Meeting Minutes - January 2005
PRESENT: Councillors Mycock (Chairman), Bradbeer (Vice-Chairman), Barnes, Bevan, Bedson, Colclough, Mrs. Holmes, Insley Lovatt, Oxby, Shaw and Taylor. IN ATTENDANCE: M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 9 members of the public APOLOGIES: Councillors Mrs. Deakin and Goodfellow. Borough Councillors Harp and Oldfield. OTHER NON ATTENDEES: Councillors Mrs. Brayford, Brayford and Fitzpatrick.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Meir Heath Windmill Group made representations and submitted further amplification in respect of their application for a donation which would be considered later at the meeting. In addition to any grant, the Parish Council were asked to pressurize the M&B Brewery for urgent repairs to be commenced. In the first instance, they wished the structure to be made wind and weather proof and it was their aim for the sails to be refitted. A possible future use for this building, which is Grade II listed, would be the creation of a museum. The Council applauded the efforts of the restoration group and agreed to write to the Brewery for an early commencement of essential repair works with a copy being sent to the Borough Council. 1/05 MINUTES
RESOLVED –That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 9th December 2004 having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 2/05 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 Following the informal discussion at the meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee on 25.11.04., the Clerk reported that, at a recent meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee, they were agreeable, in principle, to a Parish Office being sited adjacent to the existing Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall. RESOLVED – That, initially and without prejudice, an architect be approached and a feasibility study undertaken for the possible provision of a Parish Office.
(c) Request for donation – Meir Heath Windmill Restoration Group A letter was submitted from the above Group requesting a donation to assist in the administration for this newly formed Group whose aim was to secure the repair and promote the Windmill at Meir Heath which is a Grade II listed building. RESOLVED – That a donation of £250 be made. (The cheque was then presented to the Group by the Chairman) (d) Computer Equipment The Clerk reported that provision has been made in the budget for certain upgrades to the Council’s computer system. A new 17” TFT screen had been purchased, as had Microsoft Office software but it had been pointed out by a specialist that the current processor was inadequate to drive any new software system. A quotation was submitted from Premier Business Systems of Uttoxeter in the sum of £425 which included installation on the premises. RESOLVED – That the quotation be accepted but that the existing equipment be retained for possible use in conjunction with any new Parish Office. (e) Parish Council Financial Requirements 2005/06 The Clerk reported that he had received the annual request for details of the Parish precept from Stafford Borough Council and had sent the necessary return. 3/05 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED:- (i) That no objections be raised to the following applications:- 04/03609 Conservatory – 41 Kingsfisher Crescent, Ful. 04/03680 Conversion of barn into a dwelling etc. – Fulford Manor Farm, Fulford Dale Road, Ful. 04/03711 Extension – 75 Sutherland Crescent, BB 04/03712 Extensions and alterations – 15 Birkholme Drive, MH. (ii) That objections be raised to the following applications for the reasons given:- 05/03734 Change of use – Land to the rear of Fernlea, 30b Highview Road, Ful. 04/03721 Conversion and extension of garage to a dwelling – 124 Stallington Road, BB. 04/03689 Small family gypsy site – Spot Acre, Hilderstone Road, Ful. 04/03685 Extension – Mount Pleasant Farm, Cresswell Road, Hilder. (b) Decisions It was reported that the following application had been approved:- 04/03411 Extension – 11 Meadow Close, BB (c) Other Planning Issues It was reported that Daly International had instigated an informal consultation of a proposal to carry out a Vodafone installation at 45466 Whitestone Road, Streetworks, Meir prior to the submission of any planning application. It was agreed to thank the company for the opportunity to comment but offer no formal observations at this stage. It was also reported that an appeal had been lodged following the refusal of application number 04/0378 for alterations at Brooklands, Hartwell Lane, Stone. It was reported that the Tree Preservation Order had been made on trees at the former Stallington Hospital site. A letter was submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising on the protocol on plans sent to the Parish Council as part of the consultation process in respect of planning applications. Plans are not confidential and can be shown to members of the public but not copied. 