ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday November 7th 2011
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.00pm
Present:
Councillor E Bailey
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
Councillor F Eyre
Councillor J Shepherd
Councillor A Forrester
Councillor P Ballard
In Attendance: 3 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Mike Worthington – SCC Councillor
Apologies: Councillor J Downie
Councillor E Brindley
70/11 Minutes of the meeting held 3rd October 2011
The minutes were signed as a true record.
Matters Arising : Councillor Shepherd gave an update regarding the septic tank at Dale Farm
71/11 Alton Towers
The Chair read an email sent from Philip Atkin’s office giving a breakdown of the s.106 £50,000 spend scheduled on traffic monitoring around Alton Towers. It was agreed that the Clerk send a copy of this to John Mansfield requesting that the traffic monitoring data be made available as this was clearly paid for with public money.
The Chair read a letter from Philip Atkins also on the same matter. It was felt that this did not answer the question posed regarding the statement made in The Sentinel about the Rocester corridor and the spend by Alton Towers on the highways in this area. After much discussion, the Clerk was asked to contact Mr Atkins again to ask him to confirm and detail what monies have been spent on the Rocester corridor highways by Alton Towers. If he cannot substantiate his statement in the Press, then the Parish Council will ask him to retract his comment and to contact The Sentinel to that effect. If Councillor Atkins does not provide a response to this question regarding his statement, then the Council was unanimously in favour of the Parish Council issuing a press release on the matter. Councillor Worthington also stated that he would contact Councillor Atkins on the matter.
Representation on the traffic liaison committee was also discussed.
Councillor Shepherd suggested a combining of Farley Parish Council and Oakamoor Parish Council regarding local issues such as The Churnet Valley Masterplan and other local matters. The Clerk was asked to contact both Parish Councils to suggest a meeting of representatives of all three Parish Councils.
Clerk to action
72/11 Footpaths
The Clerk gave details regarding the scheduling of works to footpaths 33 and 55. Councillor Bailey reported that the information board would be redone to correct the error before it is to be erected.
The stile at the top of Town Head has been reported as requiring work. Councillor Shepherd agreed to contact Paul Rochfort to request that a ranger look at this.
Councillor Eyre asked the Lengthsman to look at the fence by the steps to Limekiln Lane from the Village Hall to see if a repair is required.
Clerk to action
73/11 Village Hall
Councillor Hollins reported that she had been sent 3 sets of minutes of previous meetings and notified that the AGM will take place on 30th November.
Councillor Shepherd reported that he had been approached by local youths asking for consideration towards a skate park in the area. The area behind Alton Mill was discussed – especially as this area had been considered in the past for public toilets. It was agreed that this matter should be discussed with Farley Parish Council in whose Parish this land lies. The Chair agreed to speak to the Chair of Farley on the matter.
Clerk to action
74/11Alton Christmas Tree and Lights
Work on the sleeve is due to commence on 14th November. The lighting options were discussed and the Council agreed that white festoon lights would be the most appropriate. The Clerk will order these once she has received details from Councillor Shepherd regarding the length required and distance to the base of the tree from the power source and so on. The Council agreed that the Clerk should be authorised to purchase lights, cabling and bulbs as appropriate based on the prices that she had researched and reclaim the cost at the next meeting.
Councillor Moult offered to speak to JCB estate to ask for a tree if possible. Otherwise an offer from a local resident has also been made.
It was agreed that the tree would ideally be in place by the end of November.
Clerk to action
75/11 Lengthsman
The work done on Saltersford Lane has been very well received. The Legthsman was asked to look at clearing fallen leaves as much as possible from footpaths and alleys.
76/11 Highways and Road Safety
The Temporary Traffic Restriction Orders for Dimble Lane was read to the council and noted.
The work done on Red Road was noted – this has made a big improvement. Work is urgently required on Back Lane.
Salt Provision for Community Action – the Clerk reported on this matter and the update was noted.
Uttoxeter Road Bus Stop – the Clerk gave information regarding the repair of this as reported to SCC – repair has been scheduled.
Councillor Worthington gave an update regarding a crossing on Smithy Bank. It was agreed that a site meeting be requested to look at the possibilities and the obstacles to be overcome. Councillor Worthington was thanked for his attendance at Parish Council meetings all his help in local matters and left the meeting at that point.
77/11 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
Councillor Forrester reported that all was in order at both sites. The Clerk gave an update regarding the matter of the BoundaryWall. Paperwork has been sent to the Parish Council from the Parishioner and this was reviewed. It was agreed that quotations would be sought for the work and a decision made as to who would fnd this work once those quotations were received. Councillor Forrester offered to look into contacting appropriate contractors and liaising with the property owner to schedule site visits for quotations.
78/11 Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations 2012
The Clerk gave feedback on the meeting held on Friday 7th October and notified the meeting that the next meeting would take place on December 5th at 6.30pm immediately prior to the December Parish Council meeting. This meeting will be advertised locally by the Clerk and it is hoped that a committee will be formed who will co-ordinate the celebrations and the beacon. Clerk to action
.
79/11 Planning and Licensing Applications
Outline application for the construction of a new single storey dwelling, Kirk House
Councillor Forrester declared an interest and withdrew from discussions on this application. The Councl had mixed views on this application and took a vote. The majority were against the development on the grounds of overdevelopment and taking away of garden space (3 against the application, 2 for and 2 abstentions) -objections
Proposed domestic garage at The Terrace, Malthouse Road –no objections
Conservatory extension, Ambleside, Cheadle Road – no objections
Planning Decisions
Alton Towers, Building to house indoor ride, retail building, queue lines and associated hard/soft landscaping –granted
Dimblecroft, Limekiln Lane, Alton, Erection of dwelling – granted
Wood Farm, Red Road, Retention of Unauthorised Dwelling for a Temporary Period of 2 years - refused
Jays Barn, Bradley Lane, Single storey extension -refused
Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
• A parishioner commented on the clearing of grids – it was agreed that the Clerk would check this with Councillor Brindley
• The matter of the s.106 £50,000 spend was discussed again and the Clerk was asked to contact SCC on this matter as a matter of urgency.
The meeting was then resumed.
80/11 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• Reply from Mr Ratcliffe regarding issues over a missing gravestone - noted
• Garden furniture offer – noted and a discussion was started regarding a bench celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee or in the cemetery.
• Letter from a Parishioner regarding the state of Post Office Alley and grit provision for Malthouse Road – the Clerk was asked to respond on these matters and to contact SCC regarding the siting of a Grit Bin Clerk to action
• SMDC – Feedback from Round One Community Conversations. This was noted and the Clerk asked to respond that this meeting was not representative of local opinion and much of what was said has been left out of the report.
Clerk to action
• For information only
• SPCA mailing - noted
81/11 Finance
Invoices for payment
• Range Steel Stockholders Ltd – Christmas Tree sleeve £232.80 (inc VAT)
• Jackson’s Nurseries - £691.20 (inc VAT)
• Royal British Legion – Wreath and Donation – £50.00
• Lengthsman – wages of £264.00 plus expenses of £25.86
Councillor Eyre proposed payment, Councillor Ballard seconded and all were in favour. Clerk to action
There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.
Signed…………………………………………………..Chairman,7th November 2011
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
