ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday April 2nd, 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 A Moult
Councillor A Carney
In Attendance: 4 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Apologies: Councillor B Ward
7.1 Minutes of the meeting held 5th March 2007 The minutes were approved and signed as a true record with one amendment to Page 55 where Footpath 11 was referred to in error as a bridleway.
7.2 Matters Arising There were no matters arising.
7.3 Alton Village Hall Councillor Brindley confirmed the agreed position as regards funding and passed an invoice for payment for £752.36.
Councillor Brindley also outlined the costs that will be incurred by bringing the equipment on the play area up to RoSPA standards. This has been passed to Lapsett regarding improvements that need to be made to the aerial runway, the balance and removal of algae from the equipment. Councillor Brindley has received a letter setting out the costs of this work including £110.00 in materials and labour at £425.00 per day. This was put to the council for permission for this work to take place. After much discussion it was agreed that this sort of situation should not be allowed to be arrived at again in the future. The ongoing cost implications of this project had not been accounted for when the project was commissioned and now the Parish is having to foot the bill for something created albeit well meaningly by an unelected body. It was suggested that the Clerk wrote to Alton Regeneration and ask for their assistance in gaining a grant to cover the approx £600.00 cost that this work will entail. It was also agreed that in the meantime, the work was to be authorised as it is a legal requirement and the bill to be sent to the Parish Council. Clerk to write to Alton Regeneration
Councillor Brindley also noted that the work required to install disabled toilets to the Village Hall is still outstanding due to a lack of contractor willing and able to do the work.
7.4 Footpaths Councillor Bailey noted that footpath 11 has been reinstated and that a good job has been done of the improvements. Councillor Eyre agreed that it has been cut back, levelled and widened. There was some discussion as to the statue of this path as it has a bridleway sign at the Cheadle Road end but has also been classed as a footpath. Clerk to contact SCC to clarify
Councillor Bailey also stated that a post will be put into the ground on the Toothill bridleway in order to help to prevent Quad bike use whilst still allowing equine access.
Councillor Forrester passed on a comment from a parishioner regarding the state of Saltersford Lane. The Clerk was asked to contact SCC regarding this issue.
Clerk to contact SCC
Councillor Forrester has been contacted by Cheadle Councils Direct with regard to walks in the parish. A copy of the leaflet produced by the Parish Council in 1994, with two circular walks in the area will be forwarded to CCD by Councillor Forrester. Councillor Bailey requested a map of all the footpaths in the area to see if more walks could be created. Clerk to request from SCC
7.5 Highways and Road Safety Councillor Ballard reported that parishioners have been commenting on the streetlighting within the village. It was suggested that the cost of Victiorian style lights be looked in to. Councillor Carney pointed out that height is needed to get an efficient spread of light. This practicality should also be looked into. It was agreed to get costings for this in reference to the lights on order for Knight Lane and Town Head. Clerk to enquire
Councillor Brindley reported that the VAS sign is still imminent. There have been some queries regarding siting and appropriateness. There have been no extra cost implications regarding turning the bollards round to the correct position in the Roundhouse area.
Verbal plans for work during the new financial year include resurfacing the High Street and Gallows Green to Battlesteads. In November there are plans to re-kerb Limekiln Lane. Cedar Hill is also a possibility for work.
Councillor Moult asked if permission from the diocese regarding the potential work to the vicarage wall had been gained. Councillor Brindley explained that the diocese is awaiting a sketch plan, which will need to come from SCC.
Councillor Ballard mentioned that parking around the Village Hall area was becoming a problem at certain times. Councillor Moult said that the PCSO was aware and would visit.
Councillor Bailey drew attention to the state of the Alton Village sign on Denstone Lane. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact SMDC regarding this.
