Meeting Minutes - October 2005
PRESENT: Councillors Bradbeer (Chairman), Oxby (Vice-Chairman), Beasley, Bedson, Brayford, Colclough, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes, Insley, Lovatt, Mycock, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat IN ATTENDANCE: M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 3 members of the public APOLOGIES: Councillors Mrs Brayford, Mrs. Deakin and Shaw; Borough Councillor Harp OTHER NON ATTENDEES: Councillor Bevan PUBLIC PARTICIPATION An update was given to members of the public with regard to the Gypsies at Hilderstone Road, Spot Acre. An appeal had been made against the issue of an Enforcement Notice (see Minute 71/05(c) later in these minutes). A plea was also made that Parish Councillors should secure the facts of situations before speaking to Parishioners. It was evident that in the situation being referred to, there had been a complete misunderstanding of what had been said but of course it was pointed out that anything formal from the Council itself was only generally communicated through the Clerk.
68/05 MINUTES RESOLVED –That, subject to minor amendments, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 8th September 2005 having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 69/05 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Councillor Bedson reported that following representations from this Council the Borough Council were investigating the possible issue of an untidy site notice in respect of 54 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath. 70/05 FINANCE (a) Accounts for Payment RESOLVED – (1) 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.
(2) That in the circumstances reported Trentham Fencing be asked to erect fencing in the gap remaining on the boundary of Grindley Park and that thereafter authority be given to pay their invoices in the sum of £7894.04.
Members were handed a copy of the street inventory report received from ABB Ltd and agreed to comment on its accuracy at the next meeting.
(b) Corporate Bond It was reported that the Bond placed with the Nat West Bank matured on the 14th October 2005, interest on maturity amounting to £670.50 RESOLVED – That the capital be reinvested for a further 6 months. 71/05 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED:- (i) That no objections be raised to the following applications:- 05/04933 Conversion of ag. bldgs. into 2 dwellings – Fulford Manor Farm, Ful. 05/05061 Rel. of driveway etc. – Coutts Cottage, Leadendale Farm, M.H. 05/05062 Alts. & Extension – Coutts Cottage, Leadendale Farm, M.H. 05/05123 Renovate existing farmhouse & Build 2 dwellings – Ivy House Farm, The Green, Ful. 05/05168 Conservatory – 379 Sandon Road, M.H. 05/05255 Extension – 130 Stallington Road, B.B. (ii) That objections be lodged to the following application for the reasons stipulated:- 05/04875 Amended Plans – Outline app. for the construction of 2 houses – Yew Tree Cottage, 50 Grindley Lane, M.H. (b) Decisions It was reported that the following application had been approved:- 04/04483 Conversion of outbuilding to dwelling – Lower Gorsty Birch Farm, off Stallington Road, B.B. 05/04832 Conservatory – Woodburn Cottage, Stallington Road, B.B. 05/04894 Conservatory – Windy Cottage, Little Lane, R.C. 05/04926 Detached Garage – 20 Goldborn Ave., M.H. 05/04938 Extension to manege – Home Farm, Saverley Green 05/04942 Monopole – Junction of Whitestone Rd. & Grindley Lane, M.H. 05/04986 Porch – 9 Blythe Avenue, M.H. 05/05060 Extensions – 23 Meadow Close, B.B. 05/05074 Conservatory – 13 Anthony Grove, M.H. It was reported that the following application had been refused:- 05/04917 Tiled canopies – The Wood, Stallington Rd., M.H..
(c) Other Planning Issues Letters were submitted from Stafford Borough Council advising that appeals had been lodged (a) against the refusal of permission to convert an existing building into living accommodation at Tudor View, Meadow Lane, Fulford; and (b) against the issue of an enforcement notice following a change of use from agricultural land to a small gypsy site and associated works at Spot Acre, Hilderstone Road. A letter was submitted from residents of Fulford asking the Parish Council to write and repeat their objection to the proposals at Spot Acre and for individual members to also write. It was agreed that the Clerk should write on the Council’s behalf. Members’ attention was drawn to similar situation in North Curry where after appeals etc. the Secretary of State had now ordered the site to be cleared and returned to its original state. It was reported that further documents had been received from the Borough Council for comment namely a Core Strategy Development Plan Document in relation to the Local Development Framework. A meeting of the appointed Working Party was arranged for 3rd November at the home of the Chairman at 7.00pm and they were given power to act.
