LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

 

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On April 13th 2004

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

 

Present:

Cllr Richard Smith , Chairman

Cllr Jean Foley, Vice Chairman

Cllr Rob Crawford

Cllr Ken Downham

Cllr Audrey Duke

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Margaret Pearce

Cllr Keith Summers

Cllr John Wheble

 

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

 

9 Parishioners attended.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                            

Minute Item

 

Action

 

 

 

 

1

 

Apologies

 

 

1.1

Cllr Gary Woodman. Council noted that the Councillor is anxious to resume his duties but still has a work back-log to clear arising from the difficult birth of his daughter.

 

 

2

 

Declarations of Interest

 

 

2.1

None.

 

 

3

 

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 8th March 2004

 

 

3.1

Proposed by Cllr Margaret Pearce, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the minutes be adopted with two changes:

1) Add apologies for absence from Cllr Gary Woodman

2) Item 8. Change Roadside Inn to Roadmaker Inn.

 

 

4

 

Matters arising therefrom not covered in the Agenda

 

 

4.1

Jessamine Cottage: CHDC have not received an application for change of use and say that, therefore, they will commence enforcement proceedings.

 

 

4.2

Gate opposite Revells Barn: CHDC say that they are expecting to receive a retrospective application, simply for the gate and wall.

 

 

4.3

Parking Outside the Coach House in Linton: Cllr Rob Crawford reported that there have been discussions with the owner, who has promised to park closer to the wall.

 

 

4.4

Drainage At the School: Cllr Jean Foley said that there has not yet been a suitable meeting to discuss this issue.

 

 

4.5

Item 15.3: Further Letter to Graham Dunhill re the Barrier at the School: The Clerk apologised for only just having sent this letter. Cllr John Wheble said that there had been two serious accidents at this point but he had still not been able to obtain a date for the fatality mentioned in the letter.

 

 

4.6

Item 16.2 Speed Survey in Linton: The Clerk reported CHDC’s Justine Heath’s email, promising that a survey will be done and her explanation that 20 mph limits are only considered in the vicinity of schools. That information will be taken into account once the results of the Parish Plan Questionnaire are known. Cllrs Richard Smith and Jean Foley asked for a copy of the email.

 

 

The Clerk

 

4.7

Item 19.2: The Clerk will write to the Headmaster of Gorsley Goffs School, confirming Council’s offer of special pupil prizes and asking how he would like us to proceed.

The Clerk

 

5

 
Dog Fouling Notices

 

 

5.1

The public notice has appeared in the Hereford Times and the period for objections is about to expire.

 

 

5.2

CHDC have a balance in their account and so will be supplying Council with the enforcement notices, at no charge. The Lengthsman will be able to erect the notices.

 

 

5.3

The notice delivery date depends upon Herefordshire Jarvis Services who have delivered one batch to the wrong size.

 

 

6

 

The Herefordshire UDP and Planning Questions (CHDC Planning Officers Chris Botwright and Mike Wilmont in attendance)

 

 

6.1

The Chairman introduced the officers and thanked them for attending.  Chris Botwright spoke first, on the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

 

 

6.1.1

The UDP is 12 to 18 months away from adoption and, in the meantime, the existing South Herefordshire (SH) Plans and Guidelines remain in force.

 

 

6.1.2

Most of the modifications proposed to the first draft relate to Hereford City. Gorsley has been identified as a main village but this simply brings the UDP into line with the SH Development Plan. The modified UDP will be published on 13th May and will then be open for comments, on the modifications only, for 6 weeks.

 

 

6.1.3

After taking into account those comments, the UDP goes to an independent inspector in February 2005 for hearings relating to objections, most of which are around Hereford City.  Adoption of the UDP should then follow after a further 6 months or so.

 

 

6.1.4

The UDP allows for Supplementary Planning Guidance, to take into account Parish Plans.

 

 

6.1.5

Affordable Homes are defined as homes built for a sale price of no more than 3 times the Herefordshire average income, + 10% for a deposit. Purchasers are prioritized in the order of Local Parish; Ward; Herefordshire County and there is a formula to control onward sales. There are 2600 Affordable Homes in the UDP and the CHDC Planning Guidelines are that new developments should contain 35% of Affordable Homes, as has been recently authorized in Weston.

 

 

6.1.6

Housing Associations can build “self-contained” developments of Affordable Homes. The only effect of the UDP is to re-enforce the requirement to establish A NEED before such development can be submitted for Planning Approval.

 

 

6.1.7

Agricultural sites do not qualify as “Brownfield” sites.

 

 

6.2

Mike Wilmont took questions from Councillors and Parishioners.

 

 

6.2.1

Cllr Jean Foley: When there is an appeal, does the inspector always visit the site?

