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Minutes Feb 2016

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL 

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 23rd February 2016 at 7.00p.m. in the extension                                           of the Memorial Hall, Ipstones 

PRESENT:       Councillors L Malyon (Chair), H Morris, S Richards, A Stevenson, P Stimpson & J Williams.                                                                 The Clerk, 1 x Reporter and 2 x members of the public

APOLOGIES:  Councillors P Barks, H Mycock & B Shuttleworth 

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:  It was agreed to take these as they arise

DISPENSATIONS:  None received 

17/16.   MATTERS ARISING 

  1. Grit Piles: it was noted that these have been re-stocked.
  2. Cemetery Bins: The Clerk reported that she has confirmed with the District Council that we wish to retain the existing arrangement for the green wheely bin.
  3. Foxt Community Area: It was noted that the ‘spring on the Gate’ is too strong and requires adjustment.
  4. Barrier at Belmont Pools: It was agreed to chase up on this matter.  Cllr Stevenson said he thought the trees might be causing some of the problem to the road.
  5. Pot Hole at end of Church Lane: It was agreed to chase up on this as it still hasn’t been repaired despite being reported on several occasions.
  6. Land Search on PFP No 102 (Church Lane to Belmont Road): The Clerk reported that the application for the search had been returned stating that a larger scale map is needed.  Cllr Malyon said she will ask if they have a larger scale map at the District Council.
  7. Memorial Tree for Foxt: It was agreed to discuss this again when it is known if the application for an additional burial ground has been successful. (It has been suggested that if the application is successful the Memorial Tree could be planted in the new Burial Ground).
  8. Water on Park Lane: It was agreed to chase up on this to see what action is planned.
  9. PFP No 11 (Devil’s Staircase): It was agreed to chase up on what action is planned for this. 

The minutes and confidential minutes of the meeting held on

Wednesday 27th January 2016 were agreed to be a true record. 

The Chair moved that Agenda item 12 ‘Lengthsman Scheme – to sign temporary contract’ be taken at the end of the meeting and to be treated as confidential. 

The Chairperson suspended Standing orders to allow members of the public to speak. 

Mrs Ratcliffe explained that she had come along to the meeting to ask if there is anything that can be done about the ‘Care Home’ that is next door to them as they have been experiencing problems, such as outbuildings being broken into, windows broken etc and she doesn’t think that the children are being properly supervised.  Cllr Malyon asked Mrs Ratcliffe if she has kept a diary of incidents and if so could she let her have a copy.

Cllr Malyon explained that providing there is no more than six children living at the care Home there is nothing that can be done as planning permission is not required. She said that there are a number of these Care Homes throughout the district and that they all seem to experience problems especially for neighbours.  Cllr Malyon said she will have a word with the Police Officer who is assigned to dealing with issues at the Care Home and it was agreed to write to the Manager of the Home and ask if the monthly meetings can be resumed so that these issues can be discussed and addressed.  Mrs Ratcliffe was also advised to report all incidents to the Police.

Standing Orders were resumed

18/16.    PLANS:  The following planning applications had been received: – (Cllr H Morris arrived).                                                                   DET/2016/0009 Proposed steel frame building at Little Intake Farm, Church Lane, Ipstones.                                                          It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Stimpson to support approval of this application.                                          This was agreed unanimously.

DET/2016/0010  Change of use of agricultural building into residential dwelling (Class C3) at Little Blakelow Farm,                   Bottom Lane, Ipstones.  It was proposed by Cllr Stimpson and seconded by Cllr Williams to support approval of                             this Application. This was agreed unanimously.

19/16.   CORRESPONDENCE 

  1. Mrs Bagshaw re Planning Application Nos SMD/2015/0805 & SMD/2015/0806: The letter which concerned the afore mentioned planning applications that were discussed and voted on at the January meeting was read out. Standing Orders were suspended to allow this to be discussed with Mr Bagshaw who was present at the meeting.  Cllr Malyon said that there had previously been an Enforcement taken out for the removal of the fence and to close the gap and said that members thought that the plan would probably be refused because of the previous Enforcement Order. Cllr Stimpson added that parish council have to judge each plan on what is in front of them.  Cllr Morris said that she had proposed for the application to be refused because the proposed access was too close to the junction.  Mr Bagshaw said that the safety of his young son is his main priority and that if the application is refused he will have to continue to park on the opposite side of the road – which does not take another vehicle off the road, which already has parking issues. He added that he would plant a hedge for privacy and safety reasons and added that other properties have similar fences.  Cllr Stimpson replied that the Planning Dept don’t usually monitor fences unless someone makes a complaint. Mr Bagshaw said that he has spoken with the planners and they have suggested he put a ‘turntable’ in, which he doesn’t understand with being in a conservation area. He went on to say that he did understand the reasons for highway safety, but he said he had spoken to Highways and taken their advice.

Cllr Malyon said that she will chase up on what stage the application is at.

Standing Orders were resumed.

  1. SMDC re Breakdown of Elections Costs: Members thought that how the costs were apportioned to parish councils was unfair.  Cllr Morris agreed to find out how much was paid for the use of the Chapel Sunday School Rooms and then to discuss again at the next meeting.
  2. SPCA re an enquiry on behalf of Cllr Stevenson regarding ‘Declaration of Interests’: The e-mail was read out and comments noted.
  3. SCC re Consultation on a S53 application to upgrade a Public Footpaths Nos 28 & 29 to a Bridle Path: Cllr Morris reported that not every landowner along the route had had letters. Cllr Morris then declared a personal interest in this matter and took no further part in the discussion or decision.  It was agreed to reply that we understand that not all the lands owners had been notified of this S53 application and therefore members feel that the period of consultation should be extended, so that all the landowners who would be affected can be included in the consultation process.  A list of landowners who should have been included in the consultation is to be sent with the letter.
  4. SCC re Parking Issues, Church Lane: The response advised that ‘ the request for parking restrictions is on the Divisional Highways lists and will be looked at once it has been prioritised. They already have their priorities off Cllr Heath for the year 2016/2017 so this will not even be considered again until April 2017’.  The e-mail went on to say ‘that they will have the same problem as always, the request may not be supported by the businesses and residents in the area regardless of what the parish council may want’.    Following a discussion it was agreed to forward a copy of the e-mail to County Councillor Heath and say that members are disappointed and do not think that it is good enough as there are many occasions when the emergency vehicles would not be able to get through and delays could result in a life or death situation. To say that something needs to be done.  A copy is to be forwarded to Mark Deaville at the County Council.
  5. Mr Jack, Project Leader of Ipstones Bell Project: A letter had been received seeking support of this project. Following discussion it was proposed by Cllr Malyon and seconded by Cllr Richards to donate the sum of £300.00 under Section 137, miscellaneous payments, to the project.  This was agreed unanimously.
  6. Karen Bradley MP: re Trip to London and private tour of Westminster: Details of this were noted.
  7. Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly: Notification of the next meeting had been received.  It was agreed to ask if they will include ‘Charges for Elections’ on the Agenda.
  8. Mr Sutton, Foxt regarding a previous letter and the Blocked Footpath in Foxt: The letter was read out. Cllr Stimpson said it wasn’t the owner of The Manor House that he had spoken to but the previous owner of Bolton Farm. He added that he has taken legal advice and providing that he has not have a pecuniary interest in the matter being discussed (the blocked path) he does not have to declare an interest. At this point a letter received from Mrs P Stimpson was read out and stated: – “that Mrs Stimpson and her husband have owned the land which includes ownership of half of the track in question since 2014. The letter went on to say that ‘I have lived in the village since 1978 and have never seen the track blocked until recent months. Both my husband and myself would like it to be known that we believe this is a public right of way and we have no objections to people using it”.

Following a discussion it was agreed unanimously to write to Mr Sutton stating that the parish council have no power to determine the outcome of the Section 53 Application in respect of the Blocked Path and therefore the matter is in the hands of the Legal Department at the County Council who will carry out their own investigations and consultations before making a decision on the matter. And that in the circumstances, members of the parish council will not enter into any further correspondence on this subject.

