ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday January 7th, 2008
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor F Eyre
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
A representative from Beat the Cold
Apologies: Councillor I Cope
7.134 Welcome
The Chair welcome Mrs Angela Snow to the council and wished all a Happy New Year.
7.135 Presentation from ‘Beat the Cold’
A representative from the Charity spoke to the meeting outlining the project to be rolled out over the Staffordshire Moorlands Leaflets were distributed to all present.
The Council were asked to endorse the project and to put forward any ideas for the back of the thermometer cards and other ways to publicise the project.
The Council were unanimous in endorsing a very worthwhile project and suggested that the Village Website could be used as a vehicle to advertise the scheme. There was also a suggestion that the back of the thermometer card could be used to advertise BKV, the Website and the Village Hall. The Clerk was asked to liase with the Charity on these matters. Clerk to action
7.136 Minutes of the meeting held 3rd December 2007
The minutes were signed as a true record.
7.137 Matters Arising
Councillor Moult gave feedback on the Local Heritage Planning Draft. There was some discussion around planning within a conservation area
7.138 Alton Towers Relief Road
An invitation to attend a meeting with Merlin Entertainments Representative regarding the Eastern Access was announced. Alton Parish Council and Farley Parish Council have been invited to attend on Tuesday 22nd January at 6.30pm. The venue is to be the Oblivion Syndicate Room at the Hotel.
7.139 Footpaths
There was nothing to be discussed
7.140 Village Hall
Councillors Brindley and Hollins gave feedback from the meeting held on 2nd January. Items of note included a progress report on building works and date of next meeting which will be February 21st. Councillor Snow agreed to attend on behalf of the Parish Council.
7.141 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Brindley reported that work continues on Smithy Bank and Knight Lane. Pot holes are being reported as they occur. The roads have been swept after a report was lodged on Clarence. Limekiln Lane was noted as being particularly bad. Councillor Brindley agreed to pursue this matter. Councillor Brindley to action
An email had been sent on 4th December regarding the streetlight by Dimblecroft as discussed at the last meeting. No reply had as yet been received.
There was no news on the pavement re-allignment. There has been no contact from the Highways department on this matter. The vicarage wall will not be repaired due to the potential work being done. Councillor Brindley agreed to pursue this matter through Mr P Gee and Councillor B Mycock if necessary. Councillor Brindley to action
There has been a request for SCC to stop mowing the grape hycinths which have been planted by the Oak Tree on Uttoxeter Road. The meeting was asked to speak to the workers if they were seen in the area.
There was some discussion regarding signage for the PCT. It has been suggested that there may be some movement on this matter in exchange for a sign at the top of Limekiln Lane to the surgery. SCC may erect the sign if Alton Parish Council could fund the works. Councillor Brindley agreed to speak to Mr R Middleton on the matter. Councillor Brindley to action
There has been a request for an additional streetlight at the top of the cemetery. Councillor Ballard agreed to look into this matter Councillor Ballard to action
The Clerk was asked to find out costs for ornamental lighting.
Clerk to action
7.142 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
There was nothing to report.
7.143 Best Kept Village Competition 2008
Councillor Forrester announced a meeting to be held at The Malthouse on Tuesday 15th January at 7pm. A suggestion was made of a competition to be run to get villagers interested. The litter picks will go ahead again this year.
7.144 SPCA
SPCA training booking form
Speaking Out – the news magazine for West Midlands Regional Assembly
7.145 Budget and Precept requirement 2008/09
Budget paperwork was distributed to the councillors. The proposed amount requested was £12850 which is higher than previous years to take into account the increased insurance liability and maintenance due to the playground. The amount was accepted by Councillor Brindley, and seconded by Councillor Forrester. All other Councillors were in favour. Councillor Eyre suggested that further grants for the Lengthsman be looked into and the Clerk was asked to do this. There was some discussion on capital expenditure. Clerk to action
7.146 Planning and Licensing Applications
Application no SM.07/19/165W ; Erection of a kiosk to house telemetery equipment at grass verge to the east of New Road, Alton
No objections
CROBER/07/01496/FUL Church Cottage Farm, Bradley Lane, Threapwood – two storey and single storey extension
No objections as long as the work is in-keeping due to the close proximity to Bradley Church.
07/01604/FUL The Lord Shrewsbury, New Road, Alton – Erection of side and rear extension to accommodate 23 bedrooms and new function room
There were strong objections to this plan due to the Conservation Area and the need to keep Alton a village. This project is seen as over development. A suggestion was made that the site should be tidied after the demolition of the derelict part and not re developed.
Clerk to communicate
7.147 Planning Decisions
07/01200/LBC Alton Station – granted
07/01202/LBC Dimble Cottage – refused
07/01224/FUL 22 Town Head – refused
07/01226/LBC 22 Town Head – refused
These were noted by the Council.
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions.
· A parishioner noted that the planning application for the Lord Shrewsbury was the 5th application in 4 years. As the application for 14 bedrooms was turned down, it seemed strange that another application had been lodged for more bedrooms.
· A parishioner asked about a sign for the Churches. It was explained that a fingerpost style sign is being looked into.
· A parishioner reported that the Denstone Lane grid is blocked. This has been reported.
· Nettles on the New Lane cut through were discussed. As the land is privately owned, the Lengthsman cannot cut them down. The Clerk was asked to write to the landowner to ask permission to tidy up the path. The Clerk was also asked to write to the owner of Grasmere on Hurstons Lane to ask for the hedge to be cut back allowing pedestrians to walk on the verge. Clerk to action
· A parishioner noted that the work done on the High Street is very good but that some of the white lines have not been re-painted. Councillor Brindley to report
· A parishioner queried whether the Staffordshire Way was to be re-designated as a Bridleway and asked for an update on works. The Clerk was asked to contact Paul Rochfort on the matter. Clerk to action
· An update from Severn Trent regarding works to be done was read to the meeting.
7.148 Correspondence
Requiring response
1. Consultation Documents from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Clerk to complete
2. Questionnaire re locality working
Clerk to complete
For information only
1. Winter Driving Leaflet from SCC
2. Current Electoral Register
7.149 Finance
Accounts for payment
Gross Net VAT
William Burton Fencing 110.00 116.00 6.00
Eddie Bailey Lengthsman wages 216.00 216.00 0.00
Gary Maton Work on Village Hall – Disabled toilet 4000.00 4700.00 700.00
Councillor Forrester proposed payment, Councillor Eyre seconded, and all were in favour of payment.
7.150 Any Other Business
A parishioner asked if the strip of concrete at the back of the Goal post could be turfed. The work will be done if Alton Parish Council agree to pay for the turf. It was decided that this would be an improvement and all were in favour of paying for the turf necessary.
Councillor Brindley asked what progress had been made regarding signs about Dogs on the playing field. It was agreed that two signs are needed, one at the stile and one at the corner of the field. The suggested wording was ‘No dogs allowed by order of Alton Parish Council’. The Clerk was asked to check that this wording would be acceptable with the Dog Warden. Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre requested a copy of the Electoral Register and the Conservation Maps.
Clerk to action
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.20pm.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,7th January 2008
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
