KIDSGROVE TOWN COUNCIL Minutes of the Annual Town Council ...

Town Council Minutes 19 April 2011
KIDSGROVE TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Town Council Meeting held at the Town Hall, Kidsgrove on
19 May 2011 at 7.00pm in the Chairmans Room
Present: Chairman, Councillor John Parsons
Councillors:
Allport, David
Astle, Margaret
Astle, Raymond
Bailey, Reginald
Banner, Matthew
Bates, Mrs Elsie
Burgess, Mrs Silvia
Burnett, Mrs Gill
Town Clerk, Mrs Jill Waring
Burnett, Miss Stephanie
Daniels, David Ephriam
Evans, John
Grattage, Miss Carly
Harrison, Mrs Patricia
Holdcroft, John
Jukes, Victor
Locke, Geoffrey
Maxfield, Mrs Mary Cynthia
Parsons, Mrs Janet
Robinson, Kyle
Stringer, David
Taylor, John
Taylor, Kyle-Noel
Waring, Paul
1 Election of the Town Mayor for the year 2011-2012
On the proposition of Councillor Mrs Astle, seconded by Councillor Taylor,
Councillor Kyle Robinson was elected Town Mayor for the forthcoming Municipal
Year. The Mayor signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Councillor Kyle Robinson in the Chair.
2 The Town Mayor presented the Past Town Mayors Badge to the outgoing Mayor
who addressed the meeting.
Despite ill health at the beginning of the year he had been able to attend 48 functions
in Staffordshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire and raised approximately
£6,000 for charity. In promoting the Town, the Carnival was reinstated and a Beer
Festival, Victorian Market and Concert were held. Working with the Reginald
Mitchell Spitfire Association, an artwork competition took place and close links
formed with the Association for future development.
He stated that he had never made promises, because promises are so easily forgotten,
broken or not honoured, and always did his best to help and closed by giving his
account of the role of a good councillor.
3 Councillors paid tribute to his very successful year, his contribution to the town,
community and the amount of money raised for charity despite suffering ill health.
He and the Mayoress had carried out the Mayoral role in a sterling way.

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4 The new Mayor then made his address. “Thank you to those who have supported me and
it is a honour to accept the position the Mayor of Kidsgrove, this huge responsibility will not
be taken lightly and I am looking forward to working with all members of this council to
continue the good work which has taken place in recent years. I believe that Kidsgrove is a
special place to live, work and visit and I want to enhance that further by reaching out to all
members of the community no matter what their age. It is important that Kidsgrove Town
Council does what it can to bring young and older citizens together to create harmony and
create a new sense of community. It is imperative that we modernise the Town Council and
look at new ideas to ensure we remain in existence. One of my priorities will be to continue
the excellent work that has been carried out at Kidsgrove Railway Station. Our Station is a
vital transport hub that connects Kidsgrove to the rest of the world and we must do
everything we can together to ensure better services. I also believe that this council could lead
the way on the environment by aiming to be a transition town on carbon policies. Local
councils are being asked to take on more responsibility as part of the localism bill and we could
use this to our advantage in this area.
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a
Positive working with Newcastle Borough Council is also important in the future and will
push the Borough Council to work with us for a better Kidsgrove. We know better than
Newcastle what Kidsgrove needs and communication must improve to ensure that we get a
better deal when decisions are made.
I am hoping to meet with the Chief Executive, John Sellgren soon about how we can go
forward from here.
Just like to say my chosen charity will be ‘Motor Neurone Disease Association’ and will be in
memory of my Nana Hazel who died a few years ago. I will also be looking to support other
smaller local charities.
I am looking forward to this opportunity and once again, thank you to all”.
Presentation of Long Service Badges
The Chairman presented Long Service Badges to Councillors Daniels and Hall and
thanked them, and said that although he had not worked with them for a long very
it would be true to say that they have dedicated their lives to this Town Council and
the people of Kidsgrove. He added that their contributions have made a huge
difference and they have always volunteered their time in taking part in community
events. These badges of long service are rightfully awarded to them but will never
say how thankful we are for their services.
b Councillor Hall responded that he was glad to see some new young blood now on
the council being that he was coming up to 70 and added that he was now going to
have a rest. Councillor Hall thanked the Chairman for the award.

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6 Election of the Deputy Town Mayor for the year 2011-2012
On the proposition of Councillor Mrs Astle, seconded by Councillor Mrs Bates,
Councillor Mrs Gillian Burnett was elected. Deputy Town Mayor for the forthcoming
Municipal Year and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
7 Apologies for absence – None.
8 Declarations of Interest – None declared.
9 Appointment of members to serve on committees
It was RESOLVED that, the Finance and General Purposes committee be disbanded
and that members be appointed to committees as follows
a Finance and General Purposes Committee
Abolished, all matter to be dealt with at full council.
b Butt Lane Parking Committee
All Butt Lane Ward Councillors:
Astle, Mrs Burgess, Evans, Holdcroft, Robinson and Taylor.
c Office Accommodation Committee
Councillors: Mrs Astle, Bailey, Mrs Bates, Mrs Burnett, Daniels, Mrs Parsons,
Waring.
d Allotments Committee
Councillors: Bailey, Bates, Evans and Holdcroft.
e Kidsgrove Railway Station Committee
Councillors: Mrs Astle, Banner, Mrs Bates, Mrs Burgess, Evans, Holdcroft, Locke,
Stringer and Taylor K.
10 Youth Group/Council Committee
It was RESOLVED that, a committee be appointed to meet four times a year and
agreed that, due to the current workload that the Clerk would assist with the
servicing of the committee initially which should progress to self governing.
11 Diary of meetings for the forthcoming year for approval
It was RESOLVED that, the diary be approved subject to the correction of two dates
transposed. It was suggested that laminated copies of the final diary be displayed in
each Ward. The Clerk will supply these to ward members in due course.
12 Staffordshire Parish Council's Association Training Courses
Information of training courses available was circulated and members asked to
advise the Clerk accordingly.

13 Minutes of meetings and progress reports
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a Annual Town Meeting 21 April 2011
It was RESOLVED, that the minutes be approved and were signed by the
Chairman.
b Town Council Meeting 21 April 2011It was RESOLVED, that the minutes be
approved and were signed by the Chairman
14 Reports
a Allotments Site Visits 21 April 2011
It was RESOLVED that, the site visit reports be approved.
b It was reported that the notion of Devolved Management for the Lamb Street
Allotments Site would be a future agenda item.
15 Finance
a To appoint cheque signatories
It was RESOLVED, that the appointed signatories be:
Town Mayor, Councillor Kyle Robinson
Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Gill Burnett
Councillor Mrs Elsie Bates
Town Clerk, Mrs Jill Waring (for the sole purpose of establishing on-line
banking facilities).
b Payments to be made for approval
It was RESOLVED that, the list of payments be approved with the addition of
the following:
National Savings £60,000, Newcastle Borough Council Contribution to Expenses
2010/2011 £12,000, Tixall Accountancy Services £75.00, C Hancock £292.50, Zoe
Smith £31.00, B.T. Telephone £172.78, Newcastle Borough Council Barrier
Planters £2936.40.
c End of Year Accounts for approval
It was RESOLVED that, the audited accounts be approved and signed by the
Chairman.

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d Auditors Report
The Auditors Report was read out as follows: “To the Chairman and Members of the
Council. I have completed the key tests recommended by the Audit Commission for the
purpose of signing the Annual Return.
The Council’s internal controls in place are effective. The records and accounts
maintained are kept to a high standard and in good order.
There are no matters which need to be brought to the attention of the Council”.
K Jones, Internal Auditor
e Annual Return for completion
The Clerk explained Section 2, the Annual Governance Statement section of the
Annual Return and drew attention to the questions numbered 1 – 9. It was
agreed that ‘yes’ be answered to all and the section be signed by the Chairman.
16 Community Chest Applications for consideration
a Scarlet Spitfires Dance Group
£1,000 toward the costs of purchasing a bus to transport the members to events.
It was RESOLVED, that £1,000 be granted.
b Kidsgrove Carnival Association
£1,000 to assist with a programme of events.
Councillors Mrs Maxfield, Robinson, Mrs Burnett, Waring and Mrs Parsons
declared an interest as members of the association.
It was RESOLVED, that £1,000 be granted.
17 Correspondence
a Staffordshire County Council vacancies for Local Authority Governors at
Maryhill Primary x 2, St John’s x 1 and Reginald Mitchell x 1. Members
interested were asked to contact the Clerk.
b Thank you letter from Alan Cohen, Secretary of the Spitfire Society with
respect to the Reginald Mitchell Artwork Competition recently held and a
request that the completion be run again during 2012. Artwork submitted for
the competition is to be exhibited on the Airfix Stand at the NEC in
November.
Mr Cohen has also left two medallions on loan for the purpose of exploring
the opportunity to have the medallion faces depicted in tile work should the
Kidsgrove Station receive the European Development Funding to become a
transport hub.

