Present: Cllr. R. Barker – Chair
Cllr. M. Belfield
Cllr. H. Burns
Cllr. J. Dinning
Cllr. P. Gilman
Cllr K. Gould
Cllr. S. Howard

In Attendance
Cllr. Charlotte Kelly
Mr & Mrs Brian Goodwin

1. Minutes from Previous Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were proposed as a correct record by Cllr K. Gould and seconded by Cllr S.Howard.

2. Matters Arising

The verge on Thorncliffe Road has been reported to Highways.

3. Planning

a. SMD/2026/0052 Former Anzio Camp, Buxton Road, Blackshaw Moor.

Whilst it was agreed that something should be done with the camp the application to build nearly 300 houses is not the right thing.

The objections from the council and those in attendance are:
– too many houses;
– would overwhelm local infrastructure both services such as schools, medicine, dentistry and physical such as transport, waste treatment, water provision.;
– there is not enough affordable housing in the proposal
– as the application is for outline permission it is not possible to know exactly what would be constructed.

Clerk to raise objections with planning.

4. Financial

Bank balance £2,470-98

Payments approved for:
Zurich Insurance Annual Insurance Premium £214-00

5. Correspondence

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue are currently raising funds for a specialist drone that would allow them to cover larger areas across the county more quickly, reach difficult terrain, and spot people who might otherwise go unseen.. It was decided to donate £100, proposed by Cllr R. Barker and seconded by Cllr H. Burns.
6. Any other business

a. Local Government Reorganisation.

The consensus is that the rural viewpoint has not been taken into account. There is strong objection to being joined with Stoke on Trent as each party does not understands the needs of the other. Clerk to raise formal objection.
b. The ownership of the bench on Ankors Lane is not known. Cllr. C. Kelly will try and determine the ownership and whether there are any reasons why it could not be refurbished.
c. Flooding by the cemetery on the Buxton Road is a problem
d. The fingerpost, at junction of Thorncliffe Road and Buxton Road should be re-instated in the near future.
e. The non-existent verge on Thorncliffe Road has not been fixed, Clerk to send photographs to Cllr C. Kelly.

7. Next Meeting

Date of next meeting – Provisionally arranged for Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 7:30pm.