Ratified minutes from 7th June 2010 meeting

ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday June 7th, 2010
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.00pm

Present:
         Councillor A Forrester
            Councillor E Bailey
Councillor E Brindley
Councillor I Cope
Councillor A Moult
         Councillor S Hollins
         Councillor P Ballard


In Attendance:   8 parishioners
         Ms L Court, Clerk
         County Councillor Barrie Mycock


Apologies:       Councillor A Snow
         Councillor F Eyre (for the beginning of the meeting)

Councillor Forrester explained that Councillor Eyre was at Oakamoor receiving a cheque on behalf of the Parish Council and would join this meeting as soon as he was able.

10.13 Minutes of the meeting held 10th May 2010
The minutes were signed as a true record.

10.14 Matters Arising
Nothing not covered by the agenda.

10.15 Alton Towers
Nothing raised.

10.16 Footpaths
Councillor Bailey reported that there had been no feedback as yet from the County regarding works to be done. He agreed to report the stile requiring work by the pigeon coop. Councillor Moult noted the excellent work done to clear the slabs on Saltersford Lane but that the vegetation was beginning to overgrow the path. The lengthsman offered to strim this back.

10.17 Village Hall
Councillor Hollins reported that there had been no feedback as yet, but that she was expecting some before the next Parish Council meeting.

Councillor Mycock joined the meeting at this point and was welcomed by the chair.

10.18 Lengthsman
It was reported that plants had been donated by Alton Towers for the tubs and had mostly been planted. There are some left over and the meeting was asked to recommend any areas which would benefit from them.
The Clerk was asked to write a letter of thanks to Alton Towers for their kind donation.
                           Clerk to action
10.19 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Brindley reported that he and Councillor Bailey had met with Rob Steele of SCC to discuss the work to be done by the Communities Highway team who will be in Alton between 16th and 22nd June. Work to be done includes weeding at various sites around the village.
Councillor Brindley reported that a letter had been received from SCC regarding road crossings. He read this to the meeting and Councillor Mycock also gave an update on the current situation. Smithy Bank will be looked at in depth with consideration to a zebra crossing. He has asked for information on this to be sent in writing.
Strretlighting was also discussed. Councillor Mycock has some money(approx £5000) put aside to assist with the Hurston’s Lane project. He agreed to speak to Glynn Hook about this project the following day.
Feedback regarding the s.106 spend on traffic monitoring was also raised. Councillor Mycock has requested further details on this and any impact that it may have on traffic issues within the village.
Councillor Brindley will ask for feedback from the temporary VAS sign which has now been moved from Uttoxeter Road. This led to discussion regarding the speed of vehicles in both directions along Limekiln Lane and Uttoxeter Road. Councillor Cope spoke about the lack of pavement between the Surgery and the corner of Uttoxeter Road. The signs still on the roadside outside Fox House and The Byre have been reported.
Councillor Ballard raised the issue of dogs being exercised on the SCC playing field opposite the Village Hall. The Clerk was asked to write to the Headteacher at St peter’s School to request a new sign and a sign which reads ‘no dogs’   Clerk to action

10.20 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester announced the next litter pick to be held on July 3rd at 10.00am.
The mowing has been done to quite a high standard. The damaged gravestones have been dealt with by the contractors.

10.21 Planning and Licensing Applications
WJOHNS/10/00385/FUL,Cuckoo-Well-Hollow, Bradley Lane, Threapwood, Single storey detached dwelling - The Council objected to this on the grounds of overdevelopment.                   Clerk to inform SMDC
Councillor Forrester raised an email he had received regarding a property on Horse Road. He asked for the opinion of the Parish Council on the matter and agreed to respond to this email.
Councillor Brindley reported that the plans for the Alverton Motel site would be going to committee on 17th June. He cannot attend to support the application and asked if another Councillor could go in his place. Councillor Eyre agreed to attend if needed. Councillor Bailey agreed to accompany him.

10.22 Planning Decisions
09/01206/FUL, 2 Newton Lane, Alton Road, Threapwood , proposed side conservatory–granted – noted by the Council

Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:

•   A member of the public commented that any left over plants from the Alton Towers donation could go to the plant stall at the Fete. This was agreed to if they had not been used in the meantime.
•   Councillor Mycock asked of there were any projects the the village wished to ask for financial aid for. The Christmas tree was discussed and the Clerk gave an update on the permissions for this being sought. It was mentioned that a local resident has offered to supply the electricity for this project and this led to a discussion on street lighting styles.
•   A parishioner gave a report on the planting around the War Memorial. She will apply for her expenses once she is sure that the plants survive.
•   A parishioner asked about the state of The Highwayman. This was discussed briefly.
•   Councillor Ballard asked on behalf of a parishioner about the plans for the cottage on Town Head which is undergoing work in the garden. A member of the public gave details on the project.
•   Councillor Brindley raised the matter of the retirement of the milkman and his wife, Mr Ray and Mrs Yvonne Berrisford. It was decided that a letter of thanks and a small gift should be sent from the Parish council. The Clerk was to write a letter and Councillor Eyre will purchase an appropriate gift and deliver it.                  Clerk to action

The meeting was then resumed.

10.23 Correspondence
1.   Requiring response
1.   Action day in Alton – Councillor Bailey to contact Victoria Heath to action.
2.   Letter regarding change of use for The Lord Shrewsbury Hotel. This was discussed at length. Iain Gordon spoke on behalf of Alton Castle regarding the proposals and Councillors spoke on experiences of the Stratford centre and historical issues with the Castle some years ago. It was agreed that the Castle is currently a credit to the village. Mr Gordon invited Councillors for a site visit if they wanted to do this and to meet with the project drivers if required. It was agreed that the Council would await the outcome of the potential sale and permissions being sought before meeting with the Archdiocese. Thanks were extended to Mr Gordon for attending the meeting.
3.   Health and Social care Issues – request from Staffordshire LINK. It was agreed to ask for a visit.             Clerk to action
4.   Letter regarding donation of £522.83 from Churnet Valley Railway Action Group. Councillor Eyre gave a report on this matter and it was agreed that this fund would be ringfenced for use for an environmental project to be discussed in the future.
5.   Letter regarding trees in St Peter’s Churchyard. Councillor Forrester took the letter and agreed to look into the matter.
2.   For information only
1.   Staffordshire Moorlands parish Assembly, Meeting date change to 24th June 2010 – noted – Councillor Eyre may attend
2.   Speed Checks in the Parish - noted
3.   Permissive Access Notification – agreed that this is for Oakamoor
10.24 Finance
•   Completion of Audit Commission paperwork – Completed     Clerk to action
•   Income from HM Customs and Revenue VAT reclaim of £5181.81
•   Information re precept setting – Councillor Mycock clarified this matter for the Council and they noted the implications.
Invoices for payment
Supplier   Details   Gross £   VAT £   Net £
Jacksons   Grass cutting   576.00   100.80   676.80
Liz Court   Expenses   23.30      23.30
Liz Court   Clerking   274.17      274.17
E Bailey   Lengthsman Wages   288.00      288.00
E Bailey   Lengthsman Expenses   83.23   11.90   95.13

Councillor Brindley proposed payment, Councillor Forrester seconded and all were in favour.                           Clerk to action

The Reverend Brian Leathers was welcomed to the meeting as the new Vicar of St Peter’s CE Church. He commented on the community spirit within the village. There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.

Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,7th June 2010
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk