard Councils.	The Clerk
	9.4	Council then discussed whether to seek new quotations for the Lengthsman appointment in 2004/2004 or to re-appoint Roger & Wayne Reed on the current contractual terms. Proposed by Cllr John Foley, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved by 5 votes to 3, IT WAS AGREED to re-appoint Roger and Wayne Reed on the current contractual terms. Cllrs Richard Smith, John Wheble and Rob Crawford voted against.	The Clerk

10		Allotments: Entrance Mud, Water Supply and Gate
	10.1	The Gate is in abeyance, pending the polling of allotment holders, when payments are renewed.	The Clerk
	10.2	The entrance has been dug out to a depth of some 10 inches by the Lengthsman, re-filled with scalpings and levelled to the road and allotment land. Cllr Richard Smith commended the work. The Lengthsman had said that he would not charge for the scalpings but the Clerk, as Administrator, had insisted that he submit an invoice and Council concurred.	The Clerk
	10.3	The Clerk reported that Welsh Water would be prepared to supply and fit a water meter for some £75 provided that the supply pipe is available within the allotment bounds. Cllr Richard Smith confirmed that the pipe runs under the track adjacent to his property. The Clerk will, therefore, obtain formal quotes for the work.	The Clerk

11		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	11.1	The Clerk explained that he can not judge whether Lloyds TSB are conforming to instructions for automatic transfers between accounts until he receives the next statement.	The Clerk
	11.2	Council reviewed the insurance arrangements and decided to increase the Fidelity Guarantee to £10,000.	The Clerk
	11.3	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Rob Crawford and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to adopt the accounts as tabled.
	11.4	Proposed by Cllr John Wheble, seconded by Cllr Keith Summers and approved with one abstention (Cllr Richard Smith), IT WAS AGREED to pay the following accounts and the cheques were duly signed.

AP173	Election expenses for May 1st 2003	09-Feb-04	100.00
AP174	Planning Process conference	11-Feb-04	20.00
AP175	Hire of Gorsley Village Hall	13-Feb-04	30.00
AP176	Lengthsman for February	04-Mar-04	284.00
AP177	Village Hall Refurbishment - VAT Recovery Scheme	08-Mar-04	7751.76
AP178	Clerk's Salary for February 2004	08-Mar-04	187.20
AP179	Clerk's Expenses for January 2004	08-Mar-04	40.56
AP180	Lengthsman Administrator's Fee for January 2004	08-Mar-04	28.40
AP181	Web Master's Time in January 2004	08-Mar-04	8.19
AP182	Parish Plan Questionnaire Time in January 2004	08-Mar-04	83.07

12		Gorsley Village Hall VAT Recovery Scheme
	12.1	This item was dealt with by approval for AP177 above.

13		Working Party Reports
	13.1	Planning
	13.1.1	P104. DCSE2004/0287/F. Proposed extension to provide self contained ancillary accommodation for dependant relative. Woodbine Cottage, 2 Fair View, Gorsley. Council supports but expressed reservations over the size.
	13.1.2	P105. DCSE2004/0402/F. Extension to bungalow to provide en suite bedroom. Hillside, Hilltop, Upton Bishop, HR9 7UQ. Council supports.
	13.1.3	P106. DCSE2004/0446/O. Site for dwelling to include new access road. The Gables, Aston Crews, HR9 7LW. Tabled at Council on 08/03/04. Council appointed Cllr Jean Foley to lead a further study and respond to CHDC in the light of that.
	13.1.4	P107. DCSE2004/0517/F. Proposed Conservatory. Brambley, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Tabled at Council on 08/03/04. Council supports.
	13.1.5	P108 Council supports
	13.1.6	P91. DCSE2003/2493/O. Site for the erection of a bungalow. IGLS, Quarry Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Appeal Lodged on 22/12/03. The Clerk will write to the inspector re-iterating Councils previous comments and asking for a copy of the decision.	The Clerk
	13.1.7	P48. SE2002/0410/L. Renovation of existing mill building and conversion to residential use. Burton Mill, Burton Farm, Linton, Ross. Permission granted on 14/01/04.
	13.1.8	P50. SE2002/0441/F. Change of use and conversion of existing mill to private dwelling with ancillary use as a guest house. Burton Mill, Burton Farm, Linton, HR9 7RR. Permission granted on 14/01/04.
	13.1.9	P101. DCSE2003/3839/F. Conversion of garage to living room. Whitegates, Quarry Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SH. Permission granted on 16/02/04.
	13.1.10	D1184 - Response to email to Planning re lack of consultation over Bramble Cottage. Cllr Jean Foley read out the letter and Council decided that she should draft a suitable reply.	Cllr Jean Foley/The Clerk
	13.2	Footpaths and Roads
	13.2.1	Cllr John Foley reported that the Linton section of the cycle route has been surveyed; the Scouts walked some paths last Saturday and there is a meeting with CHDC’s Footpaths Officer this coming Thursday.
	13.2.2	Cllr John Foley will draft a response to a letter raising a number of footpath maintenance issues for the Clerk to send to the originator, with a copy to the Footpaths Officer.	Cllr John Foley/The Clerk
	13.2.3	There is a walk next Sunday, March 14^th, starting from Cliffords Mesne Village Hall at 2:30 p.m.

