LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

Bromsash Gorsley and Linton

Minutes Of The Meeting Held On August 8^th 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 Margaret Pearce

Cllr John Foley

Cllr John Wheble

Brian Atherton (Clerk)

6 Parishioners attended.

Minute Item			Action
1		Apologies
	1.1	Cllrs Audrey Duke and Keith Summers

2		Declarations of Interest
	2.1	Cllr Margaret Pearce in a Planning Issue.

3		Minutes of the Meeting Held on 11th July 2005
	3.1	The Chairman signed the minutes with one change: Item 10.1 Cheryl Jones was with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust, not Herefordshire Nature Trust.

4		Matters arising therefrom not covered in the Agenda
	4.1	The Clerk read out D1627, Stagecoach’s reply to the request for a definition of their policy on timetable compliance.
	4.2	Jeff Bushells has passed all of the information on the Linton Fountain to Michael Palin and is awaiting his response.

5		Review of Financial Regulations
	5.1	Cllrs Rob Crawford and Richard Smith will meet on Thursday 18th August with the Chairman to review the financial regulations. The external auditor, Parishioner Max Gough will attend if possible.

6		Parish Plan Implementation
	6.1	Cllr Richard Smith reported on the attachment at Appendix A to these minutes.
	6.2	Cllr Rob Crawford reminded Council that Affordable Housing waits on CHDC doing a Needs Survey. The Clerk will ask CHDC for an updated position.	The Clerk
	6.3	Reports from the various working groups will be emailed to Cllr Richard Smith who will build them into an on-going report. Cllr Rob Crawford said that he and Cllr Keith Summers could build a database to consolidate the reports.
	6.4	Parishioner Gwynne Rowley asked if the UDP was any closer. The Chairman replied that it was unlikely to be published until next year.

7		Lengthsman Project
	7.1	Parishioner Gwynne Rowley asked whether the Lengthsman had cut Gorsley Common. The Clerk said that he had not yet seen the latest time sheets and would check but reminded Council that it had made a formal decision to reduce the priority for the common in favour of clearing footpaths that are used on a “commuter” basis.
	7.2	Cllr John Foley said that overgrowth interfering with power lines is being investigated by himself, Cllr Ken Downham and the Tree Officer.

8		Linton Quarry
	8.1	Nothing to report.

9		Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Authorisation of Payment of Accounts
	9.1	Accounts to date were tabled and noted.
	9.2	Proposed by Cllr Richard Smith, seconded by Cllr Margaret Pearce and approved unanimously, IT WAS AGREED to pay the following invoices and the cheques were duly signed.

AP297	Allotment Water from January to July	12.88
AP298	Linton Neighbourhood Watch Laminated Information Sheets. W E Bagnell.	60.00
AP299	Clerk's Salary for July 2005	217.35
AP300	Clerk's Expenses for July 2005	17.59
AP301	Lengthsman Administrator's Fee for July 2005	28.40

10		Working Party Reports
	10.1	FOOTPATHS Cllr John Foley reported that the style over the motorway bridge at Shutton has been completed by the Lengthsman but not the steps. Somebody has cleared the footpath between Gorsley VH and Great Woodend Farm.
	10.2	PLANNING
	10.2.1	P122. DCSE2004/2165/F. Increase in domestic curtilage of Jessamine Cottage and for the parking of commercial vehicles within extended curtilage. Land adjoining Jessamine Cottage, Gorsley, HR9 7SF. The Planning Sub-Committee met on 03/08/05 at 2 pm at Brockington.
	10.2.2	P131. DCSE2004/3726/O. Site for erection of 2 executive houses. Burrups Lane (Old Brandon's Poultry Site), Gorsley. Appeal dismissed on 19/07/08.
	10.2.3	P140. DCSE2004/4169/F. Proposed two storey extension and conservatory. Hallbank, Linton, HR9 7RR. Appeal dismissed on 12/07/05.
	10.2.4	P151. DCSE2005/0920/F. Proposed telecommunicaitons installation consisting of a 22.5m latice tower and ancillary equipment. Queens Tunnel, Swagwater Lane, Gorsley, HR9 7SL. Permission refused on 06/07/05.
	10.2.5	P157 Council supports. DCSE2005/2331/F. Proposed two storey extension and conservatory. East Cliffe, Linton, HR9 7RS. Council Supports as it is a small extension. The style, although modern, does ensure that the original cottage remains the dominant feature.
	10.2.6	P158. Cllr Margaret Pearce declared an interest and took no part in the discussions. Council objects - Jean's note. Council objects. The Parish Council makes the following comments:- We note that this is a revised version of a previous unsatisfactory application.  This new application shows very little improvement other than the Developer apparently no longer intends to raise the roof line by building into the adjoining property without permission.  Therefore we can only reiterate our previous comments. The cottage once housed a grain store and a cider mill, it adjoined and belonged to High House, which was and still is an agricultural holding.  It was converted to residential use some years ago making a small cottage, entirely in keeping with High House.  Apart from the addition of a small porch the outline of the building and the roof line were unaltered and fitted in well with the surrounding old buildings.  Therefore as a ‘Conversion of a rural building to residential use’ at the moment it conforms to Planning Policies C36 & C37 and fulfills the appropriate criteria of GD1. The proposed extensions do not comply with these policies.  In addition they do not comply with the supplementary planning guidance of this authority or Policy SH23 ‘Extensions to dwellings’. 1. Any boundary wall or fence in front of the property that is any higher than that already in place would seriously affect the visibility both of the residents of the courtyard and of anyone venturing over the already dangerous cross-roads just yards from the cottage, the Highway Authority should certainly be consulted. The extra surface water and sewage, which may be generated, does not seem to have been addressed in the plan.  As this discharges onto someone else’s property it should have been given consideration. For these reasons and in particular the contravention of planning policies in the SHDC Development Plan and the emerging UDP Linton Parish Council does not support this application.
	10.2.7	P159 DCSE2005/2316/F. Conversion of redundant barn to form agricultural workers dwelling. Darnells Farm, Linton, HR9 7SQ. If the Planning Authority considers this building suitable for conversion the Parish Council would support this application for an Agricultural Dwelling only, but with the following provisos. It would be advisable for Herefordshire Council to enter into an agreement prohibiting the erection of any replacement building on adjoining land.  Conditions should also be imposed whereby the barn conversion cannot be sold separately to the farmhouse, or rented out as holiday accommodation, or for short or long term rented accommodation.  If the farmhouse is unrestricted the condition should also be placed on the farmhouse.  This is particularly important because the new dwelling will be well within the 400m limit recommended for the proximity of livestock units. We have taken into account Planning Policies C36, C37 & SH18 and suggest that all the safeguards recommended in these policies are used and care taken to ensure that they are adhered to.
	10.2.8	P160. P0898/05/THE. Installation of a dish antennae. BT Telephone Exchange, Gorsley. This application is to the Forest of Dean District Council and may perhaps now be redundant as the associated mast at Swagwater Lane has been refused.
	10.2.9	P161 DCSE2005/2336/F. Hartleton Cottage, Bromsash, HR9 7SB. Council supports provided it is clear that it is not sold separately from Hartleton Cottage. Given that restriction, would a separate sewage tank be needed?
	10.2.10	D1626 is a consultation letter issued by Hutchison 3G. Cllr Richard Smith agreed to take this for study and to consult with Council by email.	Cllr Richard Smith
	10.2.11	P162. DCSE2005/2475/F. Removal of Condition 2 from Planning Consent SE2004/4117/F dated 16/02/05. The Grange, Aston Crews, Ross, HR9 7LW. The Chairman undertook to study this application and to consult with Council by email.	Cllr Jean Foley

