Minutes March 2016

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 23 March 2016 at 7.00p.m.

in the Extension of the Memorial Hall, Ipstones

(the meeting commenced with the Annual Parish Assembly – see separate minutes)

PRESENT: Councillors P Barks, L Malyon (Chair), H Morris, H Mycock, S Richards, A Stevenson, P Stimpson &

J Williams. Also present were the Clerk, 1 Reporter and two members of the public

APOLOGIES: Councillor B Shuttleworth

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

DISPENSATIONS: None had been received.

30/16. MATTERS ARISING

Re-stocking of Grit Piles: Cllr Morris pointed out that on the minutes for 23 February, it had stated that the grit piles had been restocked, but not all the grit piles had been stocked i.e. the piles on Clerks Bank and Coltstone Heath had not been restocked.
The ‘spring’ on the gate to Foxt Community Area: Cllr Mycock agreed to have a look at this.
Belmont Pools (Silted up pool): It was agreed to write and ask the County Council what is happening over this and to state that something needs to be done urgently.
Pot Holes: It was agreed to report again that there are potholes that need attention at the end of Church Lane; between 56 & 65 Brookfields Road and a new pot hole in Belmont Road.
PFP 102: It was noted that a larger scale map has now been obtained and therefore the land Registry Search on PFP102 is to be resubmitted.
PFP No 11 (Devil’s Staircase): The Clerk reported that an inspection of the steps and rails on Devil’s Staircase would not be treated as urgent unless it is thought to be a H & S issue. It was agreed to advise that members think that it is a H & S issue as some of the steps are disintegrating and the hand rail is loose.
Election Costs: It was noted that the SMDC had paid £125 for the use of the Chapel Rooms and also that the matter had not been included on the next agenda of the Staffordshire Moorlands Parish Assembly, because there was no-one available from ‘Election Services’ to attend that meeting. They did confirm that it will be put as an agenda item for a future meeting. In the circumstances it was agreed to leave any further discussion on this matter until it has been discussed at the SM Parish Assembly.
Proposed Swings for Foxt Community Area: The Clerk reported that a representative from the Play Equipment Company was available to visit the site during the week commencing 04/04/2016. Cllrs Mycock and Williams agreed to attend the site visit.

The minutes and confidential minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 23^rd February 2016 were agreed to be a true record with the exception that not all of the Grit piles had been restocked.

31/16. PLANS: the following planning applications had been received: –

SMD/2016/0005 Proposed change of use (from agricultural land) to new burial

ground for St Mark’s Church and installation of new gates at Land adjacent to

St Mark’s Church , Foxt. Members of the parish council voted in favour of

supporting this application.

SMD/2016/0009 Listed Building Consent for replacement windows on the ground

floor south east elevation at 88 Above Church House, Church Lane, Ipstones. On

proposal by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Barks it was agreed unanimously to

support this application.

SMD/2016/0102 Proposed two storey extension and front porch canopy at Forest

Side Cottage, Park Nook, Ipstones. On proposal by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by

Cllr Mycock it was agreed unanimously to support this application.

SMD/2016/0109 Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) attached to planning

permission SMD/2014/0004 and to vary Condition 6 in order to remove a

requirement for a turning circle at Ismalia, 50 High Street, Ipstones. It was proposed

by Cllr Morris to object to this application as the space for turning is too small and it

is not a good section of road for reversing out. There were no seconders and no

other proposals therefor ‘no comments’ are to be made.

SMD/2016/0141 Proposed single storey front extension at Greenacres, Station

Road, Winkhill. On proposal by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Stimpson it was

agreed unanimously to support this application.

32/16. CORRESPONDENCE

Grant Thornton re Notice of Audit: It was noted that the date for the Annual Return to be in by is the 17 June 2016.
SCC ‘Waste and Environmental Projects re Skips: An e-mail advised before they can respond formally regarding the provision of Skips for the year April 2016 to March 2017, they would need details on how the skips will be monitored and what steps will be taken to ensure waste is presented appropriately. On discussion in which it was thought that it would be difficult to monitor the skips all the time and also that the parish council could not afford to pay for the disposal of the waste to landfill it was agreed to write back and ask if we can have a trial run of the skips, possible for May, and find out what exactly they would allow to be put into the skips.
Old Hall Nursery: It was noted that the quote for the Summer Planting is £421.00

excluding any barrels that may need replacing.

