Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 4th. December 2014.
Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).
Councillors T. Beastall, R. P. A. Lovell, C. Taylor & S. R. Weston.
In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.
The Chairman wished everyone the compliments of the Season and seasonal refreshments were served during the meeting.
54/14. Apologies for Absence.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L. Bills & District Councillor N. Hawkins.
55/14. Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest at this point.
56/14. Chairman’s Address.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Taylor for laying the Remembrance wreath, on behalf of the Council, at the service of Remembrance held at St. Chad’s Church.
57/14. Public Comments.
There was no business under this item.
58/14. Minutes of Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd. October 2014 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.
59/14. Matters Arising.
Proctor’s Nursery had been contacted and they had reported that the village tubs had been replanted. It was agreed to leave any further work until the Spring after the condition of all the tubs had been assessed, when any replacement tubs would be ordered.
Individual plaques for the tubs had been priced at £6 - 00 each and it was agreed to go ahead with these on the tubs in the Spring.
The Wykeham type bench seat, complete with plaque, had arrived and had been delivered to Councillor Taylor’s residence. The Canals & Rivers Trust had been informed that the seat had arrived and should now be fixed, as agreed.
A further form regarding the grant had been received from the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Project and this had been duly returned.
The British Heart Foundation had been contacted about any insurance needed for the defibrillator machine. The Foundation did not provide insurance but suggested that the insurance of the building to which it would be fixed may cover the machine.
As no exterior case to house the machine had been located, one price had been obtained in the sum of £550 – 00 + V.A.T. Further quotations had been obtained from a manufacturer and it was agreed to purchase an unheated Outdoor AED Cabinet in the sum of £249 – 00 + V.A.T.
Nothing further had been received regarding the replacement post box in Sutherland Road. It was agreed to contact Royal Mail again.
It was reported that:
further e.mail had been received from the police regarding the setting up a Community Speed Watch.
the half year invoice for the lengthsman scheme had been paid by Staffs. Moorlands District Council.
it had been confirmed that the Core Strategy had been delayed until after the May 2015 elections. the Council’s lengthsman had repaired the varnish coat on the seat in the porch of St. Chad’s Church. the pot holes in Leek Old Road had been reported to Staffs. County Council Highways.
60/14. Correspondence.
Information had been received regarding Staffs. County Council Ice Busters Scheme. It gave details of how to obtain treatment materials from the County and also how these should be used. The important issue of note was that householders could not be sued or held responsible for any injuries so long as snow and ice had been removed carefully.
Other information received under this item was:
Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly Review 2014.
invitation to take part in the Best Kept Village Competition 2015 from Community Council – no action.
request for a contribution from Staffs. Campaign to Protect Rural England – no action. notice of historical items etc from Staffs. & Stoke on Trent Archive Service. Clerks & Council Direct.
61/14. Finance Matters.
A refund of £53 – 46 for V. A. T. from last year had been received from H. M. Revenue & Customs.
Notice had been received from Leek United Building Society that the Council’s One Year Bond would mature on 20th. December 2014. It was agreed that the Bond be renewed with a further One Year Bond.
62/14. Planning Matters.
Due to the time scale, Councillors had been consulted on the following planning applications and had agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines to:
SMD/2014/0603 Proposed New Access at Highfield House, School Lane, Longsdon.
SMD/2014/0620 Proposed Conversion of Store Rooms to Form Additional Living Accommodation & Alterations to Elevations at Summerhill Farm, Dunwood Lane, Longsdon.
The following planning applications were discussed and it was agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines to:
SMD/2014/0740 Demolition of Existing Attached Garage, Car Port. Log Store & Prefabricated Concrete Detached Garage to Allow the Formation of an Extension at Byways, Denford Road, Longsdon.
With regard to planning application No. SMD/2014/0748 Erection of Single Detached Dwelling at Wyndene, Leek Road, Longsdon Councillors agreed to OBJECT most strongly to this proposed development on the following grounds:
The development is within the Green Belt.
The proposal is inappropriate development of the site, There is inconsistency between the Planning & Design & Access Statement which mentions a two storey building with 4 bedrooms while the accompanying plans show a three storey building with 5 bedrooms. The development is not in keeping with the surrounding properties.
