Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 26th. May 2011.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair)

Councillors T. Beastall, L. Bills, R. Dawson, R.P.A. Lovell & S. R. Weston.

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

Six Members of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

14/11. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C. Taylor.

15/11. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

16/11. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He thanked Councillor R. Dawson for his good performance as the previous Chairman and Councillor T. Beastall for being Vice Chairman. He also thanked the Clerk for his efforts throughout the year.

He hoped that there would be a coherent Council during the coming year operating sensibly and responsibly.

17/11. Public Comments.

There were no public comments or concerns at this point.

18/11. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the 21st. April 2011 meeting had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

19/11. Matters Arising.

Nothing further had been done regarding the situation with ownership of the bus shelter(s) as the minutes were still to be perused for evidence. The Chairman offered to assist in the study of the past minutes.

It was re-iterated that the ownership of the site of the bus shelter adjacent to the New Inn had been established and this matter to be left in abeyance.

Letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands District Council Planning Dept. regarding the issue of the siting of the stable block etc. in Devil’s Lane and also the outstanding matter of the barns between Denford Road and Micklea Lane. An e.mailed acknowledgement had been received.

Further enquiries on the need to register the Council with HM Revenue & Customs for PAYE implementation on the Clerk’s salary were continuing.

A list was formulated of work which could be undertaken by the Highway Community Team during its June visit and this would be forwarded to County Councillor Heath.

Two quotations for the summer planting of the flower tubs around the village had been obtained. It had been agreed that Proctors Nursery, who provided the cheaper of the two quotes, at the same price as last year, be asked to carry out the work. There would be an additional £29 – 00 for a replacement tub to be sited in Sutherland Road. This again was cheaper than the second quotation. This action was sanctioned.

Staffs. Moorlands District Council had been informed of the dilapidated street name plate in Denford Road and a reply had been received stating that this would be investigated.

Councillor Taylor had sent a report that Longsdon Memorial Hall Management Committee had not been asking for financial assistance for issuing plaques for the Royal Wedding to children in the village. It only asked if the Parish Council had any plans for the event. It had reported that there were 51 children under 15 years of age in the Parish.

It was reported that:

letter of support for the Cinderpath footpath had been sent to Staffs. County Council.

the invoices for lengthmans work for Staffs. Moorlands D. C. and Staffs. C. C. had been paid.

registration confirmation for Public Service Mapping Agreement was awaited.

letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council regarding the village sign in Sutherland Road.

20/11. Correspondence.

A copy of the Public Footpath Diversion Order in respect of Footpath No.4 had been received and an acknowledgment of receipt returned.

Notification had been received that the Council was entitled to receive the Staffs. Moorlands Electoral Register when it was published in December, with updates to follow. It was agreed that this be applied for, for the Council’s records.

Information received under this item was:

official notice of uncontested election, from Staffs. Moorlands D. C. – posted on notice boards.

a request for grant aid from the Campaign to Protect Rural England – no action.

21/11. Planning Matters.

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

11/00423/FUL New Pitched Roof over Existing Kitchen at Heatherest, Sutherland Road, Longsdon, Staffs.

No further information had been obtained on the application for Certificate of Lawful Use – Use of Building at Hawthorne Cottage, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs. The owner of the property who was present at the meeting gave a brief history of the usage etc.

22/11. Finance Matters.

A quotation for the Council’s insurance had been received from Zurich Municipal in the sum of £509 – 62 incl. I.P. Tax. This was cheaper than the current insurer’s renewal quotation. It was agreed that the Chairman studies the documents to ascertain whether the conditions compared favourably with the current insurers. If they proved to be satisfactory, the quotation should be accepted and the premium forwarded in time for the renewal date of 1st. June 2011.

The Clerk reported that he had travelled to South Normanton to collect all documents from the Council’s internal auditor.

The Chairman read a report from the internal auditor which said that he had completed the key tests recommended by the Audit Commission and that the Council’s internal controls are effective, the records and accounts are kept to a high standard and are in good order.

A copy of the balance sheet for the year ending 31st. March 2011 which had been distributed to Councillors had been verified as correct. Based on these figures, the Annual Return Form had been completed together with Bank reconciliation and explanations for the large balances in Box 7. It was agreed that the Annual Return Form etc. be signed and submitted to the Audit Commission.

23/11. Orders for Payment.

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

24/11. Public Comments.

Visiting Councillors from a neighbouring parish commented on the length of the business undertaken.

25/11. Any Other Business.

The subject of the Council having an official representative on the Longsdon Memorial Hall Management Committee was discussed. It was agreed that Councillor L. Bills should be the Council’s representative on that committee.

As the road re-surfacing on the A53 near to the Wheel public house was nearing completion, it was agreed to remind Staffs. County Council of the need to adjust the double white lines on the main road and also the double yellow lines at the entrance to Sutherland Road.

Councillor Taylor had sent a report that Endon Parish Council were concerned about possible illegal trading taking place in the lay-by in Leek Road near the parish boundary. It was agreed that this be monitored.

26/11. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 30th. June 2011 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.