IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the remote telephone conference meeting on Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 7.00p.m.
Present: Councillors Mike Irwin, Leslie Jackson, Heather James, Howard Mycock,
Andrew Stevenson (Chaired the meeting), Patrick Stimpson, Johns Williams &
the Clerk
Apologies: Councillors Linda Malyon & Brian Snow
Dispensations: None received
Declaration of Interests: it was agreed to take these as the arise.
14/21. Matters Arising
- Quote of painting Bier Shed: it was noted that the quote had not included painting/treating the three benches in the Cemetery. The Lengthsman said he will forward a separate quote of these.
- Sir Bill Cash MP re GP Appointments: Councillor Williams said that he thinks that Some GP practices are being used to carryout minor procedures and that some services are being outsourced to local GP practices.
- Staffordshire Moorlands Annual Parish Assembly: Councillor Jackson reported that he had joined the last meeting and that the District Council have a scheme whereby up to 15 parishes can apply to plant an orchard, of between 20 & 40 trees, the cost would be around £500, of which the parish council would have to pay half. Several locations were suggested for an orchard. It was proposed by Councillor Irwin and seconded by Councillor Jackson to register an interest in the scheme. This was agreed unanimously.
- Old Fire Pump: Councillor Irwin reported that he has spoken to Churnet Valley Railway and they have asked for more information such as size etc. It was agreed to arrange for Councillor Irwin to look at the Old Fire Pump and at the same time to get details of the make/serial number for valuation purposes.
- Manhole Cover, Froghall: The Clerk said this had been reported but was not sure if it had been dealt with. Councillor Stevenson said he could not tell as the problem only occurs when there is heavy rain.
- Name signs for Berkhamsytch: The Clerk reported that the County Council have said they cannot find any historical evidence of the signs. Councillor Williams asked if there are any of the residents had any photos. The Clerk said she thought that Councillor Malyon has asked one of the residents about photos.
- Broken Flower Tubs: The Clerk reported that she has looked on the internet and could not find any plastic tubs of the size required but reported that The Nursery at Old Hall will be going to the Wholesaler in early March so they will look if they have any brown plastic flower tubs. Councillor Stevenson said there is a shop in Cheadle that has the wooden half barrels for £25. It was agreed to see what if The Nursery at Old Hall find anything at the Wholesalers.
- Dog Fouling: Councillor James said that someone has told her that Waterhouses PC have put a notice on their Website about Dog fouling and asked if we could do the same. It was agreed to do this.
It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Irwin to approve the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 20 January 2021 as being a true record. This was agreed unanimously.
15/21. Plans: The following planning applications had been received: –
SMD/2021/0052 Existing agricultural track widened and improved to 3 metre wide
hardcore Service Pathway for improved access from the main zoo to existing
storage barns at peak Wildlife Park. Including alteration to original farm entrance
to suit improved access (retrospective) at Peak Wildlife Park, Winkhill. Following a
discussion it was proposed by Councillor Irwin and seconded by Councillor Mycock
to support this application. This was agreed unanimously.
SMD/2021/0054 Proposed double garage and garden machinery/log store at Four
Meadows Farm, Foxt Road, Foxt. Councillor Stimpson declared an interest in this
application and did not take part in the discussion or decision on the application.
Following a discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Williams and seconded by
Councillor Irwin to support the application. This was carried with six votes in
favour.
SMD/2020/0684 Residential development (49 dwellings), including formation of
new access, landscaping and associated works, and restoration of listed farmhouse
and re-use as a dwelling house at Hadleigh Industrial Estates Ltd, Froghall Wharf,
Froghall Road, Froghall. (This is classed as a major planning application with a 13
week determination period).
SMD/2020/0685 Listed building application in connection with the Farmhouse in
the above application. Councillor Stevenson moved to have a general chat
about the application and then to make the decision at the March meeting to allow
time to obtain a paper copy of the plan. Some comments made were: –
- That it is a brown field site (AS)
- The other site opposite has been tidied up (HM)
- If the application is approved, building houses on the site will prevent the Canal & River Trusts plans to join the canal to the Uttoxeter Canal. (PS)
- Leaves no access to the Canal (JW)
- Concerns about the contamination of the site (HM)
- Potential flooding (AS)
- That the site is not on the local plan for residential development and there are not facilities for 49 houses (PS)
- The proposed accesses to the site are not good (AS)
- Near to a Heritage Site – Lime Kilns and Canal Basin (PS)
- Contamination & Flooding (LJ)
- The place is a mess – what is the alternative (MI)
Councillor Stevenson suggested that members have a walk round the edge of the site before the next meeting.
16/21. Correspondence
- Mr S, & Mr & Mrs C Foxt re path at Foxt: Councillor Stevenson moved that both these letters be copied for each member and then to discuss at the next meeting.
- The Planning Inspectorate re decision on path at Foxt: It was agreed to photocopy this for each member.
- Staffordshire County Council re Grit Piles: The reply stated that the piles located on corner by St Leonard’s Church; near The Grove, 5 Church Lane & Shay Lane Foxt had all been missed off the digital mapping when being transferred from the paper copies. Arrangements have been made to update the digital maps. They advised that the pile on Belmont Road (Near the junction) may not be topped up as it is on a gritting route.
- Staffordshire Moorlands District Council re Dog Fouling: The reply stated that they will be actioning our request for the Dog Warden to visit.
