Minutes - February, 2005

PRESENT: Councillors Mycock (Chairman), Bradbeer (Vice-Chairman), Bevan, Mrs. Brayford, Brayford, Colclough, Mrs. Deakin, Oxby and Taylor

IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillor Oldfield (part only) M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 10 members of the public

APOLOGIES: Councillors Barnes, Bedson, Fitzpatrick, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes & Shaw. Borough Councillor Harp.

OTHER NON ATTENDEES: Councillors Insley and Lovatt.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Council were asked to advise the public as to their standing on the planning application for a gypsy site at Spot Acre, Hilderstone Road. The Council’s opposition to the site was on the grounds of Green Belt issues and a planning decision was awaited. Reference was made to a recent meeting in Fulford Village Hall when many of the local residents had not been invited. In fact the Parish Council had not formally been invited- the meeting being organised by the County Landowners. The Council were asked to attend to the Notice Board at Blythe Bridge as soon as possible.

8/05 MINUTES

RESOLVED –That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13th January 2005 having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

9/05 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) Parish Office

Further to Minute 2/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that arrangements had been made to meet Messrs. Wood, Goldstraw and Yorath, who were the architects used for the building of the Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall, on site on 21st February 2005 to discuss the feasibility study for a Parish office.

(c) Requests for donation

Requests for a donation were received from the McMillan Cancer Relief and Victims Support, Staffordshire.

RESOLVED:-

(i) That a donation of £150 be made to the McMillan Cancer Relief.

(ii) That further information be sought before determining the request from Victim Support, Staffordshire.

(d) Meir Heath Windmill Group

A letter was submitted from the Group thanking the Parish Council for the grant of £250.

10/05 PLANNING

(a) Decisions

RESOLVED:-

(i) That no objections be raised to the following applications:-

04/03686 New shop front – 424 Sandon Road, M.H. 05/03811 Alterations and additions – Windrush, Meadowside, Saverley Green 05/03830 Conservatory – 7 Franklin Drive, Stallington

(ii) That objections be raised to the following applications for the reasons given:-

04/03689 Amended Plans – Small family gypsy site – Spot Acre, Hilderstone Rd. 05/03797 Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of 9 apartments etc. – 218 Grindley Lane, BB.

(b) Decisions

It was reported that the following applications had been approved:-

04/03586 Riding Menage – The Stables, Fulford Dale Rd., Ful 04/03619 Conservatory – The Copse, Lightwood Rd., R.C. 04/03680 Conversion – Barn, Fulford Manor Farm, Fulford Dale Rd., Ful. 04/03712 Extension – 15 Birkholme Drive, M.H. 04/03609 Conservatory – 41 Kingfisher Cres., Ful.

It was reported that the following application had been refused:-

04/03685 Extension – Mount Pleasant Farm, Cresswell Farm, Hil.

(c) Other Planning Issues

A letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that a Tree Preservation Order had been made in respect of trees at numbers 216 and 218 Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge.

Members had attended the forum on the Stafford Borough Local Development Framework and comments had now been invited on two documents in connection therewith. A Working Party had been provisionally arranged for 15th February 2005 but very few Members could, in fact, attend. In the circumstances, Councillor Bradbeer was authorised to liaise with the Clerk and return the questionnaires duly completed.

11/05 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL

(a) Appointment of Maintenance Contractor

Further to Minute 4/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that one contractor had expressed an interest in carrying out the maintenance, namely, Mr. Derek Keen of Meir Heath. He had been interviewed by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Councillor Taylor who were satisfied that he would be able to undertake the duties in a satisfactory manner.

RESOLVED – That Mr. Keen be engaged for 24 hours per month at a sum of £180 on a self-employed basis and that Councillor Taylor act as liaison officer in respect of these duties.

(b) A50 Blythe Bridge

Councillor Mrs. Brayford enquired as to whether the Council had asked for any works to be carried out on the A50 as a result of the discussions with statutory authorities some nine months ago or whether any further information on this matter had been received. The answer to both points was in the negative.

(c) Staffordshire PCA

A copy of issue no. 102 was circulated and it was agreed that the matter should be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting.

(d) Community Paths Initiative

Further to Minute 4/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that the County Council’s contribution of £600 had been received towards the costs of erecting kissing gates on footpaths in Fulford. Councillor Barnes would be recommending that the kissing gates are placed on other footpaths in the area but, meanwhile, the Council were reminded that the opportunity was available to make a bid for the Community Paths Initiative for 2005/06.

RESOLVED – That the position be noted but that, in the circumstances, no bid be made for funding under the 2005/06 programme.

(e) Speed Limit, Hartwell Lane, Rough Close

A letter was submitted from a resident of Hartwell Lane, Rough Close seeking the Council’s support in his endeavours to secure a reduction in the speed limit on Hartwell Lane from 40 mph to 30 mph.

RESOLVED – That the request be supported.

(f) Risk Assessments

Further to Minute 4/05 of the last meeting, a verbal report was submitted following a meeting of the Working Group held on 1st February 2005. With regard to a paper considered on improving audit practices, the Group recommended that, prior to the meeting; the Chairman of the Finance Committee should check the invoices against the schedule of accounts for payment. The Group also recommended the purchase of a Local Council Risk System produced by DMH Solutions at a cost of £91-87p

There was also a general discussion concerning Quality Council and it was considered that further clarification should be obtained as to some of the mandatory tests.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Working Group be accepted.

(g) Annual Inspection of Play Equipment

Two quotations were submitted for the inspection of play equipment from John Hicks & Associates and ROSPA.

RESOLVED – That Messrs. John Hicks & Associates be retained to inspect the play equipment on Grindley Park for 2005.

12/05 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Borough Councillor Oldfield reported that the tenants of houses belonging to Stafford Borough would have the opportunity to vote shortly on the possible transfer to a Housing Association

13/05 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-

SBC – New Leisure Centre SPCA – Report of AGM – 6.11.04 SCC – Meir Heath – Dog Fouling SCC – Public Transport News Feb. 2005 SCC – Watchdog Forums SCC – Stallington Lane SCC& Mrs. C. Fleming – Village Green Fulford BTCV – Offer of assistance University of Essex – Technical information on mobile phone masts Office of Deputy Prime Minister – Freedom of Information Act 2000

14/05 URGENT BUSINESS OF WHICH PRIOR NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN

The Council deemed that the following correspondence was urgent and should be considered:-

(a) Fulford Village Hall

Further to Minute 92(d) of 9.12.04., an application was submitted from Fulford Village Hall Management Committee for the Council to enter into a formal contract to undertake the proposed works to renew the lighting and undertake suspended ceilings at the Hall in accordance with the principles discussed at the December meeting. Details of three tenders were submitted and the lowest was in the sum of £10,223 plus V.A.T.

In view of the numbers present, it was agreed to call a special meeting on Thursday, 24th February 2005 but it was subsequently ascertained that, in view of the conditions imposed by other grant donors, work had been arranged to commence on 14th February 2005. The feasibility of changing these arrangements and/or other possibilities had been explored but led to other difficulties and, after careful consideration, the Village Hall Management Committee have withdrawn the request. Therefore, a special meeting was not held.

(N.B. Councillors Colclough and Oxby declared an interest in this matter and left the room during the discussion and voting thereon.)

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday, 10th March 2005 at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall at 7.15pm.

CHAIRMAN