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Minutes March 2019

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 27 March 2019 In the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall 

PRESENT:      Cllrs Philip Barks, Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards,                                           Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson and John Williams.  The Clerk and 1 Reporter

APOLOGIES: Councillor Barry Shuttleworth

DISPENSATIONS:   None received

DECLARATION OF INTEREST: To be taken as they arise.

It was proposed by Cllr Mycock and seconded by Cllr Williams that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 20 February 2019 be approved as being a true record.  This was agreed unanimously. 

27/19.   MATTERS ARISING 

  1. Proposed Width Restriction for Cart Lane: It was noted that there had been no response to this yet.
  2. Bus Services: It was noted that there has been no response from the Bus Company yet.
  3. Doctors Branch Surgeries: Cllr Malyon said that we are still waiting for a date to meet with the Doctors.
  4. Pot Holes: Cllr Malyon reported that Waterhouses PC have written to the Department of Transport regarding the numerous potholes and the bad state of the roads.  It was agreed to also write to the Department of Transport about this and about the grids not getting emptied as often as they should.

It was agreed to remind the Area Engineer that the grid outside No 7 Church Lane, doesn’t seem to be emptied on a 6 weekly cycle as agreed.

  1. Filing Cabinet: Cllr Malyon is making enquiries at the DC to see if they are disposing of any lockable filing cabinets.
  2. Parking Brookfields Road: Cllr Malyon said that she has had a few comments about the parking and vehicles not being able to get through.  It was agreed that there isn’t an easy solution to this problem.
  3. Foxt Bus Shelter: It was noted that the people repairing the Bus Shelter have now got all the materials they need. 

28/19.   PLANS:  The following plans had been received: – 

                SMD/2019/0062   Proposed single storey side extension at 13 Daisy Avenue,  Ipstones.                          It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr James to support approval of this application.                       This was agreed unanimously. 

               SMD/2019/0153  Single storey rear extension at 10 Church Meadow, Ipstones.  It was                                proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Stimpson to support approval of this application.  This                    was agreed unanimously.

