STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 2 July 2024
held at Oulton Village Hall
Present: Councillors
Cllr A McCulloch (Chairman)
Cllr T D Scrivens
Cllr S Haine
Cllr T Banks
Cllr P Dimberline
Cllr G Jones
Cllr M Tyler
Cllr M James
Borough Councillors none
County Councillor none
Parish Clerk L Davies
- PUBLIC PARTICPIATION
- Representatives from Yarnfield Parish Council attended the meeting. The state of repair of Yarnfield Lane, including the impact from HS2 operations adjacent to the road, was discussed.
- Planning applications affecting the safe use of Yarnfield Lane were discussed. The Parish Council confirmed that it would support Yarnfield Parish Council in determining whether these planning permissions have been correctly implemented.
- APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr B Woolliscroft.
- RECORD DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED
No declarations of interest were made.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 16 MAY 2024
The minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 16 May 2024 were considered, APPROVED and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.
- DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA
It was noted that the gully on Nichols Lane had been cleared and the road surface repaired, however, flooding is still occurring in this location after heavy rain.
- REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
- County Councillors: Cllr Parry did not attend the meeting but provided a written update that was read to the meeting:
- An additional £5m has been approved to increase rate of repairs and reduce backlog after very poor winter/spring weather.
- Increase in gully emptying and flood prevention resources to try to prevent the effects of future wet winters which might be the new normal climate.
- MP has been asked to write to Canal and River Trust regarding water course at Moddershall which floods into the road and causes a lot of damage.
- The introduction of neighbourhood maintenance teams will help with low level maintenance in parishes. Hopefully these will start in late summer.
- Footpath bridge at Aston. This was damaged and is unusable. SCC is chasing the landowner to pay for repairs but an option of the council repair and recover cost is also being considered. I am chasing this regularly to try to resolve as soon as possible.
- Borough Councillors: no matters reported
- County Councillors: Cllr Parry did not attend the meeting but provided a written update that was read to the meeting:
- REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
- The details of the planning applications discussed in May, June and the start of July were duly considered and noted.
- Application 24/39125/FUL was discussed. The Parish Council has called in this application. It was decided to respond as follows:
- Development in Greenbelt – This proposal represents an inappropriate development in the green belt which would cause harm to green belt and therefore should not be approved as no “very special circumstances” apply to this application – National Planning Policy Framework (“NPPF”) s152
- The Parish Council considers that the development does meet the requirements for “very special circumstances ” with reference to NPPF 155 c) local transport infrastructure which requires a green belt location, no special circumstances exist to require charging points in this location. Within close proximity of the location there are (or are planned to be) charging points at:
– Shell Garage A34
– Starbucks drive through
– Darlaston Inn – construction of new petrol station and 8 charging points
– Trentham Gardens.
It should also be noted that Stone lies between the regions of Stafford (8 miles) and Stoke-on-Trent/Newcastle under Lyme/Trentham (4 miles) and
parallel to the M6 where other charging points can be accessed.
- NPPF 156 does not apply as the limited environmental benefits from the proposed solar panels or the electric charging points would not offset the harm caused by the development and drive through restaurant.
- The restaurant is not needed as there are adequate amenities close to the site, including petrol station forecourts, Starbucks drive through, Trentham Gardens and in the centre of Stone.
- The site would not replace an existing or prior structure as occurred with the developments 21/34623/FUL or 21/34338/FUL (NPPF 154 c) d) g) and 155 d))
- The Parish Council objects to the bus stop (and the bus shelter which is owned and maintained by the Parish Council) being moved from its current location. Moving the bus stop closer to the Darlaston Roundabout further intensifies the movements of buses on and off the A34 Northbound close to a busy roundabout (there is also a stop just after the roundabout). Once the service station is built on the roundabout there will also be movements on and off the service station site further increasing vehicle movements on and off this busy dual carriageway/roundabout.
- Safety of pedestrians accessing the drive through (and the bus stop). There is no controlled crossing for pedestrians to access the site. The proposed development would increase the pedestrian traffic across the dual carriageway at the same time as increasing the vehicle movements on and off the A34 in very close proximity to the uncontrolled crossing.
- The Parish Council would also highlight that the development is within flood zone 2 and 3 – the impact on flooding in this area and escape into the river should be considered.
- RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
No further matters were reported.
- TO CONSIDER EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST AND CO-OPTION ONTO PARISH COUNCIL
- An expression of interest for becoming a councillor has been received from Mr Martin Horwell, a resident of Oulton.
- It was PROPOSED, SECONDED and AGREED that Mr Horwell be co-opted onto the Parish Council.
- TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL BIN IN MODDERSHALL
- The Parish Council has been asked whether an additional bin could be placed in the lay by opposite to the Boar Inn.
- It was AGREED to explore whether permission could be granted to install a bin. It was noted that previous requests had not responded to by the County Council. Clerk to action
- TO CONSIDER REQUEST FOR THE INSTALLLATION OF A BENCH ON CHURCH LANE, OULTON
- The Parish Council has been asked whether a bench could be installed on the concrete area on Church Lane.
- Oulton Councillors to speak with property owners close to the area to see whether they would have any objections.
- TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON MATTERS REGARDING MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL
- It was noted that the village hall insurance had been renewed at a cost of £919.24.
- The boarding at the front of the hall has been repaired.
- It was AGREED to convene a meeting of the sub-committee before the next Parish Council meeting to agree a revised terms of reference.
- TO REVIEW THE DRAFT PARISH COUNCIL PUBLICATION SCHEME
The draft publication scheme was considered it was agreed to adopt the scheme as presented. Clerk to display on website
- TO REVIEW PARISH COUNCIL HR/SAFEGUARDING/GRANT POLICIES
The disciplinary, anti-bullying and harassment, training and development, complaints, safeguarding and grant policies were reviewed and it was agreed to adopt the policies as presented.
- RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
- The Clerk’s report was received, and matters noted.
- Oulton Councillors have been invited to a site visit at Kibblestone Scout Camp ahead of the Rising Festival on the 5, 6 and 7 July.
- FINANCIAL MATTERS
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT
The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last period (May, June and the start of July 2024) were reviewed, APPROVED and signed by the Chairman.
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE LAST PERIOD
- The financial statements for the period were received, reviewed and approved.
- The bank reconciliations for the year ending 31 May, 30 June 2024 and year to date (30 April 2024) were received, approved and signed.
- AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Thursday 5 September at Aston By Stone Village Hall.
Signed …………………………………………… Dated………………………..
Chairman
Lucy Davies
Parish Clerk
July 2024