ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – ENHANCEMENTS AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – Wednesday, October 4^th 2023

A meeting of the Enhancements and Preservation Committee was held on Wednesday, 4^th October 2023 at Eccleshall Community Centre, after the Planning Committee meeting, at 7.50pm.

  Present were:-

Councillor S. Perren (Chair)               Councillor R. Langford

Councillor D. Hill                               Councillor R. Taylor

Councillor C. Wilkins                         Councillor D. Hall

Councillor G. Dale                             Councillor P. Jones

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

1).    Apologies:- Apologies were received from Cllr. Ryan-Bloor

2).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday August 16^th 2023:-

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

3).   Asset inspections:-

Members were provided an update on outstanding remedial works to assets –work is ongoing and the majority of the routine bench refurbishments have now been completed.

Members were reminded to submit outstanding asset inspection reports to the Clerk at the earliest opportunity.

Costs for additional asset refurbishments:-

• Refurbishment of blue bench at the Stone Road roundabout:
• Quotations and alternative refurbishment options were considered for the blue bench at the Stone Road, in order to extend the life of the paintwork between refurbishments. It was resolved to recommend approval of the quotation of £500.00 for refurbishment by the original supplier of the bench.

Costs to remove tree and refurbish circular blue bench on the Stone Road:-

• The circular bench and tree are not owned by the Parish Council but consideration was given to whether the Council would be interested in its adoption, subject to agreement by the original owners. With this in mind, costs for tree removal and bench refurbishment were provided. Bench refurbishment to the same specification as the bench on the roundabout will be £700. Removing the tree will cost £465. However it has been reported to National Grid due to its proximity to power lines, and there is a possibility they may remove the tree after a planned line inspection later this year. Bearing in mind that the tree needs to be removed before painting, it was recommended to approve the following actions:
  • To defer any action on removal of the tree until a decision is made by National Grid. If the tree is not removed, the Council approves the quotation to remove the tree itself
  • To request adoption of the bench from the Rotary Club and approve the quotation of £700 to refurbish the bench once the tree has been removed.

It was noted that the weather conditions may defer the bench painting until next spring.

4).   Refurbished BT boxes:-

• To receive an update on any responses to repurposing of the BT box on the Washpits and to agree to the Ecclian Christmas tree being located in the box after the Tree Festival.

There has been no progress as yet on the option to use the Eyeswell box as an information point. Whilst this is being considered, members agreed to the Ecclian Christmas Tree being sited in the box during December. The Clerk will put up a ‘Do you want to adopt this box’ notice up to see if there is any interest by community members. It was suggested that the box could link in with the Climate Change working group idea of setting up a seed swap.

• Fair Oak defibrillator installation.

The Clerk is still chasing information from the First Responders to progress this and has had no response to date. If there is no response, the Clerk could approach Loggerheads First Responders for support. It was noted that the Croxton box is very popular and being kept in good order.

5).   Croxton Play area – update on actions and quotations for consideration:-

Further repairs have been completed on the play hut, and both benches have been sanded and repainted.

With regards to the required repairs to the log walk, it was resolved to recommend approval of the quotation of £380 plus VAT to replace 5 of the posts and sand down rough edges on the others.

6).   To consider quotations for pavement clearance works along the Newport Road from Cross Butts to Wincote Lane:-

Members considered the quotations received. Both contractors have noted the use of a micro digger to remove the pavement overgrowth, but methods of Traffic Management have varied between quotations. The committee preferred the use of a static traffic management system to ensure safety of vehicles and contractors. It was resolved to recommend approval of the quotation of £2,000 by Acer Landscapes but to request the use of Traffic Management at an estimated additional hire cost of £1440.

7).   Quotations for the Christmas Trees, lights installation and Cherry Picker hire:-

It was resolved to recommend approval of the quotations as follows:

• £2248 for the supply of Norway Spruce trees, quantities 71 x 4.5ft trees, 1 x 25ft tree and 1 x 20ft tree, including delivery and installation.
• £251 ex VAT for the supply of cherry pickers for light installation and removal.

• £900 ex VAT for the installation and removal of lights on the two large trees.

8).   Elford Heath:-

• Blocked feeder pipe into the main pool:- The quotation for the jetting works was approved and work is provisionally scheduled for around the 14^th October.

9).   To receive any feedback regarding overgrown hedges on Newport Road prior to Johnson Hall Nurseries:-

Work is still pending to the hedges obstructing the pavement. It was agreed to recommend sending a second request to the residents involved detailing the actions that would be taken with the County Council should the hedges remain overgrown.

10).  Lengthsman scheme:-

Works requested to date have all been completed. New works suggested included a pruning of the shrub by the Eccleshall sign on the Chester Road and cleaning of the milestones. The Clerk requested locations of the milestones in order to inform the lengthsman accordingly.

11).  Banking Hubs:-

Members considered the recent news article in relation to the creation of a banking hub in Stone and the process to request a review of community cash access needs. It was resolved to recommend the Council submit a request for a review of Eccleshall with a view to being considered as a candidate for a banking hub.

12).  To consider future activities for financial year 2024/25 to advise budget planning:-

Members were asked to consider future projects for inclusion in next year’s budget and submit to the Clerk. It was suggested that £1000 could be allocated to Climate Change activities to include planting schemes to become a Bee Friendly Town.

13). Correspondence:-

• A resident has raised concerns about overgrown hedges along the lane from the Star at Copmere to the end of Pershall Pool. It appears that the first part of the hedge has now been cut back but some cutting back further along would be beneficial. It was resolved to recommend writing to the resident to request their support in cutting the hedge in line with the adjacent stretch.

14).  Items for next meeting:-

Any items for consideration to be sent to the Clerk.

15).  Date of Next Meeting:-  December 6^th, 2023, following the planning meeting.

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