Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 11 June 2022
At Linton Village Hall
Present: Cllr M Bertenshaw; Cllr B Clark; Cllr J Gough; Cllr A Newton; Cllr A Price; Cllr A Reeves;.
In attendance: 8 members of public; Parish Clerk Elizabeth Malcolm.
1) Election of a Chairman: Cllr Clark was proposed by Cllr Newton and seconded by Cllr Reeves and the appointment was unanimously agreed.
2) Election of a Vice Chairman: Cllr Newton was proposed by Cllr Bertenshaw and seconded by Cllr Gough and the appointment was unanimously agreed.
3) Chairman’s Allowance: Cllr Clark waived this allowance.
4) Apologies for absence: Cllr Hall; Ward Cllr Wilding.
5) Declarations of Interest: Cllr Gough declared an interest in item 10.a.viii
6) Co-option of members: None
7) Minutes and Financial reports of the meetings of 11 April and 9 May 2022: It was RESOLVED to agree and sign the minutes as a true an accurate record, together with the financial reports.
8) Clerk’s Report: A written report of activity in the month was submitted and noted.
9) Public Submissions:
a) Ward Cllr Wilding was unavailable for the meeting. The Clerk was asked to seek an update on the Planning application at Lovers Walk
b) A member of the public asked if any progress had been made on steps that could be taken to seek clearance of general building rubbish from a field adjacent to their house and it was suggested that they contact the Environmental Health Department
10) Planning
a) Current Applications
i) 221344 The Brambles, Bromsash – extension to provide ancillary accommodation to a dependent relative. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to object to this application with comments as set out in Appendix 1 (page 1010)
ii) 221410 Annexe rear of 1 Church View, Linton – proposed extensions and change of use from annexe to residential dwelling. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to object to this application with comments as set out in Appendix 2 (page 1011)
iii) 221376 Land adjacent to Warren Lane, Aston Crews – a general-purpose agricultural building for storage of hay and other associated agricultural supplies and equipment. Stoarage for materials for occasional educational projects on the site. Retrospective. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (5 abstain, 1 no objection) to return no objection to this application.
iv) 221275 Bay Tree Cottage, Ivy House Lane, Gorsley – proposed garage and home office. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection and no comments to this application.
v) 221508 Stone Cottage, Gorsley – proposed two-storey side extension and front entrance canopy. Relocation of vehicle driveway gated entrance. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection and no comments to this application.
vi) 221569 Old Forge Gardens, Bromsash – repositioning of access. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection and no comments to this application.
vii) 221647 The Furze, Aston Crews – proposed change of use and conversion of barn to holiday accommodation and associated works. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection and no comments to this application.
Cllr Gough left the room.
viii) 221690 Grape Cottage, Burrups Lane, Gorsley – proposed garage and hobby room. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection and no comments to this application.
Cllr Gough returned to the room
b) Decided Applications- a schedule submitted and noted.
11) Climate Change working group – Cllr Newton provided an update on activities of the group
• A recycle café run in May was well attended and the next on 18 June would help determine if these should be continued in the year.
• Quiet Lanes – the Chairman of Climate Change group has written again to Cllr John Harrington requesting clarification on application of this scheme and in turn Ward Cllr Wilding and Cllr Harrington have sought information form Balfour Beatty. Further information is awaited.
• A team of volunteers had recently undertaken a strim of The Quarry.
• The car share scheme has now been shelved.
• No cut verges are being monitored and have produced some important wild flowers.
12) Locality Steward & highway matters.
a) New format weekly reports were commented upon and agreed as easier to read.
b) Road drainage B4224 at Fordings – the Clerk and Cllr Bertenshaw will contact the landowner regarding drainage scheme.
c) Bromsash speeding issues – have been held up as the new arrangements for roads schemes under Herefordshire Council (Hoople) have not been clarified.
d) Gorsley & Linton schemes – no further update at present
e) Other matters – it was noted that the overgrowth at Junction 3 Newent exit is preventing visibility of on-coming traffic and this to be reported to the Highways authority.
13) Public Rights of Way
a) It was noted that several footpaths could do with a strim and several Councillors kindly offered to do this.
b) The Platinum Village Walk – was presented by Cllr Reeves who has provided a route map, with detailed description of the route and points of interests along the way. Herefordshire Council have shown interest and will support with an entry on Herefordshire Council website walks. A launch is planned possibly in August.
14) Lengthsman
a) Contract with BBLP & HCC for the Lengthsman Scheme 2022/2023 was unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman
b) Grass Lengthsman – report for work undertaken at end of May was noted. Clerk to ask him to strim around the salt bin at Talbots Well so that it is visible and can be avoided when verge cutting begins.
c) Roads Lengthsman – no issues raised.
d) Drainage scheme priorities – it was agreed to prioritise Woodend Lane, then Fordings Lane, and Burton Farm. Clerk to contact Terry Griffiths to discuss.
15) Allotments – A new tenant for half of plot 5 was confirmed and efforts continue to find new tenants for the second half. Plot 20 had been relinquished by the new tenant as he has suffered an injury which prevents gardening. The Grass lengthsman has been asked to strim this area monthly.
16) Insurance – It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the renewal scheme under CAS Ltd.
17) Year End Annual Audit of Accounts 2021/2022
a) It was RESOLVED to confirm the accounts met the criteria and wish to be exempt from limited assurance review and the Certificate of Exemption was signed.
b) It was RESOVLED to approved the Annual Governance Statement
c) It was RESOLVED to approve the Accounting Statements.
18) Financial Matters –
a) Current Receipts and Payments were noted.
b) It was RESOVLED to pay AGP Garden Services, Grass Lengthsman April (1430) £148.50; Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk Salary & Exes April £362.05 (Salary £345, Mileage £9.45, Postage £7.60); Chris Hyett, Allotments Maintenance 1 of 3 £384.00
c) It was further RESOLVED to pay AGP Garden Services, Grass Lengthsman May (1456) £148.50; Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk Salary & Expenses May £354.45 (mileage £9.45, Salary £345)
19) Chairman & Councillors’ submissions – Planned closure of the M50 was noted and Cllr Bertenshaw explained the dates first published were wrong and it should not now pose a problem for traffic exiting the Linton Festival.
20) Next Meeting – will take place at Gorsley Village Hall on Monday 11 July 2022 at 19:30.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:55.