Answer: Yes.

 

 

6.2.2

Cllr Jean Foley: How is Delegated Authority decided?

Answer: Each application is checked for validity and all appropriate authorities are consulted before it is passed to one of three planning officers, who report to me (Mike Wilmont). I have the power to decide whether to pass it to committee or to use delegated powers. My criteria are that if the application is in accord with policy and there are no objections, it is delegated. Of the 30 most recent applications in Linton, 26 were delegated and 4 went to committee. The application always goes to committee if the officers approved but somebody, e.g. the Parish Council, objects. If there is an objection and the officers also object, then delegated powers are used. If the PC supports but the officers object, delegated powers can still be used. Prior to all of the above, consultation is encouraged

 

 

6.2.3

Cllr Ken Downham: Planning Notifications are put up by whom?

Answer: The officers. Sometimes there is no suitable place to position the notice, hence they may not be posted sufficiently obviously. Parish Councils are not allowed to put them up. It has been suggested that the applicant put them up but Central Government refused that.

 

 

6.2.4

Cllr Ken Downham: Retrospective applications are disliked. What can be done?

Answer: Retrospective applications and, hence, enforcement procedures are here to stay because it is not a criminal offence to proceed with a development without permission.

 

 

6.2.5

Cllr John Foley: The consultation period of 21 days is inadequate because it takes no account of PC meeting dates.

Answer: Central Government sets the guidelines for consultation. The proper route for representations is through the National Association for Local Councils (NALC).

 

 

6.2.6

Cllr Richard Smith: A constant source of irritation is the lack of detail on the drawings.

Answer: Officers are frustrated as well. If things are not clear, ask: the consultation period can always be extended for valid reasons. Chris Botwright added that, when the UDP is adopted, applicants will have to submit a design statement. Cllr Jean Foley asked for a copy of the guidelines for that and Mr Botwright agreed to send one.

 

The Clerk/Chris Botwright

 

 

6.2.7

Cllr Jean Foley: There seems to be inconsistency in the approvals for barn conversions.

Answer: Basically there are two sorts; “Big Steel Framed Buildings” where we seek to use those for commercial applications and “Traditional Buildings” where we look first to commercial use but if it has been proved to us that there is no prospect of commercial use, then domestic use is considered.

 

 

6.2.8

Cllr Jean Foley: We return the plans with our comments. When there is an amended application, we need to see the plans again.

Answer: Point taken.

 

 

6.2.9

Cllr Jean Foley: Are the approval conditions always checked for compliance?

Answer: There is a degree of trust. We do check but not 100%. So please tell us if non-compliance is suspected. The building inspector has a copy of the conditions and he is expected to inform CHDC of any non-compliance.

 

All Councillors

 

6.2.10

Parishioner Gwynne Rowley: To judge from the lack of press reports, there are very few instances of serious problems.

Answer: Of those cases that go to appeal, CHDC’s position is supported in 90%.

 

 

6.3

The Chairman warmly thanked both officers for their time and clarity of replies. The Clerk will write appropriately.

The Clerk

 

7

 

Lengthsman Project

 

 

7.1

It has been confirmed that the Lengthsman Grant will be maintained at its 2003/2004 level for the two years of 2004/2005 and 2005/2006. It is still unclear how the under spend in 2003/2004 will be treated by CHDC.

The Clerk

 

7.2

The Lengthsman has signed a contract for 2004/2005 at the same payment as 2003/2004. The only changes in the contract are:

Removal of the requirement to clear grass cuttings from Gorsley Common.

Addition of a complete survey of all roads in the parish every two weeks.

 

 

7.3

Cllr John Wheble objected to the Lengthsman’s Timesheets showing time for attendance at a Council meeting and said that Council should not be paying him for coming to meetings. The Clerk explained that the timesheets are a record of time spent and on what; not a record of work paid for. The Lengthsman is paid a regular monthly amount for both contracted and “on demand” work; the actual time involved is not defined. During this discussion, Cllr John Wheble tabled a letter to the Clerk about ditch clearance problems in Burrups Lane. The Clerk, as Lengthsman Administrator, had believed the problem to have been resolved. He will investigate further.

 

 

 

 

The Clerk

 

7.4

Parishioner Gwynne Rowley said that he was pleased to hear that the new Lengthsman Contract addressed his long-standing objection to the clearance of grass cuttings on Gorsley Common.

 

 

8

 

Allotments Water Supply

 

 

8.1

The Clerk is waiting for quotations from Welsh Water and a plumber but believes that Welsh Water may charge no more than £75 to provide a metered connection. Parishioner Phil Page asked that the supply should include a hose connection. The Clerk explained that his information was that the cost would be “high”. Council decided that the quotations should include a lockable and individually chargeable hose connection.