63/14. Orders for Payment.
It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-
Recipient | Amount | Reason |
---|---|---|
The P.C.C. of St. Chad’s Church. | £25.00 | Room Hire. |
A. Bridgwood. | £229.50 | Agency Work. |
64/14. Public Comment.
There was no business under this item.
65/14. Any Other Business.
The Council’s lengthsman had reported that two trees on the common land needed replacements. This action was agreed.
66/14. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 29th. January 2015 at St. Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon.
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Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 2nd. October 2014.
Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).
Councillors T. Beastall, R. P. A. Lovell, C. Taylor & S. R. Weston.
District Councillor N. Hawkins.
One Member of the Public.
In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.
41/14. Apologies for Absence.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L. Bills.
42/14. Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest at this point.
43/14. Chairman’s Address.
The Chairman reported that he had attended the last meeting of the Moorlands Parish Assembly held on 11th. September 2014.
He mentioned that the SHLAA system was supposed to be confidential but the Assembly was unhappy to hear that the public knew of parts of it.
He reported that he was not sure whether the village tubs had been replanted but suggested that they could remain as they were until the winter planting. A replacement tub was required at the end of Leek Old Road due to a motor accident.
44/14. Public Comments.
District Councillor Hawkins gave a report to Councillors on the details of the Core Strategy. A recent press report had been inaccurate in its details of the system. She suggested that the Council pays close attention to future instructions and pointed out that the map for Longsdon did not show the whole village with the village boundaries being too small. The public consultation would be next and suggested that Councillors look around the area and suggest suitable sites ready for the consultation.
She also pointed out that even though an enforcement order for a property was not being issued the questions of rates etc. was being looked into.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Hawkins for her report.
45/14. Minutes of Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on 7th. August 2014 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.
46/14. Matters Arising.
The Canals & Rivers Trust had been informed that the Council had accepted its quotation for the fixing of the Council’s own wooden bench seat on the canal towpath. A grant from the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Project. had been applied for and approved and this amounted to £425 – 00 or 50% of the total cost. It was agreed to accept the terms and conditions placed on the grant approval. The Wykeham type bench seat would now be ordered. It was also agreed that a suitable plaque be arranged to show that the Parish Council had instigated the installation of the seat.
The £400 – 00 contribution towards the defibrillator machine had been sent to the British Heart Foundation and the machine had now arrived. This was placed on display for Councillors. Confirmation of siting at the Memorial Hall would be sought and Councillor Taylor would enquire about the availability of an exterior case to house the machine.
It was also agreed to contact the Heart Foundation about any insurance needed for the machine.
Information had been received from the police regarding the setting up of a Community Speed Watch programme. Notices regarding this had been displayed on the notice boards. The member of the public present who originally raised the matter was also given the information.
Letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council, with copy to County Councillor G. Heath regarding an upgrade to the pedestrian crossing on the A53 at the Sutherland Road junction. An acknowledgement had been received from the County Council.
It was reported that:
the request for a replacement box had been forwarded to Royal Mail.
the quarterly invoice for the lengthsman scheme sent to Staffs. County Council had been paid.
the half year invoice for the lengthsman scheme had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands District Council.
the letter regarding the memorials at St. Chad’s had been passed to the Parochial Church Council the displaced 30m.p.h. sign in Denford Road had been reported to Staffs. C. C. and had been replaced.
the number of road signs which required cleaning had been reported to the lengthsman.
letters of thanks had been sent to Staffs. County Council and Western Power Distribution.
letter regarding the rats at the old New Inn had been sent to the owners.
the Clerk reported that the notice board in Leek Road had been repaired.
47/14. Correspondence.
Information received under this item was:
Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly Newsletter – Sept 14.
Annual Report and invitation to subscribe to Staffs. Playing Fields Association – no action.
48/14. Finance Matters.
The report on the Annual Return had been received from the External Auditor. There were no matters to be brought to the attention of the council and there would be no fee for the audit.
49/14. Planning Matters.
Due to the time scale, Councillors had been consulted on the following planning application and had agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines to:
SMD/2014/0460 Variations of Conditions 2 & 9 (13/00301/FUL) at Wallgrange, Sutherland Road, Longsdon.
Letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands Council asking why a number of sites shown on the SHLAA plan were shown as potential development sites and yet were not classified. A reply had been received giving information on the matter. The Clerk reported that he had received information that the whole programme for the Core Strategy had been delayed and the public consultation exercise may not take place until after the District Council elections in May 2015.
50/14. Orders for Payment.
It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-
Recipient | Amount | Reason |
---|---|---|
The P.C.C. of St. Chad’s Church. | £25.00 | Room Hire. |
A. Bridgwood. | £293.25 | Agency Work. |
Getmapping plc. | £33.60 | Parish on Line Fee. |
John Bourne. | £287.19 | Clerk’s Salary & Expenses (nett). |
H. M. Revenue & Customs. | £57.60 | P.A.Y.E. |
51/14. Public Comment.
There was no business under this item.
52/14. Any Other Business.
It was agreed to purchase the usual wreath for the Remembrance Sunday Service.
A letter had been received from the family of former Clerk, Gordon Hansell, thanking the Council for varnishing the commemorative seat in the porch of St. Chad’s Church. However, a lady who was cleaning the brass plaque on the seat reported that she had damaged the new varnish coat but offered to pay for the damage. It was agreed to ask the Council’s lengthsman to attend to the matter and charge it to the Council.
It was suggested that plaques could be fixed to the village tubs to show that they were maintained by the Parish Council. Costs of these to be obtained.
Deep pot holes in Leek Old Road to be reported to Staffs. County Council Highways.
A discussion took place on the distribution of planning applications to Councillors between meetings due to the time scale factor. It was agreed that applications for minor works should be determined by the Chairman and Clerk but with any major items distributed as normal.
53/14. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 4th. December 2014 at St. Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon.
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Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 7th. August 2014.
Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).
Councillors T. Beastall, L. Bills, R. P. A. Lovell, C. Taylor & S. R. Weston.
Two Members of the Public.
In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.
27/14. Apologies for Absence.
Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor N. Hawkins.
28/14. Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest at this point.
29/14. Chairman’s Address.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Bills for opening the meeting room and Councillor Taylor for accompanying him to the last meeting of the Moorlands Parish Assembly. He distributed minutes from that meeting.
30/14. Public Comments.
A member of the public raised the issue of speeding vehicles in Sutherland Road. He intimated that he would be interested in joining a Community Speed Watch Team if one was to be set up. He was informed that the subject of speeding vehicles would be discussed later in the meeting.
The other member of the public asked about planning permissions being obtained within the “triangle” of the village. He was informed about the process of the Core Strategy system which was in operation, with public participation taking place possibly in October 2014.
31/14. Minutes of Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on 19th. June 2014 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.
32/14. Matters Arising.
A further request had been sent to the Canals & Rivers Trust regarding a quotation for the fixing of the Council’s own wooden bench seat on the canal towpath. A reply had been received stating that the cost of fixing only would be £485 – 00 + V.A.T. This together with the cost of the bench would make a total sum of £853 – 00 excl. V.A.T. It was agreed to go ahead with the project but first to apply for a grant which could be available from the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Project.
An e.mail had been received from Royal Mail in Birmingham stating that the missing post box at Sutherland Road would not be replaced due to the proximity of other post boxes in the area. However, a member of the public had forwarded a letter which they had received from Royal Mail in London stating that the post box would be replaced. The Clerk also reported on a meeting with a Royal Mail representative on the same subject in a nearby parish where Longsdon’s missing box was mentioned. He had intimated that the situation could be reconsidered. It was agreed to write again to request a replacement box.
Information had been received from British Heart Foundation regarding the defibrillator machine. An organisation at Biddulph had arranged a dance from which proceeds would be made towards Longsdon defibrillator. The Chairman had been in contact with the group to thank them for their efforts. Since then a request had been received for the Parish Council’s contribution of £400 – 00. It was agreed that this be forwarded to the Heart Foundation.
Letter had been sent to the Police asking for a speed camera van to be used on the A53 under the Safety Partnership Scheme. In view of the public comment earlier, it was agreed to write to ask for details regarding the setting up of a Community Speed Watch programme. The member of the public who raised the matter was asked to ask around his neighbours for any volunteers to take part in such a scheme.
