Minutes Sept 2015

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 7 October 2015 (September meeting)
at 7.30p.m. in the Main Hall at Ipstones Memorial Hall

PRESENT: Councillors Philip Barks, Heather Morris, Sandy Richards,
Barry Shuttleworth (Chair of meeting), Patrick Stimpson and John Williams.
The Clerk and Mr G Bean

APOLOGIES: Councillors Linda Malyon, Howard Mycock and Andrew Stevenson

DISPENSATIONS: None received

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: To be taken as they arise.

137/15. MATTERS ARISING

a. Water on the Road at Above Church: Cllr Morris reported that the people are back now but the road is currently dry. It was agreed to monitor.
b. Ipstones Recreation Field: Cllr Morris commented that she thought that the payment for the tidying up and mowing of the recreation field should be a one off payment.
c. Replacement Mower for Foxt: The Clerk reported that the Mower has been delivered to Mr B Barks, one of the volunteer mowers.

It was agreed that the minutes for the meeting held on
Wednesday 9th September 2015 were a true record.

Cllr Shuttleworth moved that agenda item No 7 – Foxt Church Yard be moved forward so that Mr G Bean could explain about this. This was agreed.
Standing Orders were suspended to allow Mr Bean to speak.

138/15. FOXT CHURCHYARD: Mr Bean explained that there are only 20 plots left in the
existing Church Yard and that a local land owner has kindly donated a piece of land
on the opposite side of Shay Lane for the purpose of an extension to the
Churchyard. He said that the location of the land was ideal because it is opposite
the side gate to the Church. He explained that the Church Council will be
submitting a planning application for this and that they will apply to the C of E for a
Faculty. If successful the Church will pay for the section of land to be fenced off
and a gate to be installed – the planning application would also include the
proposed widening of the existing side gate at the Church. Mr Bean said it would
be a ‘win win’ situation if the project gets the go ahead as the land is close to the
Church and could still be used for grazing until it is required alleviating the cost of
maintenance. Cllr Shuttleworth thanked Mr Bean for coming along to explain
about the project.
Mr Bean thanked the members for their time and allowing him to explain the
project and also thanked the parish council for getting the Himalayan Balsam cut
back on Park Nook. Mr Bean left the meeting. Standing Orders were resumed.

139/15. PLANS: the following planning applications had been received: –

SMD/2015/0437 Installation of a new buried pipeline and construction of a
turbine shed for a new hydro-electric turbine, thereby replacing the existing
hydropower system on the site at Consall Hydro Ltd, The Mill, Consall Forge.
On proposal by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Stimpson it was agreed
unanimously to support this application.

SMD/2015/0528 Conversion of stone barn to dwelling at Town Head Farm,
Foxt Road, Foxt. On proposal by Cllr Williams and seconded by Cllr Stimpson it
was agreed unanimously to support this application.

Notification of the following ‘approvals’ had been received: –

SMD/2015/0286 Erection of a replacement agricultural building at Standing
Stones Farm, Onecote Road, Bottomhouse.
SMD/2015/0358 (& Listed building consent No SMD/2015/0359) Repair and
restoration of outbuilding to provide recreation/play rooms to existing house at
Bolton Farm, The Grange, Town End Road, Foxt.

