Meeting 4th November 2019

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 4th November 2019
at 7.30 pm at Edingale Village Hall.

Members present:
Cllr Startin (Chair)
Cllr Cliffe
Cllr Dhillon
Cllr Lacey
Cllr Mason
Cllr Meikle
Cllr Purkess

Present: Mrs M Jones, Clerk, and 4 members of the public.

1. To receive and approve apologies
All were present.

2. To receive any Declarations of Interest
None.

3. To approve the Minutes of the meeting of 7th October 2019
The minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.

4. To adjourn the meeting, to hold the Public Session and to reconvene the meeting.
A resident attended to propose the creation of a village pond on the grassed area between Rowley Close and Pessall Lane. He outlined the benefits for residents and for wildlife. Cllrs expressed their interest in the proposal but would need to consult the insurers and those living nearby. This would be added to the next agenda.

5. To receive the Clerk’s Report
Grass cutting agreement – Staffordshire County Council had confirmed that they would continue to pay a sum towards grass cutting of the verges within the village but this would be reduced next year. Chetwynd Bridge – Cllr Alan White had confirmed it would not be economic to build a second bridge, the traffic lights would remain with an upgrade. Staffordshire Highways had said that the options were expensive and the County Council would have to apply for funding from central government to carry out the works, the solution could take several years to implement so the current arrangements would be in place long term. Meanwhile a traffic notice regarding a 40mph limit in the area had been received.
Dogs on leads – PCSO Costas Karpi had passed on a message from a resident following an incident when dogs not on leads had chased his pet. Cllrs agreed that while dogs should be on leads in public areas, such as the Village Hall field, the problem was enforcement.

6. To consider any planning matters Staffordshire County Council had notified the Parish Council of a planning application for Alrewas Quarry southern extension. The Parish Council had previously responded to consultation, and its concerns about traffic movements had been answered. RESOLVED no objection to the application.

7. To consider quote for hedge trimming
A quote had been received from the contractor for trimming the hedges in Blakeways Close and it was RESOLVED to accept this.
Cllr Mason would consult certain residents prior to cutting of various hedges along Croxall Road by Cllr Startin’s contractor.

8. To consider flooding events
There had not yet been a response from the Environment Agency. Cllr Startin had spoken to a representative of Natural England but they were unable to assist. The Parish Council would contact those responsible for the road to Lullington; flooding by the cricket club made the route impassable and this was often the only way out of Edingale when the river flooded other routes. Highways would also be asked to clear the culverts on the road to Harlaston.

9. To consider consultation on removal of kiosk in Croxall Road.
BT had consulted the District Council on the removal of under used phone kiosks, including the one in Croxall Road which had only been used twice in the past year. Previously the Parish Council had objected due to the poor mobile signal. Residents should get in touch if they wished it to be kept; RESOLVED that if no responses were received no objection would be made.

10. To consider progress on new website.
Files and photos had been sent to the digital team at the County Council for the website to be set up, and the existing web host had been informed of the forthcoming change.

11. To consider Christmas Lights.
KFL Electrical had been asked to put these up as in previous years. Cllr Startin would remind the tree surgeon to trim the branches from the trees at the island prior to this. The Clerk would prepare a risk assessment for the lights as it was a requirement of the insurers.

12. To consider correspondence regarding VE Day 75th Anniversary.
A letter had been received outlining events to celebrate the anniversary. It was agreed that as the church would commemorate this and possibly the pub too, it was unlikely that the Parish Council would need to organise a commemoration.

13. To receive correspondence
SPCA bulletins
Lichfield District Council information on grant funding, electoral canvass, business funding opportunities, Housing in Later Life Project, Garden Waste Sign up, Tourism Awards
Cllr Alan White, grant opportunities, information on flooding and Chetwynd Bridge
Community Speed Watch update
Came & Co insurance newsletter

14. To receive Councillors’ Reports
Cllr Cliffe asked whether the blocked drain near Croxall Hall had been cleared and Cllr Startin said that as Highways had not yet cleared it people from the Hall were trying to do so.
The climbing frame was still on the Village Hall land near the orchard, Cllr Startin would cut it up and remove it.
Cllr Purkess asked for assistance with the Village Hall key safes, Cllr Startin would also do this. She also complimented a resident for tidying the grassed strip by the church.
Cllr Mason would pass on the thanks of the Parish Council to two residents for clearing the path from Schofield Lane to the field.
Cllr Meikle suggested that the contractor should be asked to quote for mowing for next year, with the same specification plus the verge at Harlaston Road. This would then be on the next agenda.
Cllr Lacey reported that there were insecure LPG tanks next to the Black Horse. Cllr Mason would ask the tenants if they could be removed as it was a safety issue.

15. To receive the Financial Report (a)The bank reconciliation was given, there was £9,301 in the current account. (b) Forms were signed for the Buckinghamshire Building Society funds to be reinvested for further year. Further ID had been requested. (c) The half year Internal Audit had been completed RESOLVED to approve the Financial Report.

16. To approve the payments on the payment schedule Mrs M Jones, salary and expenses £264.27; Acorn Taxis £315.06; The Village Gardeners, maintenance £428.12 Village Hall, donation towards Seniors Christmas Party £500; Lichfield Web Design, hosting fee £263; Lichfield District Council, dog waste bin emptying £780; Eon Lighting maintenance £32.39; King’s Bromley Poppy appeal £20 RESOLVED to approve the payments.

17. Date of next meeting; Monday 2nd December 2019.
The meeting closed at 20.45 p.m.