Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 January 2002

 

PRESENT            Ian M Ashbolt                                                                               (Chair)

                        Rita Chisnall

                        Ken Eaton

                        Ronald C Howarth

                        Reg E Jenks

                        Bob E Lindblom

                        Anne Mountford

                        John Price

                        Roland P Seymour

                        Frank A Speed

                        Jennifer J Walton

                        G Roger Gleave                                                                              (Clerk)

                        Nine members of the public

 

APOLOGIES            Steven K Ball

                        CC Ted Holland

 

9/02     The Council considered the following planning application.

01/01006/FUL: Residential development; The Former Black Horse Inn, Main Road, Betley

            RESOLVED that:

(a)   The Council opposed this application and would remind the Planning Committee of its consistent opposition to development proposals on the Former Black Horse site which are contained in minutes forwarded to the Borough Council following Parish Council meetings in February 2000 and October 2001.

(b)   The rejection of the present application is on the similar grounds to earlier rejections in that further development would:

(i)                 constitute over-development of the site and is inappropriate in the light of the development that has taken place;

(ii)               have a detrimental affect on adjacent and nearby properties;

(iii)             further increase traffic onto a busy major road via an access/exit that he Parish Council has always regarded as inadequate.

(iv)             We consider it is imperative that the views of the Highways Department are always fully considered by the Planning Committee before any final decision is taken, especially so in a development as significant as this one.

 

10/02   The Council considered the following planning applications.

01/00961/FUL: Redevelopment of the site and refurbishment of existing to provide residential, B1 office and retail accommodation.

            RESOLVED that the Council could supported the application but would not wish the Planning Committee to consider the application until the correct time had elapsed for public consultation.

 

 

11/02   The Council received the results of the following planning applications.

 

(a) 01/00808/FUL: Proposed conservatory; Wayside, Newcastle Road, Betley.

APPROVED

(with one condition to protect amenity)

(a)    01/00847/REM: Erection of dwelling; Land adjacent to Rostherne, Common Lane, Betley.

APPROVED

(with 6 schedule 1 conditions to protect the safety and convenience of users of the highway and amenity)

 

12/02            RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting (copy in minute book) held on 12 December 2001 be approved.

 

13/02            RESOLVED that the following reports/actions consequent upon a consideration of matters arising be approved.

(a)    183/01 (a) Den Lane: Ted Holland was still awaiting a reply form the Highways.

(b)   183/01 (b) Provision of notice board at Balterley:  The noticeboard was ready for erection and John Price and Reg Jenks would agree the suitable site.

(c)    183/01 (d) BT Telephone Box: No objections had been received to the proposed to the new location on the Village Green.

(d)   183/01 (e) TPO’s: The Clerk reported that he had received assurances that the Council would be notified of any future TPO’s.

(e)    183/01(g) SPCA’S Chief Executive Letter – October 2001 and 191/01 Advisory Notes Autumn 2001: Contents noted.

(f)     183/01 (h) Christmas Tree Lights: These had been taken down and Frank Speed agreed to remove the tree.

(g)    184/01 Laudy Croft: Soil was now being delivered to the site.

(h)    190/01 (a) In appropriate Speed of vehicles in the Village: Concerns and recommendations would be made under the response outlined in minute 16/01. 

(i)      190/01 (b) Sign at Balterley: Rod Goode had provisionally agreed to the erection of a sign on the B5500 at the eastern end of the approach to the parish.  The Clerk to confirm appropriate message wording which would be a cost to the Council.

(j)     190/01 (c) Meeting with John Forrestor:  Whilst there had been road sweeping, there had been no pavement clearing.  The Clerk to enquire on the delay.

(k)   190/01 (d) Provision of dog waste bins: It was agreed that a notice be placed in the Parish Magazine encouraging dog owners to clear up their pets’ dog waste hoping to shame those owners who seemed incapable of behaving in a responsible manner – the problem was becoming particularly unpleasant in Common Lane where plastic bags were being left in the hedge row.

(l)      193/01 Commonwealth Games and Gambia: Enquires had been made and would continue to see what might be the appropriate hospitality for Gambian athletes.

(m)  178/01 (d) draft Code of Practice for heavy Vehicles: The concern over heavy vehicles going through the village to non-villages sites was being referred to Committee.

(n)    177/01 NALC Business Plan: Deferred to a later meeting.

 

14/02   There were no financial items.

 

15/02   The Council considered briefly the production of a village plan.  It was agreed that a closed item to discuss the matter further should be placed on the agenda of the extraordinary meeting to be held on Thursday 31 January 2002.

 

16/02   It was noted that a reply was required to the ‘Newcastle Rural Area Transport Strategy’ by 25 January.  Comments were made by councillors as to the nature of the reply.

            RESOLVED that the Chairman and Clerk should compose a suitable response.

 

17/02   The contents of the white paper ‘Strong Local Leadership – Quality Public Services’ were noted.

 

18/02 The full consideration of the paper from the DTLR ‘The Local Elections (Declaration of Acceptance of Office) Order 2001 should wait for guidance from Newcastle BC.

 

19/02   The Chairman reported that he would be attending the first meeting in Newcastle to consider the Model Code of Conduct for Parish Councils.  Concern was expressed over the interpretation of Section 15 – Registration of Gifts and Hospitality.  The Chairman said he would seek clarification of the section.

 

20/02             Discussion of the letter from Staffordshire CC concerning ‘Local Strategic Partnership and Community Strategy’ should be deferred to a later meeting.

 

21/02   The Council considered the provision of a noticeboard n the centre of the Village.  It was agreed that provisional costings should be obtained and members should think about the best location.

 

22/02            Suggestions had been received for the Village Celebrations of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.  These included a children’s party, a senior Citizens’ party in the Village Hall on the Tuesday and possible events along the Main Street.

            RESOLVED that invitations be sent to all community groups inviting them to attend a meeting on Thursday 28 February to discuss and arrange possible events for the weekend.

 

23/02   The Chairman reported:

 

(a)    A plaque donated by the Rotarians had been placed on the Village Green commemorating the Village’s contribution to the ‘Schools for Gambia’ millennium project.

(b)   Entrust had not accepted the application for membership and the £100.00 joining fee should be returned.

(c)    The date of the Mayor’s Spring Ball was announced but he would be unable to attend.  The Vice Chairman would check to see if he and his wife could attend and is so the Council would pay for his ticket.

 

24/02   The Clerk reported that he had placed in the Parish Magazine an advertisement for the tender for the maintenance of the Village Green etc for 2002.

 

25/02            RESOLVED that the following correspondence be received and appropriate action taken.

(a)    Agenda Items 18(a),  (c)(i) (ii) (iii) (iv), (d)(iii), & (e) were tabled and placed in the Reading Room if appropriate.

(b)   Agenda Item 18(b) Letter form J D Bishop requesting dropped Curbs:  These were been putting place during this week.

(c)    Agenda Item 18 (d)(i) Diary of Village Events: This should be completed.

(d)   Agenda Item 18 (d)(ii) Best Kept Village: It was decided not to take part.

(e)    Agenda Item 18 (f) request for donation Douglas Macmillan Hospice:  It was decided not to give a donation this year as one was given last year.

 

26/02   After discussion with councillors and members of the public it was agreed that Rod Goode should be contacted to inform him of the continuing problem of water overflow in the horse trough area on the bend by Betley Hall Farm

 

 

Signed…………………………….

 

Date………………………………