Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 13th December 2021
at 19:30
at Linton Village Hall
Present: Cllr A Reeves (Chairman); Cllr M Bertenshaw; Cllr J Gough; Cllr A Newton; Cllr A Price.
In attendance: 3 members of public; Parish Clerk Elizabeth Malcolm.
1. Apologies for absence: Cllr B Clark (Vice Chairman); Cllr L Hall; 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 8th November 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 Chairman reported on an online meeting held earlier with the Ward Councillor and advised that Ward Cllr has requested that the Lovers Walk application be taken to Planning Committee and that there is regular contact with Ward Cllr Harrington regarding roads and transport.
b. Local Residents – raised the following questions:
• It was noted that a wooden fence has been installed between new bungalow development on Gorsley Common Road adjacent to hedge. Clerk asked to raise with Planning department as to who will be responsible for hedge in the future.
• It was unclear if the above fence was in plans but noted that it has reduced visibility on the splay.
• Continued parking on the pavement outside Bramblewick was reported.
• The footpath No LTR 38C & 38 D on Linton Hill to Talbots Well is blocked.
7. Planning
a. Current applications
i. 214032 – Homestead, Cothars Pitch, Gorsley – Change of use of agricultural barn to B8 storage and distribution. Following discussion it was RESOLVED by majority 2 against, 1 in favour,3 abstain incl. casting vote) to object as the M50 junction at this point is already dangerous and any additional traffic will exacerbate this.
ii. 214098 – Land off Sterrys Lane, Gorsley, Linton – Repair of existing former agricultural track (retrospective). Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to object (1 against, 4 abstained) since the construction that has been undertaken is not in keeping with the basic track that it replaces. The original access was for farm equipment to manage agricultural requirements, this has now been replaced by a highly constructed access route for domestic vehicles
iii. 214173 – Plot 1 Land at Court House, Hereford Lane, Linton – Proposed straw bale eco dwellinghouse. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED unanimously to return no object and no comments on this application.
iv. 214196 – Prospect Cottage, Gorsley – Proposed two storey rear extension. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED by majority (2 against, 1 in favour, 3 abstained, incl casting vote) to object to this application since the proposed extension is large and not subservient to the original building.
v. 214396 – Land off Sterrys Lane, Gorsley – it was noted that this application had been withdrawn.
b. Decided applications – A schedule of decided applications was circulated and noted.
c. Herefordshire Local Plan update. Draft comments were approved to be submitted to Herefordshire Council.
8. Climate Change Working Group – Cllr Newton provided an update on activities of the Group
a. Quarry –Natural England permission forms and grant requests had been prepared for immediate dispatch via the Clerk. 3 Quotes had been received for the clearance work.
b. Electric car scheme – following questions it was explained that the scheme is supported by Herefordshire Council via an organisation based in Malvern. The scheme is fully subscribed for year 2021/22 but it is hoped finance may be available for 2022/23. Estimate that the Parish needs between 5 and 15 interested participants and a location to site the vehicle to be viable, though Herefordshire Council will cover losses for the first 18 months.
c. Quiet Lanes scheme had been well received by the Ward Councillor and Cllr Harington (Infrastructure and transport) and the Clerk was asked to prepare a forma request to Ward Councillor to ask for further details.
9. Locality Steward and Highway matters
a. Locality steward’s weekly reports were noted. A pothole on the edge of the road along Gorsley Common Road was raised.
b. Road drainage at B4224 and at Fordings – Clerk confirmed that this has been reported to Balfour Beatty again. Cllr Bertenshaw advised that a drainage consultant had attended at Fordings and has escalated the matter.
c. Bromsash roads – a local group to be established via a request for volunteers on website in 2022.
d. Gorsley traffic calming measures – The Ward Councillor has been asked to press the matter of approval from Hereford Council, with regard to ’20 when flashing’ signs.
e. B4224 Multi Parish Strategy Group – No meeting to report
f. Burrups Lane & Shutton Crossroads– pricing for signage received (as part of package with d above). It was suggested that a further sign is needed at junction of Cothars Pitch and Gorsley Common Road.
10. Public Rights of Way – Clerk advised that Hereford Council have now acknowledged receipt of evidence documents regarding routes at Hartleton Lake. Cllr Newton thanked Cllr Bertenshaw for repairs to stiles.
11. Lengthsman
a. Grass Lengthsman – A final trim was undertaken late in November and details expected for January meeting.
b. Roads Lengthsman – Terry Griffiths was due to undertake salt bin checks and replenishment. It was agreed to review costs to date and to provisionally book for a general roads check in February.
12. Allotments – following review by Councillors and discussion it was agreed to repair perimeter fence by renewing rotten posts where necessary.
13. Budget & Precept 2022/2023– Following discussion it was RESOLVED unanimously to approve the budget for 2022-2023 and it was further RESLOLVED to set the Precept at £14,400 for the same period.
14. Financial
a. Current Receipts & Payments were noted together with updated budget progress.
b. It was RESOLVED to approve the following: Adrian Newton, Purchase of Thermal Imaging Camera – £319.00; Chris Hyett, Allotments Maintenance 1/3d – £350.00; Elizabeth Malcolm, Clerk Salary & Expenses- £343.05 (incl Mileage £9.45); HMRC, Tax on salary * – £5.40
15. Linton Village Hall – It was RESOLVED by majority (4 in favour, 1 abstained) to support the application for grant funding to wards energy conservation and efficiency improvements.
16. Chairman’s & Councillors’ submissions – None
17. Next meeting – Gorsley Village Hall main hall for meeting on Monday 10th January 2022
There being no further business the meeting ended at 21:00