Menu

Minutes Oct 2016

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 26 October 2016 at 7.00p.m in the Extension of the Memorial Hall

 PRESENT:       Councillors Philip Barks, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock,  Sandy Richards, Barry Shuttleworth,                                            Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson and John Williams.  The Clerk, 1 x Reporter and 1 member of the public

APOLOGIES:   Councillors Heather Morris

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS:  To be taken as they arise

DISPENSATIONS:  None received 

On proposal by Cllr Stimpson and seconded by Cllr Barks it was agreed that the minutes for the meeting held on Wednesday 28 September 2016 as being a true record. 

124/16.  MATTERS ARISING 

  1. Ipstones Edge Care Home: Cllr Malyon reported that the Police have now put a ‘camera’ in and that the District Council are waiting for the neighbours to request a ‘Community Trigger’ before they can do any more.
  2. Foxt Telephone Kiosk: Cllr Stimpson reported that he has spoken to Mr Mann and he has said he is going to repair/paint the kiosk soon.
  3. Hedges on Foxt Community Area: Cllr Stimpson said he is still waiting for his Contractor to come.
  4. Foxt Bank: It was agreed to check the current position regarding the crack on Foxt Bank.
  5. Pot Holes in Brookfields Road: It was noted that these have been now been repaired.
  6. Rubbish on Canal Bank: Cllr Malyon reported that the Land Owner is going to clear the rubbish.
  7. Old Fire Pump: Cllrs Malyon & Barks had been to Leek Fire Station to see where the Old Pump is currently being stored. It was noted that the Fire Service are taking steps to get a ‘display shed’ so that the Old pump can be stored/displayed on the grounds of Ipstones Fire Station. Cllr Malyon reported that a local business had also offered to store the Old Fire Pimp on their premises, it would be stored outside with a tarpaulin over it, and chained down.  It was agreed that it would be too much of a risk to store the Old pump outside even if it is chained down, but to write a letter of thanks for the offer.
  8. Bridle Path PFP No 102: It was noted that the Rights of Way Department have now accepted the latest suggestion of the path to be a metre wide but incorporating a ‘passing place’ for horse riders half way down.  It was agreed that as the criteria has changed and it had been some time since the last quotes were received to seek new quotes.  It was also agreed to ask potential contractors to meet someone on site to discuss how far up/down the lane the path is to extend before they submit a quote.
  9. Horse Rider Warning Signs: Cllr Morris had been informed of this and had suggested that depending on how many signs that we could have, one opposite the Old Fire Station in Church Lane; One at top of Colley Hole Bank.  Members present at the meeting thought that the following locations should also be considered because of the narrowness of the roads and the bends: – Top of Red Hill Bank (Belmont Road); at both end of Foxt and either end of Park Lane.

It was noted that Cllr Heath does not know yet how many signs we can have so a list will have to be prioritised.

  1. Hedge, Cart Lane: It was agreed that the hedge and the wall with the ivy growing belong to 20 High Street, it was agreed to write to the owners and ask if they will cut both the hedge and the ivy back.
  2. Remembrance Day Services: Members were reminded of the times.
  3. Belmont Pools: It was agreed to remind the County Council that the Parish Council would like a site visit to discuss the issues at the pools.
  4. ‘Dog Bins’: Cllr Malyon reported that she had met with someone from environmental services regarding the ‘Dog bins’ and they have said that they will be replacing all ‘Dog Bins’ with normal litter bins that can take bagged dog faeces.

Cllr Malyon said that they had wanted to move the bin in Shay Lane to nearer the houses, but she had insisted that it needs to stay in same location as it is a popular dog walkers route with several public footpaths converging onto Shay Lane at that point. They had also mentioned not replacing the broken dog bin on Froghall road (opposite the junction of Belmont Road).  It was agreed to write to the District Council and state that it is important to keep a bin on the site opposite the junction of Belmont Road.

  1. Defibrillator (at Fire Station): Cllr Malyon said that she had spoken to someone and was told that the defibrillator is still in use.
  2. Fly Tipping on Foxt Bank: Cllr Malyon reported that this is still under investigation by the District Council.
  3. Cemetery Tap: it was noted that it is leaking again. (It is only a few weeks since the washer had been replaced), it was agreed to ask Mr Snow if he could replace the tap and if he can’t to ask a local plumber.
  4. Lengthsman’s Strimmer: This had now been repaired at a cost of £35.50.