The trees in Leek Old Road had been trimmed and the electrical works in the area had been completed. It was agreed to write a letter of thanks to the Staffs. County Council representative and also to Western Power Distribution.
It was reported that:
the blocked road gullies in Denford Road had been dealt with.
the free Parish Council Pack from Western Power had been given to an elderly resident in School Lane.
the village tubs had been re-planted by Proctor’s Nursery.
the contra cheque for £71 – 36 had been forwarded to Longsdon Memeorial Hall.
the grant of £450 – 00 had been forwarded to the P.C.C. of St. Chad’s Church.
the quarterly invoice for the lengthsman scheme had been forwarded to Staffs. County Council.
33/14. Correspondence.
A letter had been received from a parishioner regarding the notices appearing on memorials in St. Chad’s churchyard asking for artificial flowers to be removed. This to be passed to the Parochial Church Council.
Information received under this item was:
Notice of Libraries Consultation from Staffordshire County Council.
Staffordshire County Council’s investment into Supporting People Programme.
People Power Fund from the office of the Police & Crime Commissioner Staffordshire.
34/14. Finance Matters.
The Annual Return had been forwarded to the External Auditor and an acknowledgement had been received.
An up to date statement of the Council’s accounts was distributed to Councillors.
35/14. Planning Matters.
The following planning applications were considered it was agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines to:
SMD/2014/0415 Proposed Demolition of Existing Attached Garage, Car Port, Log Store and Prefabricated Concrete Detached Garage to allow the Formation of an Extension to Accommodate a Large Garage / Utility Room at Ground Floor and Additional Bedroom at First Floor at Byways, Denford Road, Longsdon.
SMD/2014/0447 Siting of Two Polytunnels and a Glasshouse at Proctor’s Nursery, Leek Road, Endon.
Letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands Council outlining the Parish Council’s views on the number of houses proposed for the village and also objecting to the overdevelopment of the site which the Moorlands had earmarked for development. A reply had been received giving information on this and more sites but as this information was to be treated as confidential at this stage, it was agreed to discuss the matter as a confidential item at the end of the meeting to the exclusion of the public.
A report was given on the current situation with the alleged breach of planning conditions at a property in Sutherland Road. Thanks had been forwarded from the adjacent complainants for the Council’s assistance in the matter.
36/14. Orders for Payment.
It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-
Recipient | Amount | Reason |
---|---|---|
The P.C.C. of St. Chad’s Church. | £25.00 | Room Hire. |
A. Bridgwood. | £216.75 | Agency Work. |
John Bourne. | £313.17 | Clerk’s Salary & Expenses (nett). |
H. M. Revenue & Customs. | £57.40 | P.A.Y.E. |
British Heart Foundation. | £400.00 | Contribution to the Supply of a Defibrillator. |
37/14. Public Comments.
There was no business under this item.
38/14. Any Other Business.
Councillor Taylor distributed leaflets on Fire & Home Safety which was the subject of a presentation at the last Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly.
He also reported on the A. G. M. of Longsdon Memorial Hall where mention was made of possible training sessions into the use of the proposed defibrillator.
It was reported that there had been several near misses on the pedestrian crossing on the A53 at the Sutherland Road junction. Mention had been made of an upgrading of the crossing some time ago but this had not taken place. It was agreed to write to the County Council, with a copy to County Councillor Gill Heath to ask for an investigation into the problem and a possible upgrade.
It was reported that a 30m.p.h. sign was lying in the grass verge in Denford Road. This to be reported to Staffs. County Council. Mention was also made of a number of road signs which required cleaning and this to be reported to the lengthsman for his attention.
A report was given of numerous rats seen in the vicinity of the old New Inn site. The Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s officer had visited the site and set traps nearby but could not gain access to the private premises. It was agreed to write to the owners of the site to report the Council’s concerns.
39/14. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 2nd. October 2014 at St. Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon.
40/14. Confidential Business. (to the exclusion of the public).
Further information had been received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council after the Parish Council’s request for more informative plans of the village. Further sites were shown but these were classified as Class C – Undeliverable Sites, leaving the one remaining site which the Council had objected to. However further sites were coloured which had no classification whatever.
