ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday May 11th, 2009
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.00pm
Present: Councillor I Cope
Councillor E Brindley
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
Councillor A Forrester
Councillor A Snow
Councillor F Eyre
In Attendance: 7 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
1 member of the press
Apologies: Councillor E Bailey
Visit from Mr M Green of SMDC
The Chair welcomed Mr Green and thanked him for attending the meeting. Mr Green started by explaining the context of the various agreements in place between SMDC and Alton Towers. He then expanded to explain s. 52 and s.106 agreements. He agreed that the validity of these agreements is unclear and has not been tested. A new planning document is in the process of being looked at and is likely to be in draft before the end of this year. Consultations will take place and give an opportunity for the Public and the Parish Council to be involved in planning for this site.
The meeting was then opened for Councillors to ask questions:
Councillor Moult queried legal validity of the 1988 document and asked against whom any legal action on this matter would be taken against.
Mr Green replied that action regarding non compliance would be taken against SMDC. This led into a discussion of the permitted development zone, oral and visual intrusion.
Councillor Brindley asked about the £50,000 allocated to traffic management which had reportedly been allocated to buildings instead.
Mr Green replied that £50,000 would be spent on traffic management. This led to a discussion on the woodland strategy and woodland management.
Councillor Ballard asked why local feeling had not been taken into account when a planning decision was made about the new woodland ride.
Mr Green replied that consultation had been with a wide range of professionals and that public opinion does not determine planning decisions.
Councillor Ballard asked about the Council’s opinion on a relief road.
Mr Green stated that SMDC’s LDF does retain an aspiration for a relief road.
Further to a question from Councillor Cope, there was then a discussion on the matter of the PDZ and the planning application for the woodland ride. This moved to a discussion on Conservation areas more generally and woodland management.
Councillor Moult reminded Mr Green of the history of the build up of the site and the inadequacy of local roads to cope with the level of traffic.
Mr Green encouraged the Council to become involved in the process by speaking to SMDC on issues with Alton Towers and by responding to the consultations on the LDF. Councillor Snow pointed out that representations in the past had been ignored. Mr Green replied that local opinions are important but not the main reason for planning decisions. There was then a discussion on members of the planning committee and how decisions are made.
The meeting was then adjourned for the public to ask questions and make comments to Mr Green:
A member of the public asked about a traffic survey in the village. Mr Green replied that the £50,000 will be spent on traffic monitoring.
A member of the public discussed the archaeology of the area and the decision made in principle prior to the report being received from English Heritage. Mr Green explained how these consultations are monitored.
A member of the public commented that many of the trees had died recently and that this was connected to the water extraction for the Hotel site. Mr Green replied that Mr S Massey would be the person to speak to on Woodland Management.
A member of the public asked how the s.106 agreement for £80,000 Woodland Management was monitored. Mr Green confirmed that such agreements are actively policed.
A member of the public asked whether the Council had the authority to impose a road condition to granting of future planning applications. Mr Green confirmed that this could take place but only by agreement not by imposition.
Councillor Brindley commented on SCC’s stance. Mr Green replied that if SCC came to SMDC and objected to planning applications on the grounds of access, then this would open the door to restricting planning based on highway access. Councillor Brindley commented that perhaps the Parish Council should pursue SCC on this matter.
A member of the public asked about the pecuniary threat of appeals determining planning decisions. Mr Green replied that if SMDC were deemed to have acted unreasonably, then costs could run very high for the council.
A member of the public asked whether minutes of the planning committee are published.
A member of the public asked about planning on The Lord Shrewsbury. Mr Green asked the member of the public to contact him on the matter as he could not answer the query without the paperwork.
A member of the public asked about the update from Councillor Mycock. Councillor Moult confirmed that there had been two follow up meetings since including regarding traffic monitoring.
Thanks were extended to Mr Green for attending.
Annual General Meeting
1. Election of Chairman Councillor Moult proposed Councillor Eyre, seconded by Councillor Forrester. All in favour and accepted by Councillor Eyre. Councillor Eyre then thanked Councilllor Moult for his sterling work over many years as Chair.
2. Election of Vice Chairman Councillor Moult proposed Councillor Forrester seconded by Councillor Cope. All in favour and accepted by Councillor Forrester.
3. Election of other posts – Highways and Road Safety, Cemetery, Footpaths and Environmental Issues, Parish Safety, Alton Village Hall, Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly, Alton Towers Liaison Committee and election of Councillors with authority to sign Parish Council Cheques
It was agreed that the current positions would stand with one amendment. Councillor Snow will look at Environmental issues in addition to Alton Village Hall instead of Councillor Bailey.
Minutes of Council Meeting
9.1 Minutes of the meeting held 6th April 2009
The minutes were signed as a true record.
9.2 Matters Arising
• Letter from John Pointon and Sons Ltd on the matter of The Lord Shrewsbury read to the meeting
9.3 Alton Towers
• Active traffic Management – the Council are willing to support this again this year, but only for the ‘schools week’ Clerk to action
• Copy correspondence on noise issues – noted. The clerk was asked to contact Alton Towers for the time scale in resolving the issue Clerk to action
• Response re overnight parking – noted. Councillor Ballard said that she would ask PCSO Tonks to monitor the situation.
• Update re Third Hotel Press Coverage and invitation to exhibition of Long Term Development Plan in June – noted.
