ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – ENHANCEMENTS AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – Wednesday, June 8th 2022

A meeting of the Enhancements and Preservation Committee was held on Wednesday, 8 June 2022 at Eccleshall Community Centre, at 7.55pm.

  Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chair)                Councillor. C. Wilkins

Councillor G. Dale                                 Councillor P. Jones

Councillor D. Hill

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

Observer: Cllr. J. Jones

1).   Apologies:- Apologies were received from Councillors Perren, Langford, Mifflin, L. Dale and Amos.

2).   Election of Chairman / Vice Chairman

Councillor L. Dale was nominated and elected as Chair for the ensuing year.

Councillor R. Taylor requested nominations for Vice-Chair of the committee and Councillor R. Taylor was duly re-elected.

3).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday April 6th 2022:-

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

4).   To consider any recommended remedial works arising from the assets inspections for 2022/23:-

The Clerk requested that outstanding inspections were carried out by councillors and submitted at the earliest opportunity so that any required remedial works could be carried out over the summer months. The Clerk would circulate the sheets to all who have assets requiring inspection

5).   To consider locations for the memorial bench that used to be situated in front of the Star Café:-

Location suggestions are ongoing. The washpits was one suggestion but as this is highways owned, issues are expected regarding the use of specific contractors to install, which is a significant cost. Another suggestion was the Jubilee playing field – a specific location will need to be investigated. The item will be referred to the next agenda for a final decision on any options.

6).   To consider quotations for the repair of the wetpour surface at Croxton Play area:-

It was resolved to recommended approval of the preferred quotation by Streetscape for wetpour repairs, at a cost of £2,185 plus VAT.

7).   To receive an update on the refurbishment of the BT phone boxes at Croxton, Fair Oak and the Washpit and any next steps for consideration:-

Painting of the two boxes at Croxton and Fair Oak is planned for August. The spares for the refurbishment of the box at the Washpit have been delivered and the work will be completed at the earliest convenience by the volunteer who has kindly agreed to undertake the work free of charge.

8).   Update on pavement clearance activities within the parish;

TGM has completed the Stone Road clearance works, and work on the Stafford Road and Newport Road be scheduled during off peak periods, i.e. autumn/winter 2022,  around the usual grounds maintenance workload. There is a short stretch of the Swynnerton Road that has not been completed by the Borough Council as it no longer has the resource to complete the works. The invoice was adjusted accordingly.

9).   To consider any progress on the Ecclian/Parish tidying project and next steps:-

       A list of areas has been compiled but as noted previously, includes areas owned by a number of different organisations. It was noted that it may be difficult to find able volunteers to undertake a regular programme of tidying works. The committee asked the Clerk to look into other potential options, including lengthsman schemes.

Recent resident correspondence was received noting concerns with weeds in gutters and overgrowth in grassy areas who has requested funding be found so that the council can take over the maintenance of the grassy areas and gutter tidying.

10).  Completion of the project undertaken by the Health and Wellbeing working group :-  

It was resolved to dissolve the working group. Any future projects can be undertaken by a new group.

11).  To note completion of the Elford railing repainting:-

The council noted completion and that the work had greatly improved the outlook of the area.

12).  Update on the planting on the Eyeswells:-

Residents backing onto the area in question have requested approval to undertake planting and maintenance of the area, which the committee agreed with. In lieu of the initial planned purchase of the rhododendrons, it was agreed to recommend the purchase of bulbs for the residents to plant, up to a value of £50. The Clerk will be provided with a list of required bulbs.

13. To consider councillor feedback regarding the condition of the public toilets and work required.

The toilets had been vandalised prior to the Jubilee celebrations and the Committee were grateful of the assistance of Borough Councillor Pert in ensuring the necessary repairs were completed ahead of the celebration period. Concerns were raised regarding ongoing vandalism and prevention. It was noted that a resident was looking into CCTV options. The toilets are also in need of refurbishment and it was resolved to recommend writing to the Borough Council (Streetscene) to request refurbishment works.

14. Correspondence:-

• The Council has received the following response from the Co-Op regarding the potential to site a Post Office within its branch, should the main Post Office counter in Eccleshall close in the future:-

‘Unfortunately, after careful consideration the decision was made as a business some time ago that we will no longer be looking to open any new post office branches within our stores for a variety of commercial and logistical factors’.

Alternative options were considered and the Clerk was asked to contact Lodey’s to see if they would consider it should the need arise. Cllr. P. Jones would contact the Library (Rotary) to ask the same question.

15).  Items for next meeting

Any items for consideration to be sent to the Clerk. The Clerk advised that the safety sign lettering at Croxton Play area was starting to peel and a quote of £77 (which includes installation if needed) has been received. The committee agreed for this to be raised for approval at the main council meeting in order to avoid any delay.

14).  Date of Next Meeting:-  August 17th, 2022, following the planning meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.40pm.