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Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 19th. June 2014.
Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).
Councillors T. Beastall, R. P. A. Lovell, C. Taylor & S. R. Weston.
District Councillor N. Hawkins.
In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.
14/14. Apologies for Absence.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L. Bills.
15/14. Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest at this point.
16/14. Chairman’s Address.
The Chairman reported that he and Councillor Taylor had attended a special meeting of the Moorlands Parish Assembly on 8th. May 2014 to discuss the Core Strategy. Information had been received on the subject and would be discussed later in the meeting.
17/14. Public Comments.
District Council Hawkins gave her opinion on the way parish councils had been consulted on the Core Strategy so far. The legal department of the Moorlands Council had taken up the matter. She suggested that there would be differing views from parishioners.
She also reported that the adherence to the conditions placed on the planning permission approval for Dunwood Hall would be watched carefully.
The Chairman thanked her for her observations.
18/14. Minutes of Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on 1st. May 2014 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.
19/14. Matters Arising.
Further letter had been sent to the Canals & Rivers Trust regarding the procedure for providing wooden seats and fixing etc. on the canal towpath. A reply had been received stating that a sum of £2,500 – 00 would be the cost of purchase, installation and ongoing care of a seat. This cost was considered excessive by Councillors and it was agreed to write again to try to find a cheaper alternative project.
An e.mail had been sent to Royal Mail in Birmingham regarding the missing post box at Sutherland Road.
A reply had been received giving Royal Mail’s views on the matter and stating that no decision had yet been taken. It was agreed to write again to request a replacement box.
District Councillor Hawkins had also written a letter to Royal Mail on the subject.
A telephone call had been received from British Heart Foundation regarding the siting of the defibrillator machine and this had been answered. The call suggested that the Ambulance Service had agreed the venture and the matter was now with the Heart Foundation.
A further discussion took place regarding a Concealed Driveway sign on the A53 near to the old New Inn.
It was agreed to write to the Police asking for a speed camera van to be used under the Safety Partnership Scheme.
No action had yet been taken to trim trees in Leek Old Road. Councillor Beastall reported that numerous telephone calls had been made and work was expected to be carried out next week after the completion of electrical works in the area.
The blocked road gullies in Denford Road which had been reported to Staffs County Council after the last meeting have still not been attended to. It was agreed to contact the County again.
No suggestions had been received from the advertisement regarding the free Parish Council Pack which had been received from Western Power Distribution. It was agreed to donate the pack to an elderly worthy recipient in School Lane.
A letter had been received from the objectors to the planning application for events at Dunwood Hall thanking the Council for its help in forwarding objections to the application and also to Councillor Lovell for his help by attending a meeting on the matter.
Proctor’s Nursery had been instructed to plant the village tubs but it was reported that this work had not yet taken place. The Nursery would be contacted again.
St. Chad’s Church had been approached about the complaint regarding the front car park at the Church. A reply had been received which gave the Church’s views on the parking of cars at the front of the church and setting out safety issues.
It was reported that:
the list of works for the local Highways Team had been forwarded to County Councillor Heath.
20/14. Correspondence.
A cheque for the sum of £71 – 36 had been received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council for a Neighbourhood Recycling Centre. This should have been sent to Longsdon Memorial Hall. It was agreed to issue a contra cheque for the amount and forward it to the Memorial Hall.
A request had been received from St. Chad’s Church for the £450 – 00 agreed grant now that the repairs had been done on the church clock. It was agreed that this be paid.
Information received under this item was:
New Minerals Local Plan for Staffordshire 2015 – 2030, Draft for Consultation.
notice of next meeting of Staffs Moorlands Parish Assembly – 26th. June and minutes of last meeting.
Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly Newsletter – Issue 1.
changes to T.S.B. banking arrangements.
Preparing for a Power Cut or Emergency from Western Power Distribution.
21/14. Finance Matters.
Confirmation had been received of the Council’s insurance renewal.
A report received from the Council’s internal auditor stated that he had worked to the requirements outlined in Section 4 of the Annual Return and also to the suggested approach in the Governance & Accountability Practitioner’s Report. He had found that the checking and control measures in place were effective and the records and accounts were maintained to a high standard and in good order.
