Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 23^rd September 2021 in the Upstairs Room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon at 7.00pm.

41 / 21. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor N. Hawkins.

42 / 21. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

43 / 21. Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including the two newly co-opted Councillors.

44 / 21. Public Comments.

One member of the public asked for information on the proposed School signage. She was informed that the matter would be discussed later in the meeting.

45 / 21. Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th August 2021 had been circulated and it was agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

46 / 21. Matters Arising.

Councillors Jacquetta Bode & Simon Dickinson had duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

(a) Remembrance Sunday Poppy Locations.

The following locations were agreed as sites for the display of the poppies:

 On “Longsdon” Signs (2), near the Memorial Hall (2), on the wooden Bus Shelters (2), Denford Road (1) & Outside St. Chad’s Church (1).

The purchase of a Remembrance Day wreath was also mentioned but due to last year’s donation to the British Legion not being accepted, and in the light of the displaying of the Council’s poppies, it was agreed not to purchase a wreath this year.

(b) Longsdon Memorial Hall (1).

A request had been received from the Memorial Hall Management Committee to ask if a programme of its events could be displayed n the Council’s notice boards. This was agreed.

  Longsdon Memorial Hall (2).

Councillor Hawthorne, the Council’s representative on the Longsdon Memorial Hall Management Committee gave an extensive report of the last meeting of the Committee.

She gave further details of the use of the hall by the school which apparently had no formal contract and neighbours objecting to the noise etc. etc. She also reported that all the pupils at the school were brought in individually by private transport and deposited directly into the Memorial Hall building.

She stated that most of the Management Committee had resigned leaving just two persons looking after the running of the Hall, its bookings and finances etc.

She reported that District Councillor Hawkins was in discussions with Staffs. Moorlands District Council about various issues with the situation. In the light of this it was agreed to leave these matters to her for the moment.

At this point Councillor Hawthorne stated that she had resigned as the Parish Council’s representative on the Committee. In view of the forgoing information it was agreed not to appoint another representative at the moment.
The Chairman expressed sorrow that her experiences in the post had led to her decision.

  Longsdon Memorial Hall (3).

Contact had been made with County Councillor Heath regarding the requests for “School” signage on the main A53 road. In a belated reply involving determining proof of ownership of the school, she had asked what signage the Parish Council wanted and would take it up on her DHP next year. However, after the foregoing discussion it was decided to try and determine the cost of any necessary signage but leave the matter in abeyance for the moment.

(c) Bus Shelter Painting.

An estimate for the painting of the two wooden bus shelters with two coats of green Cuprinol had been obtained from the Council’s lengthsman in the sum of £180.00. It was agreed to accept this estimate.
He had apologised for the delay in the painting of the benches in the parish.

(d) Post Box in Micklea Lane.

A letter had been sent to the manager of the Royal Mail local sorting office regarding the sealing of the postal box in Micklea Lane. A reply stated that this action had been taken due to a road closure in the area. The box was now in normal usage again.

(e) Publication of Dates of the Council’s Meetings.

A request had been received that the dates of the next Parish Council meeting be posted on the notice boards. While the Chairman pointed out that the relevant dates were always published on the Council’s website, it was agreed that the dates should be displayed on the notice boards.

47 / 21. Other Business.

There was no business under this item.

48 / 21. Correspondence.

The following correspondence had already been distributed to Councillors:-

• Get in Touch with Staffs. Commissioner’s Office.
• Update from Dougie Mac.
• W.A.R. Fly Tipping Campaign – SMDC.
• Manchester Airport Project.
• Staffsordshire Moorlands Climate Action Group.

Clerks & Councillors Direct Magazine.

49 / 21. Planning.

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

• SMD/2021/0576 Proposed Free Standing Orangery / Garden Room at Stonelowe Hall, Leek Road.
  
  •  
• SMD/2021/0577 Listed Building Consent for Proposed Free Standing Orangery / Garden Room at
  
  • Stonelowe Hall, Leek Road, Longsdon.

50 / 21. Finance Matters.

(a) The Certificate of Registration had been received from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

(b) A refund of £513.13 from last year’s V. A. T. payments had been received. This was slightly less than had been claimed.

(c) Orders for Payment.

It was agreed that the following items be paid:

51 / 21. Public Comments.

A member of the public reported that the pavement on the North East side of School Lane had become obstructed, in various places, by overgrowth of hedges and vegetation. This matter to be reported to Staffs. County Council.

52 / 21. Items for Inclusion in the Agenda for the Next Meeting.

There was no business under this item.

53 / 21. Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Thursday 4^th November 2021 at 7.00pm in the upstairs room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon.