ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday March 5th, 2007
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor F E Brindley
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor I Cope
Councillor F M G Eyre
Councillor A S Forrester
Councillor B Ward
In Attendance: 16 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Apologies: Councillor A Moult
Councillor A Carney
06.216Minutes of the meeting held 5th February 2007 The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.
06.217Matters Arising It was noted that there had been no information received regarding footpath 25.
06.218Alton Village Hall - proposal regarding re allocation of responsibilities Councillor Brindley proposed that the Parish Council take over some of the costs that the Village Hall committee have found themselves responsible for since improvements have been made to the area. This would help the Village Hall to be viable and it was felt that the costs were community costs rather than village hall costs. As Auditor, Councillor Brindley warned that the Village Hall was still financially insecure.
Councillor Ballard and Councillor Cope pointed out that long-term maintenance costs should be thought through more clearly in future when grants are applied for.
The proposals put forward were that the Parish Council would meet the following costs:
1. Maintenance contract for the CCTV cameras
2. Insurance Premium for the new Play Area
3. Costs of maintaining the Play Area equipment
4. Lengthsman’s time to keep the surrounds of the Village Hall tidy and weed free
5. Lengthsman’s time to keep the Play Area tidy and carry out any mowing etc. that is required
6. Parish Council to meet a one-off £753.00 cost incurred already by the Village Hall being the difference between the cost of the Play Area and the grants received.
A vote was taken and the councillors were unanimously in favour of these proposals.
The meeting was then adjourned for
06.219Presentation from Dave Scrivens – Village Agent for SMCVS
A presentation was made regarding the availability of help for grant applications after which questions were taken from both councillors and members of the public.
At the end of the presentation, Councillor Forrester thanked Mr Scrivens for his time.
06.220Dog Fouling
Councillor Forrester raised this on behalf of Councillor Moult who had received complaints from Parishioners regarding the amount of dog fouling in the village especially on footpaths and on Uttoxeter Road. After some discussion, it was decided unanimously that a letter should be written to the dog warden asking about dog fouling notices and asking for a visit from the dog warden to the area at the times when this is mostly happening. It was also agreed that there should be two bins for dog waste trialed - one in the vicinity of the Village Hall and another near the Royal Oak.
Clerk instructed to write to Dog Warden
06.221Footpaths Councillor Bailey reported that the work on the footpath by Common Farm is ongoing. Correspondence regarding Footpath 62 in the area of Wood Farm was noted as was correspondence regarding footpath 22. It was also noted that the footpath at Toothill is being used by horses and quad-bikes which are making a mess of the path for others. Councillor Bailey agreed to speak to the County Council regarding this matter.
06.222Highways and Road Safety Councillor Ballard and Councillor Ward reported areas which need attention. Councillor Brindley replied that these were being attended to. Councillor Brindley also reported that the Grid report would be submitted shortly after this meeting and that a purge on road sweeping would take place during the next ten days. An update was given as to the progress on moving the wall on Limekiln Lane and the time scale involved. The VAS sign for Alton is imminent and the bollards around the Roundhouse cobbles should be completed by the end of March. Councillor Brindley also reported that he had spoken with B. Moss at SCC Leek regarding the standing water on Bradley Lane where the drainage grid is proud of the road surface.
It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Ladderidge depot expressing concern and asking for SCC to consider re-adjusting the levels of the road.
Clerk to submit grid report and write to Ladderedge
06.223Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard Councillor Forrester stated that the trimming in the cemetery was almost half done and the contractors were doing an excellent job. He also reported that the contractor chosen to do the work on the churchyard wall has no public liability insurance. Given the proximity to several graves, it was asked whether the Parish Council’s policy would cover this.
Clerk to check with insurance company
06.224Best Kept Village Competition 2007 Councillor Forrester forwarded a letter from the Lengthsman tendering his notice due to ill health. The terms and conditions of the lengthsman’s post were read to the meeting. Councillor Bailey expressed an interest in taking this on and was accepted unanimously. It was agreed that the current post hold would meet with Councillor Bailey to hand over. It was also reiterated that any requests for work to be done must continue to come through Councillor Cope and not be directed straight to Councillor Bailey.Councillor Bailey queried whether the Parish Councils’ insurance policy would cover him in this capacity.
The clerk was instructed to check the insurance policy
Councillor Ward asked for confirmation as to the details regarding the litter picks for the village and Councillor Forrester confirmed that a flyer would be going out regarding this. It was agreed that the Parish Council would pay for the printing of this flyer. The minutes of the last Best Kept Village meeting were read to the meeting and it was noted that the Denstone Lane plant tub is in a dangerous position. St. Peter’s School have been asked to provide posters for the Best Kept Village competition.
Clerk instructed to organise printing of 500 flyers
06.225SPCA Correspondence included NALC briefings, SPCA Training Events information inc. Chairmanship skills, Clerks’ mentoring, Health and Safety Assessment
06.226Date to be set for Annual Parish Meeting and dates for the Parish Council meetings for the forthcoming year
It was agreed that the meetings for the following year should continue to be held on the first Monday of each month, with the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on Monday 16th April. May’s meeting will be held on May 14th due to the bank holiday.
Clerk to book Village Hall and advertise Annual meeting
06.227Planning Applications
CTHORP/07/00039/FUL Smithy Cottages, Smithy Bank, Alton – Erection of 2-bedroom dwelling
Councillors wished to object to this on the basis of over development of back land and poor access to the development.
LG/07/00111/FUL and LG/07/00112/LBC(Listed Building Consent)22 Town Head, Alton – Two Storey Side and Single Storey Garage/Car Port
Councillor Forrester expressed an interest and took no part in this discussion
Councillors decided to support this application providing that the work was inkeeping with the character of the village and surrounding area.
JC/06/01398/FUL The Lord Shrewsbury, Alton – Two storey extension to form 14 bedroom and banqueting suite
This matter was discussed further although objections were expressed to SMDC after February’s meeting. Councillor Ballard wished it to be noted that she strongly objects to this application as she feels that it is not in-keeping with a rural area such as Alton, but would be more suited to an urban area such as Hanley.
Councillors Cope and Ballard left the meeting at this point
Notification to Fell or Prune Trees within a conservation area – Holme Lea, Town Head, Alton
There were no objections to this work.Clerk instructed to write appropriate letters
06.228Planning decisions
06/01365/FUL 3 Vicarage Row, Dimble Lane, Alton – Two attached garages
Granted subject to conditions regarding time, materials and access.
06/01376/FUL Rose Cottage, Cheadle Road, Alton – First floor extension and detached garage
Granted subject to conditions regarding time and materials.
06/01354/FUL meadow View, Tythe Barn, Alton – Single storey side and rear extension
Granted subject to conditions regarding time, materials and glazing.
Councillor Forrester declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions.
A parishioner wished it to be noted that the Denstone Lane planter is in a very dangerous place for access.
A parishioner stated that the system of viewing the plans for the Lord Shrewsbury application is not being run well. He also raised the fact that the sheer face will be cleared increasing the vehicle noise.
Another parishioner raised the fact that the proposed extension would be two storey and would impact upon the privacy of the gardens on the High Street.
A parishioner asked when the cemetery signs would be repositioned. Councillor Forrester explained that this had been delayed due to the ill-health of the Lengthsman and that this would be resolved in the next few days.
A parishioner told the council that the Railway track by Lord’s Bridge was very flooded. Councillor Forrester said that this fell under Farley Parish Council and would be passed on to them.
A parishioner queried whether money would be available for bedding plants for the War Memorial. Councillor Forrester confirmed that money would be available.
A parishioner raised the fact that Toothill Lane as discussed earlier in the meeting is a bridle path and as such horses are allowed on it.
A parishioner asked the council to look at placing a streetlight between the Village Hall and the top of The Hurstons. Councillor Brindley also suggested one on Limekiln Lane. Councillor Forrester agreed that this should be looked at.
A parishioner asked if the concrete bollard at the bottom of the Hurstons could be changed for something more aesthetically pleasing. Councillor Forrester replied that if funds were forthcoming, that would be considered.
06.229Correspondence
Requiring response
· Nomination for 2 councillors to attend Alton Rural Locality Action Group
It was decided that the Parish Council did not wish to nominate any councillors to attend this group.
For information only
· Local information on Adult Education Programme
· SCC “Changing Lives” policy
· Date of next Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly Thursday 1st March 7.30pm, Churnet Room, Moorlands House, Leek.
· Consultation on Amendments to the model code of conduct for Local Authority members
· Notice of Confirmation of Public Path Order 2006 regarding Public Footpath No. 22
· SMDC Commercial Waste Container Service Annual Review of Charges 2007/2008
· Audit Commission – Appointment of External Auditor
· Calor Village of the Year competition details
· Letter from Landowners regarding proposed diversion of Public Footpath No. 62
06.230Accounts for payment
Councillor Forrester proposed that the following invoices be paid; carried unanimously
Payable to Details Net Gross VAT
E Court Clerk’s Salary/Expenses 678.13 673.44 4.69
Audit Commission Annual Fees for External Audit Invoice no 612538 141.00 141.00 0.00
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman, 5th March 2007
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
