Minutes of Meeting held in Longsdon Memorial Hall on Thursday 28th. September 2006.
Present: Councillor T. Beastall (Chair)
Councillors R. Dawson, J. Kent, J. J. Leah, J F. Sargeant & S. R. Weston.
Two 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. Co-option of a Councillor for Existing Vacancy.
There was no co-option made.
4. Election of Chairman & Vice Chairman.
As no co-option of a Councillor was made there was still not a full Council. It was agreed that Councillor T. Beastall and Councillor R. Dawson should remain in the posts of Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively as per the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council dated 25th. May 2006.
5. Chairman’s Address.
The Chairman reminded Councillors that any correspondence from them should be directed through the Chair.
6. Public Comment.
A member of the public pointed out that, while there were signs denoting Lonsdon Parish on the boundaries at Sutherland Road and Denford Road, there were no signs to denote the start of Cheddleton Parish in the other direction. It was agreed to write to Cheddleton Parish Council for its views on the matter.
7. Minutes of Last Meeting.
The minutes of the last meeting had been circulated. It was agreed that they be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
8. Matters Arising.
A letter had been sent to the Electoral Officer informing her of the co-options of two Councillors which took place at the last meeting.
A letter had been sent to the Divisional Area Manager regarding the state of the footpath and overhanging hedges between the Wheel and the New Inn. This was to be inspected.
He also gave an update on the extension to the 40m.p.h. speed limit which said that the legal process had been completed and the order for the work would be issued in due course.
A further reply had been received from the Area Manager in reply to various points sent to him in a letter dated 24th. April 2006. The comments were noted. It was agreed to answer his query regarding the actual site of the missing reflector post in School Lane and also to ask for the possibility of siting a sign warning of horses on the blind bend in School Lane adjacent to the property known as Stackstones after some near misses with traffic.
It was agreed that a letter be sent to St. Chad’s Parochial Church Council asking for permission to site the Gordon Hansell memorial bench in the church grounds.
It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Council’s bankers informing them of the resignations of three Councillors and to remove their signatures from the account and also inform them of the co-option of the two new Councillors.
It was reported that:
letter had been sent to The Union Pub Co. re the untidy state of the New Inn car park etc.
the village tubs had been replanted with foliage, pansies and bulbs.
9. Correspondence.
A questionnaire about play facilities in the parish had been received from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. Councillor Sargeant agreed to complete this and return it.
Staffordshire County Council had sent details of changes to First PMT Bus services in the area.
These showed only minor changes on the Hanley to Leek service which passed through the parish.
A Town and Parish Council Guide on Local Environment Quality had been received from Environmental Campaigns giving updated information on various laws relating to litter, dog waste, fly tipping, graffiti etc etc. This would be circulated among Councillors for their perusal.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council had sent a poster to raise awareness of recycling centres and had pointed out that the sum of £180 – 89 had been sent to the Memorial Hall as earned from the site last year. The poster to be posted on the notice board.
Other information received was
details of a possible grant available to community groups from Central Networks.
details of requirements for installation of seasonal attachments to street lighting equipment.
notice of next meeting of Staffs. Moorlands Area Parish Assembly and minutes of last meeting notice of A.G.M. of Staffs. Playing Fields Association.
notice of A.G.M. of Community Council of Staffs.
notice of meeting of Leek Neighbourhood Forum and minutes of last meeting.
notice of meeting of Endon Neighbourhood Forum and minutes of last meeting.
Draft Statement of Gambling Policy of Staffs. Moorlands District Council.
10. Planning Matters.
A sub committee had met on 5th. September to consider planning application 00849 Erection of 3 No. Polytunnels at Field No 8347, Leek Road, Endon, Councillor Weston had declared a prejudicial interest in the matter. It was agreed to object most strongly to the proposal on the following grounds:
The proposed development would produce a visual eyesore on the landscape, and the environmental impact should be assessed.
The development would be contravening the Staffs. Moorlands buffer zone between Endon and Longsdon.
The proposal would produce an overdevelopment of the site.
It was also agreed to ask whether planning permission had ever been obtained for the construction of the existing service track and parking area on the agricultural land.
Details of a proposed diversion of Public Footpath Nos. 12, 13, 14, 15 & 23 at Stanlowe Hall, Longsdon had been received from Staffs. County Council. The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel would be meeting to consider the application. It was agreed not to forward any objections at this stage.
11. To Approve and Sign the Annual Audit Form from the Audit Commission.
The Clerk explained that he had spoken with the Audit Commission to explain the late submission of the Return and this had been accepted.
A summary of the Council’s payments and receipts for the last financial year were distributed to Councillors. The relevant figures had been entered onto the Return and it was unanimously agreed that the Audit Form be duly signed.
12. Orders for Payment.
It was unanimously agreed that the following accounts be paid:
J. T. Lunt. £ 25 – 00. Audit Fee.
Mrs. M. A. Hancock. £ 200 – 31. Clerk’s Salary & Expenses.
Longsdon Mem. Hall. £ 110 – 00. Hire of Room for Meetings.
A. Bridgewood. £ 88 – 15. Agency Work.
Barncroft Nurseries. £ 51 – 27. Bedding Plants for Village Tubs.
13. Public Comment.
There were no further comments.
14. Any Other Business.
It was reported that the hinges on the notice boards required attention. Two Councillors volunteered to attend to the matter.
A report was given on friction which was occurring between residents and boating people in the vicinity of the Holly Bush Inn. An actual assault had taken place and the police had been involved. British Waterways had been made aware of the situation with people actually residing on some boats. It was agreed to monitor the situation and place the matter on the agenda for the next meeting.
It was also reported that the litter bin in Devils Lane had been damaged by fire and the Staffs. Moorlands District Council had been informed; there had been an attendance at the funeral of former Chairman of the Council, Councillor R. Butterworth; and the poppy wreath had been arranged for Remembrance Sunday.
15. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday 2nd. November 2006 at 7 – 30p.m. It was agreed that this meeting be held in The Rez Country Café in Sutherland Road.