ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday April 6th, 2009
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.45pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor E Brindley
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
Councillor A Forrester
Councillor A Snow
Councillor F Eyre
In Attendance: 9 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
1 member of the press
Apologies: Councillor I Cope
8.153 Minutes of the meeting held 2nd March 2009
The minutes were signed as a true record.
8.154 Matters Arising
• Confirmation of visit from SMDC Housing department to meeting on June 1st
• Public Liability Insurance update re Lengthsman was given. It was reported that the person who had been interested in the position was no longer available to do the work. Therefore it was agreed that advertisements would be placed in local papers to recruit someone to cover the position for the rest of the year at the same hourly rate currently being paid to the Lengthsman for approximately 10 hours a week.
• The Clerk was asked to chase the matter of a site visit regarding the streetlight at Hurstons Lane. It was agreed in principle by the council that they would consider paying for this light if necessary.
• Councillor Forrester requested another letter to be sent on the matter of the streetlight on Knight Lane.
8.155 Alton Towers
There were no matters to be raised this month in addition to those already on the agenda.
8.156 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey reported a phone call from Paul Rochfort on the matter of the Toothill footpath. The work required is due to be completed as soon as possible.
Two stiles on Footpath 15 are broken. Mr Wint has offered to take out the stiles and put in gates as the stiles were harder to get over.
Councillor Ballard reported that the stile near Wood Farm is very high and hard to get over. Councillor Bailey agreed to look into this.
Councillor Snow reported that cows have been roaming on Saltersford Lane again. She reported that there was a potential danger to the public as a result.
Councillor Forrester asked whether there had been any problem with water on the lane. Councillor Snow reported that there was water running below Saltersford Cottage even in dry weather and that the flags are lifting. The Clerk was asked to write to Severn Trent on the matter. Clerk to action
Councillor Ballard asked Councillor Forrester about the scum on the River Churnet visible from red Road. Councillor Forrester agreed to ask Environmental Health to look into it.
8.157 Village Hall
Councillor Snow reported that a meeting had been held the previous week. An application for a lottery grant has been completed and another potential grant has been identified for village projects which could amount to about £2500. The committee intend to apply for this in order to use the money for landscaping and equipment. Councillor Brindley remarked that when money was allocated to the village hall, one of the priorities was the upgrading of the toilets. This has still not been done and now there appear to be other priorities. His personal view is that the toilets should remain a priority as the rpice will keep increasing the longer the work is delayed. Councillor Snow agreed to put this forward to the committee as Village Hall representative on the Parish Council. Councillor Forrester added that the Village Hall did get a small grant from SMDC towards the work on the toilets. He felt that if necessary, the work should be done with the help of a loan or the work will continue to get more expensive.
8.158 Lengthsman
Nothing further added to the earlier discussion.
8.159 Highways and Road Safety
• Street lighting on Knight Lane - clarification of the current position was given
• Email regarding Street lighting on Hurstons Lane was discussed
• Notification of Temporary Road Traffic Regulation at Greendale Lane, Highshutt read to the meeting
• Councillor Ballard reported that the Red Road surface is breaking up. Councillor Brindley added that so are Town Head, Back Lane and Cheadle Road. Councillor Moult reported that some work has been done on Station Bank.
• Councillor Brindley informed the meeting that the cleaning of the grids is now a category C job. It will be done within two weeks.
• The signs down New Road and for the Surgery are still pending
• Councillor Forrester stated that he has mentioned the problems with Gladstone terrace name sign and also reported that he has spoken with Barrie Mycock to help co-ordinate gully emptying and road sweeping.
8.160 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester had nothing to report.
8.161 Best Kept Village Competition 2009
Responsibility for co-ordinating BKV was discussed. No one has been forthcoming with offers to help. It was agreed that the entry be withdrawn and that the litterpicks would go on as planned. Councillor Snow announced that her family would ‘adopt’ the Denstone Lane planter.
8.162 SPCA Correspondence
Nothing of importance to report
8.163 Planning and Licensing Applications
Two storey rear extension, Oak House, Saltersford Lane, Alton, AHOPLY/09/00183/FUL - no objections
Conservatory to front and side elevation, 2 Newton Cottages, Newton Lane, Alton Road, Threapwood, - no objections providing the work is in keeping.
Clerk to communicate
8.164 Planning Decisions
Steel framed building for equipment, feed and bedding storage, Little Meadow Farm, Cheadle Road, Alton, LG/09/00166/PNOT_1 Granted
Detached Double Garage, Ashley House, Saltersford Lane, Alton, 09/00130/FUL Granted
Covered Shelter in rear playground, St Peters School, 09/00094/FUL Granted
Erection of two dwellings, Town Head Farm Barn, Alton, 09/00030/FUL Granted
8.165 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• Commercial Waste Service Charges 2009-10
• Email on intrusive noise from Alton Towers
• Email regarding Drainage Easement from Eric Whitehead Solicitors
• Reply from Bill Cash MP re funding
• For information only
• Appointment of Local Authority Governor at St Peter’s School
• Documentation from the Dogs Trust
• Community Council of Staffordshire – Membership application/renewal
• Update of register of electors
• Update on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Waste Core Strategy
• SPCA Newsletter
• Copy of objection to planning application for replacement rollercoaster from a parishioner
• SMDC – Professional Development
• Reply from John Taylor of SCC to letters on democratic process
8.166 Finance
Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Gross £ VAT £ Net £
Iain Mackenzie Removal of Eucalyptus tree 240.00 36.00 276.00
CAT Security Systems CCTV maintenance contract renewal 395.00 59.25 454.25
Cheadle and Tean Times Advert for Public Meeting 25.19 0.00 25.19
SPCA Subscriptions for 209/2010 345.00 0.00 345.00
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.17 0.00 274.17
Councillor Eyre proposed payment, Councillor Forrester seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
8.167 Any Other Business
It was suggested that the steps down from the Church needed a railing. Councillor Forrester confirmed that this would be a PCC matter. There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,6th April 2009
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
