ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday December 3rd, 2007
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor I Cope
Councillor F E Brindley
Councillor A S Forrester
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
In Attendance: 6 parishioners
1 member of the press
Ms L Court, Clerk
7.118 Apologies: Councillor F Eyre
7.119 Presentation from Mr C Drage Conservation Officer SMDC on the Alton and Farley Conservation Area Appraisal
The Chair welcomed Mr Drage and explained to the meeting some of the background to his visit. Mr Drage outlined the history and role of Conservation Areas and specific detail regarding Alton and Farley area. The meeting was opened to questions and comments from the floor and discussion took place on the following topics:
1. Comments on planning applications
2. The use of plastic windows in conservation areas
3. Availability of information on the current consultation
4. Boundaries of the area
5. Traffic impacts on the Conservation Area
6. Farm buildings
7. Weighing shed
8. Powerlines
9. Alton Brick and Terracotta Works
10. Signage for Alton Surgery
7.120 Minutes of the meeting held 5th November 2007
The minutes were signed as a true record.
7.121 Matters Arising
There were no matters arising that were not reflected in the agenda
7.122 Alton Towers Relief Road
The clerk was asked to contact Mark Kerrigan to request a meeting unless he would like to attend the next monthly meeting to discuss the matter. Clerk to action
7.123 Footpaths
Correspondence on the matter of dog bins and notices was passed to Councillor Bailey
The meeting also discussed the cost of dog proof fencing for the surgery car park and approved the purchase. Councillor Bailey to action
7.124 Village Hall
The AGM is to be held on January 2nd. Councillor Hollins will attend. Clerk to inform Mrs L Goodwin of attendance. Clerk to action
7.125 Highways and Road Safety
· Councillor B Mycock was reported to be in favour of the cast iron signpost for the village. He advised that a quotation should be sought in the new financial year.
· The High Street work is now complete. There were some teething issues but these are now resolved.
· Works are continuing on New Road. Work has also started on Knight Lane and Smithy Bank.
· The work on Limekiln Lane will be tied in with the work on the Vicarage wall in the New Year.
· The kerbing and tidying of Half Ridding, Battlesteads and Cedar Hill will happen in the new financial year.
· Councillor Forrester has had a meeting regarding street lighting.
· It has been suggested that the street light just above Dimblecroft should be moved to just below Dimblecroft. Councillor Brindley agreed to visit the site to look at this. Councillor Brindley to action
· Footballers are still parking along the pavement. It was requested that a letter be sent regarding this issue.Councillor Hollins to contact the clerk with details
7.126 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
A tender from Jackson’s Nurseries for 2008 grass cutting has been received and was accepted unanimously by the council. Clerk to action
7.127 Best Kept Village Competition 2008
There was some discussion over the use of the Village Hall on Tuesday nights.
7.128 SPCA
Vacancies on SPCA Executive committee were communicated.
7.129 Planning and Licensing Applications
LG/07/01202/LBC Dimble Cottage, Dimble Lane, Alton, rear conservatory and utility room (retrospective)
The council felt that they had grave reservation about this type of extension within a conservation area.
CTHORP/07/01402/FUL Crumpwood Cottage, New Road, Alton, Two storey and single storey rear extension
Councillor Moult declared an interest and withdrew from discussion
It was felt that this development was out of proportion with the original cottage.
Clerk to communicate
7.130 Planning Decisions
None received this month
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions.
1. A parishioner asked about work to Saltersford Lane. Councillor Bailey reported that he was still awaiting news on this. It was also asked whether the sand stones could be looked at as they are being damaged by farm implements. The clerk was asked to contact Paul Rochfort. Clerk to action
2. A parishioner raised the issue of culvert damage on the Staffordshire Way. Paul Rochfort is aware of this and has told Councillor Bailey that work is due to take place on this. The Clerk was asked to chase this matter up. Clerk to action
3. It was noted that the leaves on the roads are very slippery. Councillor Brindley to notify through Clarence Councillor Brindley to action
7.131 Correspondence
Requiring response
1. The Staffordshire Moorlands Local Heritage Register Draft Supplementary Planning Document Consultation (December 12th closing)
Councillor Moult took to study
2. Reply to query on Cast Iron Sign Post passed to Councillor Brindley
For information only
1. Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly meeting to be held 6th December at 7.30pm Moorlands House, Leek
2. Samaritans fundraising request
3. Reply from Licensing department at SMDC re noise issues read to the meeting
4. Copy of correspondence from Dr D Eardley
5. Applications to fell trees read to the meeting
7.132 Finance
Paperwork for change of signatory to accounts – completed by Councillor Forrester to be sent to the Natwest Clerk to action
Accounts for payment
Gross Net VAT
Audit Commission 2006-07 Audit Fee 285.00 334.88 49.88
Rowlinson Signs No cycling signs 40.00 40.00 0.00
SMDC Election Charge 19.65 19.65 0.00
Councillor Moult proposed payment, Councillor Bailey seconded, and all were in favour of payment.
7.133 Any Other Business
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.45pm.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,3rd December 2007
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
