Minutes October 2018

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 24 October 2018 at 7.00p.m.

in the Blore Suite at Ipstones Memorial Hall

PRESENT: Councillors Philip Barks, Heather James, Linda Malyon (Chair), Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards, Barry Shuttleworth, Andrew Stevenson & Patrick Stimpson. The Clerk, 1 x Reporter and

6 members of the public.

APOLOGIES: Councillor John Williams

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: It was agreed to take these as/if they arise

DISPENSATIONS: None Received

On proposal by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr James it was resolved to move the minutes for 26 September 2018 as a true record. This was agreed unanimously.

121/18. MATTERS ARISING:

Parking Issues at Froghall Wharf: Cllr Malyon reported that there is to be a meeting with the County Council and other interested parties and that they are discussing moving the large boulders in order to allow more space for parking.
Pot Holes in Brookfields Road: It was noted that only one had been repaired.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police – Fire & Rescue – Crime: Confirmation that the Commissioner will be attending a meeting on Wednesday 7^th November had been received and they asked to know of any likely questions. It was agreed to advise him that the future of Fire Service and Ipstones Fire Station and about local Policing levels.
Trees, near Foxt Cross Roads: The Clerk reported that the Lengthsman has looked and stated that he will be able to trim the trees using a hand saw.
Survey re Doctors Branch Surgeries: Cllr Malyon reported that she has heard that the Doctors would have liked to have had input into the questionnaire.
‘Dead Conifer’ on the Green at Foxt: it was noted that this has now been removed and that they are now going to tidy up the Bus Shelter.

122/18. PLANS: The following plans had been received: –

DET/2018/0034 Conversion of redundant agricultural building to form a single

new dwelling with accommodation arranged over a single floor at Unit 1, Town

Head farm, Foxt. It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Mycock

to support approval of this application. This was agreed unanimously.

Cllr Stimpson Arrived.

SMD/2018/0591 Erection of livestock building adjoining existing building at

Four Meadows Farm, Foxt Road, Foxt. It was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and

seconded by Cllr James to support approval of this application. This was agreed

unanimously.

SMD/2018/0615 LBC for repairs and part replacement of building fabric including

roof finishes, roof and floor timbers, restoration of metal windows and stone

surrounds, replacement rainwater goods and miscellaneous like for like repairs to

fabric due to water penetration, collapse of structure and rot including repointing

at Sharpcliffe Hall, Bradshaw Lane, Ipstones.

123/18. CORRESPONDENCE

Lengthsman’s Report (September): Details of this were noted.
Mr S, Foxt re Application for addition of a Public Footpath at Town End, Foxt: The letter raised a few queries regarding this application which was due to be heard by the Countryside and Rights Panel on 19^th Unfortunately, the letter had arrived while the Clerk was on annual leave, so it had not been possible to respond before 19 October. It is understood that the County Council’s Legal team are to make a site visit before making the final decision.
Mrs A re Hedge bordering her property: The letter was read out and it was agreed to ask the land owner if they could have a word with Mrs A.
Leek Town Council re Leek Moorlands Hospital: The e-mail invited for a representative to attend working group meetings which have been arranged with a view to maintaining the services at the Moorlands Hospital. Cllr Malyon agreed to go if she could.
SCC (technical Review Officer) re Foxt Bank: An e-mail advised that he is going to visit the site with one of his engineers but advised that the ‘slip plane’ is very deep rooted and equally difficult to solve. Cllr Stevenson mentioned that there are also cracks appearing at the bottom of the bank near the Lime Kilns and he thought that there used to be a stream that ran under the road, he wondered if this was contributing to the problems. It was agreed to ask to be kept informed of the situation.
County Councillor Heath re Drainage Work, Belmont Road: the e-mail was read out and it was agreed to send a letter of thanks for getting work completed so quickly.
Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly: information had been received from their last meeting.
Other Newsletters, circulars etc: –

SPC Assc – Weekly Bulletins

NALC – Funding Bulletin

124/18. REMEMBRANCE SERVICES AND WREATHS: Times of the service were noted and

Cllr Malyon agreed to do a reading. Cllr Stimspon proposed that as it is the

Centenary Year since the end of WORLD War 1 to donate the sum of £250 under

Section 137 (miscellaneous Payments) for the cost of the Wreaths and the

Poppy Appeal. This was seconded by Cllr Mycock and agreed unanimously.

125/18. TRAINING FOR LENGTHSMAN & VOLUNTEERS: there was only on place where the

training would cover all the duties of the Lengthsman, others were just for the use

of Mowers and Trimmers/Brushcutters (separate courses). Cllr Malyon said she

would enquire if the District Council do any courses. Cllr James suggested that

there might be some ‘online’ courses that may be suitable.

