Linton (South) Parish Council
Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
On Monday 14 September 2026
At Gorsley Village Hall
Present: Cllr A Newton (Chair); Cllr J Gough; Cllr J Hoyle; Cllr R Williams.
In attendance: two members of the public; Roads Lengthsman; Parish Clerk Rich Hunt.
1) Apologies for absence. Cllrs Bertenshaw, Clark, Jurkiewicz.
2) Declarations of Interest: None.
3) Co-option of members: None. The three councillor vacancies and Public Footpath Officer (PFO) vacancy have been advertised via parish council (PC)-approved posters on the PC’s website, via e-mail, in Chimes and on parish notice boards. The Clerk will explore other local means of advertising.
4) It was RESOLVED that the Chair sign the Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting on 10 August 2026 as a true and accurate record.
5) Clerk’s report: The Clerk continues to seek confirmation from the Upton Bishop Daffodil Bus coordinator that a bus stop will be included at Shutton Crossroads, Linton. HALC advise not to use Fix My Street as the process is slow and unreliable. Herefordshire Council (HCC) online public realm reporting is a better option while the council seeks to improve Fix My Street. HCC are preparing a new public realm guide explaining who in the council does what, how they do it, and what they need to provide the service requested. HALC training opportunities have not yet been published. HCC are offering local people and groups across the county up to £250 via a Microgrants scheme towards a new or existing project that could make communities stronger and improve mental health and wellbeing. This is advertised on the PC website.
6) Public submissions:
a) The Ward Councillor and PCSO were not in attendance and did not provide an input.
b) Parish Matters: None.
7) Planning
a) Current Applications:
(i) 262132 – Ellbrook House, Woodend Lane, Linton: Erection of replacement stables building It was RESOLVED (three in favour, one against) to make no comment or objection to this application.
(ii) 261061 – Land Adjacent to Orchard House, Bromsash: Reconsultation – variation of condition of permission 231982 (erection of a 3-bedroom dwelling with integral garage) to facilitate a revised dwelling design. It was RESOLVED unanimously to object to this application because the scale of the proposed development continues to present an invasion of privacy on neighbouring properties.
b) Decided applications and other matters.: The schedule of recently decided applications was noted, as were changes to the National Planning Policy Framework which introduce a mandatory presumption in favour of sustainable development. The PC agreed it would be propitious to agree a contract in advance with a company specialising in Neighbourhood Development Plan revision as such services will be in demand once the HCC Local Plan has been finalised. The Clerk will provide quotes and contract options for the PC to consider.
8) Locality Steward and highways matters:
a) Potholes in Linton have been marked but not yet repaired.
b) Bromsash speeding issues. No further update on whether West Mercia Police will reconsider their assessment that there are no safe locations in the village for a Community Watch Speed team to operate. HCC have pledged that they will introduce revised line painting and speed curbing measures on the B4224 now that resurfacing is complete, but this has not yet happened.
c) Curbing speed of traffic through Gorsley on B4221. The PC will continue to escalate through the Parish Charter resolution process its opposition to HCC’s decision not to implement a Traffic Regulation Order reducing the speed of traffic from 40mph to 30mph until the road has been resurfaced. The initial response from the relevant HCC Service Director was very disappointing. Escalation will involve contacting local MPs at a later stage if necessary.
d) Shutton Crossroads: Nothing further to report.
9) Public Rights of Way: There has been no interest in the Linton PFO vacancy. The Lengthsman has now installed all the eighteen footpath gates included in the HCC grant scheme (see para 10) c)).
10) Lengthsman:
a) No update from the Grass Lengthsman.
b) The Roads Lengthsman will begin drainage maintenance in early October. The Clerk will confirm the new drainage projects that HCC have approved for grant funding.
c) Lengthsman Funding Scheme 2026/27. HCC have closed the PROW Grant Scheme for this fiscal year as all the funds have been allocated. The Clerk will submit claims for outstanding works in case money becomes available. A Lengthsman under quote has resulted in a £821 deficit for the PC not covered by HCC grants.
11) Allotments: Annual contracts and covering letters for the year beginning 1 October have been sent to tenants. There are two vacant plots and one likely to become available, with one expression of interest.
12) Preparations have been made for the parish-wide community Litter Picking event on 24 October, with hubs at Gorsley Village Hall, the Alma in Linton and Castrees in Bromsash.
13) The PC will respond positively to the Herefordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy but needs help and advice from HCC’s Nature Recovery team on how to fulfil its biodiversity duty.
14) It was RESOLVED unanimously to approve updated PC Financial Reserves Policy, Risk Assessment, Information Technology Policy and Assets Register. The Clerk will confirm ownership of roadside assets with the Locality Steward.
15) Financial Matters:
a) Cllr Hoyle signed the Receipts & Payments report and reconciled bank statement for 31 August 2026. There was a bank balance of £21,739.44 with a cash balance after outstanding payments (£703.23) of £21,036.21.
b) The PC noted the latest Budget reports, one including HCC Grant funding, and one without.
c) It was RESOLVED to pay Richard Hunt, Clerk salary £567.01; Elan City, SID battery cable £37.22; GP Property, allotments maintenance £99.00. Cllrs Hoyle and Williams signed the invoices.
16) Chairman’s & Councillors’ Submissions: Cllr Williams will provide a report at the next PC meeting on preparedness for wildfire events. HCC want to strengthen collective action in the county. The PC approved a proposal by Cllr Williams to offer residents native daffodil bulbs to plant in verges outside their properties. He will obtain a competitive quote for the Clerk to order 500 bulbs. Some of the bulbs will be planted on parish council-owned verges at Sugar Tump and Gorsley Allotments. The Clerk will ask HCC if any cultivation permission or licence is required, and whether this initiative qualifies for Microgrants support (see para 5). In response to concern from Cllr Gough, the Clerk will ask the PCSO if any action can be taken to stop parents taking their children to and from Gorsley Goffs School from parking on the grass verge outside Gorsley Baptist Church, which is causing congestion and a potential safety hazard.
17) Date of next meeting: Monday 12 October 2026 in Linton Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9:02pm.