Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 10th. May 2012.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

14/12. Apologies for Absence.

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

15/12. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

16/12. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman reported on the death of Councillor Roy Dawson. He paid tribute to Roy who, he said, had been a very good servant to the Council over a number of years. He asked all present to stand and observe a silent tribute to Roy.

It was also reported that a prominent parishioner, Kath Scott, had also passed away.

17/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

18/12. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 12th. April 2012 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

19/12. Matters Arising.

With regard to the vacancy on the Council caused by the sad demise of Councillor Dawson, it was agreed that the Electoral Office of Staffs. Moorlands District Council would need to be informed but this would be done in due course.

The Chairman reported that the website for the Parish Council was now ready and was mentioned in the usual search engines. It was agreed that contact by visitors should be through the Clerk and the website address, www.longsdonpc.org.uk , could be published in the Council’s minutes.

Further discussions with the local landowner about the possibility of siting a Beacon on his land for the Celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee had resulted in permission for the event being withdrawn due to security fears.

The purchase of a memorial seat for the celebrations was again discussed. A report was given of a collapsed memorial seat in the churchyard which could be replaced. The Chairman offered to investigate this. However, it was suggested, and agreed, that a new seat could be sited in Denford Road. Prices for seats to be discussed at the next meeting.

A list of work for the visit of the Community Highways Team was formulated and this would be sent to County Councillor Heath.

It was also agreed to enquire about the cost of a brown information sign for the Memorial Hall.

A reply had been received from Cheddleton Parish Council regarding the large length restriction signs. That Council understood that the signs were of a permanent nature. It was agreed to write to Staffs. County Council asking for the sings to be amended to weight restriction signs as the present signs were inappropriate and ineffective.

Further contact had been made with Staffs. Moorlands District Council regarding necessary repairs to bus shelters which it had stated that it was no longer responsible for. After some discussion that Council had intimated that it would investigate the possibility of carrying out the necessary repairs to the shelter opposite the old New Inn.

It was reported that:

the new street name plate at Sutherland Road had been fixed.

that trees at the entrance to the sewerage works on the A53 had been felled to improve visibility.

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

letter of support for a new post code area had been sent to the Leader of Staffs. Moorland D. C.

the dangerous structures at the old New Inn had been reported to Staffs. Moorlands D. C.

the discarded barriers near to Dunwood Hall had been reported and had now been removed.

20/12. Correspondence.

Renewal notice for the Council’s insurance policy in the sum of £520 – 73 had been received. It was agreed that this be paid.

Information received under this item was:

Annual Report 2012 from Staffs. Branch of Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Clerks & Councils Direct – May 2012 issue.

21/12. Planning Matters.

There was no business under this item.

22/12. Finance Matters.

The Clerk reported that all the details required for the Councils annual accounts had been delivered to the current auditor and the results were awaited.

23/12. Orders for Payment.

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

24/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

25/12. Any Other Business.

It was reported that the weed, Himalayan Balsam, was again sprouting on the top canal towpath. It was agreed to report the matter to the British Waterways.

A report was given of the continuing nuisance of flooding on the A53 near to St. Chad’s Church Vicarage driveway. This had previously been reported to Staffs. County Council Highways Dept. It was agreed that this be reported to County Councillor Heath.

26/12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 14th. June 2012 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.