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Category: Minutes2012

Last Updated: Sunday, 13 March 2022 22:31

Published: Wednesday, 31 October 2012 18:00

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Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 18th. October 2012.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

Councillor W. Goldstraw (Horton Parish Council).

Two Members of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

66/12. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

67/12. Declarations of Interest.

Councillors Sargeant and Taylor declared a personal interest in a planning application for a car hire business at The Outlook, Devils Lane, Longsdon which would be discussed later in the meeting.

68/12. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman reported that he had purchased the British Legion wreath for Remembrance Sunday. Councillor Bills reported that she would be attending the service.

69/12. Public Comments.

Councillors Sargeant and Taylor gave details of the form of business being carried out on the car hire business in Devils Lane. District Councillor Hawkins suggested that the site was in the green belt and the development was possibly inappropriate.

Councillor Goldstraw of Horton Parish Council addressed the meeting giving details of his Council’s proposals to change the name of Gratton Lane to Gratton Hall Lane due to a possible mix-up with Gratton Lane Endon. After some discussion it was agreed not to support this proposal and suggested that residents should be consulted on the matter.

A resident in Denford Road gave his objections to the siting of the memorial seat opposite his property. He suggested that people sitting on the seat would be able to look into his bedrooms which amounted to an invasion of his privacy. His comments were noted.

70/12. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 6th. September 2012 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

71/12. Matters Arising.

The Clerk reported that, after a query about insurance for the new memorial seat, the Council’s insurance company had been asked to include the new seat in the insurance policy. This had been confirmed at no extra cost for the current year but at an additional cost of £6 – 12 at the renewal date. This action was sanctioned. The Clerk also reported that he had laid the concrete foundations for the seat but after discussions with the Chairman, in the light of an objection from a neighbour, no further work had taken place. A discussion took place on the objection to the seat and it was agreed the seat could be sited a little further up the road and that Councillors visit the site to view the new position and report back their opinions to the Chairman or Clerk so that work to fix the seat could continue.

A further communication had been sent to the Enforcement Dept. of Staffs. Moorlands District Council regarding the unauthorised green roofing on the outbuildings at the old New Inn site. No reply had been received but further plans for the site had now been received and would be discussed later.

One name had been mentioned for the vacancy for a Councillor on the Council but nothing further had been received.

Letter had been sent to the Parochial Church Council of St. Chad’s Church suggesting that the invoice for the maintenance of the church clock should be forwarded directly to the Parish Council as at present, and also offering a grant of £450 – 00 be granted towards work on the clock, if the work was undertaken. A letter of thanks had been received which also agreed to the status quo with the invoice for maintenance work.

County Councillor Heath had asked, since the last meeting, for any projects for the Highways Team who would be visiting the area. After consultations with the Chairman a list of work had been forwarded.

It was reported that:

no reply had been received from Staffs. Moorlands D. C. regarding the trees in Sutherland Road.

letter had been sent to Moorlands & City Railways for information but no reply had been received.

letter had been sent about the overgrown hedge in Micklea Lane. This had now been cut back.

the complaint about the state of the footpath from Wood Road had been reported to Staffs. C. C.

72/12. Correspondence.

A letter had been received from the organiser of the village Rose Queen event explaining why the venue for the event had been changed in the light of his assumption that the matter had been discussed by the Parish Council. It was agreed that he be informed that his comments had been noted but that the Council had not discussed the matter.

A letter had been received from Mrs. Kent pointing out that she had replanted the village tub outside the Memorial Hall as usual. While it was agreed that this was a noble gesture it was felt that all the tubs in the village should be replanted by the Council’s contractor for uniformity. It was agreed that a letter be sent to her thanking her for all her valuable work in the past but informing her of the Council’s future replanting policy.

A document had been received from Endon Parish Council regarding its request for an extension to double white lines on the A53 on the Longsdon side of the Endon-Longsdon Parish boundary. It asked for all Councillors to agree and sign the document before representations were made to the Highway Authority. After discussing the history of the issue it was agreed not to support or sign the document.

