ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday May 10th, 2010
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.00pm
Present:
Councillor F Eyre
Councillor E Bailey
Councillor E Brindley
Councillor A Snow
Councillor A Moult
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor P Ballard
In Attendance: 5 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Apologies: Councillor I Cope
Councillor A Forrester
Annual General Meeting
1. Election of Chairman
Councillor Moult proposed Councillor Eyre. This was seconded unanimously and Councillor Eyre accepted.
2. Election of Vice Chairman
Councillor Bailey nominated Councillor Forrester, seconded by Councillor Moult seconded the nomination. Councillor Forrester had spoken to Councillor Eyre before the meeting and had accepted should he be put forward for the post.
3. Election of other posts – Highways and Road Safety, Cemetery, Footpaths and Environmental Issues, Parish Safety, Alton Village Hall, Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly, Alton Towers Liaison Committee and election of Councillors with authority to sign Parish Council Cheques
Councillor Snow stood down as Village Hall representative. Councillor Hollins was nominated by Councillor Eyre, seconded by Councillor Brindley and accepted by Councillor Hollins. Councillor Moult proposed that all other responsibilities stayed as before and this was accepted unanimously.
10.1 Minutes of the meeting held 12th April 2010
The minutes were signed as a true record. It was noted that the decision to object to the licensing application for Sharkbait Reef at the last meeting had been revoked after new information came to the attention of the Chair. All Councillors were contacted and the matter was discussed before the Clerk was asked to change her response to SMDC.
10.2 Matters Arising
Request regarding Christmas tree – hole to be sunk into the cobbles. This is now with Dave Greatbach of SCC. The Clerk was asked to chase this matter if there has been no response in time for the next meeting. Clerk to action
10.3 Alton Towers
Confirmation of phone number to ring regarding noise has been received – Mark Kerrigan 07770 380951. The Clerk was asked to publicise this on the notice board.
Clerk to action
There was much discussion regarding the noise levels the previous weekend. Councillor Ballard reported that she had contacted Alton Towers, Environmental Health and Noise Anytime to complain about noise. Councillor Moult added that he had been disturbed by the noise even inside his house and above his own television. He had also spoken with Alton Towers. Councillor Hollins had heard the noise but it had not unduly disturbed her. Councillor Snow had thought that it was too loud but noted that the wind direction had also added to the problem.
Councillor Eyre reported that he had spoken to Mark Kerrigan of Alton Towers regarding this matter and that they had received about 6 complaints. The noise had been monitored at various sites and the levels had peaked at around 56 decibels and averaged at around 50 decibels. The limit is 65 decibels and therefore this was within the nationally set limits.
After further discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk would write to Alton Towers to complain about this noise and also to Environmental Health. Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre also announced that the next Surgery to be held by Alton Towers for local residents would take place on 22nd June between 6.00pm and 8.00pm at St Peter’s School.
The Clerk asked the Council if they were willing to write in support of the traffic management measures for the Schools traffic. The Council agreed that they were in support of this. Clerk to action
10.4 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey reported that he had spoken to Paul Rochfort about the idea of orientation boards and that Mr Rochfort was looking into costings for these.
Councillor Bailey has also arranged for a ranger to come to look at the Staffordshire Way between Woods Farm and Ramblers Retreat as requested at the last meeting.
Councillor Snow reported that dog fouling in the parish has increased again. The Clerk was asked to request a visit from the Dog Wardens in the early mornings when much of the fouling takes place. It was also requested that the Clerk put up notices on the notice board, at the local shops if possible and at the Village Hall announcing the Dog Warden patrols due to excessive dog fouling. Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre told the meeting that the leaflet advertising Alton was being match funded by SMDC and a final version for proof should be available within the next week. It was hoped that this may even be printed in time for the next Council meeting.
10.5 Village Hall
Councillor Snow had nothing specific to report. She will hand over to Councillor Hollins. Councillor Bailey reported that the wooden fence close to the mosaic seems to be very precarious. Councillor Eyre agreed to meet with the Lengthsman to look at what work is required.
10.6 Lengthsman
The Lengthsman asked for any requests of work to be forwarded to him. Councillor Bailey also noted that the plants for Alton Towers had not yet arrived.
Councillor Brindley reminded the Council that the Community Gang is due to the area shortly and asked for any works required. Weeding the car park and cleaning of signs were suggested.
10.7 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Brindley gave his report:
1. The road signs around the village should now have been collected
2. The speed indicator device is temporary and feedback will be available afterwards.
3. The pedestrian crossing at Smithy Bank and the streetlight on Hurstons were discussed. The Clerk is awaiting written confirmation regarding these matters.
