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Meeting Minutes - February 2007
PRESENT: Councillors Oxby (Chairman), Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Brayford, Brayford, Colclough, Goodfellow, Mycock, Mrs Ralphs, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillor Roycroft, M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 1 member of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Bevan, Mrs. Holmes and Shaw. Borough Councillors Harp and Oldfield. OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillors Insley and Lovatt
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There were no matters raised at this opportunity.
10/07 MINUTES RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 11th January 2007 having been circulated, be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman.
11/07 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORTS Reference was made to a site meeting between representatives of the Borough Council and the Stallington Residents Association at which it was announced that the open spaces on the former Hospital site would now be maintained long term by Persimmon Homes and not the Borough Council. It was alleged that this was contrary to the original agreements. The Borough Councillors were asked to submit a detailed report at the next meeting and in the meantime the Clerk was asked to obtain advice from Persimmon Homes.
12/07 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) Appeal for Donation A letter was submitted from the Stafford Branch of the Samaritans requesting consideration to be given to making a donation. A copy of the Annual Report and Accounts was also provided. Further to the discussion at the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Stone & ` District Branch of Age Concern thanking the Council for their donation. RESOLVED -That a donation of £50 be made to the Samaritans for the current year.
(c) Parish Office Further to Minute 5/07 of the last meeting, it was reported that any application for the provision of a separate dedicated telephone line service for the Parish Office would have to be made by the Parish Council and not the Village Hall Committee. Details were submitted of various options and costings. RESOLVED That the Council are of the view that a telephone line is not required for immediate use and therefore consideration of the matter be deferred for the time being.
13/07 PLANNING (a) Applications It was reported that Applications 06/07151 for the construction of a new dwelling house with integral garage at 34 Grindley Lane, Meir Heath and 06/07278 for the redevelopment of the Bird in Hand, Creswell Road, Hilderstone had been withdrawn.
RESOLVED:- (1) That the action taken in raising no objections (with conditions as appropriate ) to the following applications be confirmed:- (2) That 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 A letter was submitted from the Borough Council confirming that an inquiry into the appeals against alleged breaches of planning controls in respect of The Wood, Stallington Road, Meir Heath would be held in Stafford on 13th February 2007. It was reported that notice had been given that the Borough Council had confirmed, without modification, Tree Preservation Order No. 430 of 2006 in respect of trees at Fair Oaks, Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath
14/07 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 (Minute 9/07 ), the Clerk included the provision of 30 mph matrix signs on the agenda for this meeting. A majority of Members felt that there was a urgent need for such signs on Grindley Lane and Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath and on Windmill Hill, Rough Close. Mention was made as to the availability of portable signs.
RESOLVED That the County Area Surveyor be asked to investigate the provision of such signs including the possibility of the provision of a portable facility (b) Bus Shelter Stallington Further to Minute 7/07 (b) of the last meeting, it was reported that a quotation had been submitted from Fentons Buildings of Hanley for the provision of a wooden shelter to the same size as that at Sandon Road, Meir Heath in the sum of £1050. However it was still necessary to be assured that the quality of wood to be used was satisfactory and the Chairman undertook to verify this with the manufacturers as soon as possible.
RESOLVED - That in principle the Council agree to a wooden shelter being provided at Stallington and provided the investigations as to quality are satisfactory, the quotation from Fentons be accepted.
(c) Parish Plan Further to Minute 7/07(c) of the last meeting, it was reported that all the questionnaires had been delivered and that in fact over 700 completed forms had been returned to Emma for analysis to date. RESOLVED That the position be noted.
(d) Proposed provision of play equipment at Grindley Park, Meir Heath Further to Minute 64/06 (h) of14th December 2006, a report of a meeting of the Grindley Park Management Group held at Fulford Village Hall on 29th January 2007 was circulated. RESOLVED That the report (a copy of which is appended to the signed minutes) be received and the recommendations made therein be accepted. (e) Community Awards A letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council inviting the Parish Council to nominate either individuals or organisations which impacted on the community over the past year for recognition under the scheme. RESOVED That the letter be noted. (f) S.P.C.A. Circular 32 A summary was given of the contents of the Chief Executives Circular 32 dated 15th January 2007. It was decided not to send any delegates to the Chairmanship Skills Course on 1st March 2007.
(g) Village Nameplates Stallington Further to Minute 7/07(a) of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Area Surveyor Seeking details of the suggested positions for the provision of village nameplates. RESOLVED That the Area Surveyor be advised that nameplates are required on the three road approaches to the village.
(h) Bus Services Stone Area A letter was submitted from the Development Services Directorate of Staffordshire County Council intimating that a review was being undertaken of local bus services in the Stone Area. A summary was provided of the existing level of service and also brief details of outstanding issues none of which seemed to impact on this Parish. The Council were invited to supply details of other issues before the 28th February 2007. RESOLVED That County Council be advised that there are no issues arising at the moment but that they be made aware of the contents of the Parish Plan Questionnaire and advised that issues arising therefrom will be notified to them in due course.
(i) Community Police Vehicle Further to discussion at the meeting of the Council held on 9th November 2006, a letter was submitted from P.C. Hilditch seeking a meeting with representatives of the Council to discuss this matter. Since any vehicle, if provided, would be shared with Barlaston and Hilderstone Parishes as well, it seemed sensible that any meeting should also involve representatives from those Councils. Additionally before any meeting took place, which would be on a without prejudice basis anyway, P.C. Hilditch was to be reminded that written details of the possible costings involved were required.
15/07 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- 16/07 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 meeting of the Council is to be convened at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall on Thursday, 8th March 2007 at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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