ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday June 4th, 2007
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor F E Brindley
Councillor I Cope
Councillor F M G Eyre
Councillor A S Forrester
Councillor A Moult
In Attendance: 8 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Apologies: None
7.29 Minutes of the meeting held 14th May 2007 were accepted as a true record and duly signed with one amendment to a Councillor name.
7.30 Matters Arising
Councillor Forrester and the Clerk were asked to contact AT Bradley regarding public liability insurance as no reply has been received. Clerk to action
Councillor Brindley asked for clarification regarding the issue of Grass Cuttings on the footpaths.
Councillor Forrester explained that he had contact Alton Towers regarding the directional signs but that there had been no action as yet. Councillor Eyre queried why SCC/Alton Towers had not made a double lane to filter for the entrance to Alton Towers. Councillor Moult agreed that this had been discussed in traffic planning talks in the past. Clerk was asked to further this issue with Farley Parish Council. Clerk to action
It was noted that the advertisement for two new Councillors had not appeared in the local press. The Clerk was asked to chase this matter as a matter of urgency.
An email had been received regarding the Dog waste bins and Warden attendance. This was read to the meeting.
7.31 Alton Village Hall and Village Hall representative
Councillor Brindley declared that he would not turn his back on this responsibility but that he was disappointed that 8 months into the situation, no councillor had come forward to take over this role. There are two outstanding items still for resolution – the toilet refurbishment and disabled toilets. Both matters are in progress.
7.32 Alton Towers Relief Road
Councillor Moult had nothing to report. Councillor Eyre queried whether it was worth keeping this item on the agenda and after some discussion, it was decided that a letter requesting a meeting with the new owners should be requested and a letter to SCC and SMDC should be written to ask for their support on the matter given that planning has affected the amount of visitors to the attraction. Clerk to action
7.33 Footpaths Councillor Moult passed copies made of footpath maps to all Councillors. A parishioner had also provided two more maps of the local area. Councillor Moult was trying to get these copied as well. Councillor Bailey agreed to contact SCC and try to get some local examples of footpath leaflets to see if Alton could take this idea forwards.
Councillor Forrester mentioned that children on bikes are using Post Office Alley and it was decided that a notice should be erected at either end of the alley to try to prevent this. Wording of the notice to be:
No cycling by order of the Parish Council. Clerk to action
7.34 Highways and Road Safety Councillor Brindley reported that the potholes in the area are being dealt with continuously. The VAS sign was still imminent – due that week. Road widening on Limekiln Lane was discussed. A positive email from Peter Gee of SCC was read to the meeting. Correspondence on the matters of Grids, standing water on Bradley Lane and letters regarding the proposed improvements to the garden area at the New Road/Malthouse Road junction were read to the meeting.
7.35 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard Councillor Forrester reported that the work being done is to a high standard.
7.36 Best Kept Village Competition 2007 Councillor Forrester reported that the recent Litter pick had gone well and expressed his thanks to those who had turned out. Alton Towers had also been the day before and it was noticed that the levels of litter were lower. There are two more litter picks due.
A meeting op the BKV was due to take place the next evening. It was agreed that a letter should go to Alton Towers expressing the Council’s thanks for the plants donated.
Clerk to action
It was also mentioned that Mrs Brereton has not yet claimed for the plants around the War Memorial, but that this payment should be authorised.
The entrance to the Doctor’s surgery was also m=raised as being in a poor state. Councillor Ballard reported that a contractor is due to come and work on this. It was proposed that a letter be sent from APC to Tony Bruce of the PCT recommending that the bank be grassed to help maintenance efforts. Clerk to action
7.37 SPCA No Correspondence this month.
7.38 Planning Applications
Proposed installation of Water Ride at Splash Landings Hotel, Alton Towers JC/07/00629/FUL
After discussion including during open forum time, it was decided that this should be opposed in view of the impact on the skyline. It was also asked whether Alton could receive a copy of all planning applications at Alton Towers as a matter of courtesy. Clerk to write to Alton Towers and the planning department at SMDC regarding this matter.
Clerk to action
7.39 Planning decisions None this month
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions
A parishioner raised the issue of traffic through the village due to Alton Towers.
A parishioner asked about the developments regarding the Surgery Sign. This was clarified.
A parishioner raised the issue of the diversion of Footpath 62. The route of the path was clarified and the Council agreed to withdraw their opposition and to write a letter of support to the owners. Clerk to action
A parishioner asked why stiles on some footpaths are so high. It was agreed that this might be to contain stock.
7.40 Correspondence
· SMDC Revised Code of Conduct – a copy of documentation for all councillors to study prior to discussion at the next meeting of the Parish Council will be given out with the Agenda. 1 Copy of the guide is available for any councillor who wishes to read it. This was discussed and it was agreed to put this on the next agenda once Councillors had had chance to study the documentation.
Clerk to action
· Correspondence from SCC regarding Playing Field at Hurston’s Lane Alton – Proposed Drainage Easement. This was read to the council. It was suggested that the Clerk should approach SPCA for advice and send a copy of the correspondence to Councillor B Mycock. Clerk to action
For information only
· Copy of correspondence regarding proposed work to be done to trees within the churchyard
7.41 Accounts for payment
Payment of the following proposed by Councillor Forrester and all in favour.
Gross Net VAT
Lengthsman Amended Cheques for March/April/May 920.00 920.00 0.00
Lengthsman Wages for May/June 356.00 356.00 0.00
Lengthsman Expenses for May/June 37.40 40.97 3.57
SMDC Commercial Waste Service Annual Charge 116.00 136.30 20.30
JacksonsNurseries Awaiting clarification of invoices for April and May
CAT Awaiting corrected invoice for CCTV and Alarm systems maintenance
Staffordshire County Council Signposting application 100.00 100.00 0.00
Councillor Cope referred to a minuted item from 1982 where it was decided that Councillors needed to consider planning applications prior to the Parish Council meeting. Councillor Brindley agreed that this is a common complaint from Parish Councils.
Councillor Bailey queried how often mowing is done by Staffordshire County Council. Councillor Brindley agreed to follow up where is mowed and how often with Mr Middleton of SCC.
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman, 14th May 2007
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