A request had been received from Longsdon Village Hall Management Committee asking for financial assistance with the purchase of a scrubber / floor polisher for use in the hall at an approximate cost of £496 – 00 + V.A.T. It was agreed to purchase the item for the Memorial Hall.

Councillor Bills declared a personal interest in the matter and took no part in the discussion.

Information received under this item was:

notice of consultation on Staffs & Stoke on Trent Waste Core Strategy 2010 – 2016.

changes to Staffs. County Council’s Rights of Way Team. further information on Street Lighting – Energy Conservation Initiative. invitation to join the Best Kept Village Competition 2013 – no action.

Notice of Police & Crime Commissioner Election – posted on notice boards. The 2013 Volunteer Staffordshire Awards – posted on notice boards.

73/12. Planning Matters.

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

12/00753/FUL Change of Use to Car Hire Business (Retrospective) at The Outlook, Devils Lane, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QP.

Councillors Sargeant and Taylor having declared a personal interest in this matter took no part in the discussion.

12/00869/FUL Proposed Extension to Dwelling and New Vehicular Access at Hawthorne Cottage, Leek Road, Longsdon Staffs. ST9 9QF.

12/00980/FUL Erection of Single Storey Extension to Rear and Single Storey Extension to Side of Dwelling and Demolition of Double Garage and Stable Block at Green Hedges, Honeysuckle Lane, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QN.

With regard to application No. 12/00920/FUL Proposed Detached Double Garage at Rosebank Cottage, Dunwood Lane, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QW there were no objections, in principle, subject to normal planning guidelines. However, concern was expressed that the proposed roof and gable elevations show windows which could suggest the use of a first floor which is not detailed in the plans. There could be a stipulation to control the use of a later first floor.

Application No 12/00872/FUL Conversion and Extension of Former Public House and Erection of Two Dwellings at New Inn, Leek Road, Longsodn, Staffs. ST9 9QF was also considered. By a MAJORITY decision, it was agreed that there were no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines, to the conversion of the former public house which could provide affordable housing for the area. This is in line with the Council’s decision on a previous application for the site.

However, strong objections were expressed to the other part of the proposal which is to erect two dwellings on the site. Councillors felt that it was not reasonable to build houses to pay for the extensions to the public house. This is surely a commercial decision and cannot form part of the planning process. The erection of these dwellings would cause over development of the site and would set a precedent for future applications on adjacent land under the same ownership.

74/12. Finance Matters.

A quarterly statement of account was distributed to all Councillors.

75/12. Orders for Payment.

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

76/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

77/12. Any Other Business.

It was agreed that dates of future meetings of the Council would be published on the Council’s website. Thanks were expressed for all the donations given to the recent Harvest Festival.

78/12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 6th. December 2012 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

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Category: Minutes2012

Last Updated: Sunday, 13 March 2022 20:59

Published: Friday, 31 August 2012 18:00

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Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 2nd. August 2012.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

One Member of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

40/12. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

41/12. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

42/12. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman thanked Councillors Bills and Weston for dealing with a problem of travellers parking caravans on the car park of the old New Inn.

He reported that he had received prices for bars to be attached to the Chairman’s Chain of Office.

These ranged from £70 – 00 each or with a non bevelled edge at £20 – 00 to £25 - 00 each. It was agreed to purchase four bars with non bevelled edges to update the chain.

He had received a complaint about some trees in Sutherland Road which were considered dangerous. It was felt that the trees were not in a dangerous condition but the matter would be reported to the Trees and Woodlands Officer of Staffs. Moorlands District Council for his attention.

43/12. Public Comments.

District Councillor N. Hawkins reported that the Local Development Framework - Core Strategy had now been approved by Staffs. Moorlands District Council and had been submitted to the Government.

She also gave a report on the Renewable Energy Working Group.

With regard to conservation, Staffs. Moorlands District Council Conservation Office was compiling a list of buildings etc under a conservation scheme. She suggested that any interesting parish structures or artefacts could be photographed and submitted to the Moorlands Council for potential inclusion. It was agreed to write to the Council to ask if any items were already covered on the list.