Annual Insurance: Details of the Annual Insurance Policy and Premium had been received. Following a discussion it was proposed by Cllr Stevenson and seconded by Cllr Morris for the Clerk to include business use on her own car insurance and the parish council would pay the difference. This was agreed unanimously.
County Councillor Gill Heath re Parking Issues: An e-mail confirmed that Cllr Heath has already committed the cash that she gets for the financial year 2016/2017 and that next year the sum she receives will be reduced to £7000. She went on to say that if the parish council can come to a solution that is unanimous she will consult with County Highways and see what is achievable and then put it into the system for next year. It was agreed to put this on the Agenda for the next meeting and then when parish councillors have agreed on a solution to invite Cllr Heath to a meeting to discuss further.
Police and Crime Commissioners Election Notices: Posters had been displayed as requested.
SMDC re Site Allocations: An acknowledgement of letters sent regarding this issue had been received. Following a discussion it was agreed to write again to re affirm what the parish council have previously said about the proposed site options and that a flexible infill would be preferred for both Ipstones and Foxt. It was also agreed to take steps to register the Bier Shed as a listed building and it was noted that the owners of the Old Vicarage are also taking steps to register the Old Vicarage as a Listed Building.
Moorlands Home Link re Ipstones Luncheon Club: An e-mail had been received asking if the parish council would consider helping out with financial assistance toward the cost of the rent. Following a discussion it was agreed that the parish council should support them, but to wait until it is known if the Luncheon Club is continuing before agreeing a figure as they are also looking for a Coordinator.
SCC re Lengthsman’s Scheme: An e-mail confirmed that the scheme would be continuing for the year 2016/2017 and the grant will be the same as 2015/2016.
Lengthsman’s Report for February 2016: details of this were noted and the report was signed by the Chairman.
Mr Sutton (Foxt): A letter had been received regarding damage being caused to verges in Town End Rd, Foxt by HGV’s. Following a discussion it was agreed to reply that he is quite right in what he is saying but that it is a problem across the whole parish and the District with lorries and tractors getting larger. To advise him that it is actually a County Council issue and to say that it took a very long time for the parish council to get the County Council to put kerbs on the main road through Ipstones (Red Lion Bank), when similar issues were being experienced.
Other circulars, newsletters, etc

SPC Assc. – Bulletins – 25/02; 03/03; 10/03 & 17/03

Clerks & Councils Direct – March 2016

Judiciary of England and Wales – Become a magistrate in Staffordshire

SMDC – Countryside Walks for Spring/Summer 2016

33/16. IPSTONES EDGE CARE HOME: Cllr Malyon reported that she had received

correspondence from a neighbour of the Care Home and that the District Council

are currently dealing with the issues raised.

34/16. CEMETERY ISSUE: A report had been received regarding damage caused to a

Headstone. The Clerk reported that the person who had reported it has asked a

Stonemason to look and give a report as to what may have caused the damage. It

was agreed to wait to see the report discussing again.

35/16. CEMETERY GATES: It was noted that the gates are in need of painting. It was

agreed to seek quotes for the gates to be ‘dipped’ to strip the existing paint away

and then for them to be coated in black plastic.

36/16. DOG FOULING: Cllr Malyon said that the problem is everywhere and that some

people who do pick it up then throw the ‘bag’ into fields and hedges. It was noted

that whilst there are a lot of responsible Dog owners there are some very

irresponsible Dog Owners. It was agreed to ask the District Council if they have

leaflets that can be distributed.

37/16. LENGTHSMAN’S CONTRACT for 2016/2017: It was agreed to offer the twelve

month Contract to the new temporary Lengthsman Mr M Emery, the Contract for

1 April 2016 to 31 March 2016. The hours to be worked are 21 hours per calendar

month. Members agreed for the parish council to subsidise the scheme for any

shortfall in the SMDC/SCC Grant. The rate is to be the new living wage plus holiday

allowance. This was agreed unanimously.

38/16. SMDC ‘ PLANNING DESIGN GUIDE CONSULTATION’: Details of this were noted but

no comments are to be made.

39/16. UPDATE ON MEMORIAL HALL PROJECT: Cllr Malyon reported that the Hall

Committee is having one more meeting before the final plans are drawn up. She

went on to say that they are currently running above budget. Cllr Morris asked how

children with a disability would access the Youth Club room. Cllr Malyon replied

that if this happens then the Youth Club would use the main hall so that all children

would have access. Cllr Malyon added that they are hoping to go out to tender with

in the next few weeks and if there is not enough money to complete everything

then the Doctors Surgery part will be completed and then see what money is left

over for the other improvements.

