ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday August 4th, 2008
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillor E Bailey
Councillor E Brindley
Councillor I Cope
Councillor F Eyre
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
Councillor A Forrester
In Attendance: 16 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
County Councillor Barrie Mycock
Apologies: Councillor A Snow
8.59 Minutes of the meeting held 7th July 2008
The minutes were signed as a true record with one amendment to section 8.58 which should have read Councillor Cope not Councillor Eyre.
8.60 Matters Arising
• Following matter 8.46 – The Clerk was asked to follow up regarding a site visit for the Hurston’s Lane streetlight. Clerk to action
• Re colours of Street Lighting. The Clerk has been given a contact at ABB. He is away until 11th August, but the Clerk will follow up this matter after his return. Clerk to action
• Nabb Lane Alton Towers traffic. An email from the Clerk at Croxden was read to the meeting. The Clerk was asked to contact Mr Greatbatch at Ladderedge to discuss signage. Clerk to action
• Police Call outs to Alton Towers. A letter from Staffordshire Police was read to the meeting detailing the number of call outs police attended over the last year and the fact that these visits are not cross charged to Alton Towers. Councillor Eyre read a newspaper report to the meeting for information. The Clerk was asked to invite a senior officer to the next Parish Council meeting to discuss this matter. Clerk to action
• Granting of Easement – update from Clerk. The Clerk has instructed a local solicitor in this matter and this will be followed up with SCC.
8.61 Alton Towers
Councillor Eyre commented on reports regarding Merlin’s plans in the American market and the implications on the plans for a relief road for Alton.
8.62 Footpaths
1. The issue of the slabs on Saltersford Lane was raised. Councillor Bailey is in consultation with SCC on this matter. Councillor Bailey to action
2. Battlestead to Toothill footpath is still in a very poor state. Dawn Plant is looking into this. Councillor Bailey to action
3. The footpath from the car park of the White Hart has water running off from the car park surface creating a gouge in the path. The Lengthsman will look at the damage and attempt a repair. Councillor Bailey to action
4. Work to tidy the well and the path at the bottom of Horse Road will be looked into. Councillor Bailey to action
8.63 Village Hall
As the representative was absent, there were no matters to discuss this month.
8.64 Highways and Road Safety
1. The fingerpost project is still ongoing. The Council is currently awaiting a letter from SCC to give the go-ahead. Councillor Barrie Mycock has agreed to support this project.
2. The ‘Give Way’ sign at the end of Uttoxeter Road will be re-sited.
3. The blue sign at the end of Dimble Lane is to be replaced.
4. The ‘30’ sign and the gateway damaged on Cheadle Road will be rectified.
5. The ditch on Town Heads towards Headlands Way will be worked on.
6. Surgery signs are to be reviewed. Awaiting a response from SCC.
7. Councillor Mycock announced that resurfacing work is due to take place on Cheadle Road next year as part of a total £2 million spend.
8. Councillor Forrester expressed the Council’s appreciation for Councillor Mycock’s hard work in securing funding for the Limekiln Lane and Railings work within the parish.
9. Discussions regarding speed bumps on Cedar Hill and the possibilities of acquiring a speed gun.
10. A letter regarding the verges on Cheadle Road from SCC was read to the meeting. Necessary work will be assessed.
8.65 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Nothing to report
8.66 Best Kept Village Competition 2008
Results are due imminently. Councillor Forrester reported that the tubs and baskets competition in the village had been withdrawn due to lack of support.
8.67 Planning and Licensing Applications
RSIMPK/08/01453/FUL and 08/01484/CONSER Three storey side and front and two storey rear extension to accommodate 24 bedrooms and function room, The Lord Shrewsbury, New Road, Alton
After some discussion, it was decided that this application should be objected to on the grounds of overdevelopment. There was also some discussion regarding the environmental health issues of the site.
Clerk to communicate
Premises Licence application, Alton Towers Hotel for one off event Sunday 16th November, 10:00-07:00 Monday 17th November 2008
Due to lack of information, the Clerk was asked to contact Mark Kerrigan to get full details of the event before the Council can make a judgement. Clerk to action
Planning Decisions
Granted: Single Storey side extension, detached garage, alteration to vehicular access – 22 Town Head, Alton
Certificate of Lawfulness for stable block, Hansley Cross Farm, Cheadle Road, Alton
Conversion of 2nd Floor Store Room into a bathroom, The Old Coffee Tavern, High Street, Alton
Councillor Moult declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to raise issues/ask questions:
• A parishioner clarified the situation regarding the licence application.
• A parishioner observed that a sign is needed at both ends of Nabb Lane.
• A parishioner expressed his gratitude for the Council’s opinion on the Planning application for The Lord Shrewsbury.
• A representative of the Alton Regeneration Group presented the Council with a cheque for £500.00 for use in improving the village.
• The pothole below the Londis shop was discussed. It has been reported through Clarence.
• The application for a grant towards work to the Pump has been submitted.
• A parishioner raised the issue of a streetlight on Knight Lane. There was a long discussion of this matter. It was agreed by the Council that a letter should be sent to SCC requesting the reinstatement of a light on Knight Lane. It was pointed out by Councillor Mycock that SCC would be unlikely to act whilst there is disagreement between the Parish Council and residents. The Council agreed that the siting of the light should be a matter for SCC. One resident of the area felt that diffused lighting that is more in-keeping with the village would be preferable. The Alton Regeneration Group is looking into any possible finding for antique street furniture rather than modern style. As a result of this issue, the Clerk was asked to write a letter to SCC asking if the feelings of a resident take precedent over the democratically elected Council and can therefore over-rule a decision made by the Council. Clerk to action
8.68 Correspondence
1. SPCA re Vacancies on Exec Committee
2. Parishioner’s letter regarding Knight Lane streetlight
3. SCC Letter re LEA Governor Vacancy at St Peter’s
8.69 Finance
Accounts for payment
Jacksons Nurseries April/May/June Invoice 1400.00 245.00 1645.00
D Ingman Interal Audit Fees 145.00 145.00
Lengthsman Wages 368.00
Expenses 28.92 4.01 32.93
Councillor Brindley proposed payment, Councillor Forrester seconded and all were in favour.
8.70 Any Other Business
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman, 4th Aug 2008
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
