    |
Meeting Minutes - October '06
PRESENT: Councillors Oxby (Chairman), Shaw (Vice-Chairman), Bevan (part), Mrs. Brayford, Brayford, Goodfellow, Mrs. Holmes, Lovatt, Mycock, Mrs. Ralphs, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Parry; Borough Councillors Oldfield and Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 1 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Beasley, Mrs. Bennett and Colclough Borough Councillor Harp. OTHER NON-ATTENDEES: Councillor Insley
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Further to the discussion at the July meeting, the owner of 31 Birkholme Drive, Meir Heath attended the meeting and again spoke of concerns about problems with drainage at the property at times of heavy rainfall. There were two issues. Firstly the occupiers suffered from foul sewage emanating from the sewers passing through the garden. A site meeting was held with engineers from the Severn Trent Water Authority on 13.09.06 but nothing has been heard since. The second issue concerned the retaining wall at the rear of the property. At times of heavy rainfall, it appeared that the surface water drains at the rear of 33 to 37 Blythe Avenue discharged over this wall and into the garden of 31 Birkholme Drive causing damage thereto. Attempts to ascertain whose responsibility it was to rectify the problem had so far proved abortive and the wall was in need of repair. The Clerk was asked to write the Severn Trent Water Authority with copies to W. Cash, M.P. and the Area Surveyor of S.C.C. and try to get the answers being sought. Meanwhile County Councillor Parry agreed to visit the site as soon as possible.
44/06 MINUTES RESOLVED –That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14th September 2006, having been circulated, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
45/06 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Concerns about the flooding which occurs at times of heavy rainfall to some of the shops and cottages along Hilderstone Road, Meir Heath would be investigated. The agreed scheme of highway improvement to Stallington Lane etc. and the extension of the speed limit in Grindley Lane would be completed by the end of March 2007. The County Councillor was asked to procure a list of highway and footway repairs which would be undertaken in the Parish before 31.03.07 The Borough Councillors were asked to investigate an alleged breach of planning control with the sale of cars on the grass verge at Catchem’s Corner. The Clerk was asked to write to the Area Surveyor pointing out the problems caused to users of the footway from the overgrown state of the protected yew trees at Yew Tree Cottage, 50 Grindley Lane, Meir Heath and seeking their reasonable lopping. The planning application in respect of 218 Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge had been called in; works to the play equipment at Highview Road, Fulford and the provision of flower tubs were progressing.
46/06 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. (b) Appeals for Donation There were no requests. (c) Corporate Bond The Clerk reminded members that the Council’s Corporate Bond expired on 14th October 2006. realising interest in the sum of £640.50 on maturity. Unless notice was given to the Bank before11th October, the sum of £16311.00 would automatically be reinvested for a further twelve months. In view of the timescales the Clerk discussed the matter with the Chairman and Councillor Colclough (both members of the Finance & General Purposes Committee) and it was agreed to reinvest the amount for a further twelve months. RESOLVED – That the action taken be approved and confirmed. (d) Parish Office Further to Minute 43/06 of the last meeting, members were advised that the building contract was progressing very satisfactorily and that the Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall Management Committee would shortly be in need of placing in funds from the promised grant from the Parish Council in order to make the next stage payment. In this connection the Council were asked to determine the amount and source of loan for this project for which formal consent had been already been issued by the Secretary of State.
RESOLVED – (1) That a loan of £50000 be taken with the Public Works Loan Board repayable on an annuity fixed rate basis over a period of ten years; (2) That as soon as the Council are placed in funds by the P.W.L.B. the Clerk be authorised to make a payment of £30000 to the Meir Heath & Rough Close V.H.M.C., the remainder of the promised grant (£20000) being released on final completion of the works. ( N.B. Councillor Shaw declared his interest in the matter and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)
47/06 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:-
It was reported that the following applications had been refused:- It was reported that Application Number 04/03057 for change of use from warehouse to general industrial and office accommodation at 94A Grindley Lane, Blythe Bridge had been withdrawn. (c) Other Planning Issues Correspondence was submitted from Stafford Borough Council in respect of the alleged unauthorised building works at properties in Meir Heath raised at earlier meetings. In respect of 57 Hollies Road a retrospective planning application had now been submitted (see earlier) and the Council was advised that in respect of works to 41 Golborn Avenue, planning permission was not required. 48/06 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Blythe Bridge Railway Station Further to Minute 39/06 of the last meeting, a letter was submitted from Forsbrook Parish Council advising of their awareness of the concerns over the general appearance of the Railway Station and outlining the action they were taking with regard to trying to improve the situation by undertaking minor maintenance. An assurance was given that they would do their utmost to improve the Station. It was pointed out that Mrs Faye Lambert had recently been appointed Rail Community Partnership Officer and could be contacted care of the City Council Passenger Transport Dept., Floor 3, Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke on Trent ST4 1RS (tel. 001782 232272). A network rail help line number for reporting concerns is 08457 11 41 41. RESOLVED – That the position be noted (b) Anti –social behaviour Further to Minute 32/06 of 10th August 2006, notes prepared by the Chairman on the meeting between the Council and P.C’s Hilditch and Kempson on 21st September 2006 were circulated. Councillors Brayford, Mycock and Mrs Wheat had also given their apologies in addition to those recorded. Whilst discussing the problems of parking of parking outside schools, it was agreed that the School Governors should consider the possible removal of the hedge and construction of as lay-by in front of Fulford School. RESOLVED – That the report be noted (c) No Drinking signs A Member advised that he had been asked to raise the possibility of no drinking signs being erected in the alleyway from Hilderstone Road to Hollies Drive, Meir Heath and could it be made an alcohol free zone via a bye-law. The discussion incorporated such a move for Grindley Park too. RESOLVED – That the Stafford Borough Council be approached to ascertain the legal position. (d) Staffordshire P.C.A. Advisory Notes A copy of the Staffordshire Parish Council’s Association Advisory Noted Issue 105 had been circulated to each Member. The item on Quality Councils was particularly noted and the Clerk reported that he intended to obtain a copy of the model grant application form.
49/06 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:- 50/06 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING The Clerk was asked to include on the agenda for the next meeting – New speed signs at Hartwell Lane, Rough Close. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Council is to be convened at Fulford Village Hall on Thursday, 9th November 2006 at 7.15 p.m.
CHAIRMAN
|
