Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 16^th February 2022

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Eccleshall Community Centre on 16^th February 2022 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 9.15 pm.

The meeting opened with prayers

16/22). Present were:-

Councillor P. Jones  (Chairman)           Councillor L. Dale

Councillor R. Taylor                              Councillor J. Leather

Councillor G. Dale                               Councillor S. Perren

Councillor R. Langford                          Councillor A. Reid

Councillor S. Kean                                Councillor B. Delanchy

Councillor C. Wilkins                             Councillor E. Amos

Councillor J. Jones                               Councillor S. Mifflin

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

Beverley Partridge (Assistant Clerk)

Three members of the public (co-option candidates)

17/22.)  Apologies were received from Borough and County Councillor J. Pert.

18/22). To consider Declarations of Interest and Councillor requests for dispensation relating to      items on the agenda.

There were no requests to receive, and no declarations of interest were made.

19/22). Public Participation:

There was no public participation

20/22). To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on January 19^th 2022

The minutes, which had been previously circulated, were agreed and signed.

21/22). Co-option of Councillor to Town Ward vacancy

There were three applicants for co-option to the Town Ward vacancy: Jennifer Smith, Debbie Hill,      and Zoe Wallis.  Each candidate gave a short presentation to the meeting and answered questions.  Following a vote, Debbie Hill was duly co-opted to represent the Town Ward.

Cllr. P. Jones welcomed Mrs. Hill  to the Council. Cllr. Hill duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Disclosable Pecuniary & Personal Interest Forms will be completed and forwarded to the Clerk.

Councillor Gordon Dale and Councillor Eileen Amos left the meeting at 8:14pm.

22/22). Report from the Borough Councillor:

Cllr. Peter Jones provided a verbal report. Updates included:

• Since the last Parish Council meeting Cllr Jones attended:
  • the Borough Holocaust Memorial service  at St Mary’s Church in Stafford.
  • the Stafford Borough Council meeting on 1^st February, and a Licensing Committee training session on 2^nd
  • A meeting of the Forebridge Trust Alms Houses governors meeting on Wednesday 9^th February
  • A meeting of the Chebsey Parish Council meeting in All Saints Church on 7^th
  • A meeting of the Eccleshall Flood Action Group via zoom on 10^th
• Councillor Peter Jones held his monthly surgery session at the High Street library on 12^th

Councillor Gordon Dale returned to the meeting at 8.21pm

23/22). Committee Updates:

  Traffic Management

There were no updates to report.

Footpaths:

• The minutes of the committee meeting on the 2^nd February 2022 were noted.
• Cllr Taylor informed the Parish Council that the ‘Bench to Bench’ walks initiative was progressing well and that, in partnership with Stafford Borough Council, a leaflet of the walks was close to completion. Due to a staffing vacancy, the publication of the leaflet is slightly delayed but that this should be available by the spring.
• With regards to the Circular walks project, it is hoped that more in depth work will be undertaken with respect to the collated of information and routes in the coming weeks. A response is awaited from Network Rail in respect to levelling works required one of the paths.

Enhancements:

• The minutes of the committee meeting on the 2^nd February 2022 were noted.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended quotation from Creative Copy N Colour to install additional safety signage at Elford Pool below the existing information board at a cost of £87 plus VAT by Creative Copy n Colour.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended quotation from TGM to cut back the previously coppiced trees to the front of the pool at a cost of £95 plus VAT.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended quotation from TGM to cut back the vegetation at Elford prior to painting the Cheshire Railings at a cost of £95 plus VAT.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended quotation from TGM remove the broken     tree branches from Copmere picnic site at a cost of £575 plus VAT.
• An update regarding the outdoor gym installation was received. The contractor hopes to commence work in early March, and this will require two days at Eccleshall Community Centre and one day at the Hartlands Road site.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation for TGM to complete the pavement siding off works along the Newport Road and Stafford Road at a total cost of £2,735.00 plus VAT. It was noted that the estimated date for completion would be April at the earliest, to fit around other planned commitments. Members noted part of the Newport Road pavement has had some clearance undertaken as a result of recent works at Johnson Hall. The Clerk will contact TGM to advise them of this and if it affects the level of work to be undertaken the price can be amended accordingly.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to purchase a new glass kit and locks for refurbishment of the adopted BT box at the washpits at a total cost of £283. Painting of the boxes at Croxton and Fair oak will take place when the weather improves.
• The response from SBC regarding the further deferral of a request to adopt Beech Road was noted and the Council expressed its disappointment at the further delay. Cllr. P. Jones was asked to continue to press the matter with SBC.

Policy and Resources:

• There were no updates to report. The next meeting will be held on the 2^nd

Events:

• The minutes of the committee meeting on the 2^nd February 2022 were noted.
• An update on key items for the Jubilee event was provided. Cllr Taylor advised that event planning was progressing well. The Beacon would be sited at Eccleshall Castle and a piper will be in attendance. There are approximately twenty-one events to date, nine of which the Parish Council are responsible for. 2 Afternoon Teas are planned for Eccleshall and 1 will be held in Croxton (run by a local organisation but supported by the PC). Cllr. Taylor will co-ordinate the litter picking team in readiness for the Platinum Jubilee. A skate-park would be sited at the Community Centre on the Thursday. Although a sponsor has been found for a Play Bus, the location is yet to be determined as it requires access to electricity. A dance will be held at the Community Centre on Saturday night and a Street party with entertainment on Sunday 5^th
• The next meeting of the committee will be on the 2^nd

24/22). To consider format and content for the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on 11 May, 2022.

A discussion took place regarding the event and the following suggestions were made:

• The main hall to be used for the meeting, set up informally in café style tables/chairs.
• That Councillors would have an opportunity to discuss matters with parishioners in a similar way to the format of a Councillor Surgery and residents can meet their local representatives.
• There will be an open invitation to local community group representatives to attend and talk to residents about their activities.
• Grant recipients will be invited to attend and provide a written report in advance so there is no need to provide a formal verbal report. All reports can be circulated to attendees.
• Display boards could be incorporated into the event, for example an information point or news desk about the Platinum Jubilee planned events, another about Eccleshall Festival.
• An invitation letter for the event can be provided by the Clerk and circulated to community contacts to explain the format and extend an invitation to come and talk about their organisations. Councillors can use this to liaise with their own contacts to raise awareness and encourage attendance. For purposes of communication, the meeting will be renamed to reflect the purpose and style of the event.

25/22). To receive the proposed plans for the implementation of a 40mph zone on Stafford St and consider any response if required.

The proposed plans were noted with no response required.

26/22). To receive the Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

The Council received the Clerk’s report.

27/22). Correspondence

A thank you letter was received from Katherine House for the grant provided.

28/22). Chairman’s Report:-

• The Chairman informed the Council that the Clerk, Stacey Worden, had attained the Certificate of Higher Education in Community Governance, awarded by the Society of Local Council Clerks. Members passed on their congratulations for this exceptional achievement.
• Councillors were advised of the Code of Conduct and it was noted it is every councillor’s responsibility to behave respectfully at meetings and on social media. The publics opinion of this Council is formed from our behaviour in public and on social media.
• P. Jones had attended a very useful Stone Parish Liaison Group meeting on the 3rd February which is well attended by Clerks and councillors in local parishes.

29/22). Financial Matters 

To accept the Financial report and bank reconciliation to end January 2022:

     It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and including the 28^th January, 2022.

Payments made since the last full Council meeting were received and noted as follows:

To approve accounts for payment February 2021:-

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:

All were in favour and the cheques were signed accordingly.

30/22). Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for 16^th March, 2022, at Eccleshall Community Centre, 7.30pm. Agenda items can be forwarded to the Clerk for consideration. It was requested that an item relating to dog fouling, associated signage and dog bag dispensing machines be added to the next agenda.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.12pm.