Hilderstone Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 24th October 2018 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllr. Shelley (Chairman), Cllr. Crump, Cllr. Stringer (Vice Chairman), Cllr. Woodward, Cllr. P Davies, Cllr. Clark, Stafford Borough Cllr. Harp and Mrs Amanda Kingston (Clerk). There were no members of the public or press present.

1. Chairman’s Welcome. Cllr. Shelley welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Apologies. Cllr. J Davies, Staffordshire County Cllr. Parry

3. Minutes of the last meeting. These were read, approved and signed.

4. Matters arising. The Clerk reported that unfortunately funding could not be made available from the Cllr. Fund for a village trip.

5. Public Participation. None

6. Borough Councillor’s Report. Cllr. Harp reported that there was very little to update from the Borough Council other than car parking charges in Stone and Stafford will remain largely unchanged. Cllr. Shelley raised concern regarding the new refuse and recycling contractors knowledge of the location of rural properties. Some bins have been missed. Cllr. Harp asked the Parish Council to report any further incidents. Some discussion was held regarding highways concerns and pot holes.

7. County Councillor’s Report. Cllr. Parry was not in attendance to provide a report.

8. Planning. 18/29353/HOU at Woodcutters, Creswell Road, Hilderstone. The application is described as a proposed two story rear extension and orangery. Resolved – the Clerk will notify the planning authority the Parish Council are concerned this development will result in the extension of the property significantly exceeding the 70% development rule.

18/29357/FUL at Highfields Farm, The Annexe, Sandon Road, Hilderstone. The application is to remove condition 3 from the approved application 05/04087/FUL. Resolved – The Clerk will notify the planning authority the Parish Council object to the removal of condition 3 and believe the original planning conditions should be upheld as agreed by a vote of five in favour, one against.

Status of Earlier Applications:
18/29235/FUL at Heathy Close Farm Sharpley Heath Road Hilderstone Stone ST15 8SJ. The application is described as a proposed agricultural building to house, feed and finish livestock. Awaiting Decision

18/29154/HOU at 2 Spot Lane, Spot Acre, Stone. The application is described as two storey alterations and extension to the rear of a dwelling. Awaiting Decision

18/28990/FUL at Land At Former Bird In Hand Carpark Cresswell Road Hilderstone Stone Staffordshire. The application is described as the retention of three bay carport to provide covered parking for vehicles, to reduce impact visually of neighbouring metal sheds and containers, provide roosting site for bats – Refused on following grounds
The proposal, by reason of it comprising a new building within the North Staffordshire Green Belt, constitutes inappropriate development which is harmful to the openness of the Green Belt. No very special circumstances have been provided in support of the proposal to justify a departure from the normal policy of restricting inappropriate development within the North Staffordshire Green Belt. Consequently, the proposal is contrary to paragraphs 143, 144 and 145 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy E2 of The Plan for Stafford Borough.

9. Traffic and Highways. The vehicle activated sign (VAS) has not been fixed despite being passed to Signature (the sign provider) for scheduling in April 2018. The Clerk to follow up.

The two road signs requiring replacement at the Village Hall and the junction with the B5066 pointing to Meir Heath have been replaced.

The Clerk informed the meeting of the planned schedule of gully cleaning for Hilderstone. Whilst major routes are planned for early 2019, other roads are not scheduled for routine clearing until mid 2020.

10. Footpaths/Village Maintenance/Best Kept Village. Cllr. P Davies informed the meeting he will be checking the footpaths at the weekend.

The Clerk will ask Weston Grounds Maintenance to undertake their second visit within the next couple of weeks.

The Hedge bordering footpath 14 requires cutting back. Cllr. Davies will speak to the homeowner. The hedge at Priory Cottage still requires cutting back. Resolved – a further letter will be sent informing the homeowner that their details have been passed to Staffordshire County Council for further action. The hedge at the church has recently been cut back.

11. Village Events.

Forthcoming Events:

Race Night, Saturday 3rd November 7pm in Hilderstone Village Hall. Further details to follow.

Film Night, Friday 16th November in Hilderstone Village Hall. Doors open 6:30pm. The film will be ‘Sing Along Mamma Mia’

Village Christmas Party, Tuesday 11th December, 7.00 for 7.30pm in Hilderstone Village Hall. Further details to follow nearer the time.

Christmas Concert, Saturday 22nd December at Hilderstone Village Hall. Further details to follow.

Bingo Night, Saturday 19th January at Hilderstone Village Hall. Further details to follow.

12. Correspondence.

• Village Hall Fitness Class – request to advertise around the village. Clerk to respond.
• Stafford Borough Council – consultation on the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles 2019-21. Consultation closes 9th November
• Email from Christine Clark re: hedge at Priory Cottage
• Thank you letter from the Village Hall for the concurrent funding
• Thank you email regarding prostate screening.
• Thank you letter from the Church for the concurrent funding
• Members Digest 247

13. Finance. The monthly accounts were presented and signed by the Chairman. The current account is £14033.96 in credit and the deposit account £3122.54 in credit. Although most of these funds are allocated as indicated by the monthly accounts which are circulated to all Councillors prior to each meeting. The following payments were approved:

1. Mrs A Kingston expenses – £3.70
2. Creative Bee – Silhouettes for Remembrance – £51
3. W H Holmes Grounds Maintenance – 88.50

The £60 payment to Creative Bee for Silhouettes for Remembrance agreed at the meeting held on the 26.09.18 was inaccurate and the cheque VOID.

A discussion was held regarding budget setting for 2019-2020. The Clerk has reduced the number of budget lines, and will combine those relating to grounds maintenance into one budget heading. It was agreed to allocate additional funding towards grounds maintenance and highways costs considering the cut back in provision by Staffordshire County Council. Concern was raised that additional funding will be required in the future to cover cleaning of the play area and repairs and maintenance to the bus shelters. It was therefore agreed the bus shelter in Moss Lane be taken down. The Clerk will attach a notice to the bus shelter notifying the public that it will be removed in the New Year. The Clerk will amend the draft budget with a view to agreement at the November meeting.

14. Any Other Business.

The Grit Bin is almost empty. Cllr. Crump will contact streetscene.

One of the streetlights is flickering. Cllr. Crump will contact streetscene.

Daffodil bulbs have been purchased and an invoice will be submitted to the November meeting.

The Clerk attended the Parish Forum on Thursday 27th September at the Civic Centre. Key feedback included
• Stafford Borough Council have introduced a scheme called Community Connectors. This initiative aimed at the over 60’s, looks to train people in communities to meet isolated older people and help them make social connections. More information is available from Richard Upton 01785 619675 cconnectors@staffordbc.gov.uk
• Stafford Borough Council Litter Campaign. Posters can be provided by Stafford Borough Council free of charge to use at litter hotspots. They can also support community litter picks by providing litter pickers and bags etc.
• All those wishing to put themselves forwards as Parish Councillors need to be aware Elections are to be held in May 2019. A briefing will be provided by Stafford Borough Council in January/February 2019 for Clerks and Councillors. There will be election costs ranging between one hundred and a few thousand pounds depending on how many nominations are received and whether the election is contested. The nomination period will be over 6 working days and forms must be hand delivered, ideally by the candidate. Close of nominations will be Wednesday 3rd April and forms will be available mid March.

The Clerk will be taking annual leave for one week beginning the 19th November and one week beginning 24th December.

15. Date of next meeting. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 28th November 2018 at 7.30pm. The meeting closed at 10pm.

………………………………………………… Cllr. M. Shelley, Chairman. 28.11.18