Details

Category: Minutes2011

Last Updated: Wednesday, 09 March 2022 22:05

Published: Saturday, 31 December 2011 18:00

Hits: 449

Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 15th. December 2011.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair)

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

One Member of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

80/11. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L. Bills & R. Dawson.

81/11. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

82/11. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

He thanked Councillor Bills for her attendance at the Remembrance Sunday Service, Councillors Weston & Lovell for attending the Community Conversation meeting at Endon and also Councillor Taylor for his attendance with him at the last meeting of the Moorlands Parish Assembly. A copy of the minutes of that meeting held on 8th. December 2011 was distributed to all Councillors.

He also reported that the village tubs had now been replanted for the winter.

83/11. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

84/11. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 10th. November 2011 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

85/11. Matters Arising.

The Chairman gave the meeting various options for the setting up of a website for the Parish Council.

This could be used to publish minutes, agendas, accounts and planning applications etc etc. He also gave details of the costs involved. It was agreed that more discussion should take place at the next meeting.

A discussion took place on the large width restriction signs in the parish used to deter large vehicles from using Park Lane etc. These had been sited for an experimental period and it was felt that they had been a failure. It was agreed to write to Staffs. County Council pointing this out and asking if they could be replaced with the normal weight restriction signs.

Confirmation had been received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council stating that the existing arrangement of the polling place at the Longsdon Church Room would continue.

It was reported that:

payment had been received for the invoice for the lengthmans scheme sent to Staffs. C.Council.

letter of thanks had been sent to Mrs. Kent for planting the village flower tub.

letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council regarding the collapsing wall in Denford Road.

letter had been sent to Staffs. Moorlands D.C. reporting the street name plate in Sutherland Road.

86/11. Correspondence.

Notification of the amount of election expenses for the last elections which would be charged to the Parish Council had been received. There was an option to pay these by annual instalments but it was agreed that these be paid in full.

An invitation to submit a photograph to show the attributes of Longsdon had been received from Staffs. Moorlands Tourist Information Office. It was agreed to investigate the possibility of submitting such a photograph and Councillor Beastall volunteered to help with this.

Information had been received regarding the celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June 2012. It was agreed to investigate the possibility of siting a Beacon in the parish as had been done in the past.

Information received under this item was:

the current edition of the Electoral Roll.

Publication of Revised Submission Core Strategy for Moorlands Local Development Framework.

Clerks and Councils Direct – November issue.

87/11. Planning Matters.

A Notice of Appeal had been submitted against the Enforcement Notice which had been made on some of the barn buildings in Micklea Lane / Denford Road. It was agreed to write to the Inspectorate to ask for written information on the result of the appeal.

88/11. Finance Matters.

The Council’s 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond with the Leek United Building Society was due to expire on 20th. December 2011. It was agreed that the balance be re-invested into a 2 Year Fixed Rate Bond with the same Society.

It was agreed that the Council’s Business Instant Access Account with Lloyds TSB Bank, which was paying £0 – 01 per month interest should be closed and the balance transferred to the new 2 Year Fixed Rate Bond with Leek United Building Society.

Estimates / Precept for the year 2012 / 2013. The Clerk produced (1) Actual Figures for the Year 2010/11, (2) Estimated Expenditure and end of year balance for the Year 2011/12 and (3) Estimated Income and Expenditure for the Year 2012/13.

After studying the figures produced, it was agreed that the Clerk’s salary remain unchanged, and also, in the light of the current economic climate, the amount of the Precept remain UNCHANGED at £3,500 – 00.

89/11. Orders for Payment.

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

90/11. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

91/11. Any Other Business.

The Chairman wished everyone present the compliments of the season and thanked Councillor Bills for the festive refreshments.

92/11. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 2nd. February 2012 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

Details

Category: Minutes2011

Last Updated: Tuesday, 08 March 2022 21:48

Published: Friday, 30 September 2011 18:00

Hits: 452

Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 29th. September 2011.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair) Councillors T. Beastall, L. Bills, R. Dawson, C. Taylor & S. R. Weston.

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

One Member of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

54/11. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R.P.A. Lovell.

55/11. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

56/11. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

He gave a report on the last meeting of the Staffs. Moorlands Area Parish Assembly and notes on this meeting were distributed to Councillors.

He reported on his investigations into the ownership of the property at Leek Road / Sutherland Road and had spoken with the previous owner. There had always been permission given for the notice board to be attached to the property. It was agreed to await further communication from the present owner and, in the meantime, explore the possibility of re-siting the notice board.

He had received a report of debris on land at Mollarts Wood but this appeared to be disused parts of tents etc. These had now been removed.

He also gave a report that the disused railway line through the parish had been cleared of vegetation to Endon. An application had been submitted by a resident of Endon to try to get a Village Green status on the line. It was suggested that the MCR company could possibly give a future presentation.

57/11. Public Comments.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

58/11. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the 11th. August 2011 had been circulated and, after these were amended to show that Councillor Bills had forwarded apologies for absence to the meeting, they were signed as a true and correct record.

59/11. Matters Arising.

District Councillor Hawkins gave a report on a Community Conversation meeting which she had attended in her area about the Local Development Framework. She pointed out that Longsdon was included in the second round of meetings and representations on plans for housing, industry and playing fields etc should be made at a meeting arranged at Endon Methodist Church on Tuesday 15th. November 2011. The Clerk was asked to publicise this on the notice boards.

The two application forms for the registration of the bus shelters had been submitted to the Land Registry. A reply stated that both sites were already registered with other owners. Information had been obtained that the sites could be registered under adverse possession due to the length of time the bus shelters had been on the sites. However, there could be a charge of £150 –00 in each case to carry out this type of registration. After some discussion and in view of the costs involved, it was agreed that this item be left in abeyance.

It was noted that the two cheques for £40 – 00 each which had been sent with the applications had been returned and these would be cancelled.

A reply had been received from Longsdon Memorial Hall giving further information on the purchase of the new cooker for the refurbishment of the kitchen. Councillor Bills, the Council’s representative on the Hall’s Management Committee, also gave information on the matter. It was agreed, by a majority decision, to forward the requested grant of £500 – 00 with the stipulation that this should be used only towards the cost of the cooker, and an acknowledgement would be requested.

It was reported that the loose directional signs near to Stonelowe Farm had been attended to by the Highways Community Team and thanks had been received.

It was reported that:

a code number for the deduction of PAYE from the Clerk’s salary had been received.

the bracken growing over the public seat in Mickea Lane had been removed.

letter had been sent to Staffs. County Council regarding the advertising signs along the A53.

60/11. Correspondence.

A request had been received from County Councillor Gill Heath asking for any work for the Highways Community Team which would be visiting the parish on 3rd., 4th. and possibly 5th. October 2011. It was agreed that the following should be mentioned: grass verge outside the Memorial Hall, weeds outside St. Chad’s Church which are narrowing the pavement, pavement overgrown in Sutherland Road, trees overhanging the pavement, reducing headroom, near the common land and general tidying up as required.

A letter had been received from a representative of Churnet Valley Riders asking the Council for its support for the creation of bridleways for horse riders rather than them being forced onto roads. The comments were noted.

Information received under this item was:

official Notification of the Community Conversation meeting at Endon on Tuesday 15th. November 11.

the official Diversion Order for Footpath No 4. had been received and acknowledged.

offer of provision of legal services from Staffs. County Council.

Submission Draft of Staffs. C. C. & Stoke City Council Joint Waste Core Strategy 2010 – 2026

invitation to join Staffs. Playing Fields Association and Annual Report and Accounts – no action.

Clerks and Councils Direct – September issue.

61/11. Planning Matters.

Planning application 11/00658/FUL Repositioning of a Pole Barn at Stone Bank Farm, Leek Road, Longsdon had been duly received and no objections to the proposal had been forwarded in line with the Council’s comments on the original application, as was agreed at the last meeting.

Information had been received from the Planning Applications Manager that the consultation time for planning applications by Parish Councils had been reduced from 28 days to 21 days.

