IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 24 April 2019 at 7.30 p.m. in the Bloor Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall
PRESENT: Councillors Philip Barks, Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards, Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson & John Williams. The Clerk, 1 Reporter & 3 members of the public
APOLOGIES: None received.
DISPENSATIONS: None received
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: It was agreed to take as they arise.
39/19. MATTERS ARISING
- Filing Cabinet for Clerk: It was noted that a local person has got a cabinet that they are disposing of and it will be delivered in next few days.
- Bus Shelter, Froghall Road: It was agreed to authorise it to be cleaned as per minute 133/18. C. (October 2018 meeting)
- Planter Tubs: Cllr Stevenson reported that he hadn’t managed to find out how much the plastic planters they have in Cheadle cost. The Clerk said the three wooden planter we had from Cheadle TC last year would probably be enough to replace any wooden tubs that need replacing this year.
- Pavement at Froghall: It was noted that the pavement has now been repaired. The Clerk reported that the Manager of Agility (who operate on the site) had phoned to say that none of the lorries visiting the site park on the pavement as they let them straight onto the premises. He said it is other passing vehicles that sometimes park on the pavement especially when there is a problem on Whiston Bank. He thought if there are extra bollards round the edge of the pavement it might help.
It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Williams to authorise the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 27 March 2019 as being a true record.
This was agreed unanimously.
The Chairperson moved that Correspondence be taken first
40/19. CORRESPONDENCE
- Mrs Rowe re Ipstones Memory Tree: The letter was read out and it was noted that Mrs Rowe had kindly donated the electricity for the lights on the Tree and that ARB Tree Surgeons had put up the lights on the tree free of charge and changed bulbs when required all for a minimal cost to cover fuel for their large truck with arm. Mrs Rowe had paid for this. The letter went on to say that the tree is now extremely overgrown and in need of a full prune, which has been quoted at £450 plus VAT. Mrs Rowe has asked if the parish council will consider paying this as it is for the benefit of the community and will be for many years to come. The Chair suspended Standing Orders to allow Mrs Rowe to speak and she told members that in the past she has done fund raisers to help pay for the maintenance of the tree but is unable to do as much now. She said she is happy to supply the electric for the lights. Standing Orders were resumed.
It was proposed by Cllr Mycock and seconded by Cllr James that once the work has been completed to pay the invoice for the pruning work under S137 (Miscellaneous Payments). This was agreed unanimously. Mrs Rowe thanked the parish council.
- Thank you cards x2 had been received from the recipients of gifts for two recent Diamond Wedding Anniversaries.
- W and W Training re Training Course for Lengthsman & Volunteers: The e-mail was read out and advised that the Volunteers had shown good competence with operation of both strimmer and mower and that the Lengthsman was very competent in all operations. However, he pointed out that there are some areas of the parish which in his opinion require a street works qualification mainly for an area near Ipstones Station where the verge is mown. He suspects that work in this area should be managed with traffic lights or a ‘Stop / Go’ board. It was agreed to make enquiries with Highways about this. It was agreed to pay the Lengthsman for 24 hours training in next month’s pay.
One of the Volunteers had also phoned to say that the Trainer had advised that they should have ‘Men at Work’ warning signs out when they are mowing near to the highway. The Clerk had priced some up and found some at Screwfix that were a competitive price. It was agreed to ask at the Countrystore if they do any signs and if not to get the signs from Screwfix at £29.99 inc VAT per sign.
- SCC re S53 Application to upgrade Church Lane PFP 28 to Sharpecliffe Lodge PFP 29 to a Bridleway: the letter advised that after careful consideration of all the evidence before them, the Panel resolved that an Order be made to add the public bridleway on the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way. Cllr James thinks that this is just the beginning and that it won’t happen over night and that there will be chance for people to express their concerns.
- SCC re Proposed Parking Charges at Froghall Wharf: The e-mail advised that there was no-one available to come along to tonight’s meeting. It was agreed to ask if they would meet with a few members on site to discuss the issues.
- SCC re ‘Speed Limit’ on A523 at Bottomhouse: The reply stated that ‘they received huge numbers of requests for improvements to the infrastructure, with the aim to implement as many improvements as possible, each traffic management issue and concern raised will be prioritised and subsequently assessed for inclusion in the local Divisional Highway Programme.’ An e-mail of support for this request had also been received from Warslow & Elkstones Parish Council. It was agreed to reply that lives are at risk and that there has been another couple of accidents in recent weeks. To copy in County Councillor Heath & Warslow & Elkstone PC.
