Minutes of Meeting held in the upstairs room of The Wheel on Thursday 12^th December 2019.

59/19. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K. Shaw & District Councillor N. Hawkins.

60/19. Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

61/19. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He had purchased the usual Remembrance Wreath but due to the fact that there was no Remembrance service at Longsdon he had delivered the wreath to the Monument in Leek.

62/19. Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

63/19. Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th October 2019 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

64/19. Matters Arising.

Contact had been made with the London Hearts Charity and also the British Heart Foundation to obtain information for obtaining a defibrillator. The best offer was a defibrillator from the British Heart Foundation for a donation of £600.00 plus the cost of an external cabinet which made a total cost of approximately £1,100.00. It was agreed to contact the West Midland Ambulance Service for any advice it could give on the matter.

The right location together with photographic evidence regarding the unauthorised building operations taking place on land adjacent to Micklea Farm, Micklea Lane had been reported to Staffs. Moorlands Planning Enforcement Dept. for investigation. A reply had been received stating that the building had not received planning permission but the owner would now be submitting a retrospective application.

District Councillor Hawkins had reported the issue of a very untidy site in a Conservation area adjacent to the top canal in Denford Road to Staffs. Moorlands District Council. Confirmation had had to be sent that the report was also from the Parish Council and a reply had been received stating that formal action could not be taken but the owner had been asked to tidy the areas which have some visual impact. It also stated that the matter had also been referred to the Environmental Health Department of the Council.

No written quotation had been received from EWH Construction for the repairs to the dilapidated bus shelter opposite the old New Inn. The Chairman offered to issue a reminder to the firm.

A lengthy communication had been sent to the Infrastructure Manager of Staffs. County Council regarding the near misses etc. with persons using the pedestrian crossing on the main A53 Leek Road near the junction with School Lane and Sutherland Road but no reply had been received. It was agreed to write again to ask for the courtesy of a reply.

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

65/19. Correspondence.

Information received was:

• Message from District Council’s Chairman.
• Invitation to Support the Local Electricity Bill – No action.
• Staffordshire Police News.
• Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s Revised Code of Conduct.
• Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s Christmas Bin Collection Dates.
• Green Flag Status to the Caldon Canal.
• Loneliness Directory by Karen Bradley M.P.
• Review of Local Bus Services by Staffs. County Council.
• Staffs. Moorlands District Council’s Corporate Plan – Priorities for the District until 2023.
• Clerks & Councils Direct – September and November issues.

66/19. Planning Matters.

The following planning application was considered:

• SMD/2019/0736 Proposed Change of Use from Garage to Holiday Accommodation at Highfield House, School Lane, Longsdon.

It was agreed to object to this application on the following grounds:

• Inappropriate development on the site.
• There are existing issues with drainage on the site.
• The development would instigate more traffic at the existing busy crossroads adjacent to the site and also the adjacent pedestrian crossing

67/19. Finance Matters.

It was reported that the Domain Name for the Council needed to be renewed. This was agreed.

68/19. Orders for Payment.

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

• The Wheel. £ 25 – 00. Room Hire.
• J. A. Gibson. £ 160 – 00. Agency Work.
• Nick Grindon. £ 300 – 00. Repairs to the “Longsdon” Wrought Iron Sign.
• John Sargeant. £ 24 – 79. Chairman’s Expenses – Remembrance Day Wreath.

69/19. Public Comment.

There was no business under this item.

70/19. Any Other Business.

Reports were given of the return of the dangerously parked car near to the junction of the A53 and Sutherland Road again causing visibility problems for traffic emerging from Sutherland Road. It was agreed that the Police be contacted again about the problem.

A report was also given of a possible water main leak in the grass verge in Leek Road, Longsdon near to the entrance of Dunwood Lodge Farm. This to be reported to Severn Trent Water.

The Chairman wished everyone present the Compliments of the Season.

71/19. Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting of the Council was arranged for Thursday 6^th February 2020 in the upstairs room of the Wheel public house, Leek Road, Longsdon.