Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 20th. June 2013.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

Four Members of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

14/13. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T. Beastall & L. Bills.

15/13. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

16/13. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman thanked the Councillors who had attended the meeting with Endon Parish Council that morning. A report on the meeting would be given later.

He had approached another parishioner regarding the vacancy on the Council and it was agreed that the matter be put on the agenda of the next meeting.

He reminded Councillors that the next meeting of the Moorlands Parish Assembly to be held next week would be solely about planning.

17/13. Public Comments.

Three of the members of the public, who were near neighbours of Dunwood Hall, spoke out against a planning application at that address for a change of use to include public events. They pointed out that any functions would generate noise from cars, fireworks, discos etc. due to the close proximity of their properties. They also pointed out that the application stated that the Hall was connected to a public sewer but this was inaccurate. The Chairman pointed out that their comments would be taken into consideration when the application was discussed later in the meeting.

18/13. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd. May 2013 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

19/13. Matters Arising.

A reply had been received from the Director of Moorlands & City Railways giving the new head office address at Keele and updating the Council on the progress on the line between Leekbrook and Stoke.

Two Councillors and the Clerk had met with Councillors from Endon Parish Council at the lay-by on the A53 at Endon to discuss the condition of its surface. It was suggested that a joint effort should be made to try to improve the surface of the lay-by and to ask for a No Left Turn sign at the exit at the North East end of the lay-by. Councillors endorsed these suggestions but also added that a Concealed Entrance sign should also be requested on the approach to the lay-by from Leek.

The Clerk had approached District Councillor N. Hawkins to request a litter bin from Staffs. Moorlands District Council on the site of the lay-by. She had done this and the litter bin was awaited.

County Councillor Heath had been informed of the loose directions signs opposite the old New Inn site and also damaged reflector posts in Honeysuckle Lane as work for the visit of the Highway Team in June 2013. Also reported to her was the erosion of the edges of the tarmac in Honeysuckle Lane. A report was given of a large articulated vehicle which had become stuck due to the narrowness on the lane. A request for “Unsuitable for Heavy Goods Vehicles” signs to be erected would be forwarded to Councillor Heath.

It was reported that:

letter of support had been sent to the Churnet Valley Conservation Society.

the lengthsman had been asked to paint the public seat in Micklea Lane and to check the other seats. the large growth in front of the Jubilee seat in Denford Road had also been reported to him. letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands D. C. Tree Officer regarding tress in Leek Old Road. lengthsman invoice had been forwarded to Staffs. Moorlands District Council and payment received.

20/13. Correspondence.

Information received under this item was:

Purchase Order in the sum of £699 – 00 from Staffs. County Council for the lengthsman scheme.

Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership from Staffs. Moorlands C. V. S.

Changes to Terms & Conditions from Lloyds T.S.B. Bank. Clerks & Councils Direct – May 2013 issue.

21/13. Finance Matters.

The internal auditor had carried out the usual internal audit and he had reported 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. There were no issues to be brought before the Council.

The Annual Return had been completed to show the figures which had been presented to Councillors at the last meeting and which had been agreed by the internal auditor. Bank reconciliation and various explanations had been completed. It was agreed that the annual accounts be approved and the Annual Return Form be signed and submitted to the External Auditor.

A quotation from AON, the Council’s previous insurer, had been received and this was considerably cheaper than the renewal premium received from Zurich Insurance. The Chairman and Vice Chairman had agreed to accept the cheaper quote and a cheque had been sent to AON who had returned the necessary documentation. This action was sanctioned. Thanks were expressed for the action.

22/13. Planning Matters.

The following planning applications had been circulated to Councillors, due to the time factor, and it was agreed to forward the following observations:

13/00301/FUL Change of Use to Two Residential Units at Wall Grange, Sutherland Road, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QB.

No objections, in principle, but concerns were expressed about whether there was to be a new drainage system or a shared septic tank drainage system. No plan of the drainage system is mention on the plans.

13/00469/FUL Proposed Side & Rear Extensions to Dwelling (Resubmission) at Hawthorne Cottage, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QF.

No objections, in principle, but a concern was expressed about whether the size of the extensions were within the normal criteria.

Planning Application 13/00355/FUL Partial Change of Use to Allow Weddings / Civil Ceremonies and Events such as Christenings / Birthday Gatherings and Charity Functions at Dunwood Hall, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9AR was considered and it was agreed to OBJECT to the proposal on the following grounds:

The development is in the Green Belt and an area of Outstanding Landscape Value.

Increased, and possible queuing, traffic from the A53 onto the site.

Increased noise causing disturbance to neighbouring properties due to music, fireworks, car movements and car doors, and possible anti-social behaviour.

The site is not an appropriate place for this activity.

The Council also wish to point out that the application form states that the dwelling is connected to the main sewer. This is incorrect as there are no public main sewers in the area.

23/13. Orders for Payment.

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

24/13. Public Comments.

A report was given of a tree in Leek Road which appeared to be suffering from Ash Tree Die Back disease. This to be reported to the Staffs. Moorlands District Council Tree Officer.

25/13. Any Other Business.

The following items were reported:

Dunwood Community First Responders Group would not be requesting a financial grant this year but it was in desperate need of more volunteers.

The absence of grass cutting in Leek Old Road which was reported should be carried out twice per year. This to be reported to County Councillor Heath

26/13. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 15th. August 2013 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.