29/19.   CORRESPONDENCE 

  1. Mr & Mrs S – A thank you card had been received for the gift and card received for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
  2. SCC re Froghall Picnic Area: A representative from SCC had offered to attend a meeting to talk about the proposed car parking charges but had been unable to attend tonight meeting. It was agreed that if someone is available to invite them to the April meeting.   Kingsley PC had forwarded a copy of a letter that they had sent to the County Council objecting to the proposed car parking charges.
  3. County Councillor Heath re Grit Piles: An email advised that the County Council have now reversed the decision and will continue to replenish grit piles when needed.
  4. County Councillor Heath re proposed ‘width’ restriction for Cart Lane: An email advised that she has her DHP meeting very soon so will see if this could be done under that.
  5. SMDC re Elections on 2 May 2019: An email advised that ‘nomination packs’ can be picked up from Moorlands House.
  6. Diocese of Lichfield re Stile at junction on PFPs 20 & 22: The letter advised that the parish council’s letter has been passed to their Glebe Agent.
  7. D Banks re Updating the Website: The quote for updating the website to (Secure) SSL was £50 on top of the normal hosting per annum plus a one-off fee for development of £45. A total of £95 then £50 per annum.  It was agreed that the website should be secure and to authorise for the work to be carried out.
  8. SMDC re Great British Spring Clean: the email advised that the District Council supports communities to clean up as part of the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign.  It was agreed to display the poster on the Noticeboard.
  9. Scope re Textile Recycling Banks: An email had been received asking if the parish council could identify any locations where they might put a textile recycling bank.  After discussion it was agreed that as there are already 2 x textile recycling banks in Ipstones which is enough for a village of our size.  The Foxt Councillors didn’t think there was need for one in Foxt.
  10. Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government re publication of councillors’ and candidates’ home addresses: Notification that there has been a change to legislation that means that candidates standing as local councillors do not have to publish their home addresses on the ballot paper.    
  11. Calor re Grants: details of the current year’s grant scheme had been received.  Cllr Malyon took this and is going to pass a copy to Cllr James.
  12. Ipstones Memorial Hall re Grant: A letter had been received asking if the parish council could help toward the cost of installing a new CCTV system.  It was proposed by Cllr Stimpson and seconded by Cllr Mycock to issue a grant of £700.00 under Section 19 (Miscellaneous Payments).  This is the amount allocated as a grant for the current year).  This was agreed unanimously.
  13. The Nursery at Old Hall re summer planting: A letter had been received advising that the cost of the summer planting would remain the same as last year and cost £450.00.  It was agreed to accept this price.  Cllr Stevenson mentioned that in Cheadle they have replaced ‘wooden planters’ with plastic planters and thought that Ipstones should perhaps consider this is the future.
  14. Training for Lengthsman & Volunteers: The Clerk reported that the training has been arranged for Tuesday 9th April for all three, and then Wed 10th & Thurs 11th April for just the Lengthsman. The Clerk also advised that the Volunteers needed the following: – 2 x Helmets @ £38.50 each, 2 x safety glasses at maximum cost of £8.96 each (members thought that a cheaper version would be adequate as the volunteers don’t do a lot of strimming), 2 x Hi viz vests and 3 x chainsaw standard gloves @ £25 each (this was recommended by the trainer as the equipment that they would need for the training).  It was agreed to get the PPE that is required.
  15. Hamps Valley Ltd re Survey of Trees in Cemetery:  The report advised that 9 trees would need pruning around the electric cables.  It was agreed to find out what work Western Power have done as they should have been pruning branches away from the trees around the time the survey was done.   8 trees would require further investigation as they have blackened areas on the lower trunks of the trees.  Hamps Valley have arranged to meet he Tree Officer in the summer to see if they can identify what is causing these blackened areas.  The remaining trees required no action.  It was noted that the report is only valid for 6 months and the conclusions and recommendations are valid for one year.
  16. Staffordshire Playing Fields Association re Annual Subscriptions:  It was agreed not to subscribe to this.
  17. Lengths man’s Report (February 2019): Details of this were noted.
  18. Other Circulars, Bulletins & Newsletters etc: –

SPCA – Weekly Bulletins – 21/02; 28/02; 07/03; 14/03 & 21/03                                                                                          NALC – L01-19  Code of recommended practice on Local Authority Publicity  (England)                                                  NALC – Funding Bulletin

30/19.   WWI CENTENERY GRANT:  The Clerk reported that she had spoken to the person who had                                   organised the event and was advised that they are still discussing with the Hall committee and looking                       for quotes for someone to make a wrought iron frame to display the 10 poppies that had been donated                       (one for each parishioner who had lost their life in WW1).  It was agreed that the remaining grant money                   of £217.50 would have to remain with the parish council until this has been sorted out and the                                       framework made.

31/19.   GDPR:  Cllr Williams explained that he had asked for this to be put on the agenda as he had noticed on                    the County Council website each individual Councillor had their own privacy notice.  After discussion it                      was agreed that the parish council privacy notice was enough for parish councillors as they do not tend to                  keep records of individual’s personal information.

32/19.   WATERING FLOWER TUBS:  It was noted that several the tubs are watered  Regularly and members                  of the parish council are grateful for this, but some are not getting watered.  In most years this hasn’t                          been a problem as there had been no extended dry periods, but last year had been dry and hot so the                          flower tubs had suffered.  It was agreed to put notices on the noticeboard asking for volunteers to water                      tubs near to them in periods of dry weather.

33/19.  TO AUTHORISE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COST OF HIRING THE HALL FOR THE ONCE                    WEEKLY DOCTORS BRANCH SURGERIES IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, IPSTONES                                  FOR THE PERIOD 1ST MAY 2018 TO 31 MARCH 2019:  It was agreed unanimously to                                       authorise the sum of £67.50 under S137 (Miscellaneous Payments) as a contribution to the cost of hiring                   the Memorial Hall for the once weekly branch surgeries.

