Meeting Minutes - August '07COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY, 9TH AUGUST 2007 AT 7.30 P.M. AT FULFORD VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT:Councillors Mrs Brayford (Vice- Chairman in the Chair), Baggaley, Mrs. Bennett, Brayford, Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. Malvern, Mycock, Oxby, Shaw, (latter part of meeting only) Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillors Harp, Oldfield and Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 6 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Colclough, Goodfellow and Shaw OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillors Bevan, Lovatt and Mrs Ralphs
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Further to the discussion at the last meeting, residents expressed the view that the wider community should be consulted when and if proposals for possible parking on the current open space at Green Close, Blythe Bridge materialise. Further to the discussion at the last meeting, residents reported that the problems of anti-social behaviour and speeding in the Adamthwaite Drive area of Blythe Bridge were improving thanks largely to the efforts of the police. The Council were thanked for arranging the meeting between interested parties on 19th July 2007 and everyone looked further to the next meeting to be arranged shortly. The Clerk was asked to write to a letter of appreciation to Acting Inspector Sgt.Wain. Some plans were deposited showing the proposals for alterations to the White Cock Inn, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge. Contrary to local rumour , the building was not going to be used as a night club. A resident suggested that the land at the rear of the building, formerly used as a bowling green, might be acquired and brought into community open space and it was agreed to place this suggestion before the Parish Council at the next meeting.
57/07 MINUTES RESOLVED -That, subject to a minor amendment, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12th July 2007 having been circulated, be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman.
58/07 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS' REPORTS An e-mail was submitted from County Councillor Parry requesting the Parish Council to write to the County Estates Officer opposing the sale of approximately 100 of the 130 smallholdings currently owned by the County Authority. The Council asked the Clerk to write accordingly.
Borough Councillors reported particular problems being experienced with speeding along Hilderstone Road particularly at night. In consultation with the County Council and the police, investigations were proceeding to introduce traffic calming measures and monitor through speedwatch. Reference was made to the ongoing discussions on the implications of the planned closure of the Creda Works in Blythe Bridge. It had been decided to retain if possible the use of the present car parking for similar community use; as too the open space facilities within the premises. The Parish Council reiterated their desire to be kept fully informed. Possible alterations to the refuse collection arrangements was shortly going to be out to public comment and it was emphasised that there should be wide public feed-back. It was agreed to place an article in the Parish Newsletter at the appropriate time and also provide details of the responses to the Parish Plan Questionnaire. 59/07 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 circular letter was submitted from Victim Support Staffordshire giving details of the work being undertaken and requesting sympathetic consideration to their request for funding in the current year. A letter was also submitted from Fulford United Football Club thanking the Council for their generous kindness and financial support.
RESOLVED -That the Council agree to make an donation of £100 to Victim Support Staffordshire
60/07 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 application for the reasons stated at the meeting be confirmed:-
(b) Decisions It was reported that the following applications had been approved:-
(c) Other Planning Issues It was reported that the County Council were preparing a background paper that will set out the spatial vision, objectives and strategy for future mineral development in Staffordshire. The draft was available on the County Council website www..staffordshire.gov.uk/planning The Chairman had responded to the invitation to comment on Stoke on Trent's Local Development Framework - North Staffordshire Core Spatial Strategy - Revised preferred options report.
61/07 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 matter on the agenda for this meeting and the topics were then discussed by members:-
Reports were given as to the present position on the fencing of Rough Close Common which was largely now dependent upon applications made by the Borough Council for outside funding and these would be determined in the Autumn.
RESOLVED -
(b) Revised Model Code of Conduct Further to Minute 54/07(b) of the last meeting, further consideration was given to the revised model Code of Conduct circulated to each Member at the last meeting. A letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that a new form for the registration of members' personal interests would need to be completed for each member once the revised code of conduct was adopted. RESOLVED - That the revised model Code of Conduct ( a copy of which is appended to the Signed Minutes) be adopted without amendment with immediate effect. (c) Parish Office Further to Minute 54/07(d) of the last meeting, further consideration was given to the future arrangements for the weekly opening of the Parish Office. The Clerk was prepared to continue until the end of August and in an attempt to assist the Council in these deliberations he gave notice that it was his intention to leave the post of Clerk with effect from 30th April 2008.
RESOLVED - That the present practice of having weekly surgeries on Mondays be continued and be manned by volunteer Members, a rota for which will be drawn up by the Chairman.
(d) Anti-social behaviour in Adamthwaite Drive area, Blythe Bridge Further to the discussion at the public participation stage of this and previous meetings, a verbal report was given of the meeting between representatives of the County Council, Parish Council Ward members and local residents held on 19th July 2007. It was intended to hold a further meeting in a few weeks time when it was hoped the police and representatives of the two foster homes would be present. The Parish Council had been thanked by the residents for taking the initiative of calling the meeting. RESOLVED - That the position be noted. (e) Withdrawal of school journeys on Service 249 Longton - Stallington - Stone A letter was submitted from the County Principal Passenger Transport Officer advising that a review of contracted local bus services in the Stone area had revealed that the journeys which serve Fulford Primary School did not carry any passengers. The journeys would therefore be withdrawn with effect from 3rd September 2007 RESOLVED - That position be noted
(f) S.P.C.A. Vacancies on Executive Committee The Chief Executive of the S.P.C.A. had written advising that three nominations had been received for a vacancy to serve until the 2008 A.G.M. and a ballot paper was enclosed together with details of the candidates. RESOLVED - That the Council support the nomination of Mary Booth
(g) Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Staffordshire Further to Minute 54/07(g) of the last meeting, Councillor Taylor summarised the main content of the above document on which the Staffordshire County Council were inviting comments before the end of August 2007. RESOLVED - That the proposals contained within the document be generally welcomed and a wish expressed that following publication of the final plan sufficient resources be put in place to ensure the objectives are achieved.
62/07 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-
63/07 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, 13th September 2007 at 7.15pm.
CHAIRMAN
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