Minutes of the Meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council held on

15^th July 2026

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council was held at Broughton Parish Room on 15^th July 2026 at 7.00pm. This meeting was followed by a meeting of the Planning Committee at 7.30pm.

   98/26). Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chairman)                  Councillor A. Reid (from 7.10pm)

Councillor P. Jones                                        Councillor S. Kean

Councillor G. Dale                                           Councillor M. Gosling

Councillor S. Mifflin                                        Councillor D. Hill

Councillor D. Hall

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

  99/26).   Apologies:

Apologies were received from Cllrs. Perren, Delanchy, Langford and Ryan-Bloor.

  Cllr. Taylor reported that Cllr. Wilkins had tendered his resignation for personal reasons. The Council expressed thanks for all his hard work during his time as a councillor and wished him well.

 100/26).  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.

 101/26).  Public Participation:

There was no public participation.

 102/26).  To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 17^th June 2026

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

 103/26).   Reports from the Borough Councillor, County Councillor, and police representatives:

No reports received.

 104/26).  Committee Updates:

     Highways and Transport:

• The minutes of the meeting held on the 1^st July 2026 were noted.

  Footpaths:

• No updates to report

  Enhancements:

• No updates to report

    Policy and Resources:

• No updates to report

    Events:

• No updates to report

   105/26).  Biodiversity Update:

• A meeting of the Biodiversity working group was held on Mon 13^th July and the notes were received by the council. The following items were discussed:
  • Taylor advised the working group can contact Eccleshall Castle directly to progress swift box installation as they will be expecting to hear from them.

(Cllr. Reid joined the meeting at this point).

• It was resolved to approve the creation of a seasonal 1.5 metre ‘no mow’ margin adjacent to hedgerow on the Jubilee Playing Field. Yellow rattle will be planted in Nov/Dec to enhance the margin for the following year. Cllr. Reid to advise the exact location and other details for the Clerk to advise TGM accordingly. The success can be reviewed in twelve months.
• It was resolved to approve arrangements for a public showing of the ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’ film, which details the challenges facing the world regarding Climate Change. Proposed dates are 17^th or 24^th It was agreed to allocate up to £50 for potential room hire charges. Cllr. Taylor will talk to Holy Trinity about the use of the parish room.

  106/26).  To arrange a date for the  Resilience Working Group meeting

A date of Tuesday 18^th August was agreed for the meeting, 6pm, at Perry’s Field to Fork.

  107/26). Feedback from the Community Showcase and agree the date and venue for the 2027 event

Members received and considered the survey responses provided from the groups who attended the event on the 9^th June. Feedback was generally positive, and preference was expressed to continue to use the church as the venue, with Tuesdays being the most popular day (that also fits with the church’s availability). There was no interest in extending the duration of the event. There were issues flagged up with certain locations being away from the main flow of visitors, and consideration will be given on how this can be improved next year. Three exhibitors did not show up on the night, and these places could have been given to those exhibitors who were not in the main thoroughfare.  It was resolved to book Holy Trinity Church for Tuesday 15^th June 2027, 6.30-8pm.  Members discussed additional ways to promote the event – Cllr. Hill volunteered to distribute flyers to local businesses to display in windows, and additional flyers will be printed to leave in businesses and offer to exhibitors to help raise awareness.

   108/26). Councillor Vacancy, Eccleshall Town ward:

The Clerk’s advised that there has been no call for an election and the council may continue with co-option. It was agreed to start the advertisement and application process once the advertising period for Cllr. Wilkins vacancy was concluded, so both vacancies can be recruited to at the same time, with a view to appoint new councillors at the September meeting.

   109/26). Clerk’s report, containing liaison representative updates.

• The Clerk’s report was received and noted.

   110/26). Correspondence

• There was no correspondence to receive.

   111/26). Chairman’s Report:-

• Taylor advised that the resignation of Cllr. Wilkins has left a councillor vacancy on Eccleshall Library Management group and the supporting role with the health and safety aspects of the library and the meeting briefings with new volunteers. Cllr. Hill agreed to take on this role, and the Clerk will provide dates for any relevant meeting dates.

   112/26). Financial Matters

• To accept the financial report and bank reconciliation to 30^th June 2026:

       It was resolved to accept the financial summary, which includes the bank reconciliation up to and  including 30^th June 2026.

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

• To approve accounts for payment July 2026:-

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.

  113/26). 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:

It was resolved to approve this course of action.

  114/26). Items / Date and Venue for next meeting:-

The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for the 16^th September 2026, Eccleshall Community Centre, at 7.30pm.

Any agenda items can be forwarded to the Clerk for consideration.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 7.30pm.