LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

 

Minutes Of The Annual Meeting Held On Monday May 9th 2005

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

 

Present:

Cllr Jean Foley, Chairman

Cllr Richard Smith, Vice Chairman

Cllr Rob Crawford

Cllr Ken Downham

Cllr John Foley

Cllr Keith Summers

Cllr John Wheble

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

 

5 Parishioners attended.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                            

Minute Item

 

Action

 

 

 

 

1

 

Election of Chairman for the period 2005 to 2006

 

 

1.1

Proposed by Cllr Ken Downham, seconded by Cllr Richard Smith and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Cllr Jean Foley be elected.

 

 

2

 

Chairman to Sign Declaration of Acceptance of Office

 

 

2.1

Cllr Jean Foley signed the declaration.

 

 

3

 

Election of Vice Chairman for the period 2005 to 2006

 

 

3.1

Proposed by Cllr John Wheble, seconded by Cllr Jean Foley and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that Cllr Richard Smith be elected.

 

 

4

 

To fix the amount of the chairman’s allowance (Section 15.5, Local Government Act 1972)

 

 

4.1

None.

 

 

5

 

To appoint members of Working Parties: Finance; Planning; Allotments; Footpaths & Trees; Highways

 

 

5.1

Finance: Cllrs Jean Foley, Richard Smith, Keith Summers and Rob Crawford.

Planning: Cllrs Jean Foley, Ken Downham, Rob Crawford, John Wheble, Margaret Pearce and John Foley.

Allotments: Cllrs Keith Summers and Richard Smith.

Footpaths & Trees: Cllrs John Foley, Margaret Pearce, Ken Downham and Keith Summers.

Highways: Cllrs John Wheble, John Foley and Keith Summers.

 

 

6

 

To appoint representatives to other organisations: Linton & Gorsley Village Hall Management Committees; Ross Area Partnership; Ross Rural Transport Forum; Governor of Gorsley Goffs School

 

 

6.1

Cllr Richard Smith to Gorsley Village Hall.

Cllr Keith Summers to Linton Village Hall.

Cllr Ken Downham to Ross Rural Transport.

Cllr Jean Foley as Governor of Gorsley Goffs School.

The Clerk will circulate copies of the Ross Area Partnership’s Strategy Document prior to a decision on representation to the Partnership.

 

 

 

 

The Clerk

 

 

7

 

Apologies

 

 

7.1

Cllrs Audrey Duke and Margaret Pearce.

 

 

8

 

Declarations of Interest

 

 

8.1

Cllr Richard Smith made his annual standing declarations of interest as treasurer of Gorsley Village Hall and as a user of and immediate neighbour to the Allotments.

 

 

9

 

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 11th April 2005

 

 

9.1

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Keith Summers and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED that these be adopted unchanged and they were duly signed by the Chairman.

 

 

10

 

Matters arising therefrom not covered in the Agenda

 

 

10.1

The Clerk reported that Parishioner Elena Beaumont may be moving from the area and no longer wished to rent an allotment. Council agreed, therefore, that Parishioner Adrian Bond be allocated that plot (no 2).

 

 

10.2

Parishioner Phil Page pointed out that Parishioner Denis Jenkins has a plot not shown on the recent allotments map. The Clerk will add that plot as No 8.

The Clerk

 

11

 

Review of Financial Regulations.

 

 

11.1

Held over to the next meeting.

 

 

12

 

Data Protection Act

 

 

12.1

Council has received advice from HALC that it should register under the Data Protection Act. The Clerk was asked to obtain more information as to the reasoning behind this advice.

The Clerk

 

13

 

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act

 

 

13.1

Council noted the new act and some of the new powers for County and Parish Councils, notably the power for the former to remove an abandoned vehicle without prior notice and the power for the latter to impose fines for dog fouling, littering and other anti-social behaviour.

 

 

14

 

Notice Boards

 

 

14.1

Council decided that as each village has a notice board there is no need for more.

 

 

15

 

Neighbourhood Watch Funding

 

 

15.1

Proposed by Cllr Jean Foley, seconded by Cllr Richard Smith and approved by named vote, IT WAS AGREED to pay up to £70 to Linton Neighbourhood Watch on this occasion only for the purpose of producing laminated information sheets only, any future needs to be met from the Watch’s own funds.

Voting For: Cllrs Richard Smith, John Foley, Jean Foley & Ken Downham.

Voting Against: Cllrs John Wheble, Rob Crawford and Keith Summers.

The Clerk

 

16

 

Parish Plan

 

 

16.1

Cllr Rob Crawford delivered the final copies of the Parish Plan and was warmly thanked by Council. Councillors and the Clerk took copies for distribution together with covering letters as per a previously circulated distribution list.