11		Chairman’s Announcements
	11.1	The Clerk has decided to retire from all Parish Council work, in order to concentrate on his work with the Ross Chamber of Commerce. The Chairman had accepted the Clerk's resignation with much regret and on behalf of the Council wished to express her great appreciation of the hard work and competence he had brought to the job.  Never have the words, 'a hard act to follow' been so true.  Sentiments strongly endorsed by members of the Council. Council is content for the Chairman and Vice Chairman to decide a short-list of candidates. The Clerk will place adverts in the Ross Gazette, Hereford Times, the New Ad, the Chimes and the website up to a maximum of £200.	Cllrs Jean Foley and Richard Smith. The Clerk.

12		Correspondence
	12.1	The following correspondence was tabled. Councillors asked for: Jean Foley: D1610, 1612, 1613, 1614, 1619, 1620, 1622, 1625, 1628, 1629, 1630 Richard Smith: 1610, 1613. Ken Downham: 1628. Rob Crawford: 1614, 1617.

D1607	16/07/2005	Forward Plan	CHDC
D1608	16/07/2005	Bus and Train Timetables	CHDC
D1609	16/07/2005	Public notice of committee meetings	CHDC
D1610	16/07/2005	Parish Plans Update	CHDC
D1611	16/07/2005	Streetworks Schedule	CHDC
D1612	16/07/2005	CiLCA Guide Available	HALC
D1613	16/07/2005	2005/6 Training Schedule	HALC
D1614	16/07/2005	Data Protection Act Awareness Evening on 21/09/05	HALC
D1615	16/07/2005	Funding for environmental projects - see www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk	HALC
D1616	16/07/2005	Polytunnels and the Wickton Action Group's Legal Challenge	HALC
D1617	23/07/2005	Sandbags in Store and Required - Reply by 30/09/05	CHDC
D1618	23/07/2005	Sitelines	English Nature
D1619	25/07/2005	Annual Report	Marches Housing Association
D1620	25/07/2005	Map of Registered Common Land	Countryside Agency
D1621	27/07/2005	Acknowledgement of Notification under the Data Protection act	Information Commissioner
D1622	29/07/2005	P3 Schem Agreement	CHDC
D1623	29/07/2005	Samaritans Open Evening on 20/09/05.	Samaritans
D1624	29/07/2005	Newsline	community first
D1625	29/07/2005	Business Start-up Programme for the Notice Boards	community first
D1626	30/07/2005	New Telecomms Mast Consultation	Hutchison 3G UK
D1627	03/08/2005	Response re Bus Timekeeping	Stagecoach
D1628	03/08/2005	Planning Involvement with the Community	FoD District Council
D1629	08/08/2005	Minutes of South Herefordshire Rural Transport Forum	HVA
D1630	08/08/2005	Confirmation of Notification of Entry in the Register	Information Commissioner

13		Councillors’ Submissions, including Village Events
	13.1	Cllr John Foley made some suggestions re the road works in the vicinity of the School which Cllr Richard Smith said he would take up within the Parish Plan. This year’s Herefordshire Historic Churches’ cycle tour in aid of the British heart Foundation is on September 10^th.	Cllr Richard Smith
	13.2	Cllr John Wheble asked if the recent accident on the B4221 near Junction 3 of the M50 was connected in any way to the presence of the van advertising J3 Commercials. The Chairman said that she would take the matter up with CHDC’s enforcement officer.	Cllr Jean Foley
	13.3	Cllr Ken Downham said that Linton has a weekend of events of September 17^th.

14		Public Submissions
	14.1	Parishioner Gwynne Rowley referred to an item in the Ross Gazette about a tree being cut don at Linton Hill House. Nobody knew of the property or the incident.

15		Items for Consideration at the Next Meeting
	15.1	The New Telecommunications Masts Applications and Appointment of a New Clerk.

16		Date of the Next Meeting
	16.1	September 12^th at 7:30 pm in Linton Village Hall.

The Meeting Finished At 9:39 p.m.