The Clerk gave Councillors a report received from the Planning Enforcement Department giving an update on the situation with the barns in Micklea Lane / Denford Road. Consideration was still being given to the matter in view of conflicting evidence which it had received. There also had to be consideration of the cost to public funds of any enforcement action. A written report had been promised but this was not to hand. It was agreed to contact the office again on the matter.

A guide – How to Respond to Planning Applications had been received from the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Association of Local Councils.

62/11. Administration Items.

An amended copy of the Standing Orders of the Council showing the amendments agreed at the last meeting was produced. It was agreed that these be accepted.

The Council’s Risk Assessment Policy had also been amended regarding the Clerk being under PAYE regulations and this was accepted.

The Councils list of assets was perused and information given on the location of various items mentioned on the list. It was also amended to show seven flower tubs rather than six.

63/11. Orders for Payment.

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

64/11. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

65/11. Any Other Business.

It was noted that Staffs. County Council had arranged Salt Provision for Community Action. Supplies of salt or brine could be collected from its depot at Ladderedge, by appointment, on Saturday 5th. November 2011 from 8-00a.m. until 12noon. Details of where the salt etc would be used would need to be given.

It was reported that there could be a need for the registration of septic tanks in the near future.

Information on this could be found on the Environmental Agency’s website.

A report was given on the caravan site in Devils Lane. This was not exceeding the limit on the number of caravans allowed on the site.

Mention was made of the need for either dog waste bins or litter bins in parts of the parish. The current sites to be noted and the matter discussed again.

66/11. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 10th. November 2011 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

Details

Category: Minutes2011

Last Updated: Wednesday, 09 March 2022 21:44

Published: Wednesday, 30 November 2011 18:00

Hits: 440

Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 10th. November 2011.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair)

Councillors T. Beastall, L. Bills, R. Dawson, 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.

67/11. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

68/11. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

69/11. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

He reported that the “Longsdon” sign in Sutherland Road had been renewed and also a new grit bin had been sited at the junction of Sutherland Road and Micklea Lane.

In view of the experimental period for signs at the entrances to Sutherland Road and Micklea Lane, limiting the width and length of goods vehicles, he suggested that these should be reviewed soon.

He had also obtained a wreath from the British Legion for the Remembrance Sunday Service.

70/11. Public Comments.

At this point District Councillor N. Hawkins reminded everyone about the Community Conversation Meeting at Endon which involved Longsdon. She mentioned that it was important that information on Longsdon should be given to the meeting. The Clerk reported that posters advertising the meeting had already been posted on the notice boards.

71/11. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the 29th. September 2011 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

72/11. Matters Arising.

Due to an error in receipt the of a code number for the deduction of PAYE from the Clerk’s salary, there had been an overpayment to the Clerk in September 2011 in the sum of £94 – 10. It was agreed that the next salary payment could be adjusted to correct the overpayment. Consequently, a cheque for £41 – 60 had had to be sent to H.M. Revenue & Customs on 8th. October 2011. This action was sanctioned.

The list of work for the Highways Community Team which had visited the parish during October 2011 had been sent to County Councillor Gill Heath. It was reported that some of the works had been undertaken.

It was noted that the arrangements by Staffs. County Council for the collection of supplies of salt or brine from its depot at Ladderedge had been changed. The notices displayed on the notice boards had been replaced with the amended notices.

The Chairman gave a report on the review of the number of litter bins in the parish. He reported that there were no bins in Dunwood Lane, Gratton Lane, Honeysuckle Lane, Leek Old Road, or Wood Road. Two bins were sited on the A53 by the bus shelters with others in Devils Lane, School Lane/Devils Lane junction, Horse Bridge, Sutherland Road, Micklea Lane and on the canal by Denford Road. It was agreed that these could be classed as being sufficient.

It was reported that:

cheque for the grant to Longsdon Memorial Hall had been forwarded, and a letter of thanks received.

repayment of V.A.T. had been received.

invoice for the lengthmans scheme had been submitted to Staffs. County Council.

the damaged stone retaining wall near to the bus shelter by the old New Inn had been re-built.

73/11. Correspondence.

Letter had been received from Mrs. D. Kent informing the Council that she had replanted the village flower tub outside the Memorial Hall. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Mrs. Kent. It was also agreed to employ the usual contractor to replant the remaining tubs in the parish with winter plants. A belated invoice for the summer planting had been received from him.

