    |
Meeting Minutes March 2008
PRESENT: Councillors Shaw (Chairman), Mrs. Brayford (Vice-Chairman), Baggaley, Mrs. Bennett, Brayford, Mycock, Oxby, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillors Harp, Oldfield and Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 10 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Bevan, Colclough, Mrs. Holmes, Mrs Malvern and County Councillor Parry. OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillors Goodfellow and Lovatt. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Residents opposed to the proposed siting of the Stallington bus shelter were in attendance and pressed for the shelter to be resited midway between Franklin Drive and Cavell Court. The anti-social behaviour on the Adamthwaite Drive estate was raised again. In recent weeks there had been an increasing amount of unacceptable behaviour resulting in further Police attention. The Clerk was asked to write to all parties expressing concern and requesting immediate action to improve the situation. The continuing problem of noise to nearby residents from traffic using the A50 was raised again by members of the public. The Clerk was asked to write to the Borough Council seeking a noise and pollution survey and also write to Bill Cash, MP and County Councillor Ian Parry supporting their efforts to reduce noise and speed on this highway. 15/08 MINUTES RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 7th February 2008, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to minor amendments. 16/08 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS' REPORTS A written report from County Councillor Parry was read and noted. The report addressed the County Minerals Core Strategy, anti-social behaviour in Blythe Bridge, car sales at Catchems Corner, grass verges in Meir Heath etc., noise on A50, the Stallington Village Highway Improvement Scheme and Stallington Speedwatch The Borough Councillors reported on the current negotiations on the possible purchase of the former Creda work site by JCB. The recent planning application had been called in. A report was also given on the local rumours that gypsies were to move onto land opposite Wood View Farm, Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath. It was reported that Enforcement Officers from the Borough Council were aware of the works being undertaken which were not gypsy related and a planning application would be submitted shortly.
17/08 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
A letter was submitted from the Staffordshire and Stone Branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau requesting a donation towards their funds for the current year. Letters were also submitted from the Staffordshire Branch of the Samaritans and the Donna Louise Trust thanking the Council for their generosity. RESOLVED - That a donation of £50 be made to the Staffordshire and Stone Branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau. 18/08 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED -That no objections be raised to the following applications:-
It was reported that the following applications had been approved:-
It was reported that the following application had been refused:-
(c) Other Planning Issues A letter was submitted from Staffordshire County Council advising that following the publication of the Minerals Core Strategy for the County a list of preferred mineral sites would next need to be identified. No sites have yet been identified as preferred sites but a list of possible sites has now been produced which included a site (Moddershall Grange) in the locality of this Parish. Whilst the County Council would formally consult on issues and options in June 2008, County Councillor Parry was organising a meeting of affected Parish Representatives on 9th April 2008 at Moddershall Village Hall. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman should attend. The notes of the Borough Council seminar on their second initiative to produce a Local Development Framework were circulated. The Chairman reported on his site meeting with Borough Councillor Harp and David Lomas (Borough Arboriculturist) to examine the protection existing and/or needing to be extended to protect the wooded areas along Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath. A detailed report was expected. 19/08 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Item the notice of which was given at the last meeting As instructed at the last meeting, the Clerk included the following matter on the agenda for this meeting and the topic was then discussed by members:-
RESOLVED- That no bid be made for funding under the Community Paths Initiative for the current year (b) Replacement Clerk Further to Minute 12/08 of the last meeting, it was reported that Mr. Stephen Beck of Fulford had been offered the position of Clerk to the Parish Council but, due to existing commitments, he could not start until 21st April 2008 at the earliest but he also had holiday commitments between 2nd and 9th May. RESOLVED (i) That, in the circumstances, Mr. Beck be appointed Clerk with effect from 1st June 2008 but that he be invited to Council meetings in the interim period as an observer. (ii) That the Contract of the existing Clerk, Mr. M.J. Manley, be extended until 31st May 2008 and that he be retained on his existing terms and conditions to assist the new Clerk for a period of two months thereafter. (iii) That, in the circumstances, the Annual Meeting of the Council be now held on Thursday, 15th May 2008 at Fulford Village Hall. (c) Parish Office It was reported that the Vice-Chairman and Councillor Oxby had met the Chairman and a representative of the Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall Management Committee at 6.15 p.m. on 13th March 2008 to discuss the implications of greater use being made of the Parish Office with the new Clerk using the facility on at least three mornings per week. The need for the provision of pedestrian access, appropriate signage and a post box was identified and the Management Committee would look to securing such provision at the Parish Council's expense. Cleaning would be discussed with the new Clerk and a suggested rental of £100 per quarter to cover electricity etc. was negotiated. RESOLVED - That the proposals be accepted; that British Telecom be instructed to provide a dedicated business telephone line and that the incoming Clerk be asked for his views on the provision of a suitable computer and office furniture for the room. (d) Provision of Bus Shelter at Stallington Further to Minute 12/08(c) of the last meeting, further consideration was given to the siting of this shelter in the light of the representations made during the public participation session and also a letter dated 17th February 2008 submitted from the Vice-Chairman of the Stallington Resident's Association. RESOLVED - That, in the circumstances, the Council look to resite the proposed shelter between Cavell Court and Franklin Drive and that Councillors Baggaley and Mrs. Bennett be authorised to discuss the implications of this resiting with any owners of property which may be affected. (e) Councillors Beasley and Mrs. Ralphs A letter was submitted from Councillor Tim Beasley advising that, due to personal problems, he was having difficulty in attending meetings of the Council and felt it necessary to tender his resignation. He wished to continue with the technical involvement in the update of the website and would also like to continue to update the local history section on the website. It was also reported that Councillor Mrs. Ralphs had failed to attend a meeting of the Council for a period of six months. It is understood that she has left the area. RESOLVED:- (i) That the resignation of Mr. Beasley be received with regret but he be thanked for his contribution to the work of the Council and authorised to continue with his development of the Parish Council website. (ii) That in view of Mrs. Ralphs' failure to attend meetings a vacancy in the Office of Councillor for the Meir Heath Ward also be declared and the two vacancies be advertised in accordance with the statutory requirements. (f) Provision of Grit Bins Further to Minute 12/08(a) of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Divisional Highway Manager advising that the suggested sites for the provision of a new bin would be assessed in accordance with the County Council's policy. The removal of bins during the summer months, as a matter of general course, could not be undertaken in view of the cost implications but individual problem bins would be investigated.
(g) Annual Parish Meeting RESOLVED - That the Annual Parish Meeting be held at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday, 15th May 2008 at Fulford Village Hall prior to the May Council meeting.
20/08 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-
21/08 ITEM(S) 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, 10rh April 2008 at 7.15 p.m. CHAIRMAN
|