- Information Commissioner’s Office re renewal of registration (GDPR): Confirmation that they had received payment of the fee for the next 12 months and the certificate was enclosed.
- Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly: Notification of the February meeting had been received. Councillor Jackson had joined the meeting and said it was mainly about climate change and planting orchards.
- Mr H re landslides on a path near Froghall: Details of the email were noted and Mr H’s concerns that if there are further landslides, they could affect the B5053 were noted. It was agreed to inform the County Highways of these concerns and ask them to investigate.
- Department of Health & Social Care (Via Sir Bill Cash): Details of the letter were noted. Councillor James said she still has concerns about getting face to face appointments with a Doctor but said that the local surgeries are doing a marvellous job in rolling out the Covid-19 vaccination programme and proposed that a letter be forwarded to the local newspapers thanking all the local Doctors’ practices for their work in rolling out the vaccination programme. This was seconded by Councillor Stevenson and carried unanimously.
- Western Power re tree works at Noonsun Common: The email advised that they wish to cut small branches/ivy away from electricity wires. It was agreed to give permission for these works.
- Canal & River Trust re Cherryeye Bridge: The email advised that their asset engineers are regularly checking the bridge which is being monitored as part of their programme of works but they are currently confident that the bridge does not require any restructure or renovation works. They said that there is no movement of the crack itself and it is not affecting the integrity of the bridge itself.
- Chairman to Kingsley Parish Council re the former Thomas Bolton’s Copper Works Site at Froghall: It was noted that they have concerns that Graffiti has started to appear at various locations on the site and there is clearly some risk to property within the site. He said that he has concerns for the safety of those trespassing on the site, which is often under the cover of darkness, when there is a very real risk of serious injury. He is going to suggest to Kingsley PC that they write to the site owners and/or the Health & Safety Executive. It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Williams to write to the people he suggests. This was agreed unanimously.
- Calor re Calor Rural Community Fund: It was noted that this opens to applications on Wednesday 10 March.
- Census (21 March 2021): details of this were noted.
- Staffordshire Moorlands District Council re Car Parking Strategy Consultation: Details of the email were noted.
- Staffordshire County Council re Staffordshire Dignity Care Awards 2021: Details were noted.
- Staffordshire Lieutenancy re volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic: Details of the letter sere noted. Councillor James said it would be difficult to nominate an individual as many people have been doing a lot on the quiet.
- Staffordshire Moorlands District Council re grant funding available to improve community facilities for people with disabilities: Details of this were noted. Councillor James advised that the Memorial Hall are looking into this.
- Staffordshire Moorlands District Council re Wildfire Public Spaces Protection Order: details of this were noted.
- Live & Local – Community Arts during Lockdown and subsidised outdoor performances: this was noted.
17/21. Memorial Tree (Foxt): The Clerk reported that originally this was going to go in the
new Churchyard in Foxt. Councillor Mycock said that this was not going ahead
now. It was agreed to carry forward to a future agenda as there needs a site visit
to look round to see where the memorial tree can go.
18/21. Mower Servicing: The Clerk reported that she had contacted two firms, but one
firm would be unable to do anything for a least a month. It was agreed to go with
the Countrystore.
19/21. Summer Planting: The Clerk had spoken to The Nursery at Old Hall about different
types of plants including Bee friendly. Councillor James said it would be nice to
have some different coloured plants and said how nice the yellow /orange plants
were at Cheadle last year. It was noted that Cheadle Town Council have someone
water and attend to the plants on a regular basis. The Nursery at Old Hall said that
begonias are the most resilient in all types of weather but there is a biannual shrub
type plant that has yellow flowers later in the summer, that could be planted in the
centre of each tub, but it would cost more initially. It was agreed to have begonias
with lobelias round the edge the same as last year. It was agreed to put a notice in
the Church Magazine asking for people to adopt a tub to water.
20/21. Highways
- Potholes, Park Lane: Councillor Mycock report that there are several potholes where the water lies on Park Lane. It was agreed to report these.
- Foxt Bank: It was noted that there are cracks appearing on the bank again. Councillor Williams said that when he was talking to the Highways Engineer last year, he had said that every time they put more tarmac down to repair the bank it makes it heavier and then it moves more. He said it needs pinning from the sides. It was agreed to report this.
- Pothole near Churchside Barn, Church Lane, Ipstones: it was agreed to report this.
- Coley Hole Bridge: Councillor Jackson reported that road surface on bridge is very rough with humps of solid tarmac in the middle and potholes. This is to be reported.
- Water on Froghall Bank: Councillor James said that the water that drains form the fields is very dangerous when it freezes as the ice builds up and even when it’s gritted the ice is too thick to melt. The problem is especially dangerous in the early mornings. There is also a problem on the flat going into Ipstones. She said that Highways need to look at what can be done to alleviate the situation. It was agreed to write to Highways.
21/21. Any other business deemed urgent: no issues raised.
22/21. Accounts for payment: On proposal by Councillor Stevenson and seconded by
Councillor James it was agreed unanimously to authorise the following accounts for
payment: –
| £ | |
| Lengthsman’s pay (Net) | 235.20 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses (42 miles @ 0.45p) | 18.90 |
| Clerk’s Salary (Net) | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses inc stationery & Whypay invoice | 32.11 |
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………e The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 24 March 2021 commencing at 7.00p.m. with the Annual Parish Assembly which will be followed by the normal meeting.
It was agreed that the final items be treated as CONFIDENTIAL.