40/16. UPDATE ON IPSTONES YOUTH SOCIETY: Cllr Morris reported that she is

volunteering once a month and that 2 or 3 other volunteers have come forward so

hopefully it is now on an even keel. It was also noted that SCVYS are looking for

some funding for the Youth Club.

41/16. HIGHWAYS: The following issues were reported: –

It was agreed to report that a ‘30’ mph Sign, on Church Lane, by the Church has gone missing and ask if it can be replaced.
It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman if he can clean any dirty road signs.
It was agreed to report that the tree that is leaning into the road along Park Lane, is still leaning into the road even though work was carried out on the tree in the autumn.
It was agreed to report that there is water on the road at Whirley Lowe, Foxt .
School Warning Sign, in Brookfields Road, Ipstones: it was agreed to report that the pole is nearly rusted through and is in danger of falling over and needs to be replaced urgently.

42/16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS DEEMED URGENT

Bolton’s Site, Froghall: Cllr Malyon reported that improvements have been made to the building and fencing but as yet there is no planning applications in and no-one seem to know who is moving into the premises.

43/16. TO AUTHORISE UNDER SECTION 137 (MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS) THE

CONTRIBUTION TO THE COST OF HIRING THE HALL FOR THE DOCTORS BRANCH

SURGERIES: It was agreed unanimously to authorise under Section 137

(miscellaneous payments) the sum of £156 as a contribution the rent of hiring the

Hall for the Doctors Surgeries for the financial year 2015/2016. (This is £1.50 per

session, £3 per week).

44/16. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT: The following accounts were agreed for payment: –

	£
Clerk’s Salary (net)	630.00
Clerk’s Expenses Inc. Ink Cartridges	56.42
S J Services – for servicing stimmers x 2	78.00
Staffordshire Farm Supplies – safety wear for new Lengthsman	42.35
Lengthsman’s Payment	201.67

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday 27 April, 2016 at 7.00p.m.

in the Extension of the Memorial Hall, Ipstones

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

IPSTONES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly that was held on Wednesday 23 March 2016 at 7.00p.m. in the Extension at Ipstones Memorial Hall

PRESENT: Councillors P Barks, L Malyon, H Morris, H Mycock, S Richards, A Stevenson,

P Stimpson & J Williams. The Clerk, 1 x Reporter & 2 members of the Public

APOLOGIES: Councillor B Shuttleworth

The minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly that was held on

Wednesday 25^th March 2015 were agreed to be a true record

THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2016 WAS READ OUT

In May the parish council said goodbye to Councillors John Barks, Brian Snow and Julia Barks, who retired from their post as Parish Councillors. A big thank you to them all for the work and support given to the Parish Council during their terms of office.

In the May election the Parish Council, welcomed back Councillors Linda Malyon, Heather Morris, Howard Mycock, Sandy Richards, Andrew Stevenson and Patrick Stimpson and new members Philip Barks, Barry Shuttleworth with John Williams, joining the parish council at the meeting in June.
Throughout 2015, the Parish Council gave financial support to the newly formed Youth Club (IVYS), Ipstones Village Youth Society
The Speedwatch Scheme continues to be a success, with the few remaining volunteers giving their time to help make Ipstones a safer place. A big thank you to them for their continued work for the scheme. Any new volunteers to assist would be much appreciated.
The Parish Council continued to support both the Memorial Hall and Foxt Village Hall by way of grants.
Donations were given to many local organisations including The Luncheon Club; The Church Bell Project; The Ipstones and Foxt Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal; Sponsorship of the Annual Agricultural Show and The Ipstones 5 Race
Two Notice Boards were purchased with the help of a grant from the CVLLP, one is situated on Foxt Green and one in the Cemetery. A big thank you to the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Project for the grant which enabled this project to go ahead.
The many flower tubs around the parish were planted and gave a lovely display of colour during the summer months and into the autumn.
The provision of skips continued throughout the year but sadly the County Council are concerned about the type of waste being put into the skips and as yet have not given permission to continue with the service for the next financial year commencing on 1^st The Parish Council is currently in negotiations with them to try and save this valued service.
The Lengthsman Scheme continues and we have recently appointed a new Lengthsman, Mr Mark Emery.
The Parish Council continued to support the Doctors Branch Surgeries by contributing £1.50 per session (£156 per year) toward the cost of the rent.

No other issues were raised. The Annual Parish Assembly was declared closed prior

to moving on to the normal meeting.