IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the remote telephone conference meeting held on
Wednesday 16 December 2020 at 7.00 p.m.
PRESENT: Councillors Mick Irwin, Leslie Jackson, Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair),
Howard Mycock, Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson & John Williams and
the Clerk.
APOLOGIES: Councillor Brian Snow
DISPENSATIONS: None received.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: It was agreed to take these as/if they arise.
It was proposed by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Jackson to authorise the minutes for 25 November 2020 as a true record. This was agreed unanimously.
114/20. Matters arising
- Foxt Community Area: It was noted that the hedge had not yet been cut. It was also noted that the gate was open, and no one was sure why.
- Blocked Gullies & Drains: It was reported that the grid by the foot path from Brookfields Road to St Leonard’s Avenue was completely blocked. It was agreed to write to the Chief Executive of the County Council.
- Painting of Bier Shed & Seats in Cemetery: The Clerk reported that she had asked the Lengthsman about this but had not heard from him.
- Wall Barley Road: It was agreed to monitor and discuss again in a couple of months.
Councillor Stimpson joined the meeting.
- Drainage Belmont Road: There was nothing to report on this yet.
- Superfast Broadband: Councillor Williams reported that he had had some information for the County Council and that if an area i.e., Foxt or remote areas of Ipstones are not on their schedule then the local people/person could ask for a price to bring it to their area and the County Council would match the cost. Councillor Williams thinks that it will be done eventually as there is a Government initiative to get everywhere connected to Superfast Broadband.
- Old Fire Pump: Councillor Malyon reported that someone has offered to store the Old Fire Pump. She said once it has been moved the parish council will have to consider paying rent and insuring the Old Fire Pump. It was agreed it would be difficult to value the pump. Councillor Malyon said she will speak to the Area Fire Officer over Ipstones to see if he can help with a valuation and Councillor Williams suggested asking an Auction House. It was agreed to discuss again in January.
Councillor Malyon said that while she was speaking to the Area Fire officer, she had asked why Ipstones are not getting many calls and he had said that this should be changing soon.
- GP Appointments: Councillor Malyon advised that she had reported the incidents discussed to the SMDC who have discussed with the NSCCG at a recent meeting. Some other issues regarding people being sent home from hospital without the aftercare plan in place or late at night were discussed. Councillor Malyon said that she would pass this onto the CCG. The general feeling is that people with medical issues are suffering because of Covid-19.
115/20. Correspondence
- Mr S re Queries relating to Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – Section 53 Application: Each member had received a copy of the letter and comments noted. Questions that were raised were: – 1) when the letter from the County Council which was dated 22 August 2018 was discussed. It was noted that the Clerk could find no reference on the minutes to this letter other than when Mr S had mentioned it in his letter that was minuted on 24 October 2018. Q 2,3 ,4 unfortunately could not be answered as there was no reference in the minutes. The Clerk said she had looked for the letter but could not find it in the files she had at home but said it could possibly be at the Fire Station, which due to Covid-19 and lockdowns she was unable to go to the Fire Station. It was agreed to write to the County Council to ask when this was posted to the parish council and ask for a copy.
Mr S also referred to a letter from the Inspector that was minuted on 26 August 2020 and asked if the parish council had made any comments to the letter. It was noted that it had been discussed but no proposal had been made to make comments. Following a discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Irwin to write to Mr S, and say that we note his comments and are sorry if he does not like how the parish council conduct business as members always try to act in a correct and proper manner. Members feel that the matter of if the footpath is open or closed was down to the County Council to a decide and now as their decision has been appealed the decision lies with the Inspector. This was agreed unanimously.
- Western Power Distribution re Tree Pruning in Ipstones Cemetery: It was agreed to give permission for them to prune branches back that are near to the power cables.
- Mr R, re Cart Lane: An email had been received regarding the damage caused in Cart Lane and signage to warn larger vehicles not to drive along Cart Lane. Mr R asked why these issues had not been discussed with Councillor Heath when she joined the meeting in November. It was agreed to reply that the Clerk had misunderstood about the damaged tree and thought that it had been knocked over. It was agreed to inform Mr R, that Councillor Heath had previously agreed to consider the signage for Cart Lane in her DHP fund in the next financial year, so it had not been necessary to discuss at the meeting and that it is a different Officer who is dealing with the damage caused by the Contactors. It was agreed to forward copies of the emails regarding the signage to Mr R and to advise that we are still in correspondence with the relevant department about the damage caused by Contractors.