34/19.  SPEED LIMIT ON A523 AT BOTTOMHOUSE:  It was noted there had recently been a three vehicle                   accident at the crossroads on a foggy morning.  It was agreed to write to the County Council to ask if the                     section of road between the 2 speed cameras could be reduced from ‘50’ mph to ‘40’ mph and to copy in                     the Ministry of Transport.

35/19.  ONE-WAY ROAD, FOXT:  Cllr Malyon reported that it had been brought to her attention that a Foxt                     resident had told Bus Drivers not to go up the ‘One-way’ road but to go on the other two-way road and                       that there had been two near misses on the bend, where often there are vehicles parked making vehicles                     to go over onto the other side of the road on the bend.  Following discussion, it was proposed by                                 Cllr Stimpson and seconded by Cllr James to ask the County Council if they can put a bigger ‘One-way’                       sign at the bottom of the one-way road and to also ask for double yellow lines on bend of the other two-                     way road.  This was agreed unanimously.

36/19.   HIGHWAYS:  the following are to be reported: –

  1. Pavement at Froghall: It was noted that lorries are parking on the pavement again and that it is making a mess of the pavement.  It was agreed to write to Hadleigh and ask them to ask the lorries visiting their site not to let lorries park on the pavement but to let them on to the site. To also ask if as a gesture of goodwill, they will arrange to repair the damaged pavement.
  2. Park Lane: it was agreed to report that there is a blocked grid that is adding to the flooding situation when it rains.
  3. B5053, Froghall Bank: Cllr Williams reported that in recent rainy weather water has again been running across the road on the bends.  It was noted this is mainly cause from water draining from the fields and the problem had been raised with the County Council several times over the years but there wasn’t much that can be done about it.
  4. Belmont Pools; Cllr Stevenson asked if there is still a problem of flooding. Cllr Malyon said no it’s a lot better now that the culvert under the road had been cleared.
  5. Ipstones Edge, (bottom end): It was noted that there seems to be no inlets into the ditches and agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he can take a look and re-open the inlets.

37/19.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT: 

  1. It was noted with sadness that Mr W Clarke had recently passed away. It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Richards to send a card of condolence to his wife and a donation of £50 to the chosen charity (Smile Train UK) authorised under S137 (Miscellaneous Payments).  This is in recognition of the many years Mr Clarke has dedicated to the Ipstones & Foxt Royal British Legion and representing the Ipstones & Foxt RBL at many events.  This was agreed unanimously.
  2. Chairman’s Allowance:  The Clerk reported that with the recent 2 Diamond Wedding Anniversaries the Chairman’s Allowance would need a further £80 to cover the amounts.  It was agreed unanimously to increase the Chairman’s Allowance by £80.

38/19.  ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:  It was agreed that the following accounts be approved                            for payment: – 

  £
L Malyon – to reimburse from Chairman’s Allowance for card & gift for a Diamond Wedding Anniversary  

57.54
Hamps Valley Ltd – for Survey of Cemetery Trees 360.00
Lengthsman’s Net Payment 182.16
Lengthsman’s Expenses (24 miles @ 0.45p) 10.80
Clerk’s Net Salary 630.00
Clerk’s Expenses inc. Ink Cartridges 26.50
P Mottram – for removing mound of spoil from Cemetery 1240.00
L Malyon  -to reimburse from Chairman’s Allowance for card and gift for 2 x Diamond Wedding Anniversaries  

109.65
Ipstones Memorial Hall Grant – authorised under S19 (Miscellaneous Payments)  

700.00
Smile Train Uk – donation in memory of Mr W Clarke (S137) 50.00

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 24 April 2019 at 7.30p.m.

In the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall

 

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