 

 

16.2

A Copy in Adobe Acrobat format has been place on Council’s website.

 

 

16.3

Future agendas will include an item for Parish Plan Working Party Reports.

 

 

16.4

The Clerk reported that the final grant claim has been lodged. Sent to the Countryside Agency, it has been passed to the Warwickshire Rural Community Council, the body now responsible, who have confirmed that payment is being processed. Hard copies have to be sent to WRCC and Community First.

The Clerk.

 

17

 

Traffic Speeds and Management Within the Parish

 

 

17.1

The Clerk has heard nothing from CHDC’s Andrew Lee-Jones despite mailed and telephoned reminders.

 

 

17.2

Andrew Middlecote, previously responsible for the Ross area only has been promoted to the CHDC team with overall responsibility for all of Herefordshire and he has told the Clerk that speed limits, including the 20 mph proposal for Gorsley Goffs School will be his responsibility.

 

 

18

 

Housing Needs Survey

 

 

18.1

Nothing to report.

 

 

19

 

Lengthsman Project

 

 

19.1

A parishioner has requested clearance of the footpath alongside the Quarry, to a clean walking standard, suitable for ordinary shoes.

 

 

19.2

After some discussion, it was decided that the Lengthsman should be asked to place less emphasis on grass cutting of Gorsley Common and, instead, to put more effort into footpaths used for daily domestic purposes other than pleasure, such as the one alongside the Quarry and to keep a record of the extra time involved.

 

 

19.3

The Clerk reported that CHDC has confirmed the Lengthsman Grant for 2005/2006 as being the same as last year (expected) but with a 2.5% increase for inflation (unexpected). For 2006/2007 the grant will be halved, as expected.

 

 

19.4

The Lengthsman has been instructed to clear freshly blocked gullies and ditches along Woodend Lane between Linton and Gorsley. In at least one area, the ditch had been blocked by dumping of garden waste.

 

 

20

 

Linton Quarry

 

 

20.1

Cllr John Foley announced that the Footpaths Working Group has decided to include the quarry in its remit and will be contacting English Nature.

 

 

21

 

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

 

 

21.1

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Rob Crawford and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to adopt the tabled accounts for 2004/2005. The Clerk will now prepare the external audit return accordingly.

The Clerk

 

21.2

Parishioner Max Gough has agreed to become the internal auditor and Council extended its warm thanks.

 

 

21.3

Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Keith Summers and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following accounts and the cheques were duly signed.

 

 

AP274

Community First Subscription

34.00

AP275

Mounting and Framing of the Linton Parish Map

25.00

AP276

Clerk's Salary for April 2005

217.35

AP277

Clerk's Expenses for April 2005

35.45

AP278

Lengthsman Administrator's Fee for April 2005

28.40

AP279

Web Master's Time in April 2005

8.86

AP280

Insurance for 2005/2006

354.66

 

22

 

Working Party Reports

 

 

22.1

Footpaths:

Cllr John Foley reported that there have been two meetings. Aims and aspirations are being discussed and a preliminary schedule of footpaths is being prepared. The first footpath survey walk will be on May 28th at 10:30, starting & finishing at the Alma.

 

The WG is considering broadening its scope to that of a general environmental group, to include the Pound, the Quarry, etc.

 

Two parishioner complaints have been investigated and the Lengthsman has been asked to quote for various tasks.

 

 

22.2

Planning:

 

 

22.2.1

P138. DCSE2004/4117/F. Proposed change of use of first floor games and entertainment room to residential unit. The Grange, Aston Crews, Ross, HR9 7LW. Permission granted on 16/02/05.

 

 

22.2.2

P140. DCSE2004/4169/F. Proposed two storey extension and conservatory. Hallbank, Linton, HR9 7RR. Appeal lodged on 07/04/05. Representations deadline is 19/05/05. The Clerk to request a copy of the appeal judgement.

The Clerk

 

22.2.3

P146. DCSE2005/0343/F. Single storey extension.  The Larches, Gorsley, HR9 7SL. Permission granted on 31/03/05.

 

 

22.2.4

P148. DCSE2005/0731/F. Single storey rear extension. Fourways, Quarry Lane, Gorsley. Permission granted on 04/04/05.

 

 

22.2.5

P152. DCSE2005/1224/F. Barn Conversion. Fairfields Barn, Bromsash. Sent to Jean on 23/04/05. Council objects for the following reasons

 

1. This is a small agricultural outbuilding in a poor condition; it has no particular architectural merit to suggest its retention for anything other than a storage facility.  We believe it to be too small to provide reasonable two-storey accommodation.

