Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 4^th November 2021 in the Upstairs Room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon at 7.00pm.

54 / 21. Apologies for Absence.

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

55 / 21. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

56 / 21. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
He reported that the vehicle which had been parked near the entrance to Sutherland Road causing visibility problems was now being parked in an adjacent extended driveway.

57 / 21. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

58 / 21. Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd September 2021 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

59 / 21. Matters Arising.

(a) It was noted that the Remembrance Sunday Poppy had been fixed in the agreed locations.

(b) Longsdon Memorial Hall.
An email had been sent to County Councillor Gill Heath pointing out the proposed delay in the provision of “School” signage but asking her to provide some idea of the costs which could be involved. An acknowledgement had been received.
After some discussion it was agreed to write to the Chair of the Memorial Hall Management Committee to enquire what progress had been made with the distribution of a letter to parishioners asking for volunteers to serve on the Management Committee.
The subject of the closure of a Village Hall in an adjacent parish was raised. It was agreed to contact District Councillor Norma Hawkins on the current position there.

(c) Obstructed Pavements in School Lane.
It was reported that problem with the pavement on the North East side of School Lane being obstructed, in various places, by overgrowth of hedges and vegetation had been reported to Staffs. County Council but the problem had been dealt with privately within a few days.

60 / 21. Other Business.

District Councillor Norman Hawkins had reported that the issue with the new entrance gates and drive in Gratton Lane was now in the hands of Staffs. Moorlands Council’s Planning Department.

The Clerk reported that he had inspected the condition of the defibrillator at the Memorial Hall after a request from The Circuit, a national data base. The defibrillator was in full working order.

It was agreed to ask the Council’s contractor to:-

• Winter plant the village flower tubs.
• Remove the metal frame from the previously used map display stand opposite the old New Inn.
• Repair the supports of the Sutherland Road street nameplate opposite Denford Road.

A report was given of fly tipping in Devils Lane – This to be reported to Staffs. Moorlands D. C.

61 / 21. Correspondence.

The following correspondence had already been distributed to Councillors:-

• Moorlands Climate Change Action Group Apple Fest – 16th. October 2021.
• Information from the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
• Copy of letter to C.E. of Staffs. County Council from Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly.
• 20mph Speed Limits.
• Policing, Fire & Rescue in Staffordshire.
• Manchester Airport Future Airspace Project.
• Moorlands Climate Action Newsletter.

With regard to the correspondence from the Douglas Macmillan Hospice it was agreed to forward a grant of £100.00 to the Hospice after a previously similar grant was made in November 2020.

62 / 21. Planning.

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

• DET/2021/0037 Application for Determination of Prior Approval – Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to Dwelling Houses (Class C3) at
  
  • Taylors Green Farm, Honeysuckle Lane Longsdon.

However, it was agreed to add a rider that the dwellings would serve a better purpose as holiday lets.

63 / 21. Finance Matters.

(a) An up to date quarterly financial report was distributed to all Councillors.

(b) The Council’s bankers T.S.B. had requested an update of all Councillors details. The Chairman has undertaken this onerous task on the internet and any feedback was awaited.

(c) It was agreed that the two new Councillors’ signatures be added to the Bank mandate together with the removal of the signatures of the two Councillors who had resigned.

(d) Orders for Payment.

It was agreed that the following items be paid:

64 / 21. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

65 / 21. Items for Inclusion in the Agenda for the Next Meeting.

There was no business under this item.

66 / 21. Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Thursday 16^th December 2021 at 7.00pm in the upstairs room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon.