IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 20 June 2018 at 7.30 p.m. at Foxt Village Hall
PRESENT: Councillors Philip Barks, Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards, Barry Shuttleworth, Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson and John Williams. The Clerk, One Reporter and 5 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: None
DISPENSATIONS: None received
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: It was agreed to take these as they arise.
It was noted that there was an error on the minutes of the AGM (23/05/2018) minutes where it was recorded that Cllr Shuttleworth had proposed that Cllr Stevenson be Vice Chairman and seconded by Cllr James – it should have been Cllr James proposed this and Cllr Shuttleworth seconded the proposal. This is to be amended. It was agreed that the remainder of the minutes were a true record.
73/18. MATTERES ARISING
- Local Bus Services: Cllr Malyon reported that both Cheadle and Leek Town Councils are going to discuss this issue at their next meetings. She said that it takes 56 days to implement any changes to the services.
- Grit Bins: it was agreed to chase up on these.
- Blocked Grids – it was noted that these have not yet been jetted and agreed to chase up.
- Water on Road, Park Lane: It was agreed to chase up on this.
- Pot Hole by Canal Cottages: It was agreed to chase up on this.
- Invite for Matthew Ellis: it was agreed to ask him to suggest 2 or 3 dates.
- Over Grown Trees on Bolton’s Site: It was noted that a letter has been sent.
- Bridge over Canal near Canal Cottages: It was agreed to chase up on this.
- Painting of Milestones: It was agreed to chase up on this. The Clerk explained that she thought the Lengthsman might struggle for time to fit the painting of the milestones in as he is only Contracted for 21 hours per calendar month and there are also other duties to be carried out. On proposal by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Malyon it was agreed to pay the Lengthsman extra hours for the painting of the milestones.
74/18. PLANS: the following application had been received: –
SMD/2018/0328 Outline permission with details of access (other matters reserved)
for the erection of five dwellings (outline) at Lane End Cottage, Whirley Low,
Town End Road, FOXT. Members had just started to look at the plans when the
applicant arrived and started to speak to the Chairman asking why a particular
member of the parish council was present and taking part and making abusive
comments at a member of the council. The Chairman asked the
the lady if she would sit down and said she would bring her in to the meeting once
members had finished looking at the plans, when she would suspend Standing
Orders to allow members of the public to speak. The lady continued to be disruptive
so the Chairman brought the meeting to a close. The meeting was re-scheduled to
the following week – Wednesday 27th June at 7.30p.m.
IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the reconvened meeting from 20th June 2018 held in the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall at 7.30p.m. on 27 June 2018
PRESENT: Councillors Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Barry Shuttleworth,
Patrick Stimpson & John Williams. The Clerk, 1 x Reporter and 12 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Councillors Philip Barks, Sandy Richards & Andrew Stevenson
DISPENSATIONS: None received
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: To be taken as they arise.
The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and moved that Agenda item 5 – Plans be taken later in the meeting.
75/18. CORRESPONDENCE
- Mr Bean, Church Warden, St Mark’s Church (Foxt) re Church Gates: A letter was read out, which explained that they need planning permission to replace the Church gates and asked if the parish council would make the planning application on their behalf. It was noted that the they would reimburse the parish council for the planning fee. It was proposed by Cllr James and seconded by Cllr Stimpson for the parish council to submit the application and pay the fee initially. This was agreed unanimously. The Foxt members are to converse with Mr Bean and then get back to the Clerk. This was agreed unanimously
- Churnet Valley Farmers: A letter of thanks had been received.
- Cllr Barks re Youth Club: Cllr Malyon said that the Youth Club Leader had contacted the Memorial Hall Committee and have asked to hold the Youth Club on two nights with a maximum of 15 members on each night. She added that they have got the correct number of leaders. Arrangements for this are still in progress.
- Parking School Green: An e-mail had been received from the Owner of Old School House in reply to the parish council’s letter seeking permission to put a sign on the back of the garden wall. The e-mail advised that the Old School House is Grade II listed and therefore they are unable to give permission to place a sign on the garden wall. It was agreed to write to the homeowners along School Green and ask that no-one parks in front of anyone else’s gateways.
- SCC Area Inspector: An e-mail advised of a couple of dates for a site visit to look at several issues within the parish. It was opted to go with the 3rd
- Police & Crime Commissioner re ‘Space’ Scheme’: Posters for this had been received.
- Lengthsman’s Report (May 2018): Details of this were noted.
- Mrs Cooke: An e-mail had been received notifying members that she would be filming the meeting.
- Other Newletters, circulars etc: –
SPCA – Weekly Bulletins
Forest of Mercia – Defra offer of free trees
Leek & District Civic Society – Civic Society Awards Scheme for the Environment
Community Council of Staffordshire – update on current situation for the deployment of its activities to facilitate closure of CCS on 31 August.
The Chairman moved that Agenda Items 7. Risk Assessment & Training and
Agenda Item 8. General Data Protection Regulation be deferred to the next meeting.
76/18. GRANT FOR FITTING OF NEW FENCE AT IPSTONES TINY TOTS: Cllrs Malyon &
Shuttleworth declared an interest as on the Memorial Hall Committee. After
looking at the 2 quotes supplied it was proposed by Cllr James and seconded by
Cllr Mycock to donate the sum of £550, the amount of the lower quote, under
Section 137 Miscellaneous Payments. It was agreed for the Clerk to speak to the
other three members and if they are in favour to issue the donation to them.
77/18. DOCTORS BRANCH SURGERIES: Cllr Malyon explained that they are having a rough
time with the Doctors not coming on Fridays and the Tuesdays session is by
appointment only (6 to 8 appointments in the allocated time). The Practice
Manager had said that it is hard to plan afternoon appointments at Cheadle when
they have an open surgery at Ipstones. Cllr Malyon suspended Standing Orders to
allow Mr Bevan and Mr Perry to speak. Mr Bevan said he had e-mailed Well Street
Medical Practice and they had responded that the Health Service is going through
change and that they are suggesting that people consider using a Pharmacist, Nurse
Practitioner or Paramedic for some minor/routine health issues/advice rather than
seeing the GP.
Mr Bevan said they may still have done a review even if the Hall hadn’t been closed
and that they had said that they must make sure that the 6000 patients they
have in Cheadle have the same service as the 1600 patients in Ipstones.
Cllr Malyon said that with a reduced bus service it only allows 20 minutes in
Cheadle which is not even time to get to Well Street and back. For people on basic
pension/low earnings who don’t have a car can’t afford Taxi fares. Mr Bevan said
that another issue they had raised was ‘Confidentiality’ when people are queueing
up outside the appointment room, to collect prescriptions. Mr Perry added that the
Doctors have said they will not withdraw the Service from Ipstones.
Standing Orders were resumed.
It was agreed to write and ask if they resume holding Surgeries on a Tuesday and
Friday as previously in view of the current bus situation, and to mention that part of
good medical health is socialising (when people have a chat while waiting to see
GP), that there is a high proportion of older people in the village. Can the
dispensary come on both Tuesdays and Fridays. It was also agreed to ask if Doctor
Yates, Dr Powell and the Practice Manager will attend a meeting to discuss options.
(This is to be a separate meeting).
78/18. SOCIAL HOUSING: Cllr Malyon said that there is not many Social Housing
properties in Ipstones and that people are not applying in time to get Ipstones
Houses. They already need to be on the waiting list when a property becomes
available. It was agreed to draft a notice to encourage people to put their names
on the waiting list and to also ask the housing associations if they can help with
this. Cllr James said she is willing to assist people to complete application forms etc
Cllrs Malyon and shuttleworth said they also would be willing to help with form
filling.
79/18. CEMETERY TAP: It was reported that the tap by the newer part of the Cemetery is
leaking again. Following a discussion, it was agreed to ask the Plumber if a push
button or lever tap might be better to prevent people over turning the tap.
80/18. CEMETERY – its been noticed that there are several graves that have had a groove
dug round them. This is making it difficult for the mower, as the wheels get stuck in
the groove. It was agreed to look at these on a site visit prior to the next meeting.
81/18. REVIEW OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS: it was noted that
there isn’t currently a representative for the Memorial Hall Committee. Both Cllrs
James and Mycock expressed an interest in this role. It was agreed to leave a
decision on this until the next meeting when there would be more members to vote
on it. All other representatives are to remain the same.
82/18. FOXT COMMUNITY AREA: It was noted that the hedge needs cutting, but that also
there are planks of wood been dumped at the bottom of the hedge. There is also a
tree in the gateway. Cllr Stimpson agreed to have a look.
83/18. PLANS: Letters from Mr Trillo (SMDC) to Mrs Cooke and to Cllr Mycock, had been
passed to the parish council and were read out.
Standing orders were then suspended to allow Mrs Cooke to speak. She reiterated
that she thought that Cllr Mycock should declare a prejudicial interest in the
application and to herself and leave the room while it is being discussed and
voted on. Cllr Malyon said that it is Cllr Mycock’s decision and that she has spoken
to Mr Trillo and he said it is up to Cllr Mycock whether to declare an interest or not.
Mrs Cooke then left the meeting.
SMD/2018/0328 Outline permission with details of access (other matters reserved)
for the erection of five dwellings (outline) at Lane End Cottage, Whirley Low,
Town End Road, Foxt. Cllr Malyon said she is concerned that the village boundary
has disappeared. Members perused the plan and following a discussion it was
proposed by Cllr Stimpson and seconded by Cllr James to object to the application
for the following reasons: –
- The plan is only for outline and therefore the dwelling could be sited anywhere on the site when full application made.
- The site is too far outside the main settlement of Foxt.
- Members are not aware that a survey has been carried out to see what the local need is for affordable housing
- To be classed as affordable the land as to be donated and the properties sold at around £60,000.
- On the Local Plan the parish council asked for an extra 10 properties for Foxt – and now there are 14 in the pipeline.
- The main criteria for new properties was for bungalows for older people to move into – this could release houses for younger people.
- That it would be an overdevelopment in this rural location
This was agreed unanimously.
84/18. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT
- Local Bus Service: Cllr Malyon reported that Cheadle Town Council have discussed this bus situation and suggested inviting representatives from Cheadle and Leek Town Councils and Kingsley Parish Council to a special meeting to discuss the Bus Services. It was agreed to do this.
The remaining members of the public left the meeting.
- Fire on Hedge at Brookfields Road: It was noted that when this happened the Ipstones Truck was off the run as they did not have a driver available, so a Fire Engine from Leek attended, and they were unsure on how to get to Brookfields Road. Cllr Malyon said she is concerned about Ipstones not getting enough calls and moved that we invite Matthew Ellis to a meeting to discuss our concerns. To also invite the Chief Fire Officer to a special meeting.
- Flower Tubs: It was noted that 4 x half barrel flower tubs (pre-used) had been purchased from Cheadle in Bloom for £10 each. One was to replace the tub opposite the Old School with the other three being stored for next year (as several barrels will need to be replaced). It was agreed to reimburse the Clerk for the purchase of the half barrels as cash was paid on collection.
- Church Bells: Cllr James said that she was sad that steps are being taken to quieten the Bells following complaints about the noise – after all the money had been raised to get the Bells. The reason that they had been ringing a lot on one weekend was that there had been a competition. She was also saddened by comments on social media saying it was newcomers who had complained about the Bells – she thought that this was disrespectful to newcomers to the Village.
- Moles at Foxt Community Area: it was agreed to ask the usual Mole Catcher to look.
- BT wires in Shay Lane, Ipstones: It was noted that there is a tree that is ‘holding’ the wires up. It was agreed to report this.
85/18. HIGHWAYS: The following matters were raised: –
- Water on the Road, Park Lane: This is on the list for the site visit next week.
- Path at Odda Common: It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman to strim this and round the Well at Noonsun Common.
- It was agreed to report pot holes in the following locations: –
- Park Lane, Nr Crowgutter Farm
- Church Lane, Nr to Churchside Barn
- B5053 – near Canal Cottages – this pot hole is getting bigger
- Parking at Froghall Wharf: it was noted that last Saturday vehicles had been parked up the hill and It is dangerous. Following discussion, it was agreed to write to Cllr Mark Deaville (SCC), to ask if the existing car park can be extended as this would create parking for around an extra 24 vehicles.
86/18. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –
| £ | |
| Lengthsman’s Payment (June) Net | 182.16 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses (Mileage 36 x 0.45) | 16.20 |
| Clerk’s Salary (June) Net | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses | 7.84 |
| To Reimburse Clerk for repair to Laptop | 60.00 |
| To reimburse Clerk for purchase of 4 x ½ Barrel Planters | 40.00 |
| Mr M Emery – Mowing | 700.00 |
| L Malyon – to reimburse from Chairman’s Allowance for card & Gift for Diamond Wedding |
58.45 |
| Ipstones Methodist Church – for use of Sunday school Rooms for Doctors’ Dispensary – Authorised Under Section 137 |
168.00 |
| Ipstones Tiny Tots – Donation to cost of erecting a fence – authorised under Section 137 (miscellaneous Payments) |
550.00 |
| NB. A replacement Cheque for CPRE (Annual Sub) original cheque issued in April, and not received. (original cheque has been stopped) |
36.00 |
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The date of the next meeting was fixed for Wednesday 18th July 2018 at 7.30p.m.
In the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall
(This will be preceded by a site visit to the Cemetery by Members of the Council)