- SCC re ‘One-Way’ Road, Foxt: A reply stated that they receive a huge number of requests for improvements to the highway infrastructure and that they aim to implement as many improvements as possible, each issue and concern raised will be prioritised and subsequently assessed for inclusion in the local Divisional Highway Programme. It was agreed to ask that this issue will be included in the improvements programme and copy in County Councillor Heath.
- Department of Transport re Local Highway Maintenance: A reply stated that local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. The act does not set out specific standards of maintenance. The letter went on to say that the Government has no powers to override local decisions in these matters. It was agreed to place this issue on the next agenda.
- Western Power: Notification of payment of Wayleaves had been received.
- Lengthsman’s Report (March): Details of this were noted. It was also noted that several grids are blocked. Cllr Malyon said she also had a list of blocked grids and that she will e-mail it to the Clerk.
- Other Ciruclars, Bulletins etc
SPCA – Weekly Bulletins NALC – Funding Bulletin NALC – Data Protection fees NALC – A guide to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for Parish & Town Councils NALC – Affordable Housing Commission NALC – Improving Water Management SPCA – notification of training courses for Councillors CPRE – Countryside Voice – Spring Issue CPRE – Field Worker – Spring Issue
41/19. PLANS: The following planning applications had been received: –
SMD/2019/0146 Proposed landscaping adjacent to Hetty’s Tea Shop including construction of raised planters; stone tables and stone bench seats at Hetty’s Tea Shop, Froghall Wharf, Foxt Road, Froghall. It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Barks to support this application. This was agreed unanimously.
SMD/2019/0210 Rear two storey extension & single side/rear extension to form & enlarge kitchen/utility & bedroom at Birch Lea, 26 Belmont Road, Ipstones. It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr James to support this application. This was agreed unanimously.
42/19. SECTION 1 – ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2018/2019: All Members had received a copy of this and each statement (1 – 9) was read out and the answer to each statement was ‘yes’. This was then signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
43/19. RENEWAL OF ANNUAL INSURANCE: Three quotes had been received. It was agreed unanimously to go with the lower quote, which is the same company (Inspire) as last year, at a cost of £831.67 including IPT & admin fees. Cllr Stevenson agreed to look through the schedule details before the cheque is issued.
44/19. HIGHWAYS:
- Ditches, Ipstones Edge: it was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he has managed to dig inlets into the ditches.
45/19. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT:
- Cemetery: Cllr Malyon reported that she had received a complaint following a recent funeral regarding spoil on adjacent graves. It was agreed to ask the grave Digger if he can take care when digging graves.
- Mowing/Strimming in Cemetery: It has been reported that some graves where relatives have dug groves round to mark the grave have not been mown. This issue had been raised last year by the mowing contractor who had said that the wheels of the mower keep getting stuck in the groves. It was agreed to ask the contractor if he can strim these graves. The Clerk said she would look back to see what was said last year when the issues was raised.
- The Care Home on Ipstones Edge: Cllr Stevenson asked how things are going at moment. Cllr Malyon responded that things are quiet at the moment.
- Cllr James gave a vote of thanks to the three members who are retiring from the parish council this year especially Cllr Sandy Richards who has served the parish council for 28 years.
46/19. QUARTERLY ACCOUNTS REPORT (quarter ended 31.03.2019): Members had all had copies of the report. Cllr Stevenson checked the Bank Reconciliation against the balances on the Bank Statements. It was agreed to accept the report as a true record.
47/19. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –
| £ | |
| SMDC for hire of Cemetery Bin | 605.69 |
| Lengthsman’s Payment (net) | 191.00 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses (Mileage 28 miles @0.45p | 12.60 |
| Clerk’s Salary (Net) | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses Inc Ink cartridges | 46.48 |
| Staffordshire farm Supplies Ltd re servicing of Lengthsman’s equipmt | 39.60 |
| Ipstones Memorial Hall – for 3 x meeting (Jan to Mar) | 65.00 |
| Ipstones Memorial Hall – for Doctors’ Branch Surgeries (Jan – Mar) | 300.00 |
| M Emery for Mowing Cemetery, BRPA & Foxt Community Area | 700.00 |
| W & W Training for Training Course for Lengthsman & Volunteers | 1458.00 |
| Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association – Annual Sub | 352.00 |
| CPRE – Annual Subscription | 36.00 |
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The date of the AGM and next meeting was set for Wednesday 22nd May 2019 at 7.30 p.m. in the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall