ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday October 5th, 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
Councillor E Bailey
Councillor P Ballard
In Attendance: 6 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
1 member of the press
Apologies: None
9.73 Invited guests – Councillor Mycock sent apologies, no response to invitation from Councillor Atkins or Councillor Maryon of SCC
After some discussion, it was expressed that the failure to respond on the part of Councillors Atkins and Maryon was very disappointing and felt to be a snub to the people on the ground. It was agreed that a letter should be sent by the Clerk to the two Councillors expressing deep disappointment in the new administration.
Clerk to action
The Clerk gave an update from Councillor Mycock regarding progress made. The Clerk was asked to contact Mr Mycock to ask for a response on these matters before the next Parish Council meeting at the beginning of November.
Clerk to action
Councillor Brindley also reported that he had had contact from Councillor Mycock, promising a response within two weeks.
9.74 Minutes of the meeting held 7th September 2009
These were accepted with one alteration to the name of the road from which residents approached Councillor Cope. This was altered from Dimble Lane to Cinder Lane.
9.75 Matters Arising
• Letter from Rob Duncan regarding affordable housing and the planning application for The Alverton
This letter was read to the meeting and discussed at length. With reference to media reports on the original decision, the Clerk was asked to reply to this letter pointing out that Alton Parish Council were behind the original application and that there was a need for starter and affordable housing in the village. Alton Parish Council would like this project to go ahead and are disappointed that local opinion and the planning officer’s opinions were overruled by the planning committee with regard to the visual amenities for visitors driving through the area on their way to Alton Towers. Clerk to action
• Drainage easement
Councillor Forrester reported that the declaration had been signed and processed.
• War Memorial
Councillor Forrester told the Council that the pointing work needed had been done free of charge by a local resident who was thanked by the Council for this work. It was felt that he has made an excellent job. The meeting was very quickly adjourned to discuss any need for cleaning of the War memorial with a member of the public present. It was decided that cleaning work may cause damage and it was agreed not to pursue this.
9.76 Alton Towers
The Clerk reported that the s.106 agreements received had been passed onto to SPCA.
9.77 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey told the meeting that Paul Rochfort had assuered him that minor treatment to Saltersford Lane would take place over the next month, and that in the longer term, work to cut back and expose the slabs would be done. There was a conversation regarding the strimming done by one of the land owners. Councillor Bailey agreed to continue to monitor the situation.
Councillor Ballard informed the Council that parking on Hurstons Lane at the weekends is very bad again with the pavement being blocked with cars parking. This is blocking the pavement for pushchairs and mobility scooters. Access to the nurses base at the surgery is also often restricted due to poor parking. The Clerk was asked to contact St Peter’s School to find out who is using the field and to contact them to ask them to ensure that parking is on the Village Hall car park and safe and considerate.
Clerk to action
9.78 Village Hall
Councillor Snow reported that the larger brown bin would be looked into again in February or March in preparation for the next grass cutting season.
She also reminded the meeting about the next Live and Local event to be held on Friday 9th October in the Village Hall.
9.79 Lengthsman
Councillor Forrester reported that work was going well. He has asked the lengthsman to look at the broken step below the recycling containers between the field and Limekiln Lane and this will be attended to.
The yew tree and the ivy in the Churchyard are being done currently.
9.80 Highways and Road Safety
• Hurstons Street Lighting
• Councillor Brindley reported that Councillor Mycock had offered a 50% Local Members Initiative towards this project in the next financial year. It was decided to accept this offer and to look to go ahead with the project.
• Councillor Bailey reported a request for a street light mounted on Kirk House at the bottom of Post Office Alley on Malthouse Road. It was agreed to request a costing for this project. Clerk to action
• Councillor Forrester asked that the matter of the street light on Knight Lane be mentioned again. Clerk to action
• Councillor Brindley remarked that the work from Battlesteads towards Threapwood had commenced the day after the last meeting and that work is due to start on Cedar Hill on 14th October.
• Councillor Ballard raised an issue with the Red Road with the potholes and road sliding towards the river. The Clerk was asked to report this. Clerk to action
• Councillor Brindley informed the meeting that the PCT signs had been done and that the previous signage would now be moved with the cost of this work being met by the Parish Council as previously agreed.
• Councillor Eyre reported a large dead tree resting on the parapet of Alton bridge. It was agreed that this should be reported to the Environment Agency
Clerk to action
• Councillor Cope informed the meeting that grids on Limekiln Lane, by the Village Hall and at the bottom of Horse road were all full of waste. The grid at the bottom of Horse Road could potentially cause properties to be flooded. Councillor Brindley confirmed that the list collated 18 months ago and given to SCC had not resulted in work being carried out and that this is a county wide problem. The Clerk was asked to write to Councillor Barrie Mycock to ask if he could assist with this matter. Clerk to action
• Councillor Moult asked whether road sweeping could be requested due to the fallen leaves adding to the blocked grids and drains. Councillor Forrester agreed to follow this matter up.
9.81 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester reported that all work is progressing, with the ivy and the yew trees being looked at currently. Councillor Forrester offered to supervise the Lengthsman cutting back the hedge on Limekiln Lane. Councillor Hollins reported that some of the work done cutting the hedges back appeared to have been done with a strimmer and was a poor job. Councillor Forrester agreed to check this matter and speak to Jacksons if necessary.
9.82 Planning and Licensing Applications
WJOHNS/09/00875/FUL, Wood Farm, Red Road, Detached Outbuilding/garage
The Council were unanimous in feeling that this site is already overdeveloped. They requested that the Clerk make representations to this effect. Clerk to action
9.83 Planning Decisions
09/00780/FUL/The Old Vicarage, Dimble Lane, Timber Framed Garage and Store – Granted – Noted by the Council
9.84 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• For information only
1. SPCA – AGM and copy constitution for consultation
2. SPCA- New Planning Framework. Clerk to check whether this event to be held on Thursday 26th November is for SMDC parishes Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
A parishioner asked whose land the fallen tree by the bridge is on. No one knew the answer.
A parishioner raised the idea of a Christmas tree by the Roundhouse now that the cobbles are in place. It was felt to be a very good idea although it was pointed out that the tree would need to be in a tub or similar so that the cobbles would not be damaged. A local resident has agreed to provide the electricity for lights and was thanked for this. The Parish Council agreed that they would be happy to meet any costs for this project.
A parishioner asked about the policing provision in the village.
A parishioner asked for clarification regarding the S.106 and S.52 research being done through SPCA and NALC. This was given by the clerk.
A parishioner asked about work needed on the road surface by the new vicarage. Councillor Brindley confirmed that this work has been requested but that this will take time.
A Councillor asked whether the door to the roundhouse needed treating. A parishioner offered to treat the inside of the door with either clear cuprinol or linseed oil and turps. He was thanked for this offer. Another parishioner offered to check whether additional weather proofing would be needed for the period when the door is open for the Christmas event. He was also thanked for this.
9.85 Finance
Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Net £ VAT £ Gross £
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.17 0.00 274.17
Jacksons Grounds maintenance 560.00 84.00 644.00
K Salt Tiling for Village Hall 1379.00 0.00 1379.00
A H Brookes and Co Solicitors fees 9.00 0.00 9.00
Peter Hill Lengthsmans wages and expenses 250.01 0.00 250.01
Alton Village Hall Insurance for Play Area 709.60 0.00 709.60
It was proposed that the Village Hall committee look at other companies for the next insurance renewal in case they can secure a better price. Councillor Snow agreed to pass this on to the committee.
Councillor Moult proposed payment, Councillor Forrester seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,5th October 2009
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
