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Meeting Minutes - November '06
PRESENT: Councillors Oxby (Chairman), Shaw (Vice-Chairman), Mrs. Bennett, Colclough, Lovatt, Mycock, Mrs. Ralphs, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: Borough Councillors Harp and Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 2 members of the public. Sgt. Dave Wain & P.C. Hilditch – Staffs. Police APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Bevan, Mrs. Brayford, Brayford, Goodfellow and Mrs. Holmes. Borough Councillor Oldfield. OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillor Insley
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Further to the discussion at the October meeting, the owner of 31 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath attended the meeting and reported that S.T.W.A. were going to install two non-return valves. No information had been received about the responsibility for damage to the retaining wall. J. Stockley, Hon. Secretary of the Stallington Residents Association attended the meeting and asked numerous questions about the present position on the adoption of open spaces, highways and footways on the former Hospital Site at Stallington. He was advised that these were questions which needed to be addressed by the Borough Council and which had in any event been raised at the Meeting of the Parish Forum in October. The Borough Councillors undertook to try and find the information. It was reported that Stallington Hall was again not secure and was the place of anti-social behaviour. The police promised to look into the matter and the Clerk was asked to write to the Borough Council to get this listed building secure. The police representatives reported that the newly appointed P.C.S.O. for Fulford and Barlaston parishes, Emma Kempson would have great difficulty in undertaking her duties without transport and there were no resources within the Police Authority for this purpose. Emma was hopeful of having office facilities at Aynsley School and at the Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall extension when completed. It was the intention to ask Fulford and Barlaston Parish Councils to jointly purchase a car with funding over 3 years. The police representatives were asked to put any proposals in writing.
51/06 MINUTES RESOLVED –That subject to two minor amendments, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12th October 2006, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
52/06 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS It was reported that following a site meeting a strategy for dealing with the trees (other than the yew trees) at Yew Tree Cottage, 50 Grindley Lane, Meir Heath had been agreed. The replanting of trees at The Wood, Stallington Road would commence shortly. Questionnaires would shortly be distributed to nearby residents in Fulford by S.B.C. to secure views on the upgrading of the play equipment at Highview Road. Councillor Harp was asked to supply a copy of the questionnaire for completion by the Parish Council. It was reported that the scheme for replacing the posts around the Fulford Village Green had now been completed. 53/06 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.
There were no requests.
RESOLVED – That a meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee be held in Fulford Village Hall on Monday, 4th December 2006 at 7.30pm. (d) Parish Office Further to Minute 46/06 of the last meeting, members were advised that the building works had slowed down due to problems with the extension to the Meeting Room and there would be a delay in completion of approx. 2 weeks. There might be additional costs to find. A letter was submitted from the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee advising that in principle they were agreeable to enter into an occupational licence agreement as per the model provided and therefore at the appropriate time a meeting of the joint Working Party would be convened to finalise the detail. With regard to the loan, the Clerk reported that the Council’s application had been successful and the cheque for £50000 (less arrangement fee of £25) had been received. Details of the repayment arrangements were reported. In accordance with the Council’s instructions, a cheque for £30000 had been sent to the Village Hall Committee to meet the next building stage payment. RESOLVED – That the action taken be endorsed and noted.
( N.B. Councillor Shaw declared his interest in the matter and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)
54/06 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED:- That no objections be raised to the following applications:- (b) Decisions It was reported that the following applications had been approved:-
(c) Other Planning Issues Correspondence was submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that appeals had been lodged against further enforcement notices served by the Council in respect of alleged breaches of planning control at The Wood, Stallington Road, Meir Heath
55/06 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Speed Limit Signs at Hartwell Lane, Rough Close Following the imposition of the new 40 mph speed limit on Hartwell Lane, Rough Close concern was raised by a Member that the two signs erected at the Swynnerton Arms end of the road were partially hidden from view, one being sited in an overgrown hedge and the other behind a telegraph pole. RESOLVED – That the concerns be referred to the Area Highways Manager for attention. (b) Byelaws Further to Minute 48/06 of the last meeting, an e-mail from the Borough Council’s Legal Officer was submitted advising that that Council had designated 2 areas under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 where alcohol restrictions were in place and areas centred around Stafford and Stone. He could not find any Byelaws relating to Grindley Park. RESOLVED – That the e-mail be noted and that the Clerk proceed with investigations for the making of byelaws for Grindley Park (c) Parish Elections 2007 A letter was submitted from the Stafford Borough Council advising of their intention to organise a free seminar for prospective Parish Candidates etc. about the arrangements for Borough and Parish Elections in 2007 focusing on the nomination arrangements and any other changes bearing in mind the introduction of new regulations. The seminar would be held on 24.01.07.
RESOLVED – That the Borough Council be advised that the likely number attending from this Council is two members. (d) Staffordshire P.C.A. Seminar on Budget Setting and Precepts An invitation was submitted from S.P.C.A. to appoint delegates to attend a training seminar on Budget Setting and Precepts to be held at the County Buildings, Stafford on Tuesday, 28th November 2006 at a cost of £20. RESOLVED – That the Chairman be authorised to attend. (e) Roseneath Residential Home, Stone A letter was submitted from the Town Clerk of Stone Town Council advising that the Town Council were very concerned about the proposed closure and were seeking an urgent meeting to try and persuade the County Council to reconsider it’s decision. The purpose of the letter was to see if this Council would be willing to be represented at a meeting to agree a joint approach on the matter. RESOLVED – That the Council be represented at any meeting by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Council.
(f) Parish Plan Further to the discussion at the last meeting a copy of a draft questionnaire was circulated to each member. Consideration was given to a proposed timetable for delivery of the questionnaires and it was agreed in principle that members would consider the form at the next meeting with a view to the questionnaire being distributed early in the New Year. A discussion then ensued about the collection of the completed forms. The Chairman had made some enquiries of Royal Mail and the use of their Freepost service seemed appropriate. The cost would be £110 for the licence and then the Council would pay for each reply envelope. RESOLVED – That the Clerk be authorised to secure a licence for Freepost.
(h) Play Equipment – Grindley Park, Meir Heath Further to the discussion at the last meeting a verbal report was given on a meeting of the Grindley Park Working Party held on 30th October 2006 when Sally McDonald from the Borough Council was also in attendance. As a consequence of her advice, Wicksteed Leisure and S.M.P. Play Equipment had been asked to provide amended quotations to include apparatus for teenagers and following receipt of these figures it was proposed to have a further meeting of the Working Party in December 2006 . 56/06 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- 57/06 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING The Clerk was asked to include on the agenda for the next meeting – Condition of buildings occupied by Martins Newsagents & Bargain Booze, Meir Heath
DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Council is to be convened at either Meir Heath & Rough Close or Fulford Village Hall depending on the state of the building works on Thursday, 14th December 2006 at 7.15 p.m.
58/06 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS RESOLVED – That in accordance with the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the remaining business in view of the confidential meeting thereof.
59/06 PARISH OFFICE – PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CLERK’S CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT Further to Minute 43/06 of 14th September 2006, the Chairman circulated to each member a copy of a letter dated 1st November 2006 submitted by the Clerk in which he announced that after very careful consideration and with some regret he was not willing to accept the suggested modifications to his Contract of Employment at this stage. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman had since met the Clerk, without prejudice and a number of possible ways forward had been examined. These were outlined to Members. RESOLVED – That further consideration be given to this matter at a Special Meeting of the Council to be held in Fulford Village Hall on Monday 8th January 2007 at 7.30pm.
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