Minutes of Meeting held in the upstairs room of The Wheel on Thursday 9^th May 2019.

1/19. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

2/19. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

3/19. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.He reported that there had been traffic accidents in two places on the A53 Leek Road. 

4/19. Public Comments.

District Councillor Hawkins gave a report on a planning application for a dwelling on land adjacent to Prospect House Farm, Sutherland Road, Longsdon which was subject to drainage problems. The application would be “called in” for a decision by the Planning Committee of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

5/19. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7^th March 2019 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

6/19. Matters Arising.

Detailed information was given of the dangerously parked car which was mentioned in the Parish Meeting. The matter had been reported to the Police by residents but no action had appeared to have been taken. It was agreed to write to the Police with a copy to County Councillor Heath pointing out the dangers to traffic emerging from Sutherland Road but also to users of the pedestrian crossing.

Formal written permission from Memorial Hall Management Committee for the siting of the new bus shelter had been received.
The official order for the Hatton Anti-vandal bus shelter of standard size, at the quoted price of £1,860.00 + V.A.T., had been forwarded. However, a Pro Forma invoice had been received but the Chairman and the Clerk felt that public funds should not be paid out up front of delivery. After negotiations with the company it was agreed to arrange a cheque in payment of an invoice at this meeting and the Council would be kept informed of a firm delivery date.

The candidate for the Council’s lengthsman had been informed of the Council’s decision and had already undertaken some tasks.

DEFRA had been contacted for its views on the very unsightly plot of land in Sutherland Road which had previously been used for agricultural purposes and kept in good order. A reply pointed out since 2014 local Councils and the Police had the power to issue a Community Protection Notice which can be issued to individuals or businesses who are acting unreasonably in a way that affects the quality of life of those in the locality. It was agreed to contact Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Environmental Dept. for its views on the matter.

7/19. Correspondence.

 Information received included:

• Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day – 3^rd September 2019.
• Clerks & Councils Direct – May 19 issue.

8/19. Planning Matters.

 The following plan had already been distributed to Councillors due to the time scale and no objections were received to:

• SMD/2019/0118 Erection of Single Storey Side / Rear Extensions at Limerick Farm, Devils Lane, Longsdon.

The following planning application was discussed and it was agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines, to:

• SMD/2019/0160 Replacement Garage & Covered Area at Lyndhurst, Sutherland Road, Longsdon. 

9/19. Finance Matters.

 It was agreed that the Council’s insurance policy with Zurich be renewed in the sum of £330.70, a very similar figure to last year.

An unaudited copy of the 2018 / 2019 Accounts was distributed to Councillors.

Information had been received regarding the Annual Audit and it was agreed to apply again for the Council’s Exemption from an External Audit. It was also agreed to employ the same internal auditor as last year.

The Clerk reported the receipt of the first half of this year’s Precept.

10/19. Orders for Payment.

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

11/19. Public Comment.

There was no business under this item.

12/19. Any Other Business.

It was reported that the steps leading from Sutherland Road to the canal towpath at Bridge No 6 were deteriorating. It was agreed to report this to the Canal & River Trust.

13/19. Date of Next Meeting.

 The date of the next meeting of the Council was arranged for Thursday 4^th July 2019 at 7 – 00p.m. in the upstairs room of The Wheel public house, Leek Road, Longsdon with a provisional date for the following meeting as 5^th September 2019.