ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday September 7th, 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
In Attendance: 6 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
1 member of the press
Apologies: Councillor P Ballard
9.62 Minutes of the meeting held 3rd August 2009
These were accepted with one alteration to the names of those present
9.63 Matters Arising
Nothing not covered by the agenda
9.64 Alton Towers
Nothing
9.65 Footpaths
Councillor Hollins reported that the verges of Toothill needed clearing of horse manure.
Councillor Cope stated that the verges of Saltersford Lane are very overgrown. Councillor Bailey agreed to discuss this with Paul Rochfort of SCC.
Councillor Forrester reported that the Lengthsman had strimmed some areas of the Toothill footpath.
9.66 Village Hall
Further to the agreement for the Parish Council to pay a contribution towards a bigger brown bin, Councillor Eyre suggested that this be paid in lieu of rental. Councillor Brindley gave the history of previous agreements. Councillor Snow agreed to speak to the Village Hall committee on this matter. Councillor Forrester asked whether the larger capacity bin had been requested yet,. Councillor Brindley suggested that the Village Hall raise an invoice for the Parish Council twice a year for £100 to cover the extra cost.
Councillor Snow agreed to look into this matter at the next Village Hall committee meeting.
Councillor Cope asked for clarification regarding the grant for a mower. This was given.
Councillor Brindley asked whether the toilet project had been completed – Councillor Snow was not aware of the answer.
9.67 Lengthsman
Councillor Forrester stated that all work was going well. He also reminded the Council of the next Litterpick due to take place on 3rd October meeting at 10.00am at the Village Hall.
9.68 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Eyre asked how the meeting regarding work gangs had gone.
There followed a discussion on the work completed and the work to be passed on to other
departments.
Councillor Moult asked whether the lengthsman could clear the mess from hedge cutting opposite the Village Hall and reported a dangerous tree branch. Councillor Forrester stated that he would pass this on to the lengthsman.
Councillor Brindley reported that the Give Way sign on Uttoxeter Road had been installed and that the Junction sign at Station Bank had been installed. The Clerk was asked to contact Angela Nutter regarding the PCT sign again. Clerk to action
Councillor Cope passed on a conversation he had had with residents of Dimble Lane.
Councillor Bailey made the meeting aware of another accident by Prescot House. The led into a discussion on the road surfaces and speeds in this area of the parish.
• Hurstons Street Lighting – Councillor Brindley agreed to contact Councillor Mycock on this issue again
• Email re ditch on Town Head was read to the meeting. After a discussion, it was agreed to monitor the situation.
9.69 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester reported that mowing was being done well. He also reported that work would need to be done by the lengthsman on the ivy and the yew trees.
Councillor Forrester also gave an update on the matter of the drainage easement.The Council were in agreement that Councillor Forrester should proceed with having the declaration witnessed by another firm of solicitors as requested.
War Memorial
It was stated that the hand rail had been completed and was ready for fixing. However, the WI had suggested that somepointing is required. Councillor Eyre had looked at the area and agrees that work should be done before the hand rail is attached. He also asked whether the stone work could be cleaned as it has gone very green. After some discussion, it was agreed that Councillor Forrester would approach some one locally and ask for a quote to do the necessary work
9.70 Planning and Licensing Applications
LG/09/00784/FUL, Side Conservatory, The Old Vicarage, Dimble Lane No objections
Planning Decisions granted:
09/00236/LBC, Listed Building Consent – single storey rear extension, Dimble Cottage, Dimble Lane, Alton,
09/00527/FUL, Two storey rear extension,Oak House, Saltersford Lane, Alton
09/00663/PNOT_1, 3m deep hole lined with concrete, Holbrook Farm, Denstone Lane, Alton
09/00537/FUL, erection of new fire escape and re-siting of a disabled persons access ramp, The Bulls Head Inn, High Street, Alton
09/00538/LBC, Demolition of existing fire escape and shelter, erection of new fire escape and re-siting of disabled persons access ramp, the Bulls Head Inn, High Street, Alton
09/00591/FUL, Two storey extension, Weavers View, Gallows Green, Alton
09/00657/FUL, Front Porch, Newton Cottage, Cheadle Road, Alton
All noted by the Council
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
A parishioner reminded the meeting that Councillor Mycock had agreed that the matter of an Eastern Access would go back on the agenda if he were re-elected. The clerk was asked to write to Councillor Mycock on the matter. Clerk to action
A parishioner asked what had happened to the £500 given by the SRB group to the Parish Council. This was detailed. Councillor Forrester also agreed to check that the village gateways are being mowed regularly.
9.71 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• Letter from SMDC re Alverton Hotel s.106 suggestion. The Clerk was asked to write to the Borough Council regarding affordable housing again. Clerk to action
• Response from SMDC re FOI request on s.106 with Alton Towers. The Clerk was asked to pass the information on to the SPCA as agreed.
Clerk to action
• Letters from Mr Cash MP – the first letter about Severn Trent was read to the meeting. It was suggested that the Clerk should write to Ian Stewart at SMDC outlining the problem and enclose copies of the letters.
Clerk to action
The second letter regarding traffic was read to the meeting. After some discussion, it was decided to invite Councillor Mycock and Councillor Atkins to the October meeting and to send them copies of this letter. Councillor Forrester also suggested inviting Mr Maryon who is portfolio holder for Highways. Clerk to action
• For information only
• SPCA nomination forms and newsletters
• SMDC Consultation on Gambling Act revision
• Community Council of Staffordshire – invitation to AGM 24th September
• Introduction of the New Alliance Senior Management team – High Peak Borough and SMD Councils
9.72 Finance
Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Net £ VAT £ Gross £
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.17 0.00 274.17
Jacksons Nurseries Mowing July 560.00 84.00 644.00
SCC Lighting Column at Castle Hill 928.43 139.26 1067.69
Peter Hill Lengthsman Wages 277.30 0.00 277.30
Uttoxeter Garden Machinery Ltd Lengthsman Equipment 32.36 4.86 37.22
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,7th September 2009
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
