Meeting Minutes - April '08
PRESENT: Councillors Shaw (Chairman), Mrs. Brayford (Vice-Chairman), Brayford, Colclough, Mrs. Holmes, Lovatt, Mrs. Malvern, Mycock, Oxby, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Parry, Borough Councillor Harp, M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 8 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Baggaley, Mrs. Bennett and Bevan, Borough Councillors Oldfield and Roycroft. OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillor Goodfellow. WELCOME The Chairman welcomed Mr. Stephen Beck, the newly appointed Parish Clerk, to the meeting in a capacity as observer. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A member of the public asked if there had been any response from the Borough Council concerning the local rumours that gypsies were moving onto land opposite Wood View Farm, Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath. The meeting was advised of the statement made by Borough Councillor Harp at the last meeting and a formal reply was still awaited. A representative from the Fulford Village Hall Committee read a letter dated 31st March 2008 from the Chairperson concerning Parish Council representation, a copy of which had already been submitted to the Clerk and was raised later in the meeting. A member of the public thanked the Parish Council for their assistance in securing attention by STWA to flooding in Blythe Avenue/Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath. It would appear that after a two year delay, something positive would be undertaken very shortly. A member of the public emphasised the need for speed controls along Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge. County Councillor Parry reported that the Highway Authority were aware of the situation and he would keep pressing for action. 22/08 MINUTES RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13th March 2008, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to a minor amendment. 23/08 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS' REPORTS County Councillor Parry reported on the meeting at Moddershall on 9th April 2008 to discuss the Minerals Core Strategy. He emphasised there would be a long drawn out consultation process and there would be a further meeting in June 2008. He suggested the formation of a Parish Council Working Group to discuss and monitor highway maintenance matters and it was agreed that this be discussed at the next meeting. He intimated that, despite rumours to the contrary, he was very much in favour of the Safer Routes to Schools Project in Blythe Bridge. The petition requesting action on the noise on the A50 had now been handed into the House of Commons. Borough Councillor Harp reported that JCB appeared to be negotiating in earnest for the acquisition of the former Creda site. 24/08 FINANCE (a) Accounts for Payment RESOLVED:- (i) 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. (ii) That authority be given for the Chairman to be reimbursed the sum of £250 for the purchase of three planters. (b) Appeals for Donation Letters were submitted from the CPRE and the Stone Group of the Staffordshire Area of the Ramblers Association requesting a donation towards their funds for the current year and financial assistance to the production of a new book of circular walks. A letter was submitted from the Stafford Borough Twinning Organisation thanking the Council for sponsorship for two girls attending the International Camp. RESOLVED:- (i)That a donation of £27 be made to the CPRE for the current year. (ii)That the Stone Group of the Staffordshire Area of the Ramblers Association be invited to make a presentation on their proposals to the Annual Parish Meeting on 15th May 2008.
(c) Council's Insurance Policy The Clerk reported receipt of the renewal summary for the Council's insurance effective from 1st June 2008. He reported on the implications for the cover of the Council's computer, photocopier etc. in relation to the revised arrangements with regard to the Parish office and also the implications following changes to the number of bus shelters and notice boards. RESOLVED - That the Insurance Company be notified of the proposed changes and asked to submit a revised quotation. (d) Council Tax 2008/9 A letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that the Council had now set the Council Tax for 2008/9 and a table setting out the total charges to be levied in the Parish for each tax band was circulated to each Member. RESOLVED - That the table be noted. 25/08 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED - That no objections be raised to the following applications:-
It was reported that the following applications had been approved:-
(c) Other Planning Issues A letter was submitted from Staffordshire Borough Council advising that the second meeting to discuss the production of a revised Local Development Framework scheduled for 8th May 2008 had been postponed. Notice had been received that an appeal had been lodged against the refusal of planning permission to convert and extend outbuildings opposite into a I bedroom unit at Hollyfield, Leadendale Lane, Rough Close.
26/08 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Item the 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 topic was then discussed by members:-
RESOLVED - That Councillor Brayford be thanked for his gesture and that Councillor Mrs. Wheat be nominated to serve on the Fulford V.H.M.C. for the ensuing year. (NOTE: Councillors Colclough and Oxby being members of the Fulford V.H.M.C. left the room during the discussion and voting on this item) (b) Casual Vacancies Further to Minute 19/08(e) of the last meeting, it was reported that notices had now been published and the Borough Council notified as to the vacancies. RESOLVED - That in the event of the requisite numbers calling for the vacancies being filled by election not being received, notice of the Council's wish to fill the vacancies via co-option be given inviting applications.
(c) A50 Traffic Noise Further to the discussion at the public participation session of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that there was no statutory requirement to measure and/or control traffic noise but there was in respect of air quality. A copy of the latest survey was attached which revealed that the air quality standards were not breached by the emissions from traffic using the A50 RESOLVED - That the response be noted (d) Provision of Bus Shelter at Stallington Further to Minute 19/08(d) of the last meeting, further consideration was given to the siting of the proposed shelter between Cavell Court and Franklin Drive since the site survey carried out by Councillors Baggaley and Mrs. Bennett. The suppliers of the shelter were pressing for a decision on the new site and since storage was being charged, following consultation with the Chairman, MSW Maintenance had been authorised to construct the new base. RESOLVED - That the action taken be approved and confirmed (e) Anti-social behaviour in the Adamthwaite Drive area Further to the discussion at the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Manager of Mangrove House pointing out that most of the problems were being created from local youngsters not resident in the Home and offering a to discuss the problems on site with representatives of the Council. It was reported that since writing the letter there had been further incidents with young residents in which the police were involved. RESOLVED - That the police be asked for a written report on the latest incidents following which Councillors Mrs. Brayford, Mrs. Malvern and Mrs. Wheat be authorised to meet with the Manager of Mangrove House.
27/08 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-
28/08 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING There were no items given. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Council is to be convened at Fulford Village Hall on Thursday, 15th May 2008 at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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