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Meeting Minutes - January 2006
PRESENT: Councillors Bradbeer (Chairman), Oxby (Vice-Chairman), Beasley, Mrs Brayford, Brayford, Colclough, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes, Mycock, Shaw and Taylor IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillor Harp, M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 2 members of the public APOLOGIES: Councillors Bedson, Mrs. Deakin, and Mrs. Wheat; Borough Councillor Oldfield OTHER NON ATTENDEES Councillors Bevan, Insley and Lovatt PUBLIC PARTICIPATION With regard to the Gypsies at Hilderstone Road, Spot Acre, it was confirmed that a public inquiry was to be held on 14th March 2006. A general discussion ensued as to the likely arrangements therefor. A member of the public enquired whether the occupants were paying community charges but Borough Councillor Harp indicated that, although they had offered to pay, the Borough Council were not to date collecting such charges. 89/05 MINUTES RESOLVED –That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 8th December 2005, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 90/05 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Councillor Harp reported that both the Council’s Enforcement Officer and Arboretum Officer had visited The Wood, Stallington Road and permission had been given for some limited additional tree felling to facilitate necessary additional drainage. There were substantial unauthorised works including the construction of a road without planning permission and Members expressed their total disappointment at the apparent lack of action by the Borough Council to control the unauthorised works and also the lack of written responses to letters sent by the Council. The Clerk was asked to write in the strongest terms to the Borough Council and ask to meet Officers on site. With regard to the position on the possible service of an Untidy Site Notice at 54 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath, the Clerk was asked to write again to the Development Control Manager of the Borough Council. Councillor Harp reported with regard to the possible construction of flats at 218 Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge and intimated that a further meeting would shortly be held between Officers of the Borough Council and Persimmon Homes Developments.
91/05 FINANCE (a) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED – That authority be given for cheques to be issued in settlement of the invoices shown in the accounts for payment attached as an Appendix to the signed Minutes. (b) Finance and General Purposes Committee – 15th December 2005 A copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the above Committee held on 15th December 2005 was circulated to each Member. The meeting dealt with the customary review of the Clerk’s salary and the contract provisions in respect of Mrs. Freeman and Mr. Keen. The Committee recommended a budget and a precept for the year 2006/07. RESOLVED – That the report be received and the recommendations contained within the Minutes of the Committee (a copy of which is appended to the signed Minutes) be accepted and adopted. (c) Requests for donation Letters requesting financial support were submitted from Fulford Out of School Club, Stone & District University of the Third Age and Fulford Village Hall Management Committee. RESOLVED (i) That although it is not the practice of the Council normally to make donations towards running costs, a grant of £100 be made in view of the service provided by the Fulford Out of School Club. (ii) That no grant be made to the Stone & District University of the Third Age but that the organisation be offered the facility to advertise the work of the organisation on the Council’s web site. (iii) That, in the circumstances reported, no offer of a grant be made to the Fulford Village Hall Management Committee for a grant for replacement furniture but that the position be reviewed at a later date when other avenues of support have been investigated. (N.B. Councillors Colclough and Oxby declared their interest in the application of Fulford Village Hall Management Committee and left the room during the discussion and voting thereon.) (d) Fidelity Guarantee Insurance Further to Minute 84/05 of the last meeting the Clerk reported that the insurance policy had been amended and the Fidelity Guarantee had been increased and now covered Members as well as the Clerk.
(a) Applications RESOLVED:- That no objections be raised to the following applications:- 05/05616 Erection of 6 one bedroom bungalows – Grindley Lane, B.B. 05/05621 Extensions – 55 Grindley Lane, M.H. 05/05634 Erection of dormer bungalow – Land at Common Lane, R.C.
(b) Decisions It was reported that the following applications had been approved:- 05/05213 Conservatory – Rough Close Farm, Stone Road, R.C.. 05/05332 Conservatory – Fieldview Grange Farm, Grindley Lane, B.B. 05/05370 Extension – 16 Orchard Rise, B.B. 05/05425 Conservatory – The Hollies, 6 Green Park, Ful. 05/05429 Extension and office – Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall. 05/05448 Agricultural building – Little Fields, Crossgate, Hil. 05/05456 Conservatory – 51 Hilderstone Road, M.H. 05/05464 Retention of ménage and stables – Parkview, Sav. Green.
