Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 15th. August 2013.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

27/13. Apologies for Absence.

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

28/13. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

29/13. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Taylor for attending the last meeting of Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly with him. He gave a short report on the planning theme of the meeting.

30/13. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

31/13. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20th. June 2013 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

32/13. Matters Arising.

The agreed suggestions for the lay-by on the A53 had been forwarded to Endon Parish Council who had sent a copy of a letter for approval which it had drafted to be sent to Staffs. County Council on the matter. The Chairman had agreed this and Endon Parish Council were informed. The letter had been sent to the County Council which had replied immediately to say that the surface was satisfactory but potholes would be repaired in due course. The No Left Turn sign at the exit at the North East end of the lay-by would need further investigation and a Concealed Entrance sign could not be provided. Councillors agreed to let Endon Parish Council take the lead role in moving the matter forward.

An e.mail had been sent to County Councillor Heath regarding the request for “Unsuitable for Heavy Goods Vehicles” signs to be erected in Honeysuckle Lane and the absence of grass cutting in Leek Old Road. It was agreed to forward to her the following items for the visit of the Highways Team early in October:-

width of pavement and overhanging trees etc on the A53 between the Wheel and the old New Inn,
growth around the bus shelter on this pavement and growth obstructing the entrance to the common land in Leek Road.

A further discussion took place on the continuing vacancy for a Parish Councillor. It was agreed that as there could possibly be a potential candidate this matter be left in abeyance until the next meeting.

It was reported that:

the Annual Return had been sent to the auditors by recorded delivery.

letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands D. C. Tree Officer regarding the ash tree in Leek Road. lengthsman invoice had been sent to Staffs. County Council and payment received.

33/13. Correspondence.

A letter had been received from the owners of the meeting room at The Rez pointing out that it would no longer be available. It was agreed that a letter of thanks for the use of the room be sent to the owners. Councillor Bills gave details of the possible availability of a room at the Memorial Hall. It was agreed to approach the Parochial Church Council of St. Chad’s to enquiry about the availability of the Church Room.

Councillors would be informed before a booking was made.

Information received under this item was:

invitation to join petition on National Planning Policy Framework, from Congleton – no action. on appointment of Watchman for Tamworth Borough Council – no action.

Clerks & Councils Direct – July 2013 issue.

34/13. Finance Matters.

A quarterly statement of account was presented to Councillors. V.A.T. refund from last year had been applied for.

35/13. Planning Matters.

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

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

No objections, in principle, to the proposal, subject to normal planning guidelines, but a concern was expressed about whether the size of the extensions was within the normal criteria.

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

13/00732/FUL Proposed Tiled Roof over Existing Flat Roof Garage at The Mount, Sutherland Road, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9QD.

With regard to Planning Application No. 13/00733/FUL Siting of a Polytunnel at Proctors Nursery, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs. ST9 9AR, by a MAJORITY decision, it was agreed to OBJECT to this proposal on the following grounds:-

Over development of the site. There must surely be a limit on the number of polytunnels that the site can maintain.

Visual impact of a further addition to the present conglomeration. No great impact on future job creation.

36/13. Orders for Payment.

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

37/13. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

38/13. Any Other Business.

A report was given that the surface of School Lane at its junction with Dunwood Lane was breaking up and also grass growth obstructing vision for drivers entering Leek Road from Denford Road. Both these items to be reported to the Highways Authority.

There was also a report of fly tipping in Leek Old Road which has been reported. This situation to be monitored.

39/13. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 3rd. October 2013 or Thursday 10th. October 2013 subject to the availability of the room to be arranged.