East Staffs Borough Council.
I serve on the Planning Committee and the Internal Scrutiny Committee. I am also the Borough Council representative on the Almshouse Trust.
Membership of the Planning Committee is a very powerful position but it does mean that I have to be careful what I say in the Parish Council and within the village. By law I cannot make up my mind on an application before hearing the discussion at the committee meeting.
The Internal Scrutiny Committee is also very powerful; it looks at how the different departments within the Council are performing.
The Scrutiny function, as set up, was not working. Some of this was due to the system and some due to the members on the committees. A new system is proposed with one small steering committee and five small working groups.
The Full Council meets every couple of months but these meetings tend to last less than an hour.
I have been busy sorting out individual problems but obviously I don't want to list these.
Latest News
17/07/08 The County Council have released news that they wish to develop farm land off Knowles Hill. Firstly and most importantly I have been in contact with County Farms at Stafford and I am assured that Gemma and Simon, who farm this land will be safe.
The Village Design Statement says that we should preserve the open countryside that intrudes into the middle of the village, as this gives Rolleston much of its character. In my opinion this is possibly the most important piece of countryside in the village. When the time is right I urge everyone to write to the Borough Council objecting to the development of this land.
It is one piece of news I have been expecting for a long time. The County Council are desperate for cash and the Borough Council wants sites for its housing development. We must fight this as hard as possible.
23/06/08 The application for the cricket club was turned down by the Planning Committee. We had quite a lot of support for the project. I was on holiday and am grateful that my vote would not have made a difference. This is a loss to the village. Our case was not helped by a letter to the Committee from Councillor Frank Bather rubbishing the village case and saying that the Civic Trust have an interest because they hold their meetings in the Cricket Club. His very damaging letter went on to say that the Cricket Club has plenty land and that the access is not dangerous. Another email sent to all Committee members was from Paul Jobson who urged them to turn down the application because it did not include tennis courts.
22/04/08 The application for the cricket pitch etc is back.
22/04/08 We still do not have a Conservation Officer in place. It is now the second anniversary of the last one leaving
07/04/08 The Borough Council is out for consultation on its Site Allocations and Policies document. This document lists all land throughout the Borough which someone has expressed an interest in developing. The expressions of interest for Rolleston are the College Fields (not surprising). the little triangular field between Beacon Road and Craythorne Lane, Harehedge Lane/A511, land between Meadow View and School Lane and land at the Craythorne Golf Centre. This listing of these sites does not mean that they will be developed; it is usual to put these in the public domain. We now have the chance to argue that development of these sites would be wrong. The Parish Council, Civic Trust and Village Design Statement Group are meeting to discuss our objections. The Borough Council's Planning Policy Manager is adamant that there will be a green buffer kept between Rolleston and surrounding settlements
14/07/07 The new Rolleston Conservation Area Document has been passed by full council. The new boundaries now have to be advertised for a month in some gazette in London before they can be implemented and this is going ahead. Progress at last.
To contact me about this news, email me on john.morris@eaststaffbc.gov.uk
Planning Applications
To view a specific planning application on the Borough Council's web site type or paste the number Into this page.03/07 PA/26631/006/CLF Erection of detatched dwelling (amended plans). 59 Beacon Rd
03/07 TP/20766/011/JI Crown reduction of one elm tree. Rolleston Spinney
13/06 HO/02041/005/JPM Erection of two storey and single storey extensions and alterations to front elevation 29 Beacon Drive
29/05 HO/31196/004/JPM Erection of part two storey part single storey side and rear extension, 15 Beacon Drive
12/05 PA/02887/025/JPM Conversion and alteration of existing building to form dependent relative accommodation. Cross Farm, Cross Lane Granted
06/05 PA/26631/CLF Erection of detached dormer bungalow and alterations to existing access. 59 Beacon Rd.
06/05 DC/02835/045/JPM Change of use from residential institution to dwelling - erection of wall and gate. The Dower House
06/05 DC/02835/046/JPM Alterations including removal of conservatory and flat roofed extension and erection of walling and gate. Dower House
25/04 PA/02708/009/JPM Use of land for recreational horses. Erection of extension to south east and north west elevations of existing barn, and erection of 1.8 metre high fencing and gates. Dove Meadows, Off Station Road
11/04 PA/20292/030/JPM Erection of two storey detached dwelling. Rear of Orchard Barn, School Lane
08/04 HO/31842/001/EW Conversion of part of garage to form additional living accommodation. 126 Station Rd
08/04 Erection of two storey side extension and single storey rear extension (amended). 52 The Lawns APPROVED
07/04 TP/03421/017/JPM Removal of Araucaria (monkey puzzle T312 no1. 10 Beacon Rd GRANTED
07/04 TP/19749/011/JPM Reduction of one Oak tree T26 of TPO24 by 25%. Roscavan,Southhill
08/03 HO/31749/JKM Retention of replacement uPVC windows and doors. APPROVED
15/03 HO/30443/002/CLF Erection of a single storey rear extension and chimney, conversion of integral garage to lounge, and erection of a detached garage. The Lodge, Chapel Lane
10/02 PA/03421/015/JPM Erection of a detached dwelling, two storey side extension to existing house and associated alterations to existing access Land at 10 Beacon Road WITHDRAWN
10/02 PA/03421/016/JPM Change of use of outbuilding to form dwelling, erection of a single storey extension and alteration to existing access Land at 10 Beacon Road WITHDRAWN
06/02 HO/16937/007/JPM Erection of a two storey side and rear extension installation of dormer windows and associated alterations to roof The Old Pump House Station Road APPROVED
24/01 HO/31730/002/JKM Retention of replacement UPVC windows and doors 24 Shotwood Close
REFUSED
30/08 HO/31581/001/SM Replacement of wooden windows with UPVC 7 Shotwood Close REFUSED