IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the teleconferencing remote meeting held on Wednesday 29th July 2020 at 7.30 pm
PRESENT: Councillors Mike Irwin, Leslie Jackson, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Brian Snow, Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson & John Williams
APOLOGIES: Councillor Heather James
DISPENSATIONS: None Received.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: It was agreed to take as they arise
On proposal by Councillor Mycock and seconded by Councillor Williams it was agreed unanimously to authorise the amended minutes of the meeting held on 27 May 2020.
On proposal by Councillor Mycock and seconded by Councillor Williams it was agreed unanimously to authorise the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2020.
50/20. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 24/06/2020
- The Old Garage on the Common Good Trust Field: Councillor Jackson advised that there is nothing to report yet.
- Well at Noonsun: Councillor Snow said that the draining onto the road is from an overflow pipe that was damaged many years ago when a utilities company laid a pipe/cables. He said that the overflow pipe used to direct the water under the road into the field opposite. Councillor Stevenson ask if the pipe could be mended but Councillor Snow said it would be difficult because of the underground electric cables. Councillor Snow agreed to speak to the person who rents the field and see if they have any suggestions.
- Play Equipment at Foxt Community Area: The Clerk reported that the Lengthsman is going to take and look and see what he can do.
- Cherryeye Bridge: It was agreed to chase up on this as it is cracking at the front as well as the back. Councillor Stevenson said the broken stile by the bridge on the Ipstones Side.
- Grass Cutting: It was noted that verges had not been mown for a while and noted that the number of visits per year had been reduced. It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman it he could tidy some of the areas up.
- Brown Bins (green waste): The Clerk reported that she had spoken to the Portfolio Holder and he had said that there are no plans to charge for this service in the foreseeable future as it would mean making arrangements the separate disposal of food waste.
51/20 PLANS: The following planning applications had been received: –
HNT/2020/0010 Proposed single storey rear extension measuring 4.2m beyond the
rear wall of the existing dwelling, 3.1m maximum height and 2.9m height to eaves at
Hillside, Foxt Road, Foxt. Councillor Stevenson declared a prejudicial interest in this
Application and took no part in the discussion/decision.
It was proposed by Councillor Mycock and seconded by Councillor Williams to
support this application. This was carried with 7 votes in favour.
SMD/2020/2019 Erection of dwelling at Land adjacent to Brandon House Farm,
Town End Road, Foxt. Councillor Williams declared a personal interest in this
application and did not take part in the discussion/decision. Following discussion, it
was proposed by Councillor Mycock and seconded by Councillor Stimpson to object
to this application for the following reasons: – that it is an inappropriate
development for that part of Foxt; it is an inappropriate design, materials, and size
in a conservation area; that it was part of the conditions of the original application
for the access drive to be via the existing drive and that it is an over development of
the site. This was carried with 7 votes in favour.
SMD/2020/0367 Formulation of an improved access, construction of a carport and
store and change of use of the associated land to domestic use at Lane End Cottage,
Whirley Low, Town End Road, Foxt. It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson and
seconded by Councillor Stimpson to support this application. This was agreed
unanimously.
SMD/2020/0358 Erection of agricultural workers dwelling at Four Meadows Farm,
Foxt Road, Foxt: Following discussion it was proposed by Councillor Snow and
seconded by Councillor Mycock to object to this application as there is not enough
acreage to warrant this. This was carried with 6 votes in favour. Two members
abstained to vote.
SMD/2020/0374 Agricultural Building at White Chimneys, Ipstones. It was
proposed by Councillor Snow and seconded by Councillor Stevenson to support this
application. This was agreed unanimously.
PLANS THAT WERE CONSIDERED DURING THE LOCKDOWN PERIOD
DET/2020/0011 Removal and relocation of building, demolition of parts of buildings,
reinstatement garage block at Town Head Farm, Foxt. 8 members supported this
application 1 member did not respond.
SMD/2020/0169 Proposed driveway at Hillside, Foxt Road, Foxt. Councillor
Stevenson declared a prejudicial interest in this and did not comment. 7 Members
supported this application and 1 member did not respond.
