Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 16^th JulY 2025

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Broughton Parish Room on 16^th July 2025 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 8.25pm.

  100/25). Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chairman)                  Councillor R. Langford

Councillor P. Jones (from 7.45pm)               Councillor S. Mifflin

Councillor S. Kean                                          Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor D. Feneysey                                  Councillor B. Delanchy

Councillor A. Reid                                           Councillor D. Hill

Councillor M. Gosling                                     Councillor D. Hall

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

Borough Councillor J. Pert

Six members of the public

 101/25). Apologies

were received from Councillors Perren, Ryan-Bloor and Dale.

 102/25). 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.

 103/25). Public Participation:

A member of the public spoke to request the Parish Council to chase up reinstatement of the 30mph small roundel in Croxton by the garage, which has been broken and leaning against a nearby post for over three years.

 104/25).  To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18^th June 2025.

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

  105/25). Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives:

Borough Councillor Pert provided a report. Updates included:

• Local Government Reorganisation
  • Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has issued a proposal that mirrors the initial proposal put forward by Stoke on Trent City Council, to form a northern unitary council with the inclusion of Fulford and Newcastle under Lyme. Eccleshall has not been included at this time.
  • Stafford Borough Council is considering establishing a Town Council in the Stafford area, which will deliver the services currently undertaken by the Borough.
• Some parish councils have raised concerns about the Borough Planning Enforcement team. Cllr. Pert is requesting reinstatement of the Borough Annual Forum, to facilitate feedback on and sharing of information with parish councils, to include issues such as these. A consultant has been appointed by the Borough Council to look at streamlining planning processes.

Borough Councillor Jones reported holding his regular drop-in session, where most queries raised were in relation to planning proposals.

  106/25). Committee Updates:

    Traffic Management:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 2^nd July 2025 were noted.
• The Clerk advised a vehicle has collided and demolished the speed indication post and solar panel at the Slindon site nearest the church. Quotations for replacements have been obtained and submitted to the council insurers along with the police crime reference number for insurers to consider if reimbursement can be sought.

Footpaths:

• There were no updates to report.

Enhancements:

• There were no updates to report.

   Policy and Resources:

• There were no updates to report.

    Events:

• There were no updates to report.

  107/25). Beech Road Community Park

It is anticipated that the park would be completed ready for inspection by the end of this week, and subject to satisfactory inspection and any identified snagging, be opened early next week. 15^th August at 10am was agreed for an opening event, to include a few words to officially open the park, and refreshments/goody bags to be provided by Kompan who are happy to support the event. The opening will be advertised by flyers/posters/social media and the Clerk will invite those who have been involved in the project. Councillors are encouraged to attend and support the event. Cllr. Reid will enquire if an ice cream van is available to visit.

  108/25). Eccleshall First Responders – to receive an update on the AGM and consider correspondence in relation to the need for alternative accommodation for kit and vehicle parking

Cllr. Gosling provided an update on the current circumstances of the First Responders following their AGM:

• There are four qualified responders currently on active duty with one who may rejoin.
• Eccleshall Parish Council was thanked for their grant of £2,000 towards the new vehicle.
• EFR has been awarded a £20,000 lottery grant.
• Their current premises at Raleigh Hall have become unsuitable for use as a base, which is required for storage of equipment and an undercover location for the car, where it can be charged when not in use. Safestore in Stafford have offered a storage unit free of charge for kit, and EFR will just need to cover insurance costs at £32/month. A suitable location for the vehicle is ongoing – it can be parked at the fire station whilst on duty but not out of hours. However the EFR has recently been advised of a generous bequest in a will that will help to secure the future of the responders for years to come. This does mean that if a suitable site can be offered, the funding is available to install a unit with charging facilities.

(Councillor Jones joined the meeting at this point).

  109/25). Update on switch to new email addresses

The Clerk’s new email address is up and running, and all emails from the old account migrated successfully. All older email addresses are still being monitored as we move our details over. All councillors have received their new account details and are encouraged to make the swap as soon as possible so that this can be publicised widely and the website updated. Emails from the old accounts can be migrated over if required. Please advise the Clerk when you are ready to switch to using the new account.

  110/25). To note damage to the High Street pillar clock and to agree a course of action for repairs

The decorative top piece of the pillar clock was knocked off, due to individuals scaling the clock one evening in early April. It has now been repaired and repainted ready for reinstatement. To avoid incurring costs for replacement, the Clerk has contacted the organisation whose members were reported to have been responsible for the damage to ask if they would volunteer to replace it free of charge, but there has been no response to the correspondence sent.

The Clerk will obtain quotes for reinstatement and report back.

  111/25). Biodiversity Update:

• The council received and noted the minutes from the working group meeting on the 30th June and the ongoing actions.
• It was resolved to approve the new Biodiversity Policy.

  112/25). Community Showcase – to receive feedback, consider any changes to next year’s event and agree a date for 2026.

The showcase received the most visitor figures to date and the venue of Holy Trinity Church was well received by many. The preference between the two venues of the church and the Community Centre were evenly split. Some negative feedback from this year included the separate toilets and the lack of larger tables, both of which will be rectified by next year once the planned new toilets have been installed to the rear of the church, and more tables purchased. The venue was much easier for the Scouts to serve refreshments. It was resolved to hold the Showcase in Holy Trinity Church next year, as the improvements will be completed by then. The date will be Tuesday 9^th June 2026, as it will be interesting to see if a different day improves attendance further.

  113/25). Annual Civic Service:

It was agreed to hold this years’ service on Sunday 12^th October, at Holy Trinity Church. Cllr. Taylor will confirm the start time.

  114/25). Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

The Clerk’s report was received and noted.

  115/25). Correspondence

There was no correspondence for consideration.

  116/25). Chairman’s Report:-

• The newsletter is being printed, ready for distribution next week.
• Plans for the literary festival on September 12^th/13th are ongoing, with four authors booked for the adult event on Saturday, and the 500-word children’s writing competition launched with Bishops Lonsdale Primary Academy.

  117/25). Financial Matters

• To accept the financial report and bank reconciliation to 30^th June 2025:

       It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and  including 30^th June 2025.

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

• To approve accounts for payment July 2025:-

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.

   118/25). 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.

   119/25). Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for the 17^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 8.05pm.