44/12. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 14th. June 2012 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record after a slight amendment to show that a number of Councillors had attended the funeral of the late Councillor Roy Dawson.

45/12. Matters Arising.

Some Councillors had visited a neighbouring parish to view a type of bench seat and it was agreed that a Phoenix seat manufactured by Glasdon Ltd. at a cost of £373 – 85 be purchased. The Clerk reported that a License to Plant, free of charge, for the seat had been arranged with the Highways Authority for the siting of the seat in Denford Road.

Letter had been sent to the Caldon Canal Society regarding the Himalayan Balsam weed on the top canal towpath. A telephoned reply explained that the Society undertook the work of clearing the weed on a voluntary basis and thanked the Council for the information.

An up to date version of the Code of Conduct for Councillors had been distributed to each Councillor and no objections to its adoption had been received by the due date. The new Code of Conduct had, therefore, been officially adopted.

Some anomalies regarding the publication of personal details on the internet had been addressed and these would be determined in due course. The Chairman would investigate the best way forward for the Council’s website. This would be discussed at the next meeting.

A letter had been sent reporting the dangerous structures at the old New Inn site. However it was also agreed to write to the Enforcement Dept. of Staffs. Moorlands District Council to enquire whether any action was being taken on the unauthorised green roofing on the outbuildings on the site.

It was reported that:

suitable notices advertising the vacancy on the Council had been displayed on the notice boards.

invoice for the lengthsman scheme of Staffs. County Council had been forwarded.

letter of thanks had been sent to Mrs D. Kent for the replanting of the flower tub.

letter of thanks had been received from Dunwood Community First Responders for the grant.

the survey of War Memorials had been completed and returned.

names of representatives for the Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly had been forwarded.

46/12. Correspondence.

Letter had been received from Cheadle Town Council asking for support against the proposed removal of dog waste bins in Staffs. Moorlands area. As general waste bins could now be used for dog waste, it was agreed that no action was necessary.

Information received under this item was:

literature from the maintenance company of St. Chad’s Church clock – passed to the church.

update on Dog Control Orders from Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

from Leek Citizens Advice Bureau asking for volunteers to become Trust Members of the charity.

Transition Update from Staffs. Police Authority.

on insurance for small charity organisations from Zurich Insurance subsidiary – Tennyson Insurance Ltd.

47/12. Planning Matters.

No planning application had been received for comments.

The Clerk asked how long plans and applications should be stored in the Council’s files. It was agreed to investigate how long these could be accessed at Staffs. Moorlands District Council before any decision was taken.

48/12. Finance Matters.

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

A quarterly statement of account was distributed to Councillors.

49/12. Orders for Payment.

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

50/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

51/12. Any Other Business.

A complaint was received about unfinished cutting of grass verges on Leek Old Road. This to be reported to Staffs. County Council.

It was reported that the bus shelter opposite to old New Inn had been repaired.

Councillor Taylor informed the meeting that Dunwood Community First Responders were holding training sessions in the use of a defibrillator at the Holly Bush Inn, Denford during September 2012 in conjunction with Heart Start UK.

52/12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 6th. September 2012 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

Details

Category: Minutes2012

Last Updated: Sunday, 13 March 2022 21:41

Published: Sunday, 30 September 2012 18:00

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Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 6th. September 2012.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

Councillors T. Beastall, L. Bills, C. Taylor & S. R. Weston. One Member of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

53/12. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R. P. A. Lovell & District Councillor N. Hawkins.

54/12. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

55/12. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Beastall for his help with the photographs which were being published on the Council’s website.

He reported that the Chairman’s Chain of Office had had four bars with non bevelled edges fixed on it at a cost of £39 – 00. There were now three vacant bars for future names.

56/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

57/12. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 2nd. August 2012 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

58/12. Matters Arising.

The Phoenix seat manufactured by Glasdon Ltd. at a cost of £373 – 85 had arrived. After discussions with the Chairman and Vice Chairman a commemorative plaque had also been ordered and attached to the seat. This action was approved. Arrangements were discussed for the fixing of the seat on the site in Denford Road.

A “Guide for Councillors” on the Code of Conduct had been received from the Government and these were distributed to each Councillor.