Clerk to contact SMDC
Councillor Eyre noted that the Alton Towers Relief Road has now been removed from the Agenda. Councillor Moult replied that this would be reinstated and asked the clerk to contact Alton Towers to request that a planning application be submitted for the eastern Access. Clerk to contact Alton Towers
7.6 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard Councillor Forrester passed the invoice for the work done so far and commented that the standard of work was high. The Lengthsman has also done work within the cemetery. The footpaths and seats still need a little attention. Councillor Forrester asked when the mowing would commence, Councillor Brindley replied that this would be this month.
Councillor Forrester also informed the Council that it had become apparent that the contractor taken on for the work to the Churchyard wall does not hold public liability insurance. It was also mentioned that a parishioner had offered to provide the sketches necessary for the diocese regarding the moving of the headstones at no cost to the council. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the contractors and ask them to get a quote for the necessary insurance and that this would then be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting. Clerk to contact contractor
Councillor Forrester then showed a copy of a proposal for another entrance to the St Peter’s Church Cemetery for the purpose of allowing better access for mowing and maintence. The judges of the best Kept Village have commented upon the state of the Lychgate. Councillor Moult felt that the lychgate is an historic monument and should be preserved and repaired. There was discussion over the need for such a wide gate in the proposal as vehicular access should not be necessary. It was noted that the planning application will come before the council in due course.
7.7 Best Kept Village Competition 2007 Councillor Forrester announced that the recent litter pick had been the best attended in many years. He was very pleased with the response from parishioners.
7.8 SPCA Correspondance was noted.
7.9 Planning and Licensing Applications
LG/07/00257/OUT Outline application for erection of single dwelling at 1 The Dale, Alton Councillor Forrester declared an interest and took no part in the discussion.
Councillors felt that this application could not be supported in this area of the village. The access would also cut across the footpath. The reason to be given are that the development is unsuitable and that this is not an area where development should be allowed.
Licensing Application for Rita’s Chicken and Ribs Fountain Square, Alton Towers It was felt that if the noise levels are adhered to, this should not be an issue.
Notification of Appeal against refusal for planning permission for Fair View 11 Battlesteads, Alton The letter was read to the council and noted.
7.10 Planning decisions
07/00039/FUL Smithy Cottages, Smithy Bank, Alton – Erection of 2 bedroom dwelling
Granted subject to conditions regarding time, revised site layout, Local occupancy, materials, drainage goods and access
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions.
A parishioner commented on the width of the gateway proposed for the new entrance to St Peter’s Churchyard.
Councillor Forrester agreed that this matter needs to be looked into.
A parishioner noted that a walk within the Parish could be accessed on the SCC website. It was agreed that this information would be passed on to the Councillors.
A parishioner raised the issue of street lighting on Saltersford Lane not being inkeeping with the local area.
7.11 Correspondence
Requiring response
· Information on dog warden query – bins £200 each – no trial. Will be emptied free of charge once installed. Positions of Dog Fouling notices required as complaints were received last time when notices erected in the village. It was agreed that the Clerk would pass the Lengthman’s phone number on to the dog warden who could then liase directly regarding siting of signs and two dog waste bins. The purchase of two bins was approved by the council.
Clerk to contact Dog Warden
· A request to proceed with the street lighting requested in February with the understanding that any price increases will be met by the Parish Council. This matter is to be followed up with reference to the type of street light as discussed earlier. Clerk to follow up
For Information
· DCA information regarding Burial Ground – for Councillor Forrester
· Leaflets on Places to visit in Staffs Moorlands, Leek 800,Peak District Walking Festival and Leek Arts Festival - noted
7.12 Accounts for payment Clerk to request authorisation to order a new Register of Burials as current one completed. Cost £162.00. This was approved by Councillors
Councillor Forrester proposed that the following invoices be paid; carried unanimously
Payable to Details Net Gross VAT
Photoprint BKV Flyers 42.50 42.50
Mr E Bailey Lengthsmans invoice 336.00 336.00
I MacKenzie Work on Cemetery 1645.00 1400.00 245.00
Alton Village Hall Work to Children’s Play area 752.86 752.86
SPCA Annual Subsciption 327.00 327.00
Liz Court Postage 30.68 30.68
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman, 2nd April 2007
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
