ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday February 4th, 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
Councillor A Snow
In Attendance: 4 parishioners
1 member of the press
Ms L Court, Clerk
Apologies: Councillor I Cope
7.151 Minutes of the meeting held 7th January 2008
The minutes were signed as a true record.
7.152 Matters Arising
There were no matters arising that were not covered by the agenda.
7.153 Alton Towers Relief Road
Councillor Moult gave feedback from Meeting held Tuesday January 22nd. It was felt that the meeting had been pleasant but that no real progress had been made. There was much discussion regarding agreements made in the past that had not been enforced by local councils. Councillor Forrester reminded the meeting that there were no signed agreements to build the road. Councillor Moult told the meeting that another meeting had been held on 22nd January with SCC and SMDC and that a new agreement was to be written up which would supersede any previous agreements. A decision on the road will be made in the next 12-18 months and then communicated to the Council. It was agreed that Alton Towers Relief Road would come off the agenda and Alton Towers re-instated. Clerk to action
7.154 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey reported that he met with Dawn Plant of SCC on 26th January and walked Footpath 25 and Saltersford Lane. Photographs were taken and issues discussed. SCC will follow up on this meeting. An archeologist will also be asked to come and look at the setts and slabs on Saltersford Lane as it was felt that these were of historic interest and should be replaced
The status of Saltersford Lane as a bridleway was discussed and felt to be a matter for Denstone PC. It would appear from the meetings held that work will be done on these paths and Councillor Bailey is liaising with SCC on this matter.
Councillor Bailey to action
Paperwork for Community Paths Initiative – Bids for 2008/2009 was passed to Councillor Bailey for completion. Councillor Bailey to action
7.155 Village Hall
Councillor Snow reported that the next meeting of the Village Hall committee is due to held on 21st February.
She also told the meeting that the joiner is due to fit a door on the disabled toilets this week.
7.156 Highways and Road Safety
Temporary Road Traffic Regulation Order at Gallows Green, Alton read to the meeting.
An update on Ornamental Lighting prices and grant availability was given by the Clerk. There was much discussion on this matter. It was decided that the grants should be looked into but that this should not be at the cost of delaying lights that are needed.
It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Peter Walton to request an additional light at the top of The Hurstons near the cemetery.
Councillor Brindley reported that Glynn Hook of SCC had replied that the request to move the streetlight on Limekiln Lane near Dimblecroft had been refused on grounds of cost and the unsuitability of the existing pole.
Councillor Brindley also reported that the Vicarage wall project was still progressing and that it was hoped that title to the land would be established this week. SCC need the agreement done as soon as is possible. Everyone involved is working very hard to get this matter resolved. It is hoped that the work will start this month.
Peter Gee has also agreed to look at signs for Limekiln Lane and at the Primary Care signs after the pavement widening project is done.
Councillor Brindley reminded the meeting that Councillor Mycock has agreed to organise finance for the cast iron signpost near the Roundhouse. There was some discussion asto what to put on the fingers. All were asked to consider this and this matter will be on the agenda in March. Clerk to action
Councillor Ballard raised the matter of parking on Cheadle Road at the back of Glen Drive. This is blocking the route for pedestrians and creating a terrible mess and deep ruts on the grass verge. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to SCC asking if there was any way to prevent parking on the verge. Clerk to action
7.157 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester announced that over the next month Christmas Wreaths would be removed. The lawned cemetery will be cleared of pots ready for the mowing season
7.158 Best Kept Village Competition 2008
Councillor Forrester circulated and discussed the minutes of the last committee meeting.
Entry forms received for 2008 competition were discussed and the clerk was requested to complete. Councillor Forrester to provide a copy of Village Map to accompany entry form. Clerk to action
Councillor Bailey informed the meeting that the Village Noticeboard had been damaged at New Year. He has had this repaired.
7.159 SPCA
Correspondence for information only
7.160 Planning and Licensing Applications
Licensing Act 2003 – Premises licence application (variation) – Courtyard Tavern, Alton Towers
There were no objections. Clerk to communicate
An invitation to attend a meeting with Landmark, SCC and SMDC at Alton Station on Wednesday 6th February at 2pm was extended to the meeting.
7.161 Planning Decisions
07/01496/FUL Church Cottage Farm, Bradley Lane, Threapwood – two storey and single storey extension – granted
07/01402/FUL Crumpwood Cottage, New Road, Alton – two storey and single storey rear extension – granted
These were noted by the Council.
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions.
· A parishioner asked for clarification of the situation regarding the light on Limekiln Lane. There was much discussion and local residents were not happy about the council’s response to this request. The clerk was asked to write to Glynn Hook, Lighting Engineer at SCC to request a full survey and to get a costing for this light to be sited on either side of the road or attached to the existing telegraph pole. Clerk to action
7.162 Correspondence
Requiring response
1. SCC - 1APP Application forms and ‘local list’ of validation criteria consultation. Noted by meeting.
2. SCC – Staffs Moorlands Initial Consultation re local bus services – there was some discussion regarding this. The clerk was asked to write to say that the village would like to keep the current service as a bear minimum and would like the opportunity for review and to look to increase services. Clerk to action
Councillor Bailey left the meeting at this point.
3. Department for Communities and Local Government – Consultation on Orders and Regulations relating to the conduct of Local Authority members in England – Clerk to action
4. Community Council of Staffordshire – 2008 Diary of Village Festivals and Events – given to Councillor Snow for the Village Hall committee
For information only
1. Invitation to attend Moorlands East Police Authority Community Consultation Committee – Werrington Viillage Hall 26th February at 7pm
2. SCC – information on Communities First – incorporating Staffordshire Watchdog Scheme
3. Donna Louise Trust - fundraising letter
4. SCC - Update on Playing Fields Drainage Easement – brief overview given by the clerk.
5. SMDC – Monthly register update
6. Government Office for the East Midlands – Publication of the Draft East Midlands Plan Panel Report
7.163 Finance
Accounts for payment
Gross Net VAT
E Bailey Lengthsman wages 72.00 72.00 0.00
E Bailey Expenses 12.50 12.50 0.00
Community Council of Staffordshire BKV08 Entry 15.00 15.00 0.00
Councillor Brindley proposed payment, Councillor Forrester seconded, and all were in favour of payment.
7.164 Any Other Business
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.05pm.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,4th February 2008
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