The Chairman reported that he had obtained further information regarding the publication of personal details on the internet. Declarations of Interests would be published, but names of spouses and any signature would not be on the website.

A letter had been sent to the Enforcement Dept. of Staffs. Moorlands District Council regarding the unauthorised green roofing on the outbuildings at the old New Inn site. An e.mailed reply had been received with what was considered an unsatisfactory reply. It was agreed to write again to ask why the original enforcement had not been carried out.

No replies had been received from the notices advertising the vacancy on the Council. It was agreed that personal enquiries to suitable candidates would be made.

Information was given that planning applications could be accessed on the Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s website for a considerable number of years. It was suggested, therefore, that there was no need to retain planning applications. However, the Clerk agreed to store them for up to two years.

In view of former local resident, Mrs. Anna Watkins, winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games a letter of congratulations had been sent to her from the Council. This action was approved.

Staffs. County Council had been telephoned about unfinished cutting of grass verges on Leek Old Road This work had now been done.

It was reported that:

letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands D. C. regarding the trees in Sutherland Road.

payment for the invoice for the lengthsman scheme of Staffs. County Council had been received.

59/12. Correspondence.

A letter had been received from the Parochial Church Council of St. Chad’s Church suggesting that the invoice for the maintenance of the church clock be forwarded directly to them and then the church would invoice the Parish Council. It was agreed that, due to past difficulties with the invoices, the status quo should remain.

The letter further reported on defects with the clock machinery which would entail expenditure in the region of £2,000 - 00 and asked if there was a grant available from the Parish Council. It was agreed, by a MAJORITY decision, that the sum of £450 – 00 be granted to the project if the work was undertaken.

Information received under this item was:

Transition Update from Staffs. Police Authority.

notice of next meeting of Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly, 20th. Sept. 12, and minutes of last meeting.

Notice of Road Closures in the area for a Cycle Race on 13th. September 2012.

Street Lighting – Energy Conservation Initiative. Community Bulk Oil Buying Scheme.

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services.

Domestic Violence and Hate Crimes from Moorlands Together – notices posted on notice boards. invitation to join Staffs. Playing Fields Association & Annual Report – no action.

60/12. Planning Matters.

The following planning application was considered:

12/00681/FUL Siting of Polytunnel at Proctors Nursery, Leek Road, Endon, Staffs.

It was agreed to forward no objections subject to normal planning guidelines.

61/12. Finance Matters.

The Annual Return had been returned by the Audit Commission with no adverse comments. A notice giving the name of the Council’s Auditor for the next five years and a new scale of charges had been received.

It was reported that a refund of £79 – 64 for V.A.T. had been received from H. M. Revenue & Customs.

62/12. Orders for Payment.

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

63/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

64/12. Any Other Business.

A discussion took place on progress of work being undertaken to re-open the railway line through the Parish. It was agreed to write to Moorlands & City Railways for information.

Complaints were received about an overgrown hedge in Micklea Lane which was now overgrowing the grass verge and also obstructing the post box. It was agreed to write to the owner of the hedge.

A complaint was received about the state of the footpath from Wood Road to the top canal. This to be reported to Staffs. County Council.

It was agreed that the usual wreath be purchased from British Legion for the Remembrance Day service.

It was reported that a Harvest Lunch would be held on Sunday 30th. September 2012 at Longsdon Memorial Hall. Councillors were invited to attend.

65/12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 18th. October 2012 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

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Category: Minutes2012

Last Updated: Sunday, 13 March 2022 20:48

Published: Saturday, 30 June 2012 18:00

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Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 14th. June 2012.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

Councillors T. Beastall, R. P. A. Lovell, C. Taylor & S. R. Weston.

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

One Member of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

27/12. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L. Bills.

28/12. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

29/12. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman reported that he, and other Councillors, had attended the funeral of the late Councillor Roy Dawson, which had been well attended. He had also visited Roy’s widow to pay his respects and had passed on a personal donation.

It was also reported that a prominent parishioner, Pat Dale, had also passed away.

