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.

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Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Wednesday 4th. November 2009.

 

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

Councillors T. Beastall, L. Bills, J. F. Sargeant, C. E. Taylor & S. R. Weston.
District Councillor Norma Hawkins.
Three Members of the Public.

62/9. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies declared.

63/9. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

64/9. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reported that he had obtained the wreath for the Remembrance Sunday and would be attending the service.

65/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

66/9. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1st. October 2009 had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

67/9. Matters Arising.

It was reported that British Waterways had been re-organised with the area office now at Fazeley and the repair work to the damage to the canal bridge in Denford Road was still awaited.

In spite of the new signage which had been erected to restrict lengths and widths of vehicles attempting to travel along Denford Road & Sutherland Road (Park Lane). large vehicles were still causing damage to property in the Park Lane area. It was agreed to write to Cheddleton Parish Council to publicise the fact that Longsdon Parish Council had been in discussions with the County Council on the matter.

It was reported that:

advertisements for organisations in the village had been forwarded to the Beat the Cold organisation.
Proctors Nursery had been asked to carry out winter planting of the village tubs.
letter had been sent to the County Council regarding the periodic highway meetings.

68/9. Correspondence.

A request for financial assistance had been received from Staffordshire Women’s Aid, a registered charity. It was agreed that no action be taken at this stage.

Information received under this item was:

request for up-date on the Council and Village Hall details, from Moorlands Together – sent.

consultation document on the Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s Corporate Plan.

Rural Focus from Rural Services Community.

69/9. Planning Matters.

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

09/00986/FUL Installation of Solar Panels at Longsdon Memorial Hall, Leek Road, Longsdon.

With regard to Application No. 09/1020/FUL Single Storey Side Extension at Upper Dales, Dunwood Lane, Longsdon there were no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines, but the following points should be put forward:

Public Footpath No 24 runs adjacent to this dwelling and it is conveniently not shown on any of the plans.

A planning Application No. 07/01016/FUL submitted in August 2007 for proposed stables and manege also conveniently failed to show Footpath No. 24. This was approved without any mention of the footpath running through the site.

There is a proposal that this footpath be closed but the Parish Council has objected most strongly that the footpath should not be closed. However, at the present time, the footpath is actually blocked off by a large fence.

While having no objections to the Side Extension there should be no further interference with this footpath than there is at present.

At this point District Councillor Hawkins reported that she had spoken with the Countryside Officer of Staffs. Moorlands District Council and he had asked for copies of the correspondence regarding the proposed / illegal closure of the footpath. It was agreed that copies be sent.

A further letter in reply had been received from the Head of Development Services regarding the large stables which had been erected on land between Micklea Lane & Denford Road. It stated that further investigation was warranted and the matter had been passed to the Enforcement Department.

The numbers of caravans on the touring caravan site in Devils Lane was continuing to be monitored.

The Chairman reported that a large unauthorised pond was being constructed in Devil’s Lane. It appeared that Staffs. Moorlands District Council had already ordered the work to cease.

70/9. To Receive a Report from the District Auditor.

The report stated that there were no matters which needed to be brought to the attention of the Council but it

had suggested that the Council’s Risk Assessment Policy be reviewed. Councillor Sargeant had studied the policy and passed his opinion to Councillors. It was agreed that as the policy was only formulated in May of this year, it be continued in its present form but re-assessed on its anniversary.

The Clerk distributed up to date balances of the Council’s finances, verified by current bank statements, to

all Councillors present. The Clerk pointed out the paltry sums of interest received on the Business Instant Access Account and suggested that a One Year Fixed Term Bond account be opened with Leek United Building Society at 3.25% interest rate. After some discussion it was agreed that the sum of £3,000 – 00 be transferred to such an account with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillors Sargeant & Taylor to be the signatories. The details and forms to be completed at the next meeting.

71/9. Orders for Payment.

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

72/9. Public Comments.

A member of the public again raised the matter of the proposed housing development on the Old New Inn site. This was noted but it was pointed out that the Council had already sent in its objections.

A further point raised was the dangerous parking of cars on a blind bend in Dunwood Lane near its junction with Honeysuckle Lane. Councillor Taylor offered to report the matter to the police.

73/9. Any Other Business.

It was reported that the edge of the carriageway in Honeysuckle Lane, opposite “Four Winds”, had again been eroded and was a danger to traffic. It was suggested that hazard warning posts could be required and it was agreed to contact Staffs. County Council about the matter.

A report was also given on the change of use of a business premises in Leek Road, Longsdon. While there had been no complaints to date the situation would be monitored

74/9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 17th. December 2009 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

The Chairman thanked Councillors for their attendance and duly closed the meeting.

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Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 1st. October 2009.

 

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

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

District Councillor N. Hawkins.
Six Members of the Public.

50/9. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C. Taylor.

51/9. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

52/9. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

53/9. Public Comments.

District Councillor Hawkins gave the meeting a report on an attempt to facilitate affordable housing on some development proposals which were in her councillor area. There had been no action on the matter and the problem could now possibly be forwarded to the Ombudsman.

54/9. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20th. August 2009 had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

55/9. Matters Arising.

Advertisements for organisations in the village were being collated and would be forwarded to the Beat the Cold organisation to be printed on the rear of its promotional card to be delivered to every household in the parish.

British Waterways was still carrying out urgent engineering work in other areas and had not been able to commence the repair work to the damage to the canal bridge in Denford Road.

It was agreed to contact Proctors Nursery to ask them to carry out winter planting of the village tubs.

The replacement rails had been fitted to the public seat in Sutherland Road. Thanks were expressed to the Councillor volunteers and the Clerk for fixing these.

The Chairman had contacted the Council’s bank regarding the signing mandate and had been informed that this had been completed.

The Clerk reported that Endon Parish Council had been informed of this Council’s support for additional double white lines on the A53 near to the lay-by on the boundary between the parishes. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Endon Parish Councillors had attended a joint meeting with County Councillors and Staffs. County Council where the matter was discussed together with the request for additional double white lines near to The Wheel public House. The County Council representatives felt that the present lines appeared adequate but promised to re-assess the situation in both locations.

While at the meeting mention was made of the new signage which was erected to restrict lengths and widths of vehicles attempting to travel along Denford Road & Sutherland Road (Park Lane). Large vehicles were still using the roads and reports were given of roadside walls being demolished and of a bus being stranded on the hump backed canal bridge. The County Council offered to monitor the situation.

Mention was also made of the possibility of the speed camera at the top of Ladderedge being re-sited on Leek Road near to St. Chad’s Church. This would be investigated.

Councillors Sargeant and Taylor had attended the last meeting of the Staffs. Moorlands Parish Aseembly and copies of notes made at the meeting had been distributed to all Councillors. The meeting had been in the format of an “issues clinic” with questions asked mainly regarding planning.

Various e.mails had been received from Staffs. County Council re the closure of Footpath No. 24. It was agreed to check whether a recent planning application for a manege had affected the area.

It was reported that:

the agreed letter had been sent to the owner of the pond in School Lane.

the bus stop sign at the New Inn had been re-sited.

the missing inspection chamber cover had been reported and barriers had been erected.

56/9. Correspondence.

A letter setting out details of a Neighbourhood Highway Team scheme had been received from the Cabinet Member for Highways at Staffs. County Council.

Notice of construction of hard standing areas at the bus stops on the A53 at Dunwood Lane and Honeysuckle Lane had been received from Staffs. County Council Information received under this item was:

Introduction of New Alliance Senior Management Team – High Peak Council & S. M. D. C.

request for up-date on the Council and Village Hall details from Moorlands Together – to be completed.

dates of three events for Staffs. County Council’s “Beyond the Bin” campaign.

invitation to subscribe to Staffs. Playing Fields Association – no action.

notice of meeting of the Leader Programme from Staffs. Moorlands C. & V. S. – 7th. October 2009. Clerks & Councils Direct – September issue.

57/9. Planning Matters.

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

09/00890/FUL Side Extension & New Porch at Lindon, Limes Avenue, Longsdon.

The following planning application was considered: 09/00879/FUL Demolition of Public House and Erection of Three Detached Dwellings at the New Inn Leek Road, Longsdon. Council business was suspended to enable members of the public to express their opinions on the matter. Afterwards it was agreed that there were no objections, in principle but wished to put forward the following points:-

There has certainly not been enough effort to sell the original property which has deliberately been cannibalised in order to show the images which have been submitted with the application and also to reduce its saleability.

The Council feels that this site would be ideal for affordable housing rather than the expensive buildings which are proposed.

Should this application be approved there is a possibility that it could be a forerunner of further housing on adjacent sites which are in the ownership of the applicant.

The majority of dwellings in the vicinity are each on large sites but this proposal represents a much higher density of dwellings on this site.

The numbers of caravans on the touring caravan site in Devils Lane was continuing to be monitored.

Letter had been sent to the Enforcement Department of Staffs Moorlands District Council regarding the closed case of the re-roofing of the outbuildings at the old New Inn public house. .

Letter had also been sent to the Department regarding the large stables which had been erected on land between Micklea Lane & Denford Road. A reply had been received pointing out that the matter would be investigated.

58/9. Orders for Payment.

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

59/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

60/9. Any Other Business.

After some discussion on the recent visit by the community highways team it was agreed to write to the County Council asking for the continuation of the periodic highway discussion meetings.

61/9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 4th. November 2009 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

The Chairman thanked Councillors for their attendance and duly closed the meeting.

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Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 20th. August 2009.

 

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

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

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

Martin Chadwick from the Beat the Cold Organisation.
One Member of the Public.

37/9. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L. Bills.

38/9. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

39/9. Presentation by Martin Chadwick of the Beat the Cold Organisation.

