Minutes of Meeting held in the upstairs room of The Wheel on Thursday 7^th March 2019.

80/18. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

81/18. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

82/18. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He thanked Councillor Shaw for his assistance with District Councillor Norman Hawkins after her accident at the last meeting 

83/18. Public Comments.

District Councillor Hawkins apologised for the upset at the last meeting caused by her accident.  

She hoped that there would be no expenses in the forthcoming local elections.

She also gave details on a consultation which was taking place on on-street parking charges in Leek.

84/18. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31^st January 2019 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.  

85/18. Matters Arising.

Further details had been received from the candidate for the post of the Council’s lengthsman. This included his hourly rate etc. and his agreement to carry out work for the Council. He would be informed of immediate tasks including grass overgrowth on tarmac footpath in Sutherland Road, blocked gully grating and gutter adjacent to the notice board in Sutherland Road and strimming around various public seats.

Formal written permission from Memorial Hall Management Committee for the siting of the new bus shelter was still awaited.

A local building contractor, EWH Construction, had been approached for a quotation and had forwarded one in the sum of £1,332 – 00 + V. A. T. This was for cutting down the wall, erecting the shelter etc and moving the bus stop. The quotation was accepted.

The manufacturers of the Hatton Anti-vandal bus shelter had stated that the shelter could be made to any size required, for the same quoted price. It was suggested that a shelter of two metres width would save the bus stop being moved and less wall being demolished. The contractor to be asked for advice on the matter. It was also agreed that the finish to the shelter should be Moss Green coloured Powder Coated and it was agreed that the shelter be purchased in the total sum of £1,860.00 + V.A.T.  

86/18. Correspondence.

An invitation had been received to enter the Best Kept Village Competition - no action.

Information received included:

• Future of Local health Services in North Staffs – Additional Event in Leek.
• Clerks & Councils Direct – March 19 issue.

87/18. Planning Matters.

 The following planning applications were discussed:-

• SMD/2019/0067 Proposed Car Port to Side Elevation, Glazed Porch to the Rear Elevation & New Timber
  Balcony to Bedroom at Rose Cottage, Dunwood Lane, Longsdon.

 It was agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines.

• SMD/2019/0079 Approval of Reserved Matters Relating to Outline Permission SMD/2017/0783 for the
  Erection of a Single Dwelling at Ridgeway House, Leek Road, Longsdon

It was agreed to forward no objections, in principle, subject to normal planning guidelines, but Councillors wish to ensure that no solid or liquid material should be allowed to enter the water course adjacent to the rear boundary to ensure no further flooding which previously occurred and had affected an adjacent property.

With regard to Planning application SMD/2018/0788 Erection of a Single Dwelling & Detached Garage on Land adjacent to Prospect House Farm, Sutherland Road, Longsdon and the suggestion at the last meeting that this application should not be approved until a details plan of the drainage arrangements on the site had been submitted, enquiries had revealed that a plan of the drainage scheme for the site had been approved.

88/18. Finance Matters.

The Council’s Fixed Term Bond with Leek United Building Society had been closed and the balance of the account had been deposited in the Council’s T.S.B. current account.

An acknowledgement for receipt of the Precept request had been received.

It was reported that there would be changes to the payment system of the Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s lengthsman scheme. Banking details had been passed to an independent firm in Cheshire. 

89/18. Orders For Payment.

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

•  The Wheel. £ 25 – 00. Room Hire.

90/18. Public Comment.

The member of the public brought the Council’s attention to a very unsightly plot of land in Sutherland Road which had previously been used for agricultural purposes and kept in good order. It was agreed to contact DEFRA for its views on the matter.

91/18. Any Other Business.

There was no business under this item.

92/18. Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting of the Council was arranged for Thursday 9 th. May 2019 at 7 – 00p.m. in the upstairs room of The Wheel public house, Leek Road, Longsdon.