Minutes of Parish Council Meeting 11 January 2024

STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 11 January 2024

held at Oulton Village Hall

Present:        Councillors                                        Cllr A McCulloch (Chairman)                                

Cllr T D Scrivens

Cllr S Haine

Cllr G Jones

Cllr T Banks

Cllr B Woolliscoft

Cllr T Mardling

Cllr M James

Borough Councillors                        Cllr R James

 County Councillor                           none

                         Parish Clerk                                     L Davies

• PUBLIC PARTICPIATION

The following areas were raised by members of the public:

• Flooding on Nichols Lane.
• Extended road closure at the junction of the Longton Road and Kibblestone Road/Cross Lane due to collapsed culvert.
• Concerns over the condition of the roads in the Parish, debris (Longton Road/ back lanes) and potholes.

• APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Cllr M Tyler and Cllr P Dimberline.

• 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 9 NOVEMBER 2023

The minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 9 November 2023 were considered, approved and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.

• DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA

None

• REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
  • County Councillors: no matters reported.
  • Borough Councillors: Cllr James reported that the Borough Council will be submitting its budget on the 30 January and council tax will be increased by 2.99% for the coming year.

• REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
  • The details of the planning applications discussed in November, December and the start of November were duly considered and noted.
    • It was noted that application 23/37167/OUT had been refused on the grounds that the development being within green belt.
    • The meeting discussed application 23/3861/HOU which had been recently received. Concerns were raised about the size of the proposed development within the green belt.
  • To clarify the Planning Committee terms of reference with regards to calling a planning meeting
    • It was AGREED to amend the Planning Committee terms of reference under Planning Committee Observations from:

“A planning meeting will be convened for all major applications or on the request of a member of the Planning Committee.”

To

“A planning meeting will be convened for all major applications or on the request of a member of the Planning Committee, where a relevant planning issue/consideration is raised.”

• RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Aston-By-Stone community garden was now largely complete (minor additions remaining). A schedule of costs against budget was provided. Costs to date are £11,540.73, funded by £9,700 of HS2 grant and £1,840.73 from the Parish Council. There is £100 of the grant remaining – this will be allocated to a plinth for the original tree plaque.

• TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON MATTERS RELATING TO MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL
  • The Chairman of the village hall subcommittee confirmed that no correspondence had been received from residents of Moddershall regarding helping to run the hall.
  • It was AGREED to allow the hall to be used for the upcoming election.

• TO DISCUSS REPAIRS TO THE ENTRANCE THRESHOLD
  • The condition of the threshold has been inspected and it was recommended that the area immediately outside of the front doors be refurbished due to the condition of the wood.
  • 2 contractors approached declined the opportunity to quote. A third is visiting the hall in w/c 15 January. It was hoped that a further contractor could be contacted in relation to the work.

• TO CONSIDER ANY UPDATES REGARDING THE EXTENDED CLOSURE OF KIBBLESTONE ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF LONGTON ROAD

The Parish Council have contacted County Councillor I Parry regarding the length of time the road has been closed. Cllr Parry has now raised this with highways and requested that the fault be inspected as soon as possible.

• 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.
  • On the 6 June 2024, beacons will be lit to commemorate the 80^th Anniversary of D Day. The meeting was asked to consider whether they (together with Barlaston PC) would join in the beacon lighting event. It was noted that the land where the beacon event was previously held had changed ownership. Oulton Cllrs to make initial enquiries as to whether the land could be used again.

• FINANCIAL MATTERS
  • TO DETERMINE THE PRECEPT AMOUNT TO BE REQUESTED FOR 2024/25
    • The meeting considered the discussion document and the budget requirements for the next financial year.
    • It was proposed, seconded and AGREED that the precept amount to be requested should be increased to £17,055. Clerk to action
  • RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT

The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last    period (November and December 2023) 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 reconciliation for the year to date (31 December 2023) was received, approved and signed.

• AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 14 March 2024, 7.30pm at Moddershall Village Hall.

                     Signed ……………………………………………     Dated………………………..

                                   Chairman

Lucy Davies

Parish Clerk

January 2024