Meeting Minutes - May 2007
PRESENT: Councillors Beasley, Bevan, Brayford, Mrs. Brayford, Colclough, Goodfellow, Mrs Holmes, Mycock, Shaw, Taylor and Mrs Wheat IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillors Harp and Oldfield; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 8 members of the public APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Oxby and Mrs Ralphs; Borough Councillor Roycroft
DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE Prior to the meeting commencing, all Parish Council Members present signed the statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Two residents of Forsbrook spoke about proposals to improve Blythe Bridge Railway Station and sought the support of the Parish Council in their endeavours. The residents were informed that the Council had been in correspondence with Forsbrook Parish Council some months ago and had already offered to help in either a practical or financial manner. The Clerk was asked to write again to Forsbrook Parish Council to remind them of the offers previously made. The Chairman and Treasurer of Stallington Football Club reported that a spate of vandalism had caused damage to their facilities and they still wanted some support from the Parish Council in their endeavours to secure a new lease of the football pitch. They had received a loan of £1,500 from the FA. The Club were asked to put their proposals in writing and also give an indication as to the number of children from the Parish who play for the Club. A resident of Adamthwaite Drive Neighbourhood Watch reported that the situation had improved slightly since the last meeting but he was disappointed that there was no reply from the County Director of Social Services nor from County Councillor Parry. The Clerk was asked to write to secure a written response. 31/07 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN One nomination having been received, it was RESOLVED That Councillor Barry Shaw be elected Chairman of the Parish Council for the ensuing year. Councillor Shaw thanked the Members for the honour conferred upon him and afterwards the statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed Members then expressed their appreciation of the work undertaken by the previous Chairman, Councillor Oxby, in his 14 month period of office.
32/07 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN After some discussion and then one formal nomination being received, it was RESOLVED That Councillor Mrs. Kath Brayford be elected Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council for the ensuing year. The statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed. 33/07 PARISH ELECTIONS 2007 As indicated at the last meeting, the Council were reminded that there remained a vacancy for the Office of Parish Councillor for the Meir Heath Ward and three such vacancies for the Rough Close Ward. The Council should take steps to fill the vacancies within 35 days from the 8th May 2007. The Clerk also reminded Members that they should complete the Register of Financial Interest form duly circulated within 28 days of 8th May 2007 and should also complete the Election Expenses returns, even if they were a nil return, by 3rd June 2007. It was reported that former Councillors Mrs. Joy Bennett and Andrew Lovatt were very much interested in being co-opted back onto the Council for the Rough Close Ward, their failure to complete a nomination paper by the requisite date being an administrative oversight. RESOLVED - That Councillors Mrs. Bennett and Lovatt be co-opted onto the Council with immediate effect for the period expiring in May 2011. Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Lovatt, who were present at the meeting, signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and participated in the debate for the remainder of the meeting. 34/07 MINUTES RESOLVED -That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 12th April 2007, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 35/07 COUNTY & BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORTS Borough Councillor Harp reported on damage to the premises of Fulford United Football Club. He was exploring the possibility of financial and other support and it was suggested that Club Officials should write to the Parish Council for assistance. He also reported on the problems with regard to the service of a Section 15 Notice at 54 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath and the Clerk was asked to include an item on the agenda for the next meeting. Legal action was being taken in respect of unauthorised works at The Wood, Stallington Road, Meir Heath. A provisional date for the hearing in the High Court on the appeal in respect of the unauthorised gypsy site at Spot Acre had been fixed. An action group had been appointed by the Stafford Borough Council on the announced closure of the Creda Works at Blythe Bridge. It was agreed that this would be included on the agenda for each meeting. 36/07 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) Receipts & Payments 2006/7
A summary of the Annual Receipts and Payments for the financial year 2006/7 was presented, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member. RESOLVED That the Receipts and Payments Schedule for the year 2006/7, a copy of which is attached to the signed Minutes, be adopted and signed by the Chairman.
(c) Donations Further to Minute 19/07(b) of 8th March 2007, a letter was submitted on behalf of the Fulford Village Hall Management Committee expressing their grateful thanks for the contribution of funding towards the purchase of new tables and chairs. A letter was also submitted from the Open Spaces Society requesting additional grant aid for their campaign to save commons from clutter. RESOLVED That on this occasion no additional grant aid be made. (d) Annual Audit of Accounts 2006/7
The Clerk reported that notification had been received from the Audit Commission that the date appointed for the audit of the Councils accounts for the year ending 31st March 2007 was 10th July 2007. The necessary papers would shortly be with the Internal Auditor and the statutory advertisements would be placed. RESOLVED That the position be noted. (e) Tribute to Councillor John Bedson (deceased) The Clerk reported that he had received an e-mail suggesting that oak trees be planted along the grass verge opposite the entrance to Fulford Manor Farm in memory of John and Councillor Colclough reported on action being proposed by the Governors of Fulford School in this respect which he suggested the Council could give some financial support to. RESOLVED That consideration of the matter be deferred until the next meeting.