Martin Chadwick of the Beat the Cold organisation explained how his organisation, with funding from central government, Staffs. Moorlands District Council and others, administered a scheme to offer free and discounted insulation measures to residents in parishes. Leaflets were printed and then delivered to every household in the parish. This was followed up by visits from officers giving advice on insulation, heat saving measures etc. These could be offered at greatly discounted prices with free installation in certain cases. He gave Councillors examples of the literature which had been used in other parishes.

Councillors unanimously agreed that the scheme should be promoted in Longsdon and asked Mr. Chadwick to set the process in motion.

The Chairman thanked Martin for his presentation.

40/9. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

41/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

42/9. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd. July 2009 had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

43/9. Matters Arising.

Information had been received from British Waterways regarding the damage to the canal bridge in Denford Road. The organisation was carrying out urgent engineering work elsewhere at present but had promised to repair the damage after the urgent work was completed.

There was nothing to report on the removal of the Himalayan Balsam on the canal towpath. British Waterways was undergoing a re-organisation and the matter was being passed to another area. The original complainant had been informed.

Three further repetitious letters had been received from the owner of the pond area in School Lane. It was agreed to reply, after the usual perusal of the letter, to answer the main points in the letters and mention documentation and photographs which had been produced to the Council. It would also be pointed out that the Council’s main efforts were to preserve the pond area for the benefit of parishioners but it had appeared to have failed in this respect. It would also be pointed out that the Council had completed its obligations by producing all the information which had been requested and that no further correspondence would be entered into.

Proctors Nursery had completed the planting of the village tubs and an account for the agreed amount had been received. A letter had been sent to Mrs. D. Kent thanking her for offering to continue planting the tub adjacent to the Memorial Hall.

New replacement oak rails had been obtained for the seat in Sutherland Road. These were now being treated with preservative and Councillor volunteers would assist the Clerk in fixing same.

The Chairman pointed out that there were different standards of grass cutting along the A53 due to differing urban and rural areas. This was in answer to a query raised at the last meeting.

He also reported that new signs regarding width limits had been erected to give information on Park Lane and Denford Road.

He offered to contact the Council’s bank to check if the signing mandate had been completed.

The Clerk reported an approach from Endon Parish Council asking for support for additional double white lines on the A53, in Longsdon parish, near to the layby on the boundary between the parishes. The County Councillor for the Endon area had offered to arrange a meeting with Staffs. County Council which could also incorporate Longsdon Council’s request for additional double white lines near to The Wheel public house. It was agreed that such a joint meeting would be advantageous.

It was reported that:

letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council objecting to the closure of Footpath No. 24.

reply had been received giving frequency of grass cutting in Leek Old Road.

the large weeds on the footpath near to the old New Inn had been reported to Clarence and removed.

the payment for the final instalment from the S.M.D.C. lengthsman scheme had been received.

44/9. Correspondence.

Information received under this item was:

on Multi-Agency Problem Solving Group with protocol and Reporting Form.

Consultation on Revised Statement of Gambling Policy from Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

on Annual Canvass of the Register of Electors – notices posted on notice boards.

Staffs. Parish Councils’ Association Newsletter – September 2009.

request for support from Vitalise (Essential breaks for disabled people and carers) – no action.

request for support from MENCAP – no action.

on Improving our Service to our Customers from Lloyds T.S.B. Bank plc.

45/9. Planning Matters.

A planning application had been received and had been distributed to Councillors because of the time scale involved. Councillors agreed to forward no objections in principle, subject to normal planning guidelines, to Application 09/00655/FUL Front Dormer Extension at Wyndene, Leek Road, Longsdon.

The following planning application was considered 09/00702/FUL Field Access & Hardstanding at Denford Road, Longsdon and it was agreed to object to the application in principle on the grounds that the gates already erected should be sited further back from the highway to allow vehicles to park in front of the gates before entering and to give increased turning space to reduce damage to the opposite grass verge.

A reply had been received from the Planning Authority regarding the establishment of a touring caravan site in Devils Lane. It stated that the complaint was now closed but the numbers on site should be monitored by the Parish Council. It was agreed that this be done.

It was reported that the Enforcement Department of Staffs Moorlands District Council had also closed the case of the re-roofing of the outbuildings at the old New Inn public house. A letter to be sent on this matter.

The owner of the land on which the large stables had been erected had been contacted but they were still on site. It was agreed to contact the Planning Authority on the matter.

46/9. Orders for Payment.

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

47/9. Public Comments.

There as no business under this item.

48/9. Any Other Business.

It was reported that a new bus stop sign had been fixed to the new bus shelter as requested but it now obstructed the view of approaching buses. This to be reported to Staffs. County Council.

There was an inspection chamber cover missing from a concrete chamber adjacent to the footpath near the new bus shelter. This to be reported to the appropriate authority.

The Chairman reported that he had been asked to display notices about the closure of a public footpath.

He had checked the authenticity of the notices which were proved not official and they had now been removed.

49/9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 1st. October 2009 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

The Chairman thanked Councillors for their attendance and duly closed the meeting.

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Category: Minutes2009

Published: 31 August 2009

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