Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 28th. January 2010.

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

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

Two Members of the Public.

88/9. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor N. Hawkins.

89/9. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

90/9. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Items for report would come up later.

91/9. Public Comments.

A member of the public again raised the issue of the Village Signs in Sutherland Road. These had been requested for some considerable time but no action had been taken. It was agreed to write again to the Local Highways Manager of Staffs. County Council.

She also reported damage to a stone wall in Sandy Lane which had been caused by vehicles parking too near to the wall. She had reported the matter to the Highways Dept. Unfortunately there were no parking restrictions at this point.

She also reported problems with the dangerous surface of Sandy Lane at the Denford Road end. The matter had been reported to both Severn Trent Water and Staffs. County Council. It was agreed to monitor the situation.

92/9. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17th. December 2009 had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

93/9. Matters Arising.

It was reported that the visit to Longsdon by the County Council Community gang scheduled for 14th. and 15th. January 2010 had not taken place due to the inclement weather, although there appeared to be some work which had been carried out.

A reply had been received from Cheddleton Parish Council regarding Longsdon Parish Council’s efforts with weight restriction signs to prevent heavy goods vehicles entering Park Lane. Cheddleton gave details of its efforts in the matter and thanked Longsdon for keeping it informed.

It was reported that:

minutes of the last meeting of Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly had been received.

some road markers had been fixed at the site of the erosion of the carriageway in Honeysuckle Lane.

invoices for the Staffs. C. C. and Staffs. Moorlands D. C. lengthman’s schemes had been paid.

the refund for V. A. T. from the H. M. Revenue & Customs had been received.

the scrap tyres in School Lane, Longsdon had been removed.

94/9. Correspondence.

Information had been received from Staffs. County Council on the depleted stocks of salt for the treatment of roads due to the prolonged cold weather. That Council was now only going to treat A & B roads in the immediate future in order to preserve stocks of salt.

An e.mail had also been received which gave details of Staffs. County Council’s proposed action to repair all the potholes in carriageways caused by frost damage.

A further letter from the County Council reported the suspension of the Neighbourhood Highway Teams Programme due to the need for all the workforce to be employed on pothole repairs.

It also asked for suggested sites for additional grit bins in any dangerous locations, for future winters – these to be reported to the Local County Member. It was agreed that two locations be reported to County Councillor Gill Heath – one on the steep incline up to Horse Bridge and one on the incline in Denford Road from the Holly Bush Inn. The locations would then be assessed by the County Council as to viability.

Staffordshire County Council had also sent information on changes to the Mobile Library Service. From April 2010 the mobile library would only visit on a three weekly basis instead of the present two weekly cycle, although the present day of the week for the visit would possibly be maintained.

Information received under this item was:

invitation to enter Best Kept Village Competition 2010 from Community Council of Staffs. – no action.

Parish Newsletter, January 2010, from the Rural Services Network.

Staffs. County Council Highways Guide for Community Leaders – distributed to Councillors.

Clerks & Councils Direct – January issue.

95/9. Planning Matters.

The following planning application was considered:

09/01188/FUL Erection of Polytunnel adjacent to Existing Polytunnels at Field No 8347, Leek Road,

Endon, Staffs. Moorlands.

At this point Councillor R. Weston declared a prejudicial interest in this matter and took no part in the discussion.

It was agreed to OBJECT to this proposal especially as the previous polytunnels were given permission in

error and this proposal could be the start of future larger developments. Previous reasons for objections on

developments on the site would also be submitted.

The Chairman reported on an update he had received on the investigation into the erection of the large

stables on land between Micklea Lane and Denford Road. A report on the matter was being prepared.

96/9. Finance.

The £3,000 - 00 for the setting up of the Business Instant Access Account for a One Year Fixed Term Bond had been forwarded to the Leek United Building Society and the confirmation and Pass Book had been received and were produced to the meeting.

The request for the amount of next year’s Precept, £3,500 – 00, had been forwarded to Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

The Clerk distributed a statement of the Council’s financial transactions for the current year, up to 31st. December 2009, to all Councillors present.

A letter had been received from the Rez (UK) Ltd. stating that the fee for the hire of the room for the Parish Council meetings would increase to £20 – 00 per session as from 1st. April 2010. This was received.

97/9. Orders for Payment.

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

98/9. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

99/9. Any Other Business.

A report was given on a trailer containing canoes, which was parked during darkness hours in Denford Road, near to Sandy Lane, Longsdon, which was considered a possible danger to pedestrians. The Chairman offered to consult with the custodian of the trailer and the matter be monitored.

100/9. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 4th. March 2010 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.