IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25 March 2015 at 7.00p.m.
in the Extension of Ipstones Memorial Hall
PRESENT : Councillors Andrew Stevenson (Chair), John Barks, Linda Malyon,
Heather Morris, Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards, Patrick Stimpson
and the Clerk.
APOLOGIES: None received.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: To be taken as they arise.
DISPENSATIONS: None received.
34/15. MATTERS ARISING from extra-ordinary meeting held on Tuesday 24th February 2015.
- PLANNING APPLICATION NO SMD/2014/0679 Demolition of existing stables and erection of a two bedroom log cabin with office/information room, change of use of land for 6 yurt style tents, wooden toilet/shower building and 6 small wooden earth toilet closets on Land off Foxt Road, Foxt (Grid Ref: 86 348394.51). It was noted that the Planning Department have refused this application.
It was agreed to write to the Corporate Director for Planning and the Principal Planning Officer at the SMDC to ask that if the application goes to appeal that there is a Public hearing because of all the interest there is from the people of Foxt.
The minutes of the extra ordinary meeting held on Tuesday 24th February, 2015 were agreed to be a true record.
35/15. MATTERS ARISING from the meeting held on Wednesday 25th February, 2015.
- Local Bus Service: It was noted that there had been no response to the latest letter and agreed to chase up on this.
- Flower Tubs – The Clerk said that any replacement flower tubs might be more expensive this year because they cannot be sourced from where they used to be from. Cllr Stimspon said he might know where there are some.
- Replacement Memorial Tree, Foxt: It was noted that a notice is to be placed in the Foxthound.
- Stones on the Verge, outside Farley Cottage: It was noted that the County Council have sent several letters asking for the stones to be removed. However it appears that more stones have now appeared and that the SMDC Enforcement Officer is investigating this.
- Fence, Belmont Pools: It was noted that the fence has been repaired in a fashion. It was agreed to see if the Highways Inspector has had a word with the Land Owner yet.
- Noonsun Common: Cllr Malyon said she has been told that someone has been seen on the Common with a ‘digger’. The Clerk reported that the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust went onto the site to cut back Japanese Know Weed and then burn it on site – but wasn’t aware if they used a digger or not.
- Drainage System Church Lane: It was noted that the Drainage system from outside No 7 Church Lane to the Shop has now been done, but Cllr Malyon reported that the grid by the Public Foot Path Sign was slightly raised and that a horse had stumbled on it and that the area by the new kerbing had been left a mess. It was agreed to write and ask if the Team can come back and tidy the area up and make the ‘grid’ level with surrounding ground.
Cllr Malyon mentioned that maybe the parish council might consider making improvement to the public footpath/bridleway (PFP NO 102). She also mentioned that someone had offered to give a large bolder to put on the PFP to stop vehicles using it.
- Trial Bikes: Cllr Morris reported that there had been trial bikes around again on Sunday using the paths in the Clerk’s Bank/Whitehough Area.
The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25 February 2015
were agreed to be a true record
36/15 PLANS: Cllr Malyon declared an interest in this agenda item and took
no part. The following planning applications had been received: –
SMDC/2015/0125 Retention of change of use from use Class B1 (c) Light Industrial to use D2 Gym at Unit 6, Far Lane Industrial Estate, Froghall Road, Ipstones. On proposal by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Richards it was agreed unanimously to support this application. And to add that the Gym already has 124 members and is hoping to work along side local Doctors’ Surgeries for referrals to the Gym.
SMD/2015/0133 Advertisement consent for x 3 fascia signs, x3 window graphics and 1 manifestation (DDA) over exposed windows and doors at One Stop Stores Ltd, Ipstones Post Office, 2 Froghall Road, Ipstones.
It was proposed by Cllr Stimpson and seconded by Cllr John Barks to support this application. This was agreed unanimously.
Notification of the following ‘Approval’ had been received: –
SMD/2014/0843 Erection of agricultural building (resubmission of SMD/2014/0023) at Home Farm, Bradshaw Lane, Ipstones
37/15. CORRESPONDENCE
- SMDC ‘Election Time Table’: details of this were noted.
