ALTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Council Meeting
Monday December 5th 2011
Alton Village Hall commencing at 7.40pm (after a public meeting regarding Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations)
Present:
Councillor E Bailey
Councillor S Hollins
Councillor A Moult
Councillor F Eyre
Councillor J Shepherd
Councillor P Ballard
Councillor E Brindley
In Attendance: 7 parishioners
Ms L Court, Clerk
Mike Worthington – SCC Councillor
Apologies:
Councillor A Forrester
82/11 Minutes of the meeting held 7th November 2011
The minutes were signed as a true record.
Matters Arising : An update was given regarding the lack of response from Councillor Philip Atkins. It was agreed to await Councillor Worthington’s arrival before agreeing the action of a press release.
83/11 Alton Towers
An update regarding the potential of a joint meeting with Oakamoor and Farley Parish Council representatives was discussed.
84/11 Footpaths
Information regarding a post put in by a new gate where footpaths 26, 27 and 28 converge was discussed. The narrow nature of passage is due to a post erected to prevent horses getting through the gate. However, it was noted that the spring which was positioned incorrectly and therefore was not closing the gate had now been repaired.
It was reported that the fencing by the steps from the Village Hall to Lime Kiln Lane are to be repaired.
It was suggested that land at the top of Town Head where the bales are sometimes stacked could be used for a skateboard park and possibly for public toilets too. It was suggested that this land is owned by Staffordshire County Council.
85/11 Village Hall
Councillor Hollins reported that the AGm had taken place. A copy of the accounts was passed to Councillor Brindley who queried the figure cited for the investment account. The clerk was asked to find out what this account is and to let Councillor Brindley know.
Clerk to action
86/11 Prmary Care Centre
Councillor Ballard gave some details regarding the freeing up of space at the surgery due to the Waterhouses practice withdrawing. Several suggestions were made for additional services that could now be offered such as chiropody, physiotherapy and speech therapy. It was also suggested that the trust could look to involve other practices who could also use these facilities. The Clerk was asked to write to Mrs Butterworth at the PCT to suggest this.
Clerk to action
87/11 Alton Christmas Tree and Lights
This is now in situ and it was agreed that this has been very well received by the residents. The owner of the property who is providing the electricity has requested that the Council makes a request for a better streetlight on his property – preferably one which is a little more authentic.
It was agreed that a ‘Thank you’ would be sent to the donor of the tree.
Clerk to action
88/11 Lengthsman
No issues to report. The Clerk was asked to request that the leaves be cleared from Malthouse Road by SMDC. Clerk to action
89/11 Highways and Road Safety
Councillor Eyre reported on the feasibility study regarding the road crossing. Another meeting had been arranged for the following morning to look at this matter and some suggestions for alternative siting were made.
Councillor Brindley reported on the following:
Complaints regarding Limekiln Lane pavement – this has been re-reported and will be reassessed by the County Council.
Grit bins on the High Street have been installed.
Back Lane has been patched.
There has been no update regarding the hedge cutting that is still awaited.
Red Road has now been completed.
The gully grids were all cleared the previous week.
The hedge cutting that has been completed with the flail cutter has left a lot of debris on the road which ha then blocked the grids. The Clerk was asked to contact Highways to ask that this be reported to the contractors concerned.
The recycling sign needs replacement.
The bus stop on Uttoxeter Road was also discussed.
90/11 Parish Cemetery and St Peter’s Churchyard
The quotations received for the work required to the boundary wall were read out to the meeting, It was agreed to accept the lowest quote. The Clerk was asked to notify the successful contractor and to ask him to contact Councillor Forrester.
Clerk to action
91/11 Planning and Licensing Applications
Erection of two dwellings, Lnd south of Grove Hose, Smithy Bank, Alton - no objections
92/11Planning Decisions
Extension of time for implementation of applications, Crumpwood Farm –granted
Proposed single storey extension etc, Rowan House, Tythe Barn - refused
Outline application for the construction of a new single storey dwelling, Kirk House, Malthouse Road -refused
93/11 Councillor Worthington’s report
Councillor Worthington joined the meeting at this point and reported on the fact that the legal agreement regarding the £50,000 per year has still not been signed. The matter of the comments made by Councillor Atkins was also raised and it was agreed to allow Councillor Atkins another 7 days to make a response before issuing a press release.
The Clerk was asked to write to the legal department of SCC to query why the legal agreement has still not been settled. The Clerk was also asked to invite Karen Bradley to the next meeting. Clerk to action
Councillor Eyre declared an open forum to allow parishioners present to ask questions/raise issues:
• A parishioner queried the latter of the gate by the pigeon coop rather than a stile. This was discussed.
• A parishioner asked that the leaves be cleared down Limekiln Lane and requested that the soil be put back onto the bank. The Lengthsman agreed to look at this.
The meeting was then resumed.
94/11 Correspondence
• Requiring response
• Invitation to the Parish Assembly on December 8th – extended to any members of the Parish Council –Clerk asked to send apologies
• Zurich Town and Parish Insurance – offer to reduce insurance costs – Clerk to follow up
• Request for images of the village for SMDC – Councillor Hollins to ask a local resident
• For information only
• Plain English Guide to The Localism Bill – copies if required
95.11 Finance
2012/2013 Precept is be agreed at the January meeting. The Clerk was asked to incorporate the £900 cost for the repair to the boundary wall and a figure for the Jubilee celebrations. The budgeted figures will be discussed and finalised at the January meeting.
Invoices for payment
• Jacksons Nurseries – 288.00 + 57.60 VAT= £345.60
• T Sellers – Installation of sleeve for Christmas Tree – 1850.00+ 370.00 VAT = £2220.00
• N Forrester – Drawings for Public Toilet Scheme - £185.00
• SMDC – Election charges - £1283.89
• Fantastic Illuminations – Christmas tree lights 521.09+ 104.22 VAT = £625.31
• D. Brereton – compost for the war memorial £10.00
• Clerk’s wages for September to December 2011 = £818.36
• HMRC – PAYE contributions ref Clerk = £204.40
• Clerks expenses – printing, stationery and postage for last quarter = £68.86
• Advertisement for Public meeting – Cheadle and Tean times -£33.00
Councillor Moult 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,5th December 2011
Signed…………………………………………………...Clerk