37/07 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES/WORKING PARTIES AND REPRESENTATIVE ON OUTSIDE BODIES (a) Committees/Working Parties RESOLVED That the following be appointed for the ensuing municipal year:- Finance and General Purposes Committee Councillors Beasley, Bevan, Colclough, Lovatt and Taylor. Chairman and Vice-Chairman ex-officio Grindley Park Management Group Councillors Oxby and Mrs. Brayford plus all Members from the Meir Heath and Rough Close Wards Parish Newsletter Working Party Councillors Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Brayford, Lovatt, Mycock, Oxby, Shaw and Taylor. Constitutional Working Party Councillors Mycock, Oxby and Shaw.
Parish Plans Working Party Councillors Beasley, Colclough, Lovatt, Mycock, Oxby and Mrs Wheat
Parish Council Website Management Group Councillors Beasley, Oxby and Taylor
(b) Planning Liaison Officers RESOLVED - That the following Members be appointed liaison officers for collating Members comments on applications for planning permission:-
(c) Representatives on Outside Bodies RESOLVED (1) That the following representatives on outside bodies be appointed for the ensuing year:- Meir Heath & Rough Close VH Man. Committee Councillor Goodfellow Meir Heath Windmill Preservation Group Councillor Goodfellow SPCA Stafford Area Committee Councillors Mrs. Brayford and Mycock Sustainable Staffordshire Councillors Colclough and Oxby Stone Crime Prevention Panel Councillor Mrs. Brayford (2) That consideration of the appointment of a representative to serve on the Fulford Village Hall Management Committee be deferred until the next meeting.
38/07 PLANNING (a) Applications It was reported that application nos. 07/08361 and 07/08221 both in respect of the erection of a single dwelling at 26 Blacklake Drive Meir Heath had been withdrawn. RESOLVED:- (i) That the action taken in raising no objections (with conditions as appropriate) to the following applications be confirmed:-
(ii) That 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:- (c) Other Planning Issues There were no other planning issues raised at this meeting.
39/07 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Revised Code of Conduct The Clerk reported that a revised Code of Conduct for Members came into effect on 3rd May 2007. Councils had until the 1st October 2007 to adopt this Code but if not adopted by that time Members would be automatically covered by the revised code. The Clerk suggested that he circulate a copy of the code to Members at the June meeting and that the Council consider the matter formally at the July meeting. RESOLVED That proposed course of action be agreed. (b) A50 Stoke-Derby Link Further to Minute 25/07 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the Highways Agency outlining why it was unlikely that there would be any deviation from the present policy on modification to road surfaces and therefore only the highest priority schemes, including safety related improvements, could be funded. Concrete roads had a lifespan of 40 years and unless there were justified reasons for earlier intervention, it was unlikely that the A50 would be improved in the near future. Speed limits were based on safety considerations and it would not be possible to impose a 50 mph speed limit for environmental purposes. The Agency would look into the possibility for additional planting to screen the noise. Reference was made to a newly created Draycott/Blythe Bridge Action Group to watch over the A50 and local industrial sites. RESOLVED That the contents of the letter be received with dismay.
(c) Bus Shelter- Sandon Road Meir Heath Further to Minute 28/07(g) of the last meeting, the Clerk reported that the Meir Heath Ward Members had considered the various options and decided to place an order with Garrick Outdoor (the suppliers used at Blythe Bridge) for a similar shelter but with a perch seat.
A quotation was submitted from MSW Maintenance for the demolition of the existing shelter on a Sunday and make good the surface suitable for the new shelter in the sum of £486 plus VAT.
RESOLVED That the action taken be endorsed and that the quotation of MSW Maintenance be accepted.
(d) Blythe Bridge Safer Routes to Schools Project The Clerk reported that in between meetings he received an invitation from the Staffordshire County Council to appoint a Member to attend the first meeting of a Steering Group set up to oversee this project to be held on 15th May 2007. In consultation with the previous Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Councillor Mrs Brayford was asked to attend and she reported on the deliberations. RESOLVED That the action taken be approved and confirmed.
40/07 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-
41/07 URGENT BUSINESS The Council deemed that the following business was urgent and should be considered at this meeting:- Meir Heath Windmill A letter was submitted from the Hon. Secretary of the Windmill Preservation Group which pointed out that following a structural survey, a copy of which was provided, the Group were of the opinion that the windmill was dangerous in that the metal bands were in a precarious state and condition and liable to fall. The Council were asked to write to the owners requesting their removal. RESOLVED - That since the structure is a Listed Building, the correspondence and structural report be referred to Stafford Borough Council who have statutory duties and responsibilities in such matters. 42/07 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING
Members asked that the following matters be included on the agenda for the next meeting:-
NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Council is to be convened at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall on Thursday, 14th June 2007 at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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