4/05 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Water Tower, Rough Close Further to Minute 94/04 of the last meeting copies of letters received since the last meeting from Bill Cash, M.P. and from Hutchison 3G UK Limited were circulated to each Member of the Council. Members sought time to digest the contents of the letters and the Clerk would include an item on the next Agenda. (b) A50 Blythe Bridge In the absence of Councillor Mrs. Brayford, this item was deferred until the next meeting. (c) Stafford Borough Local Development Framework Seminars An invitation was submitted from Stafford Borough Council for Members to attend a series of seminars in Stafford/Stone between the 19th and 28th January 2005. Members indicated their preferences for attendance. (d) Community Paths Initiative A letter was submitted from the Staffordshire County Council inviting bids, once again, for path projects to be supported under the Community Paths Initiative Scheme for 2005/06. The County Council had also enquired as to the position on the offer of a grant of £650 for this year’s current initiative and in this connection Members were advised that details of relevant land ownerships were awaited. RESOLVED – That consideration of the matter be deferred until the next meeting. (e) Dog Fouling Notices Councillor Taylor reported that he had been approached by a resident for stencilled footpath signs on this matter, as were situated in the Blythe Bridge area of Staffordshire Moorlands, to be provided along Birkholme Drive, Goldbourne Avenue and Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath. RESOLVED – That the Area Surveyor be asked for his comments. (f) Risk Assessments RESOLVED – That a meeting of the Working Group be held at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 1st February 2005 at the home of Councillor Bradbeer. (g) Mr. A. Evans Further to Minute 99/04 of 9th December 2004 it was reported that Members had met with Mr. Evans on 7th January 2005 following which he had terminated the arrangement with the Council with immediate effect. RESOLVED – That Mr. Evans be thanked for undertaking the work for the Parish Council over the past three years and that a suitable replacement Contractor be sought by advertisement on the Noticeboards. 5/05 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS There were no reports. 6/05 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- SBC – Home Choice Formal Consultation Local Agenda 21 – Sundial Winter Issue SBC – Staffordshire Local Food Directory SCC – Public Transport News January 2005 SCC – Watchdog Forums Staffordshire Police – Stone Crime Prevention Panel Meeting Sustainable Staffordshire – Winter Issue 2004 A Standards Board for England – Local Investigations Guidance SCC – Timetable Stone & Eccleshall area 7/05 URGENT BUSINESS OF WHICH PRIOR NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN The Council deemed that the following correspondence was urgent and should be considered:- (a) Information Event for Councillors There were no volunteers to attend the information event for new Councillors organised by the Staffordshire Parish Councils Association on 20th January 2005. (b) BKV Competition 2005 The annual invitation to enter the BKV Competition 2005 was submitted. RESOLVED – That no entry be made this year. (c) Yellow Lines at Trinity Medical Centre, Blythe Bridge A letter was submitted from the Practice Manager of Trinity Medical Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge detailing problems experienced at the new surgery opened in July 2002 with regard to access often made difficult through parked vehicles. Application had been made to the Staffordshire County Council for the imposition of double yellow lines and the Parish Council were asked to support this request. RESOLVED – That the Council fully support the action proposed by the staff of Trinity Medical Centre. (d) Stafford Borough Development Framework The Clerk reported receipt of further detailed documents and consultation questionnaire concerning the core strategy development plan document. It was agreed that the Clerk should endeavour to obtain a copy of all the documents for each Member of the appointed Working Party and that, thereafter, a meeting of that Working Party be held on Tuesday, 15th February 2005 at 7.30 p.m. at Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall. (e) Civic Amenity Visits 2005 A letter was submitted from the Borough Council seeking details of the Council’s requirements for Civic Amenity Visits in 2005. RESOLVED – That the same arrangements be made for Civic Amenity Visits as were made in 2004. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday, 10th February 2005 at Fulford Village Hall.
CHAIRMAN |