Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 19^th June 2024

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Offley Hay Village Hall on 19^th June 2024 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 9.25pm.

  85/24).  Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chairman)                   Councillor G. Dale (from 7.40pm)

Councillor A. Reid (from 7.40pm)                 Councillor R Langford

Councillor B. Delanchy                                 Councillor D. Hill

Councillor D. Feneysey                                  Councillor P. Jones

Councillor S. Kean                                          Councillor Ryan-Bloor

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

2 members of the public, 5 representatives from Severn Trent.

   86/24). Apologies were received from Gosling, Perren, Wilkins, Hall, Mifflin and Borough and County Councillor Pert.

   87/24).  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.

   88/24).  Public Participation:

There was no public participation.

   89/24). To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15^th May 2024.

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

  90/24). Severn Trent representatives – lead pipe replacement project proposal

The Council were provided with a summary of the proposed submission to secure additional investment to replace legacy lead pipes in  areas within the Eccleshall area between 2025-2029. It’s a specific water supply area serviced by a borehole that covers around 2,000 properties in the south part of the Eccleshall parish area, including Offley Hay, Pershall, Eccleshall, Walton and a small area within the adjacent Chebsey parish. Lead piping was used in construction of houses pre-1970. The proposed investment is not yet confirmed but Severn Trent believe they have a strong case. Replacement of all the piping will mean that the water will not have to be dosed with phosphate to mitigate the risk of using lead pipes. Adding phosphate has a high carbon footprint and uses a finite natural resource.

(Cllrs. Reid and Ryan-Bloor arrived at this point).

Most of the lead piping is owned by customers as opposed to Severn Trent, and permission must be granted from all for successful completion of the project and to stop the dosing. There is a similar trial project currently underway in Shropshire. Where possible, less intrusive methods such as moling will be used. If the project funding is granted, Severn Trent will leaflet all residents and look for support in running a community engagement day to meet with residents and answer any questions. The Council asked if there is any scope to look at the work locations and see if they overlap with where there are flow issues (pinch points) in the separate drainage system, in order to resolve other issues at the same time. The Council also asked for a map to show the boundaries for the proposed works.

Severn Trent will be in touch further when the outcome of the bid has been advised.

  91/24).  Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives:

Cllr. P. Jones attended the D-Day commemoration service at Holy Trinity Church and laid a wreath on behalf of the Borough Council. Due to purdah, no surgeries have been held.

  92/24). Committee Updates:

    Traffic Management:

• There were no updates to report

 Footpaths:

• There were no updates to report

Enhancements:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 5^th June 2024 were noted.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to approve the quotation for repair of the Newport Road bench at a cost of £145.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to approve the quotation for removal of fallen trees at Elford Heath at a cost of £300.

    Policy and Resources:

• There were no updates to report.

    Events:

• There were no updates to report.

  93/24).  To consider and resolve adoption of the revised Forward Plan

It was resolved to adopt the revised Forward Plan and print 6 hard copies. Some will be placed in the library for reference.

  94/24).  To consider the updated Financial Regulations, in line with NALC model documentation

It has been recommended that parish councils adopt the updated Financial Regulations, which have undertaken a significant update. The new template contains a mixture of statutory and non-statutory procedures, which were amended as advised to ensure it meets the requirements of the parish council.

Particular scrutiny was given to the procurement section to ensure the council were satisfied with the delegations and thresholds for various levels of expenditure and required processes. The council were satisfied that the proposed document met the requirements of the parish council and it was resolved to adopt the updated Financial Regulations as submitted.

  95/24).  Eccleshall Community Library:

• Members considered the proposed draft lease document to enter a 5 year partnership with Staffordshire County Council to run Eccleshall Community Library. After due consideration, it was resolved to approve the signing of the partnership agreement. Members also resolved to approve the Clerk to make arrangements for singing of the agreement in the presence of a suitable legal representative, and to agree the nominal charge for this service.
• Members also considered the proposed Health and Safety Service Level Agreement quotation from Staffordshire County Council, who will act as the competent person for the Parish Council, as required by legislation. It was resolved to approve the agreement at a cost of £350 per annum. For year one this will be a pro-rata equivalent as the agreements start in July each year and the handover will be in August.

  96/24).  Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

The report was received and noted. A separate report was circulated providing an update on the young persons (YEP) project, which is intended to run over the summer holidays for secondary school pupils within the parish catchment area. There will be ten places available.

Members noted the lack of response from EE in relation to the request for investment to improve the mobile phone signal in the centre of Eccleshall. The Clerk will be provided with alternative contacts to approach.

  97/24).  Correspondence

• Members considered a request for parish council support for the campaign by Lord Foster and Electrical Safety First – a parliamentary bill to improve the safety of lithium batteries (used in e-bike and e-scooters) and their disposal. It was resolved to approve this course of action and respond in support the bill.
• Resident correspondence was received in relation to the lack of parking in Eccleshall. The resident noted potential pieces of land that may be considered for parking, and to request landowners to be approached to see if they would be interested in discussions. Cllr. Taylor agreed to follow up this proposal and report back with the landowner’s response to the Traffic Management committee.
• The council received the response from Staffordshire County Council in relation to various flooding issues within the parish. Whilst some of the issues detailed had been dealt with, disappointment was noted in the speed of response and that issues were not being proactively addressed. It was also noted that recent works to release the flood on Croxton Lane has left behind a large amount of debris which will reblock the drain. Sweeping the road as part of the works would help to address this.

  98/24).  Chairman’s Report:-

• Taylor, Wilkins and the Clerk undertook library volunteer training, to understand the role of the volunteers on a day to day basis.
• Taylor also attended the D-Day commemorative service at Holy Trinity.
• The Community Lounge organised a very successful D-Day afternoon tea, which was held at the Parish Rooms.
• Thanks were given to all who helped at the Community Showcase on the 17^th There has been very positive feedback from those who attended. It was agreed that June was a good time of year and that the council will look at the 16^th June 2025 for the next event. Cllr. Langford volunteered to book the library window and contribute a display to advertise the event next year.  Thanks were given to the Scouts who served the refreshments. Cllr. Taylor will liaise with the scouts to provide a suitable thank you gift. The scouts also noted they would like to work with the council on any other suitable projects, and this will be progressed.

  99/24).  Financial Matters

• To accept the financial report and bank reconciliation to 31^st May 2024:

       It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and  including 31^st May 2024.

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

• To approve accounts for payment June 2024:-

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:

All were in favour and the accounts will be paid accordingly. Cllrs. Taylor and Reid will process the approvals.

• To consider the grant application from What’s On Eccleshall:

The grant is for the creation of a free to use community website, for businesses and community groups to use to advertise their events within the parish. There is a website at present, but it is not easy to navigate either by the viewer or administrators. Regular contributors will be given admin access to upload their own events. It was noted that some groups will not be comfortable with this technology and would need support to use the site. It was unclear as to the time investment this would require, but the grant applicant advised they could provide some support. Members enquired as to the potential success of the new website to ensure the money would be well invested. The grant request is for half of the total cost (£791.50 ex VAT) and would require payment directly to the commercial provider. Due to the need to clarify VAT implications which would affect the amount required, and to reconcile the proposal with the terms of the grant policy and associated legislation around a commercial request, it was agreed for the Clerk to investigate the options and provide further guidance to members for consideration at the July meeting.

   100/24).  Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for 17^th July, 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 9.20pm.