Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 17th. January 2013.

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.

91/12. Apologies for Absence.

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

92/12. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

93/12. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman had no business to report.

94/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

95/12. Minutes of Last Meeting.

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

96/12. Matters Arising.

The Clerk reported that he had submitted an account for the materials used for the concrete foundations of the Jubilee seat in Denford Road.

It was reported that there appeared to be no limits on large vehicles using Denford Road. It was agreed to continue to monitor the situation.

It was reported that:

half yearly invoice for the lengthsman scheme had been paid by Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

reply had been sent to The Rez (UK) Ltd.

letter had been sent to the Police regarding speeding vehicles in Sutherland Road.

the blocked gullies in Dunwood Lane and blocked ditches in Honeysuckle Lane had been reported.

the lengthsman had been instructed to cut back the vegetation in Sutherland & Denford Roads.

97/12. Correspondence.

Information received under this item was:

on the work and initiatives of the Police from the Local Policing Team Commander.

invitation to join the Best Kept Village Competition 2013 – no action.

on an Innovation Fund from S.M.D.C. in partnership with the Beth Johnson Foundation.

details from the Council’s bankers on possible changes to its branches etc.

Clerks & Councils Direct – November and December issues.

98/12. Finance Matters.

Letters had been received by the Clerk from each Councillor asking for dispensation in setting the Council’s Tax Precept due to having a pecuniary interest in the matter. It was proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously that dispensation be granted to all Councillors.

A quarterly up to date statement of account was distributed to all Councillors.

Estimates / Precept for the year 2013 / 2014.

The Clerk produced (1) Actual Figures for the Year 2011/12, (2) Estimated Expenditure and end of year balance for the Year 2012/13 and (3) Estimated Income and Expenditure for the Year 2013/14.

After studying the figures produced, it was agreed that the Clerk’s salary be increased by £50 – 00 per year It was also agreed that due to the present decent condition of the village tubs the next planting of them would be in the Spring.

It was also agreed, by a MAJORITY decision, that due to the present economic climate, the amount of the precept remain UNCHANGED at £3,500 – 00. Councillors Beastall and Weston wished that their names be recorded as being against this decision.

99/12. Planning Matters.

A letter had been sent to the Planning Applications Manager asking for an explanation of the economic part of the decision on the approval of the planning application for the Conversion and Extension of Former Public House and Erection of Two Dwellings at New Inn, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs. A reply was awaited.

It was reported that the premises were now up for sale.

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

13/00007/FUL Refurbishment of Disused Attached Outbuilding to form Lounge with Bedroom and En-suite over, Rear Extension to Form Kitchen with Bedroom and En-suite over at Sunny Bank, Wood Lane, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QB.

100/12. Orders for Payment.

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

101/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

102/12. Any Other Business.

It was reported that Councillor Lovell had cleaned out the bus shelters.

Reports of a large pothole on the A53 near to The Spinney and some fly tipping in Leek Old Road would be reported to the appropriate authorities.

103/12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 28th. February 2013 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.