ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – ENHANCEMENTS AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – Wednesday, 1^st April 2026

 DRAFT

A meeting of the Enhancements and Preservation Committee was held on Wednesday 1^st April 2026 at Eccleshall Community Centre, after the Planning Committee meeting, at 7.40pm.

  Present were:-

Councillor S. Perren (Chairman)         Councillor G. Dale

Councillor D. Hill                                     Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor R. Taylor                                Councillor R. Langford

Councillor D. Hall                                   Councillor A. Reid

Councillor P. Jones                                Councillor C. Ryan-Bloor

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

1).    Apologies:-

There were no apologies received.

2).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 4^th February 2026:-

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

3).   Asset inspections:-

• This year’s inspection sheets have been circulated, for checks and completion at the earliest opportunity.
• The bench located at Slindon Church has been assessed and considered beyond economical repair. It was resolved to dispose of the bench and approve the purchase of the ‘Speyside’ recycled bench at a cost of £455 ex VAT, plus a separate adhesive plaque at a cost of £18.99 plus postage, to read ‘Provided by Eccleshall Parish Council’. Mr. Sheard will build and place the bench.

4).   Croxton Play area:

• Inspection Reports:

The committee received and reviewed the annual report for Croxton play area. The area was rated as low risk, with only very minor issues identified. The issues and actions resolved to undertake are:

• Playhouse – secure loose roof fixings, replace front trim and remove any sharp edges, including from apex of the roof.
• Schedule a jet wash of the area for May.
• Soil infill of identified areas between grass and wetpour edging trim.

5).   Outdoor Gyms:

• Inspection Reports:

The committee received and reviewed the annual report for the gym equipment at the Community Centre and the Jubilee Playing Field. Both areas area were rated as low risk, with a few minor recommendations. The issues and actions resolved to undertake are:

• Replacement of worn buffers – skier at the Jubilee Field.
• Treat and repaint the chest press at Eccleshall Community Centre.

6).   Beech Road Community Park:

• Members received the annual inspection report for consideration. The area was rated as low risk overall, with some issues for consideration:
  • Vertical posts on the trim trail were identified with some interior rot behind the wood knots. The Clerk has contacted Kompan who have agreed to replace them free of charge.
  • Missing bolt end caps – Kompan has arranged for provision of 15 caps supplied free of charge. This will provide extra stock as they can often go missing.
  • Path surface materials on the play surface -the Clerk has asked G-Tec to sweep the area when they commence the grass cutting programme in April.
  • Tangled safety chain on the nest swing – G-Tec have been asked to help to untangle.
  • It was resolved to purchase a combination padlock to secure the service gate.
• The bike rack has now been installed.
• Members of the Ecclian Society have kindly volunteered to help with the planting design. A site meeting was held in March, and a proposed planting scheme is being drawn up for consideration.
• A resident has requested to retain a private access point to the park, which is from their garden, secured by a panel to the garden, with a bolt. The route does not allow access to any adjacent gardens, but the access is privately controlled and if left open, is a risk to other users and does not provide a secure perimeter. In addition, allowing private access would set a precedent to other adjacent properties and pose risks should any incidents occur and a claim made against the council. Whilst members did appreciate the position of the resident, it was resolved to reinstate the fence, with potential to add some extra posts to ensure the perimeter remains secure.

7).   Elford Heath Tree Survey:

• Members received the report, which was a comprehensive assessment of the trees, split into area blocks. Recommended actions were split into high, medium and low timescales, with no items classed as urgent. The Clerk has requested a quotation for the recommended works, split by category so they can be considered and scheduled in over several months. The items to complete as soon as possible include the removal of a hawthorn in poor condition and to remove a hung willow limb. In order to maintain the area properly, it was advised that the council has in place a regular maintenance plan to maximise tree health and biodiversity and ensure the area is safe for users. The Clerk is requesting costs for a comprehensive maintenance plan and will report back. The plan will incorporate the aims for the area, which is to be an attractive place for people to visit, but to remain a natural space, managed with a light touch to create differing habitat areas to encourage as much diversity as possible, with healthy, safe, well-maintained trees.

8).   Biodiversity Enhancements:

• Updates include:
  • The Bee Friendly Town application has been submitted by Cllr. Langford
  • Four bird boxes have been installed in the Millennium Wood, Croxton.
  • There is no update to report on the plan to erect swift boxes at Holy Trinity church.
  • There were concerns that the congregation point for the Save Eccleshall walk would result in trampling the newly planted bluebell bulbs, but the Little George has now offered the car park as an alternative meeting venue.
  • Wildflower seeds have been planted on the verge near to Croxton telephone box, with a bee species spotting guide in the phone box.
  • Future planting ideas included additional spring bulb planting on the Borough Council owned area adjacent to the Jubilee Playing Field. There are some crocuses there at present, which could be enhanced by additional planting.
  • Reid is liaising with Staffordshire Bat Group to arrange a series of bat walks during school holidays at around 9.30pm, dates to be advised. The group will bring detectors to hear the bats and provide advice to the council on where best to site bat boxes.

9).   Other Planting:

• Columnar Cherry Tree, Stone Road – A tree has been reserved at Johnson nursery. The Clerk will chase up availability. It was suggested that a watering tube would be helpful to install when planting.
• Japanese Cherry Tree planting project.
  • Two bare root trees have been planted on the Jubilee Field, with the help of Mr. Ken Langford and Mr. Andy Iliffe.
  • It was resolved to purchase a commemorative plaque, with a budget allocated of up to £150, to include a sturdy double stake mount and engraved plaque. The wording will state ‘These cherry trees were planted in 2026 by Eccleshall Parish Council as part of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project. Celebrating the UK – Japan friendship and creating a legacy for future generations’.

10).   Bloom Watering Contract 2026:

• The Clerk approached three contractors for quotations but only one wished to quote for the work. It was resolved to recommend acceptance of the quotation from Perrys of Eccleshall to undertake the watering contract for the 75 hanging baskets, 48 oak post mangers, and a number of troughs for four times a week, at a cost of £9,011.20, with the option for the Clerk to extend the watering for a further two weeks if required.

11).  Gateway feature at the entrance to Eccleshall

Members considered the suggestion to install gateway features – to include name signage and white gates – at key entrance points. The Ecclian Society are planning to install a decorative welcome sign and planters on the Newcastle Road where name signage has been missing for some time. It was noted that gateway feature costs with a place name, gates and installation could be in the region of 5k per location, the total enhancements budget for 2026/27. It was agreed that this work would need to be planned into the budget over several years, if agreed in the future.

12).  Lengthsman Scheme

It was agreed to request:

• an ‘Eccleshall town centre tidy’ of main routes off the centre, to include cleaning of highways signs, pavement sweeping, weeding and other general duties.
• To clear vegetation from the cut through footpath on the verge that leads from Green Lane to Stafford Road.
• Cleaning of the crossroads name sign at Croxton (Back Lane).
• Cleaning and trimming around milestones and to assess if a refurbishment is required.

Any further requests can be passed to the Clerk for consideration.

13). Correspondence:

• There was no correspondence to receive.

14).  Items for next meeting:-

Any items for consideration to be sent to the Clerk.

15).  Date of Next Meeting:-

June 3^rd 2026, following the Planning Committee meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.00pm.