IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Wednesday 24 June 2020 at 7.30 p.m.
by telephone conference
PRESENT: Councillors Leslie Jackson, Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson & John Williams. The Clerk and 2 members of the public
APOLOGIES: Councillor Brian Snow
DISPENSATIONS: None received
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: To be taken as they arise.
Cllr Stevenson pointed out that there was an error on page 3 item k of the minutes of the 27 May 2020. It should have that Cllr Stevenson not Cllr Snow. An amendment is to be made. It was agreed that the rest of the minutes were a true record.
37.20. MATTERS ARISING:
- Summer Planting: It was noted that this had now taken place.
- Blocked Grids: It was noted that none of the grids reported as being blocked had been emptied and the usual response is that they will be done when the next grid cleansing takes place which is often only every two to three years. It was agreed to put this on the next agenda.
- Flooding in Pak Lane: Cllr Williams had met with the Highways Engineer and reported that the Engineer has said that he will arrange for the grid to be cleaned out and Inspection Chambers attended to and will then monitor the situation. For the long-term the Engineer said there are possibly two options, one is to put a pipe from the end of the drive at Ipstones Park farm 2 to the 2nd chamber at the bottom of the dip or to raise the road to alter the camber to drain water directly into the brook. All this would depend on available resources.
- Old Garage on Common Good Trust Field: Cllr Jackson reported that due to Covid-19 they had nothing to report at the moment.
- The Well at Noonsun: Cllr Jackson reported that he had looked but was not sure if the problem of the water draining onto Belmont Road was from the Well as it seems to be coming from the corner of the field. It was agreed for the Clerk to speak to Cllr Snow and the Lengthsman to see what they think.
The Chair moved that Agenda Item 7 be dealt with next
38/20. PLANNING APPLICATIONS/ENFORCEMENTS FOR PEAK WILDLIFE PARK: Standing
orders were suspended to allow Mr C, a member of the public present to speak.
Mr C, explained that there had been 5 planning applications and that he had
objected to two of them because they directly affected his property. One of these,
for a Café, which is in a metre of his boundary and 2 metres of his property which is
a listed building, was currently under an Enforcement Order to be taken down and
that so far nothing had happened. Mr C, went on to say that the latest
application for a new entrance will affected the right of way to his property and has
interfered with Public footpath 87, which has been fenced off and redirected
through Mr C’s property without applying for a Diversion Order
Mr C asked members if they were aware of the Enforcement Order when
considering the latest application. It was explained that the parish council does
get notification of Enforcement Orders.
It was proposed by Cllr Jackson and seconded by Cllr Mycock to forward a copy of
Mr C’s email with a supporting letter to the Planning Enforcement Officers to ask
them to act on these issues and to the County Council’s Rights of Way
Department and Ramblers Association regarding the blocked Footpath. This was
agreed unanimously.
Mr C thanked members for their support and then left the meeting.
No plans had been received.
39/20. CORRESPONDENCE
- Letter concerning the Ambulance Service (Cheadle): Members had had copies of the responses received concerning the parish concerns regarding the taking away the RRV from Cheadle. Cllr Stevenson said he thought the response sounded fair enough, but it depends if it works or not. Cllr Jackson asked if we had had a response from the Ambulance Service re utilising the Defibrillator on the Fire Engine. As nothing has been heard it was agreed to chase up on this. Concerns were raised as to if lives would be lost in the new system as the response times would not be as good as the RRV. It was agreed to monitor the situation and put on the agenda again in a couple of months.
- Lengthsman’s Report (May): Details of this were noted. The Lengthsman had also reported that the Leaf Blower had broken and could not be repaired. It was agreed to arrange to purchase a new one. It was agreed that the Clerk will look and talk to the Chair and Vice Chair for a decision on which one to purchase.
- Lomas’ Lorries: Several letters of complaint had been received. The Chair reported that although the Police had been to talk to the Manager, their lorries were still coming through the village too fast and some drivers had disregard to other road users and one driver had been verbally abusive to a resident in High Street and this behaviour puts other lorry drivers in a bad light. Following discussion, it was agreed to write to the Police, Lomas Transport, the Transport Commissioner. It was also agreed to write to County Councillor Deaville to ask if he had moved forward with a ‘Freight Forum’ which he mentioned he was planning to set up when he attended a meeting in January 2018.
- SCC re Foxt Bank: The email advised that they are waiting for a date from their contractors. Cllr Williams reported that the Highways Engineer was going on to look at Foxt Bank following the site visit on Park Lane and that he had also noticed that lines have been painted on the bank. It was agreed that work on the bank is required as a matter of urgency and to keep chasing them on this.
- County Councillor Heath re Signs for Berkhamsytch: it was noted that she will get prices and if there is any money left in her DHP fund she will put some toward the cost of any signs, however she said she is not sure if the County Council will give permission for the signs or not, but that she will push for a positive decision.
- SCC re Weedspraying: it was confirmed that they have removed Ipstones Parish from their list of areas to be treated with weed spray.
- Wicksteed Ltd Report on Inspection of Play Equipment: the report indicated the following may need attention: –
- The Racing car Seat – low risk – recommended that loose side panels are refixed and it is cleaned.
- Timber Swing – was in satisfactory condition with a footnote that this type of swing has been known to fail at the welds and this can only be detected by dismantling the swing which is not carried out during annual inspection. It was agreed to speak to the suppliers.