72/05 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Proposed Parish Office Further to Minute 65/05 of the last meeting, the Clerk reported that the Chairman, Vice- Chairman and himself had met Cathy Russell, the Village Halls Officer at the Staffordshire Community Council and it became evident that for the project to succeed in attracting maximum grants, it would be advisable for the scheme to be promoted by the Village Hall Management Scheme rather than the Parish Council. It was unlikely that the costs of the Parish Office aspect of the scheme would attract much grant in any event. Since that meeting, the appointed Working Party had met the Village Hall Management Committee and after being appraised of the situation were agreeable to actively promote the scheme provided the received the assistance of the Council where appropriate. RESOLVED That the reports be noted and the action proposed approved. (b) Parish Plan The Chairman reported on an initiative recently published which outlined parish plans for Stone and nearby villages and felt that this Council should take similar action. The Clerk reported with regard to grants available under the Government’s Vital Villages project but was now coming to an end and formal applications had to be submitted by 31st March 2005.
RESOLVED – That consideration be given to the matter at the next meeting. (c) Stallington Road, Blythe Bridge Further to the discussion at the last meeting, it was reported that a site meeting had been held with Members, County Councillor Parry and Officers of the County Council to discuss the revised traffic calming measures as a consequence of the Stallington Hospital redevelopment. Following this meeting a letter was submitted on behalf of the County Surveyor intimating that after consideration of the points made, the scheme would go ahead with the following features:- The provision of lighting provoked dismay from the Members as this was not what the local residents wanted. RESOLVED – That the County Council be made aware of Members’ views together with the need to implement measures to improve flooding and install lighting in Fulford Lane (d) Bus Shelter at Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge Further to Minute 65/05 of the last meeting, it was reported that MSW Maintenance had given notice that the Bus Shelter would be demolished during the week commencing 24th October 2005 and that the new shelter would be erected shortly after that. RESOLVED – That the position be noted.
(e) Maintenance Agreement – Street Lighting Following the assumption of the responsibility for the maintenance of street lighting and for issuing of accounts for electricity for lights in the Council’s ownership, previously undertaken by the County Council which had been notified to the Parish Council some months ago, it was reported that the formal Agreement from ABB Ltd had been received for signature on behalf of the Council. A report was also submitted on the maintenance status and condition of the Council’s lighting equipment.
RESOLVED – That authority be given for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to sign the documents and that a quotation be obtained for the poor light referred to in the report..
(f) Staffordshire P.C.A. – Advisory Notes Consideration was given to the Advisor Notes (issue 103) circulated at the last meeting. Members’ attention was drawn in particular to the reference to the illegality of including an item on the Agenda for Urgent Business, the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 and the revised borrowing approval system. RESOLVED – That the Notes be received and that the Clerk be authorised to take appropriate action
(g) Grindley Lane Playing Field, Meir Heath – Annual Inspection Report Further to Minute 65/05 of the last meeting, consideration was given to the annual report from John Hicks following his annual inspection of the play equipment at Grindley Lane Playing Field, Meir Heath circulated to each member at the last meeting. Members felt generally that the introductory comments of the report were poor. RESOLVED – That arrangements be made for the erection of a sign as recommended in the report.
73/05 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- SBC – Letter re 2007 Local Elections SBC – North East Area Forum 18.10.05 SBC – Community Safety Annual Review SBC – Members Digest SCC – Letter re Parking near Trinity Medical Centre, Blythe Bridge SCC – Staffordshire at Sea SCC – Public Transport News SCC – Community Watchdog News SCC – Staffordshire Play Strategy Staffs Police – Letters re. speeding on Hartwell Lane, Rough Close and the Bus Shelter on Grindley Lane, Meir Heath Open Spaces Society – Open Space autumn Volume Staffs. Community Council – Annual Report 2004/5 - WMRCNN Consultation Event - SCIO Questionnaire for vol. organisations Staffs. Playing Fields Assoc. – AGM 19.10.05 Campaign for Sustainable Communities – (consider next meeting) Parish Newsletter
74/05 URGENT BUSINESS OF WHICH PRIOR NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN There was no business conducted under this heading. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday, 10th November 2005 at Fulford Village Hall at 6.45 p.m. when a presentation would be made by a representative of Age Concern and also an Officer of Staffordshire Police.
CHAIRMAN
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