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c Letter from General Sir David Richards GCB CBE DSO ADC Gen Chief of the
Defence Staff informing of the Armed Forces Day.
18 Planning Matters
No Application
No/
Date for views
1 11/00204/FUL
2 11/00218/FUL
3 11/00213/FUL
4 11/00234/FUL
25 th May 2011
5 11/00237/OUT
Name of Applicant
Site Address
Mr N Boulton
Hildare Castle Road
Mow Cop
Mr A Birchall
73 Sands Road
Harriseahead
Stoke-on-Trent
Mr Graham Wilson
58 Fifth Avenue
Kidsgrove
Stoke-on-Trent
Mr Thom
10 Galleys Bank
Kidsgrove
Stoke-on-Trent
Taylor Wimpey North
Mids/Revelan Prop.
(I.O.M)Ltd.
Land at West Avenue
Kidsgrove
6 11/00205/FUL Mrs C Whitehurst
22 Church Lane
Mow Cop
Staffordshire
Proposed Development
Side extension
Single storey side extension
Erection of detached garage
/store
Two storey side extension,
ground floor side/front
extension
A) Full planning permission
for residential development
comprising of 87 dwellings,
access, appearance,
landscaping, layout and scale.
B) Outline planning permission for
principle of mixed employment use.
Proposed 40m x 20m outdoor
equestrian arena/menage for
domestic use.

7 11/00212/FUL Mr Michael Becker
2 Birchenwood Way
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Two storey side extension
and front porch.
Councillor Waring declared an interest in the above application as a cousin of the
applicant.
8 Village Green Application
Land adjacent to both side of Lapwing Road, Newchapel
Copy of notice of 05 May 2011.
9 11/00227/FUL Mr Monty Coates
30 High Street, Mow Cop
10 11/00187/FUL Mr M Hackney
3 Freedom Drive
Kidsgrove
11 N.11/02/294
MW
12 N.11/01/294
MW
Staffs CC
High Car Farm Chesterton
Demolition of existing dwelling and
erection of four bedroom detached
dwelling.
Erection of a detached dwelling.
Concrete Hard Standing to store,
chop and shred green waste.
As above Variation of Condition 1 of Planning
Permission N.EA/3 to allow for
continuation of clay extraction up to
31 December 2010 and for the site to
be restored by 31.12.2020.
19 It was RESOLVED that, no objections be recorded with respect to the above
applications.
20 Announcements
The Chairman announced that his Consort for the municipal year would be
Councillor Reg Bailey.
21 The Chairman invited everyone to join him in the Victoria Hall for the presentation of
the Good Citizens Awards to:
Mr Ernie Langford for many years involvement with Kidsgrove Athletic and
Membership of Kidsgrove Town Council.
Mrs Ethel Broad who ran the Post Office in Harriseahead all her working life, as did
her family before her.
Mrs Margaret Green who recently retired after serving 25 years as a School Crossing
Attendant at Maryhill Primary and Thursfield Primary Schools.

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Mrs Nancy Douglas for her work erecting Christmas Lights at Mow Cop.
Mrs Vivian Chaddock of the 14 th Stoke on Trent Whitehill Girls Brigade and 32 years
of service to the division.
Mrs Barbara Walley, for many years work with the Kidsgrove Voluntary Day Care
Centre and Kidsgrove and District Pensioners Association.
_______________________________Chairman _______________