- Balance beams – Low Risk – Wood Rot, fungus growth and strimmer damage evident on some posts and recommended that affected parts are replaced
- Timber Multi Play unit on Safety Grass – Satisfactory condition, but would benefit from cleaning
- Timber fence – low risk – wood rot evident at the base of some posts. Recommend that affected posts are replaced as required. (The Clerk said she is not sure the fence belongs to the parish council)
- Access Gate – Satisfactory condition but not self-closing
- General – Access to dogs not physically prevented and routine inspection should include monitoring and removal of animal faeces (medium risk)
- Recommend that intrusive hedgerow and nettle growth is cut back as required in particular at eye level near the access gate and neat the litter bin. Cllr Stimpson agreed to attend to this
It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he could carryout some of the minor work and/ or the person who installed the balance beams.
- Cllr Williams re Minutes on Website: Cllr Williams had had an enquiry from a parishioner asking why minutes were not displayed on the Website until after they had been authorised. It was agreed to display the draft minutes on the website prior to the next meeting.
- An email regarding the use of a lodge at Four Meadows and if it had planning permission. It was noted that the planning department are aware of this but would need more information if they are to follow it up.
- SMDC re Appeal on Planning Application SMD/2018/0504 Balls Paddock, Bottomhouse: It was noted that this had been dealt with by email/phone to meet the deadline date for comments. Members had agreed to write to the Planning Inspectorate with the same comments as were made when objecting to the original planning application.
- SPCA re Training Sessions: It was noted that there are several training sessions coming up, for Clerks and Councillors at a cost of £50 for a double session. It was agreed the Clerk sees a course that would be beneficial she could register for the course.
40/20. SECTION 1 – ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2018/2019: All Members had received a copy of this and each statement (1 – 9) was read out and the answer to each statement was ‘yes’. This was signed by the Chairman and by the Clerk.
41/20. TINY TOTS NURSERY: Cllr Jackson declared a personal interest. A letter had been received explaining that they had managed to remain open during lockdown looking after children of critical workers but in fulfilling the Governments guidelines had been running at a loss. They asked if the parish council could give any financial support to help them continue to offer the service they currently provide. It was noted that Tiny Tots is a registered charity. Cllr James expressed concern that parish council would need to be careful as other organisations could also approach the parish council for help. Cllr Stevenson said he would like to keep Tiny Tots in the village even though some children who attended were from outside the village. It was also mention that it is good for the village and for the local school. It was proposed By Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Stimpson to give a grant for the sum of £500 to Tiny Tots under Section 137 Miscellaneous payments as it is a Community Asset and encourages young families to move to/stay in the village. This was carried with 5 votes in favour and one member abstaining.
42/20. CASUAL VACANCY: The Clerk reported that so far there was only one person interested.
43/20. CHRISTMAS TREE FOR FIRE STATION: Cllr Malyon reported that she had been approached by the Fire Station to ask if the parish council would consider buying a rooted Christmas Tree for the Fire Station. Following discussion, it was agreed to find out some prices and discuss again at the next meeting.
44/20. OVER HANGING TREES AT THE CEMETERY: The Chairman reported that the person from a property neighbouring the Cemetery has asked if the trees can be cut back as some branches are overhanging the garage roof. It was noted that the trees have a TPO. It was agreed for the Clerk to check when they were last cut back and speak to the Tree Officer and discuss again at the next meeting as any work would need to be done during the autumn/winter/spring period.
45/20. CHERRYEYE BRIDGE: Cllr Stevenson reported that he thinks that the crack on Cherryeye Bridge is getting worse and that a stile neat the bridge is broken. It was agreed to report the stile and to chase up on the crack in Cherryeye Bridge which, we understand the Canal and River Trust should be monitoring.
46/20. HIGHWAYS:
- Pothole Red Hill Bank (Belmont): It was agreed to chase up on this as it is getting worse and unsafe for horses, motor bikers/cyclists and a couple of cars had hit their sump.
- Potholes, Church Lane: It was agreed to chase up on these.
- Grass Cutting: It was agreed to chase up about the verge on Red Lion Bank.
47/20. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT
- Cllr Jackson said that he thinks the Village Shop, Butchers, the Countrystore, The Marquis and the Fox & Goose had done a tremendous job looking after the community during the lockdown. It was agreed to send a letter of thanks to them.
- Brown Bins: Cllr Williams said he had heard that Stafford Borough are intending to charge for brown Bins (£36 per year). It was agreed to check with the District Council that there are no plans to do the same for the Staffordshire Moorlands.
- Fire in Church Lane: Cllr Stevenson reported that an Electric Pylon blew up and set fire to the nearby field in Church Lane this afternoon and that the local Firemen did an excellent job in putting it out.
48/20. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –
| £ | |
| Lengthsman’s Pay (Net) | 235.20 |
| Lengthsman’s underpayment for April (net) | 25.20 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses (mileage 20 miles @ 0.45p) | 9.00 |
| Clerk’s Salary (Net) | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses inc HP original Colour & Black Cartridges | 51.21 |
| Staffordshire Farm Supplies Ltd – for Hand sanitizer, Hammarite Paint and Paint Brush |
34.98 |
| Wicksteed Leisure Ltd – for inspection of Paly equipment (Foxt) | 54.00 |
| James Perry – 2 x mows | 640.00 |
| Ipstones Tiny Tots – Grant – authorised under S137 | 500.00 |
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The date for the next remote meeting was set for Wednesday 29 July 2020
at 7.30 p.m. and will be by Telephone Conference