MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 19TH MARCH 2025

  34/25). Present were:-

   35/25). Apologies were received from Cllrs. Delanchy, Reid and Ryan-Bloor.

   36/25). To consider Declarations of Interest and Councillor requests for dispensation relating to items on the agenda.

   37/25). Public Participation:

   38/25).  To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 19th February 2025.

   39/25).  Representatives from Severn Trent, to discuss lead free pipe replacement project

• Four representatives were in attendance from Severn Trent. There was a recap and update of the proposal as follows:Severn Trent has received approval to proceed with the project to replace all the lead piping in a defined area which encompasses part of the parish, including the town centre area. This area is supplied by a specific borehole source, and removal of all the lead piping would mean that source would no longer require phosphate dosing before distribution.
• To enable phosphate dosing to stop, all lead pipes, both residential and commercial, would need to be replaced. This will require permission from all customers identified to have these lead pipes. It is estimated that the area covers 2000 properties and 130 businesses.
• Where possible, works will be via moling techniques rather than trench excavations, to minimise disruption.
• The project timeline is 5 years, to include engagement and investigation works.
• Similar trial projects have been undertaken in Bomere Heath (Shropshire) and Coventry. The Parish Council are welcome to engage with Bomere councillors to understand their experience and there is a project website.
• There will be a plan for robust engagement activities and members were shown a draft information flyer, which will be customised for businesses and residential customers.

• The potential to link pipe replacement works with works to address current flooding and drainage issues – although the two pipe systems are not usually worked on together, Severn Trent (Caren Hands) is aware of the issues and belongs to the same team as the director who is working with County Cllr. Pert. This will help with liaison and the potential to identify opportunities for joint working. Cllr. Pert will be speaking separately to Ms. Hands as their project also links into improvements in Public Health.
• Concerns about disruption to local businesses as any roadworks in the town centre will cause serious traffic flow issues – Severn Trent noted the concerns of the council in relation to impacting business trade and will be considering this. Direct engagement with local businesses will be undertaken. There could be opportunities for overnight works where it would be more beneficial.
• It was noted that Bomere Heath is a smaller residential area and there is little business impact. The Clerk will research if parish councils of a similar size and composition in other water company areas has experience to share of similar projects and their impact.

   40/25). Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives:

• Highways Investment – an additional £15 million investment into Highways has been approved, to include a new crossing on Beaconside and a speed reduction scheme for 40mph in Hatton, where there are monthly road traffic accidents, with some fatalities recorded.
• Local Plan – Stafford Borough Council has announced it will be abandoning the current Local Plan review and restart the process in line with new guidance. With no up to date Local Plan as a reference point for decision making and the introduction of a new National Policy Planning Framework that is not reliant on development boundaries raises concerns that it could be difficult to defend speculative planning applications. New mandatory housing targets of 826 dwellings per year, more than double the previous targets, has meant that the Borough Council can only meet 3.65 years of housing supply as opposed to the required 5 years (which rises to 6 years from July 2026).  Once enough speculative applications have been approved the council will be back on target. It is anticipated that it will take 2.5 years (December 2027) to deliver a new Local Plan. There will still be some policies in place to defend planning applications, but they have been reduced.
• Local Government Reorganisation – Ahead of the initial March 21st deadline for submission of interim plans, authorities have voiced differing opinions on the new structures and boundaries. Stafford Borough Council favour a North Staffs Unitary Council comprising of Stoke on Trent City Council, Newcastle under Lyme District Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, and a South Staffs Unitary comprising of all the remaining districts and borough councils with no division of parts of existing districts/boroughs to join the Northern region.

• Extra volume of flooding on Castle Street – work has been completed to resolve the increased flooding in Castle Street, which was resulting in plumes of water from drains and new flooding in local business premises. Excavation works resulted in the removal of three metres of concrete from a storm drain.

   41/25). Committee Updates:

• No updates to report

• No updates to report

• Members considered the invoice for replacement window due to stones from molehills on Elford Heath whilst grass cutting at a cost of £92.54 plus VAT. It was resolved to approve payment for the replacement window as a goodwill gesture, but to clarify this was a one-off agreement. Now that the contractor is aware of the molehills, they will be asked to flatten the molehills prior to mowing, to mitigate future damage.

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 5th March 2025 were noted.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended final budget for 2025/26 of £130,883.00
• It was resolved to approve the recommended virements and additional earmarking as follows:

• It was resolved to approve the recommended community grant allocations as follows:
  • Eccleshall Community Amateur Dramatics – £1,000 as a contribution towards their fundraising for a new lighting system and ongoing room rental costs
  • Katharine House Hospice  – £456.00 to purchase 4 lock boxes for their inpatient unit
  • Eccleshall Indoor Bowls – £1,402, to purchase one of the two mats they are currently fundraising for.

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 5th March 2025 were noted.
• The next working group meeting will be held on March 26th to go through the fine details of the event planning. The tickets will be on sale on the 29th March.
• It was resolved to approve the grant request from Eccleshall Community Lounge, to provide £400 to support the VE Day Afternoon tea event and in addition to cover the ticket printing costs. It was agreed to add the payment to this month’s accounts list.

   42/25). Beech Road:

   43/25). Annual Community Showcase – alternative venues

   44/25). Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

• The council noted receipt of the thank you letter from the Croxton Well Dressing Committee for the grant provided.

   45/25). Correspondence

  46/25). Chairman’s Report:-

• Cllr. Taylor provided an update on Eccleshall library. The first two school visits were held for years 1 and 2 on Monday 17th March and were very successful. The children really enjoyed their visit, and each were able to take a library book home, along with a free bookmark.
• Staffordshire Community Libraries have been awarded £30k each to spend on library improvements, and we are in the process of considering ideas for submission.
• The updated signage to replace the Rotary Club branding with the parish council wording is imminent, and we are progressing the replacement of the upstairs blinds with blackout blinds.

  47/25). Financial Matters

• To accept the financial report and bank reconciliation to 28th February 2025:

     48/25). Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-