- Well Street Medical Centre re Invoice of Business Rates for rooms at the Memorial Hall: Councillor Malyon moved to bring Agenda item 7, Memorial Hall, in with this. It was noted that the District Council are trying to charge the Doctors and the Memorial Hall Business Rates, back dated to last year. This seems to have arisen from when the Valuation Officer visited the Memorial Hall and were given to believe that the two rooms used by the Doctors were for their sole use. Councillor Malyon advised that she had spoken with the District Council, but they advised that there is nothing that they can do about this, and the only way forward is for the Doctors and the Memorial Hall to submit an appeal to the Valuation Office. She said that the Memorial Hall should be exempt from council tax as it is a charity. Following a discussion, it was agreed that when the appeals have been submitted a letter of support should be forwarded to the Valuation Officer.
During the discussion concerns were expressed that if the Doctors have to pay council tax on the rooms, they use in the Hall there is a risk that they will stop providing the service. Councillor James said that we need to ask the Dotors to return to the village as soon as possible and that it would be safe for them to distribute medication from the Hall Car Park as they have done previously. She said that the Volunteers have done a sterling job by delivering medication during the pandemic, but it is important to get the Doctors back in some form or other. Councillor Malyon said she will have a word with the Practice Manager and to also write to them.
Members agreed with this course of action.
- Lengthsman’s Report (November): details of this were noted. He had also advised
that there are still some hedge cuttings on the bridle path PFP 102 and that animals
are digging holes on Foxt Community Area. It was felt that it would be difficult to
stop wild animals getting into the play area. Councillor Malyon reminded
Councillor Stimpson that the hedge still needs cutting. He said it is too wet for the
hedge cutter to come at moment.
- County Councillor Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture re Looking after those around us: Councillor Malyon moved that this is photocopied for each member as it is too long to read out.
- SMDC re Christmas Bin Collection: This was noted.
- Other circulars, bulletins etc: – (not read out)
Moorlands Climate Action – Climate Emergency – the role of Parish & Town
Councils
The Community Foundation for Staffordshire – About grants for individuals from
the Youth Opportunities Fund & Funding & support from your Community
Foundation for local communities affected by the Covid -19 crisis.
SPCA – Weekly bulletins 26/11; 3/12 & 10/12
NALC – LTN 57 – Easements over Common Land and Village Green
116/20. Support Cheadle: Councillor Malyon asked if a letter of support can be
forwarded to Cheadle Town Council as the District Council are making plans to
revamp the town without consultation with Cheadle TC or Cheadle District
Councillors. Following a discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Malyon and
seconded by Councillor Irwin to send a letter of support for Cheadle to be in
charge of their own destiny as it is only fair that they have a say in the future of
their town. This was agreed unanimously.
117/20. Sign Garden Leases: The Clerk confirmed that the two existing lessees have
agreed to carry on with the garden plots so it was agreed to sign the contracts.
118/20. Planning for setting Annual Precept for 2021/2022: Councillor Jackson asked if
we had heard anything from the District Council about Mayfair Avenue Open
Space. Councillor Malyon said she had asked but there was nothing to report yet.
It was agreed to write again.
119/20. Highways: there was nothing new to report.
120/20. Any other business deemed urgent: there were no matters raised.
121/20. Accounts for payment: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –
| £ | |
| Douglas Macmillan Hospice – Donation authorised under S137 miscellaneous payments |
100.00 |
| Lengthsman’s pay (Net) | 235.20 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses (mileage 38 miles@ 0.45p) | 17.10 |
| Clerk’s Salary (net) | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses inc Whypay teleconference fee | 11.29 |
| The Nursery at Old Hall for Christmas Tree donated to Fire Station
– Authorised under S137 Miscellaneous payments |
40.00 |
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The date of the next remote teleconference meeting was set for Wednesday 20 January 2021 at 7.00 p.m.
The final item was agreed to be treated as CONFIDENTIAL.