Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 2nd. May 2013.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

One Member of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

1/13. Apologies for Absence.

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

2/13. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

3/13. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman reported that he had informally approached three parishioners regarding the vacancy for a Parish Councillor.

4/13. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

5/13. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28th. February 2013 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

6/13. Matters Arising.

Further letter had been sent to Moorlands & City Railways head office at Keele but no reply had been received. It was agreed to write again, care of Froghall Station.

Letter had been received from Endon Parish Council requesting a meeting, on site, at the lay by on the A53 at Endon to discuss the condition of its surface. It was agreed to meet at a convenient time to discuss this matter but stating that there would be no further discussion on the double white line issue.

The Clerk reported that he had had a request, from an adjacent farmer, for a litter bin on the site of the lay by to try to alleviate litter being thrown into his fields. It was agreed to approach Staffs. Moorlands District Council on the matter.

The Chairman gave a report on the state of the roads in the area. Most were satisfactory after various repairs had been undertaken but there was erosion in Dunwood Lane and the edges of the tarmac in Honeysuckle Lane were being eroded by storm water and possibly heavy goods vehicles. These matters to be reported to Staffs. County Council Highways.

It was reported that:

two quarterly invoices for the lengthsman scheme had been sent to Staffs. C. C. and payment received.

Proctors Nursery had been approached about the planting of the village tubs.

7/13. Correspondence.

Notification had been received from County Councillor Heath about a visit by the Highways Team in the area on 10th. & 11th. June 2013. It was agreed to mention again the loose direction signs opposite the old New Inn and also damaged hazard posts in Honeysuckle Lane.

Letter had been received from the Churnet Valley Conservation Society asking for support for it to win Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status for the Churnet Valley. It was agreed to inform the Society that it may add the Parish Council’s name to its request for the status to Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

Information received under this item was:

invitation to join Staffs. Parish Councils’ Association – no action.

invitation to join the Community Council of Staffs. – no action.

Annual Report and invitation to subscribe to C.P.R.E. Staffordshire – no action.

Community Parish Recycling Scheme from Community Council of Staffs.

Power Cuts and Improving the Electricity Network from Western Power Distribution.

notice of adoption of Staffs. & Stoke on Trent Joint Waste Local Plan 2010 – 2026.

8/13. Planning Matters.

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

13/000364/FUL Proposed Two Storey Side Extension & Detached Garage at Netherfields, Denford Road, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QG.

A reply had been received from the Planning Applications Officer regarding an explanation of the economic part of the decision on the approval of the planning application for erection of two dwellings at the old New Inn, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs. This stated that the decision had been taken because the New Inn was classed as a heritage asset which was “considered to constitute very special circumstances”.

Councillors commented that this was the first time this designation had been mentioned but felt that no further action could be taken.

9/13. Finance Matters.

A copy of the end of year statement of account was distributed to all Councillors.

Information had been received from the External Auditor on dates etc. for submission of the Annual Return. The current internal auditor had also been in touch to arrange the internal audit. It was agreed that the current internal auditor should again be employed and that the completed Annual Return be approved and signed at the next meeting of the Council.

The insurance renewal premium for the Council’s insurance had been received from Zurich Insurance. An offer of a quotation from AON, the Council’s previous insurance had also been received. It was agreed to obtain a quotation and the Chairman and Vice Chairman to decide which option to take, before the renewal date of 1st. June 2013.

10/13. Orders for Payment.

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

11/13. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

12/13. Any Other Business.

The following items were reported:

Councillors who had attended the funeral of a prominent parishioner.

The Coronation public seat in Micklea Lane required painting. This to be reported to the lengthsman and also instruct him to check the other seats.

A large growth had appeared in front of the Jubilee seat in Denford Road. This to be reported to the lengthsman.

Large branches of trees in Leek Old Road which require trimming. This matter to be reported to Staffs.

Moorlands District Council’s Tree Officer.

13/13. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 20th. June 2013 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.