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Meeting Minutes - Oct 07PRESENT: Councillors Shaw (Chairman), Mrs Brayford (Vice- Chairman), Colclough, Mrs. Holmes, Mycock, Oxby, Taylor and Mrs. Wheat. IN ATTENDANCE:County Councillor Parry; Borough Councillors Harp & Roycroft; M.J. Manley (Clerk) and 15 members of the public. APOLOGIES: Councillors Baggaley, Beasley, Mrs. Bennett, Bevan, Brayford and Mrs. Malvern Borough Councillor Oldfield OTHER NON -ATTENDEES: Councillors Goodfellow, Lovatt and Mrs. Ralphs PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Members of the public attended and complained bitterly about the continual problems associated with speeding vehicles along Stallington Road since the development of the former hospital site at Stallington Village. They asked as to the present position on the traffic calming measures to be imposed as part of the improvements promised as part of the Section 104 Agreement with Persimmon Homes. They also wanted to see a Weight Restriction Order imposed on the road as it was now regularly used as a rat run. The residents were encouraged to formally contact the County Councillor and seek a meeting with him. In the meantime, the Clerk was asked to write to the Area Surveyor and clarify the present position and seek early implementation of the proposed improvement scheme. With regard to speeding, the Clerk would get in touch with the police and an up-date was given on the possible formation of a Stallington Community Speedwatch Scheme. 70/07 MINUTES RESOLVED -That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13th September 2007 having been circulated, be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman. 71/07 COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS' REPORTS County Councillor reported on his frustrations with the Highways Agency in trying to secure improvements in safety on the A50 particularly the section of road between Meir Tunnel and the roundabout for the Uttoxeter Turn. He was now to seek the assistance of Bill Cash, M.P. to see if that would secure some consideration. The Borough Councillors made reference to the new refuse collection scheme proposed for introduction early in 2008.The necessary funding had been secured to enable the fencing to be undertaken on Rough Close Common over the winter months. 72/07 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) Appeals for Donation
Members were reminded that consideration of a request from the C.P.R.E. for financial assistance to the normal subscription paid in May 2007 to offset the increasing costs of advising on planning issues in particular within the various green belts within the West Midlands was deferred until this meeting. Requests were also submitted Meir Heath Windmill Preservation Group for financial assistance towards a scheme of improvement to the Windmill for which a grant was being sought from the Grantscape Heritage Fund of £95000 and from the Stone & District University of the Third Age towards their administrative costs arising from their expanding activities for the membership. A letter was submitted from Victim Support, Staffordshire thanking the Council for their donation of £100 RESOLVED
(i) That consideration of the request from the Meir Heath Windmill Preservation Group be deferred until the have ascertained the likelihood of attracting the matched funding required of £10795 and they also be asked for more details of the scheme proposed for the Windmill; (ii) That grants of £75 be made each to the C.P.R.E. and to Stone and District University of the Third Age (c) Nat West Corporate Bond The Clerk reminded Members that the Council's Corporate Bond expired on 16th October 2007, realising interest in the sum of £788.64 on maturity. Unless notice was given to the Bank beforehand, the sum of £17,099.64 would be reinvested for a further twelve months. RESOLVED - That the sum be reinvested for a further twelve months. (d) Completion of Annual Audit Further to Minute 36/07(d) of 17th May 2007, a letter was submitted from the Audit Commission confirming that the audit of the Council's accounts for the year ending 31st March 2007 had now been completed. There were no matters which to be brought to the Council's attention other than with regard to the rather large amount in balances the level of fidelity insurance. It was agreed to do this after the year end when the Councils insurance cover would be reviewed. RESOLVED - That the letter be noted with satisfaction. (e) Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall The annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st March 2007 were presented and noted. 73/07 PLANNING (a) Applications RESOLVED -That the action taken in raising no objections (with conditions as appropriate) to the following applications be confirmed:- (b) Decisions It was reported that the following applications had been approved:- It was reported that the following applications had been refused:- (c) Other Planning Issues A letter was submitted from the Borough Council's Head of Planning and Engineering Services advising that as a consequence of improvements to the "public access " website all planning decisions are now available on their website and to save printing and postal costs , decision notices would no longer be posted to parish councils. Further to the discussion at the last meeting, a further letter was read from the Borough Council with regard to unauthorised signs at Regent Service Station, Grindley Lane, Meir Heath. 74/07 CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY THE COUNCIL (a) Items notice of which was given at the last meeting As instructed at the last meeting, the Clerk included the following matters on the agenda for this meeting and the topics were then discussed by members:-
RESOLVED -
(1) That Mr. Ian Brown of S.T.W.A. be contacted and requested to attend to the problem in Blythe Avenue as soon as possible; (2) That P.C. Paul Ryan be contacted and advised of the problems on Uttoxeter Road; (3) That in view of the absences of the members concerned consideration of the remaining items listed above, be deferred until the next meeting. (b) Anti-social behaviour in Adamthwaite Drive area, Blythe Bridge Further to the discussion at the last meeting in the public participation section, members reported on the residents meeting held on 4th October 2007 at Springcroft School. The meeting was well attended except there was disappointment that there was no police presence for a second time. It was hoped to arrange another meeting shortly also involving residents and organisations from Meir Park and Staffordshire Moorlands. (c) Parish Plan Further to Minute 67/07 of the last meeting, a copy of the final draft Parish Plan was circulated to each member. In view of the costs involved they had been printed in black and white. Arrangements were made for the dispatch of the 170 copies to be sent to the residents who expressed an interest in further involvement when returning their questionnaires. The Chairman sought volunteers from the membership to attend the public sessions arranged at Meir Heath & Rough Close Village Hall on Sat 3rd November 2007 and at Fulford Village Hall on Wednesday 7th November 2007 75/07 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Receipt of the following correspondence/reports was noted:-
76/07 ITEM(S) FOR THE NEXT MEETING The Clerk was asked to include the following matters on the agenda for the next meeting:- DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Council is to be convened at Fulford Village Hall on Thursday, 8th November 2007 at 7.15pm. CHAIRMAN
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