He reported that the floral display, in St. Chad’s Church, for the Jubilee celebrations had been very good and that the seat in the churchyard was satisfactory.

30/12. Public Comments.

District Councillor N. Hawkins gave a report to the meeting on the proposals to remove the roundabout, and re-site the market stalls, in Leek town centre.

31/12. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 10th. May 2012 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

32/12. Matters Arising.

The vacancy on the Council caused by the sad demise of Councillor Dawson had been reported to the Electoral Office of Staffs. Moorlands District Council and official notices posted on the notice boards.

The Electoral Office had now informed the Council that, as it had received no replies, the Parish Council could now co-opt any parishioner. It was agreed that suitable notices be displayed in the notice boards.

Various designs for the agreed Jubilee memorial seat in Denford Road were perused. An example of one of the seats was sited in an adjacent parish and it was agreed to view this and make a decision at the next meeting. In addition, a License to Plant for the seat would be investigated with the Highways Authority.

The Clerk gave the meeting a report on the cost of a brown information sign for the Memorial Hall.

These generally cost approx. £100 – 00 but could not be used to advertise any facility which was sited on the same road as the sign. Other criteria were also involved.

A letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council asking for the length restriction signs to be amended to weight restriction signs. A telephoned reply, and a confirmation letter, had been received stating that the request for the change had been placed onto the Divisional Highways Programme.

Letter had been sent to the British Waterways, (Canals & Rivers Trust), regarding the Himalayan Balsam weed on the top canal towpath. A reply stated that British Waterways does not itself tackle the issue which is usually undertaken by volunteer groups. A poster asking for volunteers had been enclosed which would be posted on the notice board, It was agreed to write to the Caldon Canal Society to ask if it had any plans on the issue. The member of the public reported that he had already cut down some of the offending weeds.

The dangerous structures at the old New Inn had been reported to Staffs. Moorlands D. C. but it was pointed out that there had been a further fall of roofing material onto the adjacent pavement. It was agreed to write again.

It was reported that:

the list of work for the visit of the Community Highways Team had been forwarded.

the flooding on the A53 near to St. Chad’s Church Vicarage driveway had again been reported.

payment of the invoice for the lengthsman scheme of Staffs. Moorlands D. C. had been received.

letter had been sent to Longsdon Memorial Hall Committee naming the Council’s representative.

enquiries were still being made regarding the bars to be fixed to the Chain of Office.

33/12. Correspondence.

Letter had been received from Mrs. D. Kent pointing out that she would be replanting the village tub adjacent to the Memorial Hall as usual. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Mrs. Kent. It was also agreed that Proctors Nursery should again be employed to replant the remaining village tubs.

A request had been received from Dunwood Community First Responders asking for a donation to help with the costs of the service. It was agreed to forward the sum of £600 – 00, the same as last year. Councillor Taylor declared a prejudicial interest in the matter and took no part in the discussion.

Information had been received on the revised Code of Conduct which would be coming into force shortly. An information meeting had been arranged for Wednesday 27th. June 2012 at Moorlands House, Leek and Councillors Sargeant and Taylor offered to attend.

Information received under this item was:

Survey of War Memorials from Staffs. Moorlands District Council - to be completed and returned.

Purchase Order for the Staffs. County Council lengthsman scheme 2012/13 - £699 – 00.

Street Lighting – Energy Conservation Initiative.

dates, and request for names of representatives, from Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly.

additional consultation on Staffs. Moorlands Revised Submission Core Strategy.

notice of appointment of Lay Co-opted Members of Staffs. Police & Crime Panel.

34/12. Planning Matters.

The following planning application had already been distributed to Councillors due to the time scale and Councillors had agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines:-

12/00412/FUL Proposed Replacement Roof to Existing Conservatory together with Windows to Gable & Five Roof Lights to Rear at Ingledene, Micklea Wood Lane, Longsdon.

35/12. Finance Matters.

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 2012 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. No explanations were required. It was agreed that the Annual Return Form etc. be signed and submitted to the Audit Commission.

36/12. Orders for Payment.

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

37/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

38/12. Any Other Business.

There was no business under this item.

39/12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 2nd. August 2012 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.