LINTON PARISH COUNCIL

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PARISH PLAN

Delivery

1. Copies of the PP were distributed by Councillors and the Clerk to a previously-agreed schedule, including to Insp Thomas (Ross Police) on 24^th May. Copies of the completed PP (and a soft copy on CD) were delivered by hand to Herefordshire Council (Shane Smith – Parish Liaison Officer) and the Herefordshire Partnership (Martin Heuter-Russell – Community Involvement Coordinator) on Wednesday 8^th June 2005. Shane Smith provided a list of key Council officer contacts for PP purposes and in return was given the list of the Parish Council’s Implementation Working Groups and the respective lead Councillors.

2. Leaflet summaries were distributed with copies of ‘The Chimes’ and accompanied the July issue of the Gorsley Neighbourhood Watch bulletin.

3. When contacted by telephone on 4^th July, neither Shane Smith nor Martin Heuter-Russell had any queries or comments other than ‘well done’. Shane Smith undertook to arrange meetings with Herefordshire Council officers on request, to follow up implementation of the Plan.

Implementation

Road Safety & Traffic Management

- The working group met on 26^th May.

- The group recommends that the Parish Council should not take further the two hazards noted from the Community Planning Days relating to the M50 Junction 3. In each case there are two ‘Slow’ warnings painted on the road plus a ‘Sharp Bend’ warning sign: it is unlikely that the Highways agency would think anything more could or should be done.

- Keith Summers will look at the Revells Cottages road priorities and the group will make a recommendation in due course.

- Re safer parking at Gorsley PO & Stores:

- The Countryside Agency’s Community Services Grants website¹ states “Due to the closure of the Vital Villages programme from 1^st April 2004, The Countryside Agency will no longer be awarding grants..”.

- The land between Gorsley PO and Stores and the Old Post Office is owned by Mrs Gooch and, according to her son, is “highly unlikely” to be available to buy or lease in whole or in part.

- Accordingly, further progress seems impracticable for now.

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Note 1: www.countryside.gov.uk/vitalvillages/active_communities/

- On 26^th July 2005, members of the working group met Mr Andrew Lee-Jones

of CHDC to discuss the Parish Action Plan. Results were as follows:

- *M50 Jct 3 Eastbound. The left-hand bend, approaching from Upton Bishop, will be eased slightly (too much could increase traffic speeds) and the fence line opposite will be moved back.

- *M50 Jct 3 Westbound. Improvement of the mouth of the sliproad junction onto the B4221 will be investigated by CHDC in-house, consultants’ fees for doing so being unduly expensive. Conclusions likely within 12 to 18 months.

- *Sterry’s Lane Crossroads. Any improvement to sight-lines would have to be part of a wider study. No action likely in the near future.

- Road Priorities at Revells Cottages. Not discussed: to await working group proposals and parish council endorsement.

- *Safer Parking Gorsley PO & Stores. CHDC will not fund parking provision. No point in imposing parking/stopping constraints. Local funding imperative: parish council to investigate Ross Partnership funding.

- *Safer Parking Gorsley Goffs School (GGS). The B4221 Route Safety Study recommendation for “a detailed re-appraisal of options to improve parking around the school” had not been followed up. If the parish council wanted such an investigation, a letter would be needed. However, as above, CHDC will not fund parking provision: parish council to investigate Ross Partnership funding.

- *B4221 Speed Limit Repeater Signs. In the programme: will be done.

- *Vehicle-Actuated Signs. No funds available.

- 20mph at Gorsley Goffs School. Policy reiterated but funding and planning problems. A long term ideal, not a short term prospect.

- *B4221 Double White Lines. CHDC will visit and review the idea against national guidelines.

- B4224 Bromsash Traffic Calming. CHDC will reinstate road markings and review other possible measures but no optimism over the outcome. Speed cameras inappropriate: insufficient space and no (accident-related) justification.

- 30mph Limit Linton. Investigation in hand: likely to be implemented.

