ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday August 3rd, 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 A Snow
In Attendance: 7 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Mr Mark Kerrigan of Alton Towers
2 members of the press
Apologies: Councillor E Brindley
Councillor P Ballard
9.49 Minutes of the meeting held 6th July 2009
The minutes were signed as a true record.
9.50 Matters Arising
Ref item 9.43 –Grass Cuttings. Councillor Forrester reported that the supply of a brown bin would cost £4.00 per week. It was suggested that the Parish Council increase the rental paid for the Village Hall to reflect this additional cost. Clerk to action
Severn Trent Water. A letter regarding the ongoing problems by Alton Bridge was read to the meeting. There was some discussion on the history of the problems.
There was then a break as Mr William Cash M.P.arrived and was introduced and welcomed.
9.51 Visit from William Cash M.P.
Mr Cash received a copy of the letter from Severn Trent and agreed to take the matter up.
Councillor Eyre explained the purpose of inviting Mr Cash to the meeting regarding lack of response from other agencies on the matter of traffic and highways issues in particular. Councillor Moult recounted that there had been various meetings with SCC but that positions had been altered and there was no continuity.
Mr Cash agreed that this was an issue and reported that he was due to have a meeting with the Leader of SCC the next day and would raise this.
Mr Cash listened to the various matters raised by Councillors and requested that all be put in writing to him by email and post setting out the issues with roads and traffic and the possible solutions. He also spoke about the problems with SatNav routing and that this was a national issue. Mr Cash stated that Alton had a special problem regarding the vast volume of traffic over the summer. The Clerk was asked to write an email of bullet points showing the specific issues. Mr Mark Kerrigan of Alton Towers also spoke on the issues and reported that a Traffic Liaison panel would be set up to discuss mitigating measures over the next few years. Clerk to write to Mr Cash
9.52 Alton Towers
No additional matters to be discussed
9.53 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey had nothing to report.
Councillor Snow informed the meeting of the Japanese Knotweed being cut down and poisoned on Saltersford Lane. Councillor Cope stated the there was the same plant at The Lord Shrewsbury. Councillor Snow agreed to follow this up. Councillor Forrester said that there is no statutory responsibility on any local authority to deal with this matter.
Councillor Cope reported that some sections of hedge on Hurston’s Lane still need trimming. The Clerk as asked to follow this up with the landowner or perhaps the County Council. Clerk to action
9.54 Village Hall
Councillor Snow reported that a grant for the mower had been given in full. The work to the toilets is to carried out during the last two weeks of the summer holidays.
9.55 Lengthsman
Councillor Forrester reported no issues. Councillor Cope asked whether work could be done on the steps leading from the old Doctor’s surgery opposite the Lord Shrewsbury area. It was felt that this was not really a matter for the lengthsman. Councillor Forrester asked whether Alton Towers would look at the job and Mark Kerrigan agreed to look in to this option.
9.56 Highways and Road Safety
• Hurstons Street Lighting – nothing to report
• Report from Cllr Brindley was read to the meeting
• Survey for SCC. It was agreed that Councillors Brindley and Eyre would complete this and return it to the Clerk
9.57 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester reported that the work was very satisfactory. Councillor Forrester also reported that he had attended the solicitors regarding the easement and that this matter is proceeding.
Councillor Forrester also stated that the turn out for the village litter pick had been disappointing. It was agreed that this is important and thanks were extended to Alton Towers for their contribution to litter picking.
Councillor Moult reported that the Ivy and Yews are overgrowing. He asked if the Parish Council could look to trim these. Councillor Forrester agreed that this work needed doing. It was suggested that the Community Gang could do this.
Councillor Eyre reported that the old cemetery steps were very slippy. Councillor Forrester will report this matter to the PCC.
9.58 Planning and Licensing Applications
SLW/09/00780/FUL, Timber framed garage and garden store, The Old Vicarage, Dimble Lane No objection
LG/09/00657/FUL, Front Porch, Newton Cottage, Cheadle Road, Alton Councillor Forrester declared an interest and withdrew from the discussion. No objection
SLW/09/00739/FUL, Proposed detached bungalow, The Caravan, Cheadle Road, Alton
There was some discussion on the history of this development. It was agreed to object on the grounds of overdevelopment.
LG/09/00785/CONSER, Conservation consent – existing conservatory to be demolished, The Old Vicarage, Dimble Lane, Alton No objection
Planning Decisions
09/00549/FUL, Land off High Street, Alton, Detached dwelling, alterations to access and demolition of outbuildings – granted
09/00595/PNOT-1, Ash Lea Farm, Bradley Lane, Threapwood, Extension to Agricultural Building – granted
Councillor Forrester reported that enforcement action had been taken that day on the matter of an extended building on Horse Road close to a public footpath.
It was also reported that unpermitted development was still ongoing on Battlesteads.
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
A member of the public asked regarding the cutting back of trees on Limekiln Lane. It was agreed to suggest this work to the Community Gang.
A member of the public asked about the trees by 23 Headland Way and reported that the bushes against the footpath at the top of the old cemetery need to be trimmed. Again it was suggested that this could be tackled by the Community Gang.
A member of the public asked about replacing the concrete bollard by the old churchyard. It was agreed that the Council did not feel this necessary.
A member of the public asked about long term traffic calming and the speed of cards from the White Hart towards the school and along Back Lane. This was agreed to be discussed with Highways.
A member of the public reported that the gully in front of Grasmere had sunk. Councillor Forrester replied that this had been reported to Highways.
9.59 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• SMDC, Local Development Framework. Request for Site allocation information. It was suggested that affordable housing at the Alverton site be pushed.
• Request for photograph of the War Memorial from Leek Twinning Committee. There was suggestions made regarding sourcing a photograph. A member of the press present agreed to check their records.
• Letter from Parishioner regarding rear access to Houses at Town Head Road. This was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk would investigate whether this permitted development Clerk to action
9.60 Finance
Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Net £ VAT £ Gross £
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.17 0.00 274.17
Jones and Shuffs Ltd Village Hall Toilet refurb 690.99 103.65 794.64
Peter Hill Lengthsman 224.00 0.00 224.00
Councillor Moult proposed payment, Councillor Hollins seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
9.61 AOB
Mark Kerrigan of Alton Towers presented to the meeting on two upcoming planning applications. The applications were for 5 Santa’s Grottos and a canopy for the Burger King in the Mutiny Bay area. The Councillors had no objection to the proposals.
It was agreed that the Clerk would follow up the matter of a tour of the Alton Towers site with Steve Massey regarding woodland management. Clerk to action
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,3rd August 2009
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
