Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 11th October 2021
at 19:30
at Linton Village Hall
Present: Cllr A Reeves (Chairman); Cllr B Clark (Vice Chairman); Cllr M Bertenshaw Cllr J Gough; Cllr L Hall; Cllr A Newton; Cllr A Price.
In attendance: 6 members of public; Parish Clerk Elizabeth Malcolm.
1. Apologies for absence: Ward Cllr Wilding.
2. Declarations of interest: None.
3. Co-option of Councillors: Louisa Hall of Bromsash offered to serve as a Councillor and following discussion it was RESOLVED unanimously to co-opt Mrs Hall to the Council with immediate effect.
4. Minutes of the Parish Council: It was RESOLVED to agree and sign the minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 13th September 2021 as a true and accurate record, together with the financial reports.
5. Clerk’s Report – The Clerk provided a verbal report which was noted.
6. Public Submissions
a. Ward Councillor – the Chairman reported on an online meeting held earlier with the Ward Councillor which had been a useful insight to Council level discussions and operation.
b. Local Residents – Parishioner kindly advised that she had been in touch with the Young Offenders team to enquire if help could be obtained in clearing the walk routes of The Quarry. Limits on the numbers per work group due to Covid mean availability is reduced. We await further news.
7. Planning –
a. Currant applications
i. 212936 – Sargents Farm, Sargents Lane, Kilcot – demolition of existing cottage and shed and erection of new dwelling and garage. Following discussion of the plans it was RESOVLED by majority (4 in favour, 3 abstain) to return no objection to the application.
ii. 212942 – Bayton Bungalow, Linton, variation of condition 2 of planning permission 202081. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (6 in favour, 1 abstain) to return no objection to the application.
iii. 213307 – Land adjacent Homestead Farm, Cothars Pitch, Gorsley- following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (5 against, 2 abstain) to object to the application. The application does not meet criteria set out in the Parish Neighbourhood plan under policy nos BGL1 and BGL9. (See appendix 1)
iv. 213595 – Long Barn House, Linton – variation of conditions 6 & 9 of planning permission 184574. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection, but to add a comment to request to find, if possible, a solution that would minimise the amount of hedge removal.
v. 213568 – Gorsley Goffs Endowed Primary School, Gorsley- single storey extension to provide 3no.Teaching Rooms. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection to this application.
vi. 212754 – Brook Farm, Quarry Lane, Gorsley. Proposed retention of existing yard and erection of new workshop (revised scheme to approved P182770/F) Retrospective. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection to this application.
vii. 213675 – Land off, Strerrys Lane, Gorsley: Prior approval for a proposed conversion of an agricultural building to a single dwellinghouse (C3). Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to object to this application – see Appendix 02. In addition, despite some of the property being in Gloucestershire it appeared that no information had been supplied to the relevant authorities in that county and this needed to be rectified.
b. Decided applications – a schedule was submitted and noted.
8. Climate Change Working Group – Cllr Newton provided an update on activities of the Group
• It was proposed to establish a regular Parish recycle opportunity based from Linton Village Hall, at which Parishioners would be invited to bring the ‘hard to recycle’ items. It was suggested this be run as pilot for 3 months in the New Year and following discussion it was RESOLVED unanimously to support this plan by paying the Hall Hire fee of £22 per session.
• The Group are investigating various grant opportunities to benefit the Parish and in particular the Quarry access and information.
• Infra-red heat maps of the Parish are being investigated as a means of showing heat wastage.
• Discussion took place of proposed wildlife corridors in south Herefordshire and grant applications to DEFRA to support the scheme. It was RESOLVED by majority (6 in favour, 1 abstain) to support as follows: To promote the development and expansion of wildlife corridors connecting existing high-value nature sites within south Hereford east of the R. Wye and across the bordering Glos CC parishes along the verges, footpath network and watercourses
9. Locality Steward and Highway matters
a. Locality steward’s weekly reports were noted. It was reported that the road surface to Pinford Farm is now in such a poor state that delivery companies refuse to use it. The Clerk was asked to investigate what improvements could be obtained, or if the road can be removed from Council adoption and moved to private maintenance.
b. Bromsash roads – a local group to established.
c. Gorsley traffic calming measures
i. Cllr Reeves reported that some further information and clarification is being sought from Herefordshire Council
ii. Concern was expressed at signs suggesting that building work vehicles for Woodend Lane should use Cothars Pitch, which is narrow and requires a tight right turn which is unsuited to large vehicles. It was agreed to propose works traffic should use Little Gorsley entrance to Stoney Road /Linton Road from B4221.
d. B4224 Multi Parish Strategy Group – Cllr Clark was unable to attend the last meeting and would circulate any minutes received.
e. Burrups Lane – action to deter large vehicles, with signage continues.
f. Shutton Cross Roads – plans for new signage being prepared.
10. Public Rights of Way – A number of stiles around the Parish have been identified as needing repair and these have been alerted to the PROW office and landowners. Following discussion it was RESOLVED by majority (4 against and 3 in favour) to continue to seek the work be undertaken by Herefordshire Council / Landowner and not by the Parish.
11. Lengthsman
a. Grass Lengthsman – A summary of work undertaken was circulated.
b. Roads Lengthsman the Clerk reported that Terry Griffiths has agreed to manage and store the Parish allocation of salt from Herefordshire Council. The relevant Parish salt bins to be identified and notified to Terry for filling. It was further noted that Lengthsman days had been undertaken in the villages and reports would follow.
12. Allotments – the Clerk reported that a lease for the remaining plot no 20 had been found and it was RESOLVED to approve this. The rules regarding buildings were discussed and it was agreed that leases should abide by the current terms in lease and rules.
13. Risk Assessment & Asset Register – following discussion it was RESOLVED unanimously to approve these documents for a further year.
14. Financial
a. Current Receipts & Payments were noted together with updated budget progress. It was noted that an unapproved Direct Debit for £4.10 had been reported to the bank and a refund had been promised.
b. It was RESOLVED to approve the following: AV Taylor & Sons, Hedge trimming roadside allotments – £114.00; AGP Garden Services, Grass Lengthsman work September – £145.75; Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk Salary & Expenses -£335.85
c. Clerk’s Salary review. It was noted that no review had taken place and that he national rate for salary rate 17 had increased to £11.30/hour from April 2021. It was RESOLVED to increase the Clerk’s salary in line with the scale rate and back date this to April 2021.
d. Financial Standing Orders were submitted for review and will be discussed at the next meeting.
15. Covered Bus Stop at east-bound B4221 at Gorsley Goffs – a Parishioner had requested that a covered stand be installed at this location. The Clerk reported that this had been investigated before and that Herefordshire Council had responded that would only be possible under the Community Commissioning process and paid by the Parish Council. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that this was not a project the Council wished to pursue.
16. Community Organisation Grants – a Parishioner had proposed that the Council apply for grants on behalf of organisations in the Parish and some discussion took place as to how to ensure Parishioners and local organisations are aware of the opportunities available. It was agreed to promote the Herefordshire Council newsfeed and continue to promote opportunities where possible on the News pages of Parish Council website.
17. Chairman’s & Councillors’ submissions – None
18. Next meeting – Gorsley Village Hall main hall for meeting on Monday 8th November 2021
There being no further business the meeting ended at 21:17