Meeting Minutes - December 2005
PRESENT: Councillors Bradbeer (Chairman), Oxby (Vice-Chairman), Beasley, Bevan (part only), Mrs Brayford, Brayford, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. Holmes, Mycock, Shaw, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillor Oldfield, M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 1 member of the public APOLOGIES: Councillors Bedson, Colclough, Goodfellow, Insley and Lovatt; Borough Councillor Harp
FORMER COUNCILLOR KEN ALLEN It was reported that former Councillor Ken Allen from Meir Heath who retired from the Council in May 2003 after many years service had passed away recently. Information about the funeral arrangements had not been disseminated and as a result there was little Council representation at the funeral service. The Chairman had since spoken to Mrs. Allen and explained the situation and had sent a donation. Members then stood in silence as a token of respect. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION With regard to the Gypsies at Hilderstone Road, Spot Acre, there was no further information to hand although it was understood that the appeal date had been set for 14th March 2006. It was reported that a number of sheds had been erected and the need to closely monitor the site was expressed. 82/05 MINUTES RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 10th November 2005, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 83/05 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORTS There were no reports made. However, Councillor Oldfield was asked to find out the position on a possible service of an Untidy Site Notice in respect of 54 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath which was raised at the August meeting. 84/05 FINANCE (a) Accounts for Payment RESOLVED That subject to an amendment to the amount in respect of cheque number 2007 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) Budget & Precept 2006/7 Further to Minute 77/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that Councillor Bedson had been taken ill and that to secure representation for the Fulford Ward Councillor Colclough had been invited to attend the meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee on 29th November and he had voted on various matters. The Clerk was absent on holiday. As statute nor Standing Orders permit substitutes the proceedings of that Committee meeting were invalid. RESOLVED That in the circumstances Councillor Bevan be appointed to the Finance & General Purposes Committee for the remainder of the municipal year and that a further meeting of the Committee be held on Thursday 15th December 2005 at 7.30pm in Fulford Village Hall (c) Request for donation A letter was submitted from the Open Spaces Society seeking a financial donation to the additional work being undertaken by staff on a new Commons Bill. RESOLVED That a donation of £50 be made. (d) Fidelity Guarantee Insurance Further to Minute 77/05 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from Alliance Cornhill enclosing a proposal form to now include Councillors in relation to the Fidelity Guarantee Insurance. RESOLVED That the Chairman be authorised to sign the proposal form. 85/05 PLANNING
(a) Applications RESOLVED:- (i) That no objections be raised to the following applications:- 05/05456 Removal of existing & erection of new conservatory-51 Hilderstone Rd., M.H. 05/05448 Agricultural building-Little Fields, Crossgate, Hil. 05/05496 Extensions 208 Grindley Lane, B.B. 05/05524 Bedsit & extension-Lothlorien, Uttoxeter Road, B.B. 05/05572 Extension 227 Grindley Lane, B.B.
(ii) That objections be lodged to the following application for the reasons stipulated:- 05/05476 Demolition of existing bungalow and replacement with a pair of semi-detached houses-34 Grindley Lane, M.H. It was reported that Application 05/05062 for proposed alterations and extensions to Coutts Cottage, Leadendale Farm, Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath had been withdrawn.
(b) Decisions It was reported that the following applications had been approved:- 05/05012 Stables and tack room Land adj. to Blacklake Farm, Hilderstone Road, M.H. 05/05332 Replacement garage & extension-5 Hillside Close, Ful. 05/05343 Extensions Penmarric, Uttoxeter Road, B.B. 05/05379 Extension & garage-26 Blythe Avenue, M.H.
It was reported that the following application had been refused:- 05/05255 Extension-130 Stallington Road, B.B. (c) Other Planning Issues A letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that the appeal lodged against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of 16 -2 bedroomed flats at Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge reported to the last meeting would now be dealt with by written representation rather than public inquiry. A Member reported that it would appear that further unauthorised works were being undertaken at The Wood, Stallington Road, Meir Heath and it was agreed that the Clerk should write to Stafford B.C.
86/05 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Proposed Parish Office Further to Minute 79/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that applications for grant were being finalised but it was necessary at this time to indicate how any shortfall between the total costs of the works (estimated at £110000) and the amount of any grant would be met. RESOLVED - That the Council agree to underwrite the difference. (b) Public Footpaths Proposed diversion of Footpaths 64 to 69 Rough Close Common An informal consultation was underway by the County Council to divert some of these footpaths so that they coincide with the routes that the public currently walk RESOLVED That the County Council be advised that this Council is in full agreement with these proposals. Community Paths Initiative Bids for 2006/7 It was greed to give consideration to this matter at the next meeting. Public Footpaths Works A member asked that this item be included on the agenda at the last meeting. RESOLVED (i) That the BTCV be asked to repair the steps on Footpath 1 adjacent to Heathers Nurseries, Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath and place some stone near Footpath 67 on the Rough Close Common. (ii) That Mr. Paul Rochfort, County Rights of Way Assistant, be invited to address the Parish Council as soon as possible. (c) Hilderstone Traffic Management A letter was submitted from Staffordshire County Council inviting the Council to comment on a proposed zonal weight restriction in the Hilderstone area as per Drawing CDT6471/RO1/01 which was shown to members. RESOLVED That the County Council be advised that this Council has no objections to these proposals. (d) Staffordshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Further to Minute79/05 of the last meeting it was reported that the Chairman an Vice Chairman had offered comments on the Countys Submission Statement of Community Involvement. RESOLVED That the action taken be approved and confirmed. (e) Quality Parish Councils Further to Minute 79/05 of the last meeting, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman reported on their attendance at the SPCA seminar and recommended that the Council should apply for Quality Status. RESOLVED That a copy of the booklet A Guide to becoming a Quality Council be obtained for each Member of the Council and thereafter further consideration be given to the matter. . (f) Stafford Borough District Review of School Places A copy of a report received from the Corporate Director of Staffordshire County Council on specific proposals for change following a review of school places within Stafford Borough District had been circulated to each Member. RESOLVED That no comments be offered on the report. (g) Fulford Well Further to Minute 79/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that MSW Maintenance had now undertaken satisfactorily all the repairs to the drinking water fountain at The Green, Fulford but at additional costs and invoices were submitted for the works in total in the sum of £638.97 plus VAT. RESOLVED That authority be given for the invoices to be paid. 87/05 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- SBC Members Digest SCC Winter Driving Leaflet SCC Damage to Bridges at A50/B5059 Grindley Lane SCC Public Transport News SCC Major works on the A50 Meir Heath & Rough Close VHMC Annual Report & Accounts 2004/5 Donna Louise Trust Tree News Staffs. Community Council Annual Report 2004/5 CPRE - Fieldwork Central Networks Reorganisation Parish Newsletter Calendar of Meetings 2006
88/05 ITEM(S) FOR NEXT MEETING The Clerk was asked to include on the agenda Flooding in Grange Road, Meir Heath and also The Green, Fulford. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday, 12th January 2006 at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
|
