Meeting Minutes - March 2005
PRESENT: Councillors Mycock (Chairman), Bradbeer (Vice-Chairman), Barnes, Bevan, Bedson, Brayford, Mrs. Brayford, Colclough, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes, Lovatt, Oxby, Shaw and Taylor IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Parry, Borough Councillor Harp, M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 4 members of the public APOLOGIES: Councillor Mrs. Deakin. Borough Councillor Oldfield. OTHER NON ATTENDEES: Councillors Fitzpatrick and Insley.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There were no matters arising from the public consultation opportunity. 15/05 MEMBERS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL (a) Councillor P. Barnes Councillor Barnes gave notice that, following continuing problems with his health, he found it necessary to tender his resignation from the Council. He addressed the meeting and explained the reasons in greater detail. The Chairman thanked Mr. Barnes for all the hard work he had undertaken for the Council, particularly with regard to the Newsletter and on public footpaths. Mr. Barnes then left the meeting. RESOLVED That the resignation be received with regret and that the resultant vacancy be advertised. (b) Councillor P.G. Fitzpatrick It was reported that Councillor Fitzpatrick had failed to attend a meeting of the Council for a period of six months and since no explanation for such action had been offered to and accepted by the Council during that period, he ceased to be a Member with immediate effect. RESOLVED That the resultant vacancy be advertised. 16/05 MINUTES RESOLVED That subject to a correction to the preamble to Minute11/05 (a), the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 10th February 2005 having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 17/05 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 subject to the addition of a payment to G. Wood in the sum of £35.00. (b) Parish Office
Further to the discussion at the last meeting, it was reported that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and Councillor Taylor had met Mr. D.A. Rhead of Messrs. Wood, Goldstraw and Yorath who was agreeable to undertake a feasibility study for an office extension at Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall at no cost to the Parish Council. Formal proposals would be submitted when available.
RESOLVED That the position be noted.
Requests for donations were submitted from Victim Support, Staffordshire, Stafford & Stone Citizens Advice Bureau, Meir Heath Windmill Group and the County Archivist in respect of the Sutherland Papers. RESOLVED (i) That no donation be made towards the Mid Staffs Branch of Victim Support. (ii) That a grant of £50 be made to Stafford & Stone CAB. (iii) That the Meir Heath Windmill Group be advised that the Council cannot accede to the request for a further grant to the Meir Heath Windmill Group at this time but the Group be advised of the photocopying facilities available via the Clerk. (iv) That consideration of the request from the County Archivist be deferred until the next meeting. (d) Fulford Village Hall - Suspended Ceilings Further to Minute 14/05 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Treasurer of the VHMC advising that this work was now complete and requesting the release of the grant aid from the Council in order that the invoice be paid. RESOLVED That authority be given for the promised grant aid of £4,000 to be paid.
18/05 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED:- (i) That no objections be raised to the following applications:- 05/03836 Ag. Building Little Fields, Crossgate, Hilderstone 05/03932 Conversion of ag. buildings Manor Farm, Hilderstone Road, Spot Acre 05/03941 Extension 1 Heather Crescent, M.H. 05/03989 Extensions and garage 25 Birkholme Drive, MH. 05/04005 Vodaphone 12m monopole & 2 cabinets Whitestone Rd., Streetworks, Meir (ii) That objections be raised to the following applications for the reasons given:- 04/03870 Extensions and additional floor Englewood, Fulford Road, Ful. 05/03913 Detached dwelling Land adj. 35 Grindley Lane, M.H. (b) Decisions It was reported that the following application had been approved:- 04/03686 New shop front 424 Sandon Road, M.H. 04/03711 Extension 75 Sutherland Cres., B.B. 05/03734 Change of use- Land at the rear of Fernlea, 30b Highview Rd., Ful. 05/03811 Alterations etc. Windrush, Meadowside, Sav. Green 05/03830 Conservatory 7 Franklin Drive, Stallington It was reported that the following applications had been refused:- 04/03721 Conversion of garage into house 124 Stallington Road, B.B. 05/03797 Demolition of dwelling and erection of 9 flats 218 Grindley Lane, B.B.
