Meeting 5th December

DRAFT MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 5th December 2022
7.30 pm, at Edingale Village Hall
Members present:
Cllrs Startin (Chair), Cliffe, Maskery, Mason and Meikle
Present: Mrs M Jones, Clerk, one member of the public
119/22. To receive and approve apologies
Cllr Dhillon had apologised as he was away and his apology was accepted. Apologies had not been received from Cllr Lacey.
120/22. To receive any Declarations of Interest
None given.
121/22. To approve the draft Minutes of the meeting of 7th November 2022 The draft Minutes were approved and signed.
122/22 To adjourn the meeting, to hold the public session, to reconvene
No members of the public commented during the public session.

123/22 To receive the Clerk’s Report
Taxi – two residents continued to use the Tuesday taxi to Tamworth and had made donations; the service had been promoted to encourage others to use it.
Christmas lights – lights had been installed at the island and Blakeways Close. The Christmas tree had been installed near the school but a new set of lights had to be purchased and had not yet been installed.
Maintenance – the refurbishment work on the pathway behind the church had now been completed.
Rights of Way – information had been circulated to Cllrs on the responsibilities of the County and Parish Councils for work on the footpaths.

124/22 To consider any Planning matters.
Applications recently approved:
22/00435/COU, Land Rear of Holly Down, Church Hollow, change of use of land from equestrian to domestic amenity; 22/01204/FUH, Willow Cottage, side and front extensions.
New application;
22/01580/FUH, Fort Joe, Croxall Road; new front porch, demolition of bay windows and lean-to roof to rear, internal and external alterations.
As the Parish Council had only just been notified Cllrs should peruse the documents online and comment to the Clerk who would respond before the deadline.
125/22 To consider development of a Parish Council logo.
Examples of other local Parish Council logos had been sent to the designer and circulated to Cllrs. No further progress had been made.

126/22 To receive an update on the village gateways
Following correspondence with Highways and their contractors the installation was planned for December 9th. Information on traffic light use during the work would be put on the website and village Facebook page.

127/22 To approve quote and maintenance contract
The quote for next year’s maintenance and contract was discussed and it was RESOLVED to approve this.

128/22 To consider proposal regarding Christmas tree
A resident had suggested that decorations in memory of loved ones be placed on the Christmas tree. Points of view for and against the idea were discussed, with concerns about health and safety being raised. It was agreed that unbreakable decorations could be used and conditions to ensure a duty of care to the public should be published on the website. It was RESOLVED to approve this.

129/22 To approve the Asset Register
The gateways had been added to the Asset Register and the insurers notified. It was RESOLVED to approve the amended Register.

130/22 To consider the draft budget 2023-24
The draft budget was discussed and it was RESOLVED that subject to comments of absent Cllrs the precept would be increased by £500 for financial year 2023-24.

131/22 To receive Councillors’ Reports
Cllr Meikle said that feedback had now been revealed on the Best Kept Village Community Competition, which confirmed that Edingale’s entry had been good overall. He would circulate information on lessons to be learnt for next year. He was willing to lead the entry in 2023 but would appreciate the formation of a small group of helpers.
Cllrs congratulated all those who had organised and helped with the Seniors Christmas Dinner which had once again been extremely enjoyable.
Cllr Mason asked when the road sweeper would visit the village; the Clerk would make enquiries.

132/22 To receive Correspondence
SPCA bulletins
Information Commissioner’s Office, renewal of data protection fee
Lichfield District Council, changes to the casual vacancy arrangements and need to include election costs in next budget
Christopher Pincher MP, information on rural broadband provision
CPRE, joining invitation to Parish Councils
National Forest Woodlands project

133/22 To receive a Financial Report
The bank reconciliation stood at £10,301. Outcomes of the internal audit were explained. It was RESOLVED to approve the investment of £43,940 in a one year deposit bond with Buckinghamshire Building Society.
See appendix 1.

134/22 To approve payments on the Payment Schedule.
Staff costs; salary, back pay, expenses, pension and PAYE, £562.60
Acorn Taxi, £198.29
Village Gardeners, path maintenance and Christmas tree supply £1027
KFL Electrical, Christmas lights £282
Eon, lighting maintenance, £37.96
It was RESOLVED to approve the payments; Cllr Startin would authorise these.

135/22 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 3rd January 2023.
The meeting closed at 20.40 pm