ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday September 3rd, 2007
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor F E Brindley
Councillor F M G Eyre
Councillor A S Forrester
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
In Attendance: 4 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
7.75 Apologies: Councillor I Cope
7.76 Minutes of the meeting held 6th August 2007
The minutes were signed as a true record.
7.77 Matters Arising
Councillor Forrester reported that the wasps in the cemetery store had been dealt with.
7.78 Alton Towers Relief Road
Councillor Ballard stated that when the Moneystone Quarry was built, SCC made provisions to alliviate impact on the local residents as part of the planning permission. She queried why this had not been replicated by SMDC and SCC with regard to Alton Towers. Councillor Moult replied that Alton Towers had grown slowly over many years and this makes the situation very different. Councillor Ballard requested a letter to be sent to SMDC and SCC on this matter stating that the Parish Council felt that no consideration has been shown to the traffic implications and the inhabitants of the area. If no satisfactory response is forthcoming, the council should follow this matter up. Clerk to action
Councillor Brindley read the Cheadle and Tean Times report regarding the seeding of the clouds over Alton Towers to the meeting. He asked why this had not been included in the Community Charter or the Towers Times – and queried again why this money was not being put into the Eastern Access Road. Councillor Moult reported that he had been contacted by local press on this matter and that he had commented that the money should be put into the road scheme rather than the atmosphere. He had also rung Alton Towers but had no response.
Councillor Eyre felt that as long as Alton Towers development helps their business, then there is no concern about the local environment. He asked why this information had been released to the press prior to any sort of discussion in a newsletter or at a liaison meeting.
It was agreed that a letter is to be sent asking why money is being put forward for this sort of project before the Eastern Access Road, and asking what the effects of the chemical fallout would be on the local surroundings as well as the climactic effect.
Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre also requested a follow up letter to be sent to Merlin following the letter sent last month by the Clerk asking for a meeting regarding the Eastern Access Road.
Clerk to action
7.79 Footpaths
Notices re bicycles were given to the Lengthsman in order for him to place at either end of Post Office Alley. Councillor Eyre queried the legal standing of these notices and it was agreed that they would give added strength to the fact that cycling is not permitted on public footpaths.
Letter re Public Path Diversion Order in respect of Public Footpath No 62 was read to the meeting.
7.80 Village Hall
Councillor Brindley reminded the meeting that he is still hoping for another representative to come forward as he has now been holding this position as a short term measure for a year.
7.81 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Ballard reported that the PCSO had dealt with the speeding tractors as reported previously.
A letter re Alton Traffic Management measures from the Highways department was read to the meeting.
A letter from D Greatbatch re Mr Walters’ reply due after 3rd September was read to the meeting. This was in reply to the letter sent by the Clerk asking for all complaints to be sent to the Parish Council on Highways matters rather than dealt with on an individual basis by the County Council.
Councillor Brindley reported that the potholes reported had been patched.
Councillor Brindley also relayed that he had spoken with Peter Gee regarding Limekiln Lane. Public objections have been received from individuals. Councillors Brindley and Eyre felt very strongly that if this road safety project is halted by individuals that their position as elected members to represent the community would be untenable. Councillors Moult and Forrester agreed with their frustration over this matter. Councillor Forrester announced that this matter was due to be discussed at the Alton PCC meeting on Thursday night.
Councillor Brindley asked for a letter to be sent to the Highways department regarding the work done to patch the granite kerbing towards Battlesteads. Clerk to action
Councillor Brindley also asked for a letter to be sent regarding a drain in the same area which has not been emptied of pine needles due to the workers not having appropriate tools. Clerk to action
Councillor Brindley also reported no action regarding the grid letter sent in March. He requested a follow up letter and a copy of all corresponence on the matter to be sent to Councillor Mycock. Clerk to action
Councillor Ballard asked for feedback regarding the traffic management by Alton Towers during July. After some discussion and a vote with 4 in favour, it was decided that the majority of the council felt that this had been worthwhile and the Clerk was requested to write to Alton Towers to state this and to ask that the Parish Council is kept informed of future plans. It was stressed that the needs of residents need to be taken into account as well as the needs of visitors. Clerk to action
Councillor Forrester asked the Clerk to follow up the none arrival of the two streetlights ordered earlier in the year. Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre reported that the Alton entrance sign on the offside as the village is entered from Cheadle has been demolished. Clerk to action
7.82 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Nothing to report this month
7.83 Best Kept Village Competition 2008
Councillor Forrester announced that a litter pick will take place on Saturday September 15th and a meeting of the subgroup will take place within the next month.
7.84 Planning and Licensing Applications
TE/07/00492/FUL and TE/07/00495/LBC – Talbot Inn, Station Road, Alton, first floor rear extension with dormer window
TE/07/00540/FUL Woodbine Cottage, Saltersford Lane, Alton, single storey front extension, first floor side extensions and change of use of outbuilding
TE/07/00982/FUL Fair View, Battlesteads, Alton, single storey side extension
TE/07/01008/FUL The Byre, Uttoxeter Road, Alton, proposed porch
There were no objections to any of these applications. Clerk to action
7.85 Planning Decisions
Poachers Cottage, 1A Town Head, Alton 07/00783/FUL granted subject to conditions- reported to the meeting.
Councillor Eyre asked when the outcome of the Freedom Farm appeal would be made known. Councillor Forrester replied that this would probably be towards the end of October.
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions.
A parishioner commented that is individuals had not objected to various planning applications over the last few years, that many more developments would have been successful in the area especially at Alton Towers.
A parishioner commented that if the Eastern Access does ever go through to the planning stage, no doubt there will be some objections from the public over this.
A parishioner asked if she could purchase bulbs and compost for next spring as she tends the War Memorial area. It was agreed that this was a good idea and appreciation was expressed by the Council for this parishioner’s hard work. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the secretary of the WI to thank them for all their help in this. Clerk to action
7.86 Correspondence
Requiring response
1. Invitation to meeting to be held 20th September at Alton Village Hall by Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust. Councillors Moult, Bailey and Brindley agreed to attend. Clerk to action
2. Invitation to Ethics and Standards Briefing- Biddulph Town Hall 18th September 2007 6.30pm.
3. SCC Director of Law and Governance re proposed drainage easement Playing Fields, Hurstons Lane, Alton. The clerk was requested to write again asking for an invoice to be sent to the Parish Council. Clerk to action
4. Parishioner Query re allotments was read to the meeting.
For information only
1. Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly – next meeting 6th September – minutes available. Issues Clinic to be held
2. Community Council of Staffordshire - £1000 for Parish Councils for Parish Plan funding.
3. Staffordshire Moorlands Annual Report 2006/07
4. A letter from Severn Trent was read to the meeting regarding the Horse Road drainage issue as raised at the last meeting.
7.87 Finance
Accounts for payment
Gross Net VAT
E Court Wages /Expenses 999.33 1000.93 1.60
Rowlinson Signs Signs for Post Office Alley 20.00 20.00 0.00
D Ingman Audit Services 135.00 135.00 0.00
E Bailey Lengthsmans wages 204.00 204.00 0.00
E Bailey Lengthsmans expenses 29.61 34.01 4.40
D Brereton BKV War Memorial expenses 35.63 41.86 6.23
Councillor Eyre proposed payment, Councillor Brindley seconded, and all were in favour of payment.
7.88 Any Other Business
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.00pm.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,3rd September 2007
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
