LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On Monday November 8^th 2004

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

Present:

Cllr Jean Foley, Chairman

Cllr Richard Smith, Vice Chairman

Cllr Rob Crawford

Cllr Margaret Pearce

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Keith Summers

Cllr John Wheble

Cllr Gary Woodman

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

6 Parishioners attended.

Minute Item			Action
1		Apologies
	1.1	Cllrs Ken Downham and Audrey Duke. Cllr Gary Woodman was expected to join the meeting later.

2		Declarations of Interest
	2.1	Cllr John Wheble in a planning application (Item 12.2.5)

3		Minutes of the Meeting Held on 11^th October 2004
	3.1	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr John Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to adopt the minutes and they were duly signed with the following changes:
	3.2	Item 1.1: delete the second abbreviation, “Cllr”.
	3.3	Item 4.3: Correct spelling of Davis to Davies.
	3.4	Item 4.4: Change “what action should be taken” to “what action Herefordshire Council should take”.
	3.5	Item 4.5: Correct spelling of “Lea-Jones” to “Lee-Jones”.
	3.6	Item 4.6: Correct grammar of “Agencies” to “Agency’s”.

4		Matters arising therefrom not Covered in the Agenda
	4.1	Poors Piece: The Clerk read out an email from Edward Vines which included a statement “completion is arranged for later this week at which point I will report fully to you after the Trustees have met and discharged their duties.”
	4.2	Councillor’s Attendance: The Chairman had not had the opportunity to speak to Cllr Gary Woodman but he was expected to join the meeting later.

5		Traffic Speeds and Management Within the Parish
	5.1	The Clerk read out an email from CHDC’s Andrew Lee-Jones in which he proposes a second meeting to discuss the findings of the Draft Parish Plan and the possibility of a 30 mph limit in Linton. Various Councillors expressed their desire to be present. The Clerk will arrange a meeting for any morning on Mondays to Thursdays inclusive at, say, 10:00 a.m., to be held at the Chairman’s house.	The Clerk

6		Lengthsman Project
	6.1	Fly Tipping:
	6.1.1	The Clerk gave his opinion that the responsible CHDC officer, Mick Clark, was being un-cooperative and suggested to Council that a letter be written to a higher officer, such as the Chief Executive. However, the Clerk said that Mick Clark had verbally stated that all fly tipping should be reported to him for collection and removal and had verbally stated that CHDC will, on this occasion, collect the 50 gallon barrel of tar from the Lengthsman’s premises.
	6.1.2	Council decided that the Clerk should write to Mick Clark and ask for a written statement of the time that would elapse between a report of fly tipping and its collection, with a copy to Cllr Harry Bramer.	The Clerk
	6.2	Burton Mill: Following the Clerk’s discussion with CHDC’s Jim Smith, the Lengthsman has dug out the blocked culvert and found the pipe beyond to be clear. During this work, somebody approached the Lengthsman (he did not get a name) and told him that he was digging in the wrong place as the flood water problem was higher up. The Clerk will visit the site during a heavy rainfall and study the water flows.	The Clerk
		Cllr Gary Woodman joined the meeting at this point.
	6.3	Issues Raised by Councillors:
	6.3.1	Cllr Richard Smith has been asked by a parishioner to have the hedge cut alongside the allotments and the footpath. The Clerk will inspect and take appropriate action.	The Clerk
	6.3.2	Cllr John Foley reported that somebody has dug out the ditch that runs past the nursery on the left hand side between the Parish boundary and the M50. The Clerk will inspect and report back.	The Clerk
	6.3.4	Cllr John Foley reported a potential problem with surface water run-off from Linton Parish into Aston Ingham parish, towards the old Countryman pub. The Clerk will inspect and report back.	The Clerk

7		Allotments Gate and Water Supply
	7.1	Both contractors have been contacted and both have confirmed that they have the work in-hand but other matters are more urgent.
	7.2	Council agreed that there is no urgency for either task. The Clerk will monitor the situation and use his best endeavours to have the work completed before next spring.	The Clerk

8		Annual Review of Standing Orders (Financial Only)
	8.1	There is nothing to report and this item will be put back to the January agenda.	The Clerk