4. Ann Marie Raffrety has informed Councillor Brindley that she has not been asked to provide feedback regarding the s.106 monies from Alton Towers towards traffic monitoring.
5. Councillor Brindley reported a complaint regarding diggers undertaking emergency work on Station Bank overnight on May 6th. This was authorised and classified as an emergency.
6. Pothole filling was discussed.
Councillor Snow asked about grit bin filling. She will report this.
10.8 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Eyre reported on behalf of Councillor Forrester. Jacksons had done the first cut of the season but Councillor Forrester asked them to return as he felt that the job had not been done to their usual standard. Unfortunately as part of the second visit, two gravestones had been damaged. This had been reported to the company who had visited again and agreed to do remedial works. It has been agreed that one stone will be moved back against the wall, whereas the other will be re-sited. As both stones are for graves that are over 200 years old, it was felt that this was a reasonable resolution. It was commented that in future if damage is done, it would be better for it to be reported to the Parish Council rather than for the Parish Council to have to find out how the damage had been done.
10.9 Planning and Licensing Applications
SLW/10/00287/FUL, Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension, Ash Croft, Nabb Lane – no objections
WJOHNS/10/00281/FUL-MJ, Erection of 16 two bedroom starter homes, Alverton Hotel, Denstone Lane, Alton - no objections
Licence application for a new premises licence for Tower Street and Lawn, Alton Towers 5/11/2010-7/11/2010 – no objections
10.10 Planning Decisions
08/00503/NOT-AG, Collection Yard to Handle Cattle, Witherings Farm, Cheadle Road –granted - noted
09/01139/FUL, Change of use from existing hotel C1 to youth retreat centre C2, The Lord Shrewsbury, New Road, Alton- granted - noted
10.11 Correspondence
1. For information only
• Copy correspondence re noise from Alton Towers was read to the meeting. This led to a discussion on the issue of background ride noise. The parishioner concerned was present at the meeting and he reported that he was awaiting the results of noise monitoring that had been carried out. Councillor Brindley commented that the loss of trees would also affect the noise. The Clerk was asked to chase the promise of a tour of the site and the tree felling work. Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
• A member of the public commented that any traffic management would need to take into account the usage of Malthouse Road and the High Street as well as Smithy Bank and Alton Bridge. The Clerk was asked to add this to the letter. Clerk to action
• It was suggested that in the letter to SMDC about the noise from Alton Towers, that the Council inform the Borough Council that parishioners were planning to start to apply for Council Tax reductions due to the lowering of their quality of life due to noise. This was agreed by the Council. Clerk to action
• It was suggested that any letter regarding traffic management should reiterate that the management should benefit the local residents using the village roads as well as simply allowing a clear run for visitors to Alton Towers. A control at the bottom of the High Street and Malthouse Road would be helpful. It was agreed that this would form part of the letter.
Clerk to action
• A parishioner suggested that the Council requested a copy of all information relating to sound and background noise from Alton Towers under the Freedom of Information Act. It was agreed that the Council should do this. Clerk to action
The meeting was then resumed.
• Copy correspondence re trees in St Peter’s Churchyard – read to the meeting
• Request re Lengthsman’s payments from SMDC read to the meeting and the Lengthsman agreed to use the form provided by SMDC to produce his monthly invoices. The grants available from SCC and SMDC were also discussed.
• SMDC – Moorlands Together Action Days was given to the meeting. It was agreed that the Clerk would complete the forms suggesting works to be done cutting back the path up Toothill (footpath 26) and Saltersford Lane. It was also suggested a request to the Police to conduct speed checks and the use of number plate recognition to identify any illegal or suspicious vehicles could form part of this application.Clerk to action
• Info from Alton Towers regarding upcoming events – given to Councillors
10.12 Finance
• Request from Alton PCC re £250.00 cheque from Alton Towers towards Fete. It was agreed to ask Alton Towers to re-issue the cheque made payable to the PCC. Clerk to action
• Income from recycling - £148.95 - noted
• The Clerk reported that the accounts were with the Auditor and would be available to sign off at the next Parish Council meeting.
Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Gross £ VAT £ Net £
SMDC Waste Disposal 135.30 23.68 158.98
Aon Ltd Insurance 623.86 623.86
Liz Court Clerking 274.17 274.17
E Bailey Lengthsman 232.00 232.00
Councillor Eyre proposed payment, Councillor Hollins seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,10th May 2010
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
