ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – ENHANCEMENTS AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – Wednesday, August 14^th, 2024

A meeting of the Enhancements and Preservation Committee was held on Wednesday, 14^th August 2024 at Eccleshall Community Centre, after the Planning Committee meeting, at 8.15pm.

  Present were:-

Councillor S. Perren (Chair)                 Councillor G. Dale

Councillor D. Hill                                    Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor R. Langford                          Councillor R. Taylor

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

Observer: Cllr. A. Reid

1).    Apologies:-

Apologies were received from Cllrs. Hall and Jones. Cllr. Ryan-Bloor was absent.

2).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 5^th June 2024:-

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

3).   Asset inspections:-

• Members were circulated the latest 2024 asset inspection sheets. Condition reports are to be submitted to the Clerk now to allow for required remedial works during fine weather. Any assets requiring sanding/repainting have been notified to the handyman and most have been completed.
• Following completion of remedial works to the circular bench on the Stone Road and removal of the dead tree, members were asked for suggestions on what could be installed in the centre of the bench. As remains of the previous tree are still there, members agreed a new tree would not be feasible and the Clerk will investigate if any treatment should be applied to the stump. The Clerk will also contact Mr. Cartwright, who manufactured the bench, for any suggestions. Members were asked to give this some thought.

4).   Refurbished BT boxes:-

• To receive an update on any responses to repurposing of the BT box on the Washpits

This was deferred until the next meeting, so Cllr. Hill can report back on this item once she has contacted Bishops Lonsdale Academy in the new term. Cllr. Dale would be provided with a key to lock up the box in the interim. Members observed the washpits area would benefit from a rake and strim and the Clerk will contact the grounds maintenance contractors.

As an additional item, it was noted that there was a dip in the Jubilee field that had returned after filling in. The clerk will make enquiries to find out who may be able to conduct a ground survey to determine the reason for this.

5).   Croxton Play area:

• Review of the latest inspection report and consider any actions arising:

Members considered the interim inspection report conducted by HAGS. The only area flagged for attention is the log walk, to remove some rough surfaces and monitor strimmer damage and splits to the timber. The logs are not wobbly so are safe for use. The Clerk will ask Cllr. Mifflin to see if he can remove the rough areas, which are on the low logs which are stepped on as opposed to be of a risk to hands, and the logs will be monitored. The log walk continues to be an issue, and it was agreed that alongside this work, the Clerk would contact play suppliers to see what alternative equipment they could suggest, and costs, for consideration.

6).   Biodiversity – duty of care by Parish Councils and consideration of required actions

• Members were advised that Parish Councils are required to consider what they can do conserve and enhance biodiversity, which includes identifying the actions already in place and looking into where further steps can be taken to improve on this. The summary paper provided advised an audit of our current actions and to bring back further ideas for consideration. It was noted that we undertake many activities to promote biodiversity, but it is not collated in one place. The Climate change working group can take this on but need more members than the three current members (Cllrs. Reid, Langford and Hill) to support the work. The work will also help in the development of a Biodiversity Policy. Members were also supplied with minutes of a meeting with an Ecclian Society representative to look at how the groups could work together to become a Bee Friendly town.

Key points to come out of the in-depth committee discussion included:

• Actions need to be sustainable and need to be delivered with the support of groups, other authorities and residents to enable longevity of the initiatives, which will require ongoing maintenance by volunteers.
• It is just as important to encourage actions in resident gardens as well as public spaces.
• Ideas that could be considered by the working group include the use of the wall on Stafford St for planting of lavender, bluebell planting by the toilet open space, living roofs on bus shelters, additional bulb planting (the washpits already has bulbs planted), possible involvement by the Allotments. It was noted that a good example of a sensory garden is seen in Stone, by M&S, where the previous park was located. There is a climate change budget allocation to accommodate project activities.
• Actions agreed in the meeting with Ecclians included:
  • Identification of potential area(s) within the town to develop as a showcase for the strategy by the planting of flowering plants / shrubs.
  • Identification of the types of bee friendly plants that would provide a succession of flowers across spring, summer and autumn / winter.
  • Undertake a census to identify a list of areas in the Parish where we already successfully provide opportunities and activities to encourage bees and other pollinators.
  • Ecclian rep to liaise with the society Bloom committee to see if there’s scope to add in any pollinator-friendly plants to baskets, without affecting aesthetics.
  • Speak with Fletchers and P&M Edwards with regards to running a basket workshop next May.
  • Provide a map of the town and identify possible planting of areas that could be made bee-friendly, to include ownership and land conditions. For example, streets, parks, schools, churches, and beer gardens in pubs are all places that could be home to bee-friendly planting. Liaison with Stafford B.C. to enable support / resources for the project.
• The committee agreed that next steps include:
  • Recruitment of more councillors to the working group, which can expand to more non council members as the project scope and expertise needed is identified.
  • The working group can then meet to discuss and put together a formal proposal for consideration and action some of the above points.
  • Consider public consultation and how to make this a community effort.

6).   Beech Road Play area:

• Update on progress of leasing of Beech Road play area:

The lease documentation is still being progressed by the Borough Council, which is currently with the legal team.

• Beech Road tenders:

The deadline for receipt of tenders is Friday the 16^th August. Four companies were approached to ask to submit a tender and three suppliers undertook site visits with a view to tender. Unfortunately, one supplier has recently pulled out as they do not feel they can meet the requirements of the tender documentation, so two suppliers are expected to submit a tender. It is noted that a preferred supplier and design will need to be selected before submission of the application for the s.106 funding with the Borough Council, which has around a 12 week application timeline. The date for public consultation is not yet fixed as it is hoped the supplier can be involved, so they must be identified first. It is hoped to undertake this in September. The next working group meeting is on the 3^rd September.

8).  Lengthsman Scheme – feedback on recent activity and collate any new work requests.

• Recent activity and collate any new work requests. Members resolved to ask the team to strim back the vegetation along the Newport Road to Wincote Lane and remove any encroaching hedge branches. It was noted however that hedge cutting does remain the responsibility of the respective landowners. The Clerk will research who is responsible for the hedgerow along this stretch of road in order to make the appropriate requests.

9). Correspondence:

• Correspondence was considered from the Hedgehogs R Us Highway Project. The project encourages the creation of a 5-inch gap in fences to allow hedgehogs to move freely within the community. The project supplies a box of 50 Hedgehog shaped fence surrounds, with leaflets, display box and window stickers for £150, to sell in the community and encourage residents to participate. It was resolved to recommend purchase of one box, with a view to sell in the library.

10).  Items for next meeting:-

Any items for consideration to be sent to the Clerk.

11).  Date of Next Meeting:-  October 2^nd, following the Traffic Management meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm.