ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – ENHANCEMENTS AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – Wednesday, February 2^nd 2022

A meeting of the Enhancements and Preservation Committee was held on Wednesday, February 2022 at Eccleshall Community Centre, following the Planning Committee Meeting, at 7.45pm.

1).   Present were:-       

Councillor L. Dale (Chair)      Councillor R. Langford

Councillor G. Dale                 Councillor A. Reid

Councillor R. Taylor              Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor P. Jones

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)   Observing: Councillor. J. Jones

Apologies:- Apologies were received from Councillors Amos and Perren.

2).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday December 1st 2021:-

The minutes, which had previously been noted by the Council, were agreed and signed.

3).   Inspection report for Croxton Play area:-

The report was received and approval of works to repair the play shelter by Mr. Sheard were noted. The repairs were previously approved by delegated authority to avoid any delays. The play surface is starting to lift and will need to be repaired in due course, but at present is noted as a low risk.

4).   Quotations relating to safety sign at Elford Heath:-

It was resolved to recommend Creative Colour n Copy to provide and install the signage, with the suggested content as noted in the report. The initial quote was £226 plus VAT. However, rather than a separate sign, the Clerk will contact Creative with a view to installing the sign underneath the existing information board using the same posts. It is expected that if feasible, this will reduce the quotation as new posts would not be required.

5).   Quotes to cut back shrub/tree growth on the southern side of Elford pool to ensure the area remains open and allows light to the pool:-

It was resolved to recommend approval for TGM cut back the shoots from the previously coppiced trees to the front of the pool, at a cost of £95 plus VAT.

Mr. Arblaster is due to start the rill clearance works within the next two weeks.

6).   Update on painting works to the Cheshire railings at Elford Heath:-

The appointed contractor (Fresh Touch) has advised a provisional start date of the 16^th May 2022 and anticipates completion within 3-4 days. The Clerk has arranged to meet with the contractor in April to review the proposed cutting back and to determine the extent of traffic control measures. As completion is expected within a week, the cost for traffic control will be reduced from the original quotation and is now estimated at approximately £480 (2021 prices).

It was resolved to recommend approval for TGM to cut back the vegetation at a date close to commencement of the work, at a cost of £95 plus VAT.

7).   Action and associated costs to remove the fallen tree branches at Copmere picnic site:-

It was noted that although the site and trees are owned by the Parish Council, the branches do need removing and as it is common land, it is unlikely for any action to be taken by anyone else. Without removal, the area will look untidy.

It was resolved to recommend TGM undertake removal of the fallen tree branches at a cost of £575 plus VAT.

8).   Update on the outdoor gym equipment project:-

Sunshine Gym has advised an estimated start date of week commencing the 7^th March 2022, with the option to bring forward if resource is available. A site meeting is planned prior to installation to confirm the final details. A concern was raised regarding the possibility of cars reversing into the equipment. There will be a space between the start of the grass verge and the equipment, but measures will be considered if necessary. The Clerk will enquire if the sign could have reflective paint on it. It was resolved to approve the Clerk and the Chair to agree the wording for the signage, to include the recommended content discussed with Sunshine Gym.

9).   Update on pavement clearance activities within the parish and any quotations for outstanding work:-

The Borough Council will be completing the Swynnerton Road stretch but has advised they can no longer undertake the works on the Newport Road to Wootton Lane pavements. TGM will be completing the Stone Road clearance over the winter.

New quotes were considered for clearance of the Newport Road to Wootton Lane stretch and Sancerre Grange to Blurtons Lane. Concerns were raised regarding the use of a digger with one contractor and this option was ruled out. It was resolved to recommend appointing TGM to undertake the outstanding works at a cost of £2,735.00. It was noted that the estimated date for completion would be April, to fit around other planned commitments.

Members discussed the additional problems with the Newport Road to Wootton pavement – there are areas where trees from adjacent properties have forced the metal fencing over the pavement area, causing significant obstructions. Cllr. Reid agreed to work with the Clerk to identify these areas, report them to the County Council and also look to approach the landowners to see if they will undertake remedial work to rectify the issues.

10).  Report and summary on the UK banking hub pilot:-

Members received and discussed the UK banking hub report circulated prior to the meeting. The pilot scheme was a successful initiative in some of the areas, but the report did not follow up with any further planned pilots or opportunities for Eccleshall to take advantage of. Members felt a hub would be of benefit to the parish.

Members also received recent resident correspondence advising the planned closure of the Post Office in June, unless the lease was taken up by someone else. This was of concern to the committee and it was resolved to write to the Co-Op to support the residents suggestion and ask if the Co-Op would consider incorporating the Post Office within its premises, as seen in some other branches. Members were asked to consider any other potential solutions for future discussion.

11).  Adoption of the BT phone box at the Washpits and consider any next steps to be taken.

The adoption process is now complete and the BT box is now the property of the Parish Council. Mr. Egan has inspected the asset and based on his findings, it was resolved to recommend the purchase of a full kit to replace the glass panels and to install two locks, at a total cost of £283. Mr. Egan is undertaking this work on a voluntary basis and the committee extended its thanks for his efforts and ongoing support.

As discussed previously, the Fair Oak box will house a defibrillator and the Croxton box is intended to be a book swap/information point, both to be looked after by local volunteers.

A number of suggestions were considered for use of the Washpits box, including an information point and book swap. Planters could be installed either side to enhance the setting and it was noted that some boxes have mobile phone mast boosters installed, which the Clerk will look into. The Clerk noted any enhancements will have to be in keeping with regulations in force in the Conservation area, and the washpits open space is not owned by the Parish Council so permissions may be needed to site the planters.

12).  Correspondence:-

Update from SBC with regards to the request to adopt Beech Road:- The Borough Council advised in January 2022 that it has experienced delays in the planned review of assets and is not able to provide any response to the Parish Council request for asset transfer of the site. Members expressed frustration at the lack of resolution and asked Borough Councillor P. Jones and the Clerk to continue to press for a decision.  If there is no response by the Borough Council, further actions will be considered.

Resident concerns regarding tidiness of verges and community areas:- a resident had written to ask the Parish Council to consider undertaking works to tidy verges and communal areas, to maintain high standards of presentation within the town.

The Parish Council had previously resolved for councillors to liaise with the Ecclian Society to consider a joint volunteer scheme to do this. It was resolved for the Clerk to formally write to the Ecclian Society and follow up on the proposal ahead of the next Ecclian meeting, so that it can be discussed further. General discussions included the idea of wildflower areas.

Members also suggested that a ‘Jubilee Clean up’ event prior to the celebrations would be beneficial.

Update on Stafford Street wall:- Following further discussions with the County Council, it is confirmed that SCC does not own or have responsibility for the wall, so it appears to be an unadopted area. If there were any issues with its structural safety the Parish Council is advised to report this to the Borough Council. It was observed that this could be one of the areas to be adopted and tidied by volunteers and a good start would be to compile a list of areas to be addressed.

13).  Items for next meeting

Any items for consideration to be sent to the Clerk.

14). Date of Next Meeting:-   April 6^th, 2022, following the planning meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.50pm.