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Meeting Minutes - January 2007
PRESENT: Councillors Oxby (Chairman), Shaw (Vice-Chairman), Colclough, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes, Mycock, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 3 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Mrs. Bennett, Bevan, Mrs. Brayford, Brayford and Mrs. Ralphs. Borough Councillors Harp, Oldfield and Roycroft OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillors Insley and Lovatt
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Residents expressed their concerns with regard to the proposals contained within Planning Application 06/07527 for the erection of 3 houses with garages on land adj. 7 Green Close, Blythe Bridge. They were not opposed to the development per se but had real worries about certain aspects particularly access and plans to remove both pavements. It appeared Green Close was not an adopted highway but in fact was owned by Stafford Borough Council or its successor in housing, Stafford Rural Homes. Councillor Mrs. Wheat undertook to look into this aspect and advise the residents accordingly. It was explained that the Council had already given their comments to the Borough Council on the planning application but any concerns they might have should be put in writing to the Borough Development Control Manager. Residents also complained about the growing dangers of the amount of traffic now using Ridgeway Drive & Adamthwaite Drive as a rat run to the Creda factory in Blythe Bridge, particularly on Fridays. Parking is permitted on both sides of the roads and at dropping off and picking up times for the schoolchildren at that school there was real cause for concern. The Clerk was asked to write to the County Area Surveyor with a request that he look into the problems and perhaps introduce a one-way system and/or no waiting restrictions on one side of both roads.
3/07 MINUTES RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14th December 2006 and of the Special Meeting of the Council held on 8th January 2007 having been circulated or tabled, be confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chairman.
4/07 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORTS In the absence of all Councillors, there were no reports made.
5/07 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 Further to the discussion at the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Stone & District Branch of Age Concern making a formal application for financial assistance. RESOLVED - That a donation of £100 be made for the current year.
(c) Parish Office Further to Minute 62/06 of the last meeting, the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee advised that there were only some minor works outstanding.
A discussion then ensued as to the Councils needs for telephone facilities.
Further to Minute 62/06 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Borough Council advising that the concurrent functions allowance would rise from £6420.this year to £6599 in year 2007/8
6/07 PLANNING (a) Applications
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 applications for the reasons stated at the meeting be confirmed:- (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 Further to Minute 61/06 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Borough Council confirming that in respect of 54 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath, a notice had been served on 21st August 2006 and came into effect on 30th September 2006. Certain materials have been removed but as the period of compliance had now expired the Boroughs Planning Enforcement Officer was making arrangements to make a further site visit. Councillor Shaw asked to be supplied with a copy of the letter.
7/07 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 66/06 ), the Clerk included the following matters on the agenda for this meeting:-
RESOLVED (1) That the County Area Surveyor be asked to investigate the provision of a pedestrian crossing on Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath in the vicinity of the Windmill Inn; (2) That the County Area Surveyor be asked to provide the necessary signage for the Fulford Church and Stallington Village and in view of the continuing concerns on highway matters generally Mr. Sly be invited to attend the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on 12th April.2007 at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall. (b) Bus Shelter Stallington Further to Minute 64/06 (b) of the last meeting, Members reported that they were happy with the site on Stallington Road suggested by the Residents Association. Quotations were provided for the provision of aluminium or a wooden shelter.
RESOLVED (1) That the County Area Surveyor be formally asked for consent to erect a shelter on the suggested site at Stallington Road; (2) That the Clerk be asked to try and secure another quotation for the provision of a wooden shelter.
(c) Parish Plan Further to Minute 64/06(d) of the last meeting, the Clerk reported that M/s Emma Beaman had agreed to analyse the completed forms and prepare a draft Parish Plan. Following the grant of the Royal Mail Freepost licence, Panda Press were printing the questionnaires and envelopes which would be distributed towards the end of this month. RESOLVED That the position be noted.
(d) Proposed Civic Amenity Visits 2007 The annual invitation from the Borough Senior Waste Management Officer was submitted supplying costings for the provision of civic amenity facilities this year and seeking details of the Councils requirements. RESOLVED That the Borough Council be asked to provide three visits to the three locations this year. (e) Community Paths Initiative Bids for 2007/8 Further to Minute 64/06 (i) of the last meeting further consideration was given to the letter 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. Members were reminded that the bid made in January 2006 had been unsuccessful. RESOVED That in the circumstances a further bid be made this year in the same manner as that made in January 2006 and that also the County Footpaths Department be asked to arrange for much needed resurfacing works to be undertaken to Footpath No. 1 off Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath . 8/07 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- 9/07 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 Fulford Village Hall on Thursday, 8th February 2007 at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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