Minutes of Meeting held in the upstairs room of The Wheel on Thursday 17^th October 2019.

46/19. Apologies for Absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

47/19. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

48/19. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave a brief report on the last Moorlands Parish Assembly meeting which he had attended. A talk was given by Leek Station Manager Fire Officer who stated that she felt that there was sufficient cover for the area but gave the impression that the service was undermanned and underfunded.

49/19. Public Comments.

District Councillor Hawkins raised the subject of a County Council planning application for a temporary waste recycling facility at Rowley Gate Farm. She said that there had been a joint meeting on the site and the result of the consultation was to be received.

She mentioned the state of the old New Inn which was an eyesore and needed something to secure it. It appears that the site could be the subject of a new planning application.

She reported that she had taken up the issue of a very untidy site in a Conservation area adjacent to the top canal in Denford Road.

50/19. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 th . September 2019 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

51/19. Matters Arising.

The new lessee of the Holly Bush Inn at Denford had been contacted and had agreed there were no objections to the siting of a defibrillator in its area. Efforts would now be made to obtain a defibrillator.

The tree branches overhanging Sutherland Road had been reported to the Council’s lengthsman for attention and the hedges overgrowing the footpath in School Lane had been reported to Staffs. County Council.

EWH Construction had examined the dilapidated bus shelter opposite the old New Inn and suggested that a complete repair could cost in the region of £500.00. It was agreed that when the written quote had been received for this amount, the Chair and the Clerk could authorise the repairs to go ahead.

52/19. Correspondence.

Information received was:

• Homes for Local People which outlined how the Peak Park Rural Housing Association is providing local affordable homes for local people.

53/19. Planning Matters.

The following plans had already been distributed to Councillors due to the time scale:

• SMD/2019/0514 Demolition of Existing Single Storey Side Extension & the Construction of a Replacement Single Storey Side Extension at 2 Dunwood Lane, Longsdon.
• SMD/2019/0531 Proposed Single Storey & Double Storey Extension to Existing Dwelling at Sunnycroft, Wood Road, Longsdon.

There were no objections to these applications but the Garden Room on the second application should not be allowed to become a separate dwelling.

The report of unauthorised building operations taking place on land adjacent to Micklea Farm, Micklea Lane had been reported to Staffs. Moorlands Planning Enforcement Dept. for investigation. However the department had reported that planning permission had been given for the site but it appeared that the wrong location had been given. It was agreed that the right location would be reported together with photographic evidence.

54/19. Finance Matters.

The renewal Certificate of Registration had been received from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Council’s insurers had been contacted regarding cover for the new bus shelter. They had agreed to add cover for the shelter for this year without additional premium but an additional premium of approx. £19.00 would be payable for next year.

A quarterly update of the Council’s account was issued to Councillors.

The Pension Regulator had informed the Council of the need for Re-enrolment and Re-declaration of the Council before 1^st June 2020.

55/19. Orders for Payment.

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

• The Wheel. £ 25 – 00. Room Hire.
• Geoxphere Ltd. £ 45 – 00. Parish Online Renewal.
• John Bourne. £ Clerk’s Salary (nett). J
• ohn Bourne. £ 31 – 97. Clerk’s Expenses.
• H.M. Revenue & Customs. £ 70 – 00. P.A.Y.E.
• J. A. Gibson. £ 120 – 00. Agency Work.
• EWH Construction. £ 100 – 00. Repairs to “Longsdon” Sign Post

56/19. Public Comment.

There was no business under this item.

57/19. Any Other Business.

Reports were given of several near misses with persons using the pedestrian crossing on the main A53 Leek Road near the junction with School Lane and Sutherland Road. Various reasons were given for this and it was agreed to write to the Staffs. County Council’s Liaison Officer to ask for improvements including repainting the “zebra” lines of the crossing, new posts and beacons at the site, larger crossing warning signs, the trimming of some trees and the possible installation of a Pelican style crossing.
A question would also be asked about the operation of the speed camera near to the junction of City Lane.

A report was also given of visibility problems for traffic emerging from the entrance to the Memorial Hall. This matter to be investigated further.

A dangerous pothole and road surface at the junction of Denford Road and Leek Road would be reported to the County Council.

58/19. Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting of the Council was arranged for Thursday 12^th December 2019 in the upstairs room of the Wheel public house, Leek Road, Longsdon.