Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 8th November 2021
at 19:30
at Gorsley Village Hall
Present: Cllr A Reeves (Chairman); Cllr B Clark (Vice Chairman); Cllr J Gough; Cllr L Hall; Cllr A Newton; Cllr A Price.
In attendance: 8 members of public; Parish Clerk Elizabeth Malcolm.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr M Bertenshaw, Ward Cllr Wilding.
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 11th October 2021 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 Councillor – the Vice Chairman reported on an online meeting held earlier with the Ward Councillor including information that it is planned to bring management of the Lengthsman & PROW schemes back in-house to HCC from Balfour Beatty.
b. Local Residents – raised the following questions:
• M50 exit overgrown and obscures traffic from Newent direction. Clerk to contact Highways England and include a request for sight of Annual Plan.
• HGVs in Gorsley Common Lane are a problem causing blockage and damaging the verges.
• Parking on the pavement footpath on B4221 (at old Post Office location) a danger to pedestrians. Clerk asked to write to residents and raise with Police 101.
• It was agreed to arrange to remove the old Parish Council noticeboard at B4221 beside the old PO house and direct Parishioners to the new board at Community Shop as well as other locations.
• Concern expressed that new pavement at Gorsley Common Road beside new bungalows extends too far into the road.
7. Planning –
a. Current applications
i. 213712 Land at Lovers Walk, Gorsley – Residential development comprising 25 new dwellings. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to object to this application. Comments in Appendix 1
ii. 213748 Bramblewick, Gorsley – demolition of old Post Office frontage & erection of extension and dormers to roof and other works. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (2 against and 4 in favour) to approve this application, subject to comments reflecting the Council’s very strong concerns that whilst the work is undertaken arrangement must be made to allow safe passage of pedestrians.
b. Decided applications – A schedule of decided applications was circulated.
c. Herefordshire Local Plan update. The Chairman brought to the notice of Councillors an invitation to comment on effectiveness of the Local Plan to date. It was agreed that Cllrs should feedback their views to the Chairman and further discussion could be undertaken by Zoom meeting, to report back to the Parish Council.
8. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – it was RESOLVED unanimously to support a proposal to extend the boundary of the current AONB.
9. Climate Change Working Group – Cllr Newton provided an update on activities of the Group
a. Update – Cllr Newton provided an introduction document for consideration of an Electric vehicle car-share scheme in the Parish. It was agree that a survey be made to establish the appetite of the community for such a scheme.
b. Thermal imaging camera – it was RESOLVED by majority (1 against, 5 in favour) to purchase a unit at not more than £400 to be made available on loan for a small fee for individual residents to undertake personal surveys of heat-loss on their homes. The Clerk to contact insurers.
c. Quiet Lanes – the Working Group had identified a number of lanes to be considered. It was agreed to take the proposals to Herefordshire Council to seek support which is required of such scheme.
d. Sharing Network – Proposals for a network to enable sharing of equipment for private tasks was discussed. Councillors asked to see more information on existing schemes together with their formal terms and further information on any liability issues.
e. Gorsley Quarry – Cllr Newton reported on a meeting with Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and Earth Heritage Trust at the quarry to discuss recommended management schemes. This would include improved access and maintenance. A grant opportunity had been identified towards costs of such work. The Councillors supported this in principle and agreed that an application could be submitted on behalf of the Council provided no funding is required directly from the Parish Council at this stage.
10. Locality Steward and Highway matters
a. Locality steward’s weekly reports were noted.
b. Bromsash roads – a local group to be established via a request for volunteers on website.
c. Gorsley traffic calming measures – a request has been submitted for approval from Hereford Council, with regard to ’20 when flashing’ signs.
d. B4224 Multi Parish Strategy Group – Cllr Clark next meeting of the group to take place on Thursday 11 November.
e. Burrups Lane – pricing for signage received (as part of package with c above).
f. Shutton Crossroads – signage price received (as part of package with c above).
11. Public Rights of Way – Clerk asked to check up on application progress for two routes at Hartleton. It was confirmed that Cllr Bertenshaw has kindly repaired stiles at Fordings and Pinfold.
12. Lengthsman
a. Grass Lengthsman – It was noted that no work had been undertaken in October and a final trim would be undertaken in November.
b. Roads Lengthsman – Terry Griffiths had been provided with the map of salt bins requiring top-up. Clerk to ask him to ensure that grip put in place by landowner on Revels Lane is maintained.
13. Allotments – the Chairman reported he had had a look at the fence around the north section to consider repair requirements. Cllr Gough also undertook to look at other areas.
14. Financial
a. Current Receipts & Payments were noted together with updated budget progress.
b. It was RESOLVED to approve the following: Welsh Water, Allotments water rates -£205.53; Terry Griffiths Contracts, Roads Lengthsman Roads South- £470.40, Terry Griffiths Contracts, Roads Lengthsman Roads North – £470.40; Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk Salary & Expenses – £402.45 (Salary £330, scale increase 7 months £63, Mileage £9.45)
c. Financial Standing Orders were submitted for review following review in was RESOLVED to approve and adopt the policy for a further period.
d. Budget 2022/2023 – it was agreed that a working group of Cllr Reeves, Cllr Newton and Cllr Price would review from information supplied by the Clerk and report to next meeting.
15. Chairman’s & Councillors’ submissions – A question was raised as to whether there should be a Parish Council representative on the Governors of Gorsley Goff. Cllr Reeves undertook to investigate.
16. Next meeting – Linton Village Hall main hall for meeting on Monday 13th December 2021
There being no further business the meeting ended at 21:15