Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 14th February 2022
at 19:30
at Linton Village Hall
Present: Cllr B Clark (Chairman of meeting); Cllr M Bertenshaw; Cllr J Gough; Cllr A Newton;
In attendance: 3 members of public; Parish Clerk Elizabeth Malcolm.
Apologies for absence: Cllr A Reeves (Chairman); Cllr A Price; Cllr L Hall; Ward Cllr Wilding. It was noted that Cllr Reeves was unable to attend due reasons beyond his control and RESOLVED to extend a leave of absence to September 2022 under s.85 Local Government Act 1972.
1. Declarations of interest: None.
2. Co-option of Councillors: Mrs Leanne Wilson of Bromsash offered to join the Parish Council and it was unanimously RESOLVED to co-opt her as a Councillor with immediate effect.
3. Minutes of the Parish Council: It was RESOLVED to agree and sign the minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 10th January 2022 as a true and accurate record, together with the financial reports.
4. Clerk’s Report – The Clerk provided a report which was noted.
5. Public Submissions
• PCSO Claire Kelly introduced herself to the Councillors and provided a brief update of the Police activities in the area. She also asked for the most pressing concerns of the Parish Council, which were expressed as speeding on B and other roads and parking on pavements. It was noted that PCSO Kelly was booked to attend other events in the village during day-time and she encouraged people to attend. Online information about crime in the area can be obtained from Neighbourhood Matters.
• A Parishioner wished to know of the Parish Council was able to assist in reinstating a bus service from Ross-on-Wye/Hereford to Newent/Gloucester and Stagecoach had announced they would cease running the service at the end of the month due to low usage and high costs. It was noted that representation had been received from Herefordshire Council who had applied for central Government funding but this would not be available till later in the year. It was suggested that Newent Community Transport Services might be a solution for school and other regular journeys and the Clerk would contact them.
• The work done by the Community Services team in clearing the rides in Gorsley Quarry was appreciated and the Clerk was asked to write to the Services to thank them for their work.
6. Planning
a. Current applications
i. 220027 – The Brambles, Bromsash: Proposed first floor extension over existing garage for ancillary accommodation. Following discussion it was RESOLVED by majority (3 against, 1 in favour, 1 abstain) to object to the application as the visual impact does not meet standards of the Parish NDP and no Visual Impact Report had been received.
ii. 220138 – Smiths Cottage, Linton Road: application for hedgerow removal. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (4 against, 1 abstention) to object to the application as it does not meet requirements of NDP BGL1 Sustainable development or BGL2 Natural Environment.
iii. 220357 Woodstock, Linton: proposed extension and alterations with conversion of basement to provide ancillary accommodation. New vehicle access. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (3 against, 2 abstain) to object to the application as the plans include a new access route which requires the removal of hedgerow.
b. Decided applications & other matters. It was noted that no new decisions had been made on applications in the Parish and no information had been received on the proposals for development at Lovers Walk.
7. Climate Change Working Group – Cllr Newton provided an update on activities of the Group
a. The Thermal imaging camera had been out on 11 loans so far.
b. Gorsley Quarry grant application had been unsuccessful but the work undertaken by Community Service team was very comprehensive and a good job. To meet the recommendation of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust a volunteer working group would be sought to undertake some additional raking up and introduce a further path in the northern section.
c. Electric Car Scheme had elicited 3 expressions of interest, widely spread around the Parish which is not viable. The Baptist Church were not able to help with a charging point. A further promotion of the scheme to be undertaken in case an increase in interest can be found but without this the scheme is not viable.
d. Quiet Lanes formal request to Herefordshire Council made and response awaited.
e. Community recycling morning in January was successful and further sessions will be run in February and March.
8. Locality Steward and Highway matters
a. Locality steward’s weekly reports were noted.
b. Road drainage at B4224 and at Fordings – Cllr Bertenshaw was in contact with the drainage team but to no effect to date.
c. Bromsash roads – 3 Volunteers for a Bromsash road group received.
d. Gorsley traffic calming measures – Quote received.
e. B4224 Multi Parish Strategy Group – it was RESOLVED to accept the Memorandum of Understanding of the B4224 Multi Parish Strategy Group.
f. Drainage Grant application – it was agreed to seek costs for ditch work on Fordings Lane, Burton Mill bend and Woodend Lane. Clerk to contact the Roads Lengthsman. It was also noted that flooding occurs on the B4221 opposite Gorsley Goffs.
9. Public Rights of Way – Cllr Newton reported that he had cleared all the paths on Linton Ridge which are now passable. Further information on the transfer of PROW matters from Balfour Beatty to Herefordshire Council to be sought.
10. Lengthsman
a. Grass Lengthsman – No matters to report.
b. Roads Lengthsman – No matters to report
11. Allotments – The Clerk reported that the tenant of no 11 had given notice and two applications had been received to take this on. Plot 5 has become available but currently no applications received.
12. Financial
a. Current Receipts & Payments were noted together with updated budget progress.
b. It was RESOLVED to approve the following: HALC, Annual Subscription (22/23) – £788.36; Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk Salary & Expenses – £343.05; HMRC, Tax on salary *£5.40.
13. Chairman’s & Councillors’ submissions – None
14. Next meeting – Gorsley Village Hall main hall for meeting on Monday 14th March 2022
There being no further business the meeting ended at 21:05