ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday July 6th, 2009
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.00pm
Present: Councillor I Cope
Councillor F Eyre
Councillor E Brindley
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
Councillor A Forrester
Councillor E Bailey
In Attendance: 9 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Mr Steve Massey of SMDC
Apologies: Councillor P Ballard
Councillor A Snow
9.33 Visit from Steve Massey, Trees and Woodlands Officer from SMDC
Mr Massey was introduced and he gave a short explanation of his role and the background to the Ancient Woodland registered areas around Alton Towers. He also discussed the recent upkeep of the wooded areas and the proposed work for the new ride that extends into the wooded area. Councillors asked questions regarding clearing, the ongoing woodland management commitments from Alton Towers.
The meeting was then adjourned for members of the public to comment.
A member of the public asked whether there was monitoring of the spend of the allocated monies towards woodland management from Alton Towers and Mr Massey explained that an annual report is made, but also that he meets regularly with the gardening teams. Mr Massey agreed to clarify whether the comment made by English Heritage that AT are liable for the woodlands as part of the gardens was the case and whether this meant that Alton Towers are legally obliged to maintain them as such. Mr Massey agreed that SMDC do independently check surveys carried out on behalf of Alton Towers regarding noise and visual impact. Mr Massey agreed to ask Alton Towers if it would be possible to arrange a walk around to look at the site and the trees in question with Mr Massey, Alton Towers staff and Councillors.
The Chair thanked Mr Massey very much for attending and for all the information that he had given.
9.34 Minutes of the meeting held 6th July 2009
The minutes were signed as a true record.
9.35 Matters Arising
Councillor Brindley asked that the matter of the street light on the Hurstons be kept on the agenda. Councillor Mycock has been unable to secure any funding for this so far, but he will continue to look for funding.
Councillor Brindley also announced that the playing fields had been mowed as discussed.
9.36 Uprating of sewage pipes by Severn Trent Water
Councillor Eyre gave a history regarding the lifting of the manholes with raw sewage. He asked a member of the public to give a more full account of the current situation at the lane by Alton Bridge. This led to a discussion about te various option and resulted in the Clerk being asked to contact Severn Trent to ask someone to attend the Parish Council meeting in September to give an update on action to be taken. Clerk to action
9.37 Bill Cash visit for August meeting
It was agreed that the list refined from the public meeting along with the list on the previous minutes and the addition of zebra crossing on Smithy Bank constituted a full list of the issues to be raised.
9.38 Alton Towers
Councillor Eyre gave details regarding 106 agreements in general and emails from SPCA and NALC were read to the meeting. Councillor Forrester was asked whether he received quarterly reports on the 106 obligations. He replied that he was not and that he would follow up this matter. The Clerk was asked to request under the Freedom of Information Act from SCC/SMDC details of all current 106 agreements in force with Alton Towers.
Clerk to action
9.39 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey reported that Toothill had been hard-cored and improved. A pipe through the wall has also been promised.
He also reported a lot of overgrown vegetation along Saltersford Lane. Someone will cut this back but there has been no timescale given.
Councillor Hollins left at this point.
9.40 Village Hall
A letter from the Village Hall Committee was read to the meeting and the chair of the committee explained the reason for the request. After some discussion and clarification, all Councillors were asked whether they were happy for invoices to be paid by the Parish Council up to the value of monies still held for expenditure on the Village Hall (£5672.00 net of VAT) for the refurbishment of the toilets. All Councillors present agreed.
Councillor Cope also raised the matter of the playing field mowing forming part of the agreement with the usage by the football team. He stated that this upkeep was undertaken as part of the pitch use. It was stated that the mower previously used for this had broken down and the funding was being sought for a replacement. In the meantime a neighbour had done the work as stated earlier.
9.41 Lengthsman
Councillor Forrester reported on the work done and in progress. It was agreed that some clearing should be done down Limekiln Bank in the autumn. The bottom of Horse Road and the path to the Talbot should also be cut back. Councillor Brindley asked whether the litter-pickers could go out with weed killer. Councillor Forrester asked whether the Lengthsman could do this. Councillor Cope reported that one of his neighbours had gone out and cleared areas and asked if the Parish Council could thank those who are doing this work. It was agreed that the Parish Council expressed their thanks to any resident who has contributed to this work.
Councillor Moult reported that the hedges across the Hurston Lane were very overgrown. The Clerk was asked to write to the owner of Grasmere on this matter again.
Clerk to action
9.42 Highways and Road Safety
Signing for the PCT. A letter detailing the cost was read to the meeting. All agreed to pay this item.
A letter from Highways acknowledging gully grids problems in Battlesteads was read to the meeting.
