ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE – Wednesday, March 4^th 2026

A meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee was held on Wednesday, 4^th March 2026, following the Planning committee meeting, at 8.30pm.

Present were:-

Councillor R. Taylor (Chair)                             Councillor G. Dale

Councillor S. Perren                                         Councillor D. Feneysey

Councillor D. Hall                                              Councillor C. Wilkins

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public

1).    Apologies:-

Apologies were received from Cllr. Hill.

2).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday December 3^rd 2025:-

The minutes, which had previously been noted by the Council, were agreed and signed.

3).   Budget update 2025/26 and approval of any virements and earmarking:-

Prior to the meeting, the Clerk circulated an updated report detailing balances and expenditure to date against the budget.

This report was discussed and accepted by members.

Members also received a financial summary of the library income and expenditure.

Members considered the proposed virements for 2025/26 and resolved to recommend approval of the following:

Virements (for overspend over £500)

• £1,414 from Lengthsman (4375) to Insurance (4050) to cover shortfall due to increased premiums
• £637 from Lengthsman (4375) to PAYE/NI (4010) to cover shortfall
• £759 from Footpaths (4500) to Watering (4380)

It was noted that the budget lines for the Lengthsman and Footpaths have been reduced slightly for 2026/27, but still allows scope for expected pavement overgrowth works and potential larger repairs to rights of way furniture.

4).   Estimated contested election costs for 2027 based on shared costs with another election, for awareness in future budget planning :-

Members received the estimated costs for elections in 2027 from Stafford Borough Council. If all wards were contested and a ballot required, the costs could be over £16,000. In the last elections, only the Eccleshall Ward was contested, which could still result in costs estimated from £8,500. As a result the budget for 2026/27 has incorporated an additional £1,500, bringing earmarked reserves up to £4,500 by the 31^st March 2027, with a further £2,000 to be allocated for 2027/28. There would be the option to pay in instalments, but it is important the council is aware of the potential financial impact. If there are no contested elections, the monies can be carried over in the reserve to the next election, and the budget will be amended accordingly.

5).   Consideration and recommendation for the final budget 2026/27:

Members were provided with a draft budget for consideration. Changes had been made to reflect some expenditure being deferred to the next financial year, such as the Beech Road garden project, and revised predictions based on confirmed service costings.

It was resolved to recommend approval of the proposed budget for 2025/26 at £131,493.00

Members considered the proposed earmarking for 2026/27 and resolved to recommend approval of the following:

Additional Earmarking:

• £150 – to Clock Maintenance (from Health and Wellbeing 4615)
• £3,345 – to Highways & Transport Projects to cover Broughton Speed reduction work ( 2k from 4400 Elford , £1345 from 4620 Verge Works)
• £1,500 – to Elections fund
• £750 – Open Spaces top up (£750 from 4350 asset repairs)
• £2,000 – Beech Road ongoing/further Youth projects (from 4355 other repairs)
• £1,350 – Neighbourhood Plan top up (1K Ex 4500 footpaths, £350 from 4110 Training)
• £2,800 (estimated) – Balance of outstanding income minus expenditure to ringfence library monies, figure confirmed after year end.

The total earmarking is estimated at £42,645.58 (subject to final confirmation of the library balance).

It was also approved that the Clerk will adjust the final figure for the library EMR once the full income and expenditure record for the year is completed.

6).   To receive the latest update from the Public Sector Deposit Fund

There was no update received since the last meeting.

7).    Consideration of Grant Requests:

The following grant applications were considered and it was resolved to award funding from the remaining budget as follows:

• Eccleshall Community Amateur Dramatics – £1,000 as a contribution towards investment in specialist equipment to include props and costumes.
• Katharine House Hospice – £750 towards the ongoing provision of core services

Since the agenda was issued, a request has also been received by Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team for a donation towards the purchase of a new drone to support their search activities. The committee were supportive of the request and as there is funding still available in the grants budget, resolved to add the request to the full council meeting agenda for consideration.

 8).   Items for next meeting:-

Any items for the next meeting can be forwarded to the Clerk.

 9).  Date of next meeting:-

Wednesday 3^rd June 2026, following the Enhancements committee meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.30pm.