Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 19^th JULY 2023

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Broughton Parish Rooms on 19^th July 2023 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 8.20pm.

113/23).  Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chairman)          Councillor R. Langford

Councillor G. Dale                              Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor D. Hill                                 Councillor D. Hall

Councillor S. Kean                                          Councillor C. Ryan-Bloor

Councillor A. Reid (from 8.10pm)

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

114/23.)  Apologies were received from Cllrs. Perren, Jones, Mifflin, Delanchy, L. Dale and Borough and County Councillor Pert.

115/23).  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.

116/23).  Public Participation:

There were no members of the public in attendance.

117/23). To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on June 21^st 2023.

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

118/23).  Co-option of Councillor to Slindon Ward vacancy

There were no applications for the vacancy, which will be deferred to the next meeting on the 20^th September.

119/23).  Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives

The PCSO, Lisa Powell, extended apologies for the meeting but provided the following statistics for the period 17/05/2023 – 19/07/2023:

40 reports in total:

Admin/Oher – 6

ASB – 2

Crime  – 16 – to include 1 x Burglary (members noted this was the Saddlery)

Road Related/Transport– 9 – to include 4 x RTC’s

Suspicious – 4

120/23). Committee Updates:

    Traffic Management:

• Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th July 2023
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation for installation of an additional speed device post and solar panel in Croxton at a cost of £2293.26 plus VAT.
• It was resolved to approve the Clerk to take over the administration of the Co-Op trader car parking scheme, which will be handed over from Cllr. P. Jones

 Footpaths:

• There were no updates to report.

 Enhancements:

• It was resolved to approve the cost of £70 for painting the crowns on the BT boxes at Croxton and Fair Oak.
• It was resolved to approve the quotation of £2,300 for a refurbishment of Elford car park, to include removal of excess vegetation to expand the useable area, levelling of the area to remove potholes and the addition of new surface material.

    Policy and Resources:

• There were no updates to report.

    Events:

• There were no updates to report.

121/23).  To consider costs for maintenance work to Romford Meadow and the process of adoption

Members received the report detailing the initial costs for remedial works to the trees and bushes/grassed area, and an estimation of costs for ongoing maintenance. It was noted that the Council will need to keep records of maintenance as evidence for applying to adopt the land after 12 years. Members considered the report and whilst the concerns of the neighbouring property were appreciated, it was felt that it was important to consider whether the land would have a practical use for the wider community and the implications of setting a precedent for other pieces of unmanaged land. It was resolved that the Council would not maintain and look to adopt the land at this time.

122/23).  To receive proposed ideas for methods of engagement with the community and consider any actions arising:

Members received the list of ideas as circulated within the Clerks Report. It was agreed that members would pick their top 3 preferred ideas which would be discussed in depth at the September meeting. The Clerk will circulate a survey to collate the responses.

123/23).  Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

The report was received and noted.

124/23).  Correspondence

• Resident correspondence regarding vehicle movements at Wells Dairy:- Concerns had been raised by a resident about the reversing manoeuvres required by the larger lorries to access the site off the Stone Road. This has been recently changed in order to support local residents who would get blocked in twice a day for half an hour when lorries used the adjacent lane for access. Members noted that any reversing manoeuvre across a busy main road raises concerns and it would not like to advocate one particular method over another. It was resolved to write to Wells Dairy to express concern at the safety aspects of the current process for accessing the site and explore alternative options that will reduce the potential for accidents.

(Cllr. Reid attended the meeting from this point).

125/23).  Chairman’s Report:-

There were no updates to receive.

126/23).  Financial Matters

• To accept the Financial report and bank reconciliation to 30^th June 2023:

       It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and  including 30^th June 2023.

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

• To approve accounts for payment July 2023:-

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:

All were in favour and the accounts will be paid accordingly.

• It was resolved to approve for the Clerk to attend the SLCC National Conference on the 11^th and 12^th This was originally approved in the previous financial year but the final dates meant the Clerk was unable to attend.
• It was resolved to approve the cost of £460 to produce and print 250 copies of the new Circular Walks booklet.

127/23). To approve delegation to the Clerk for dealing with items of emergency and payment of   accounts until the next Parish Council meeting in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, in line with the temporary delegations policy.

 It was resolved to approve this course of action.

128/23).  Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for 20^th September, Eccleshall Community    Centre 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 8.18pm.