IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 January 2015 at 7.00p.m.
in the rear extension of Ipstones Memorial Hall
PRESENT: Councillors John Barks, Linda Malyon, Heather Morris,
Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards, Brian Snow,
Andrew Stevenson (Chairman) & Patrick Stimpson. Also in
attendance was the Clerk, PCSO G Skae-Bradburn, 1 Reporter and
3 members of the public and John Barks (Youth Club Leader).
APOLOGIES: Councillor Julia Barks
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: It was agreed for these to be taken as they arise.
DISPENSATIONS: None received.
The Chairman introduced PCSO Georgina Shae-Bradburn, to the meeting. PCSO said she had called in to advise that she has been nominated to cover/monitor events in Ipstones such as the Annual Show, Road Race and Christmas Market Night.
She went on to say that apart from a couple of recent incidents, everything in Ipstones had been all right over the last few months. However she said people should be vigilant, especially in the more rural areas as thefts of Catalytic Converters and equestrian and agricultural items are targets. Georgina said that she will let the Clerk have a copy of the latest Statistics for the Ipstones Parish.
The Chairman thanked PCSO Georgina Shae-bradburn for coming along.
01/15. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO RAISE ANY QUESTIONS OR
CONCERNS: The Chairman suspended standing orders to allow members of
the public to speak. Mr Mulholland said that he and Wendy Johnson had
come along, with their agent, Mr Breakwell, to explain that they had recently
opened a Gym in one of the vacant industrial units on Froghall Road and that
it is doing well. However they had not realised that they would need a change
of use planning permission. Mr Breakwell said that his clients are now in the
process of applying for retrospective planning permission for change of use
and that they had come along to let members know what is happening. He said
they do not expect the parish council to make any comments until the planning
application is put before them. The Chairman thanked them for putting the parish council in the picture. Standing Orders were resumed.
02/15 YOUTH CLUB: The Chairman welcomed John Barks the Youth Club leader and Standing Orders were suspended to allow John to update members of the parish council on what is happening with the newly formed independent Youth Club. John explained that there is still quite a lot of paperwork to complete and that he has drafted a letter to parents advising them of the new arrangements – he passed the draft letter round for members to look at. He went on to say that they have had several generous donations but they have still got to open a Bank Account – which they will do once they have chosen a name for the newly formed independent Youth Club. John said that they have dropped the age for members and that they are asking for an initial joining fee of £10 followed by a weekly charge of £1. John said that another volunteer has come forward to assist himself and Bessie with the running of the Youth Club. John then left the meeting. Standing Orders were resumed. Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr Malyon and seconded by Cllr Morris to support the Youth Club for twelve months and to pay them the amount on a quarterly basis in advance. It would be them up to the Youth Club Committee to pay the paid Youth Club Leader.
On proposal by Cllr John Barks and seconded by Cllr Malyon it was resolved to pay the sum of £2250 for the first twelve months (4 x £562.50) under Section 19 of the Local Government (miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1972 in order to help them get established. The YC Committee is to be advised that it is expected that they will try to secure funding/grants from other sources for subsequent years, This was agreed unanimously.
On reading the draft letter to parents it was agreed to ask that they make a change as they had put that ‘the Parish Council is running the Youth Club’ but this is not the case so it was agreed to ask that this be changed to ‘the parish council instigated the setting up of a new Independent Youth Club and would be helping with the finances during the first year.
The amended minutes of the extra-ordinary meeting held on Wednesday 19th November 2015 were agreed to be a true record.
03/15. Matters Arising from the normal meeting held on Tuesday 16th December 2014: –
- Local Bus Service: It was noted that this had improved for a while but was slipping back to being unreliable. It was proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Richards to send a letter to the County Council’s public transport department advising them of the problems being experienced.
- Snow Clearing: It was reported that the current Snow Clearing Contractor has finished with the County Council and it was agreed to write to the County Highways and ask them if they can find someone else to do this – to mention previous people that had been interested in being a Snow Clearing Contractor.
Cllr Malyon said that she has heard that in the recent wintry spell that all the roads on the Estates in Cheddleton had been treated. It was agreed unanimously, to write to the County Highways and ask why this does not happen in Ipstones and to state that the parish council is not satisfied with the current snow clearing/gritting arrangements. It was agreed to ask that they treat all major roads in the village such as Church Lane, Belmont Road and Brookfields Road.
- Fence by Belmont Pools: The Clerk reported that this has been reported but the County Council have not yet made a decision on the course of action. It was agreed to chase up on this.
- Memorial Tree, Foxt (which was felled by Power Company): It was proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Malyon for the tree to be replaced and to ask the people of Foxt what type of tree they would like and where it should be planted.