126/18. ANNUAL REVIEWS

Risk Assessment Review: – each member had received a copy and agreed on the

following actions/updates: –

Lengthsman – a new Risk Assessment had been adopted for the Lengthsman on

26 September 2018.

Burial Grounds: As it has been several years since the last ‘Risk Assessment’ was completed on the mature trees in the Cemetery it was agreed to arrange for a Risk assessment to be carried out and quotes are to be sought.

Audit/Financial Regulations/ Internal Audit Review: It was agreed that there is no need for any changes to the Audit and Financial Regulations/Internal Audit.
Cemetery Fees Review: Following a short discussion it was proposed by Cllr Shuttleworth and seconded by Cllr James not to increase the fees this year but to review again in October 2019. This was carried by 7 votes in favour with 1 member abstaining.
PAT Testing: It was agreed to check if this must be done now as some members thought that it is no longer a legal requirement.
Appointment of Independent Internal Auditor: It was agreed to appoint Elizabeth Thompson as the Independent Internal Auditor.

127/18. GARDEN PLOT LEASES: It was noted that the leases expire on 31 December 2018.

It was proposed by Cllr James and seconded by Cllr Stimpson to keep the rent of

£100 for each garden plot for the 23-month period and to offer renewal of the

leases to the existing Lessees from 1^st February 2019.

128/18. ANNUAL INSPECTION OF PLAY EQUIPMENT ON FOXT COMMUNITY AREA: The

Clerk reported that she had spoken to the suppliers of the swing and they had said

that they do not dismantle swing units on routine inspections. They did provide a

quote for an Annual inspection and two other quotes had been received. It was

agreed to instruct Wicksteed Leisure as their quote had been the lowest and they

have carried out the inspections in previous years.

Cllr Malyon reported that she had tried to find someone to clean the Play

Equipment but it was difficult as you can’t get vehicle down the lane.

129/18. QUOTES FOR REMOVAL OF RUBBLE FROM THE CEMETERY: The Clerk reported

that 3 quotes had been requested, Notices had been placed on the Notice Board

and on the Webpage but unfortunately only one quote had been received and a

second person said that they are too busy to do the job so had not quoted.

Following discussion, it was proposed by Cllr James and seconded by

Cllr Shuttleworth to accept the quote that had been received for £1240.00. This

was agreed unanimously.

130/18. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: The Clerk reminded members that it would not be long

before they will have to consider the precept for the next financial year and that

they should think about any projects etc that may need to be considered.

131/18. SIGNAGE FOR SCHOOL & TINY TOTS: Cllr Malyon reported that she has been

approached and asked if the School & Tiny Tots can be included on a sign at the

entrances to the village. She said that the County Council are happy with this and

wondered where the signs could go. There were some reservations that it would

set a precedent. It was agreed to think about this and put it on the next agenda.

132/18. HIGHWAYS

Cart Lane: It was thought that there needs to be a width restriction on Cart Lane to deter wider vehicles attempting to drive along the lane. It was agreed to invite County Councillor Heath to a meeting to discuss this.

133/18. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT

Foxt Kiosk: Cllr Mycock suggested that a letter of thanks be forwarded to Mr Pickstock for the good job he has done in repairing and painting the Kiosk and tidying up the area immediately round the kiosk.
Allocating tenants for Churchfield Court: The Clerk reported that she had been approached by someone who has asked if the parish council have a policy to put names forward to SHA should a house become available. It was agreed that for anyone to be considered they already need to be on the housing waiting list. (Previously it had been suggested that local people who may be interested in one of the houses/flats to complete forms to get on the waiting list – the Clerk is to look back and check what was said at the time). It was also noted that the SHA do not have to contact the PC
Bus Shelter, Froghall Road: Cllr Malyon reported that she has found someone who could clean the bus shelter inside and out for the cost of £132. On proposal by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr James to authorise this to be done but in April. This was agreed.

134/18. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: – The following accounts were agreed for payment: –

	£
Lengthsman’s payment (Net)	182.16
Lengthsman’s Expenses (Mileage 36 miles @ 0.45p	16.20
Clerk’s Salary (net)	630.00
Clerk’s Expenses inc. Ink Cartridges	17.26
Ipstones Memorial Hall – 4 x meetings	72.00
Ipstones Memorial Hall – rent for Doctors’ branch Surgeries, J,A & S	325.00
D W Banks for Webpage Domain, Hosting & Security£135.00 & Updating minutes £25.00 and GDPR – £25.00	185.00
Staffordshire Farm Supplies Ltd for Trimmer Cord (Lengthsman)	15.00
M Emery – Final Invoice for Mowing Season	1200.00
Ipstones & Foxt RBL – Poppy Appeal & Wreaths – S137 Misc Pymnts	250.00

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The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 21 November 2018 at 7.00p.m.

The meeting will be held at Foxt Village Hall