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Meeting Minutes - December '06
PRESENT: Councillors Oxby (Chairman), Shaw (Vice-Chairman), Beasley, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Brayford, Brayford, Colclough, Lovatt, Mrs. Ralphs, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillors Oldfield and Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 2 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Bevan, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes and Mycock. Borough Councillor Harp OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillor Insley
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There were no matters raised at this opportunity.
60/06 MINUTES RESOLVED –That subject to one minor amendment, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 9th November 2006, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
61/06 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS It was reported that the questionnaires had been distributed to nearby residents in Fulford by S.B.C. to secure views on the possible upgrading of the play equipment at Highview Road. 6 people only wanted toddlers’ equipment provided, 30 wanted juniors and toddlers, 6 were in favour of juniors only, 3 people thought the equipment should be moved elsewhere and 2 were in favour of no equipment being provided at all. As a result, it was now being planned that equipment suitable for juniors and toddlers would be provided next year. In the meantime the area would be tidied up. There was then a general discussion about the level of facilities for play in Fulford and the possible lease of additional land. This was to be made an agenda item at the appropriate time. Questions were raised at the apparent lack of action on the possible service of an Untidy Site Notice in respect of 54 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath raise earlier in the year. The Clerk was asked to write to the Borough Council asking the present position.
62/06 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 request was submitted from the Open Spaces Society ( who the Council subscribe to each year) seeking additional funding for extra work created by the victory in the House of Lords for Trap Grounds in Oxford and the Commons Act 2006 and the combined effect to the registration of new greens. A letter was also submitted from the Stone & District Branch of Age Concern wishing to make a verbal presentation to the Council to try and a secure financial assistance. RESOLVED: (1) That no action be taken on the request from the Open Spaces Society; (2) The Age Concern be advised that it is not considered necessary to make a verbal presentation and if a donation is required they should make written application in the normal manner. (c) Budget 2007/8 – Finance & General Purposes Committee - 4.12.06 Further to Minute 53/06 of the last meeting, a copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 4th December 2006 was circulated to each Member. The meeting dealt with the customary review of salaries and contract payments and the Committee recommended a budget and precept for 2007/8. 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. (d) Parish Office Further to Minute 53/06 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee advising that the works were substantially completed and requesting payment of the remainder of the promised grant. They would like to enter into discussions with the Parish Council on an occupational licence agreement as per the model provided once the Parish Council had determined their requirements following the Special Meeting on 8th January 2007. Members were given the opportunity to see the building works and congratulated the Village Hall Committee on the quality of the workmanship and the overall scope of the works. RESOLVED – That authority given for the remainder of the promised grant in the sum of £20,000 to be now paid to the Village Hall Committee ( N.B. Councillor Shaw declared his interest in the matter and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)
(e) Audit of Accounts 2005/6 Further to Minute 30/06 of 10th August 2006, a letter was submitted from the Audit Commission confirming that the audit of the Council’s accounts for the year ending 31st March 2006 was completed and that there were no matters which needed to be brought to the Council’s attention. RESOLVED – That the letter be noted with satisfaction.
63/06 PLANNING (a) Applications It was reported that Application No. 06/06959 for an extension at 218 Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge had been withdrawn.
RESOLVED:- (1) That no objections be raised to the following applications:- (2) That objections be raised to the following application for the reasons stated at the meeting:- (b) Decisions It was reported that the following applications had been approved:-
It was reported that the following application had been refused:- (c ) Other Planning Issues Correspondence was submitted from Stafford Borough Council Correspondence from the City of Stoke on Trent Council concerning the Minerals Development Plan Document and the Submission Statement of Community Involvement as part of their creation of a Development Framework was noted.
