ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday June 1st, 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 E Bailey
In Attendance: 4 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
1 member of the press
Apologies: Councillor F Eyre
9.16 Visit from John Mason, Manager of Housing Policy and Standards SMDC
Mr Mason was introduced and he gave a short explanation of the role of affordable housing in rural areas. He suggested that a housing needs survey could help to identify local housing issues.
Councillor Ballard asked how many houses would be likely for a parish such as Alton. Mr Mason replied that it was likely that any such development would be very small – perhaps 2-5 houses in total. This led to a discussion regarding Headlands Way and the tight line around development in Alton. Councillor Forrester drew the Council’s attention to the high quality of these developments with reference to the one in Hollington.
There was then discussion around the plans for the Alverton Motel and a number of these properties being allocated as low cost housing. The number of council owned properties on Saltersford Lane was also discussed. Councillor Brindley asked whether the survey done by SRB which addressed housing needs had made its outcomes public. No one was aware of this.
The meeting was then adjourned for members of the public to comment.
A member of the public asked whether any such low cost housing would be allocated to SMDC, Moorlands Housing or another housing association. Councillor Forrester replied that there is now be a joint waiting list for SMDC and Moorlands Housing although he did not know how long this list is currently. Mr Mason also explained the proposed new system of choice based lettings which would be advertised.
The Chair asked Councillors whether a survey was appropriate. The consensus was that it was not felt to be necessary at this time, pending the development at the Alverton site.
Mr Mason was thanked for his attendance.
There was then some further discussion regarding Headlands Way
9.17 Minutes of the meeting held 11th May 2009
The minutes were signed as a true record.
9.18 Matters Arising
None
9.19 Alton Towers
Councillor Ballard commented that the noise over the weekend was still bad in
parts of the village. This led to a discussion on noise issues. Councillor Forrester agreed to follow the matter up with Ian Stewart at SMDC.
Councillor Cope mentioned that the plants promised by Alton Towers had not arrived yet. He agreed to chase the matter up again.
9.20 Footpaths
The Clerk was asked to chase the work due on Saltersford Lane and Toothill
Clerk to action
9.21 Village Hall
Councillor Snow reported that the Lottery Grant application decision is still pending.
There was a request for the income from the recycling to be allocated to the Village Hall. The Clerk replied that this income covers the cost of the waste collection from the cemetery.
Councillor Snow also reported that a grant for landscaping the edge of the field has been requested. There have been complaints about the growth of this area spreading weeds to neighbouring properties. One issue is access to the field for vehicles. There was a discussion regarding the gate from the PCT site. The grant applied for would include a sum of money to cover the equipment to maintain the area.
There was then a discussion regarding the completion of the toilet project.
It was also stated that the play area is a credit to the village.
9.22 Lengthsman
It was stated that the new lengthsman is doing a good job.
9.23 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Brindley reported that the PCT signs are still in progress with a bill to APC awaited. The ‘Give Way’ sign on Uttoxeter Road and the junction sign for New Road are both still in abeyance awaiting job reallocations.
Glynn Hook has made another site visit regarding Hurstons Lane streetlighting. The cost will be about £4500. Once the local elections are over, Councillor Brindley will look to the County Councillor for any grants available and look for some match funding from other sources.
A light at Battlesteads was reported as being lit in the day and off at night. This will be reported.
Councillor Cope reiterated the need for a sign at New Road. He also asked for action on the number of accidents between Battlesteads and Threapwood on the B5032. The Clerk was asked to write to JCB, Alton Towers and SCC on the matter. Clerk to action
Councillor Cope also spoke about the lack of pavement opposite the Village Hall. Councillor Moult stated that this had been discussed at a meeting at Ladderedge. The Clerk was asked to write to the owner of Grasmere to ask permission to release some land for pavement. Clerk to action
Councillor Hollins reported the collapsed grid outside the Village Hall carpark. Councillor Brindley replied that SCC were aware that the work needed doing but that there are no funds at the moment.
Councillor Brindley also mentioned that the gully grids up Battlesteads now have large holes. He requested a letter to Bill Cash and SCC on the matter Clerk to action
9.24 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester reported that the mowing was going well.
9.25 SPCA Correspondence
Nothing of note.
9.26 List of items to raise with Bill Cash M.P.
Councillors gave a list to the Clerk:
1. The road from Battlesteads towards Threapwood
2. Street lighting issues
3. Eastern Access to Alton Towers
4. Traffic through the village
5. Follow up action from the Public Meeting and meeting at Ladderedge
The Clerk will pass this on to Bill Cash and check his attendance at the next meeting.
Clerk to action
9.27 LDF Consultation for SMDC
An email response from Cllr Eyre was read to the Council. Councillors also consulted copies of the relevant sections of the document. It was agreed to support all the points made by Councillor Eyre. Councillors were asked to contact the Clerk with any additional comments to be added to the feedback which is due to SMDC by 19th June. The Clerk will meet with Councillor Eyre in order to complete the form after his return from holiday.
Clerk to action
Councillor Forrester declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
A member of the public stated that the playing field edge needs mowing and is not fit to play on. Access is needed.
Another member of the public offered to arrange mowing of the edge for nothing as long as access for a tractor could be given. This started a discussion on access to the filed. Councillor Snow agreed to follow up this generous offer. Councillor Brindley offered to speak to the PCT regarding access through their gate.
A member of the public commented that buses are hitting the hedge by Dimblecroft. Councillor Forrester agreed to follow this up.
Councillor Forrester also agreed to follow up the issue of sycamores growing through the electricity supply wires in the same area.
9.28 Planning and Licensing Applications
LG/09/00524/FUL, Side Conservatory, Ashley House, Saltersford Lane, Alton - no objection
WJOHNS/09/00510/FUL, Variation of Condition 2 of SM96-0755, Springfield Barn, Bradley Lane, Threapwood –the Council objected unanimously to any variation on this permission.
Written representations procedure information regarding appeal on Vyse House, High Street, Alton – noted by the Council Clerk to action
9.29 Planning Decisions
None
9.30 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• Supplementary Planning Document on Design – SMDC – this was felt to not be relevant to Alton
• For information only
• Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly Meeting 11th June 2009 - noted
9.31 Finance
• Sign off 2008/9 Accounts for Audit Commission after internal audit – The report from the internal auditor was read to the meeting. Councillor Moult proposed signing off the accounts, seconded by Councillor Brindley with all in favour. The Clerk will complete and send the documentation to the Audit Commission. Clerk to action
9.32 Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Net £ VAT £ Gross £
Uttoxeter Garden Machinery Lengthsman Equipment 45.47 6.82 52.29
Liz Court Expenses 52.90 7.94 60.84
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.17 0.00 274.17
P Hill Lengthsman 290.00 0.00 290.00
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,1st June 2009
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