9		Budget for 2005/6
	9.1	A proposal by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Rob Crawford, to retain an amount of £1,000 towards off-road parking at the Gorsley Village Stores received 4 votes for and 4 against. On the Chairman’s casting vote against, the proposal was defeated.
	9.2	Before finalizing the remainder of the budget, it was decided that the lead Councillors of each Parish Plan Project Group will call meetings, to prepare recommendations for the budget provision of each group and present these at the next regular meeting of Council in December.	Project Group

10		Linton Quarry
	10.1	Cllr John Foley has yet to form his working party but hopes to have draft proposals ready for the next meeting. Parishioners Mr & Mrs Hewett asked to be included on the Working Party and this was welcomed.	Cllr John Foley

11		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	11.1	As Lloyds TSB Bank have not implemented Council’s instruction of automatic transfers between accounts, Council approved and duly signed a letter drafted by the Clerk, stating that if its instruction is not implemented within two weeks, Council will seek to involve the Financial Ombudsman. (Clerk’s Note: The letter was posted the following day, November 9^th).	The Clerk
	11.2	The accounts to date were tabled and noted.
	11.3	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Keith Summers and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following invoices:

AP239	Lengthsman for September	284.00
AP240	Clerk's Salary for October 2004	217.35
AP241	Clerk's Expenses for October 2004	24.53
AP242	Lengthsman Administrator's Fee for October 2004	28.40
AP243	Web Master's Time in October 2004	15.56

12		Working Party Reports
	12.1	Footpaths
	12.1.1	Cllr John Foley and other volunteers have inspected all but 7 of the footpaths on the list of those in need of attention.
	12.1.2	The Working Party is preparing a report for Council.	Cllr John Foley
	12.2	Planning
	12.2.1	P124. DCSE2004/2704/F. Water storage tank for irrigation system. Ross-on-Wye Golf Club, Two Park, Gorsley HR9 7UT. Permission granted on 28/09/04.
	12.2.2	P126. DCSE2004/2740/F. Proposed extension to provide self contained ancillary accommodation for dependant relative. Woodbine Cottage, 2 Fair View, Gorsley. Permission granted on 17/09/04.
	12.2.3	P129. DCSE2004/3450/F. Modifications to permitted design for conversion of barn (SE2000/2399/F) including relocation of garage and addition of conservatory, workshop/store, stables and associated landscaping. Hay Grove, Linton, HR9 7RR. Council supports.
	12.2.4	P130. DCSE2004/3578/F. New pitched roof to replace existing flat roof. Cross Keys Cottage, Gorsley, HR9 7SF. Council supports.
	12.2.5	P131. DCSE2004/3726/O. Site for erection of 2 executive houses. Burrups Lane (Old Brandon's Poultry Site), Gorsley. In view of his Declaration of Interest (Item 2.1 above) Cllr John Wheble left the table and took no part in the discussion. In principle, Council objects but Cllr Jean Foley will obtain clarification from CHDC's Stephen Holder and email council for further discussion.
	12.2.6	P132 and P133. DCSE2004/3738/L and DCSE2004/3737/F. Conversion of redundant farm buildings to 2 residential dwellings with associated garaging. Two Parks Farm, Linton, HR9 7UH. Council supports but points out that the footpath style needs to be identified and protected on the permission.
	12.2.7	P134. DCSE2004/3744/RM. Erection of one dwelling. Plot adjacent to Lovers Walk, Quarry Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SJ. Council supports.
	12.2.8	P135. DCSE2004/3779/F. Garden shed with lean-to greenhouse. Council supports.
	12.2.9	Cllr Jean Foley reported news on the enforcement action re the gates on the way to Jay’s Green. CHDC’s enforcement department, as required by law, has submitted a form to the owner of the gates, requiring him to make a statement on the ownership of the land behind the gates. Despite a legal requirement that the form be completed, it has not been returned to CHDC.

13		Footpaths & Walks
	13.1	Already covered under working party reports above. See Item 12.1.

14		Chairman’s Announcements
	14.1	The Clerk to Weston-under Penyard PC, Edna Pennels, has received a bursary of £200 towards the costs of applying for AQA. The Chairman will ask from where this was obtained.	Cllr Jean Foley

