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Meeting Minutes - July '06
PRESENT: Councillors Oxby (Chairman), Shaw (Vice-Chairman), Beasley, Brayford, Mrs. Brayford, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes, Lovatt, Mycock, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillors Harp, Oldfield and Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 12 members of the public APOLOGIES: Councillor Colclough OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillors Bevan and Insley WELCOME The Chairman welcomed Borough Councillor Roycroft to his first meeting following his election unopposed to the seat on the Council following the demise of John Bedson. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Hassell of Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath spoke about the reappearance of surface water and foul drainage problems again being experienced at his property following recent storms. Officials of S.T.W.A. had been in attendance and he was meeting with the appropriate officer in charge on 14th July 2006. It was agreed that the Council would write a letter to S.T.W.A. and the Highway Authority if necessary to seek a permanent solution to the problems should such a course of action be appropriate. The Chairman of Stallington F.C. spoke about problems being experienced in securing the offer of a new 25 year lease of the ground in Stallington Lane. The Clerk was asked to write to the Borough Council to obtain their support in securing the future continued use of this land by the football club even if it means seeking a transfer into public ownership. Residents spoke concerning anti-social behaviour in Meir Heath. Correspondence had also been received on the matter and is referred to later in the Minutes (Minute 25/06) The resident of Meir Heath who addressed the Council earlier in the year expressed her extreme disappointment that the accident statistics for Grindley Lane had not been received nor had she been given any information on the position of the request the whole length of Grindley Lane be the subject of a 30 mph speed restriction. She also referred to speeding traffic problems on Lightwood Road and to parking difficulties in South View and Hilderstone Road. It was agreed that the Clerk should formally write to County Councillor Parry about Grindley Lane and to the Police with regard to the other issues raised. 21/06 MINUTES RESOLVED –That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 8th June 2006, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
22/06 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS A report was given on recent planning decisions taken by the Borough Council in advance of the decision notices being issued. A site meeting had been held with the owner of a property near to the village green in Saverley Green to discuss problems of subsidence. These had been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. Regarding the land at the rear of Fulford Village Hall, the Borough Council were investigating the possibility of supporting a scheme for the drainage of the land but were awaiting financial details from the VHMC. It was reported that the owners of the unauthorised gypsy site in Spot Acre had appealed against the Inspector’s Report and the hearing had been provisionally arranged for 4th September 2006. 23/06 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 There were no applications. (c) Annual Audit of Accounts 2005/6 Further to Minute 16/06 of the lasting meeting, the Clerk reported that the return to be made to the Audit Commission required a Statement of Assurance to be accepted by the Parish Council and the Clerk read the assurances required. RESOLVED – That the Statement of Assurance is approved by the Council for submission to the Audit Commission. 24/06 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED:- (i) That no objections be raised to the following applications:- 06/06527 Extension – Aynsley Special School, Aynsleys Drive, B.B.. 06/06539 Extension – 8 Sycamore Close, M.H. 06/06593 Conservatory etc. – 369 Sandon Road, M.H. 06/06646 Conservatory – 8 Jenner Grove, Stallington 06/06681 Conservatory – 20 Franklin Drive, Stallington 06/06640 Extension – Moss Farm, Moss Lane, Moss Gate (ii) That objections be raised to the following applications for the reasons stated:- 06/06506 Air conditioning unit to front of building – 90 Uttoxeter Road, B.B.
06/06627 Temp. siting of caravan during course of house alts. – Moss Farm, Moss Lane, Moss Gate
It was reported that the following applications had been approved:- 06/06365 Extension – 191 Stallington Road, B.B. 06/06377 Bedsit for elderly parents – Lothlorien, Uttoxeter Road, B.B. 06/06383 Extension – The Lodge, Saverley Green Road, Sav. Grn. 06/06398 Conservatory – Rose Cottage, Grindley Lane, M.H. 06/06243 Extension & double garage – Frandoran, Windmill Hill, M.H.
It was reported that the following applications had been refused:- 06/06177 Construction of detached house – Fair Oaks, Hilderstone Road, M.H. 06/06288 Formation of v/a & removal of tree – 158 Stallington Road B.B. 06/06310 Extension – 45 Grindley Lane, M.H. (c) Other Planning Issues Further to Minute 17/06 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Borough Council advising that an inquiry would now be held against the appeal following the refusal of planning permission for a farm worker’s dwelling at Knenhall Lane, Moddershall, Stone on 10th October 2006 at 10.00 a.m. Councillor Taylor was authorised to attend on the Council’s behalf the public inquiry following the appeal against the issue of an Enforcement Notice in respect of certain at The Wood, Stallington Road, Meir Heath on 25th July 2006. Further documentation from the Stoke on Trent City Council regarding Core Spacial Strategy was noted. It was agreed to enquire whether temporary planning permission was needed for the siting of a caravan whilst building works were in operation at 34 Grindley Lane, Meir Heath. 25/06 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Casual Vacancies Further to Minute 18/06 of the last meeting, an application was submitted from Mrs. N.M. Ralphs of 20 Adamthwaite Drive, Blythe Bridge to be co-opted onto the Parish Council for the period expiring May 2007 as a representative for the Rough Close Ward.
RESOLVED – That Mrs. Ralphs be co-opted onto the Council for the said period. (b) Grindley Park Management Group Further to Minute 18/06 of the last meeting, a tender was submitted from Trentham Fencing & Contractors Limited to remove one section of palisade fencing and re-erect same in the grounds of the Village Hall and also form a ‘squeeze style’ barrier in the place of the existing fencing in Grindley Park creating a second access in the sum of £445 plus VAT. RESOLVED – That, subject to the Members for Meir Heath being satisfied as to the adequacy of the ‘squeeze style’ proposal, the tender be accepted. (c) Meir Heath Windmill Preservation Group Further to Minute 18/06 of the last meeting, further consideration was given to a letter from the Secretary of the Group requesting the Council to appoint a member to their Group, preferably a member from the Meir Heath Ward. RESOLVED – That Councillor Goodfellow be appointed onto the Management Committee until May 2007. (d) Anti-social Behaviour in Meir Heath Correspondence was submitted on behalf of 8 residents of Hollies Drive and Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath concerning the nuisance and abuse caused by teenagers gathering on the public footpath leading between Hollies Drive and Hilderstone Road. There had been numerous incidents of graffiti and intimidation. The Police had been supplied with copies of the correspondence and had been contacted by the residents by telephone and at the time of the meeting it appeared that there had been an improvement in the overall situation. Councillor Goodfellow had also attended the site when receiving complaints from residents and as a result submitted details of the anti-social device known as the Mosquito which costs in the order of £520. RESOLVED – That the Council seek an urgent meeting with the Officer in charge and P.C. Hilditch at Stone Police Station if necessary to discuss the situation. (e) Proposed Parish Office Further to Minute 110/05 of 09.03.06, a letter was submitted from the Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall Management Committee advising that grant aid had been awarded for the proposed extension to the Village Hall which incorporates a Parish Office as follows:- Responses to two further applications for grants were awaited which, if successful, could result in a further £8,000 - £10,000. A joint meeting between the two bodies was requested. RESOLVED – That a meeting with the Village Hall Management Committee, to which all Members of the Council be invited, be held on 17th July 2006 at 8.00 p.m. at Fulford Village Hall. (f) Proposed Bus Shelter at Stallington Further to Minute 18/06 of the last meeting, the Council were asked to consider the erection of a bus shelter to meet the needs of the residents of Stallington village. RESOLVED- That, in principle, the Council agree to provide a shelter when financial resources are available and that in the meantime the County Council, as owners of the highway verge in question, be asked for permission to erect a shelter in Stallington Road. (g) Blacklake Inn Crossroads Following a recent incident, it was agreed to write to the County Council seeking the provision of double white lines in the vicinity of Blacklake Inn crossroads and the Spot Acre crossroads to avoid overtaking at these two junctions. The Clerk was also asked to write to the County Council asking them to deal with the danger caused to users of the road from overhanging trees on Stallington Road. (h) Springcroft Primary School A letter was submitted from the Head of School Effectiveness Unit at the County Council advising that a vacancy exists for an LEA Governor at the above school. RESOLVED – That a Councillor Mrs. Wheat be nominated. 26/06 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- SCC – Lighting issues, Fulford SCC – Power equipment for use on footpaths SCC - Public Transport News SCC – Staffs. Minerals & Waste Development Framework SCC – Community Watchdog News SBC – Members Digest SBC – Rough Close Common Staffs Police – Safer staffs ABB – Energy price increase Open Spaces Society – Summer Magazine CPRE – Countryside Voice Blythe Business Equipment – New trading arrangements Soc. Of Local Council Clerks – Facing the future conference Heyday – Launch of new group Parish Newsletter – Update Parish Plan – Update Play equipment - Update 27/06 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING There were no items requested at the meeting. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Council is to be convened at Fulford Village Hall on Thursday, 10th August 2006 at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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