There were no matters which needed to be brought to the attention of the Council. The Annual Return had been completed using the figures audited by the Council’s internal auditor. It was unanimously agreed to approve the Annual Accounts and the Annual Return was duly signed accordingly.
22/14. Planning Matters.
Two 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:
SMD/2014/0177 Gable End Balcony at High View, Sutherland Road, Longsdon.
With regard to SMD/2014 Erection of Single Log Cabin on Land behind St. James Chapel, School Lane, Longsdon, it was agreed to OBJECT on the grounds that:
this was inappropriate development at this location, not in keeping with the surrounding area.
the term “Log Cabin” disguises the fact that this structure could be used as an additional dwelling on the site now or in the future.
the proposed structure has all the necessary facilities for it to be used as a dwelling.
the structure could easily be converted into a more permanent building in the future.
Planning application SMD/2014/0267 Replacement Agricultural Building for Housing of Livestock at Harracles Hall, Dunwood Road was then considered and it was agreed to forward no objections to the proposal, subject to normal planning guidelines, but with the proviso that the proposed building is to be used solely for housing livestock.
Information had been received from Staffs Moorlands District Council on the number of houses required and also a proposed site for development under the Core Strategy programme. It was agreed to write to the Moorlands Council pointing out that Longsdon could not sustain the proposed number of houses proposed for the village. There was no shop and no facilities and the number given amounted to an approx. 10% increase in the number of properties.
The plan which accompanied the letter only showed part of the village when other parts could also accept possible infill plots. The numbers shown on the one site mentioned was considered to be an overdevelopment.
The information shown in the letter etc. was to be considered confidential at this stage.
23/14. Orders for Payment.
It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-
Recipient | Amount | Reason |
---|---|---|
The P.C.C. of St. Chad’s Church. | £25.00 | Room Hire. |
A. Bridgwood. | £140.25 | Agency Work. |
The P.C.C. of St. Chad’s Church. | £450.00 | Grant. |
D. Ingman. | £50.00 | Audit Fee. |
Longsdon Memorial Hall. | £71.36 | CONTRA Cheque. |
24/14. Public Comments.
There was no business under this item.
25/14. Any Other Business.
A report had been received that the commemorative bench in St. Chad’s Church porch needed renovation.As the Council had provided this bench it was agreed to ask the lengthsman to paint the bench.
The bench in Sutherland Road and the Jubilee bench in Denford Road were overgrown and this to be reported to the Council’s lengthsman.
The excessive speed of vehicles in Denford Road was mentioned. It was agreed to report the matter to the police after ascertaining any action on the A53.
Mention was made of obscure notices appearing on memorials in St. Chad’s churchyard and also a broken memorial cross.
It was reported that the A.G.M. of Longsdon Memorial Hall would be held on 15th. July 2014.
26/14. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 7th. August 2014 at St. Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon.
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Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 1st. May 2014.
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.
1/14. Apologies for Absence.
Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor N. Hawkins.
2/14. Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest at this point.
3/14. Chairman’s Address.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Bills for, again, opening up the meeting room.
He reported that he would be attending a special meeting of the Moorlands Parish Assembly on 8th. May 2014 to discuss the Core Strategy. There would be a local meeting later for Councillors to be involved. It was felt that affordable housing was important.
4/14. Public Comments.
A local resident reported on the continuing use of an outbuilding at The Brampton as a dwelling. The matter had been reported to Staffs. Moorlands Council’s Enforcement Dept. but no action had been taken.
She reported that there were problems with BBQ smoke etc which was enveloping her property. This had been reported to the owner of the property but no action had been taken. She reported on her discussions with Staffs. Moorlands Council and gave the Parish Council a copy of her letter to the Enforcement Dept. and the Chief Executive. The Chairman advised that the Moorlands Council Environmental Health Dept. could become involved with the problem of the smoke.
It was reported that, after consultation with the Chairman, a further e.mail had been sent from the Parish Council to the Enforcement Dept. but this had also not yet achieved a result.
5/14. Minutes of Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on 13th. March 2014 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.
6/14. Matters Arising.
Letter had been sent to the Canals & Rivers Trust to enquire whether it provided wooden seats and the procedure for fixing etc. on the canal towpath. A telephoned reply had promised further information but this has not been forthcoming. Further enquiries would be made.
Further letter had been sent to Royal Mail regarding the missing post box but no reply had again been received. An address in Birmingham had now been obtained and a letter would be sent to that address.
The necessary forms for the defibrillator machine had been forwarded to the Ambulance Service and further developments were awaited.
It was reported that the Memorial Hall had received a grant and this could be used on a joint project with the Parish Council to fund the machine. Permission had also been obtained to site it at the Memorial Hall.
Councillor Lovell gave further information regarding a Concealed Driveway sign on the A53 near to the old New Inn. He reported that there would be no objections from the Police. A further assessment would be made after a speed camera van had been in operation under the Safety Partnership Scheme.
The cheque for £25 – 00 had been forwarded to the Werrington Young Persons Support Group and a letter of thanks in reply had been received.
A letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands Tree Officer about the lack of action to trim trees in Leek Old Road. Councillor Bills reported on a site meeting which had taken place between herself, Councillor Beastall and a representative from Staffs. County Council. There had been a delay in dealing with the matter but work on the trees would take place soon.
It was reported that:
letter of thanks had been sent to the landowner for righting the upturned bus shelter.
the blocked road gullies in Denford Road had been reported to Staffs County Council.
the final invoices for the Staffs. C.C. & S.M.D.C. lengthsman scheme had been forwarded and payment received.
7/14. Correspondence.
A free Parish Council Pack had been received from Western Power Distribution. This contained suggested items to help consumers during power cuts. It was agreed to advertise the pack on the notice boards for suggestions of a worthy recipient in the parish.
County Councillor G. Heath had sent a request for a list of works which could be forwarded to the local Highways Team which would be visiting the parish in June. The formulated list included: - overgrowth of the pavement on the Church side of the A53 between School Lane and the old New Inn; missing reflector posts in Honeysuckle Lane; cleaning of road signs on the A53 and vegetation left on the verge of the A53 left after tree felling.
Information received under this item was:
NHS111 National Pilot Scheme – “Call before you go”: Stakeholder Briefing.
Community Paths Initiative – Bids for 2014 / 2015.
notice of Adoption of Core Strategy, Churnet Valley Masterplan etc.
notice of consultation on Draft Statement of Community Involvement.
invoice for membership of Staffs. Parish Councils’ Association – no action.
Clerks & Councils Direct – March 14 and May 14 issues.
8/14. Planning Matters.
Councillor Lovell gave a report on a meeting which he had attended this day at Staffs. Moorlands District Council regarding the Planning Application for Proposed Change of Use from Residential to Mixed Use of Residential and Event Venue & Car Park at Dunwood Hall, Leek Road, Longsdon. After a site visit by District Councillors and hearing representations from members of the public etc. the application was approved for a period of eighteen months with various conditions including only allowed events on 28days per year.
9/14. Finance Matters.
A quotation for the Council’s insurance had been received from Zurich Insurance. This was compared with the renewal premium from AON the Council’s current insurers. It was agreed to accept the renewal premium from AON, in the sum of £329 – 69, being the lesser of the two.
An end of year account sheet was presented to Councillors.
The Annual Return had been received from the auditors Grant Thornton.
All the account information had been prepared and it was agreed to employ the same internal auditor as last year.
10/14. Orders for Payment.
It was unanimously agreed that the following items be paid:-
Recipient | Amount | Reason |
---|---|---|
The P.C.C. of St. Chad’s Church. | £25.00 | Room Hire. |
A. Bridgwood. | £102.00 | Agency Work. |
John Bourne. | £270.51 | Clerk’s Salary & expenses (Nett.). |
H. M. Revenue & Customs. | £55.00 | P.A.Y.E. |
AON Insurance. | £329.69 | Insurance Premium. |
11/14. Public Comments.
There was no business under this item.
12/14. Any Other Business.
It was agreed to instruct Proctors Nursery to plant the village tubs.
A complaint was received regarding the front car park at St. Chad’s Church for which planning permission was refused but now appeared to be in use. It was agreed to approach the Church on the matter.
13/14. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 19th. June 2014 at St. Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon.
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- Category: Minutes2014
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