15		Correspondence
	15.1	The following correspondence was tabled:

D1424	UDP Appeal Submission by 27/10/04.
D1425	Notification of Organisation Change	English Nature
D1426	Business Start-up Programme for the Notice Boards	AWM et al
D1427	Minutes of the South Herefordshire Rural Transport Forum	Herefordshire Partnership
D1428	SAM Agenda for 25/10/04 & Minutes of 02/08/04	HALC
D1429	Winter Gritting Leaflet	CHDC
D1430	HALC Agenda and accompanying papers	HALC
D1431	Mentoring & Befriending Organisations Across the West Midlands	Connexions
D1432	Draft Parish Plan Responses from CHDC	CHDC
D1433	Schedule of Meetings	CHDC
D1434	Forward Plan	CHDC
D1435	Street Works Schedule	CHDC
D1436	Cultural Strategy	Herefordshire Partnership
D1437	Forum for Festival and Events Organisers on November 11th	CHDC
D1438	Request for Support re B4224 Weight Restriction	Weston-under-Penyard PC
D1439	UDP Special Meeting on November 4th	HALC
D1440	Booking slips for training courses	HALC
D1441	Training Update	HALC
D1442	Appeal for Volunteer Drivers	HALC
D1443	Rural Strategy Consultation & AGM 25th Nov.	community first
D1444	Minutes of the 2003 AGM	community first
D1445	Election Nominations	community first
D1446	Rural Strategy Briefing Paper	community first
D1447	Annual Review	community first
D1448	New Ethical Framework Regulations	Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
D1449	Clerks and Councils Direct
D1450	Bus and Train Timetables	CHDC
D1451	Notice of UDP Pre-Enquiry Meeting	CHDC

15.1	Proposed by Cllr John Wheble, seconded by Cllr Margaret Pearce and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to send a letter of support (D1438).	The Clerk
15.2	Cllrs Jean Foley and Richard Smith will attend the Community Safety Partnership Conference on November 30^th (D1420; tabled at the previous meeting).	Cllrs Jean Foley/Richard Smith
15.3	Councillors requested copies of the following:
	Jean Foley: D1425, 1427, 1430, 1449. Richard Smith: D1425, 1427, 1443, 1444, 1447, 1449, 1450. Robert Crawford: D1438, 1451. Keith Summers: D1438. Gary Woodman: D1443.

16		Councillor’s Submissions, including Village Events
	16.1	Cllr John Wheble: The recent Local Area Forum dealt mainly with CHDC’s budget for 2005/2006 and it was clear that the shortfall of £5m will lead to many cuts, especially in grants and non-essential service provisions. It will be interesting to see the press reports this coming week.
	16.2	Cllr Richard Smith summarised forthcoming events at Gorsley Village Hall and called for teams for the annual Christmas Quiz on December 4^th. Cllr John Foley agreed to lead Council’s team.
	16.3	Cllr John Foley posed the question: Should there be an official reply to the recent letter in the Ross Gazette from Parishioner Ken Horne? Councillors were firmly against any formal response.

17		Parish Plan
	17.1	Cllr Richard Smith spoke to this.
	17.2	He asked “Has the letter to CHDC been posted?” The Clerk confirmed that it has.
	17.3	Cllr Rob Crawford has undertaken to edit the Plan Draft prior to printing. Amendments up to about October 21^st are being included. If there are any more, please email them to the Councillor.
	17.4	Is there any need for further meetings with other Councils or Service Providers? Council thought not.
	17.5	Suggests that the fully printed final version runs to about 80 copies for outside agencies and internal circulation/display. If this proves insufficient, extra copies can be provided on CD for an appropriate charge. A summary leaflet should go to all households (1 each).
	17.6	Then the various Groups just have to get “Stuck in!”
	17.7	We must not forget that there have been various offers of help from CHDC.
	17.8	Cllr Rob Crawford said that he has reviewed the “planning” section of CHDC’s response and it is clear that “the UDP rules.” Since Gorsley has been designated a Main Village in the UDP he has set a meeting with CHDC for next Monday (15/11/04) to seek clarification of various points.

18		Maps in Village Halls
	18.1	Cllr Rob Crawford has purchased a map which has to be “cut down” and mounted. When Linton Village Hall Committee approves, the work and the mounting can proceed. The History Society has promised £50 towards the cost.

19		Public Submissions
	19.1	Parishioner Gwynne Rowley: As you know, I hate spending money. I am pleased to see that Council has decided to remove the £1,000 budget item for off-road parking at the Shop and I hope they will take note of Cllr Wheble’s comments about spending, when finalising the precept.

20		Items for Consideration at the Next Meeting
	20.1	None

21		Date of the Next Meeting
	21.1	December 13^th 2004 at 7:30 in Gorsley Village Hall.

The Meeting Finished At 10:13 p.m.