Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 20^th March 2024

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Eccleshall Community Centre on 20^th March 2024 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 8.20pm.

  33/24).  Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chairman)                   Councillor G. Dale

Councillor M. Gosling                                     Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor A. Reid                                           Councillor R Langford

Councillor B. Delanchy                                 Councillor D. Hill

Councillor S. Mifflin                                        Councillor D. Hall

Councillor D. Feneysey

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

   34/24). Apologies were received from Cllrs. Perren, Ryan-Bloor, Jones, Kean and Borough and County Councillor Pert.

   35/24).  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.

   36/24).  Public Participation:

There was no public participation.

   37/24). To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 21^st February 2024.

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

  38/24). Committee and working group membership:

Cllr. Feneysey requested to be added to the Events and  Policy & Resources Committee  It was resolved to approve this course of action.

  39/24).  Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives:

There were no reports to receive.

Apologies were received by the PCSO representative.

  40/24). Committee Updates:

    Traffic Management:

• There were no updates to report.

 Footpaths:

• There were no updates to report.

Enhancements:

• There were no updates to report.

    Policy and Resources:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 6th March 2024 were noted.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended final budget for 2024/25 at £128,258.00. It was agreed to include the expenditure for a replacement computer base unit.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended virements and additional earmarking as follows:

Virements (for overspend over £500):

£926 from Projects (4600) to Elections (4290)

Additional Earmarking:

£153.22 – to the new consolidated Open Spaces reserve (unspent budget)

£6,000 –  to Neighbourhood plan reserve (from Neighbourhood plan budget line)

• It was resolved to approve the recommended community grant allocations as follows:
  • Eccleshall Amateur Dramatics – £750
  • Katharine House Hospice  – £500
  • Eccleshall Football Club – £750

It was also resolved to add the payments to this months list for approval and payment before the end of the financial year.

    Events:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 6th March 2024 were noted. There were no further updates to report.

  41/24).  Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

The report was received and noted.

  42/24).  Correspondence

• Members received and noted the legal order in relation to the recent speed restriction changes within the parish and surrounds.
• Adbaston Parish Council submitted a request to support its complaint to Staffordshire County Council with regards to closure of Cash Lane due to flooding and need for urgent rectification. It was resolved to write in support of Adbaston and its issues. In addition, it was resolved to write and highlight flooding concerns within Eccleshall parish in relation to:
  • Blurtons Lane
  • Croxton Lane
  • Church St. traffic lights
  • Slindon resident floods
• Members received resident correspondence in relation to flooding on the A519 Newcastle Road, which has been responded to by Cllr. Perren in his capacity as Chairman of the Eccleshall Flood Action Group. It was noted that since the letter was written, the road was closed for a period of time and repairs undertaken to the road surface.
• Members were circulated information and updates regarding Eccleshall Festival, to be held in lieu of the previous Eccleshall Street Markey. It will run from 12-6pm on Saturday 29^th Local businesses have been contacted for their involvement and local community groups encouraged to book a stall. Any support with volunteer stewards would be much appreciated. Members were supportive of the venture as long as it does avoid conflict with local business trade and supports local community groups. Members were interested in the progress of the events and resolved to invite the event organiser to the April meeting to provide an update.

  43/24).  Chairman’s Report:-

• There were no updates to report.

  44/24).  Financial Matters

• To accept the Financial report and bank reconciliation to 29^th February 2024:

       It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and  including 29^th February 2024

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

• To approve accounts for payment March 2024:-

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:

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

45/24).  Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for 17^th April, Broughton Parish Rooms, 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 8.10pm.