- GGS Extend Crash-Barrier. Points taken and will be investigated but funding likely to be a problem.

- Cut-Throat Lane. “Children at play” signs only permitted near a school/playground. CHDC will investigate feasibility and funding for “Unsuitable for HGV” signs.

- Revells Lane. Failure of traffic to keep to its side of the road may be a maintenance issue (ponding). CHDC will investigate.

- Bromsash Crossroads. CHDC will investigate the feasibility, siting and funding of traffic mirror(s). Parish council must follow up any potential reduction in wall height to improve sight lines.

- Blind Man’s Gate/Chapel Lane. Problems recognised and accepted: under investigation and improvements likely to be adopted. If parking restrictions are wanted, parish council must write and request them.

- Lights-Controlled Crossing at GGS. CHDC will investigate and advise.

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* B4221 Route Safety Study Recommendation.

- Comment: it was apparent that CHDC had not addressed or followed-up the B4221 Route Safety Study in any comprehensive way.

Policing

- On 15^th June, Insp Thomas advised that she and our Beat Management Officer (PC Wendy Powell) had read the PP and were keen to discuss policing issues. Insp Thomas was on holiday until 10^th July and a meeting was arranged for 5^th August 2005. Present were Cllr R Smith, Ralph Hale (Gorsley NHW), Nigel Vandyck & Bill Bagnall (Linton NHW) and Insp Thomas.

- We summarised the main points of the PP, stressing that in essence the public simply wanted to see more Police around. Insp Thomas was given relevant extracts from the Community Planning Days’ results, questionnaire response data and manuscript comments. She was also given the summary of road safety measures which had been discussed with CHDC and will pass this on to the Police Traffic Officer.

- Insp Thomas shared the wish to see more Police ‘on the ground’ although her resources were limited. However, a new neighbourhood-based Community Policing Team will be set up by September 2005 to follow-up the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing initiative. This Team will consist of a Sergeant, 4 PCs and 2 Community Safety Officers (‘CSOs’) but was expected to expand over the next 2 years, especially through the recruitment of more CSOs and we should see benefits from its work.

- In the meantime, Insp Thomas would welcome invitations to attend parish council meetings, either to discuss particular issues of concern or as a matter of routine, say quarterly. We need to write to her with dates and venues for future meetings; we should also consider a suitable early agenda item for meetings at which the Police will be represented.

- Lastly, Insp Thomas suggested that the Parish Council might reconsider the appointment of a Parish Officer.

- PP Action No 4.5.3 has been addressed: with funding from the Parish Council, a Neighbourhood Watch scheme has been established for Linton and, more recently, Bromsash. The Parish Council has also made budgetary provision of £250 in 2005/06 to subsidise security measures fore elderly residents.

Meeting with Paul Keetch MP

- On 2^nd August 2005, Cllrs met with Paul Keetch MP to discuss the PP process and results. We explained that the three most significant conclusions from all the Parish Council’s work were:

- The Government's cynical abandonment of the new money promised to support the delivery of what the public wants, as determined through the `Vital Villages' initiative.

- The need for Herefordshire Council to take public consultation more seriously and to engage with parish and town councils more effectively, ie including listening and providing feedback. An annual conference would be a start.

- The need for more funding for the delivery of local services.

- We also emphasised that of all the topics raised and investigated by the Parish Council, the issues which gave rise to the most frequent and most heart-felt expressions of public concern were those relating to traffic management and road safety. The public's priorities are clear: first, reduce speeding; second, address identified safety blackspots; third, provide safer parking both at Gorsley Post Office & Stores and at Gorsley Goffs School.

- And, on the Herefordshire Council front, we hoped that he would feel able to express an interest in their responses to the parish plan process as a whole, and in particular ask to be kept informed of their progress in meeting the public's expectations as expressed in the Linton Parish Plan. And press for adequate funding for road safety and traffic management improvements, and rural transport services including bus shelters.