ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday February 5th, 2007
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor A Carney
Councillor I Cope
Councillor F M G Eyre
Councillor A S Forrester
Councillor A W Moult (Chair)
In Attendance: 8 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Presentation from SMDC Environmental Health and Waste Services
Nicola Kemp of SMDC made a presentation regarding the six-month pilot scheme that has been running in Alton. At the end, the Chairman thanked her very much for an interesting presentation.
Apologies Councillor F E Brindley
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor B Ward
Minutes of the meeting held 8th January 2007 The minutes were approved and signed as a true record with one amendment of Councillor name on p.48 and a correction to the date of the meeting.
Matters Arising It was noted that the light on Cedar Hill has now been reinstated.
Appointment of Councillor to be parish council representative on Alton Village Hall Committee The Chairman presented this feedback due to Councillor Brindley’s absence. The extraordinary meeting held 17th January resulted in a number of new appointments including a Chair and Bookings Secretary and was well attended and supported. Councillor Brindley had requested the Parish Council consider a proposal to take over responsibility for the maintenance of the CCTV cameras and system, the mowing and upkeep, maintenance and insurance of the play area. It was explained that the Village Hall committee are currently meeting these expenses after any grants are accounted for.
It was agreed that this should go onto the Agenda for the next meeting to be discussed fully. Clerk to put onto next Agenda
Councillor Bailey reported that a parishioner has offered some laurels for use to screen the bottle bank area. It was suggested that this offer should be put to the Village Hall Committee.
Footpaths Councillor Bailey reported that a bid has been put in for funding for Saltersford Lane as mentioned at the last meeting and that he is awaiting feedback. Councillor Bailey also reported that he is to seek advice from SCC regarding a problem with standing water and drainage on footpath 25.
Highways and Road Safety Chairman Moult reported on this matter in place of Councillor Brindley.
The bollards discussed for the Roundhouse site are on order and should be installed by the end of March 2007.It was decided that a letter should be written to SCC asking that the council lets the parish council know the proposals for parking spaces in the Roundhouse/Vicarage Row area prior to proceeding. Clerk instructed to write to SCC
VAS signs for Smithybank are on order and should be installed by mid February.
The potholes are being filled in as reported although it is a continuous process.
Councillor Brindley will proceed with obtaining a sketch for the Limekiln Lane proposal put to Benefice Buildings Committee.
The list of grids to be emptied and cleaned is to be completed during February and submitted.
Councillor Carney asked whether signs could be obtained to direct people to the new Doctors’ Surgery. Clerk was instructed to write to SCC regarding this
Councillor Forrester circulated the price list for street lighting for discussion. It was decided that the Town Head light should be placed on an existing pole at a cost of £1023.00 and that the Knight Lane light should be as quoted at £1220.00. This was proposed by Councillor Eyre, seconded by Councillor Forrester and carried unanimously. Clerk was instructed to write to the Ladderidge depot
Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard The Chairman opened three tenders received for the grounds maintenance .After discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Forrester and carried unanimously that Jackson should be awarded the contract.
Clerk was instructed to notify all parties who tendered
Best Kept Village Competition 2007 Councillor Forrester circulated the minutes from the meeting held on 23rd January 2007. As part of the discussion, it was requested that a letter be sent to the appropriate authority to find out what should be done with the derelict site of the electricity sub-station on Dimble Lane. Clerk to write a letter
Councillor Bailey circulated a sketch plan for the New Road garden and this was discussed. Councillor Eyre suggested that traffic vision should be considered. Councillor Forrester suggested looking for funding towards this project.
Councillor Forrester also mentioned that the Lengthsman has not been well recently and that he will contact the Council as soon as he knows whether he can continue in the post. The Chairman suggested that it might be helpful to look at trying to recruit an assistant.
SPCA Correspondence included Chief Executive’s Circular 32, Advertisements for Clerks Jobs – Burntwood, Albrighton and Hixon. Chairmanship Skills Course, Free mentoring event and NALC Briefing on the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill.