  1. SPCA Re ‘Audit Briefing’ Session on 22nd March 2016: the Clerk advised that she had booked into the session.
  2. Community Council of Staffordshire re Diary of Events: The Clerk is to complete the form.
  3. Staffordshire County Council re Community Paths Initiative: It was agreed to enquire if the repair to PFP 102 would qualify for the scheme.
  4. SMDC re Clean for the Queen: Details noted. 

20/16.   PROPOSED SWINGS FOR FOXT COMMUNITY AREA:  Several on line quotes had been obtained after                                consideration it was agreed that the most suitable design and price for a Combination Swing unit was from                                     Fenland Leisure (All quotes were  subject to a site inspection).  In the circumstances it was agreed to ask                                           Fenland Leisure if they would visit the site to discuss the options.

21/16.   PROVISION OF THE MONTHLY SKIPS:  The Clerk reported that she had spoken to the County Council’s Waste                  Management Team and they have said that they cannot continue to receive ‘mixed waste’ skips as they have to go                          to Land Fill which is expensive.  They suggested that the parish council have separate skips for ‘Garden Waste’ and                        ‘Black Bag waste’ but added that the skips would have to be ‘manned’ while they are on site in order to monitor what                      goes into the skips.  They also mentioned that if the parish council wanted they could have a private arrangement                          with a Contractor and pay for both the hire of the skips and the tipping fees.  If the parish council went along this route               they would have to complete a ‘Duty of Care’ form and know what is going into the skips. They pointed out that if too                     much waste is produced in the skips the parish council could end up  having to have an ‘Environmental Permit’.                             Following a discussion it was agreed to write and formerly ask for permission for the current arrangement to continue                 for the forthcoming financial year 2016/2017 if the parish council monitors the skips.  A copy of the letter is to be                           forwarded to County Councillor Gill Heath to see if she can do anything to help keep the service going.

22/16.   SUMMER PLANTING:  the Clerk said that Old Hall Nursery have said the plants will be the same price as last year                   but the Compost may be slightly more expensive. She also mentioned that they can’t get the ‘barrels’ like they used to                   and if any need to be replaced they would be quite expensive. It was agreed to place an order for the planting to take                     place and to ask if the plants can be red and white begonias and blue lobelia to commemorate the Queen’s 90th                              Birthday.

23/16.  REPORT ON MEMORIAL HALL PROJECT:  Cllr Malyon reported that various surveys have been carried out i.e.                asbestos and structural, and that they are nearly ready to go out to tender. A building Inspector has been appointed.                      She said that there is a Hall meeting soon when they will be looking for suggestions for the internal planning then when                they have agreed on ideas they will speak to the Architects.

24/16.  REPORT ON YOUTH CLUB:  It was noted that they are still struggling for volunteers to help the Youth Leader.                        They are planning on doing some fund raising in order to get funds to pay the Youth Leader.

25/16.  APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITOR:  it was agreed not to ‘opt out’ of the Appointed External Audit                            arrangements.

26/16. HIGHWAYS:  There were no new items to report, just to chase up on previous Items. 

27/16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT: 

  1. Fly-Tipping: Cllr Stevenson reported that some straw and other stuff had been fly-tipped on Foxt Bank. 

28/16.  ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:  The following accounts were agreed for payment                                                                (along with a payment at the end of February for the Temp Lengthsman): –                    

£
Clerk’s Salary (Net) 630.00
Clerk’s Expenses inc Ink cartridges 55.30
Mrs L Malyon to reimburse from Chairman’s Allowance for a gift and Card for a 90th Birthday 21.80
Whittaker’s of Leek Ltd (for hire of three skips for 05/03/2016) 165.84
Land Registry to apply for Search on Ownership of PFP 102 11.00
St Leonard’s Church Bell Project Fund ( donation under S137) 300.00
Lengthsman’s Payment for February 2016 – £121.76 plus Tax refund of £165.80 (Paid on 29/02/2016) 287.56

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   The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 23rd March 2016 at 7.00p.m.                                                        in the Memorial Hall in the Extension. 

This will commence with the Annual Parish Assembly.

 

The final agenda item was deemed to be treated as CONFIDENTIAL

 

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