Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 14th March 2022
at 19:30
at Gorlsey Village Hall
Present: Cllr B Clark (Chairman of meeting); Cllr M Bertenshaw; Cllr J Gough; Cllr A Newton; Cllr L Wilson.
In attendance: 14 members of public; Cllr A Reeves (Chairman); Cllr A Price; Ward Cllr Wilding; Parish Clerk Elizabeth Malcolm.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr L Hall.
2. Declarations of interest: None.
3. Co-option of Councillors: None
4. Minutes of the Parish Council: It was RESOLVED to agree and sign the minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 14 February 2022 as a true and accurate record, together with the financial reports.
5. Clerk’s Report – The Clerk provided a report which was noted.
6. Public Submissions
a. Ward Cllr Wilding gave a brief summary of activity. He confirmed that the Council Tax for Herefordshire had been agreed. In response to a question on the distribution of cash cards for use in local businesses he advised that the funding for this was a Government grant directed at assisting local economies. In response to an enquiry about buses he advised that usage had dropped by 26% which contributed to the withdrawal of certain services by commercial company Stagecoach.
b. A member of the public asked that a blocked culvert on Cothars Pitch be attended to since he had informed the Clerk of the problem of several occasions.
7. Planning
a. Current applications
i. 213712 Land at Lovers Walk, Gorsley. Residential development comprising 21 new dwellings, including access and works to highway. A number of members of the public made it known to Councillors that they were unhappy with the applicant for this development for failures in relation to an earlier development in the village. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to object to the application with comments as follows:
We would draw your attention to the matters set down in our earlier comments (attached Appendix 1) in review of compliance with the Linton Neighbourhood Development Plan.
The matters identified as non-compliant remain as stated.
The Parish Council are concerned on several matters of sustainability. A reliance on cars mean that over 60 car spaces will greatly increase the vehicle movements through the village. In addition service and delivery vehicles will add to this with constant vehicle movements.
Such a high density of development will lead to an increase in surface water run-off liable to adversely affect other residents of the village already struggling with increased flooding incidents.
No plans have been shown for sewerage treatment, access for maintenance, or any arrangements for provision of water since it has been stated that current provisions are limited.
The B4221 continues to suffer high levels of speeding along the straight stretch of road onto which the entrance and exit for this development opens and Councillors are extremely concerned for safety and would want to see traffic calming measures provided as an essential term of any development.
Since the Developer is known to the Parish Council from work undertaken in other locations in the Parish the Councillors believe it is imperative that extraordinary measures be taken to ensure compliance with all obligations of any permission that might be given at every step of development.
Cllr Clark left the room
ii. 220495 – Ellbrook House, Woodend Lane, Linton. Creation of farm tracks (Part retrospective). Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no objection and no comments.
Cllr Clark returned.
iii. 220358 – Acorn Cottage, Linton. Proposed change of use from annexe to full residential dwelling. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (1 abstention) to return no objection and no comments.
b. Spacial Options Consultation – it was decided not to return further response.
c. Decided Applications – the schedule was noted.
d. Woodend Lane development naming – contact had been received from Oakwrights, the developers of this site seeking support for the naming as follows: 5 units Whipstocks and 2 units Dauces Orchard. The Councillors had no objection to these names and thanked Oakrights for their consultation.
8. Climate Change Working Group – Cllr Newton provided an update on activities of the Group
a. Gorsley Quarry – a volunteer team had raked up 80% of the cut material. Discussion took place on arranging a more regular cutting scheme. Grass Lengthsman, Community Serivce team and volunteers were considered.
b. Recycle events – A good number of people had attended the recycle events at Linton Village Hall in January with numbers sustained in February with a further session planned in March. The Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to extend the events for a further 3 months with Village Hall Hire to be met from Council funds.
c. Hire of the Thermal Imaging camera had dropped off.
d. Electric Car Hire – No responses had been received to the extended call for expressions of interest. The scheme is not therefore viable.
e. Quiet Lanes – No response had been received from Herefordshire Council and Ward Cllr Wilding undertook to follow this up.
9. Locality Steward and Highway matters
a. Locality steward’s weekly reports and the BBL annual plan were noted.
b. Verge cutting – it was noted the Parish Council had confirmed their decision of September 2020 to request one cut per year and nominated certain sections of wildflowers.
c. Road drainage at B4224 and at Fordings – Cllr Bertenshaw had met with Locality Steward and Drainage engineer on site and a report is awaited.
d. Bromsash roads – a number of Bromsash residents had met just before the Parish Council meeting to discuss forming a working group and consider what steps are available.
e. Other traffic matters – No further action in Gorsley. The need for a Give Way sign at Shutton Cross was raised.
10. Public Rights of Way
a. Maintenance – no matters to report.
b. Platinum Jubilee Circular Walk – a proposal was made by Cllr Reeves to design a circular walk linking the villages of the Parish to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Cllr Reeves and Cllr Newton were invited to investigate further.
11. Lengthsman – it was agreed to continue with the HCC/BBL Lengthsman scheme.
a. Grass Lengthsman – It was RESOLVED unanimously to extend this contract for a further year and accept the hourly rate of £27.
b. Roads Lengthsman – The Clerk advised that request for costs for ditching work against the grant scheme had been made.
12. Allotments – It was RESOLVED unanimously to continue the maintenance contract with Mr Chris Hyett at a fee of £1,150 for the year. The Clerk to include request to take care of perimeter fence in annual fee invoice letters.
13. Financial
a. Current Receipts & Payments were noted together with updated budget progress.
b. It was RESOLVED to approve the following: Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk Salary & Expenses – £346.05; HMRC,Tax on salary, *£5.40.
14. Chairman’s & Councillors’ submissions – None
15. Next meeting – Linton Village Hall main hall for meeting on Monday 11th April 2022
There being no further business the meeting ended at 21:00