- Lengthsman’s report (Feb): Details of this were noted. It was also agreed to ask if he can litter pick on Froghall Bank, Belmont Rd and the Canal Side. The Clerk explained that how the grants from SMDC and SCC worked out it did not give much time for litter picking i.e. 4 hour per month for litter picking. Members agreed that if there are more hours on litter picking the parish council should subsidise this.
- Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service: the reply was read out and comments noted. It was agreed to let each member have a copy and discuss again at the next meeting.
- SCC re Lengthsman’s Agreement re Final Invoice for YE 31.03.2015: Details noted.
- SCC Waste Management re Skips for Ipstones Parish: The reply confirmed that they are happy for the current arrangement to continue for the financial year 2015/2016.
- Ipstones Youth Club: An e-mail had been received regarding the setting up of a Bank Account. They seem to be experiencing a few difficulties in setting up a Bank Account. Cllr Malyon agreed to have a word with them.
- Memorial Hall re Annual Quiz Night: Details of this were noted.
- SMDC re ‘Adoption Statement’: It was noted that the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have formally adopted the Statement of Community Involvement on 10th December 2014.
- SMDC re Fly-Tipping Working Group – Briefing Note: Notes from the meetings held on 13th November and 12 February had been received.
- SPCAssc. Re Staffordshire Learning Infrastructure Forecast: Details of a letter they had received from the County Council.
- Staffordshire Moorland Parish Assembly: Notice of the next meeting, minutes of the last meeting and the results of a recent survey had been received.
- BT re ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ Scheme: Information on the scheme had been received. Cllr Stimpson advised that Mr Mann at Foxt is going to paint the Foxt Kiosk (which has been adopted by the Parish Council)
- SMDC re Waste Charges (Cemetery Bin): Details of this were noted. Also the Duty of Care and Commercial Waste Agreement forms had been received and completed by the Clerk.
- The Pensions Regulator: Notification had been received that every employer who employs at least one member of staff must automatically enrol into a workplace pension scheme and contribute towards it. The staging date for Ipstones Parish Council is 1st February 2017
- SCC re Pathway, Foxt: A reply had been received advising that they have looked at the evidence for the claim that the footpath had been in existence for a long time, however ever because the alleged route did not link with an adopted highway they rejected the claim as it does not meet the criteria laid down in legislation. It was agreed to send a copy of the e-mail to Mr Sutton and Mr & Mrs Cope.
- Nettlebank Ltd re application for a ‘slab’ style memorial on an existing grave: The Clerk explained that the grave is not in the new ‘lawn’ section of the Cemetery, but because it differed from other applications she wished to put it before the parish council. The Grave does have a traditional headstone. It was proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Malyon to give permission for the additional ‘slab’ style memorial. This was agreed unanimously.
- SPCA re The Good Councillors Guide: In a reply to an enquiry about these booklets they advised that they have stocks of the fourth edition which is now a little out of date though substantially still fit for purpose. They advised that the revised edition would be available later in the year. It was agreed that the Clerk could order enough copies for any new councillors following the election and then get copies for all members when the revised edition comes out.
- Old Hall Nursery: Confirmation of the verbal quote had been received.
- Grant Thornton re Notice of Annual Audit: It was noted that the Audit Date has been set for 15th June 2015.
- Other circulars, newsletters etc
Clerks & Councils Direct – March 2015 edition
SPCA Gazette – Spring 2015 Edition
SPCA re Training Courses
38/15. TO AUTHORISE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE COST OF
HIRING THE MEMORIAL HALL FOR THE TWICE WEEKLY
DOCTORS SURGERIES:
It was proposed by Cllr Malyon and seconded by Cllr Stevenson to authorise
under section 137 (Miscellaneous Payments) the sum of £156 ( £3 per
week/£1.50 per session)for the year ending 31/03/2015. This was agreed
unanimously.
