Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 30th. April 2009.

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

Councillors T. Beastall, L. Bills, J. F. Sargeant, C. E. Taylor & S. R. Weston.

District Councillor N. Hawkins. One Member of the Public.

01/9. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J. Deaville.

02/9. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

03/9. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

He gave a report on the current situation with the closure of Park Lane, Endon due to bridge renovations and expressed his concern regarding the subsequent increase in heavy goods vehicles using Denford Road as a diversion. A temporary weight limit has been promised but had not been put into place. It was agreed to write to Staffs. County Council asking if the listed canal bridges in Denford Road could carry the weight of these vehicles and whether a permanent weight limit restriction could be imposed.

He also reported that in spite of repeated requests to British Waterways and Staffs. Moorlands District Council the damaged bench mark stone on the "top" canal had still not been repaired.

04/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

05/9. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31st. March 2009 had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

06/9. Matters Arising.

No new dates had been received regarding the removal of the Himalayan Balsam on the canal towpath. It was agreed that the growth be monitored until nearer the correct time for removal.

An agreed letter had been sent to the owner of the pond area in School Lane suggesting a meeting to view the required information at St. Chad's Church Room, or possibly copying the required information etc., with a copy to the Information Commissioner's Office. A letter had been received from the owner's solicitor asking about the availability of copying equipment at the Church Room. After consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman a reply had been forwarded stating that no facilities for copying were available at the room.

More discussion took place on the amount of large commercial vehicles being parked overnight on the lay-by on the A53 near the parish boundary with Endon. The Police were being informed of the problem which appeared to have improved of late. The matter would continue to be monitored.

A written report had been received from Councillors Sargeant and Taylor on the last meeting of the Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly. Thanks were expressed for the report which had been circulated to all Councillors.

It was reported that:

a new date for the training sessions on Permitted Householder Development was still awaited.

07/9. Correspondence.

The Submission Document on the Local Area Development Framework had been received. This would be studied by Councillors.

The Council's insurance policy renewal notice had been received. It was agreed that this be paid.

Information received under this item was:

Public Sector Equality Duties from the Equality & Human Rights Commission. a DVD entitled "Tick lock" giving information on the Freedom of Information Act.

Home Reader Service by Staffs. County Council.

notices of European Parliamentary and Staffs. County Council elections - posted on notice boards.

Staffs. County Council Strategic Plan 2009 - 2012.

invitation to enter the Calor Village of the Year Competition 2009 - no action

08/9. Planning Matters.

The following planning application was considered and Councillors agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines, to:-

09/00330/FUL Change of Use from Derelict Barn to Agricultural Stock Shed at Stone Bank Farm, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QH.

09/9. Finance Matters & Orders for Payment.

The Clerk reported that the Council's accounts had been delivered to the internal auditor on the rearranged date of 29th. April 2009. Consequently cheque payments under orders of payment would be delayed.

He also gave information on the submission of the final accounts for the lengthsman schemes of Staffs. County Council & Staffs. Moorlands District Council. The final payment had been received from the County Council in the sum of £15 - 00.

It was reported that the Bank Mandate form had been left at the bank to await signatures. It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-

10/9. Public Comments.

A report was given of the apparent establishment of a touring caravan site in Devils Lane, Longsdon. It was agreed to write to the Chief Planning Officer of Staffs. Moorlands District Council asking what planning guidelines were needed for such a site.

11/9. Any Other Business.

Information was given that comments, supposedly from the Parish Council, had been received under the Local Development Framework consultations. It was agreed to write to Staffs. Moorlands District Council asking from where any comments had originated.

It was agreed to write to Mrs. D. Kent asking her if she could continue with her good work of re-planting the village tubs.

12/9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council, which would also include the Annual General Meeting and the Annual Parish Assembly will be held on Thursday 28th. May 2009 at The Rez Country Cafe in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7-30p.m.
The Chairman thanked Councillors for their attendance and duly closed the meeting.