Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 17th. December 2009.

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

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

District Councillor Norma Hawkins.

One Member of the Public.

75/9. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L. Bills.

76/9. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

77/9. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reported that he had attended the Remembrance Sunday service at St. Chad’s Church together with Councillor L. Bills.

78/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

79/9. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4th. November 2009 had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

80/9. Matters Arising.

An e.mail had been received from County Councillor G. Heath reporting that a visit to Longsdon by the County Council Community gang had been arranged for 14th. and 15th. January 2010, weather permitting. She had asked for a list of jobs which could be carried out by the team. It was agreed that any ideas should be forwarded to the Clerk who would then pass them on en bloc.

A letter had been sent to the County Council Highways local office to report the eroded carriageway in Honeysuckle Lane which was considered a danger to traffic. A reply stated that the matter would be dealt with in due course, but had not yet been done.

Councillors Sargeant and Taylor had attended the last meeting of the Staffs.Moorlands Parish Assembly and had prepared a report which had been distributed to all Councillors. Thanks were expressed to them for their attendance at that meeting.

An e.mail had been received from County Councillor C. Jebb of Endon who had reported to Endon Parish Council on the joint meeting with the County Council regarding additional white lines in two locations on the A 53. She asked to be informed of any news on the matter.

It was reported that:

letter had been sent to Cheddleton Parish Council re the Councils efforts on heavy goods vehicles.

Proctors Nursery had re-planted the village tubs.

the Police had been informed of the parking of cars on a blind bend in Dunwood Lane.

invoices for lengthman’s schemes had been sent to Staffs. County Council and Staffs. Moorlands D. C.

a claim had been forwarded to H. M. Revenue & Customs for a V. A. T. refund.

81/9. Correspondence.

A further letter had been received from the owner of the pond area in School Lane. As the letter was of a repetitious nature and all points had been previously answered it was agreed that, as the last reply sent on the matter pointed out that no further correspondence would be entered into, no reply was necessary.

Publication of Addendum to Submission Version of Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework had been received, together with a CD, had been received from Staffs Moorlands District Council. Most of the changes covered Leek, Cheadle & Biddulph. The report was duly received.

Information received under this item was:

Parish Newsletter from the Rural Services Network.

December 2009 Newsletter from Staffs. Parish Councils’ Association.

My Moorlands – Staffs Moorlands Community Magazine - Winter issue.

82/9. Planning Matters.

The following planning application was considered and it was agreed to forward no objection, subject to normal planning guidelines to:

09/01141/FUL Creation of Ornamental Wildlife Pond & Habitat (Retrospective) at Rowley Gate Farm, Devils Lane, Longsdon ST9 9QP.

Copies of the correspondence regarding Public Footpath No 24 in Dunwood Lane had been forwarded to the Countryside Officer of Staffs. Moorlands District Council. The Chairman reported that the Ramblers Association may also be involved with the proposed closure of this footpath.

83/9. Finance.

The forms for the setting up of the Business Instant Access Account for a One Year Fixed Term Bond with Leek United Building Society at 3.25% interest rate had been completed and they were duly signed by the signatories agreed at the last meeting. The Chairman would transfer the sum of £3,000 – 00 from the Business Account to the current account in order to cover a cheque for that amount to open the account.

Staffs. Moorlands District Council had requested the amount required for next year’s Precept. The Clerk distributed figures from the last financial year, estimated figures for the current year and projected figures for 2010 / 2011. After perusing these it was agreed that the precept request for 2010 / 2011 be £3,500 – 00, the same as the current year.

84/9. Orders for Payment.

It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-

85/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

86/9. Any Other Business.

A report was given on scrap tyres which had been deposited on the grass verge in School Lane, Longsdon. This matter to be reported to Staffs Moorlands District Council.

87/9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 28th. January 2010 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

The Chairman extended Seasons Greeting to all present, thanked Councillors for their attendance and duly closed the meeting.