Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on 19^th November 2025

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Eccleshall Community Centre on 19^th November 2025 at 7.30pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 8.00pm.

  149/25). Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chairman)                  Councillor R. Langford

 Councillor S. Mifflin                                         Councillor S. Kean

Councillor G. Dale                                           Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor S. Perren                                       Councillor B. Delanchy

Councillor D Hall                                             Councillor D. Hill

Councillor D. Feneysey

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

One member of the public

 150/25). Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllrs. Reid, Ryan-Bloor, Jones, Gosling and Borough and County Cllr. Pert.

 151/25). 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.

 152/25). Public Participation:

There was no public participation.

 153/25).  To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15^th October 2025.

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

 154/25). Report from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives:

There were no updates reported.

 155/25). Committee Updates:

    Traffic Management:

• No updates to report

Footpaths:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 5^th November 2025 were noted.
• The committee will be undertaking a review of the single walk leaflet routes over the coming months, to check the content is up to date.

Enhancements:

• The Beech Road working group will be meeting on the 20^th November to receive feedback on the park and consider next steps for a planting scheme.

   Policy and Resources:

• No updates to report

    Events:

• The Festival Christmas trees for the Library and Parish council have been purchased, and decorating will take place on Weds 26^th After the festival both trees will be displayed in the library. Cllr. Hill will ask for help from Perry’s to move the trees to the library on Monday 1^st December. Details to be arranged with Cllr. Taylor.

  156/25). Update on the events funded by the Borough Council High Street Boost:

The Council was provided with a detailed update on the plans for the Christmas event running over the weekend of 29/30^th November, to link in with the lights switch on and other Advent Sunday activities. A copy of the programme was also circulated for information. The event includes live music, retailer offerings (shops and food/drink), a lantern parade, treasure hunt, themed walk, and a book signing.

LR Partnership have announced they will not be holding a festival in June. However, there will be a music festival at the end of March, using the remainder of the High Street Boost Fund allocated to the business group.

  157/25). Biodiversity Update:

• The bluebell bulb planting was delayed last week due to bad weather, but the Scouts will now be planting the bulbs on the 21^st They will now be planted down the side of the open space by the toilets, to best replicate a woodland setting.
• Due to the requirement for a faculty to approve the installation of swift boxes at Holy Trinity Church, this may not be approved until May 2026, after the start of the nesting season.
• It has been suggested that Swallow/House Martin boxes could be installed at the Community Centre, subject to a suitable location being found after a site visit. It was resolved to approve the expenditure to purchase bird boxes as required, up to £100.
• Mifflin is looking into costs and suitable locations for bat boxes. Elford Heath was one suggested option.
• Following a shout out in the winter newsletter for residents to join the Biodiversity working group, the Clerk was contacted by a resident with considerable experience in this area of work. All were in favour of Cllr. Langford contacting her and inviting her to the next group meeting.

158/25). To consider commissioning of a formal badge of honour for all Freedom of the Parish Recipients.

• The Clerk had contacted three suppliers, to date one has responded. The badges (size approx. 3.5 x 2.5cm) will cost between £4.06 and £6.93 each dependent on order size, with a set up cost of £245 to produce the dies, moulds, films for two designs (Freeman of the Parish and Freewoman of the Parish, with the Eccleshall Crest). Any presentation boxes will need to be provided separately.

It was resolved to approve the purchase of 50 badges, 25 of each design at a cost of £4.06 each plus set up cost of £245, total cost £465.95 including shipping. Purchase of presentation boxes/ bags will be considered separately.

  159/25). Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

• The Clerk’s report was received and noted.
• At the recent Community Centre Association meeting, Cllr. Dale was re-elected as Chairman. It was agreed that from November 2026, Hannah Bull (the manager of the Earlycare nursery at the Centre) will take over as Chairman. Cllr. Dale will remain on the committee to support the handover for approximately 6 months. Hannah will be looking to recruit to the roles of Treasurer and Secretary which are currently vacant.
• The Clerk is expecting to receive the completed survey for the Community Centre by week ending 28^th The updated valuation figure is required to inform the quotation process to renew the council’s insurance, which expires in January 2026. As this has delayed the process, it was resolved to approve the Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman, to select and proceed with the policy which is the best value and level of cover for the council, prior to the next meeting in January.

  160/25). Correspondence

There was no correspondence for consideration.

  161/25). Chairman’s Report:-

• The winter newsletters are printed and being delivered around the town centre area. Cllr. Langford was provided with newsletters to place in locations around Croxton.

  162/25). Financial Matters

• To accept the financial report and bank reconciliation to 31^st October 2025:

       It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and  including 31^st October 2025.

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

• To approve accounts for payment November 2025:-

Authorisation was sought for payment of the following accounts:

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

• It was resolved to approve a donation of £25 to ‘sponsor a shelf’ at Staffordshire History Centre archives, which is the location for the council’s archive documents.

   163/25). To resolve 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.

   It was resolved to approve this course of action.

   164/25). Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for the January 21st 2026, 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 8.00pm.