SMD/2020/0170 Proposed construction of dwelling at Far Lake Farm, Shaw Walls
Lane, Whiston. Councillor Stevenson declared a prejudicial interest in this
Application and did not comment. This was carried by four members voting to
object to the application as an inappropriate development and not enough acreage
to warrant a dwelling at this location. Three members voted to support the
application and one member did not respond.
SMD/2020/0185 Installation of 4 Conservation style rooflights at Meadow Place
Farm, Brookfields Road, Ipstones. Six members supported this application and three
did not respond.
SMD/2020/0195 Replacement of timber window in UPVC at Flat 1, Old School
Court, Brookfields Road, Ipstones. Councillor Vaughan declared a personal interest
in this application and did not comment. Five members supported this application,
three members did not support the application.
52/20. CORRESPONDENCE
- SMDC Planning Enforcement Officer re SME/2018/00008 re Snack Bar at Peak
Wildlife Park: The email advised that they are arranging a site visit and if the Snack
Bar has not been dismantled the case will be passed to the legal team. It was agreed
to forward a copy of the email to Mr C.
- b. Inspector Thorley re Lomas’ Lorries: The email advised that he had spoken to the
Operations Manager at Lomas’ Lorries and that the lorries should only travel
through Ipstones on one day a week and he will speak to the drivers to ask that they
do not travel through in convoy and that they are respectful to the area. Councillor
Malyon said it has not had the desired effect as lots went through the village and
some seem to exceed the speed limit. Councillor Snow said he has no problems and
he has not seen them speeding past his place. Councillor Jackson said he sees
several Lomas Lorries every day. Councillor Snow said that the roads are not
designed for 8-wheeler lorries. Councillor Stevenson suggested that it should be
monitored for a while.
- Office of the Traffic Commissioner re Lomas’ Lorries: A lengthy reply had been
received. It was agreed to let Members have a copy of this before the next meeting.
- d. SCC re Foxt Bank: An email advised that work would commence on Foxt Bank
within the next two weeks.
- SCC re PFP 102: An email advised that they are waiting for a third quote.
- County Councillor Heath re potential name signs for Berkhamsytch: An email
advised that the Traffic Management Team were struggling to find the boundaries
for Berkhamsytch and wondered if the parish council could help in identifying where
the Name Signs were originally sited. A quote of £1700 had been received for the
cost of the signs and for installing them. However, they are still not certain that
permission will be given for the signs. It was agreed to try to find out where the
boundaries are and report back before deciding to go ahead and request the signs.
- Litter in Alley behind Sunday school Rooms: An email had been received from Mr & Mrs R regarding litter that is accumulating in the Alleyway behind the Sunday School Rooms, which they had removed themselves and were asking for the parish council’s views and suggestions for remedying this situation in the near future. The Clerk reported that someone from the Chapel had phoned to say that it isn’t something that the Methodist Chapel are doing and that the kitchen units that were left there were nothing to do with the Sunday School Rooms. It was suggested that someone from the Methodist Chapel speak with Mr & Mrs R.
- Lengthsman’s Report (June): receipt of this was noted and the Lengthsman reported the following: –
- That there are some hedge clippings and bags of rubbish been left on the side of PFP 102 (the path that is currently closed off)
- That the hedge bordering onto Cart Lane needs to be cut back as it is overhanging the road and that some shrubs on the school grounds are overhanging the road.
- SMDC Re Planning Appeals for Planning Applications No SMD/2019/0390; SMD/2019/0391 & SMD/2019/0394 (Hermitage Farm): it was agreed to respond as per the original decision to support the applications.
53/20. INDEPENDENT INTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT: This was read out and reported that: –
- The Council appears to make adequate provision for financial planning and there is evidence of effective financial controls
- The Council also demonstrates its assessment of risks and risk management strategies are in place.
- Financial transactions are supported by appropriate documentation and audit checks show these records are correct.
- Queries arising from the audit were resolved with the Parish Council Clerk.
54/20. TO AUTHORISE THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020: –
Members had each received a completed copy of the of page 5 of the Annual
Return – Section 2 – Accounting Statements for 2019/2020; Bank Reconciliation.
Explanation of significant variations; and a summary of ‘Receipts & Payments’
Totals. The Chair of the remote meeting had a full copy of the ‘Receipts and
Payments’ for inspection and signing.
It was proposed by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Mycock to
authorise the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31/03/2020 as being a true
record. This was agreed unanimously. ‘Section 2 of the Annual Return –
Accounting Statements for the 2019/2020 was signed by the Chairman and had
been signed by the Clerk.
55/20. CEMETERY TREES: The Clerk advised that she is waiting for a reply from the Tree
Officer. It was agreed that when this has been received, the Clerk could write for
quotes.
56/20. FOXT PLAY AREA: It was agreed that it would not be possible to follow regulations
to clean the equipment on a daily or weekly basis therefore it would be better for
safety reasons to leave the area closed until next spring and then re-assess the
situation.
57/20. CHRISTMAS TREE FOR FIRE STATION: It was agreed to try for a 6 to 7 foot
Christmas tree and for the Clerk to confer with the Chair and Vice Chair when cost
known.
58/20. MEMORIAL HALL SURVEY (Regarding re-opening): The questions were
answered as follows: –
Q1 Yes will return at some point
Q2 Not sure when this would be, as current guidelines from NALC is to continue to
meet remotely.
Q3 Would use the Hall for usual meetings when return
Q4 Would continue with monthly meetings on a Wednesday evening
Q5 preferred times – evening
Q6 Didn’t answer as to if could be flexible
Q7 Meeting would have to be after 6 p.m.
Q8 Normally use the Blore Suite but may need to use main Hall to accommodate
social distancing.
Q9 Would need tables and chairs
Q11 Would require use of the car park
It was noted that before hiring the Hall it would be necessary to provide the
Committee with a Risk Assessment and that they expect Hirers to Clean/sanitise
equipment used before and after each session.
Councillor Malyon asked if the parish council can request a Statement of
Accounts from the Memorial Hall as she thinks that they have had grants to do
the play equipment up.
59/20. ACCESSIBILTY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITES: The Clerk explained that the
Website will need to be accessible to all member of the community and that this has
to be in place or working towards be in place by 23 September. It was noted that
there are some training courses coming up and agreed that the Clerk could attend
these. It was also agreed to speak with the person who runs the Website.
60/20. SIGN FOR PFP 59: Councillor Malyon reported that the District Council have agreed
to supply a wooden finger post sign if the Lengthsman will erect it.
61/20. BLOCKED DRAINS: It was agreed to write to the new Leader of the County Council
about this problem and for members to also let the Clerk know the location of any
blocked drains they see so that they can be reported.
62/20. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT:
- Moles in the Cemetery: it was agreed to ask the Lengthsman to keep an eye on this and take action when needed. It was also agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he could clean the Cemetery gates.
- Road Name Signs: It was noted that several Road Name Signs have been replaced but one of the signs for Church Meadow had not been replaced – it was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he would paint this to tidy it up.
63/20. QUARTERLY ACCOUNTS REPORT (1 April to 30 June 2020): Members had each had
a copy of the quarterly accounts report and the Vice Chairman had had a copy of the
Bank Statements for 30 June to check the Bank Reconciliation. It was
Agreed unanimously to authorise the quarterly accounts report (for quarter ended
30 June 2020) as a true record.
64/20. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: It was proposed by Councillor Snow and seconded by
Councillor Jackson that the following accounts are approved for payment and this
was agreed unanimously: –
| £ | |
| L Malyon – to reimburse from Chair Allowance for gifts & cards for
2 x 90th Birthdays |
62.89 |
| Lengthsman’s Pay (Net) | 235.20 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses | 17.10 |
| Clerk’s Salary (Net) | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses (Including 2 x trips to Buxton to see Independent Internal Auditor; ink Cartridges & files for current year |
76.23 |
| Staffordshire Farm Supplies Ltd – paint & paint brushes for L’man | 27.64 |
| E Thompson for Independent Internal Audit | 100.00 |
| Staffordshire Parish Councils Association for 4 x copies of ‘the Good
Councillor Handbook’ |
16.89 |
| James Perry – 2 x mows | 640.00 |
| The Nursery at Old Hall – summer planting | 400.00 |
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The date of the next telephone conferencing meeting was set for
Wednesday 26 August 2020 at 7.30 p.m.