Notice of Public Footpath Extinguishment Order for Footpath No. 24 had been received and acknowledged. This order was reluctantly accepted.

Information received under this item was:

request for financial assistance from Vitalise - Essential Breaks for Carers etc – no action.

Confirmation of Dog Control Orders, as from 1st. June 2011, from Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

Final Recommendations on the Electoral Review of Staffordshire from the Boundary Commission.

notice of work taking place on Cellarhead - Macclesfield overhead electricity lines through the parish.

Public Voice and Confidence in Health & Social Care Service – Consultation from Staffs. C. C.

Community Focus for Ice Busters from Staffs. County Council.

74/11. Planning Matters.

A report was given on a public participation planning meeting held with regard to the replacement barn at Micklea Farm, Micklea Lane, Longsdon. The result was that planning permission had been granted.

Further information had been received from the Planning Enforcement Department giving an update on the situation with the barns in Micklea Lane / Denford Road. Enforcement notices had now been issued on two of the buildings but there was insufficient evidence with regard to the other buildings.

Planning Application No. 11/00991/FUL Siting of Propagation Polytunnel adjacent to Existing Polytunnels at Field No. 8347, Leek Road, Endon was considered and it was agreed, by a MAJORITY decision, that no objections be forwarded subject to the normal planning guidelines.

75/11. Finance Matters.

A quarterly report on the Council’s accounts was circulated to and perused by all Councillors.

The Clerk mentioned that now that there had been an additional flower tub added to the assets list, this should be included in the Council’s insurance cover. It was agreed that the policy could be amended at the next renewal.

76/11. Orders for Payment.

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

77/11. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

78/11. Any Other Business.

A further report was given on the collapsing stone retaining wall at Denford Road between the railway bridge and Endon Brook. This to be reported again to Staffs. County Council.

It was pointed out that a new entrance gate being constructed in Denford Road was exempt from planning permission.

It was suggested that the minutes of Council meetings could be displayed in the notice boards earlier than the current time scale.

It was reported that the Sutherland Road street name plate at the junction with Micklea Lane was in a state of disrepair. This matter to be reported to Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

The question of whether the Parish Council should have a web site was to be on the agenda for the next meeting.

79/11. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 15th. December 2011 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.

Details

Category: Minutes2011

Last Updated: Tuesday, 08 March 2022 20:28

Published: Wednesday, 31 August 2011 18:00

Hits: 455

Minutes of Meeting held in The Rez Country Café on Thursday 11th. August 2011.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair)

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

One Member of the Public.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

40/11. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor N. Hawkins

41/11. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

42/11. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting especially Councillor R. Dawson who had recently been incapacitated.

He reported on a traffic accident which had occurred near to The Close in Leek Road which at that point was a straight road.

He had made enquiries about the septic tank in Sutherland Road. This had been done with permission and was being carried out under Building Regulations.

He thanked Councillors Beastall and Weston for their work in moving the flower tub from Dunwood to Micklea Lane. During the time of the move some of the plant bulbs had been stolen.

He also thanked Councillor Taylor for accompanying him to the last meeting of the Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly. Copies of the minutes of that meeting had been distributed to Councillors.

43/11. Public Comments.

There were no public comments or concerns at this point.

44/11. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the 30th. June 2011 meeting had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

45/11. Matters Arising.

The Clerk had prepared two application forms for the registration of the bus shelters ready for submission to the Land Registry. Two cheques for the fees would be signed later.

The tax deducted for PAYE from the Clerk’s salary had had to be forwarded to HM Revenue & Customs. A cheque had been signed and sent. This action was sanctioned.

Enquiries had been made to St. John’s Ambulance regarding whether the new Community Transport Minibus service would include Longsdon. This had been confirmed, if the need arose.

Enquiries had been made about the availability of any new edition of The Parish Councillors Guide book. The publication now had been passed to a new publisher and the latest edition, the 20th., had been published in November 2009. There was no further edition planned at the moment. It was agreed to leave the matter in abeyance for the present but the Clerk to contact a former Councillor about the availability of his copy.

