Meeting 5th March 2018

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 5th March 2018
at 7.30 pm at Edingale Village Hall.

Members present:
Cllr Wesley (Chair)
Cllr Cliffe
Cllr Lacey
Cllr Mason
Cllr Startin
Cllr Van Arkadie

Mrs M Jones, Clerk, and 3 members of the public.

1. To receive apologies
Cllr Dhillon had apologised, his apology was accepted.

2. To receive any Declarations of Interest
There were no pecuniary interests to declare.

3. To approve the Minutes of the meeting of 5th February 2018
The minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.

4. To adjourn the meeting, hold the public session, and reconvene the meeting
The Chair of the Village Hall Committee gave an update; finances were satisfactory, the insurance had paid for drainage repairs which were nearly completed, and quotes were being obtained for a section of the car park. The AGM would take place on 14th April, followed by a Community Clear Up in preparation for Best Kept Village.
The Committee had been unsuccessful in obtaining assistance from the District Council for a youth club, but a monthly youth evening was planned.
An enquiry was made about the plan to plant a community orchard; Cllr Mason explained that a resident had approached the National Forest and other groups for sponsorship, and traditional varieties of fruit trees had been offered for planting in November on the land next to the Village Hall.

5. To receive the Clerk’s Report
A response had been received from the County Council regarding traffic near to the school, they had said they were unable to get the data from the speed devices for technological reasons, or to conduct a speed survey because of costs. Local villages were implementing similar initiatives and the Parish Council would see what was successful before taking this forward.
The Clerk would contact the Community Highways Liaison Manager to ask about applying for a Safer Roads Partnership grant for improved school signage.
A resident had offered to donate a bench to the village. Cllr Mason offered to discuss with him whether it would fit in the bus shelter.

6. To receive correspondence
SPCA bulletins and information about the service offered.
Trent Valley Community Conversations.
Edingale Open Gardens and Village Festival 16th/17th June, updates.
Lichfield District Council Parish Forum, revised date.
Lichfield Police online session

7. To receive Councillor’s Reports
Cllr Cliffe asked about grass cutting and whether references for the contractors had been acceptable; the Clerk confirmed this and that they had been asked to start the work during March.
Cllr Cliffe said that villagers were very thankful to the farmers for moving the snow and keeping the roads clear during the recent period of bad weather.
Cllr Van Arkadie had heard that urgent work was required on an oak tree in Croxall Road. The Chair said that although the Parish Council had previously contributed to investigation work on the tree, which was a focal point in the village in the past, as it was on private property they would not contribute.
Cllr Van Arkadie also said that dead animals on the roads should be reported to Lichfield District Council as it was their responsibility to clear them.
Cllr Startin passed on the thanks of the Best Kept Village team to Cllr Wesley for producing display frames. He also asked for potholes at the junction of Catton Road and Croxall Road to be reported.

8. To consider any planning matters There had been no applications or planning matters to note.

9. To consider future options for the bus service Cllr Mason gave an update from a meeting of Edingale, Elford, Harlaston and Clifton Parish Councillors and Clerks. They had expressed concern about the loss of the service and a willingness to contribute a small amount from revenue, although this had not been formally agreed by parishes. There was no result yet on tenders for an operator to run the route and there was likely to be a period with no service. It was proposed by Cllr Startin and seconded by Cllr Cliffe that the Parish Council would contribute £1500 if required.

10. To consider purchase of play equipment in memory of Cllr Mason It was discussed and agreed that in recognition of former Cllr Norah Mason’s service to the village over many years, an item of play equipment would be donated for the use of younger children with a budget of up to £3000. One suggestion was a play house. Cllr Cliffe would discuss this with the Village Hall Committee at their next meeting. The Clerk would obtain information to forward to the Councillors.

11. To consider refurbishment of Parish Council notice board. This had been suggested at the previous meeting, but it was agreed that Councillors would clean the exterior instead.

12. To consider appointment of Data Protection Officer. This was deferred to the April meeting; the Clerk would request further information from the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association.

13. To receive the Financial Report (a)The bank reconciliation was given. (b) Eon had imposed a price increase for seasonal lighting; this would only represent a slight increase. (c) Cllrs discussed adjusting the point on which the Clerk’s salary should be paid. It was proposed by Cllr Cliffe and seconded by Cllr Startin and RESOLVED to pay the Clerk on spinal point 27 from April. (d) Cllrs would build reserves into the budget next year, in addition to a sum for the bus service if required. RESOLVED to approve the Financial Report.

14. To approve the payments on the payment schedule Mrs M Jones, salary and expenses, £132.10; HMRC, PAYE 95.80; Society of Local Council Clerks, membership £30 RESOLVED to approve the payments.

15. Date of next meeting; Monday 9th April 2018

The meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.