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Meeting Minutes - November 2005
PRESENT: Councillors Bradbeer (Chairman), Oxby (Vice-Chairman), Bevan, Bedson, Colclough, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. Holmes, Lovatt, Mycock, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillor Harp, M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 1 member of the public APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Mr. & Mrs Brayford, Goodfellow and Shaw; Borough Councillor Oldfield OTHER NON ATTENDEES: Councillor Insley PRESENTATIONS Firstly, Mr. Vernon Elkin from the Stafford Branch of Age Concern gave a short but comprehensive report on developing the service in rural areas. He outlined the various opportunities for help for senior citizens and concluded by seeking a volunteer to act as a Parish Link. Thereafter, Inspector Allen and P.C. Hilditch from Staffordshire Police reported on crime statistics for the area which thankfully were reducing overall in comparison to previous years. Anti-social behaviour was now very much an issue with many, as was concerns on the possible impact of the new licensing laws and mention was made of the restructuring going ahead within the Force. A one stop telephone number was given - 08453 302010 although 999 was still to be used for emergencies. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION With regard to the Gypsies at Hilderstone Road, Spot Acre, there was no further information to hand. 75/05 MINUTES RESOLVED – That, subject to two amendments, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13th October 2005 having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 76/05 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS There were no reports made. 77/05 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.
(b) Corporate Bond Further to Minute 70/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that the Bond placed with the Nat West Bank matured on the 14th October 2005, but as the Bank had not been advised to the contrary by that date the total sum had been reinvested for a period of twelve months. However if the Council required early redemption, this was possible but a small penalty sum may be deducted. RESOLVED – That the position be noted. (c) Finance & General Purposes Committee RESOLVED – That a meeting of the Committee be held on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30 p.m. at Fulford Village Hall to prepare a draft budget for 2006/7. (d) Audit of Accounts 2004/5 Further to Minute 49/05 of 14th July 2005, a letter was submitted from the Audit Commission confirming that the audit of the Council’s accounts for the year ending 31st March 2005 had been satisfactorily completed. There was only one item which was recommended and that was in relation to the Fidelity Guarantee Insurance which should be increased by £7000 and extended to cover Councillors and not just the Clerk. RESOLVED – That the Clerk be authorised to implement the Commission’s recommendations with the Council’s Insurers. 78/05 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED:- (i) That no objections be raised to the following applications:- 05/05012 Stable & tack room – Blacklake Farm, Hilderstone Rd., M.H. 05/05213 Conservatory – Rough Close Farm, Stone Rd., R.C. 05/05276 Side & rear extensions – 2 Moss Lane, Moss Gate 05/05278 Conservatory – Fieldview, Grange Farm, Grindley Lane, B.B.. 05/05322 Replacement garage & extension – 5 Hillside Close, Ful. 05/05343 Extensions – Penmaric, Uttoxeter Road, B.B. 05/05370 Extension & reroofing – 16 Orchard Rise, B.B. 05/05379 Demolish existing garage etc. – 26 Blythe Ave., M.H. 05/05425 Conservatory – The Hollies, 6 Green Park, Ful. 05/05429 Extension to provide meeting room etc. – Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall, M.H. (ii) That objections be lodged to the following application for the reasons stipulated:- 05/04965 2nd Amended Plans – Demolition of existing dwelling & construction of 6 apartments – 218 Grindley Lane, B.B. It was reported that Application 05/05123 for the renovation of existing farmhouse and the building of two semi detached houses at Ivy House Farm, The Green, Fulford had been withdrawn.
(b) Decisions It was reported that the following applications had been approved:- 04/05035 Extension – 2 Chartley Close, B.B.. 05/05097 Ramped access etc – 21 Woodside Drive, M.H. 05/05158 Alterations – 96a Grindley Lane, B.B. 05/05168 Conservatory – 379 Sandon Road, M.H. It was reported that a Certificate of Lawful Use had been issued in respect of the occupation of a dwelling, Parkside Farm, Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath. It was reported that the following applications had been refused:- 05/0494 Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 2 units – 34 Grindley Lane, M.H. 05/04957 Agricultural dwelling – Land adj. Longlane Head Farm, Hil. 05/05036 Extension – Woodview Cottage, Spot Acre (c) Other Planning Issues Letters were submitted from Stafford Borough Council (i) advising that a Tree Preservation Order number 350(2005) had been made in respect of Ivy House Farm, The Green, Fulford. (ii) advising that an appeal had been lodged against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of 16 -2 bedroomed flats at Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge. Further to the discussion at the last meeting, it was reported the Core Strategy Development Plan Document in relation to the Local Development Framework had been considered by the appointed Working Party on 3rd November and comments had now been offered to the Borough Council. A further consultation document had been received in respect of the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for Development Plan Document No. 3 for which comments were invited by 12th December and the Chairman was authorised to offer any views. 79/05 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Proposed Parish Office Further to Minute 72/05 of the last meeting, the Chairman reported that application had been made for the grant of planning permission. The architects were preparing the working drawings and specifications and it was proposed that 5 contractors would be invited to tender on the basis of the third quarter 2006 prices. Applications for grant were being prepared. RESOLVED - That the report be noted. (b) Parish Plan Further to the discussion at the last meeting the Council agreed, in principle, to proceed with the preparation of a Parish Plan although it was accepted that with the constraints of the current timetable it would not be practical to apply for Government grant. RESOLVED – That a working party comprising the Chairman and Councillors Beasley, Colclough, Lovatt, Mycock and Mrs. Wheat be appointed to prepare a suggested questionnaire and make recommendations thereto. (c) Stallington Road, Blythe Bridge Further to Minute No. 72/05 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from the County Council advising that the decision to put lighting along the rural part of Stallington Road had been reviewed and it had been decided that the lighting is unnecessary. These works would, therefore, be removed from the scheme. RESOLVED – That the County Council be thanked for consideration of the Council’s representations. (d) Staffordshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework A letter was submitted from the County Principal Planning Officer advising that the County’s Submission Statement of Community Involvement has now been submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination and the Council’s views and comments were invited before 9th December 2005. RESOLVED – That the matter be referred to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman with power to act. (e) Maintenance Agreement – Street Lighting Further to the discussion at the last meeting, a quotation was submitted from ABB Limited for the removal and replacement of the lighting unit (no. 10) in Highview Road, Fulford at a cost of £551.60 exclusive of VAT. RESOLVED – That the quotation be accepted. (f) Stafford Borough District – Review of School Places A copy of a report received from the Corporate Director of Staffordshire County Council on specific proposals for change following a review of school places within Stafford Borough District was circulated to each Member. RESOLVED – That consideration of the matter be deferred until the next meeting. (g) Fulford Well It was reported that following prolonged discussions with a number of contractors which had proved abortive, it had finally been agreed by MSW Maintenance that they would repair the drinking water fountain at The Green, Fulford. An invoice was submitted in the sum of £669.42 but it was felt that the new tap and repair of brickwork was not totally satisfactory and Councillor Oxby was asked to speak to the Contractors and report at the next meeting. (h) Blythe Bridge Noticeboard It was reported that this noticeboard had been vandalised for the second time in a few weeks. The various options were considered. RESOLVED – That, in the circumstances reported, arrangements be made for a higher specification of polycarbonate to be inserted in the noticeboard outside Blythe Lodge. (i) SPCA Evening Seminar on Quality Parish Status RESOLVED – That the Chairman and Vice-Chairman be authorised to attend this seminar at The County Buildings Stafford at 7.30 p.m. on 21st November 2005. (j) Introduction of 40mph speed limit – Hartwell Lane, Rough Close Further to the previous discussions on this matter, a plan was provided by the Staffordshire County Council showing their proposals and inviting comment thereon. RESOLVED – That the proposals be welcomed and hopefully implemented as soon as possible. 80/05 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- SBC – Invitation to Mayor’s Coffee Morning SBC – Walkwise SBC – Members Digest SCC – Smithies Alley, Meir Heath SCC – Transport Plans SCC – Public Transport News SCC – Climate change public consultation SCC – Sustainable Staffordshire Staffs Police - Saferstaffs Staffs. Fire & Rescue-Annual Report 2004-5 Staffs P.C.A. – Seminar What’s on the Agenda Staffs. Community Council – Annual Report 2004/5 SMP – Report on Seminar 27.10.05 Miss Cheadle – Street Lighting, Balaams Lane- The Clerk was authorised to send a short suitable reply. Parish Newsletter 81/05 ITEM(S) FOR NEXT MEETING The Clerk was asked to include on the agenda – Public Footpaths.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday, 8th December 2005 at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
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