It was reported that the following application had been refused:- 05/04875 Construction of 2 detached houses – Yew Tree Cottage, 50 Grindley Lane, M.H. (c) Other Planning Issues Letters were submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that appeals had been lodged against the refusal to comply with enforcement notices in respect of breaches of planning control at the Spot Acre Gypsy Site ,Hilderstone Road, Spot Acre and at Moss Farm, Moss Gate, Hilderstone. The Borough Council had also confirmed Tree Preservation Order No. 350 (2005) in respect of trees at Ivyhouse Farm, The Green, Fulford. A letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council inviting responses on the Preferred Option Reports for the Development Plan Document Number 1 and the Economic Development Control Development Plan Document. The Chairman was authorised to agree any comments. 93/05 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Proposed Parish Office Further to Minute 86/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that applications for grant were still being made and the Council placed on record their thanks for the work being undertaken by Councillors Oxby and Shaw in particular. (b) Public Footpaths – Community Paths Initiative Further to the discussion at the last meeting, the Clerk reported that Mr. Paul Rochfort would be attending the February Parish Council meeting. Consideration was then given to the bid for County Council’s Community Paths Initiatives Scheme 2006/7 RESOLVED – That a bid be made for £500 with a view to circular definitive walks within the Parish being promoted on the Council’s web site. (c) Footpath between Highview Road and Baulk Lane, Fulford Further to Minute 65/05 of 8.09.05, a letter was submitted from the Borough Council indicating that a bench will be provided on the open space adjoining this footpath in the very near future. A quotation was submitted from the County Council to provide 1 light on this footpath in the sum of £3,238 exclusive of VAT but they confirmed that once installed the County Council would adopt it and fund the future energy and maintenance costs. RESOLVED – That the County Council be informed that the Parish Council is inclined to approve the provision of 1 light but enquiries be made as to whether 2 would give a better solution to the problem.. (d) Grindley Lane and Grindley Lane Playing Field Councillor Mrs. Brayford reported on verbal complaints she had received from a resident regarding the problems of litter and dog fouling on Grindley Lane between its junction with Farnborough Close down to the A50. It was agreed to obtain some dog fouling signs for erection on the lamps and Councillor Goodfellow undertook to erect them. With regard to the illegal parking of vehicles, this was a matter for the Police and it was agreed to ask the Borough Council to employ an additional dog warden. Councillor Goodfellow reported on problems with traffic along Grindley Lane and it was agreed to write to the Police to secure further monitoring of traffic speed and also write to the County Council to extend the 30 mph limit down to Creda island. It was also agreed to write to Mr. Sly, Area Surveyor and ask for a schedule for the sweeping of highways and paths in the Parish.
(e) Quality Parish Councils Further to Minute 86/05 of the last meeting, a copy of ‘A Guide to becoming a Quality Council’ produced by the Countryside Agency was circulated to each Member. The Council felt that generally the conduct of their business was in accordance with the tests required but to obtain Quality Council Status the Clerk must hold either the Certificate in Local Council Administration or a Certificate of Higher Education etc. awarded by the University of Gloucester. The Clerk then addressed the Council with the public being excluded and pointed out that, although he was better qualified than the examinations now required to secure Quality Council Status, he would be required nevertheless to proceed and secure such Certificates. Given his age and experience, this he was not prepared so to do and also given the Council’s commitment to opening a Parish Office and it’s impact on his existing contract of employment, he felt he had no alternative , in all the circumstances, but to leave the employ of the Council during the current year. RESOLVED – That the Clerk’s position be noted with regret but that, in principle, the Council seek to secure Quality Council Status and that such requirements as are necessary be drawn to the attention of applicants in any recruitment process. (f) Flooding in Grange Road, Meir Heath RESOLVED – That the Area Surveyor be asked to investigate continued problems of flooding in Grange Road, Meir Heath close to the entrance to the village hall. (g) The Green, Fulford Councillor Oxby suggested that now the area improvements had been carried out by the County Council, the Borough Council should be asked to replace the wooden posts erected to prevent unauthorised parking in accordance with the wishes of the County Conservation Officer. He also drew attention to the situation with regard to street light no. 5 which should be moved to an adjoining post. RESOLVED – That appropriate enquiries be made. (h) Civic Amenity Visits A letter was submitted from the Borough Council giving details of revised costings and seeking details of the Council’s requirements for Civic Amenity visits in 2006. RESOLVED – That the same arrangements be made for Civic Amenity visits as were made in 2005. (i) Staffordshire Broadband Steering Group In response to a general enquiry from the Borough Council, it was agreed to advise that Authority that there were no known problems with the availability of broadband services within the Parish of Fulford. 94/05 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- SBC – Members Digest SCC – Watchdog Forum SCC – Road Closures at B5059 Grindley Lane SCC – Public Transport News SCC – Sustainable Staffordshire Staffs. P.C.A. – Chief Executive’s Circular 28 Stoke and Staffs. Fire and Rescue Authority – Integrated Risk Management Plan Office of Deputy Prime Minister – Standards of Conduct in English Local Government Parish Newsletter
95/05 ITEM(S) FOR NEXT MEETING The Clerk was asked to include on the agenda – Trees on land adjacent to Highview Road and Baulk Lane, Fulford.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday, 9th February 2006 at Fulford Village Hall at 6.45 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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