Councillor Brindley reported on the following:
• Pothole on Back lane –reported
• The road surface on New Road and Station Bank is very poor
• The hedge in the field opposite Limekiln Lane is very bad. The Clerk was asked to write to the owner at The Gables. Clerk to action
• It was asked whether the ditch between St Peters and Headlands Way to the Sycamore Tree could be piped. The Clerk was asked to write to SCC Highways to investigate. Clerk to action
• The ‘Give Way’ sign for Uttoxeter Road is still awaited, as is the dangerous junction sign for Station Bank. There was some discussion regarding the dangerous road sign.
• Councillor Cope raised the problem of accidents at Spring Corner and more generally along the road between Threapwood and Battlesteads. The Clerk was asked to write to the police to get figures for the number of reported accidents along this stretch under the Freedom of Information Act. Clerk to action
• Councillor Brindley reported that patching was ongoing.
• A letter from a resident was read to the meeting regarding hedging overhanging the highway. It was suggested and agreed that a letter be sent to the Highways department, copied to the landowner and a letter to the resident concerned.
Clerk to action
9.43 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester reported that the mowing was to a satisfactory standard.
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
A member of the public asked that grass cuttings not be placed in the Village Hall refuse but be added to the cemetery waste. Councillor Forrester replied that the removal of waste was an issue with so much growth. He will ask the Lengthsman to avoid placing it in the Village Hall bins.
A member of the public asked for clarification regarding SatNav routes, The Clerk updated the meeting on this matter.
A member of the public asked whether it was appropriate to invite a prospective candidate for the ward to attend the August meeting with Mr Cash. It was felt that this could be interpreted as political bias and it was decided not to do so.
A member of the public asked whether the verges up the High Street towards Town Head could be kept down. Councillor Forrester replied that it would add to the hours worked by the Lengthsman but that he felt it was money well spent. It was agreed to ask to Lengthsman to do this work including the border. Councillor Forrester agreed to pass this request onto the Lengthsman.
9.44 Planning and Licensing Applications
WJOHNS/09/00591/FUL, Two storey side extension, Weavers View, Gallows Green
Councillor Forrester declared an interest and withdrew from discussions. No objections
WJOHNS/09/00633/PNOT_3, Excavation of 3m deep hole, Holbrook Farm, Denstone Lane, Alton
No objections
LG/09/00538/LBC and LG/09/00537/FUL, demolition of fire escape and shelter and erection of new, The Bull’s Head Inn, High Street, Alton
No objections
LG/09/00236/LBC, Listed Building Consent – single storey extension, Dimble Cottage, Dimble Lane, Alton
No objections – as long as the work is in-keeping with the surroundings
WJOHNS/09/00527/FUL, Two storey rear extension, Oak House, Saltersford Lane, Alton
No objections
WJOHNS/09/00549/FUL, Detached dwelling, alterations to access and demolition of outbuildings, Land Off High Street, Alton
No objections although concerns expressed over access
SLW/09/00595/PNOT_1, Grain Storage, Ashlea Farm, Bradley Lane, Threapwood
No objections Clerk to action
9.45 Planning Decisions
09/00283/FUL, Replacement garage with holiday let on first floor, Newton Cottage, Cheadle Road, Alton, Refused Noted by the Council
08/01990/FUL-MJ, Erection of 16 No. 2 bedroom starter homes, The Alverton Hotel, Denstone Lane, Alton, Refused Noted and discussed by the council who were surprised that it had been refused especially in the light of discussions regarding affordable housing in the village.
9.46 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• Phone call from Jean Seddon regarding 32a bus - the Clerk gave details regarding this matter. The Council were aware of the issues from local press coverage and it was decided that the Clerk was to write to the bus company regarding the unreliability of the service.
• For information only
• Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly Meeting minutes and newsletters
• SMDC Locality Working update
9.47 Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Net £ VAT £ Gross £
Jacksons Mowing April May and June 1960.00 294.00 2254.00
SMDC Waste removal from cemetery 132.00 19.80 151.80
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.17 0.00 274.17
D Ingman Internal Audit 152.00 0.00 152.00
P Hill Lengthsmans Wages 380.00 0.00 380.00
P Hill Lengthsmans Expenses 69.89 9.70
79.59
Cubicle Systems Village Hall toilets 1395.20 209.28 1604.48
Enterprise PCT Signage 311.80 46.77 358.57
Councillor Moult proposed payment, Councillor Forrester seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
9.48 AOB
Councillor Forrester showed a member of the public a sketch drawing of the proposed hand rail for the war memorial steps. It was agreed that this sketch should be passed to Mrs Easthill to comment on. Councillor Forrester offered to do this.
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,6th July 2009
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