140/15. CORRESPONDENCE

a. Churnet Valley Community Grants Scheme Application: Re Grant for Notice Boards: the letter advised that the grant application had been successful and gave the go ahead for the project to go ahead. The Clerk advised that we would have to wait for the S115 Licence to be granted from the County Council.
b. Douglas Macmillan Hospice: A letter had been received regarding fund raising for the Hospice and offering to come along and talk to the parish council about the work they do. It was proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Stimpson to make a donation of £200.00 under S137 (Miscellaneous Payments), but to decline the offer of someone coming to a meeting.
c. Ipstones Memorial Hall Committee: A letter of thanks had been received for the support given by paying for the cost of the Recreation Ground being cleared of undergrowth etc. Cllr Shuttleworth said that this extra grant had been a ‘one off’ and had been appreciated as the Recreation Ground had been neglected for some time.
d. Foxt Village Hall Committee – Re Grant: An e-mail had been received regarding the annual grant. The e-mail stated that they require the grant toward the cost of a defibrillator in the village hall and training of operatives and the purchase of a new sign to identify the Village Hall. Following a discussion it was agreed to ask for costings of the projects and if the amount is over the £600, that has been set aside, the council would consider giving extra either to cover the whole cost or toward the cost, dependent price. This was decided in view of the fact that Ipstones Memorial Hall had had an extra ‘one off’ grant this year.
e. Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly: Details of the next meeting had been received.
f. Cheadle CAB & Your Housing: An invitation to a Scam Awareness session had been received and details noted.
g. SMDC re Water on the Road at Above Church: the letter advised that an investigation has taken place and that no issues of concern had been found so they will not be taking any further action at this moment in time. Cllr Morris explained that the people had been away and had only recently returned – so the problem may reappear. It was agreed to monitor the situation and to notify the SMDC if the problem re-appears.
h. SCC re The future of Staffordshire’s Countryside Parks and Green Spaces: It was noted that the next phase of review will be a public consultation in November when people will be able to comment in the four proposed options.
i. SMDC re LDF Site Options: Acknowledgement of the comments made by the parish council had been received.
j. Redwood Tree Specialists re Japanese Knot Weed: The letter confirmed that the first treatment had been carried out and that the next treatment would take place next September.
k. Moorland Enterprise – Business Start-up Programme – details of help and advice available had been received.
l. Other circulars, newletters etc
NALC – Legal Topic Note 21 – Local Council Help for Village Halls
SPCA – Bulletins – 9th/9, 18th/9, 24th/9 & 1st/10
SPCA – various training courses
Peak District Rural Housing Association – Annual report 2014/15
Churnet Valley Railway – Directors’ Report and Summary Financial Statements
SMDC – Outside, active & healthy – Autumn Winter Leaflet

Agenda Item No 8, Painting Cemetery Gates was deferred until the spring when
there will be a site visit to the Cemetery.

141/15. TO ARRANGE THE INSTALLATION OF CEMETERY NOTICEBOARD: It was agreed to
ask for quotes from two or three local people.

142/15. UPDATE ON IPSTONES MEMORIAL HALL PROJECT: Cllr Shuttleworth reported
that the Hall Committee have agreed to the plans which have now gone to be
drawn up.

143/15. UPDATE ON IPSTONES VILLAGE YOUTH SOCIETY: Cllr Morris reported that she
had spoken to John prior to the meeting and he mentioned that they are
struggling for Volunteers to assist on Youth Club nights. Cllr Morris said she has
offered to help on some of the sessions.
144/15. HIGHWAYS: The following issues were noted: –
a. It was noted that Cllr Barks had concerns over a bad crash at Bottomhouse and that there have been several over the last few years.
b. Pot Holes: Cllr Morris reported that there are two pot holes near Churchside Barn that are getting bigger and the one at the top of Clerks Bank is now huge. It was agreed to report these again.
c. Park Lane: Cllr Stimpson reported that there is a tree hanging halfway across the road. It was agreed to report this.
d. Park Nook from Casey Cross Roads to Foxt Cross Roads: Cllr Williams reported that the sides of the road are being eroded away. It was agreed to report this.
e. Drainage System by Foxt Village Hall: Cllr Williams reported that former Councillor Mr Holt had said that when drainage work was done near Foxt Village Hall the County Council had said they would come back when walling work on the opposite side of the road had been finished – but this had not happened. It was agreed to enquire about this.
f. It was agreed to report that a ‘Blue Cycle’ finger sign had fallen off the Finger Post Sign opposite Belmont Road.
g. Stones on verge outside Farley Cottage: it was agreed to chase up on this

145/15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT
a. Bus Service through Foxt: Cllr Williams reported that some Buses have been seen going up the opposite road to the one-way road and this was considered dangerous with the bad bend and parked vehicles. It was agreed to write to the Bus Company and ask if they can go up the one-way road past the Fox and Goose and to also ask if they can use smaller buses where possible on the narrow country lanes.

146/15. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –
£
Lengthman’s Payment – Net (September) 120.55
Clerk’s Salary – Net – (September) 600.00
Clerk’s Expenses inc. Ink Cartridges 28.22
J Hooley for 2 x mows 560.00
Whittaker’s of Leek Ltd (3 skips for 3rd October) 165.84
HMRC – PAYE (2nd Quarter) 90.40
Paul Gowans (for mowing and clearing Recreation Field – S19 1180.00
Staffordshire farm Supplies Ltd – New Mower for Foxt 429.00
Staffordshire Farm Supplies Ltd – Paint for Lengthsman 10.90
Hampshire Flag Company 1 x 3yrd St Georges & 1 x 3yrd Poppy Flag 208.07
E-on – Street Light Maintenance (Light at New Cottages, Foxt) 75.83
Redwood Tree Specialists – 1st treatment of Japanese Knotweed 816.00
D W Banks – For Hosting Website, Domain Name etc (2years) 210.00
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The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 28th October 2015