Minutes of Meeting held in Longsdon Memorial Hall on Thursday 3rd. August 2006.

Present: Councillor T. Beastall (Chair)

Councillors R. Dawson, J. Kent & S. R. Weston.

Five Members of the Public.

1. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

2. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

3. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman introduced Mr. John Bourne, Clerk to Brown Edge Parish Council, who would be assisting the Council during the absence of the Council’s clerk.

Councillor Beastall had been asked, at the Annual General Meeting held in May, to take over the chair in the light of the resignation of the previous chairman and agreed to continue until a full Council was formed.

The Chairman reported that he had received written notices of resignation from Councillor T. B. Dickinson and Councillor N.Pegg. He had also received verbal notice of resignation from Councillor A. Povey who was chairman of the Council. The electoral office of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council had been consulted and the necessary public notices issued. There had been no request for an election from registered electors within the allotted time and the Parish Council was now empowered to co-opt Councillors as it saw fit.

4. Public Comment.

There were one or two minor items mentioned which were added to the list of work for the lengthsman.

5. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Kent for recording the minutes of the last meeting. These had been circulated. It was pointed out that the Clerk had not actually resigned but had asked for leave of absence for the moment. After the minutes were amended accordingly they were signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

6. Matters Arising.

A further letter had been received from the Development Control Dept. of Staffs.Moorlands District Council regarding the motor cycling scrambling in Mollarts Wood. The department had suggested that the problem be monitored over a three month period making a note of dates, times and vehicle registrations. A member of the public, living near to the site, gave the meeting a report that the landowner of the wood had accosted the motor cycle owners and asked them to remove their equipment and to repair the damaged fencing. This had been done and the problem seemed to have ceased. The matter would now be monitored as to future usage.

7. Correspondence.

The Chairman had received a letter from Dunwood Community Responders thanking the Council for the generous donation of £500 – 00.

A letter had been received from Staffs. Moorlands NHS Primary Care Trust informing the Council of Board Decisions on Service changes. Further information would be forthcoming after further discussions.

Copies of the Executive Summary booklet of Staffordshire’s second Local Transport Plan had been received and these were distributed to Councillors and members of the public.

8. Planning Matters.

An approval notice had been received regarding the Erection of General Purpose Agricultural Building on land at Devils Lane. The case officer’s report was enclosed as the decision was contrary to the Parish Council’s views.

The following planning applications were considered:

00674 Single Storey Front/Rear Extensions at The Dales, Dunwood Lane – no objections providing it meets planning guidelines.

00485 Non Illuminated Sign Board at St. Chad’s Church, Leek Road – no objections.

9. Accounts.

It was reported that the Annual Accounts of the Council had been audited and would be presented to the next meeting for signing.

A cheque for £200 – 00 had been received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council as quarterly payment for the lengthsman scheme.

The cheque sanctioned last month for the insurance premium had been sent and an acknowledgement received.

It was unanimously agreed that the following accounts be paid:

Smiths of Derby.           £ 170 – 38. Clock Maintenance – Church Clock,

Ken Thursfield.               £ 80 – 50. Bedding Plants for Village Tubs.

Roy Dawson.                  £ 56 – 76. Recompense for Cost of Advertising for Councillor Vacancies.

* Longsdon Mem. Hall. £ 500 – 00. Grant.

*The agreement at the last meeting was to donate £500 – 00 to cover stone work at the Memorial Hall with the balance being donated to the Hall itself. It was unanimously agreed that this amount be paid directly to the Memorial Hall management.

10. Public Comment.

Mr. J. Leah gave a report on the flashing speed limit sign which was not functioning at present. It appeared that the company carrying out the maintenance of the sign were waiting for spare parts which could take up to six weeks.

In answer to a question about the frequency of grass cutting in Longsdon, a letter dated 29th. September 2005 from Staffs. County Council on the subject was read to the meeting.

11. Any Other Business.

There had been interest shown by three members of the public in becoming members of the Council. Two of these were present at the meeting and it was unanimously agreed to co-opt Mr. John James Leah of The Old Smithy, Leek Road Longsdon and Mr. John Frederick Sargeant of Wetheral, Sutherland Road, Longsdon as Parish Councillors with immediate effect.

The electoral officer of Staffs. Moorlands District Council would be informed.

There appeared to be no more progress on the proposed extension to the 40 m.p.h sped limit zone in a South Westerly direction on the A53 near the New Inn. It was agreed to write to the Highways Department for an update on the situation.

It was also reported that the footpath alongside the A53 from the Memorial Hall to the New Inn had become narrow with overgrowth and the surface was potholed. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Divisional Highways Manager.

The untidy state of the car park and surroundings at the New Inn together with the stone walls opposite which had been damaged by recent accident was mentioned. It was agreed to write to the brewery asking that they rectify the situation.

The siting of the commemorative bench purchased as a memorial to Gordon Hansell was discussed. It was felt that the original site on the Common Land was not considered to be an appropriate place. It was agreed that the bench should be sited within the Church grounds, after permission of the Church officials had been obtained.

Councillor J. Kent gave a report on an inaugural meeting of Moorlands Together – Rural Executive Forum which would be an avenue to direct any problems including such things as affordable housing etc. He would be attending the next arranged meeting on 19th. October 2006.

12. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 28th. September 2006 at 7 – 30p.m. in the Memorial Hall.