Planning Applications
TE/06/01303/FUL Poachers Cottage 1A Town Head, Alton – 2 storey rear extension
There were no objections to this. Clerk to write to SMDC
Planning decisions
TE/06/01204/FUL Oakhill, Dimble lane, Alton – ground floor extensions comprising of conservatory, kitchen/utility, porch and detached garage
Granted subject to conditions regarding time, materials, joinery, facing materials, pointing and rainwater goods.
LG/06/01238/FUL Cliff Farm Cottage, New Road, Alton – replacement roof to cow shed including heightening of pitch
Granted subject to conditions regarding time and roof cladding materials
06/01004/FUL-MJ Alton Towers Hotel, Farley Lane, Alton – extension to hotel and car parking extension
Granted subject to conditions regarding time, use of materials, protective fencing, tree planting plans, BS 4428:1989, water pollution and drainage, pathway, additional parking, construction traffic, Site management plan, Travel plan, levels, car park surfacing, woodland management and maintenance of the Deer wall.
04/01548/FUL_MJ Highwayman Inn, Alton Road, Threapwood conversion of vacant premises to 10 residential units, garaging and parking
Granted subject to 13 conditions regarding materials, time, access, further details, adherence to local needs housing conditions, and various landscaping conditions.
06/01092/FUL Springfields, Bradley Lane, Threapwood, Alton – Two-storey rear extension, demolition of outbuilding and erection of double garage
Refused on grounds of previous significant extension and plans not being in keeping with original dwelling
06/01199/FUL_MJ and 06/01200/FUL_MJ Freedom Farm, Cheadle Road, Alton 2x erection of 6000 bird organic free range egg production units
Refused on grounds of visual intrusion and disruption to open rural character of the area and failure to explore alternative sites available.
The Chairman declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions.
A parishioner showed the council a copy of plans submitted for works to the Lord Shrewsbury public house. It was agreed that a letter of objection on the same grounds as previously sent would be sent to SMDC. Clerk to write a letter to SMDC
A parishioner asked why a sign was needed for the new Surgery. Councillor Moult explained that more people are using this facility from outside the village.
A parishioner raised the issue of wreaths being left in the cemetery for months and asked if there could be common policy regarding the removal of wreaths left on graves at Christmas. Councillor Forrester replied that it is a very sensitive and personal issue and that in the past he has felt it appropriate for the wreaths to be removed just prior to the first mowing in March. After some discussion, it was felt that this policy is appropriate.
A parishioner asked who was collating the grid information. Councillor Brindley is responsible for this.
A parishioner asked whether he could mow the village entrance areas in view of the Lengthsman’s ill health. After some discussion regarding insurance, it was decided that the parishioner would approach the Lengthsman.
Correspondence
Requiring response
· Data capture form for SMDC Tourist information
· Community Council of Staffordshire request for information regarding events
These were to be passed to the Village Hall committee. Clerk to forward
For information only
· Letter from parishioner regarding request for information
· Copy of minutes from SMPA and invitation to next meeting on March 1st 2007
· Letter from parishioner regarding cemetery signage
· Letter from SCC regarding Goods Yard Alton
· SCC Safely around Staffordshire – Road Safety Guide
· Letter from SCC regarding land below Roundhouse.
· Invitation to SMDC Charity Ball Friday 16th March 2007.
· Letter from Churnet and Dove Bridleways Association – passed to Councillor Bailey
· Invitation to a performance of “The Last Post” from Community Council of Staffordshire
· Staffordshire Playing Fields Association Subscriptions request
Accounts for payment
Councillor Carney proposed that the following invoices be paid; carried unanimously.
Payable to Details Net Gross VAT
Staffordshire Sentinel Newspapers Advertisement for Tender 26.80 31.49 4.69
Photoprint of Leek New Compliment Slips 10.41 12.23 1.82
Liz Court Advertisement in Cheadle and Tean Times 20.70 3.62 24.32
Community Council of Staffordshire Best Kept Village Entry Form 15.00 15.00 0.00
Any Other Business
Councillor Cope noted that the Parish Council has very little publicity and requested that minutes and notification of meetings should be sent to the local papers. Councillor Eyre made the point that the minutes cannot be published until approved and this would cause them to be out of date. The Chairman suggested that a copy of the agenda should be sent on a monthly basis to the Post and Times and the Cheadle and Tean Times.
` Clerk to send out
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman, 5th February 2007
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
