Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 12th. December 2024 in the Upstairs Room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon at 7.00pm.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

Councillors S. Dickinson, D. Hughes & R. Lovell.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

One Member of the Public.

79/24 Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Cox, C. Hogan & K. Shaw.

80/24 Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

81/24 Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman gave a warm welcome and the Season’s Greetings to everyone.

He reported that the collection of Remembrance Day poppies were not entirely satisfactory this year. Eight poppies had been displayed but only six could be retrieved for future use. Both the poppy that was attached to the metal bus shelter opposite the derelict New Inn and that attached to the lamp post adjacent to the bus shelter were missing. A brief search of the surrounding area showed no sign of debris that could attribute the loss to stormy weather. Close inspection of the position on the bus shelter where the poppy had been revealed that the zip ties were still present but appeared to have been cut through. No remains were found on the lamp post.

If the poppies have been stolen it is a sad reflection on the perpetrators that they could stoop so low as to insult the memory of those lost to war.

Replacement poppies can be made next year The template and sufficient raw materials are to hand.

82/24 Public Comments.

The member of the public present reported on a large hedge which was restricting access on Public Footpath Longsdon25 on Leek Old Road. This to be reported to the Footpaths Authority.

83/24 Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24th. October 2024 had been circulated, and it was agreed that the minutes be signed as a true copy.

84/24 Matters Arising.

(a) Christmas Tree.

The Memorial Hall had been contacted officially for permission to site the tree over the Festive Season and this had been agreed verbally. A Risk Assessment policy had been prepared.

The tree had been delivered and cut down to an appropriate size and a fixing socket had been fixed to the exterior wall at the Memorial Hall. Various sets of lights had been affixed to the tree.

Thanks were expressed to the Chairman for his efforts.

It was agreed that a working party be arranged for the 4th. January 2025 at 10-00am to dismantle the tree etc.

(b) Pedestrian Crossing.

The Clerk reported that the issues with the pedestrian crossing which had been reported to Staffs. County Council’s Community Highway Manager had now been forwarded to County Councillor Mark Deaville for his comments. An acknowledgement had been received, and a detailed reply was awaited.

A discussion then took place on the possible reduction of the 40mph speed limit to 30mph on Leek Road. This together with the possible installation of speed awareness strips would be on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting.

(c) Bush Shelter.

A report had been received from the Council’s lengthsman on the work involved to remove the rust and paint the metal bus shelter adjacent to the Memorial Hall with Green metallic paint.

85/24 Other Business.

Lengthsman’s Instructions.

It was reported that a holly bush was overhanging the pavement in Sutherland Road restricting headroom for pedestrians. This to be reported to the Council’s lengthsman for attention.

86/24 Correspondence.

The following had already been distributed to Councillors:-

In Touch Newsletter from S.M.D.C.

Information for Parishes from S.M.D.C.

Road Closure Notice for Devils Lane & Dunwood Road.

Making Effective Planning Representations.

Energy Support for Communities.

Have your say on Police, Fire & Rescue Services.

Notice of Diversion to Public Footpath No 9.

A letter of thanks had been received from the Douglas MacMillan organisation in acknowledgement for the grant of £200.00 sent after the last meeting.

86/24 Planning Matters.

A Notice of Appeal against a Refusal of SMD/2023/0523 – The Firs, Sutherland Road, Longsdon.

Councillors had already been informed of this notice.

87/24 Finance Matters.

(a) The additional information of signatories on the Council’s bank account had been forwarded to T.S.B. but had been returned for further information.

(b) Orders for Payment.

It was agreed that the following items be paid:

88/24 Public Comments.

Mention was made of the need for cleaning of the door of the notice board in Sutherland Road.

89/24 Items for Inclusion in the Agenda for the Next Meeting.

Speed limit and possible speed awareness strips in Leek Road, Longsdon.

90/24 Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Thursday 30th. January 2025 at 7.00pm in the upstairs room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon.