LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

 

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On 20th September 2004

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

 

Present:

Cllr Jean Foley, Chairman

Cllr Richard Smith, Vice Chairman

Cllr Ken Downham

Cllr John Foley

 

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

 

8 Parishioners attended.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                            

Minute Item

 

Action

 

 

 

 

1

 

Apologies

 

 

1.1

Cllrs Audrey Duke, Margaret Pearce, Keith Summers and John Wheble.

 

 

2

 

Declarations of Interest

 

 

2.1

None.

 

 

3

 

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 9th August 2004

 

 

3.1

The minutes were duly signed with one amendment: item 16.2 insert the word “draft” before “plan” in the final sentence.

 

 

4

 

Matters arising therefrom not covered in the Agenda

 

 

4.1

Sandbags

All requests have been received and the return will be made to CHDC shortly.

The Clerk

 

4.2

M50 Noise

An email from Amey Mouchel, detailing the actions to be taken, was read out. The Clerk will inform the local residents.

The Clerk

 

4.3

Ross Area Partnership

The Clerk reported that it is now expected that the Strategy Document will be published in October.

 

 

4.4

Trees in the Quarry Adjacent to Whitegates

These have been inspected by the Trees Officer and found to be safe. The residents have been informed and are content. Ivy growing on one of the trees will be cut by the Lengthsman.

 

 

5

 

Traffic Speeds and Management within the Parish

 

 

5.1

CHDC’s Andrew Lee-Jones had promised an update on the results of his site meeting with Councillors in time for this meeting but that has not happened. The Clerk will chase.

The Clerk

 

5.2

A letter from Mr & Mrs Colin Burson about speeding traffic past their property was read out (D1402a). Parishioner Nigel Vandyck suggested that, as speeding is a criminal offence, the local neighbourhood watch should mount a patrol. Council decided that it has no powers to act but asked the Clerk to write to the Bursons and advise that a record of specific instances be kept and, when compiled, passed to the Police Community Beat Manager. Should that not produce effective action then bring the matter back to Council.

The Clerk

 

6

 

Dog Fouling Notices

 

 

6.1

These have been received and will be erected by the Lengthsman. If needed, Cllr Patrick Keef of Lea PC has offered to provide signage poles, at no charge.

 

 

7

 

Lengthsman Project

 

 

7.1

The Clerk suggested that in future years the Lengthsman could make a regular weekly patrol covering every road and lane in the Parish, clearing litter, fly tipping and short-term overgrowth round signage during the patrol. For this, the Lengthsman has proposed £28 per week. Councillors felt that this was a considerable sum.

 

 

7.2

Fly tipping is a growing problem with items that are difficult to dispose of such as tyres, gas bottles and, recently, a 45 gallon drum of solidified tar, appearing in growing numbers. Council decided that the Clerk should write to CHDC and seek a strategy to deal with this problem as all agreed that such fly tipping is likely to continue increasing.

The Clerk

 

7.3

Parishioner Gwynne Rowley asked if there had been a resolution of the question: “Who owns the ditches and hedges?” The Clerk said that he had had an official reply from CHDC which states that hedges and ditches are owned by the adjacent landowner. However, the defined highway is from boundary to boundary, which is the centre of the hedge, unless there is evidence to contradict this, i. e. the ground has been purchased for a highway improvement or a structure has been removed from previous boundary shown on title deeds.

 

 

8

 

Allotments Gate and Water Supply

 

 

8.1

The contracts have been let.

 

 

9

 

Annual Review of Standing Orders (Financial Only)

 

 

9.1

All but one Councillor has now registered an opinion and the Finance Working Party (FWP) will convene to consider the options.

Cllr Jean Foley

 

10

 

Annual Review of Clerk's Salary

 

 

10.1

This will be considered during at the next meeting of the FWP.

Cllr Jean Foley

 

11

 

Budget for 2005/6

 

 

11.1

The Clerk will circulate a record of his hours for the past twelve months. Cllr Richard Smith will produce a draft which will be circulated in time for the next meeting of the FWP.

The Clerk/Cllrs Richard Smith and Jean Foley

 

12

 

Gorsley Quarry

 

 

12.1

Item included by mistaken identity for Item 13, Linton Quarry.

 

 

13

 

Linton Quarry

 

 

13.1

Council’s agreement with English Nature includes the granting of certain management rights to the then owners of Pykes Meadow. Proposed by Cllr John Foley, seconded by Cllr Ken Downham and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk will draft a letter extending those rights to the current owners, Mr & Mrs Hewett.

The Clerk

 

14

 

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

 

 

14.1

Council noted the accounts to date, tabled by the Clerk.

 

 

14.2

Proposed by Cllr John Foley, seconded by Cllr Ken Downham and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following invoices and the cheques were duly signed:

 

 

AP223

Parish Plan Photocopying expense

8.00

AP224

Lengthsman for July

284.00

AP225

Parish Plan Draft Printing

86.40

AP226

Parish Plan Ordnance Survey Copying Licence

55.81

AP227

Lengthsman for August

284.00

AP228

Clerk's Salary for August 2004

187.20

AP229

Clerk's Expenses for August 2004

19.14

AP230

Lengthsman Administrator's Fee for August 2004

28.40

AP231

Web Master's Time in August 2004

21.06

 

15

 

Working Party Reports

 

 

15.1

Planning

 

 

15.1.1

P119. DCSE2004/1847/F. Retention of conservation pond (Amended design). This is a re-submission of DCSE2004/0132/F. Land at Darnells Farm, Linton. Permission was granted on 04/08/04. The Chairman read out the conditions placed on that permission. Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk will write to the adjoining landowner Mr Davis, bringing the approval and its conditions to his notice and inviting him to work through Council should he observe any breaches of the conditions.

