IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25th November 2015 at 7.00p.m.
in the extension of the Memorial Hall, Ipstones
PRESENT: Councillors Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards,
Barry Shuttleworth, Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson & John Williams.
1 x Reporter and the Clerk
APOLOGIES: Councillors Philip Barks and Heather Morris
DECLARATION OF INTEREST: to be taken as they arise
DISPENSATIONS: None had been received.
163/15. MATTERS ARISING
a. ‘Water on the Road opposite Foxt Village Hall: A photo of the ‘water’ had been received and it was agreed to monitor the situation and see if the County Council are willing to put a drain in.
b. ‘Swings’ for Foxt Community Area: it was agreed to get some prices in for the next meeting.
c. Grant for Foxt Village Hall: the Clerk reported that she had e-mailed further information to the Secretary, but had not had a reply yet. Cllr Malyon said she has heard of an organisation may be giving some defibrillators away for free and she will try to find out who it is. It was agreed to discuss again when there is further information.
d. Remembrance Sunday: It was noted that these events had gone off well and had been well attended.
e. Installation of Notice Board in Cemetery: One quote had been received which was for £95.00 excluding Posts and fixing bolts. It was agreed to accept this quote and ask if they would get the posts and bolts.
f. Quote for trimming the epicormics growth from the Lime Trees in the Cemetery: A quote had been received from the Mower Contractor, who quoted £10 per tree. (33 in total) It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Richards to accept the quote for epicormics growth to be cut from all the lime trees. This was agreed by 6 votes in favour with one Member abstaining.
It was proposed by Cllr Shuttleworth and seconded by Cllr Richards to authorise the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2015 as being a true record.
This was agreed unanimously.
164/15. PLANS: The following plans had been received: –
SMD/2015/0658 Single storey side extension together with alterations to
elevations at Ipstones Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Ipstones. Cllrs Malyon &
Shuttleworth declared personal interests in this application and did not take part
in the discussion or decision on the application. Cllr Stevenson took the Chair.
Following a discussion and inspection of the plans it was proposed by Cllr Stimpson
and seconded by Cllr Mycock to support approval of the application. This was
carried with 5 votes in favour.
SMD/2015/0699 Two storey side and rear extension and repositioning of
vehicular access (resubmission of SMD/2015/0545) at 92 Brookfields Road,
Ipstones. Cllr Malyon declared a personal interest in this and Cllr Shuttleworth
took the Chair. Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr Shuttleworth and
seconded by Cllr Stimpson to support approval of this application. This was agreed
unanimously.
SMD/2015/0706 Advertisement consent for x 2 fascia signs, x 2 window graphics,
x 1 manifestation (DDA), x 1 projecting sign at One Stop Shop, 2 Froghall Road,
Ipstones. Cllr Stimpson declared a pecuniary interest in this and left the room. It
was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Shuttleworth to support
approval of the application. This was agreed unanimously.
165/15. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Lengthsman’s Report (October 2015): details of this were noted.
b. Mr Holt re PFP No 53 (Foxt): An e-mail and photograph had been received regarding the muddy state at the start of this footpath. Cllr Williams said that there is a lot of Electricity work going on in the field and large vehicles are currently using the access where the footpath runs. In the circumstances it was agreed to see if the situation improves when the work has been completed.
c. Mr Holt re the proposed replacement Memorial Tree for Foxt: An e-mail had been received regarding a suggestion to Cllr Mycock that a suitable place for a Memorial Tree would be just to the north of where the skips go. It was agreed to reply that this had been mentioned but that it was thought that a Copper Beech Tree would grow too large for that location and that it has now been decided that a more suitable location would be the proposed new Church Yard (subject to permission from the PCC).
d. Ipstones and Foxt Royal British Legion: A thankyou had been received for the donation of £165 toward the cost of wreaths and the Poppy Appeal.
e. Douglas Macmillan Hospice (Barlaston): A letter of thanks had been received for the recent donation.
f. Karen Bradley MP re Trip to London and Private Tour of Westminster: This invitation was noted.
g. Mr Bean on behalf of Foxt PCC: A letter had been received enquiring if the Parish Council would consider submitting a planning application on their behalf for the proposed new Church Yard as the Parish Council would be entitled to a reduced fee. It was proposed by Cllr Malyon and seconded by Cllr Richards to do this providing that it is legal to do so. This was agreed unanimously.
h. SCC re monthly skips: A letter had been received regarding the waste that is put into the skips which renders it increasingly difficult to process. Examples of materials contained within the waste which render all of the waste difficult to process are soil, rubble, bulky items (mattresses etc) and tyres. The Clerk explained that she has spoken to the County council and they have said that they want to work with the Parish Council to try to overcome this problem. It was agreed to write back and ask for a list of items that can be put in the skip and items which cannot be placed in the skips and to ask if they would supply two boards with this information on.
i. SCC re proposed work on PFP No 102: A reply said that before they can give permission for the work to be done they will need to know who owns the land and they suggested a site visit with regard to the two proposed posts. It was agreed to ask for a site visit to discuss this.
j. Mr Prescott and Mrs Meyrick re large Ash Tree opposite their property: A letter asked if the parish council knows who is responsible for the Ash Tree, which is on the border of the road and the field opposite. It was agreed to ask the County Highways if they are responsible for the tree.
k. Ipstones Memorial Hall: A thank you letter had been received for the pledge of a grant for the sum of £700 for the financial year 2016/2017 to cover the cost of the mowing of the Recreation Field.
