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Meeting Minutes - September '07MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FULFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY, 13th SEPTEMBER 2007 AT 7.30 P.M. AT MEIR HEATH & ROUGH CLOSE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Councillors Shaw (Chairman), Mrs Brayford (Vice- Chairman), Baggaley, Beasley, Bevan, Brayford, Mrs. Holmes, Lovatt, Mrs. Malvern, Mycock, Oxby, Mrs. Ralphs, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillor Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 3 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Mrs. Bennett and Colclough Borough Councillor Harp OTHER NON -ATTENDEES: Councillor Goodfellow
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Representatives of Creda Sports Association were in attendance and drew attention to the Association's concerns for their future following the announcement by the Company that they will vacate the site by December 2007. The Association boasted some 500 members currently and membership was not restricted to employees or ex-employees of the Company and was widely community based. Activities such as golf, fishing, bowls and cricket were provided and enquiries to both Creda (leaseholders) and Legal & General (freeholders) about the future had not been very helpful. The Council were asked for support. The Association was advised that any request for financial assistance from the Parish Council should be made in writing to the Clerk. It was also agreed to write to the Borough Council and ensure that the Creda Task Force were aware of the plight of the Association and to ensure these facilities were not lost to the community.
Further to the discussion at the last meeting, a resident again thanked the Parish Council for their continued support over problems of anti-social behaviour and speeding in the Adamthwaite Drive area of Blythe Bridge which had significantly decreased over the months. However there was a problem with the under aged youngsters from the Mangrove Care Home being actively encouraged to smoke by carers and the Clerk was asked to write to the Home's Manager. A second meeting had been arranged between representatives of appropriate bodies and local residents on 4th October 2007.
64/07 MINUTES RESOLVED - That, subject to the amendment to Minute 61/07 (c) Parish Office) as shown below, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 9th August 2007 having been circulated, be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman. Parish Office RESOLVED - That the present practice of having weekly surgeries on Mondays be continued and manned by volunteer members, a rota for which will be drawn up by the Chairman.
65/07 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS' REPORTS There was no formal report but Borough Councillor Roycroft was asked to look into the need for tidying Fulford Play Area and Saverley Green Village Green. Also he was made aware of problems with the open spaces and play equipment at Stallington Village. A verbal report was given on the outcome of a meeting with some Blythe Bridge Ward Members, Borough Councillor Harp and Mr. J. Scully on the possible provision of play facilities within Blythe Bridge including the possible purchase of the former bowling green at the rear of the White Cock Inn, Uttoxeter Road. Mr. Scully was to investigate the matters and report in due course. 63/07 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) Appeals for Donation A letter was submitted from the C.P.R.E. requesting additional financial assistance to the normal subscription paid in May 2007 to offset the increasing costs of advising on planning issues in particular within the various green belts within the West Midlands. RESOLVED - That consideration of the matter be deferred until the next meeting
66/07 PLANNING
(a) Applications
RESOLVED (1) That the action taken in raising no objections (with conditions as appropriate) to the following applications be confirmed:-
(2) That the action taken in raising objections to the following applications for the reasons stated at the meeting be confirmed:-
(b) Decisions
It was reported that Application No. 07/08551 for an extension at Mayfield, Windmill Hill, Rough Close had been withdrawn.
It was reported that the following applications had been approved:-
It was reported that the following applications had been refused:-
(c) Other Planning Issues It was reported that an appeal had been lodged against the enforcement notice served in respect of an alleged breach of planning control at Grange House, 102 Grindley Lane, Meir Heath.
A letter was read from the Borough Council with regard to unauthorised signs at Regent Service Station, Grindley Lane, Meir Heath.
A letter was submitted from the Borough Council confirming that a Tree Preservation Order (No. 467/2007) had been made in respect of trees at 9 Field Close, Blythe Bridge.
A letter and report was submitted from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council announcing the launch of a Local Development Framework for their area.
67/07 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Items notice of which was given at the last meeting
As instructed at the last meeting, the Clerk included the following matters on the agenda for this meeting and the topics were then discussed by members:-
RESOLVED - (1) That Staffordshire County Council be asked as to the position on the future upgrading of the street lighting, advised of the Council's support of the endeavours of the Borough Council to widen Blythe Close and asked as to the position of the 30mph extension on Grindley Lane.
(2) That a copy of the constitution of Fulford V.H.M.C. be supplied to Councillor Brayford as soon as possible;
(3) That the County Footpaths Officer be asked on the present position with regard to footpaths 11 and 17;
(4) That the Area Highways Manager be requested to advise on the County Council's policy on the possible provision of planters on highway verges.
(5) That following the destruction of the Notice Board at Blythe Lodge and the poor condition of the Notice Boards at Fulford and Meir Heath three replacements be ordered from Metrosigns 2000 Ltd. (the providers of the Rough Close Board) at a cost £680 each.
(b) Community Council of Staffordshire AGM
An invitation was submitted from the Community Council of Staffordshire to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Council to be held on 29th September 2007 at 7.30pm at Penkridge. There were no volunteers to attend.
(c) Parish Plan Further to Minute 62/07 of the last meeting, a copy of the draft Parish Plan was circulated to each member. Comments were invited to be submitted to the co-ordinator Councillor Oxby by the 24th September 2007. Thereafter sufficient copies of a final draft would be printed and copies sent to the 100 or so residents who expressed an interest in further involvement when returning their questionnaires in good time before the public sessions planned for late October/ early November.
RESOLVED - That the action proposed be confirmed
(d) Annual Meeting of Staffordshire Borough Partnership
An invitation was submitted to attend the A.G.M. of Stafford Borough Partnership to be held in Stafford on 17th September 2007 at 5.30 pm. There were no volunteers to attend (e) Parish Clerk Further to Minute 61/07 (c) of the last meeting, the Chairman submitted a letter received from the present Clerk, Mr. M.J. Manley terminating his employment with effect from 31st March 2008 but agreeing to continue until 30th April to assist his replacement.
RESOLVED
(1) That the resignation be received with regret;
(2) That the Finance & General Purposes Committee be charged with investigating a suitable solution bearing in mind the Council's aspirations in relation to Quality Council status and the use of the Parish Office and make recommendations accordingly as soon as practicable.
( It was agreed to call a meeting of that Committee on 24th September 2007 in the Parish Office at 7.30pm)
(f) Polling District and Polling Places Review 2007
A letter was submitted from the Borough Council's Electoral Registration Officer advising that a review of the Borough's Polling Districts and Polling Places was being carried out.
RESOLVED - That no representations for changes within the Parish be made.
68/07 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-
69/07 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING
The Clerk was asked to include the following matters on the agenda for the next meeting:-
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council is to be convened at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall on Thursday, 11th October 2007 at 7.15pm.
CHAIRMAN
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