- Flower Tub by the Water Pump in High Street: The Clerk reported that the Lenghtsman has looked at the Tub but says that he is unable to fix it. It was agreed to leave it for now and then have it replaced when the summer planting is carried out.
- Water problem at Park Nook: Cllr Mycock reported that following the site meeting with a representative from the County Highways, work has now been carried out work on the drains and this should cure the problem of water running into the property at Park Nook Farm.
- Stones on the Verge outside Farley Cottage: It was agreed to ask the County Council for an update of the situation.
- Water on the Road at Above Church: Following a site visit with a representative from the County Highways it was established that there is nowhere for the water to be drained to. Cllr Morris said she will speak with the Owner of an adjacent field and ask if the water can be drained into the field.
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16th December 2014
were approved as being a true record.
04/15. PLANS: Cllr Malyon declared that she would take no part in this
agenda item. The following plans had been received: –
SMD/2014/0843 Erection of agricultural building (resubmission of
SMD/2014/0023) at Bradshaw Farm, Bradshaw Lane, Ipstones. It was
proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Richards to recommend refusal
of the application because it would be an un-neighbourly development.
A second proposal was made by Cllr John Barks and seconded by Cllr Snow
to support approval of the application.
On a vote the first proposal was carried with four votes in favour and two
votes against.
SMD/2015/0010 Proposed Installation of 1 x 5kW wind turbine (R9000) with
hub height of 15m and a blade radius of 2.75m (grid ref: (E) 404227
(N) 351132 at Rock House Farm, Dog Lane, Ipstones Edge. It was proposed
by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Richards to recommend refusal of this
applications because it would be un-neighbourly; detrimental to wildlife; in a
SSSI area and not in-keeping with the area. A second proposal was made by
Cllr Snow and seconded by Cllr Stimpson to support approval of this
application.
On a vote each proposal received three votes in favour. The Chairman’s
casting vote was in favour of the first proposal to recommend refusal.
Notification of the following ‘Approval’ had been received: –
DET/2014/0045 Change of use of agricultural building to a residential
dwelling at The Hawthorns, High Street, Ipstones.
05/15. CORRESPONDENCE
- SMDC Monitoring Officer re enquiry on Code of Conduct issue over the authority to fell a tree in Foxt: The reply was read out and it was noted that it was suggested that the parish council should explain to Cllr Julia Barks about the decision making process which is in place at the parish council. Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Morris to invite Cllr Julia Barks to attend the next meeting to discuss the parish council’s decision making process and to invite the Monitoring Officer to the meeting also. This was agreed unanimously.
- SMDC reply to ‘Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly’s Planning Matters Letter’: The letter was passed around members present and they noted the comments made.
- Karen Bradley MP reply to ‘Permitted Development Rights’ letter: This was read out and comments noted.
- Lengthsman’s Report (December): Details of the report were noted. It was agreed to ask if the Lengthsman can clear the tops of grids on Noonsun Common and outside the old School.
- Ms Durber re Garden Lease Contact: two copies of the contract had been received back and was signed by the Chairman and Vice-chairman. A letter also advised that the wall was in disrepair and it was agreed to get quotes for the repair of the wall.
- Ipstones Memorial Hall re Proposed WW1 Remembrance Tree: An e-mail had been received asking if the parish council would support the purchase of a remembrance tree to commemorate the 100 year anniversary since the outbreak of WW1 and asked for suggestions on the type of tree that should be purchased. It was agreed to make a contribution toward the purchase of a substantially sized tree and suggested a Copper Beech. The amount to be contributed will be decided once the cost is known. It was also agreed to ask that a plaque is made to say that it is a Memorial Tree.
- Ipstones Memorial Hall re December’s Parish Council meeting: The
e-mail apologised for the fact that the heating had not been turned on and
stated that they would waiver the fee for the meeting which was held on
16th December 2014.
- Ipstones and Foxt Royal British Legion: A letter of thanks had been received for the donation toward the cost of wreaths and the Poppy Appeal.
- ‘Friends of St Leonard’s’: An e-mail advising of forthcoming fund raising events had been received.
- Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association re ‘Publicity during the Election Period’: The information received was noted.
- Community Council of Staffordshire re ‘Best Kept Village’ competition: It was agreed not to enter the competition this year.
- Matthew Ellis (Police Commissioner) – details of a public meeting in the Staffordshire Moorlands had been received.
- Community Council of Staffordshire: – it was noted that a press release confirmed that defra have confirmed that they will maintain its investment for Rural community Councils for 2015/16.
06/15. SETTING OF ANNUAL PRECEPT: The Clerk had supplied each member
with the details of the estimated expenditure/bank balances and explained that
the Council Tax support grant for 2015/16 is £825.04. It was proposed by
Cllr Malyon to keep the precept to zero % for the financial year 2015/16 and
request a precept figure of £16774.52. This was seconded by Cllr Richards
and agreed unanimously.
