Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 28th. February 2013.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

104/12. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T. Beastall.

105/12. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

106/12. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman reported that the parish had benefited from a good road treatment service during the extreme weather conditions.

107/12. Public Comments.

District Councillor Hawkins informed Councillors that the Staffs. Moorlands District Council had agreed that there would be a zero increase in its rate demands for the current year with no planned cuts in services. She also gave information on the possible sale of assets by that Council and also regarding moving the weekly market.

108/12. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17th. January 2013 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

109/12. Matters Arising.

It was reported that there appeared to be only a few large vehicles using Denford Road but the matter would continue to be monitored.

No reply had been received from a recent letter sent to Moorlands & City Railways asking for an update on work on the railway line through the parish. It was agreed that a further letter be sent.

It was reported that:

quarterly invoice for the lengthsman scheme had been sent to Staffs. County Council. the lengthsman had cut back the vegetation in Sutherland & Denford Roads.

110/12. Correspondence.

Letter had been received from Endon Parish Council again requesting a meeting, on site, on the A53 at Endon to discuss a proposed extension to double white lines on the main road near to the sewage works entrance. After some discussion it was agreed that, due to the visibility at the entrance to the works being improved by the removal of hedging and that the County Council Highways had ruled that the present lines were up to the required standard, the original decision not to meet be upheld.

Information received under this item was:

confirmation of Emergency Road closure of Dunwood Lane during February 2013.

Community Paths Initiative – Bids for 2013/2014.

Moorlands Together Neat & Tidy Events 2013.

Newsletter from Community Council of Staffs. & Staffs. Parish Councils’ Association. Clerks & Councils Direct – January and February issues.

111/12. Finance Matters.

Information had been received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council about new arrangements for calculating the precept figures for Parish Councils. Due to government changes to benefits etc. the Council would be receiving a grant of £122 – 30 towards the precept making a nett figure required of £3,377 – 70 instead of the agreed £3,500 – 00.

In addition, in order to show a zero increase on the rate demands, due to a revised number of Band D properties, the nett figure would need to be reduced to £3,351 – 74.

After consultations with the Chairman, and due to the fact that it had been agreed that there would be no increase in rates, the latter figure had been applied for. This action was sanctioned.

However the Chairman had forwarded a personal cheque for £30 – 00 to cover the discrepancy. It was unanimously agreed that £30 – 00 be refunded to him.

112/12. Planning Matters.

No reply had been received from the Planning Applications Manager regarding 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. It was agreed to ask for the courtesy of a reply.

113/12. Orders for Payment.

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

114/12. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

115/12. Any Other Business.

A discussion took place on the frequency of meetings of the Council. A minimum of four meetings, including the Annual General Meeting, was stipulated in the Council’s Standing Orders. It was agreed that the intervals between meetings be increased slightly for an experimental period.

As the spring re-planting of the village flower tubs would needed to be done it was agreed to contact Proctors Nursery to arrange for all the village tubs to be replanted in due course.

The state of the roads in the parish, due to the excess of potholes etc, was mentioned. It was agreed that a survey of all roads be made and the matter be on the agenda for the next meeting.

116/12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 2nd. May 2013 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.This will also incorporate the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual General Meeting.