64/06 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Condition of buildings occupied Martins Newsagents, Meir Heath A Member reported that he received recently a number of complaints about the poor condition and state of repair of these buildings. Of particular concern was the condition and appearance of the former dwellinghouse adjoining the shop itself currently used for storage. RESOLVED – That the concerns be referred to the Chief Executive of the Company (b) Bus Shelters – Stallington and Meir Heath Further to Minute 39/06 (c) of 14.09.06, a letter was submitted from John Stockley, Hon. Secretary of Stallington Residents Association suggesting a suitable site in Stallington Road for the provision of the new shelter. A Member also reported that the Council’s existing shelter at the top of Sandon Road, Meir Heath was coming apart and was badly in need of repair although it was quickly coming to the end of it’s practical life.
RESOLVED (1) That in respect of Stallington, a copy of the plan be referred to the Chairman and Councillors Beasley and Mycock together with the website addresses of suitable manufacturers and they be asked to make recommendations at the next meeting. (2) That the bus shelter at Sandon Road, Meir Heath be repaired as soon as possible and it be replaced when funds are available.
(c) Council field – Cockieshall Lane, Fulford The Chairman reported that he had recently observed that gaps had been created in the perimeter hedge around the above Council owned land and he had asked Mr. D. Wheat to give a quotation for the supply and erection of 10 meters of post and rail fencing which he submitted in the sum of £175. RESOLVED – That the quotation be accepted and Mr. Wheat asked to undertake the work as soon as possible. (d) Parish Plan Further to Minute 55/06(f) of the last meeting, a copy of the proposed questionnaire was circulated to each Member. Quotations had been sought from Panda Press for printing the Questionnaires and the envelopes to be returned using Freepost. The Clerk reported on discussions with the Chairman and M/s Emma Beaman and it had been ascertained that she would be willing to prepare a detailed analysis of the completed questionnaires and thereafter a first draft of the Parish Plan but she was unable to forecast accurately the actual commission fee she required since it was dependent on the number of returns received. Based on previous exercises the commission fee would be in the order of £1500. M/s Beaman had undertaken similar work for other parishes in the County. RESOLVED – That authority be given for the necessary printing to be undertaken by Panda Press and M/s Emma Beaman be commissioned to prepare a detailed analysis of the returned questionnaires and a first draft of the Parish Plan on terms to be agreed by the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council.
(e) Proposed Wildlife Pond – Saverley Green Members were reminded that earlier in the year, they had been advised a site meeting had been held with certain members and officers of the Borough Council with the owners of a property near The Green in Saverley Green and as a consequence a drainage scheme had been proposed to be carried out by the Borough Council to alleviate flood damage being caused to that property. (Minute 22/06 of 13.07.06) The proposed works included the possible creation of a small pond and as a result of an article published in the Autumn Edition of the Parish Newsletter, a letter was submitted from residents of Orchard Cottage expressing concerns at the creation of such a pond. RESOLVED – That the concerns be referred to Mr. Joe Scully of the Borough Council who is preparing the flood alleviation scheme. (f) Old Council Minutes The Clerk reported that he had been asked to sign an authorisation agreement with the County Archivist in respect of old minutes and other Parish records sent by the former Clerk, Mr. Ravenscroft. Before doing so, he sought instructions from the Council since with the creation of the parish office, these records could be kept altogether if that is what Members wanted. RESOLVED – That the Clerk be authorised to sign the authorisation agreement
(h) Play Equipment – Grindley Park, Meir Heath Further to Minute 55/06(h) of the last meeting, it was agreed to convene a meeting of the Grindley Park Working Party on Monday 29th January 2007 at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall and to invite Sally McDonald from the Borough Council and a representative of Wicksteed Leisure to be in attendance. (i) Community Paths Initiative – Bids for 2007/8 A letter was submitted from the County Footpaths Officer inviting bids once again for path projects to be supported under this initiative for the financial year 2007/8. The closing date for bids was 31.01.07 RESOVED – That consideration be deferred until the next meeting. 65/06 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- 66/06 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING The Clerk was asked to include on the agenda for the next meeting:- – DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next ordinary meeting of the Council is to be convened at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall depending on Thursday, 11th January 2007 at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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