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.