l. SCC re Highway Winter Operations: A letter had been received and it was noted that their crews will focus on the primary network, which is largely A and B roads in more marginal conditions and in more severe weather, gritting of wider secondary network when ice is expected for more than two hours between 7am and 7pm. They went on to say that in prolonged cold weather there will be no change to the extent of the treated network in 2015. The letter stated that details of roads covered can be found at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/winter.
m. SCC re The future management of Staffordshire’s Countryside Parks and Green Spaces: An e-mail had been received and advised that there will now be a 12 week consultation and that there are 4 options under consideration.
n. Western Power re proposed work to be carried out at Forest Side, Park Nook, Foxt:
It was noted that the land in question is partly registered Common Land and therefore agreed to arrange a site visit to discuss the proposed work.
o. SCC re Changes to the Mobile and Travelling Service: This was noted.
p. SM Parish Assembly re Special Parishes Evening: Details of this were noted.
q. SMDC re Local Planning Meetings (LDF) for individual Parish re Housing Allocations: It was agreed to request a slot on Tuesday 15 December at 1.00p.m. Cllrs Malyon, Mycock, Stimpson & Williams said that they would like to attend.
r. Other circulars, Newletters etc
NALC – Legal Briefing (LO2-15) – Introduction of the Smaller Authorities
(Transparency Requirements) (England) Regulations 2015/494 – transparency
obligations for parish councils with an annual turnover not exceeding £25,000)
NALC/SLCC – Auto-enrolment (Pensions) – Essential Information for Councillors,
Local Councils and Clerks.
SPCA – Bulletins – 29 October, 5th, 12th & 19th November
SPCA – AGM – information
Staffordshire Police – Newsletter
CPRE – Field Work – Winter 2015 Issue
CPRE – Countryside Voice – Winter Issue
166/15. FOXT VILLAGE HALL – GRANT: The Clerk reported that she is still waiting for more
information from them regarding the cost of a defibrillator. It was agreed to defer
this until the next meeting.
167/15. PROPOSED SWINGS FOR FOXT COMMUNITY AREA: The Clerk reported that she is
still seeking prices on this so it was agreed to defer to the next meeting.
168/15. FOXT HOUSING ALLOCATION: Following a discussion it was agreed to write a
letter to the Head of Forward Planning to ask for the number of houses left on the
Ipstones allocation being approximately 8, to be transferred to Foxt and to state
that these houses should be treated as infill for young people and people who
want to downsize. That members do not want any clusters of new
properties/estates as this would spoil the character of the village.
It was also agreed to mention in the letter about the Village Development
Boundary line for Ipstones – that the small area at the top of High Street needs to
be reinstated to the original line.
169/15. QUOTES FOR MOWING CONTRACTS FOR 2016 & 2017 (for Ipstones Cemetery,
Barley Road Play Area and Foxt Community Area: Three quotes had been
received. Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr Williams and seconded by
Cllr Stimpson to give the contract to Mr Hooley, the second cheapest quote
received being £4650.00 per annum for all three areas, as it is felt that he has done
a good job over the past few years and always keeps the Cemetery very neat and
tidy. This was agreed unanimously.
170/15. ANNUAL PRECEPT: Draft calculations had been given to all members so that they
may consider if there are any other item/projects that may need to be included on
next year’s precept request, which is usually in January.
171/15. UPDATE ON MEMORIAL HALL PROJECT: Cllr Shuttleworth reported that they are
now waiting for the result of the planning application and that: –
• The Committee are intending to consult with villagers as to what they would like to see on the inside of the Hall.
• The committee is looking if there are any grants available for Grasscrete to put down for extra parking.
172/15. UPDATE ON IPSTONES VILLAGE YOUTH SOCIETY (IVYS): Cllr Malyon reported that
they are currently looking for a grant to supply fleeces with the Youth Clubs name
on – so the they can easily identify the young people when out on trips etc. and
that they have got a few fund raisers arranged. It was also noted that they may
change the night of the Youth Club.
173/15. UPDATE ON THE SPEEDWATCH SCHEME: The Clerk reported that she had spoken
with Mr Dyer the Speedwatch Coordinator, and he has said that they have held a
few sessions during the autumn, but now there is only three volunteers to do the
sessions they cannot always get out as often as previously. Mr Dyer also said that
the three volunteers are willing to continue doing the sessions for another twelve
months – but they would welcome more volunteers to help out with the scheme.
174/15. HIGHWAYS: the following matters were reported: –
a. Pot Hole, Belmont Rd: Cllr Malyon said she has reported this to Highways.
b. ‘Johnny’s’ Corner, Foxt: Cllr Stimpson reported that mud is being washed down from the bank onto the road. It was agreed to report this.
c. Belmont Road Bank/Church Lane: It was agreed to ask for the Road Sweeper to visit and go round the circular route to clear excess mud from the road.
175/15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT: –
d. Blocked Footpath, Foxt: it was noted that the owner of the path would like to put his comments forward. It was agreed to ask him to either write a letter or come along to a meeting.
176/15. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –
£
Lengthsman’s Payment (Net) 120.55
Clerk’s Salary (Net) 600.00
Clerk’s Expenses inc. Ink Cartridges 31.28
L Malyon to reimburse from Chairman’s Allowance for flowers and card for a Golden Wedding Anniversary
21.50
Whittaker’s of Leek Ltd (for hire of 3 skips for 5th December 165.84
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The date of the next meeting was set for
Tuesday 15th December 2015 at 7.00p.m.
It was agreed that the final agenda item, Staff pay review should be treated as
CONFIDENTIAL