 

2.  It shares part of its length with the model-engineering workshop of the adjacent property.  The width of the building is a party wall with the garden wall of the adjacent property. The owner of this property has a diesel generator situated very near which is used in the event of electricity supply failure; this would cause a noise problem to any occupants of the barn.

 

3.  Bromsash does not have a settlement boundary and this site is classed as agricultural land in open countryside.  Permission was recently sought for a house on adjoining land; this was refused by Herefordshire Council and on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.

 

4. The barn is located well within 400m of a Pig Farm.  Officers and Councillors will be well aware of the problems with noise and smell that have arisen with any residential development that has taken place in Bromsash.  It is essential that due consideration is given to Policy SH16

 

 

22.2.6

P153. DCSE2005/1270/F. Single Storey Extension. Blindmans Gate, Gorsley. HR9 7SE. Council supports.

 

 

22.2.7

DCSE2004/2459/F and DCSE2004/3737/F. Both have gone to appeal and the Clerk was asked to write and request a copy of each judgement.

 

 

22.2.8

P143. DCSE2005/0249/F. Reinstate original vehicular access to Fairfields and close off existing access. Fairfields, Bromsash, HR9 7PJ. CHDC Planning Sub-Committee Hearing Set for 11/05/05. Cllr Jean Foley has emailed Cllr Harry Bramer asking him to ensure that the full details of Council’s objection are put before the sub-committee.

 

 

22.2.9

Cllr Jean Foley’s proposed letter to CHDC re the Grange at Aston Crews is to be revised and re-circulated prior to posting.

 

 

23

 

Chairman’s Announcements

 

 

23.1

It was with sadness the death of parishioner Liz Howe was announced.  Cllr Jean Foley reminded members that during a difficult time for the Parish Council Liz had been a valued Member.  She will be remembered for her hard work and enthusiasm.  Council decided that Cllr. Jean Foley should send a letter of condolence to her family.

 

 

24

 

Correspondence

 

 

24.1

The following correspondence was tabled:

 

 

D1564

13/04/2005

RAG Minutes

RAG

D1565

15/04/2005

Various News

HALC

D1566

19/04/2005

Parish Newsletter

Gorsley&Kilcot

D1567

23/04/2005

Agenda for 25/04/05 Southern Area Meeting

HALC

D1568

23/04/2005

Minutes for 25/10/04 and 24/01/05 Southern Area Meetings

HALC

D1569

23/04/2005

Newsletter about Peoples time served on drug-related community orders

National Probation Service

D1570

25/04/2005

G&K PC Minutes

G&KPC

D1571

30/04/2005

Lengthsman Rules for 2005/6

CHDC

D1572

30/04/2005

Trafalgar Weekend Celebrations - Guidelines for Parishes

The Trafalgar Weekend

D1573

30/04/2005

Annual External Audit Forms

UHY Hacker Young

D1574

30/04/2005

Crime Disorder and Drugs Reduction Strategy

Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership

D1575

30/04/2005

Sitelines

English Nature

D1576

07/05/2005

Herefordshire Plan Review Consultation Meeting on June 13th

The Herefordshire Partnership

D1577

07/05/2005

Clerks & Councils Direct

 

D1578

07/05/2005

Benefit Take-up Campaign

CHDC

 

The Clerk read out D1565 and Councillors asked for copies of the following:

Cllr Richard Smith: D1565, 1568, 1572, 1576, 1577.

Cllr John Wheble: D1574, 1578.

 

25

 

Councillors’ Submissions, including Village Events

 

 

25.1

Cllr John Foley reminded everybody of the Linton Festival Dates, June 17th to 19th inclusive.

 

 

25.2

Cllr Richard Smith drew attention to a Grand Summer Quiz at Gorsley Village Hall on June 18th.

 

 

25.3

Cllr Keith Summers extended hanks to Janet Moutrie and to Cllr Rob Crawford for the highly successful Linton activity day on Saturday last.

 

 

25.4

Cllr Rob Crawford said that the Parish Map is hung in the LVH committee room and that he had been apprised of two issues by Parishioners which he will take to the appropriate Parish Plan Working Groups.

 

 

26

 

Public Submissions

 

 

 

Parishioner Gwynne Rowley said that a Parishioner had cut the overgrowth on the splay at the B4221 end of Quarry Lane and drew attention to the spread of non-elected and unaccountable “quangos”.

 

 

27

 

Items for Consideration at the Next Meeting

 

 

 

None.

 

 

28

 

Date of the Next Meeting

 

 

 

June 13th 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in Gorsley Village Hall.

 

 

The Meeting Finished At  10:23 p.m.