The Clerk

 

9

 

Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts

 

 

9.1

The internal audit for the year 2003/2004 is unqualified in its report to the external auditor. The report to Council makes several points which were read out by the Clerk and noted by Council.  The Chairman thanked the Internal Auditor on behalf of the Council.

 

 

9.2

Accounts for the year 2003/2004 were tabled and noted. Council will debate adoption at the May regular meeting.

 

 

9.3

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Ken Downham and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the following invoices be paid and the cheques were duly signed:

 

 

AP183

Parish Plan Questionnaire Envelopes

61.10

AP184

Parish Plan Questionnaire Printing

875.38

AP185

Lengthsman for March 2004

284.00

AP186

Scalpings for Allotments Gate

20.00

AP187

Clerk's Salary for March 2004

187.20

AP188

Clerk's Expenses for March 2004

53.60

AP189

Lengthsman Administrator's Fee for March 2004

28.40

AP190

Web Master's Time in March 2004

28.78

AP191

Parish Plan Questionnaire Time in March 2004

54.34

 

10

 

Working Party Reports

 

 

10.1

Planning

 

 

10.1.1

P102. DCSE2004/0030/F. Erection of garage. Penyard View, Linton Hill, Ross, HR9 7RS. Permission granted on 02/03/04.

 

 

10.1.2

P103. DCSE2004/0132/F. Retention of conservation pond. Land at Darnells Farm, Linton, HR9 7SQ. Application withdrawn on 16/03/04.

 

 

10.1.3

P109. DCSE2004/0640/F. Enclose balcony on ground floor and incorporate into bedroom 2 (retrospective application). Flat 2, Ivy House Estate, Gorsley, HR9 7SN. Council supports and comments: We regret that this is yet another retrospective application. However, we support the application provided the work has been inspected by Herefordshire Council to ensure the safety of the building and compliance with relevant building regulations.

 

 

10.1.4

P110. DCSE2004/0700/F. Renewal of pp SS98/0916/PF use of land for gypsy pitch. Jays Green Meadow, Linton Road, Gorsley. Council supports and comments: This site is a credit to Mr Harris and his family. We have no hesitation in fully supporting this renewal with the same conditions as applied to the original application in April 1999.

 

 

10.1.5

P111. DCSE2004/0846/F. Proposed rear extension. Alderwood, Gorsley, HR9 7SH. Council supports.

 

 

10.1.6

P112. DCSE2004/0929/F. Variation to previous planning permission SE2001/0448/F approved on 23/04/01, to increase height of rear extension. Lambs Cross, Gorsley, HR9 7SG. Council Supports.

 

 

10.1.7

P113. DCSE2004/1043/F. Proposed conservatory at rear. Ashcroft, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Council Supports.

 

 

11

 

Footpaths & Walks including invitation to Gorsley & Kilcot Parish Council

 

 

11.1

Cllr John Foley reported that on the 16th March there was a Southern Area Footpaths meeting and officers from all adjacent areas were there. The Ramblers Association is reporting direct to CHDC without consulting other organisations.

 

 

11.2

On the 19th March, the route from Kilcot to Upton Bishop was surveyed and a similar route was walked on the 29th. In both cases, reports on the conditions, including styles, were generally favourable. 60% of footpaths have been covered in the first quarter of this year.

 

 

11.3

It was decided to invite Gorsley & Kilcot PC on one of our walks as we have been on several of theirs. Cllr Audrey Duke will ask the WI to provide refreshments in Gorsley Village Hall.

Cllrs John Foley/Audrey Duke

 

12

 

Chairman’s Announcements

 

 

12.1

Together with Cllr Jean Foley, he had attended the first of the restarted Local Area Forums. CHDC considers that LAFs are very important and this one was better organised than in the past. There were updates on the Ross Area Partnership and the UDP.  The next meeting is on 16th June; John Kyrle High School at 7:30.

 

 

12.2

Also represented the Council at the B4221 meeting. The minutes are in Correspondence (D1232).

 

 

13

 

Correspondence

 

 

13.1

The following correspondence was tabled:

 

 

D1211

09/03/2004

B4221/4215 Strategic Issues January 2004 - Executive Summary

D1212

11/03/2004

Developing Co-operative Communities in Rural Areas - March 26th Conference

D1213

11/03/2004

Letter of introduction from the new Market Towns Officer

D1214

11/03/2004

2004 Football Talent Competition

D1215

17/03/2004

Rural Broadband

D1216

17/03/2004

G&KPC Minutes

D1217

19/03/2004

Bromsash Speed Survey Results

D1218

20/03/2004

Sitelines

D1219

22/03/2004

AQA Registration Certificate

D1220

25/03/2004

Minutes of meetings on December 8th and February 16th.