Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 1st. July 2010.

Present: Councillor R. Dawson (Chair)

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

Five Members of the Public.

27/10. Apologies for Absence.

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

28/10. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

29/10. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

30/10. Public Comments.

A question was asked about the re-occurring growth of Himalayan Balsam on the canal towpaths. The Chairman explained that both British Waterways and the Canal Society were aware of the problem and should be tackling the issue.

31/10. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27th. May 2010 had been circulated. District Councillor Hawkin’s name had been listed as present at the meeting and also having given her apologies. This was to be amended to show her presence. It was agreed that they then be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

Mention was made that names of parishioners who reported problems should be recorded in the minutes. The Clerk reported that this was not the usual procedure. It was suggested, however, that these be reported in future minutes. Councillor L. Bills declared a personal interest in the matter as she had been involved with one particular complainant. District Councillor N. Hawkins had also reported that she had not been involved with the particular complaint.

32/10. Matters Arising.

Letters had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands Planning and Environmental Health Departments regarding activities on the business site adjacent to Hawthorne Cottage, Leek Road, Longsdon. Replies had been received stating that the matters would be investigated.

Letter had been forwarded to the Moorlands & City Railway Company to ask it to outline the company’s plans for the proposed re-opening of the railway line through the parish. A reply pointed out that the letter had been forwarded to the Commercial Director of the new company for his attention.

An e.mail had been received from the acting Secretary of Longsdon Memorial Hall giving further details of the financial situation at the Memorial Hall.

The Kent family had been approached by e.mail to ask if they were still willing to look after the village tub near to the Memorial Hall. They had agreed to continue with this and thanks would be forwarded to them for this generous offer.

The other tubs would re-planted for the summer by Proctors Nursery shortly.

It was agreed that the tub near to Dunwood Lane be re-sited by the public seat in Sutherland Road.

Enquiries had been made about the Beat the Cold Scheme which was to be initiated in the parish. It appeared that funding for the scheme had been exhausted. It was agreed to contact the organisation to see whether information leaflets could be made available for distribution by the Parish Council.

A report on the meeting of the Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly held on 24th. June 2010, prepared by Councillor Sargeant, had been distributed to all Councillors. The Chairman thanked him for the report.

It was reported that:

the renewal of perspex panel in the notice board in Sutherland Road was being investigated.

the Annual Return had been forwarded to the Audit Commission by recorded delivery post.

the Clerk had ordered a quantity of new Council letterheads from the printers.

33/10. Correspondence.

A Purchase Order had been received from Staffs. County Council in the amount of £699 – 00 to cover

that Council’s lengthsman scheme for the year 1st. April 2010 to 31st. March 2011.

Information had been received from the Land Registry inviting local Councils to register their ownership of land at the Registry. It was agreed that the common land and the sites of the two bus shelters near to the old New Inn be registered in the ownership of the Council.

Information received under this item was:

Staffs. Moorlands Waste & Recylcing Roadshow offer – passed to Longsdon Rose Queen event.

Staffs. Moorlands – Keeping the Moorlands Clean Days.

request for nominations for Staffs. Moorlands Community Awards 2010.

Licensing Act 2003 – Consultation on Revised Statement of Licensing Policy.

Leek & District Civic Society Awards Scheme 2009.

Rural Focus – 1st. June, 14th. June, 21st. June & 28th. June 2010 from Rural Services Community.

Clerks & Councils Direct – July issue.

34/10. Planning Matters.

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

10/00466/FUL Erection of Replacement Garage at Southwold, Sutherland Road, Longsdon.

10/00530/FUL Erection of Single Storey Side Extension to Form Ancillary Living Accommodation at Cross

Trees, Leek Road, Longsdon.

10/00385/FUL Replacement Barn at Micklea Farm, Denford Road, Longsdon, with the added proviso that

it should not be used for living accommodation.

35/10. Orders for Payment.

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

36/10. Public Comments.

A member of the public connected with Dunwood First Responders asked if a grant could be made to the organisation. He outlined recent expenditure for the group which included an essential satellite navigation system which had cost £600 – 00. It was agreed that a grant of £600 – 00 be made to the organisation, which was the same figure as last year’s grant. Councillor Taylor declared a personal interest in the matter and took no part in the discussions.

A request for help had been received from a resident in Limes Avenue who had experienced flooding of her property from a field at the rear of the property. It was agreed that the matter be reported to the Environmental Health Dept. of Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

37/10. Any Other Business.

The question of the notices, on the A53, advertising the caravan site in Devil’s Lane was again raised. The Chairman reported that the matter was already in hand with the various local Councils.

A mention was made of the infrequency of grass cutting to the verges in Leek Old Road. It was agreed to write to Staffs. County Council asking for information on the matter.

Two other items to be reported to Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s Environmental Services were an easy chair dumped by the side of the road in School Lane and a possible sewage overflow over the footpath on the A53 near to Honeysuckle Lane.

38/10. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 5th. August 2010 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.