A verbal report had been received from Staffs. County Council on the items reported at the last meeting. The collapsed stone wall adjacent to the old New Inn had been fenced off again with temporary barriers and repairs would be put in hand in the future. The inspection chamber cover and the damaged road gully grating, in Gratton Lane and Dunwood Lane respectively, were being attended to.

It was reported that the disused sign post had been removed from Sutherland Road at the junction of Micklea Lane.

Contact had been made with the Community Council of Staffs on Staffs. Self Help Scheme but no return information had been received.

It was reported that:

a report on the wooden stable block in Devils Lane was still awaited.

letter of thanks for the grant had been received from Dunwood Community First Responders.

Get Well card had been sent to Councillors R. Dawson after the last meeting.

the Denford Road street name plate had been renewed.

46/11. Correspondence.

Communication had been received from LEADER in the Peak District Rural Action Zone Co-ordinator asking if the Council wished to appoint a representative to that body. The Clerk had consulted with the Chairman due to the time factor and a reply was sent stating that there was no interest at present. This action was sanctioned A letter had been received from Longsdon Memorial Hall asking for a grant of £500 – 00 towards the purchase of a new cooker for the refurbishment of the kitchen. As the Council’s representative on the Hall’s Management Committee was not present at the time, it was agreed to write to ask for more detailed information of the costs involved.

Information received under this item was:

invitation to join the Britain in Bloom scheme, from the Royal Horticultural Society – no action.

47/11. Planning Matters.

The following planning application had been circulated to Councillors :

11/00524/FUL Single Storey Timber Garden Building for Domestic Use at Greenhills, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffs.

It was agreed, by a majority decision, to object to the proposal and to forward the same reasons as for the previous application for this building.

Councillor R. Weston had declared a personal interest in the matter and did not forward any comment.

A notice of public participation on application 11/00430/FUL Replacement of a Farm Building at Micklea Farm, Micklea Lane, Longsdon had been received.

It was reported that a renewed application for the Repositioning of a Pole Barn at Stone Bank Farm, Leek Road, Longsdon was expected in the next few days. It was agreed, that on receipt of the application, to forward no objections to the proposal in line with the Council’s comments on the original application.

The Clerk gave Councillors information on planning guidelines for orangery / conservatory extensions.

It was agreed to ask the Planning Department for an update on the situation with the barns in Micklea Lane / Denford Road.

48/11.Administration Items.

The Contract of Employment for the Clerk, together with a Job Description, which had been prepared by the Chairman, was produced. The contract was signed by him, on behalf of the Council, and the Clerk.

A Draft copy of the Standing Orders of the Council was produced. These were generally accepted apart from an amendment that item 1.11.4 be amended to read “quarterly” rather than “the end of each financial year”. A discussion took place on voting procedures at the A.G.M., especially in an election year, and it was agreed to amend this section also.

The Council’s Risk Assessment Policy was perused. It was generally accepted, with an amendment regarding the Clerk no longer being self employed but under P.A.Y.E. requirements

49/11. Finance Matters.

The signed External Auditors Report on the Annual Return had been received from the Audit Commission with no adverse comments or matters which needed to be addressed.

An account showing bank balances etc as at 30th. June 2011 was distributed to all Councillors.

50/11. Orders for Payment.

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

51/11. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

5211. Any Other Business.

The Clerk had received a telephone call from a parishioner asking why he had not received any rent for the Council’s notice board attached to his property. After some discussion it was agreed that the Chairman approach him to discuss the matter.

A report was given that the reported loose directional signs near to Stonelowe Farm had not been attended to during the recent work of the Highways Community Team. It was agreed to report these again and also a similar situation near to the Wheel public House.

It was reported that bracken was growing over the public seat in Mickea Lane. This to be reported to the Council’s lengthsman.

Mention was again made of the proliferation of temporary advertising boards sited along the A53 which could cause a distraction to drivers. It was agreed to write to Staffs. County Council asking what was the legal situation with regard to these signs.

53/11. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 29th. September 2011 at The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road, Longsdon at 7 - 30p.m.