39/15. RISK ASSESSMENT REVIEW re Inspection of Memorials (b/f from
October2014): The Clerk had spoken to a couple of other parishes about the
checking of headstones and they tend just to do visual checks on the
headstones. Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr Malyon and
seconded by Cllr Morris to alter the Risk Assessment to read ‘An inspection
of memorial stones will be carried out every 20 years’. But that members of
the parish council will continue to visit the Cemetery at least once during
every year to carry out a visual inspection of the Cemetery. This was agreed
unanimously.
Cllr Stimpson left the meeting
40/15. UPDATE ON WEBSITE: The Clerk reported that she had had the training
with regard to making adjustments/additions to the Website, such as adding
minutes, agendas etc. Major adjustments to the website would still have to
be carried out by the Website Maintenance Manager.
41/15. UPDATE ON MEMORIAL HALL PROJECT: Cllr Malyon reported that
there would be a meeting on 13 April for the first show of the proposed plans
and that once they think they are something like they will have a public
meeting. Cllr Malyon said that members of the parish council were welcome
to attend the meeting on the 13th.
42/15. UPDATE ON NEW YOUTH CLUB: Cllr Malyon reported the following: –
- The membership is increasing
- They have a lot of things going on
- Still getting help from SCVYS
- All the helpers have had their CRB checks now
- They still need to get a bank account set up.
NOTICEBOARDS – DEFERRED TO NEXT MEETING
43/15. QUOTES FOR REPAIR TO THE GARDEN PLOTS WALL: Although
two were requested, only one quote had been received. It was proposed by
Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Malyon to accept the quote that had been
received, which was for £600. This was agreed.
44/15. HIGHWAYS: The following matters were reported: –
- HGV’s on Church Lane: Cllr Morris reported that there had been an incident of a HGV going to Clerk’s Bank, not being able to go forward or turn round then having to reverse all round the bends to the Church corner. It was agreed to ask for a ‘Not Suitable for HGV’ sign to be placed on the Church corner perhaps near the ‘30’ mph signs.
- Grid outside old School is blocked – it was agreed to request the ‘jetting’ machine.
- Pot Holes, Foxt Road (just before Foxt Cross Roads) – it was agreed to report these.
45/15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT
- Threat to the future of Leek and Cheadle Hospitals: It was agreed to write
a letter to the North Staffordshire Commissioners Group (CCG) saying that
members feel that both local hospitals are important to the local community
and that it is vital that they stay open. To ask what would happen to the
Minor Illnesses/Accidents And X-ray Departments if the hospitals were to
close. And to point our that the A & E Department at the Royal Stoke already
feels the strain of high number of people visiting it and this would only
increase if the local hospitals were to close.
- Meeting regarding the Churnet Valley becoming ‘An Area of
Outstanding Beauty’ Status: Cllr Malyon reported that she had become
aware of a meeting arranged by Sybil Ralphs to discuss this issue but said that
she, or many other District Councillors from around the valley had not been
invited. Cllr Malyon stated that she had felt disappointed that not all
interested parties had been invited to attend the meeting.
46/15. LENGTHSMAN’S ANNUAL CONTRACT: It was proposed by Cllr
Stevenson and seconded by Cllr John Barks to offer the Contract to Mr Mills
again. This was agreed unanimously.
47/15. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for
payment: –
| £ | |
| Lengthsman’s Payment (March) (Net) | |
| Clerk’s Salary (net) | |
| Clerk’s Expenses inc Ink Cartridges | 50.76 |
| To reimburse Clerk from Chairman’s Allowance for flowers
For Mr & Mrs P Goodwin’s Golden Wedding Anniversary |
35.00 |
| S J Services (Servicing of mowing equipment) | 155.00 |
| HMRC – PAYE | 90.60 |
| For the financial year commencing 1st April 2015 | |
| Whittaker’s of Leek Ltd (4 Skips for Sat 11 April) | 198.00 |
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 29th April 2015
in the Extension of Ipstones Memorial Hall at 7.00p.m.
The May meeting and AGM was provisionally set for Tuesday 19th May 2015 at 7.30p.m.