Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 28^th SEPTEMBER 2022 – DRAFT

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Eccleshall Community Centre on 28^th September 2022 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 8.55 pm.

Prior to the start of the meeting a minutes silence was held in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, followed by prayers.

124/22). Present were:-    

Councillor P. Jones  (Chairman)           Councillor L. Dale

Councillor B. Delanchy                         Councillor J. Jones

Councillor G. Dale                               Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor D. Hill                                   Councillor S. Perren

Councillor R. Langford                         Councillor S. Kean

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

PCSO Gareth Higgins

One member of the public

125/22.)  Apologies were received from Cllrs. Leather, Reid, Taylor, Mifflin and Borough/County Councillor Pert.

126/22). 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.

127/22). Public Participation:

There was one member of the public in attendance, who did not wish to speak.

128/22). To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on July 20^th 2022

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

129/22). Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives

PCSO Higgins provided a verbal report. Items included:

• Crime statistics from 1^st Aug- 25^th September were as follows:
  • No burglaries
  • 3 x Anti Social Behaviour
  • 2 x Transport Issues
  • 1 x Criminal Damage
  • 2 x Violence
  • 5 x Suspicious incidents
  • 1 x theft
• PCSO Higgins was in attendance at Bishops Lonsdale school in response to dangerous parking concerns. Offenders were given a verbal warning and licence plate numbers taken. He will be returning to make further checks. The crossing guard requested additional measures to reduce speed along the Newport Road at the crossroads of Green Lane and Cross Butts. There is a Parish Council speed sign located by the junction but this is not permanent. The issue will be referred to the Traffic Management committee and a request made to the County Council for a Road Safety Audit.

It was noted that vehicles causing an obstruction should be reported to 101 and parking on double yellow lines should be referred to Staffordshire County Council via the online reporting system.  This information will be included in the next parish council newsletter.

There were no other reports to receive.

130/22). Committee membership:

Members noted the updated committee list, to include Cllr. J. Jones as a member of the Enhancements committee, which was omitted in the original list.

131/22). Committee Updates:

  Traffic Management:

• There were no updates to report

Footpaths:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 17th August 2022 were noted.
• An electronic copy of the completed Doorstep Walks booklet produced in conjunction with the Borough Council has been received and uploaded to the website. Print copies from the Borough Council are awaiting receipt.

Enhancements:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 17th August 2022 were noted.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to refurbish the Croxton BT box for use as a book swap and information point, with a budget of up to £150.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to prepare a proposal and draft work specification for a contracted lengthsman scheme, for full council consideration.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to continue research into local banking hubs and for the Clerk to express an interest should any new opportunities arise.
• It was resolved to approve the cost of £47.50 to strim the top of the wall on Stafford Street and to add the work to the 2023/24 grounds maintenance tender, for cuts 3 times a year. Follow up work is quoted at £22.50 per cut.

Additional items:

• It was resolved to approve the repainting of the water pump at Copmere Pump Site, ensuring appropriate safety measures were in place to ensure no contamination of possible water sources.
• It was resolved to approve the appointment of CJ Painting Services to paint the exterior and interior of the BT boxes at Croxton and Fair Oak.

  Policy and Resources:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 7th September 2022 were noted
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to undertake the work to replace the current Bullying and Harassment policy with the new Dignity at Work policy and sign up to the SLCC Civility and Respect Pledge (https://www.slcc.co.uk/news-publications/civility-respect-pledge/) once adopted.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to switch both current and reserve bank accounts to Unity Trust Bank to allow for secure online banking.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to adopt the updated Business Plan (Eccleshall The Way Forward) with the following amendments:
  • p16 (table row A) bus services to monitor and review as needed
  • p20 (11.1 d) remove comment about limiting HGV movement
  • p21 (11.4 e) remove date

It was also resolved to print 10 reference copies at a cost of £41.

• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to not re-appoint to the temporary Assistant Clerk position at this time. This could be reconsidered at a later date should resource requirements change.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation for the Clerk to attend the SLCC National Conference in person from 2-3 Nov 2022.

  Events:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 7^th September were noted.

132/22).  To consider and approve costs for the proposal to provide a joint reflection space consisting of a bench and tree with Holy Trinity Church.

