ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday March 3rd, 2008
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor I Cope
Councillor F Eyre
Councillor F E Brindley
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
Councillor A Snow
In Attendance: 3 parishioners
1 member of the press
Ms L Court, Clerk
Apologies: Councillor A S Forrester
7.165 Minutes of the meeting held 4th February 2008
The minutes were signed as a true record with one word amended
7.166 Matters Arising
· Street Lighting – Hurston’s Lane by cemetery. An update was given by the Clerk and Councillor Brindley
· Street Lighting - embellishment. The folder of possible styles was discussed and a preferred design found. The Clerk was asked to look into the cost and fitting of this design. Councillor Eyre pointed out that the council would need to make sure that the lights are as effective as the current lights and the Clerk was asked to verify this. Clerk to action
7.167 Alton Towers
There was nothing to discuss this month.
7.168 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey reported that he had had a meeting with the County Archaeologist on 25th February and walked Saltersford Lane and Footpath No 25. The Archaeologist has agreed the liase with Paul Rochfort and Dawn Plant at SCC and report back to Alton PC regarding the re-instating of the slabs. He will prepare a plan and look at the funding available. It was asked that a copy of the satellite mapping be given to the Parish Council. There had also been talk of a plaque or information board being placed on Saltersford Lane regarding the historic importance of the lane.
Councillor Bailey to action
Councillor Bailey will put in a bid for the Community Paths Initiative in time for the deadline of March 31st. Councillor Bailey to action
Councillor Cope reported that the path between Toothill and Battlesteads is again very muddy. Councillor Bailey has spoken with Paul Rochfort on this matter before and it was agreed that both he and the Clerk would report this again.
Councillor Bailey and the Clerk to action
7.169 Village Hall
Councillor Snow reported that the last meeting was held on 21st February. The disabled toilets have been completed. Another quotation is being sought for the Gents Toilets refurbishment. The Pre-School group will pay for blinds in the Committee Room. The hourly rate for hire for children’s activities will rise to £4.00 per hour. The next meeting will be held on 17th March.
Councillor Brindley reported that the bill for the work on the disabled toilets has come through and would be presented as part of the finance section.
There was some discussion about the use of the committee room and CRB checks. Councillor Snow agreed to mention the matter at the next Village Hall meeting. It was pointed out that the Committee Room does not form part of the main hire.
Councillor Snow to action
7.170 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Brindley reported that approval has been given for the pavement widening and road realignment on Limekiln Lane has been given and the work is now in progress. The land being used will continue to belong to the Diocese of Lichfield.
The potholes opposite The Lord Shrewsbury were mentioned as particularly bad.
Battlesteads to Gallows Green is being resurfaced.
Limekiln Lane and Station Bank will not be resurfaced.
Hurston’s Lane is already cracking. SCC is doing what they can to maintain the surface.
All these matters are being reported. There was much discussion on the parish and local area’s road surface problems.
The cast iron finger post at Roundhouse was discussed. It was decided that the fingers should direct to the Churches, Alton Castle, the School, the Surgery, the Village Hall and Car park. Councillor Brindley to action
Councillor Brindley reported that the proposed move of the streetlight on Limekiln Lane had been costed at about £4,000. It was proposed to leave the light where it is.
Councillor Cope asked whether the Village Agent had been in touch with the Parish Council. There was some discussion regarding the Regeneration Group’s work in getting the Village Pump restored on Dimble Lane. There was discussion about clarification of any potential ongoing costs. After a pervious project, it was agreed that if any ongoing costs were incurred that the Parish Council was expected to meet, the project be brought through the Parish Council from the outset. The Clerk was asked to invite the Village Agent to the next meeting. Clerk to action
7.171 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
There was nothing to discuss this month.
7.172 Best Kept Village Competition 2008
Posters have arrived for BKV committee and will be passed to Councillor Forrester.
Posters will be put up advertising litter picks and the flower competition.
Councillor Ballard asked if there had been any news back regarding the verge at the back of Shirley Drive. The Clerk replied not.
7.173 SPCA
There was nothing to discuss this month.
7.174 Annual Parish Meeting
Councillor Moult explained the purpose of this meeting and it was agreed that the two meetings in April be combined as one. All were in agreement.
Clerk to action
7.175 Planning and Licensing Applications
RSIMPK/08/00066/OUT The Bungalow, Cedar Hill, Alton – Replacement bungalow
No objections
JC/08/00233/ADV Alton Towers, Four illuminated free standing entrance signs
No objections
Notification re felling of trees, The Old Stables, Malthouse Road, Alton
No objections
Clerk to communicate
7.176 Planning Decisions
Erection of a kiosk to house telemetery equipment at grass verge to the east of New Road, Alton – granted
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions:
· A parishioner discussed with the Council the importance of the local footpaths and their age and historical import
· A parishioner reported that she had purchased plants for the War Memorial area
· A parishioner reported a disturbance on the High Street at the weekend and the fact that the police had been called. There was general talk about damage in the village and it was felt that there was less policing now than there had been in the past. There was also a discussion regarding the Public Houses and renewal of licenses. The Clerk was asked to write to the police and to ask for more visits at turning out time Clerk to action
· It was mentioned that there would be a Police Surgery held at the Village Hall.
7.177 Correspondence
Requiring response
1. Allotment provision in the Parish. It was confirmed that the Parish does not own any land in the Parish apart from the Playing field and that this is legally bound to remain a playing field. Clerk to action
2. Environmental Enhancement Grants Councillor Bailey to action
3. Ryecroft CE Middle School – request for Governors. This was read to the meeting. Councillor Snow agreed to mention the vacancies at the Pre-school group. Councillor Snow to action
For information only
1. Community Council of Staffordshire Newsletter
2. SPCA Newsletter
3. Rights of Way improvement plan – given to Councillor Bailey
7.178 Finance
New Mandate form was completed for change of signatories.
Clerk to action
Accounts for payment
Gross Net VAT
Liz Court Clerk’s wages for September - March 1014.85 0.00
Gary Maton Work to complete Disabled Toilets 5272.00 6194.60 922.60
Councillor Brindley gave an update on the Capital Expenditure figure left for the improvement of the Gent’s Toilets in the Village Hall. £5672.00 is remaining and a grant could be applied for which could be an additional £2500.
Councillor Moult proposed payment of the invoices presented and all were in favour of payment.
7.179 Any Other Business
Councillor Eyre gave feedback on the plans at Alton Station. It was felt that the Landmark Trust were improving the site.
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.05pm.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman, 3rd March 2008
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