07/15. WEB SITE: The Clerk reported that the Website is almost ready to go live.
She also asked if it would be possible to hire the extension of the Memorial
Hall for the training of Clerk and one or two Councillors to update the
website. It was agreed that this would be all right.
08/15. JAPANESE KNOT WEED: The Clerk reported that R Whiting, from
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has managed to obtain one quote and is waiting
for a second quote for this work. The Clerk explained that is may be possible
to obtain a grant and that the CVLLP are looking into this, but this could
mean paying for the work up front – it is a three year programme with the
main part of the work being carried out on the first visit. It was agreed that
the work should not be paid for in advance. It was agreed to discuss again at
the next meeting, when hopefully another quote has been received.
09/15. MEDIA POLICY: The Clerk reported that the Staffordshire Parish
Councils’ Association recommend that parish councils have a media policy
and had forwarded a ‘draft’ policy, a copy of which had been circulated to
the members. It was resolved to adopt the policy as it is but with the addition
‘that if members of the press or public wish to film/record during a parish
council meeting they advise the Chairman and members of the parish council
at the start of the meeting’. A copy of the policy is attached.
10/15. UPDATE ON MEMORIAL/SURGERY PROJECT: Cllr Malyon
reported that 20% of the ABCD Survey had been returned and that there were
many positive points on the survey forms. She advised that there is to be an
extra-ordinary meeting of the full Memorial Hall Committee to discuss the
results of the survey and to talk about what will happen at the public
meetings. Cllr Malyon went on to say that the Hall Committee have now
chosen the Architects, who are from Tean, and that they have said they will
need to do a survey of the Hall. She added that there is still a lot more to do.
11/15. ANNUAL MOWER SERVICING: The Clerk had two verbal quotes for
the servicing of the 1 x Petrol Mower and 2 x Petrol Strimmers. The prices
were read out and it was proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by
Cllr Malyon to go for the lowest quote, which was for SJ Services. This was
agreed unanimously.
The Agenda item for Notice Boards was deferred until more quotes have
been received.
12/15. COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS: The Clerk reported that the
Waterhouses First Responders have approached Mr Hewson at the Fire
Station with a suggestion that they incorporate Ipstones into their group with
the aim of increasing the number of volunteers that they have. Mr Hewson
will keep the parish council informed as to the progress of this suggestion.
13/15. HIGHWAYS: The following matters were reported: –
- Pot Holes, Foxt Rd, on the approach to Foxt Cross Roads – It was noted that pot holes that had previously been repaired are bubbling up again.
- Diesel/ gooey stuff on the road at School Green: It was noted that following a vehicle fire the road was covered with diesel/gooey stuff and agreed to ask the County Highways to look at this as soon as possible.
- Water on the Road by the gate to the field with the new stables, Bottomhouse: It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman to take a look and clear an inlet into the roadside ditch.
- Over grown hedge on approach to the one-way road, Foxt: Cllr Stimpson said he will have a word with the land owner.
14/15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT
- Broken Stile on PFP 27: Cllr Morris reported that a stile on this public
footpath is broken and could be dangerous for people climbing over it. It was
agreed to notify the Public Rights of Way Section at the County Council.
- Flowers for Wedding Anniversaries: It was proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Malyon to included 65th & 70th’s Anniversaries as well as Golden (50th) and Diamond (60th) Anniversaries. This was agreed unanimously.
- Anonymous Letter re ‘Dog Fouling’: Cllr Morris reported that she had been handed a letter by a parishioner, the letter was anonymous stating it was from ‘Group Action’. Cllr Morris asked if other members had heard of similar letters being received. No one had heard anything.
15/15. QUARTERLY ACCOUNTS REPORT for period 1st October 2014 to
31 December 2014: Members had each received a copy of the report and the
Chairman checked the Bank Statements against the Bank Reconciliation.
It was agreed to accept the report as a true record.
16/15. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: It was agreed unanimously to authorise the
following accounts for payment: –
| £ | |
| Lengthsman’s Payment (Net) | |
| Clerk’s Salary (Net) | |
| Clerk’s Expenses | 8.58 |
| To reimburse the clerk for the purchase of a new printer & ink cartridges | 75.58 |
| J L Building Services Ltd – supply & fit new pin board on NB | 57.60 |
| E & M Dakin – to remove a broken flower tub (end Belmont Rd) | 40.00 |
| Ipstones Memorial Hall – Doctors’ Surgeries (Oct – Dec 2014) | 650.00 |
| Ipstones Memorial Hall – 1 x meeting | 22.50 |
| Whittaker’s of Leek Ltd – 3 skips for 7th February | 147.84 |
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The next meeting was set for Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 7.00p.m.
in the Extension of the Memorial Hall