19/05 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Speed Limit Hartwell Lane, Rough Close Further to Minute 11/05 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the County Community Programme Manager advising that, in the first instance, Hartwell Lane had a national speed limit of 60 mph and not 40 mph as originally thought and, in detail, explaining the consult procedures necessary to secure either the imposition or a change to speed limits on county highways. He concluded by offering to attend a site meeting when all facts appertaining to this section of road could be discussed and a way forward identified. RESOLVED That the offer of the County Council be gratefully accepted. (b) Councillors Code of Conduct A letter was submitted from the Standards Board for England advising that a review was being undertaken as to the content of the Code of Conduct and copies of a leaflet introducing the consultation had been received. A number of questions which they expand on in the full consultation paper available on line at www.standardsboard.co.uk were available and the deadline for responses was 17th June 2005. RESOLVED That Members offer comments if they so wish. (c) Staffordshire PCA Advisory Notes Members raised no comments on issue No. 102 which were circulated at the last meeting. (d) Dog Fouling Further to the discussion at the last meeting, Councillor Taylor reported that there were continuing problems in both the Birkholme Drive area and also on Grindley Park and residents had enquired whether the Parish Council would support any reported incidents where the appropriate evidence was available. Disappointment was expressed at the lack of a response from the Area Surveyor and the Clerk was asked to press him for a reply. An outline was given on the measures of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill currently being progressed in Parliament and, in particular, its relationship to dog fouling. RESOLVED That the residents be advised that the Council will support the strongest of measures being taken to try and stop this nuisance. (e) Sustainable Staffordshire RESOLVED That no delegates be sent to the Annual General Meeting to be held at the County Buildings Stafford on 16th March 2005. (f) Annual Parish Meeting RESOLVED That the Annual Parish Meeting be held on Thursday, 14th April 2005 prior to the normal Council meeting and that the Area Inspector of Police and the Community Policeman be invited to attend when an increase in anti-social behaviour can be explained. 20/05 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORTS County Councillor Parry gave a short report and, in particular, expressed his disappointment that there was no representative from the Fulford Parish at his recent speed watch meeting in Barlaston. There is a need for volunteers from Fulford to help with the project and anyone interested was asked to contact him. A general discussion ensued on the parking on grass verges, particularly on Grindley Lane and a suggestion was made that perhaps trees should be planted to alleviate the problem. It was agreed to place this item on the Agenda for the next Council meeting. Borough Councillor Harp reported further with regard to the open space at the rear of Highview Road, Fulford, particularly following the grant of planning permission to the change of use to domestic at the rear of Fernlea, 30b Highview Road. He was arranging for the laurels on the land in question to be trimmed and the area tidied up and he would be resisting any attempts by the Borough Council to sell this land. The Parish Council would have an opportunity of being consulted before any sale of land was considered. 21/05 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- SBC Civic Amenity Visits 2005/06 SCC Changes to Service 249 Hollington/Cheadle/Blythe Bridge/Stone BTCV Tree Planting 2005-6 Home Office Why Neighbourhoods Matter Office of Deputy Prime Minister Vibrant Local Leadership SBC Partnership Plus SCC Adult and Community Learning Service SBC Walkwise Programme SBC Executive Summary SCC Play Strategy SCC Community Watchdog News SCC Public Transport News March 2005 22/05 URGENT BUSINESS OF WHICH PRIOR NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN The Council deemed that the following correspondence was urgent and should be considered:- (a) SPA Seminar There were no volunteers to attend the information event for new Councillors organised by the Staffordshire Parish Councils Association on 22nd March 2005. (b) Youth and Merit Awards A letter was submitted from the CPRE advising that environmental projects undertaken by individuals/companies/Parish Councils/schools etc. can now be submitted for consideration for a Youth and Merit Award for environmental projects for 2005. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday, 14th April 2005 at Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall.
CHAIRMAN
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