IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 18 December 2019 at 7p.m. In the Blore Suite, Ipstones Memorial Hall
PRESENT: Councillors Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Brian Snow, Andrew Stevenson, Alison Vaughan & John Williams. The Clerk and three members of the public
APOLOGIES: Councillors Leslie Jackson & Patrick Stimpson
DISPENSATIONS: None received
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: To be taken as they arise
It was agreed unanimously that the minutes for the meeting held on Wednesday 27 November 2019 as being a true record.
128/19. MATTERS ARISING
- Grit Piles: It was noted that the grit pile on the Church Corner had not been restocked. Cllr Malyon agreed to chase up on this.
- Storage for the Old Fire Pump: Cllr Snow reported that he taken a builder to look at the old garage and that the roof needs replacing and that the walls are not in a good condition. It was noted that the Common Good Trust had not managed a meeting yet but hope to do so prior to the January parish council meeting.
- Milldam Public Footpath No 54: It was agreed to chase up on this.
- Blocked Drains near the Woodcutters and on Foxt Bank: It was noted that the Drains have still not been emptied and agreed to remind the County Highways of this.
- Deterioration of road surface on Foxt Bank: It was agreed to chase up on this.
- Charities: The Clerk said that she hopes to do this in the New Year.
- Telephone Sign: it was agreed to remind the Lengthsman of this.
- PFP 102: It was agreed to get an update on this.
- Invoice re cutting of hedge round ‘z’ bend sign, Church Lane: It was agreed to chase up on this.
- Dead Tree near Canal Cottages: it was noted that this has now been removed.
129/19. PLANS: The following planning application had been received: –
SMD/2019/0746 Erection of proposed dwelling, land to the East of 39 Brookfields Road, Ipstones. 2 x letters had been received expressing concerns about this application. Both were read out. The Chairperson moved that Standing Orders were suspended to allow members of the public present to speak on this.
Mr & Mrs C & Mrs M both reiterated the concerns that they had expressed in their letters.
Standing Orders were resumed.
Following a discussion, it was proposed by Cllr James and seconded by Cllr Snow to object to the application for the following reasons: –
- That it would be an overdevelopment of the site
- It would unneighbourly
- Access to the property would be over a Public Footpath and through a neighbour’s garden
- There would be a road safety issue – as larger vehicles often can’t get through this part of Brookfields Road due to the narrowness of the road and parked vehicles. This is a safety issue if Emergency Vehicles cannot ger through
- If approved, it would set a dangerous precedent
- The site is near to a SSSI site
- There would be an ecological impact on the area.
This was agreed unanimously.
The Standing Orders were suspended to welcome Reverend & Mrs Evans. The Chairperson thanked them both for coming along and for all the work he has done for the parish during his time as Vicar and for the work he has done for the community. A gift was then presented to the Vicar and his wife. Reverend Evans said he was very touched by the gesture and said it had been a privilege to have served the community of Ipstones – but added he had had the support of many parishioners. He said it hadn’t been an easy decision to retire and thanked everyone for the gift and good wishes.
Standing Orders were resumed.
130/19. CORRESPONDENCE
- Mr T: A letter thanking the parish council for their support on a recent planning application had been received.
- SCC re stones on verge near White Chimneys, Bradshaw Lane: The email asked the parish council to write regarding the stones that are on the verge. Members feel that it is a job for the county council as they have dealt with other cases of stones placed on the verge.
- SCC Re Provision of local bus services in Staffordshire: Notice of this routine review had been received. Cllr Malyon reported that Cheadle Town Council have asked if Ipstones would join in with them to help provide a better bus service. It was agreed to invite representatives from Cheadle Town Council to a future meeting.
- SMDC re Corporate Plan – Survey: Details of this were noted and it was agreed to request 2 x paper copies of the plan
- SCC re Consultation on Community and Voluntary Controlled School Admission Arrangements: Details of this was noted.
- Local Electricity Bill: details of this were noted
- Western Power Distribution re ‘Winter Ready’: Details of this were noted and it was agreed to display on the Noticeboards.
- Lengthsman’s Report (November): Details of this were noted.
- Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service: A reply regarding the parish council’s concerns over the deployment of Ipstones Fire Appliance suggested that representative from the Fire Service attend a parish council meeting to discuss these concerns. It was agreed to invite them to the next meeting.
- Other Circulars, Bulletins etc: –
SPC Assc – Weekly Bulletins – 28/11; 05/12 & 12/12 Funding Bulletin CPRE – Fieldworker – Winter Issue CPRE – Countryside Voice – Winter Issue
131/19. VE DAY: The Clerk reported that she’d spoken to MB from Ipstones & Foxt RBL and the ideas they have are for the Friday: – to light a memorial beacon, to ask someone to play the ‘last post’ and the Church Bells. For the Saturday ideas are: –
Street Party/Rea Dance in the Hall, a ‘sing-song’; maybe something in the evening
and possibly a football match. A lot would depend on the cost of things. MB wondered if the parish council will consider supporting the events financially. Cllr James thought that the Beacon Basket has now been planted – it was suggested that perhaps a bonfire would be possible subject to the landowner’s permission. Cllr Malyon thought that the parish council should support the event. It was agreed to suggest that they get a working group together. Cllrs James and Malyon said they’d be interested in being in a working group.
132/19. QUOTES FOR MOWING CONTRACT FOR 2020/2021 SEASONS: Three quotes had been received. The Quotes were read out without reference to the Contractors’ names. Following discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Snow and seconded by Cllr James to accept the lowest quote, which was for £4800 per season for all three sites. This was agreed unanimously. This quote was from J Perry.
It was agreed to send a letter to Mr Emery to thank him for the good job he has done mowing during the last two seasons.
133/19. HIGHWAYS: the following issues were raised: –
- It was agreed to report the following potholes: – Pot Hole between Ipstones Station and Blakelow & Potholes at end of Church Lane (near junction with High Street).
- Flooding in Park Lane near Ipstones Park Farm 2: It was agreed to report this again.
134/19. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT
- Fly Tipping at Blakelow Picnic Site – Cllr Malyon said she’d report this.
- Chairman’s Allowance: The Clerk reported that the Chairman’s Allowance would need to be topped up. It was agreed to top it up by £100 for the current financial year.
135/19. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –
| £ | |
| Lengthsman’s Net Payment | 191.00 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses | 17.10 |
| Clerk’s Net Salary | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses | 8.01 |
| Staffordshire Farm Supplies Ltd – Fence rails & nails to close off PFP 102 |
21.52 |
| L Malyon to reimburse from Chairman’s Allowance for 1 x gift for Golden wedding and Gift for Retiring Vicar |
101.06 |
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The date of the next meeting was set for Tuesday 21 January 2020 at 7.00p.m. In the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall