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Meeting Minutes - June 2007
PRESENT: Councillors Shaw (Chairman), Mrs Brayford (Vice- Chairman), Mrs. Bennett, Brayford, Mrs Holmes, Lovatt, Mycock, Oxby, Mrs. Ralphs, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat.
IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillors Harp, Oldfield and Roycroft, M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 5 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Colclough and Goodfellow. OTHER NON –ATTENDEES – Councillor Bevan
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident advised the Council of his concerns about the playing of ball games on the small area of open space at Green Close, Blythe Bridge. This land was in the ownership of Stafford Rural Homes and they had erected signs which were being ignored. It was alleged that Springcroft School grounds could be made available for this purpose but the most suitable area of land needed to be mown and generally improved. The Clerk was asked to write to the Head Teacher to ascertain the position. Councillor Mrs. Wheat intimated that Stafford Rural Homes were considering a scheme for utilising this open space land for car parking.
Further to the discussion at the last meeting, residents expressed their concerns about litter and anti-social behaviour in the Adamthwaite Drive area of Blythe Bridge although the anti-social behaviour problem had reduced largely through the activities of the police. A site was identified for the provision of a litter bin and Councillor Harp undertook to arrange for its provision and emptying. The Clerk read a letter received from the Head of Service of the Youth Offending Service for Staffordshire outlining the action being taken and offering to meet the Council and residents of the area. The Clerk was asked to arrange a suitable meeting with the Council being represented by the Councillors for the Blyth Bridge Ward.
43/07 MINUTES
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 17th May 2007 having been circulated, be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman.
44/07 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
The Borough Councillors reported that the Council policy was now not to erect signs on small areas of open space seeking to prevent the playing of ball games. Fulford United F.C. were proceeding to rebuild accommodation and facilities lost through vandalism and Persimmon Homes were not proceeding satisfactorily with regard to completing the open spaces on the former Stallington Hospital Site
45/07 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) Appeals for Donation Members were reminded of the presentation made before the March meeting by Mr. Phillip Allen who announced the launch of a new community First Responder scheme under the control of Staffordshire Ambulance for Fulford and nearby Parishes. 25 volunteers had now been identified and they were proposing to use Fulford Village Hall for training on one evening a week for approximately 8/9 months. The Council had been asked to give some financial support towards the cost of hiring the hall.
RESOLVED –That the Council agree to underwrite the hiring costs up to a maximum of £350 (c) Statement of Assurance and review of internal audit procedures.
Further to Minute 36/07 (d) of the last 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.
There was also a specific requirement to review the effectiveness and internal controls of the Council’s accounts and financial records and in this respect the Clerk advised Members of the views of the current Internal Auditor. RESOLVED –
(1) That the Statement of Assurance is approved by the Council for the submission to the Audit Commission.
(2) That the Council are satisfied that the internal audit system is effective.
(3) That the Council is of the opinion that the current internal controls are adequate but, in the absence of the Vice-Chairman, a member of the Finance Committee be authorised to check the invoices and cheques before each meeting and that that Committee be also charged with conducting a half yearly review of the accounts at the annual budget meeting normally held in November each year
(d) Tribute to Cllr John Bedson (dec’d)
Further to Minute 36/07(e) of the last meeting, further consideration was given to the suggestions made for recognising the contribution made by Councillor Bedson who passed away in office on 22nd April 2006. The Council were of the view that the planting of trees on the verge opposite his farm was not practical and that the school themselves should fund their proposed Project.
RESOLVED – That no specific testimonial be provided by the Council at this time but that to mark contributions made by Councillors generally a plaque be erected in the Parish Office for Councillors who serve for two terms or pass away in office.
(e) Chairman’s Allowance 2007/8
RESOLVED – That the Chairman of the Council be granted an allowance of £120 for the year 2007/8.
( Councillor Shaw declared his interest in the matter and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon. Councillor Mrs. Brayford took the Chair for this item)
46/07 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 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 the discussion at the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Development Control Manager of the Borough Council advising that the Legal Department had now been instructed to commence prosecution proceedings with regard to the non-compliance with the Section 215 Notice at 54 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath and it was anticipated that the documentation would be with the Courts within the next two weeks.
A letter was submitted from Stoke on Trent Council inviting comments on the documents attached concerning the revised preferred options report for the North Staffordshire Core Spatial Strategy for their Local Development Framework Plan. The Chairman was given delegated powers to make any suitable comments on the report.
47/07 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 42/07), the Clerk included the following matters on the agenda for this meeting and the topics were then discussed by members:-
RESOLVED –
(1) That no action be taken on the possible merger of Meir Heath and Rough Close Wards for the time being;
(2) That the Chairman and Councillor Taylor be authorised to identify matters to be addressed by the Area Surveyor and discussed at a site meeting if possible.
(b) Co-option of Councillors
Further to Minute 33/07 of the last meeting, it was reported that written applications had been received from M. Baggaley of 3 Lister Grove Stallington Village for the vacancy on the Meir Heath Ward and from Mrs. B. Malvern of Sundown, Common Lane, Rough Close for the vacancy on the Rough Close Ward.
RESOLVED - That both applications be accepted and that they both be co-opted onto the Council for the period expiring in May 2011
(c) Former Stallington Hospital Site and Proposed Bus Shelter
Further to Minute 21/07(b) of 08.03.07, a letter was submitted from the Area Surveyor of the County Council outlining the present position on the off site works on this development.
As far as the proposed bus shelter was concerned a length of footway would be constructed from Cowell Court to Franklin Drive but it would not be provided for some little time. Ideally the hard standing for the bus shelter would be constructed at the same time but the Council were asked whether they wished to proceed with the bus shelter in advance.
RESOLVED – That, although accepting it is not an ideal situation, the Council prefer to erect a bus shelter as soon as possible and therefore quotations be sought for the base work from the County Council and MSW Contractors
(d) Representative on the Fulford Village Hall Management Committee
Further to Minute 37/07 (c) of the last meeting, Members were reminded that consideration of this matter was deferred until this meeting, Councillor Mycock having given notice that he no longer wished to represent the Council on this body. RESOLVED – That Councillor Brayford be appointed to represent the Council on this body until May 2008 (e) Vacancies on the S.P.C.A. Executive Committee
A circular letter from the S.P.C.A. was submitted inviting the submission of nominations to serve on the Executive for Stafford District for the period expiring at the AGM in 2008
RESOVED – That Councillor Mycock be nominated to serve on the Executive Committee
(This decision was made in the belief that Councillor Mycock’s present service on the Executive Committee had expired. It transpires that Councillor Mycock is in office until November 2007.)
(f) Green space, Sport & Recreational Strategies
A letter was submitted from the Sports and Leisure Manager of Stafford Borough Council advising that a new initiative from Government was to revise their planning policies for open space, sport and recreation provision based on an assessment of local needs and opportunities. The Council were asked to complete and return a questionnaire.
RESOLVED – That the Chairman be authorised to co-ordinate a response. 48/07 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-
49/07 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING
There were no items 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, 12th July 2007 at 7.15pm.
CHAIRMAN
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