Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 29th. January 2015.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

The Chairman wished everyone a Happy New Year.

67/14. Apologies for Absence.

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

68/14. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

69/14. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Bills for preparing the meeting room and Councillor Taylor for attending the last Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly meeting. He reported that the bus shelter near to School Lane had been blown over again and had been righted by the adjacent landowner. It was agreed to write him a letter of thanks.

70/14. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

71/14. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4th. December 2014 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

72/14. Matters Arising.

The account for the British Legion wreath was awaited.

The Canals & Rivers Trust had been informed, on a number of occasions that the bench seat for the canal towpath had arrived and should now be fixed. However, Councillor Taylor reported that there had been a site visit and the seat would be fixed on a concrete base sometime during February.

The exterior case to house the defibrillator had arrived and instructions were awaited as to the site at the Memorial Hall. Councillor Bills offered to co-ordinate this information. A discussion took place on the ongoing maintenance of the machine such as checking its batteries etc. Councillor Taylor suggested that the Dunwood First Responders could help with this and further discussion would take place at the next Parish Council meeting.

A further communication regarding the replacement post box in Sutherland Road had been sent to Royal Mail but with no response. However a parishioner had received a letter from Royal Mail, London stating that the new box would be fixed within the next few months.

It was reported that:

a further quarterly invoice for the lengthsman scheme had been sent to Staffs C. C.

73/14. Correspondence.

Information had been received from Smiths of Derby regarding an Annual Clock Service Plan Offer. This offered varying discounts on clock servicing accounts by signing up for a number of years. This letter to remain on file.

An e.mail had been received from the Chair of the North Wales and Borders Partnership of the Canals and River Trust asking for new volunteer Partnership Members who would be “committed to protecting and enhancing all the features that make waterways so special”.

Other information received under this item was:

notice of a meeting at Staffs. Moorlands District Council with the Police & Crime Commissioner on Thursday 5th. February 2015 at 5-30p.m.

Clerks & Council Direct Jan 15 Issue.

74/14. Finance Matters.

It was confirmed that the balance of the Council’s matured One Year Bond with Leek United Building Society had been transferred to a new One Year Bond, as agreed.

An up to date statement of account was distributed to all Councillors.

Estimates / Precept for the year 2015 / 2016.

The Clerk produced (1) Actual Figures for the year 2013/14, (2) Estimates Income, Expenditure & End of Year Balance for the year 2014/15 and (3) Estimated Income & Expenditure for the Year 2015/16.

After studying the figures produced it was agreed that the Clerk’s salary be increased by £50 – 00 per year.

Figures received from Staffs. Moorlands District Council showed that the grant for the parish from Central Government had been reduced from £64 – 99 to £48 – 76.

It was agreed that, as the last rise in the precept was in April 2008, the precept should be increased by £500 – 00. This would show an increase in the Council Tax bill on a Band D property of £1 – 94 for the year.

75/14. Planning Matters.

There was no business under this item.

76/14. Orders for Payment.

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

77/14. Public Comment.

There was no business under this item.

78/14. Any Other Business.

An instance of fly tipping was reported in Denford Road near the old New Inn, and repairs required to the bus shelter opposite the old New Inn – these matters to be reported to Staffs. Moorlands D.C.

An abundance of litter had accumulated in the Denford Road area – to be reported to the lengthsman.

A report was given of possible unauthorised earth moving in Dunwood Lane – this to be reported to the Regulatory Services of Staffs. Moorlands District Council.

A damaged cast iron cover over a water main stop cock in Denford Road was also reported - to be reported to Severn Trent Water.

The Clerk reported on a meeting with Staffs. County Council where it was mentioned that the standard of lighting on pedestrians crossings in the area could be under review.

79/14. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7-30p.m. on Thursday 26th. March 2015 at St. Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon.