Minutes of Meeting held in St. Chad’s Church Room on Thursday 15th. October 2015.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

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

District Councillor N. Hawkins.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

41/15. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

42/15. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

43/15. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman said it was nice to have a full complement of Councillors once again.

44/15. Public Comments.

District Councillor Norma Hawkins reported that two sites in School Lane had been added to the proposed sites under the Core Strategy Scheme. While these were not originally shown on the S.H.L.A.A. plan, they had been added to the last plan since the Parish Council had sent in their observations. She suggested that the Council write to point this out and ask to be advised on the procedural route and timetable. This was agreed to be done. Thanks were expressed to her.

45/15. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20th. August 2015 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

46/15. Matters Arising.

A further letter had been sent to the Planning Enforcement Department of Staffs. Moorlands District Council regarding the issue with the property in Sutherland Road but no reply had been received. It was agreed to place the matter on the agenda for the next meeting for further consideration.

The Clerk had been in contact with the Canals & Rivers Trust regarding the invoice for the work installing the new seat on the canal towpath. After numerous delays the invoice had now been received and it was agreed that it be paid. The C.V.L.L.P. had been informed of the delay and it had stated that part of the grant could be paid, with the remainder being paid later on receipt of the late invoice.

It was reported that:

Staffs. Moorlands District Council had been informed of the co-option of Daral Sargent onto the Council.

the deep pothole in Denford Road had been repaired.

the sunken kerb at Nether Stanlow Farm had again been reported.

the water in Leek Old Road had been reported and had been inspected.

the road verges in Honeysuckle Lane had been reported and had been repaired.

47/15. Correspondence.

The agenda for the next meeting of the Staffs. Moorlands Parish Assembly on 22nd. October 2015 had been received and this was passed to the Council’s representatives, Councillors J. Sargeant and Taylor.

An e.mail had been received from a resident of Wood Road complaining about blocked gullies in Sutherland Road which were causing water to cascade into the entrance of Wood Road, a private road, and washing away the surface of the road. It was agreed that this problem be investigated and reported to Staffs. County Council.

Information had been received from Staffs. County Council regarding proposals to change the routes of the Mobile Library. The library would visit Lower Sutherland Road at 2-20p.m. on Thursdays if confirmed.

Notice had been received from Staffs. County Council of consultations on four options for the future management of Staffordshire’s Country Parks & Green Spaces during November 2015.

Other information received under this item:

notice of road closure in Dunwood Lane from 2nd. to 4th. November 2015.

updating some of the Terms & Conditions of the Business account from T.S.B. Bank plc.

notice of annual subscription due for the Parish Online service – agreed to be paid.

public views sought on My Care, My Way – Home First scheme at four local venues.

request for donation to Douglas Macmillan Hospice – no action.

request for subscription to Staffs. Playing Fields Association – no action.

48/15. Planning Matters.

The following plan had been distributed to Councillors due to the time scale and they had agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines, to:-

SMD/2015/0576 Single Storey Side Extension at Upper Dales Manor, Dunwood Lane, Longsdon.

Since the last meeting a suggestion had been received from District Councillor Hawkins that the Council should again approach Staffs. Moorlands District Council Senior Planning Officer asking for the number of houses proposed for Longsdon to be reduced and also that the draft infill boundary be amended to show the total area of the village to include Denford Road, Micklea Lane, Sandy Lane etc and possibly School Lane to allow for possible ribbon development.

After discussions with the Chairman, a letter had been sent asking for the above. The letter was read to Councillors and the action was sanctioned.

49/15. Finance Matters.

The Annual Return had been returned by the external auditor with no comments attached.

An up to date statement of the Council’s accounts was distributed to Councillors.

The Council’s lengthsman had asked for a review of his hourly rate. It was agreed to leave this until the next financial year.

50/15. Orders for Payment.

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

51/15. Public Comment.

There was no business under this item.

52/15. Any Other Business.

Mention was made of no action on the request for attention to the lighting globes on the pedestrian crossing on the A53. This matter to be forwarded to County Councillor Heath.

Reports of speeding on the A53 through the village. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Police to ask if a speed camera could be operated in the area.

The current state of the village tubs was also discussed but it was agreed to leave any re-planting until the Spring.

The following items were reported and to be sent to:

Large pothole in School Lane                                                 – )

Trees and vegetation overgrowing the pavement on the A53 - ) Staffs County Council Highways Dept.

Hedge overhanging the road in Denford Road – The owners of the old New Inn.

Damaged bus shelter opposite the old New Inn (repeat report) – Staffs. Moorland District Council.

Seat in Micklea Lane requires cleaning and painting – Lengthsman.

53/14. Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting of the Council will be held at 7 - 00p.m. on Thursday 10th. December 2015 at St.

Chad’s Church Room, Leek Road, Longsdon. Please note new time as agreed.