Meeting 2nd October 2023

DRAFT MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 2nd October 2023
7.30 pm, at Edingale Village Hall
Members present:
Cllrs Startin (Chair), Cliffe, Maskery, Mason, Meikle and Sivieri
Present: Clerk, Mrs Jones, Lichfield District Cllr Bennion (until 7.45)
128/23 To receive and approve Apologies
Cllr Baughen had apologised due to illness and her apology was accepted.
129/23 To receive any Declarations of Interests No declarations of pecuniary interest received.
130/23 To approve the draft Minutes of the Meeting of 4th September 2023 The draft Minutes were approved and signed.
131/23 To adjourn, to hold the public session, to reconvene the meeting. Cllr Bennion said that Clifton Parish Council had contacted candidates for the Tamworth by-election to seek their support for a new bridge next to Chetwynd Bridge and he had met them with Cllr Startin to explain the issues. It was important to keep putting on pressure to achieve the required funding.
Cllr Bennion also said that he would report back on the outcome of the District Council meeting to discuss the future of the Local Plan.

He congratulated Edingale on the success with the Best Kept Village competition and was invited to the presentation event on November 3rd.

132/23 To receive the Clerk’s Report
Gully cleaning – the gullies near the school had been inspected but no action would be taken as there was no current safety issue; work had been completed on the gully at Church Hollow.
Black Horse – the Asset of Community Value application form had been submitted to Lichfield District Council.
Laptop – now purchased.
Christmas lighting – arrangements would be on the next agenda.

133/23 To consider any Planning matters.
A member of the Planning department had confirmed that District Cllrs were considering withdrawing the emerging Local Plan 2040. The adopted Local Plan Strategy and Allocation documents both remained in place. Lichfield District Council would consider the matter on 17th October.

134/23 To receive an update on Chetwynd Bridge No further update other than that mentioned in the public session earlier.
135/23 To consider contribution to tree surgery costs in Church Lane One quote had been received; it was agreed to defer this to the next meeting.
136/23 To consider any progress on a village nature trail Cllr Meikle had obtained some advice from the Trent Rivers Trust who were involved with work on Pingle Meadow, possibly a trail could link with this and he would contact them again. He suggested putting notice boards in the bus shelter to display information about local wildlife.
137/23 To consider Pessall Lane speed limit signs. Following discussion it was agreed to purchase two 30mph reminder signs to be put on fence posts to remind motorists that the speed limit applied on the lane.
138/23 To consider contribution to Seniors Christmas meal. It was RESOLVED to donate £700 to the Village Hall to assist with costs of the Christmas Meal. £600 had been budgeted but Cllr Sivieri reminded everyone of the increase in costs since then. An additional £100 would be transferred from the amount intended for taxis as this was no longer required.
139/23 To consider ash trees in Harlaston Road. Cllr Mason explained that many ash trees on the approach from Harlaston were suffering from ash die back disease and suggested that the Parish Council should plant new trees along the hedge to preserve the appearance of this area. He would speak to the landowner. Advice on planting could be obtained from CPRE.
140/23 To consider spending of Best Kept Village competition prize money. There had been a total of £750 awarded and it was RESOLVED this would be earmarked to spend on the village for future Best Kept Village competitions. The Cllrs thanked Cllr Meikle for his leadership and he said there had been a lot of hard work by everyone involved. A presentation of a plaque would be made on November 3rd at 10am at the Village Hall; Cllrs, Committee members and villagers would be invited to attend and to share refreshments.
141/23 To consider County Council land next to Village Hall field. Cllr Mason explained that the area of the field owned by the County Council would transfer to the new School Academy next February and there could be an opportunity for the Village Hall Trustees or Parish Council to take this over and keep it maintained, while retaining it for school sports use. He would continue to liaise with those involved and this would be on the next agenda.
142/23 To consider correspondence regarding Moores Croft parking. A complaint had been received from a resident of Moores Croft who had been unable to park outside their home when returning during a large party at the Village Hall. The Village Hall Committee had been consulted and would in future inform hirers of the need to consider local residents and park appropriately. The Clerk would send a reply to the resident.
143/23 To receive Councillors’ Reports. Cllr Sivieri reported on issues with the Co-op bank’s security questions and hoped to be able to log on before too long.
Cllr Mason reported on the recent Trent Valley event that he had attended which had showcased community initiatives and been very interesting. Cllr Startin confirmed that the Trent Rivers Trust were very good facilitators in liaising with various local organisations.
144/23 To receive Correspondence
Staffordshire Parish Councils Association weekly bulletins
Big River Watch
SCC Concessionary travel
Edingale Village Hall newsletter

145/23 To receive a Financial Report
The bank reconciliation stood at £17,680.
It was RESOLVED to approve the report. See appendix 1.

146/23 To approve payments on the Payment Schedule.
Staff costs; salary, expenses, pension and PAYE, £412.60, laptop £429 inc VAT
Village Gardeners, mowing, £566.48
CPRE membership, £3
It was RESOLVED to approve the payments. Cllr Maskery would authorise these.

Date of next meeting
Monday 6th November 2023. The meeting closed at 9.10 pm.

Appendix 1
Financial Report, October 2023
(a)

Bank Reconciliation Current
Balance bf 9,995.92 Cooperative
less payments 15,391.66 Community Acc.
Plus receipts 23,076.10
Total 17,680.36 17,680.36

(b)
Capital Funds
Cooperative Buckinghamshire Cambridge TOTAL CAPITAL
14 Day account Bond Council Saver
1.28% 3% 1.25%
10,446.16 43,992.01 5,643.91 60,082.08

Received interest
89.04

(c) VAT reclaim received £1209.82