Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 5th. December 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.

53/13. Apologies for Absence.

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

54/13. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

55/13. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Bills for, again, opening up the room for the meeting and also Councillor Taylor for attending the Remembrance Sunday Service and laying the wreath.

He also reported that the Jubilee seat was now mentioned on the Parish Online maps.

56/13. Public Comments.

The member of the public thanked the Council for getting the damaged traffic bollards near to Lyme House Farm cut off. This was after the Clerk reported that a letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council and on his discussions with the Highways Superintendent on the matter.

The Clerk also mentioned the small collapsing retaining wall adjacent to the highway in the same location was still awaiting repair but this work had been promised by the Superintendent.

It was agreed to monitor these matters.

The member of the public also reported a problem with a blocked culvert in field near to the Old Cottage which was on the border with a neighbouring parish. This to be reported to Staffs. County Council. He suggested that Horton & Rudyard Parish Councils could assist with the matter.

57/13. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10th. October 2013 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

58/13. Matters Arising.

The missing post box at the junction of Leek Road and Sutherland Road had been reported to Royal Mail and a reference number received. No time scale for its replacement was given.

A discussion took place on the whereabouts of a defibrillator machine which was previously sited in the parish. It was suggested that the Council investigates the provision of a further machine which could be sited outside the Memorial Hall or the Wheel public house. Cost was estimated at £1,500 – 00 with a possible grant available from the British Heart Foundation of £400 – 00. Volunteers would need to be trained in its use and the machine would need to be serviced and properly maintained.

It was agreed to write to the British Heart Foundation to obtain as much information as possible.

The village Rose Queen event was also discussed. It was suggested that even though the event was normally held for the benefit of village charities last years event ended with a large donation to the Donna Louise Trust which may not have been everyone’s choice. Contact between the Memorial Hall and the Parish Council was now much improved but it was felt no decision could be taken on the question of the organisation of the Rose Queen event.

It was reported that:

the quarterly invoice for Staffs. County Council’s lengthsman scheme had been submitted.

59/13. Correspondence.

A cheque for £105 – 00 had been received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council. After investigation it appeared that the cheque should have been paid to Longsdon Memorial Hall for a Recycling Partnership Project. It was agreed that a cheque for the amount be sent to the Memorial Hall.

A letter had been received from Staffs. Moorlands C.V.S. asking if a representative could attend a Council meeting to speak about the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Project. It was agreed to send an invitation to attend the next meeting.

Notification of a statutory review of polling stations and polling districts in Staffs. Moorlands District had been received. It was agreed that the existing arrangements were satisfactory and no comment was needed.

Information received under this item was:

notice of amendments to the proposed Dog Control Orders from S.M.D.C – not applicable.

notice of next meeting of Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly – Thursday 12th. December 2013.

notice of consultation on the Draft Churnet Valley Masterplan & Planning Document. advice on snow clearing, salting & gritting from the Council’s insurers.

on Staffs. County Council’s roadworks website. (www.roadworks.org).

invitation to comment on Staffs, County Council’s draft Statement of Community Involvement.

invitation to join the Best Kept Village Competition 2014 – no action.

invitation to join Staffs. Parish Councils’ Association in the sum of £148 – 00 – no action.

Clerks & Councils Direct – Dec. 2013 issue.

60/13. Planning Matters.

The following planning applications had been circulated to Councillors, due to the time factor, and it was agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines to:

13/01016/FUL Erection of Single Storey Sunroom to Replace Existing Conservatory at Ingledene, Micklea Lane, Longsdon, ST9 9QA.

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

13/01104/FUL Siting of Polytunnel at Proctor’s Nursery, Leek Road, Endon, Staffs.

A letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorland District Council in support of a letter from a parishioner regarding enforcement action against an alleged infringement of planning permission at the Brampton, Sutherland Road, Longsdon. A reply had been received stating that the matter was being investigated.

61/13. Finance Matters.

An up to date statement of account was distributed to Councillors.

62/13. Orders for Payment.

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

63/13. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

64/13. Any Other Business.

It was reported that the door of the Council’s notice board in Leek Road had become detached. This had been stored and would be re-fitted in due course.

A report was given of a meeting with residents and a power supply company representative after a recent five hour power cut. He offered to visit the Parish Council and it was agreed that this should be arranged for a future meeting.

A suggestion was made that a Concealed Driveway sign should be erected on the A53 near the old New Inn. This to be discussed at the next meeting.

Items mentioned for report to other authorities were:

Fly Tipping in School Lane.

Displaced inspection chamber cover in Gratton Lane.

Large pothole in footpath on A53 Leek Road near Hawthorne Cottage.

65/13. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 30th. January 2014 at St. Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon.

The Chairman wished all those present the Compliments of the Season and thanks were expressed for the provision of the mince pie refreshments.