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.