The Following minutes were approved at the meeting held on 16 June 2021
IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 7.30p.m.
in the main Hall at Ipstones Memorial Hall
Present: Councillors Mick Irwin, Leslie Jackson, Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair),
Howard Mycock, Brian Snow, Andrew Stevenson & Patrick Stimpson. The Clerk
and 4 Members of the public
Apologies: Councillor John Williams
Councillor Malyon thanked the Clerk for all the work and support during the last year which had been a difficult year with all the Lockdowns.
44/21 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman: It was proposed by Councillor Mycock
and seconded by Councillor Irwin for Councillor Malyon to remain as Chair and for
Councillor Stevenson to remain as Vice Chairman. Councillor Stevenson said that
someone else should have chance to be Vice Chair and proposed Councillor Leslie
Jackson to be Vice Chairman. This was seconded by Councillor Mycock. It was
agreed unanimously for Councillor Malyon to remain as Chairperson and for
Councillor Jackson to be Vice Chairman.
45/21. Dispensations: To agree ‘that a general dispensation be granted to all serving
members of Ipstones Parish Council, under Section (33)2 of the Localism Act 2011,
for the setting of the Annual Precept up until May 2023’
Councillor Malyon reported that Councillor Williams has advised that he is unable to
attend meeting for a while for personal reasons. It was proposed by Councillor
Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Snow to grant a dispensation to Councillor
Williams to allow him to miss attendance of meetings for up to five months. This
was agreed unanimously.
46/21 Declaration of Interests: It was agreed to take these as they arise.
Councillor Malyon moved to take agenda item 8. The Volunteer Group the
Wandering Wombles first.
47/21. Volunteer Group – The wandering Wombles: The Chair moved that Standing
Orders be suspended to allow the three members of the group present to speak.
Councillor Malyon thanked the Group for their ideas and the jobs they are doing in
the parish. A letter had been received from EH regarding the Flower tub at end of
Daisy Avenue and was read out and it was noted that a previous letter was a
personal letter and not from the volunteer group although she is a member of the
group. Other items discussed included: –
Watering of Flower Tubs – the volunteers reported that they have had some people
come forward to offer to care for some of the flower tubs. They suggested putting a
plea for volunteers on Ipstones online and to keep the Clerk informed of the list of
volunteers offering to care for tubs so that the parish council list can be updated.
Community Garden at Old School Court – NE thought that someone was attending to
the garden but the benches are in a terrible state. She added that there are two other
issues being the state of the path and not knowing which areas need planting as
some of the residents from the flats are putting plants in the flower beds. EH added
that Lafarge are no longer donating benches. Councillor Malyon advised that the
garden is responsibility of PDRH and that the parish council have been speaking to
them about the repairs that need doing. Councillor Stevenson agreed. Councillor
James commented that it is alright at the moment if volunteers care for the garden
but if in the future nobody can do this the PDRH may not want to take back the
responsibility of the garden. Councillor Mayon said that we need to see what PDRH
are going to suggest.
It was added that most things the Wandering Wombles have suggested have been
suggested before and that with their help we can achieve these things together.
The Wandering Wombles suggested that when the parish council need help with
certain things it might be better to put an appeal on Ipstones Online as well as on the
Noticeboard/Website.
Councillor Malyon explained that if the Wandering Wombles wish to put extra flower
tubs on roadside verges they would need the permission of the County Highways.
Speed Watch – Councillor Malyon advised that the volunteers who have done the
Speed Watch Scheme for many years are now unable to carryon and asked if this is
something some of the Wandering Wombles might be interested in taking on. They
agreed to put this in their Newsletter.
Bench at the end of Daisy Avenue – NE asked if they could replace this as they know
someone who is willing to buy a bench. It was agreed they could but also suggested
that it might only need the wooden slats replaced if someone was able to do this.
Noonsun Common – The wandering Wombles asked about making this into a picnic
area as it used to be many years ago. Councillor Malyon advised that Councillor
Stevenson has been suggesting doing something along these lines. Councillors
Stevenson and Snow said that no-one should dig down as it used to be a tip
many years ago, and we cannot be sure what is buried there. It was agreed that this
suggestion will need further discussion to plan a way forward.
The Chair thanked the representatives from the Wandering Wombles for coming
along and asked if they would keep in contact with the parish council about any
schemes they plan to do as it is hoped that we can work together.
Standing Orders were resumed.
On proposal by Councillor Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Jackson
it was agreed unanimously that the minutes of the remote meeting held on
Wednesday 28 April 2021 as being a true record.
48/21. Matters Arising
- Memorial Tree: The Clerk reported that Mrs P said she had seen in the minutes about the proposed Orchard and would be happy to sponsor 2 or 3 of fruit trees or a flower tub for 10 – 15 years. Following discussion, it was agreed to suggest a bench for the garden/orchard that is proposed for Froghall Road.
- Benches in Cemetery: It was noted that these have not been treated yet – but the weather had not been fit to do them.
- Old Fire Pump: Councillor Irwin reported that the CVR have said ‘no’ but cannot say yes at the moment. He said he will keep the council informed of any
- Potholes and Upheaval at bottom of Froghall Bank: It was agreed to chase up on these as they have not been done yet.
- Pothole near Churchside Barn: it was agreed to chase up on this as its getting worse.
- Manhole Cover near Churchside Barn on opposite side of road: Councillor Jackson agreed to look to see who the manhole cover belongs to.
- Trees, growing out of Lime Kilns, Froghall: Councillor Malyon said she would chase up on this to see who is responsible.
- Spring Bulbs – it was agreed to put this on a future agenda.
- Advertising Signs on Junction at Froghall: Councillor Stevenson said it is mainly a large ‘A’ Frame sign that blocks the vision for vehicles emerging from the B5053 onto the A52 at Froghall. It was agreed to ask the County Council if they can look.
- Millenium Arch: it was agreed to check with the Lengthsman to see if he would be able to treat the Arch with an oil, based preservative.
There were no planning applications in this month.
49/21. Correspondence
- A thankyou card had been received from Mr & Mrs L for the card and gift presented to them for the occasion of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
- Team Cheadle re Cheadle Community & Residents Questionnaire: Details of this were noted.
- Councillor Williams re Superfast Fibre Broadband: Councillor Willaims wished to add to what he reported at the April meeting. He said that he had had an informative conversation with the lady from Consall Forge about the process and it is quite a complicated one and would require quite a lot of commitment to the process to get it started and then to see it through to the end. One concern is that an individual or organisation would have to sign up as the ‘lead’, but then if someone dropped out before the process is completed, the ‘lead’ would be responsible for any short fall in costs. (If enough people committed to signing up and following the process through it could be a zero cost). It was agreed to speak to the lady from Consall Forge to see if she would like to attend a meeting or give an update.
- Foxt Village Hall Committee: A letter had been received regarding the grant that the parish council issues each year. On proposal by Councillor Snow and seconded by Councillor Stimpson it was agreed unanimously to issue the grant for the sum of £700.00 authorised under Section 19 – Miscellaneous Provisions, for the current financial year.
- Your Housing re Plot between 22 & 24 Froghall Road: It was noted that they are working on a draft proposed agreement and that it should be ready in 1 to 2 months.
- Unsigned letter received regarding alleged breach of planning matters for Hermitage Farm: Details of the letter were read out. It was agreed to refer to Planning Enforcement for investigation
- DougieMac & Donna Louise: It was noted that these two had now amalgamated.
- Keep Britain Tidy – Great British Spring Clean: details were noted.
- Other Circulars/bulletins etc
SPCA – Weekly Bulletins
SPCA – details of Training Courses available
50.21. Speed Watch: A letter had been received from Mr D, the Speed Watch
Co-ordinator in which it was noted that he and the other two volunteers would not
be able to carry on. Speed Watch had been discussed earlier in the meeting when
the Wandering Wombles were present. A letter of thanks is to be sent to the
retiring volunteers of all the work they have done over the years running and
operating the speed watch scheme.
51/21. Garage on Common Good Trust Field: Councillor Malyon reported that someone
has raised concerns regarding the garage. After discussion it was agreed that this is
a matter for the Common Good Trust Committee.
52/21. Quarterly Accounts Report (Quarter ended 31.03.2021): Members had each had a
copy of the report. Councillor Jackson checked the Bank Reconciliation against the
Bank Statements. It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson and seconded by
Councillor James to accept the quarterly account report as an accurate record. This
was agreed unanimously.
Agenda Items 13, 14 & 15 – relating to authorisation of Annual Accounts were
deferred to the June meeting.
53/21. Review of Representatives for outside bodies/organisations: The following was
agreed: –
School Trustees – Cllrs Andrew Stevenson & Mick Irwin
School Governor – Cllr Mike Irwin
Memorial Hall Committee – Cllr Heather James with Cllr Andrew Stevenson as reserve.
Foxt Village Hall Committee – Cllr Patrick Stimpson
Foxt Village Hall Trustees – Howard Mycock, Patrick Stimpson & John Williams.
Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly – Cllr Leslie Jackson & still vacant
Ipstones Common Good Trust – Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson,
Cllr Heather James and Leslie Jackson
Speed Watch Monitoring Officer – The Clerk
Financial Monitoring Officer (for checking cheques/invoices) – Cllr Brian Snow.
Ipstones Parish Action Group – it was agreed that as the Action Group is not
active at the moment there is no need for a representative.
Cheque Signatories – It was agreed unanimously for the following: –
Councillors Linda Malyon, Heather James, Andrew Stevenson, Patrick Stimpson
and the Clerk.
54/21. Mowing of Verges: It was noted that when the verges in Ipstones were recently
mown they had been left a mess, with bits being missed and the grass cuttings left
all over the road and pavements. It was agreed to write to the County Council with
a copy to Councillor Heath.
55/21. HGV’s travelling through Ipstones: Councillor Malyon reported that recently when
negotiating the narrow part of High Street, two lorries had hit each other, another
time a lorry nearly hit one properties garden wall and another huge lorry had had a
struggle to get through and asked if there is anyway the parish council could pay for
some kind of traffic calming. Councillor Irwin said there is no way that it can be
stopped. Councillor Stimpson suggested asking for a weight restriction on the canal
bridge in Froghall. Following discussion, it was agreed to write to the Canal and
River Trust to ask for their support for this request and to write to the County
Council with a copy to County Councillor Heath, and ask for a weight limit on the
bridge.
56/21. Highways: The following highway matters were reported: –
- Potholes & bumps in Froghall: it was agreed to chase up on these.
- Pulling out of Brookfields Road at bottom of village: It was noted that there is often a van parked on the verge (Froghall Road) which blocks the view of drivers emerging from Brookfields Road and that there is sometimes a van that is parked at the end of St Leonard’s Avenue that hinders the vision of drivers emerging from St Leonard’s Avenue. It was agreed to write to the Police about this.
57/21. Any other business deemed urgent: –
- Standing Orders were suspended to allow a member of the public present to raise a query. The query was why had the village boundary been moved at the end of Park Lane. Councillor Jackson responded that when the local plan was passed, they had moved the village boundary. The gentleman said it would not be a problem but for a planning application for a large property on small plot that had been added into the village boundary. Councillor Malyon responded that there is nothing that can be done about the village boundary.
- Excavation work in the garden of Rose Cottage, Foxt: Councillor Malyon reported that work had commenced for the dwelling that has planning permission in the garden of Rose Cottage, but the whole garden area had been excavated and not the area that was on the plan. This had resulted in the excavated area going up to the neighbour’s boundary. It was also noted that the excavated spoil is being dumped on land at Four Meadows Farm but there is no planning permission for this. Following discussion, it was agreed to write to the Planning enforcement and Approved Inspectors Ltd who are overseeing the Building Control of the development.
- No 44 Brookfields Road: it was noted that this property has recently changed ownership and that the new owners have erected a tall fence and seem to have built into the roof area and are allegedly using the property as a holiday let without change of use planning permission. It was agreed to write to Planning Enforcement with a copy to Ben Haywood.
- Public Toilets: Councillor James reported that the Memorial Hall Committee have been approached and asked if they would leave the toilets open for public use. She said that they are not keen to do this but might consider converting a storeroom if they could have a separate door so that people using the toilets do not have access to the rest of the Hall – but someone would have to open up/lock up and clean the toilets. Members of the council did not think that this would be a good idea as the toilets would be hidden away. It was agreed that we need to think about possible options/sites for providing public toilets in Ipstones.
- Face to face consultations at Doctors Surgeries: it was moved by Councillor Malyon to write to local Doctors’ Surgeries that service Ipstones parish to say that members of the parish council are very concerned that patients are not having access to ‘face to face’ appointments when they need them. This was agreed unanimously.
58/21. Accounts for payment: the following accounts were agreed for payment: –
| £ | |
| Trademart (Cheadle) for 6 half Oak Barrels | 108.00 |
| Lengthsman’s Pay (Net) | 235.20 |
| Lengthsman’s Expenses – mileage | 18.90 |
| Clerk’s Salary (net) | 630.00 |
| Clerk’s Expenses Inc round trip to Buxton to take Annual Accounts to Independent Internal Auditor |
26.77 |
| L Malyon – to reimburse from Chair Allow for card & gift for a Diamond Wedding anniversary |
33.75 |
| Trademart (Cheadle) for 3 half Oak Barrels | 54.00 |
| Foxt Village Hall – Grant – authorised under Section 19 – Miscellaneous Provisions |
700.00 |
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 16 June 2021
At 7.30 p.m. at Ipstones Memorial Hall (main Hall)