 

125/16.    PLANS:  The Clerk reported that she has had notification that as from the 14 November all notifications of                                       planning applications and the plans are to be forwarded electronically.  The Clerk had attended a ‘drop in’ session to                     discuss this matter. There were several other Clerks at the session and it was pointed out that parish councils do not                     have A3 printers; that A4 size would not show enough detail of the plans; that it would put extra cost on parish                               councils for the printing of the plans and be more time consuming for Clerks.  It was also pointed out that                                        the Applicant usually paid for the extra copies of plans and accompanying statements – so this is actually no extra                         cost to the District Council.  The response was that eventually they (the DC) hope that all planning                                                     applications will be submitted on line. They also suggested that the Clerks forward the planning notifications via                             e-mail to all Council Members so that they can look at the plans prior to a meeting. They were advised that not all                           parish councillors have access to the internet.  They then suggested that the Clerk takes a lap top to meetings so that                     the plans can be viewed online during the meeting. They were advised that not all meeting venues have internet                             access. They also suggested that parish councils could purchase a mobile projector to plug into the lap top so                                   that the plans can be displayed on a wall in larger size.  The Clerks who were in attendance were all in agreement                           that electronic plans would not work for parish/town councils.  The Staff present said that if parish councils disagree                     with the proposed electronic plans they should write in about their concerns.  It was proposed by Cllr Shuttleworth                       and seconded by Cllr Barks to write a letter of objection stating that it not practical or viable for the parish council to                     receive planning applications electronically as not all our members have access to a computer.

                  The following planning applications had been received: – 

                  SMD/2016/0553 Variation of Condition 3 on planning permission  (SMD/2016/0246) to make the site more                              viable/appealing for future tenants and to allow outside storage of materials (retrospective) at Thomas Bolton                                Copper Products, Froghall Road, Froghall.  Members voted unanimously in favour of supporting this application.

SMD/2016/0587 Change of use of industrial unit (B) from manufacturing to storage and distribution with external                   storage at Former Thomas Bolton Site, Froghall Road, Froghall.  Members voted unanimously in favour of supporting                   this application.

SMD/2016/0601 & SMD/2016/0634 LBC for formation of vehicle off street parking and a dropped kerb                                 resubmission of (SMD/2015/0805) at Glyndor, 24 High Street, Ipstones.  On proposal Cllr Stimpson and seconded                       by Cllr Shuttleworth it was agreed to support this application.

SMD/2016/0578/ & SMD/2016/0579 (LBC) Proposed alterations and addition of covered seating area to                             existing ground floor café (A3); together with the provision of a floating pontoon seating area in adjacent canal basin                     with connecting walkway.  Conversion and change of use of first floor to self-catering holiday accommodation (C1) at                     Hetty’s Tea Shop, Froghall Wharf.  Cllr Stevenson arrived at this point. It proposed by Cllr Stimpson and seconded by                   Cllr Mycock to support this application.  This was carried by 7 votes in favour, one member abstained from voting.

Notification of the following ‘approval’ had been received: –  

                 SMD/2016/0483 Proposed alterations to listed building including conversion of  attic floor to habitable                                         accommodation, partial demolition of boundary wall, reconstruction of new alignment to widen parking bay and                           demolition of stone outbuilding at East View, 62 Brookfields Road, Ipstones.

126/16.  CORRESPONDENCE 

  1. Ms Bryant, Chief Fire Officer, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue: A letter thanking the parish council for the invitation to the November meeting had been received and stated that she could not attend on 23rd November but is free on 30th  On discussion it was established that several members were not free on 30th November so the November meeting would have to be on 23rd.  It was agreed to see if Ms Bryant is free for December meeting.
  2. Lengthsman’s Reports (August & September): Details of the reports were noted.
  3. Ofsted re Evergreen House Care Home: It was noted that they are still waiting to hear from the provider about the recent complaint.
  4. County Councillor Gill Heath re Speed Limit on A523 at Bottomhouse: An e-mail advised that she will do all she can to help to reduce the speed limit on Bottomhouse cross roads but in meantime she has asked if ‘Stop’ sign can be repositioned as it is currently hidden by a hedge. Cllr Heath said this could take time as it involves electrics.  It was agreed to ask if they can consult with the owners of the hedge and ask them to cut it back to see if this improves the situation.
  5. SCC ‘Rights of Way’ Re Road at Stocksgreen (between 34 & 46 Church Lane): An e-mail stated that the area coloured yellow on the plan is not County Council land so they assume that it is private land. It was agreed to ask if they will check their records again as the road has always been maintained by the County Council.
  6. SCC re Stones on verge at Town End, Foxt: An e-mail advised that they will investigate this matter and write to the resident if required.
  7. Superfast Staffordshire: An e-mail advised that they are fully aware of the lack of Superfast Broadband in Foxt and that with regard to replacing the copper line with a fibre line is not that simple (We had asked about this because Open Reach were carrying out repairs to the line servicing Foxt).  It was agreed to invite a representative from Superfast Staffordshire to a future meeting.
  8. CPRE Staffordshire: Re Tree Planting/Hedge Laying:  An e-mail advised that they have joined with the Woodland Trust Charter for Trees campaign and enquired if there are any locations/sites where they might be able to plant some native trees. Cllr Stevenson suggested Noonsun Common, but following a discussion it was too overgrown at the moment and agreed to put on a future agenda for further discussion.
  9. SM Parish Assembly: Details of the next meeting had been received. Cllr Barks said he had attended the last meeting and two things that had been discussed were a ‘Police Smart App’ and ‘Community right to bid’ which had been interesting.
  10. Other Circulars, newsletters etc

SPC Assc. – Weekly Bulletins for 29/09; 06/10; 13/10 & 20/10.                                                                                                             NALC – ‘Supporting our Advocacy on Council Tax Referendum Proposals’                                                                                                 Churnet Valley Railway – Directors’ Report and Summary of Financial Statements

127/16.   Millennium Arch:  Cllr Williams said he has had a look at the Arch and that the Inner ‘wishbone’ part is coming                         away from the main frame. Following a discussion it was agreed to seek quotes for the repair of the Arch and in the                       meantime to ask the Lengthsman if he can ‘tape off the area’.

128/16.   ANNUAL REVIEWS 

  1. Risk Assessments – it was agreed unanimously that this is in order.
  2. Financial Regulations – it was agreed unanimously that the current regulations are in order
  3. Cemetery Fees – it was agreed unanimously to keep as they are.
  4. Cemetery Regulations – it was agreed to put this as an agenda item for the next meeting.
  5. PAT Testing – it was agreed to make arrangements for this to be done.
  6. Independent Internal Auditor – it was agreed to ask Mrs E Thompson again. 

129/16.   GARDEN LEASE:  The Clerk reported that the Garden Lease is up on 31 December.  It was agreed to offer the new                      lease (from 1st February 2017 to 31 December 2018) to the existing Lessees and to keep the rent the same at £100 per                    plot payable in two instalments of £50 in February each year.

130/16.   EPICORMIC GROWTH ON LIME TREES IN CEMETERY:  It was agreed to obtain quotes for this work.

131/16.  REPORT ON MEMORIAL HALL PROJECT:  Cllr Malyon & Shuttleworth said that there is nothing to report at                      the moment.

132/16.  HIGHWAYS: 

  1. Hedges on Country Lanes – Cllr Stimpson said that many hedges along the Country Lane are in need of cutting back. He agreed to get a list of locations for the Clerk, but said it included Park Lane.
  2. Pot Hole: it was agreed to report a Pot Hole outside 21 – 23 High Street.
  3. Grids on Noonsun Common – it was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he can clean debris from the tops of grids on Noonsun Common and Froghall Bank.

133/16.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT: 

  1. Public Footpath near the Mount: It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he can push leaves away from the public foot path as there had been a complaint about the amount of leaves on the path. 

134/16.   QUARTERLY ACCOUNTS REPORT (FOR PERIOD ENDED 30/09/16):  Each Member had received a copy                      of the report and the Bank Statements were available for inspection.  It was agreed to accept the report as a true                              record.   

135/16.   ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT:  It was agreed to authorise the following payments: –

£
PJS Machinery Ltd (repair to Lengthsman’s Strimmer) 35.50
Lengthsman’s Payment (Net) 167.58
Clerk’s Salary (Net) 628.20
Clerk’s Expenses 27.40
Ipstones & Foxt RBL – donation for cost of wreaths and Poppy Appeal – authorised under S 137 (Misc Payments) 200.00
Douglas Macmillan Hospice – donation – S137 (Misc Pymnts) 100.00
Ipstones Memorial Hall – for 3 x meetings 45.00
Ipstones Memorial Hall – Doctors Branch Surgeries 675.00
Grant Thornton – Audit Fee 240.00
D W Banks for Website updates 25.00
J Hooley for 2 x mows 620.00

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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

 

Accessibility by WAH