IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 19 February 2020 at 7 p.m. in the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall
PRESENT: Councillors Linda Malyon (Chair), Leslie Jackson, Heather James, Andrew Stevenson,
Patrick Stimpson, Alison Vaughan & John Williams. The Clerk & 2 x representatives from Cheadle Town Council re Local Bus Services
APOLOGIES: Cllr Mycock
DISPENSATIONS: None received
DECLARATIONS: It was agreed to take these as they arise
On proposal by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr James it was agreed unanimously that the minutes of the meeting for 21 January 2020 as being a true record
16/20. MATTERS ARISING
- Grit Piles: it was noted that some piles had not been restocked and in the recent snow, vehicles had been skidding all over the place on Red Lion Bank.
- Damage to verge in Church Lane/Clerk’s Bank Area: The Clerk reported that someone from the Haulage Company had phoned and advised that they had inspected the area and were willing to repair any damage their vehicle had caused but while they were there, a local had told them that there had also been some other vehicles doing some work in the area which had also caused some damage. The Haulage company wanted clarification on which area their vehicle had caused damage to. Following a discussion it was agreed that following the recent snow, more damage had occurred and it would now be difficult to identify which damage they had caused and it was thought best to leave as it would be difficult to carry out repairs.
- Foxt Bank: Cllr Malyon reported that she had seen one of the Engineers and they had said that they intend to do a thorough job of the bank i.e. plane it off and resurface, but they couldn’t give a date. It was agreed to emphasise that it needs to be done as soon as possible along with the section near the Lime Kilns.
- Sign from Telephone Kiosk: Cllr James reported that the Lengthsman had now picked up the sign.
- Surveillance Cameras: Cllr Malyon said she had spoken to inspector Thorley and he said that some types can operate in conjunction with the Police. It was agreed to invite Inspector Thorley to the April meeting.
17/20. PLANS: The following planning applications had been received: –
SMD/2020/0037 Rear two storey extension & single side/rear extension. Reclad
existing building in facing brick to match new extension at 26 Birchlea, Belmont
Road, Ipstones. It was proposed by Cllr James and seconded by Cllr Vaughan to
support this application. This was agreed unanimously.
SMD/2020/0054 Proposed erection of livestock building and below ground slurry
store at Four Meadows Farm, Foxt Road, Foxt. It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson
and seconded by Cllr Stimpson to support this application. This was agreed
unanimously.
18/20. REPRESENTATIVES FROM CHEADLE TOWN COUNCIL RE LOCAL BUS SERVICES:
The Chairperson moved that Standing Orders be suspended to allow the 2
representatives from Cheadle Town Council to join in discussion. This was agreed
unanimously.
Cllr Jackson asked the representatives from Cheadle TC if the Ambulance Rapid
Response Vehicle had now gone. He went on to say that the Ipstones Fire Engine
was the first Fire Engine in the Country to carry a Defibrillator and that the Crew
had been trained by the Ambulance Service. Cllr Jackson said that they could usually
get to an incident of a suspected heart attack around 20 minutes before an
Ambulance and they saved at least 6 lives. It was agreed to write to the West
Midlands Ambulance Service and the Head of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
to ask if the defibrillator is still on the Fire Engine and why they are not utilising this
valuable resource.
LOCAL BUS SERVICES: the representatives from Cheadle TC explained that they had
been looking into various options to help rural communities and to also help the
footfall into Cheadle town centre. Possible ideas are to look if worker transport to
Alton Towers could be utilised on the return journey, Nanna’s Taxis have also
expressed an interest in doing a bus service into Cheadle. They’ve also met with
representatives from Ashbourne Minibus group. They thought that that a circular
route incorporating as many of the surrounding villages as possible, maybe once or
twice a week might be the way forward. They said that they will also be talking to
First Buses.
A lot would depend how many other parishes would be willing to join in as this
would reduce costs for each council to subsidise any potential service. It was
recognised that some people are now totally unable to get out in villages where
there is no bus service at all.
If a service is set up, people would need to use the buses in order to keep them
running. It is estimated that there would need to be 12 to 15 passengers per
journey, which could be achievable if the service takes in several villages i.e.
Ipstones, Foxt Whiston, Oakamoor, Cotton, Farley & Alton.
It was noted that several Bus Companies are interested. They May also approach
the District Council to see if they would contribute something toward this.
Cheadle TC are hoping to visit other parish councils to discuss this and maybe
Invite representatives from the local parish councils to a joint meeting.
Cllr Malyon suggested asking the Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly if they
can include this on their next Agenda.
Cllr Malyon thanked both the representatives for taking the time to come to come
along to our meeting and asked if they will keep in the touch on the progression of
this project.
19/20. CORRESPONDENCE
- West Midlands Ambulance Service re Ambulance Rapid Response Vehicle –
Cheadle: The reply enclosed a briefing paper explaining the situation and the
benefits of the changes. It was agreed to let each member have a copy of this and
put on the next Agenda.
- FF I Housley, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue: An email said that he hopes by working as closely as possible with the Parish Council, residents and businesses within the locality we can together maintain a viable and progressive Fire & Rescue capability which will serve our communities.
- Moorlands Hunt: The reply was read out and comments noted.
- TH re Invoice in connection with cutting bush from round ‘z’ bend sign on Church Lane: The email was read out and comments noted.
- Mr C re Planning Applications SMD/2017/0351 and SMD/2020/0010 (Peak Wildlife Park): The email was read out and had expressed concerns over the parish council’s decision to support the latest plan when there is an ongoing Planning Enforcement on the earlier plan and other concerns over the building being close to his property. Following discussion, it was agreed to respond that members of the parish council have noted his comments but can only comment on the plan that is in front of them.
- Lengthsman’s Report’s (Dec 2019 & Jan 2020): Details of these were noted.
- Western Power: re the trimming of branches on a horse chestnut tree on the Green in Foxt to clear the wires. Permission had been given.
- Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service Re Views sought on our draft Safety Plan 2020 – 2024: The Clerk explained that this had been received today and that there was a 20-page document. When looking at the Survey it was hard to determine how long this was as it wouldn’t let you go past the first question without answering it and the survey could not be printed. It was agreed to forward the e-mail to all members who had an email address.
- SMDC re Commercial Waste Service: The email advised that the SMDC will be transferring all administration functions to Alliance \Environment Services Ltd on 1st April 2020. It stated that the contract and agreements with SMDC remain unchanged.
- Mr S, Chairman to Ipstones Common Good Trust re renovating the old Garage:
The email was read out and comments noted. Cllrs Jackson & James who had
attended the Common Good Trust Meeting said that they are going to check if
there are any grants available to fund this project and said that it had not been
mentioned at the Common Good Trust meeting that the parish council would
finance the renovation.
- SCC re Plan SM/19/07/1141 W re Application for remodelling off existing golf course to improve on site water management, accessibility and player safety through the importation of engineering materials to regrade and reprofile part of the existing Golf Course with construction of new attenuation of irrigation pond. Erection of pump house and proposed landscaping and tree planting at Whiston Hall Golf Course: It was agreed for Cllr Williams to take this to look through.
- SMDC re Chairman’s Charity Ball: Details of this were noted.
- SMDC re Chairman’s Charity Quiz: Details of this were noted.
- Best Village Competition Road Show: Details of this were noted.
- Support Staffordshire: Details of the next forum was noted.
- SMDC re Climate Change Lectures at SMDC: Details of this were noted.
- BH, Cheadle Times & Echo re VE Day and more: An email had been received asking if the parish council can let them know information about VE Day events and forward agendas and minutes of meetings.
- Natural England re important information in how to contact Natural England for consent, assent, or non-planning advice on protected sites: This was noted.
- Great British Spring Clean: details of this were noted.
- SMDC re Corporate Peer Challenge : It was noted that they had invited the SPCA to conduct a “Corporate Peer Challenge” for the Authority and that the focus group meeting is to be on 2nd April at 7 p.m. and that Parish Councils are invited to attend.
- The Pensions Regulator: Acknowledgement that the parish council has completed a re-declaration of compliance with The Pensions Regulator had been received.
- Other Bulletins, circulars, notices etc
CPRE In partnership with SPCA – notice of training event about planning
SPCA – Local Councillor Training Course
SPCA – Weekly Bulletins – 23/01; 30/01; 06/02 & 13/02
Clerks & Councils direct – January 2020 Issue
20/20. V E DAY CELEBRATIONS UPDATE: Cllr James reported that the following activities
are being planned: –
Friday afternoon – a picnic on the Recreation Field (or in Hall in wet) & Fancy Dress
Friday evening – parade through the village to a beacon on the Hill
Saturday – a celebration day with singer and mixed Disco & Bar & Fancy Dress
(Tickets to be sold for this, with any profits being donated to a charity such as Help
the Heroes.
Cllr James said that they are hoping for a donation from the parish council toward
the cost of flyers, posters, goody bags for the children etc and as the National
Theme is to ‘raise a glass’ maybe toward the cost of this too. It is thought that the
raise a glass could be done after the Last Post is sounded on the Friday evening.
The Clerk mentioned that consideration will have to be given to who will be
ordering/paying for the items as its better for the money to go to an organisation
and not to an individual.
21/20. CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR GARDEN PLOT LEASE: One application had been
Received from EN. It was agreed unanimously to offer the plot to this applicant as
per the lease agreement.
22/20 SUMMER PLANTING: It was suggested to try a different colour scheme this year as
the yellow colour scheme in Cheadle last year had looked good. It was agreed to
talk to Old Hall Nursery about suitable plants and about Bee friendly plants.
It was agreed unanimously to go with the local Nursery, which is in the parish, as
they know where all the planters are and do a good service at a reasonable price.
23/20. HIGHWAYS
- Blocked Grids: It was agreed to report blocked grids in the following locations: – Noonsun Common, Church Lane, High Street & Foxt Bank.
- Blocked Grids: it was agreed to write and say that there are blocked grids on every road and that by not cleaning them out they are not doing jobs that they are taking money for.
- Mill Dam Footpath: it was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he can do something with the gate, the steps and the handrail as part of his Lengthsman’s duties or if he goes over the extra on an hourly rate.
- Land Slip on/near a Footpath: Cllr Stevenson said that there had been a landslide on/near one of the footpaths which is on land owned by the Forestry Commission. It was agreed to write to the Forestry Commission about this.
24/20. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT:
- Foxt Community Area re overgrown hedge and holes/dips in the ground: Cllr Stimpson reported that his Hedge Cutter Contractor will be coming as soon as the ground is dry enough. He also said that he will arrange to fill in and level up the dips in the ground.
25/20. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: the following accounts were agreed for payment: –
| £ | |
| Lengthsman’s Payment (Net) | 191.00 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses (Mileage 38 miles @ 0.45p | 17.10 |
| Clerk’s Salary (net) | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses | 6.96 |
| L Malyon – to reimburse from Chairman’s Allowance for Get Well Card for County Councillor Heath |
4.99 |
| Staffordshire Farm Supplies Ltd for Yard Brush for lengthsman | 17.10 |
| Mr D wright to reimburse for an interment of Cremated Ashes that didn’t go ahead |
140.00 |
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The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 25 March 2020 at 7.00p.m.
in the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall
This meeting is to commence with the Annual Parish Assembly
It was agreed that the final agenda item be treat as CONFIDENTIAL