14		Chairman’s Announcements
	14.1	The Chairman reported on his attendance at Ross Area Partnership meetings and his concern that, unless there is some progress soon, the Partnership could come to nought. However, as Council wishes, he will continue for a while, now joining the Recreation and Leisure Group.
	14.2	He will be attending the B4221 Road Safety Study Meeting as Council’s representative. The Road Action Group had expressed a desire to keep the meeting small at this stage, not involving District Councils.

15		Correspondence
	15.1	The following correspondence was tabled:

D1174	11/02/2004	Reply to WMPTUF letter	Rail Passengers Committee
D1175	18/02/2004	AQA Procedure Notes	HALC
D1176	19/02/2004	Bromsash Request for extension of the speed limit	CHDC
D1177	20/02/2004	Finance Training Course on Feb 25th	HALC
D1178	20/02/2004	ODPM Consultation on Planning Appeal Process	HALC
D1179	20/02/2004	Consultation on Burial Law	HALC
D1180	20/02/2004	Legal Topic Note 46 - Procedure for Chairman at Annual Meeting	HALC
D1181	20/02/2004	Worcester Seminar on Planning Aid on 24/02/04	HALC
D1182	20/02/2004	ROSPA Leaflet on playground inspections	HALC
D1183	20/02/2004	Countryside Agency Vital Villages Initiative Update 3	HALC
D1184	20/02/2004	Response to email to Planning re lack of consultation over Bramble Cottage.	CHDC
D1185	24/02/2004	Stop and Search Leaflet	West Mercia Police Authority
D1186	24/02/2004	Furniture for Low Income Families - Leaflet for display	Full House Furniture & Recycling Service Ltd
D1187	24/02/2004	Fire Service Integrated Risk Management Plan	H&W Combined Fire Authority
D1188	24/02/2004	Reply re Linton Quarry	English Nature
D1189	26/02/2004	Forward Plan - March to June	CHDC
D1190	26/02/2004	Letter from the National Probation Service	CHDC
D1191	26/02/2004	Creating a Splash Poster for Hereford Museum & Art Gallery.	CHDC
D1192	26/02/2004	Annual State of Herefordshire Report 2002/2003	CHDC
D1193	27/02/2004	Reply from Environmental Health	CHDC
D1194	27/02/2004	Reply from Graham Dunhill	CHDC
D1195	02/03/2004	Consultation on Local Government Act 2000 by May 18th	Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
D1196	02/03/2004	Consultation on Standards Board Guidance for Monitoring Officers by May 18th	Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
D1197	02/03/2004	Amendments to Register of Electors	CHDC
D1198	03/03/2004	Quarterly Economic Report	Herefordshire Partnership
D1199	03/03/2004	Building Civil Renewal - Consultation Meeting - March 18th	Community First
D1200	03/03/2004	Clerks & Councils Direct
D1201	03/03/2004	Renewable Energy and the Planning System Questionnaire by March 15th.	Government Office for the West Midlands
D1202	03/03/2004	Training - employment health & safety relating to Parish Councils - March 24th	HALC
D1203	04/03/2004	Lengthsman Contracts	CHDC
D1204	05/03/2004	Minutes of G&K PC Planning Meeting	G&KPC
D1205	06/03/2004	Re-introduction of Local Area Forums	CHDC
D1206	08/03/2004	Countryside Access Questionnaire (Deadline May 31st)	CHDC
D1207	08/03/2004	Newsletter	English Nature
D1208	08/03/2004	Risk Management Plan	H&W Combined Fire Authority
D1209	08/03/2004	Response to Consultation on the draft plan	H&W Combined Fire Authority
D1210	08/03/2004	B4221/4215 Route Safety Study Meeting - Agenda and Report	RAG

Councillors requested the following:

Cllr Richard Smith: D1180, 1183, 1185, 1189, 1192, 1197, 1198, 1200, 1203, 1206.

Cllr John Wheble: D1178, 1201, 1203.

Cllr Margaret Pearce: D1183, 1202.

Cllr Keith Summers: D1183, 1189, 1192.

Cllr Jean Foley: D1195, 1196, 1200. The first two were taken at the meeting.

Cllr Audrey Duke: D1183, 1189.

15.2	The Chairman read out D1176 re the speed survey at Bromsash. The Clerk was asked to write with thanks, saying that Council looks forward to hearing more. Cllr John Foley said the survey equipment is in place.	The Clerk
15.3	The Chairman read out D1194 and he will draft a response.	Cllr Richard Smith
15.4	Councillor’s attention was drawn to D1205, 1174 and D1201. Cllr John Wheble agreed to fill out the questionnaire in D1201.	Cllr John Wheble

16		Councillor’s Submissions, including Village Events
	16.1	Cllr Audrey Duke reminded Council that the Borderlines Film Festival starts on March 22^nd with Whale Rider, followed by Etre et Avoir (25^th), Himalaya (27^th) and Goodbye Lenin (30^th).
	16.2	Cllr Keith Summers said that there had been a well attended meeting in Linton Village Hall on the subject of Broadband and that more information is available on www.bb4gorsleyx.org.uk Excess traffic speeds through Linton are a growing problem and a close neighbour’s dog has been killed by a hit-and-run driver. Cllr Summers handed the Clerk a letter from the neighbour. The Clerk will write to CHDC asking for a traffic survey, a statement of CHDC policy on speed limits, especially a 20 mph or 30 mph limit and whether there is a programme of works for the introduction of speed limits.	The Clerk
	16.3	Cllr John Wheble reported that Parishioner Henry Davis proposes an Amenity bench on Sugar Tump. Council enthusiastically endorsed the idea provided that it is properly fixed. Cllr John Wheble also asked the Clerk for a copy of the Lengthsman’s timesheets.	Cllr John Wheble The Clerk
	16.4	Cllr John Foley said that there had been complaints of a very large lorry around Sugar Tump. Cllr Richard Smith said he had seen it and had searched but been unable to locate it. Presumably, therefore, it was “lost” and so just passing through.

17		Quality Council & Parish Plan
	17.1	Delivery & Return:
	17.1.1	The Clerk said that he has only received a distribution stake from the Chairman. Cllr Rob Crawford said that he had returned one, covering himself and neighbouring Councillors but the Clerk said he had not received it. (Clerk’s Note: This was a mistake on my part. The Councillor’s return had been received but not entered into the schedule). The Chairman urged others to return their stakes to the Clerk by the end of the week.	Councillors
	17.2	Printing
	17.2.1	The Clerk said that envelopes are promised for March 9^th and the printing of the questionnaire within a few days.

18		Maps in Village Halls
	18.1	The Clerk explained that maps at 10,000:1 scale from the Map Shop in Hereford had to be printed specially, at a cost of £30 each and these did not cover a large enough area. A larger map would cost much more but, anyway, would not include footpaths.
	18.2	Councillors decided that the map in Gorsley VH is adequate and Cllr Rob Crawford volunteered to try and procure for Linton VH through a colleague in the trade.	Cllr Rob Crawford

19		Prizes for Gorsley Goffs School
	19.1	Cllr Jean Foley explained that the school sought new ways of motivating pupils, following a disappointing Ofsted report and she was suggesting an annual prize fund, to be awarded amongst two or more pupils. Cllr John Wheble said that when the idea was floated at a recent school meeting it was greeted with great enthusiasm by the staff.
	19.2	Proposed by Cllr Jean Foley, seconded by Cllr Margaret Pearce and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to suggest to the school a £50 annual fund, to run initially for 5 years and then be reviewed.	Cllr Jean Foley/ The Clerk

20		Draft Report to the Annual Parish Meeting (Previously circulated by email)
	20.1	Councillors proposed a number of amendments and the Chairman will redraft and re-circulate.	Cllr Richard Smith

21		Public Submissions
	21.1	Parishioner Richard Delahay asked about the proposed cycle route. How does the public see what is being proposed? Would Council think it a good idea to have it include the shops, pubs, etc? Cllr John Foley said that the Alma Inn is included.
	21.2	Parishioner Gwynne Rowley said that he had seen Jarvis personnel making a study of the barrier outside the school, presumably with a view to its repair. Councillors welcomed this. He expressed pleasure that the Lengthsman had been shown on TV although it was disappointing that the interview was not longer. He quipped that he had hoped to see, at the end, pictures of the Clerk running behind crying out “Don’t forget broadband!”

22		Items for Consideration at the Next Meeting
	22.1	Footpaths & Walks – Invitation to Gorsley & Kilcot.

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