The Clerk

 

15.1.2

The Clerk reported that, once again, he had received planning notices for Linton in the north of Herefordshire. Following on previous complaints, on this occasion he had written to Stephen Holder of CHDC’s Planning Services (South) but had not received an acknowledgement.

 

 

15.1.3

P118. DCSE2004/1777/F. Proposed single storey extension to kitchen and pitched roof above existing garage to provide attic/store. Little Knapp, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Permission granted on 09/07/04.

 

 

15.1.4

P120. DCSE2004/1976/F. Replacement pitched roof incorporating an increase in height to the eaves and ridge of 300 mms. Cross Keys Cottage, Gorsley, HR9 7SF. Permission granted on 23/07/04.

 

 

15.1.5

P121. DCSE2004/2025/O. Site for erection of one dwelling. Plot adjacent to Lovers Walk, Quarry Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Outline permission granted on 29/07/04.

 

 

15.1.6

P122a. DCSE2004/2411/S. Replacement of store for implements and shelter for field workers. Lea of Hill Top, nr Linton, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7UQ. Permission granted on 18/08/04.

 

 

15.1.7

P124. DCSE2004/2704/F. Water storage tank for irrigation system. Ross-on-Wye Golf Club, Two Park, Gorsley HR9 7UT. Council supports.

 

 

15.1.8

P125. DCSE2004/2686/F. Change of use of ex public house to residential. Alterations to form 4 no. dwellings. The Countryman, Aston Crews, HR9 7LW. Council supports.

 

 

15.1.9

P126. DCSE2004/2740/F. Proposed extension to provide self contained ancillary accommodation for dependant relative. Woodbine Cottage, 2 Fair View, Gorsley. Council supports.

 

 

15.2

Roads

 

 

15.2.1

Burton Mill. There has been a site meeting with CHDC, the Clerk and Cllrs Jean and John Foley: the owner was on holiday. It was decided that the Lengthsman should clear a blocked a culvert and if the downstream pipe proved to be blocked then CHDC will jet that out. The Clerk will explain this to the owner and also point out that it appears that there used to be a pond below the building but on the property that is now filled in with rubble. If that was cleared and drainage from it to the mill stream re-established then this might help to alleviate the problem.

The Clerk

 

15.2.2

1 Studley Cottages. The site was visited by Cllrs John and Jean Foley. It would appear that the problem is a natural flooding, not recently created. The Clerk will arrange for sandbags to be supplied.

The Clerk

 

16

 

Footpaths & Walks

 

 

16.1

The condition of stiles, signposts, bridges & undergrowth is such that to repair or clear all would swamp the budget. The Working Party will look at the worst parts and see what could be done with the available funds. Council acknowledged the large amount of work done and asked Cllr John Foley to continue as best he can.

 

 

16.2

The next walk has been postponed until the Spring.

 

 

17

 

Chairman’s Announcements

 

 

17.1

The Linton Festival has promised £800 towards the cost of renovating the Linton Pound, to be paid against proof of expenditure. Council was delighted with this news, thanked Cllr Ken Downham for his contribution and asked the Clerk to write to the Festival with warm thanks.

 

 

18

 

Correspondence

 

 

18.1

The following correspondence was tabled:

 

 

D1382

11/08/2004

Gorsley & Kilcot PC Minutes

G&KPC

D1383

13/08/2004

Gorsley & Kilcot PC Planning Committee Minutes

G&KPC

D1384

19/08/2004

Sarah Pennington Leaving CHDC and the Lengthsman Scheme

CHDC

D1385

23/08/2004

South Herefordshire Rural Transport Group Agenda for Sept 16th

HVA

D1386

23/08/2004

Ordnance Survey Copy Licence

Ordnance Survey

D1387

23/08/2004

Ross LAF Meeting Agenda for Notice Boards

CHDC

D1388

23/08/2004

Forward Plan

CHDC

D1389

26/08/2004

Schedule of Meetings

CHDC

D1390

26/08/2004

Newsletter

Herefordshire Partnership

D1391

26/08/2004

Accepting the Allotments Plumbing Work

Eyles & Son

D1392

01/09/2004

Consultations on Draft Code of Contact and Political Activities

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

D1393

03/09/2004

RAG Minutes

RAG

D1394

10/09/2004

Clerks and Councils Direct

 

D1395

17/09/2004

Community Youth Services

CHDC

D1396

17/09/2004

4th Herefordshire Funding Fair

Herefordshire Partnership

D1397

17/09/2004

Parish Council Liaison Service Survey Results

CHDC

D1398

17/09/2004

Quarterly Economic Report

Herefordshire Partnership

D1399

17/09/2004

Community Regeneration Team Promotion Leaflet

CHDC

D1400

17/09/2004

Citizen's Guide to Herefordshire Councillors - 2004-2005

CHDC

D1401

17/09/2004

Reader Survey of the Quarterly Economic Report

CHDC

D1402

17/09/2004

H.Art Exhibition

Hereford Museum & Art Gallery

D1402a

20/09/2004

Letter re Traffic Speeds Along one Lane

Colin & Christine Burson

 

 

18.2

The Clerk was asked to write again to Mr Edward Vines to enquire whether there have been any developments over the sale of Poors Piece.

The Clerk

 

18.3

Councillors asked for the following correspondence:

Cllr Jean Foley: D1382, 1383, 1392, 1394, 1397, 1400

Cllr Richard Smith: D1390, 1392, 1394, 1397, 1398, 1401

 

 

19

 

Councillor’s Submissions, including Village Events