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Minutes Nov 2016

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 23 November 2016 at 7p.m. in the Extension of the Memorial Hall, Ipstones 

PRESENT:      Cllrs Philip Barks, Cllr Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards, Barry Shuttleworth,                                                  Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson & John Williams.   The Clerk and 1 x Member of the Public

APOLOGIES:  Councillor Heather Morris & Reporter Mr L Jackson

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

DISPENSATIONS:  None had been received.

136/16.  MATTERS ARISING 

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 26th October 2016  were agreed to be a true record. 

  1. Old Fire Pump: It was noted that suitable storage within the village is still being looked into.
  2. Horse Rider Warning Signs: It was agreed that as it is not certain how many signs we can have to prioritise as following: – Ipstones End of Colley Hole Bank;  Park Lane (Foxt Cross Roads End); Top of Red Hill Bank: Whirley Lowe side of Foxt and The Villas side of Foxt.
  3. Hedge at Foxt Community Area:  Cllr Stimpson said he will get on to his Contractor about this.
  4. Foxt Telephone Kiosk: Cllr Stimpson reported that he thought Mr Mann was going to paint it on the previous Sunday – but it hadn’t been done yet. 
  5. Hedge in Cart Lane: The Clerk reported that Mr Ryan had phoned to say that he had already cut the hedge and that he asked why nothing was done about the wall on the opposite side of the road.  It was agreed to write a letter of apology and to include a copy of Mr Leeson’s response regarding the wall.
  6. Remembrance Day Services: It was noted that the Services had been well attended and that several members had attended Services in Ipstones, Berkhamsytch and Onecote.
  7. Belmont Pools: Cllrs Malyon and Stevenson had attended a site visit with the Highways Engineer and it was established that nothing can be done about the pool as it is in private ownership. However they (County Highways) agreed to put up some hazard warning posts and to repair the pot holes.
  8. Cemetery Tap: It was noted that a plumber has been asked to replace the tap that keeps leaking.
  9. Request for change of Speed Limit on A523 at Bottomhouse: the Clerk reported that there had been no response yet, but thought that the Officer dealing with these requests was off on sick leave.  It was agreed to copy in Cllr Mark Deaville on this matter.
  10. Stones on Verge at Town End Road, Foxt: Cllr Mycock reported that these have now gone.
  11. Garden Leases: Both the Lessees had responded that they would like to renew the Contract for a further 23 months from 1 February 2017.  The Leases were signed on behalf of the parish council.

137.16      PLANS:  The following planning applications had been received: –

SMD/2016/0658  Proposed 2 No Log Cabins for holiday let at Land behind Stonewalls, Foxt Road, Foxt.  It was                         proposed by Cllr Mycock and seconded by Cllr Williams to object to this application for the following reasons: – That                     there is no access from Shay Lane – the only access is along the path in front of the bungalow; That there are no                             services to the site; that it would affect a public footpath; that it’s adjacent to a SSSi site and that the development                           would be visually intrusive. The proposal was carried with 5 votes in favour and two members abstained to vote.

SMD/2016/0693  Listed Building Consent to undertake repair works, which involves careful removal of brick                             infilling and to reinstate missing doors and windows to the gazebo at Whitehough Hall, Ipstones.  It was agreed                              unanimously to support this application.

138/16.    CORRESPONDENCE: 

  1. Douglas Macmillan Hospice, Blurton: A letter of thanks had been received.
  2. Cllr Ralphs re Electronic Consultation of Planning Applications: A reply stated that she had passed our objections to this to the relevant officer.
  3. SMDC head of Regulatory Services re Electronic Consultation of Planning Applications: A reply had been received regarding the parish council’s objection to this.  The response was read out and comments noted.  It was agreed to reply that the DC does not pay for the paper plans it is the client and that if the DC have a problem posting out the plans then could it be arranged for someone from the parish council to collect them.
  4. Mr Cummings, SMDC re Dog Waste Bin (Froghall Rd opposite junction with Belmont Rd): the reply stated that the Dog bin had been removed because it was damaged and advised that the area is being monitored to establish whether it justifies a bin in that location.  It was agreed to respond that our Lengthman removes any bags that are left in that vicinity so the monitoring may not be a true indication as to what is going on.
  5. Sgt Bland, Staffordshire Police (Leek) re Local Community Speed Watch: The e-mail advised that they are trying to establish interest in local parishes starting up their own community speed watch programmes.  The Clerk stated that she had already responded that Ipstones already has a Community Speed Watch Scheme but that currently we are low on volunteers.
  6. SCC Rights of Way re Church Lane (Nos 34 to 46 section): Our enquiry regarding the status of this section of highway had been passed on to the Rights of Way Department who responded that the public footpath is maintained at public expense but ‘If damage to the surface is caused by residents accessing their properties and using their private vehicle rights this is not a matter that the County Council would address’.  It was agreed to respond that we are trying to establish if this section of road is ‘adopted highway’ or not, as the road has previously been maintained by the County Council. To explain that the water leak was not the fault of any resident (but Severn Trent would not repair it as they said it was not ‘adopted highway’.
  7. Staffordshire Fire & Rescue: A reply stated that the Chief Fire Officer would be unable to attend the meeting on 6 December, but would be happy to attend a meeting in the New Year.
  8. Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly: Notification that there would be a special ‘One Stop Shop’ on the 1st December to which all Councillors were invited had been received and noted.
  9. Community Council of Staffordshire re Best Kept Village Competition for 2017:

It was agreed to give this consideration and discuss again at January meeting.

  1. Community Council of Staffordshire re Community Events and Activities: An enquiry had been made about the success of events and activities within the Ipstones Parish and how this was achieved.   Cllr Malyon took this and was going to respond.
  2. Peak District National Park Local Plan Consultation: The Clerk said that they have sent this because our parish borders the Peak District National Park. However it was agreed that as the parish council had not been included in previous consultations etc, they could not make comment at this stage.
  3. Other leaflets, newsletters & notifications etc                                                                                                                                   Clerks & Councils Direct – November Issue                                                                                                                                               Staffs Parish Councils Assc. – Annual Report                                                                                                                                             Staffs Parish Councils Assc. – Weekly Bulletins for 27/10; 03/11; 10/11 & 17/16

139/16.   AMMENDMENT TO GRAVE & HEADSTONE REGULATIONS:  In view of the fact that some relatives are                         putting various ornaments on graves including solar lights and plastic fencing it was resolved to adjust the                                       Regulations by adding ‘and no other objects’.  This was a unanimous decision.

140/16.   NEW SWINGS ON FOXT COMMUNITY AREA:  Various information had been received regarding inspections                      and maintenance of the Swings.  It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he can carry out regular visual checks of all                        the equipment on Foxt Community Area.

141/16.   MILLENNIUM ARCH:  The Clerk reported that there had been no response with regard to the invitation for                               quotes for the repair of the Arch.  It was agreed to seek quotes from other Joiners.

142/16.  NOONSUN COMMON:  It was suggested that this area could possibly be cleared of undergrowth and made into a                       Picnic/ seating area or other use.  It was agreed for members to give this suggestion some thought and then to discuss                   again at a future meeting.

143/16.  HIGHWAYS:  The following matters were reported : –

  1. It was reported that there are some ‘Cattle Mats’ that have blown into the highway outside Crowgutter Farm. It was agreed to write to the Farmer and ask if the mats can be removed from the highway.
  2. Foxt Road, Froghall Wharf: It was agreed to report that the edge of the highway from the Lime Kilns to the A52 junction (opposite side to Lime Kilns) is eroding away and is getting dangerous. It was agreed to report this to County Highways (It had been reported a while ago but at time Highways said there was not a problem).
  3. Pot Holes in Belmont Road (just past the houses): it was agreed to report these.
  4. Clerks Bank: It was reported that there is a hedge that needs cutting, as it obscures a road sign. It was agreed to write to the land owners.
  5. Grids: it was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he can check grids for debris on a regular basis now that it is winter.
  6. Grid at back of Old School Court: Cllr Malyon advised that she has reported on many occasions that this grid is completely blocked and causing damp to get into one of the flats, but nothing has been done about it.
  7. Gritting – Cllr Malyon mentioned that she has heard that the County Highways might be cutting back on gritting this year. 

144/16.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT 

  1. Remembrance Crosses that are placed in Cemetery by School Children: Cllr Malyon reported that the Vicar has asked if the area where the Crosses are placed can have sand put there.  Following a discussion it was agreed that if sand is to be put down it will need to be contained in a wooden frame.  It was agreed to contact the Vicar and ask what size the area of sand would need to be.

145/16.   ANNUAL PRECEPT:  The Clerk reminded members that the annual precept will need to be set at the January                             meeting and asked that they have a think as to if there are likely to be any projects that they may wish to take into                           account.

146/16.   ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:  The following accounts were agreed for payment: –

  £
Lengthsman’s Payment (Net) (Novemeber) 167.58
Lengthsman’s Expenses (Fuel for Strimmer) 5.00
Clerk’s Salary (Net0 (Novemeber) 628.20
Clerk’s Expenses (Inc Ink Cartridges) 74.33
Staffordshire Farm Supplies Ltd – Tape and posts to put round

Millennium Arch

  

18.40
J Hooley – for 1 x mow 310.00

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The date of the next meeting was set for Tuesday 6th December 2016 at 7.00p.m.                                                              in the Extension at Ipstones Memorial Hall

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