Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 15^th October 2025

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Offley Hay Village Hall on 15^th October 2025 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 8.15pm.

  135/25). Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chairman)                  Councillor R. Langford

Councillor P. Jones                                         Councillor S. Kean

Councillor G. Dale                                           Councillor M. Gosling

Councillor S. Perren                                       Councillor B. Delanchy

Councillor A. Reid                                           Councillor D. Hill

Councillor C. Ryan-Bloor

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

One member of the public

 136/25). Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllrs. Hall, Feneysey, Mifflin and Wilkins.

 137/25). 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.

 138/25). Public Participation:

There was no public participation.

 139/25).  To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17^th September 2025.

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

 140/25). Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives:

Borough Councillor Jones held a drop-in session on the 4^th October. The session was shared with the local PCSO, which went well. The main topic was planning.

  141/25). Committee Updates:

    Traffic Management:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 1^st October 2025 were noted.

Footpaths:

• No updates to report

Enhancements:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 1^st October 2025 were noted.
• It was resolved to approve the recommendation to purchase and plant a replacement cherry tree along the Stone Road. P&M Edwards will have trees available from November, and the budgeted cost of £100 to include stake and ties should be sufficient.
• It was resolved to approve the recommended quotations for Christmas trees and associated works as follows:
  • £2064 ex VAT for the supply of Norway Spruce trees, quantities 71 x 4.5ft trees and 1 x 25ft tree, including delivery and installation by Woods Farm. This is reduction from the full quotation due to subsequent donation of a 20ft tree for the Stone Road site by Spencer the Jeweller.
  • £228.22 ex VAT for the supply of cherry pickers by Traction for light installation and removal.
  • £997 ex VAT for the installation and removal of lights on the two large trees by A.S. Electrical Services
• It was resolved to approve the recommended quotation of £650 to undertake pavement clearance works along Church Street up to Kerry Lane

   Policy and Resources:

• No updates to report

    Events:

• No updates to report

  142/25). Update on acceptance of the proposals for the £6,000 grant from UKSPF funding stream allocated by Stafford Borough Council

Stafford Borough Council accepted the proposals endorsed by the Parish Council, for a Christmas and March event to be delivered by local traders. The March music festival event proposal was expanded to include engagement with and involvement of local shops and other traders to benefit from the occasion. Thanks were expressed by the Parish Council to the group for stepping forward to organise an event with all local contributors. The Clerk will liaise to get further updates as the planning progresses.

The organisers were advised that any council grant applications for further funding would need to be for a specific, costed part of the event, supported by relevant quotes and paid to a community account as opposed to a specific business.

  143/25). Biodiversity Update:

• The Scouts will be planting all the bluebell bulbs on the space by the toilets on the 14^th There may be Spanish bluebells on the Eyeswell space which would take over the English variety, so this site will be assessed in Spring for any future planting. Cllr. Hill is looking into provision of snacks.
• Holy Trinity Church has agreed to site a swift box in the church tower, where there is also a live video feed. Dependent on size and materials, the cost to make a box is between £70 and £300. Cllr. Langford will liaise with the vicar on requirements and report back on costs and plans.
• The next Biodiversity working group meeting is on the 1^st December at 6.30pm, at the Kings Arms.
• The butterfly project is ongoing and will be progressed further from March 2026.

  144/25). Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

• The Clerk’s report was received and noted.
• The Clerk requested any articles or a cover image for the upcoming winter newsletter to be emailed across for inclusion.
• The 3-year contract for the Council insurance is ending in January so the Clerk will be obtaining quotes from other providers. To ensure sufficient insurance cover it was advised to appoint a surveyor as soon as possible to assess the Community Centre to obtain a valuation and a condition report to advise any recommended repairs. Quotes were requested from four suppliers, and it was resolved to approve the appointment of Forge Property Consultants at a cost of £1,500 plus VAT.
• Eccleshall Community First Responders update, provided by Cllr. Gosling, included:
  • EFR are the recipients of a large legacy left in a will, as well as recently receiving a £20k National Lottery grant. This funding has secured the long term continuation of the group and enabled them to purchase a new car. They will also be creating a permanent premises for storage and parking of the vehicle, on a plot of land near Shires Vets.
  • There are currently four active responders, with three waiting training when applications open in January.
  • Five new community defibrillators will also be provided around the parish, one of which is already in place on Overton Manor.

  145/25). Correspondence

There was no correspondence for consideration.

  146/25). Chairman’s Report:-

• The Chairman and Cllr. Ryan-Bloor attended the Stafford Borough Council Charity Ladies lunch on the 15^th October
• The Chairman will be representing the Council at the Stone Town Council Trafalgar Dinner on Sat 18^th
• The Chairman will also be representing the Council at a choir concert on the 25^th October with a visiting French choir, where she will be presenting them with a book of Staffordshire photos signed by the author, and a locally designed card depicting the church.
• Annual Civic service and Freedom of the Parish awards: The event was well attended, and it was a delight to award the Freedom of the Parish at the service to three recipients this year. These were:
  • John Baldry
  • Jon Araklitis
  • Mrs Gill Bertram
• The fourth recipient, Mr. Jon Ball had a separate presentation at the library on the 27^th There were over forty people in attendance, and Jon enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues. Sadly, Jon was very ill and passed away just eight days later.
• All those who attended felt the Civic Service was excellent with content relevant to the purpose of the event. It was resolved to hold future services at the Holy Trinity Church where possible.

  147/25). Financial Matters

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

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

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

• To approve accounts for payment October 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.

• It was resolved to approve the quote of £193 to print 250 copies of the revised Carols around the Christmas Tree songbook.
• Budget planning – consideration of initial interest in the transfer of assets from other councils to inform longer term budgetary planning from 2026/27 onwards.

The most obvious Borough Council assets for Eccleshall are the public toilets and adjacent green space. Whilst it was noted that taking on such an asset would have significant financial and resource implications, as well as the maintenance complexities, members felt that it is a vital resource for the town centre that should not be lost. The concern is that the larger, more distance authorities created as a result of the local authority restructure may have less interest in continuing the service. It was agreed that the council will express an interest in exploring this opportunity when the conversation arises.

• The Clerk and the Chairman are attending a Borough Council Parish Forum on the 10^th November, where an update on the re-organisation proposals will be provided.

   148/25). Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for the 19^th November, 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 8.15pm.