ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday July 5th, 2010
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.00pm
Present:
Councillor F Eyre
Councillor E Bailey
Councillor E Brindley
Councillor I Cope
Councillor A Moult
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor P Ballard
In Attendance: 4 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Sara Green from Community Council of Staffordshire
Apologies: Councillor A Snow
Councillor A Forrester
10.25 Visit from Sara Green of Community Council of Staffordshire re Staffordshire LINK
Sara Green spoke to the meeting and asked for opinions and feedback from both the Council and residents regarding health and social care available locally. There was discussion on local hospitals, the PCT facility in Alton, the Well Street Clinic in Cheadle. The Clerk was asked to write to the PCT regarding the chiropody facilities offered locally. Ms Green was thanked for her attendance and information. Clerk to action
10.26 Minutes of the meeting held 7th June 2010
The minutes were signed as a true record
10.27 Matters Arising
Councillor Cope requested further information about the grant received. Councillor Eyre gave this.
10.28 Alton Towers
A request from FPC about pedestrian safety and a suggestion of a joint letter to SCC regarding access to Alton Towers for those on foot was discussed. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Alton Towers to request that the gate to Step walk or the route to Flag Tower be reopened to prevent pedestrians having to walk up the lane from the Mill to the vehicular entrance to the site. Clerk to action
There was some discussion regarding the recent concert traffic and volume with Councillor Brindley clarifying comments attributed to him in the local press.
10.29 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey gave information regarding the upcoming Village Action day scheduled for 12th July when Saltersford Lane will be strimmed back by a team provided through SMDC.
There was discussion over the planting of two fields where footpaths should run across them. Councillor Bailey agreed to contact Paul Rochfort of SCC regarding these. Councillor Cope reported a dangerous site by The Lord Shrewsbury where a concrete post has been damaged leaving jagged metal exposed. Councillor Bailey agreed to look into this matter.
Councillor Cope also asked about action regarding the narrowness of the path between Ramblers Retreat and Wood Farm where the sheer drop could mean that the route becomes very dangerous as more path is washed away in any heavy rain. Councillor Bailey undertook to chase this work with SCC. It was suggested that if there was no action, that Councillor Mycock be contacted.
10.30 Village Hall
A request from Alton Pre School Association for the Parish Council to discuss potential plans for a raised play area to the rear of the Village Hall was considered. The Council looked at the paperwork and agreed that this should come formally through the Village Hall committee and Planning when appropriate but noted that there were no objections to the work as long as there was no cost implications to be met from the precept. Therefore matters such as additional insurance liability and any ongoing maintenance should be considered fully as part of the overall costing for the work.
10.31 Lengthsman
There was nothing additional to report.
10.32 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Brindley reported that Cheadle Road has been dressed.
There was also a discussion regarding another recent accident on Limekiln Bank and the Clerk was asked to write to SCC to request feedback from the temporary VAS signage that was placed along Uttoxeter Road. The Clerk was asked to cc this letter to Councillor Mycock. It was felt that a permanent VAS sign would be very helpful at this site.
The Clerk was also asked to chase the street lighting needed on Hurstons Lane and Smithy Bank with both SCC and copying the letters to Councillor Mycock.
Clerk to action
Councillor Ballard commented that the wooden fencing on Town Head was not in keeping with the surrounding area and requested that a letter be send to SMDC regarding this.
Clerk to action
10.33 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Churchyard tree growth as reported by local residents referred to Steve Massey of SMDC for assessment and awaiting feedback. Councillor Eyre gave information and commented that a long term view on this matter is needed.
Councillor Bailey reported that self setting trees in the graves on Hurstons Lane need to be looked at before damage to kerbs and so on results. Councillor Moult agreed to get permission regarding one particular grave and if a list of those graves that need attention can be given to the Clerk, she will look to getting permission from the owners where possible. Clerk to action
Dog fouling on the SCC playing field was also discussed. New signage has been requested and the Clerk was asked to put the matter onto the next agenda for an update. Clerk to action
10.34 Christmas plans
Update from Clerk re Christmas Tree siting was given. The Clerk was asked to chase permission and specifications from Rob Steele and then we could approach Alton Towers as they had previously offered to assist with such a project.
Clerk to action
10.35 Planning and Licensing Applications
RSIMPK/10/00347/OUT, Outline application for two dormer bungalows, access to be widened by 1.5m, Dimblecroft, Limekiln Lane, Alton – The Council felt that whilst there were no strong objections, there were reservations about overdevelopment and the awkward access. Clerk to communicate
10.36 Planning Decisions
Granted - all noted by the Council
10/00189/PNOT_1, Agricultural storage building, The Witherings Farm, Cheadle Road, Alton
09/01199/CONSER and 09/01194/FUL, Replacement side conservatory, The Old Vicarage, Dimble Lane, Alton
10/00093/FUL, Erection of detached Double Garage, Wood Farm, Red Road, Alton
10/00099/FUL and 10/00100/LBC, Change of use of ground floor to provide accommodation, St John The baptisit Catholic County Primary, Church Terrace, Castle Hill Road, Alton
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
• A member of the public asked for clarification regarding pedestrian’ access to the development on the Alverton site. This was given.
• A member of the public asked about the removal of signage from the Alton end of Nabb Lane. Councillor Brindley agreed to speak to SCC about this.
• A member of the public gave more information regarding footpaths. The footpath where the maize has been planted in known as The Leys.
• A member of the public asked for action regarding noise and broken glass from The White Hart on the High Street. The Clerk was asked to write to the pub regarding glass leaving the premises. Clerk to action
• There was comment over the agricultural smell within the village over the last few days and over the litter pick that took place the previous weekend.
The meeting was then resumed.
10.37 Correspondence
1. Requiring response
1. Query from Parishioner regarding refuse collections – Councillor Forrester reported that there are to be no changes to collections in the Parish
2. For information only
1. SPCA newsletters and information to be passed to Councillors
2. Update from Eric Whitehead Solicitors re easement
3. Consultation on revised statement of licensing policy – SMDC
4. Keeping Moorlands Clean Days – SMDC
10.38 Finance
Invoices for payment
Supplier Details Gross £ VAT £ Net £
Liz Court Clerks wages 274.12 0.00 274.12
William Burton and Sons Ltd Supplies for maintenance 22.00 3.85 25.85
Jacksons Nurseries Cemetery and Churchyard grass cutting 288.00 50.41 338.41
Mr E Bailey Lengthsman’s wages 344.00 0.00 344.00
Mr E Bailey Expenses 129.30 22.02 151.32
Councillor Moult proposed payment, Councillor Hollins seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,5th July 2010
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