9.4 Footpaths
Councillor Cope noted that no work had been done on Toothill and that the water was still an issue on Saltersford Lane. The Clerk was asked to contact Severn Trent again as a matter of urgency. Clerk to action
Councillor Forrester reported an issue with Japanese Knotweed on Satlersford Lane. The resident reporting the matter had been in touch with the authorities and Councillor Forrester will also follow this matter up. There was some discussion on the best way to eradicate this pest.
9.5 Village Hall
Councillor Snow reported that the next meeting would take place the next week. The funding application from the lottery commission is still awaiting a response.
9.6 Lengthsman
• A request from a parishioner to have the verges cut along Dimble Lane opposite Vicarage Row and up towards Glen Drive was noted.
Councillor Forrester reported that a Mr P. Hill from Glen Drive had applied for the position and after consultation with the Chair, had been taken on a temporary basis. He has submitted a bill for April. Councillor Forrester declared that he was happy to provide liaison with the Lengthsman and all Councillors agreed.
Councillor Forrester also alerted the meeting to the upcoming litter picks He asked that all Councillors make an effort to attend. Councillor Forrester will ask Alton Towers to do the main road at the same time.
Councillor Cope reported that he had contacted Mark Kerrigan re plants for the boxes and that Mr Kerrigan had confirmed that Alton Towers would provide these again this year. Councillor Cope offered to keep the plants and distribute them when they arrive.
9.7 Highways and Road Safety
• A quotation for the additional lighting column on Hurstons Lane was read to the meeting. It was felt to be very high and too much for the Parish Council to justify. The Clerk was asked to query the figures and to ask for a site visit again.
Clerk to action
Councillor Brindley reported that the Ladderedge depot was in the process of being reorganised and it was more difficult to chase matters at the moment.
• Signs for the PCT – still ongoing
• New Road – signs are being looked into
• Give Way on Uttoxeter Road – this process seems to need restarting
• Clearing gullies – will be done although no date given. Councillor Mycock is in the process of trying to co-ordinate road sweeping and gully clearing
• Councillor Brindley reported that he had spoken to Councillor Mycock about the traffic survey carried out on Uttoxeter Road. Results are awaited. The survey was looking at pedestrians with a view to a pedestrian crossing on Uttoxeter Road.
9.8 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester reported that the maintenance was carrying on and there were no major problems. Councillor Moult asked whether the ‘keep clear’ white line could be re-instated by the end of the Hurstons’ path and extended up to keep the lychgate clear. The previous line had not been replaced after resurfacing. The Clerk was asked to contact Highways to request this. Clerk to action
9.9 SPCA Correspondence
Nothing this month of significance
9.10 Risk Assessment for approval of the Council
Councillors reviewed the policy and it was formally accepted. Councillor Mould proposed acceptance, seconded by Councillor Forrester and all were in favour.
9.11 Planning and Licensing Applications
Replacement garage with holiday let on first floor, Newton Cottage Cheadle Road, Alton LG/09/00283/FUL Councillor Forrester declared an interest and withdrew from discussions. After much discussion, it was decided to object to this application on the grounds of access, road safety and overdevelopment. Clerk to action
9.12 Planning Decisions
Two storey rear and first floor side extension, Peakstones Farm, Cheadle Road, Alton 09/00097/FUL Granted
Change of use of brick byre to residential. Part demolition and refurbishment of existing barns, Freedom Farm, Cheadle Road, Alton, 09/00103/FUL Refused
Two Storey rear Extension, Oak House, Saltersford Lane, Alton 09/00183/FUL Refused
Conservatory to Front and Side Elevation, 2 Newton Cottages, Newton Lane, Alton Road, Threapwood, 09/00134/FUL Refused
1. Letters re Unauthorised Detached Building at Fair View, Battlesteads, Alton – read to the meeting. The Clerk was asked to contact the department to make sure that the Council’s objections were kept on file and to ask for any updates. Clerk to action
2. Notification of Enforcement Appeal re Vyse House, High Street, Alton – read to the meeting.
9.13 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• William Cash M.P. The Clerk was requested to ask him to visit in July. The matter is to be added to the next Agenda to put together a list of items to raise.
Clerk to action
• SMDC LDF – For consultation – FE to review – deadline for Consultation 19th June. Clerk to put on the next Agenda Clerk to action
• For information only
• Neighbourhood recycling income notification
• SCC - copy of Strategic Plan 2009-2012 – FE to review
• Equality and Human Rights commission – info on public sector duties
• Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly - next meeting 11th June 7.00pm
• Notice of alteration to register of electors
• SMDC – Sustainable Communities – Invitation to make proposals
9.14 Finance
• Audit documentation received for 2008/09 – Accounts to auditor on 14th May
• Income from SMDC - £198.28 Recycling and £400.00 for Lengthsman Scheme
9.15 Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Gross £ VAT £ Net £
Times and Echo Annual Parish Meeting advert 8.39 0.00 8.39
Allianz Insurance 571.57 0.00 571.57
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.17 0.00 274.17
E Bailey Expenses 52.16 7.82 59.98
P. Hill Lengthsman 72.00 0.00 72.00
P. Hill Expenses 54.63 0.00 54.63h
Councillor Moult proposed payment, Councillor Brindley seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,11th May 2009
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