Members were provided with a proposal and costings for a 5ft memorial bench with plaque, a flowering cherry tree and estimated costs of a plaque for the tree (dependent on final size). It was resolved to approve a budget of up to £450 (50% of the expected costs) and the delegate action to the Clerk, in conjunction with church representatives and the Chairman/Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council to purchase the appropriate items and to finalise wording for the bench. It was agreed since the loss of Queen Elizabeth that the wording should commemorate her life rather than just the recent Jubilee events. It was felt that simple wording such as:

Queen Elizabeth II

‘Thank you’

Eccleshall Parish Council and Holy Trinity Church

Would capture the feelings expressed by many.  The messaging on the plaque will be related to remembrance of those lost in the Covid pandemic and thanks to those who worked throughout. This wording is expected to be provide by the church.

133/22)  To receive an update on the outcome of the works to the water pipes at Eccleshall Allotments.

Work to complete the loop of the water circuit has been completed and has resulted in significant improvements to the water pressure around the site. The Allotments Association is very happy with the result and it is concluded no further works are required.

Cllr. Perren attended a recent Association meeting and will circulate the minutes once received.

134/22). To consider and approve the quotations for Christmas trees, cherry picker and lights installation and removal.

It was resolved to approve:

• Supply of Christmas Trees from Woods Farm, to include delivery and installation of large trees (71 small trees, 1 x 20ft tree and 1 x 25ft tree)
• Supply of cherry pickers from Traction Equipment.
• Installation and removal of lights from the large trees by AS Electrical.

Total cost £3373 plus VAT.

135/22).  To consider a proposal in conjunction with Eccleshall Mercia Rotary club to provide a warm space by the creation of a  ‘Community Lounge’ at the library over the winter period.

Members considered the proposal which will offer a warm space on the first floor of the library to be known as Eccleshall Community Lounge. This will operate from 3^rd Nov-Friday 25^th Feb (excluding Christmas closure). Free tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits will be available and visitors may bring their own food if they wish. Volunteers from the Parish Council and Eccleshall Mercia Rotary will manage and help serve refreshments. Costs will be split evenly, with a total approved budget of up to £800. It was resolved to approve the project and associated budget. The clerk will be advised once the Rotary Club has gained its own approval to proceed. It was also suggested that the Council could contact the organisations that attended the Public Parish Meeting in May in case they wished to support the venture by offering activities.

136/22).  To request any topics/articles for inclusion in the Parish Council winter newsletter.

Any suggestions for articles to go in the winter newsletter were requested by the Clerk. Topics suggested included an allotments update, how to report parking issues, the Community Lounge, Eccleshall ‘The Way Forward’ plan update and the 2023 well dressing dates. Accompanying photos were requested.

137/22).  To consider and approve taking up the free 6 month trial subscription period to the Rural/ Market Town Group, part of the Rural Services Network.

The Parish Council resolved to approve signing up for the trial subscription and the Clerk will assess whether it is of value to continue after the trial period and provide feedback to the Council. Annual membership is £90 plus VAT.

138/22).  Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

The report was received and noted.

139/22).  Correspondence

• The council considered resident correspondence regarding deforestation and concerns regarding lack of replanting in Little Bishop’s Wood and Big Bishop’s Wood. It was resolved for the Clerk to contact the local Forestry England representative who has oversight of the areas and invite him to a future meeting to discuss the current Forest Plan and learn more of their plans for replanting and conservation.
• The council considered the correspondence in relation to HS2 project funding opportunities. It was noted that as Eccleshall is not directly impacted by the project, it is unlikely to obtain funding for any projects as availability is limited. Yarnfield and Cold Meece Parish Council are considering an application in relation to provision of extended cycleways and it was resolved to approve the Parish Council to officially support any such application.
• Members considered a resident’s request for support in lobbying Homes Plus in relation to longstanding issue with damp and mould in rented accommodation. The resident has been unable to resolve this with Homes Plus. It was resolved to write to Homes Plus and Stafford Borough Council Housing Standards team to highlight the issue and lobby for resolution. Members also suggested the resident contact the Housing Ombudsman and Citizens Advice Bureau for assistance.

140/22).  Chairman’s Report:-

Cllr. L. Dale attended the Commemoration Service on Sunday 18^th September for Queen Elizabeth II.

141/22). Financial Matters 

• To accept the Financial report and bank reconciliation to 30^th August 2022:

It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and  including 30 August 2022.

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

• To approve accounts for payment September 2022:-

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:

All were in favour and the cheques were signed accordingly.

• It was resolved to approve the purchase of an additional Tommy Silhouette for Croxton Ward at a cost of £166.66 plus VAT.
• The Parish Council received the completed Annual Return for 2021-22, with no issues identified by the auditors.

142/22).  Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for 19^th October 2022, Offley Hay Village Hall at 7.30pm. Agenda items can be forwarded to the Clerk for consideration.

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