Meeting 4th October 2021

DRAFT MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 Meeting of the Parish Council

held on Monday 4^th October 2021

at 7.30 pm, at Edingale Village Hall

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

Present: Mrs M Jones, Clerk, one member of the public.

In the absence of the Chair, Cllr Mason was nominated by Cllr Dhillon and chaired the meeting.

74.To receive and approve apologies

Cllr Startin had apologised as he was away, his apology was accepted.

75.To receive any Declarations of Interest

None received.

76. To approve the draft Minutes of the meeting of 6^th September 2021 The Minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.

77. To hold the public session

The meeting was adjourned to hold the public session.

A member of the public mentioned a matter relating to the contractor and Cllr Mason said he would discuss this with him.

The meeting was then reconvened.

 78.To receive the Clerk’s report

Croxall Lakes litter bin – Lichfield District Council would install this soon.

Taxi query – a member of the public had phoned to ask if the Parish Council provided a taxi to Alrewas. He was informed that it did not although there had been a weekly taxi to Tamworth which had not run during the pandemic.

Mease Forestry closure – the paths had been closed due to works around the river banks. Cllr Lacey had been contacted to say they were now re-opened, although the contractors had left it in an untidy state.

Christmas lights – these would be organised as in previous years, although with a slight price rise in energy costs.

79.To consider any planning matters

New application: 21/01636/FUH 3 Moores Croft, single storey extension to rear.

RESOLVED that there was no objection to this application, which would have no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.

Updates:

80. To consider progress on village name signs

The Clerk had obtained information from a supplier of gateway signs and was awaiting a quote. Cllrs should look at other villages’ signs and inform the Clerk of good examples so that enquiries could be made about their suppliers. Other options were available but the gateway type would also aid traffic calming.

Cllr Lacey suggested that the existing signs could be repaired, he would obtain information and report back to the next meeting.

81. To consider Vehicle Speed Indicator Device quotes

Following a request from a school governor for traffic calming near the school, the Clerk had obtained quotes from two suppliers for solar devices at £2775 or £2633 including delivery but excluding VAT. It was agreed to consult Highways on whether the location would be suitable before deciding whether to purchase a device, and ask whether Cllrs could use the speed gun to check vehicle speeds. The options would be considered at the next meeting.

82. To consider transport matters

Following the concerns raised at the last meeting the Parish Council had contacted C. Pincher M.P.; both he and Cllr White supported the concerns of families who were affected by the lack of transport for sixth formers, particularly with the lack of public transport in Edingale. The consultation on school transport was ongoing until 12^th October and parents affected now or in the future were encouraged to complete the survey. Cllr Lacey had suggested a community minibus but the organisation of such a scheme was too difficult. The Parish Council would continue to monitor the issue.

83. To consider options for improving biodiversity in the parish.

Cllr Mason had raised at the last meeting that the Parish Council should begin to consider the impact of climate change and biodiversity as many other local authorities were doing. He suggested that certain areas of grass could be left uncut or planted with wildflowers and efforts made to encourage wildlife such as pollinators and hedgehogs. This would be kept on the agenda.

84. To receive Councillors’ Reports

Cllr Lacey said that residents had complained about tractor drivers driving too fast and using phones at the wheel, there had been a near miss at Lullington Road mini roundabout. Residents should take registration numbers and report to the Police.

The contractors working at the Mease Meadows forestry land had left it untidy.

Cllr Purkess asked about responsibility for the defibrillators. Mr Pilgrim sent a quarterly update on behalf of the Parish Council. She offered to help if required.

Cllr Cliffe asked who had cut the trees down at the bridge over the Pessall brook as they had not cleared up the debris. Highways would be contacted. Cllrs felt that it would be helpful if such works in the village were communicated in advance.

Cllr Cliffe asked whether the taxi to Tamworth could restart; Cllr Mason would check with the former users to see if enough passengers wished to use it again.

Cllr Mason said that the trees and bushes previously planted on the bank to the right of Blakeways Close needed cutting back. It was unclear whether a tree surgeon was needed or whether a hedge cutter could do the job. The hedge at Schofield Lane also needed the annual trim. The Clerk would remind the tree surgeon about the tree checks required on the Parish Council’s land.

Cllr Mason also said that the gullies along Croxall Road were very blocked, the Clerk would check when they were due to be cleared.

85. To receive correspondence

SPCA bulletins, joint webinar with Staffordshire County Council                 Lichfield District Council; news items, Local Cllr grant, voter registration reminder, online survey on next year’s priorities                                                          Western Power, festive illuminations, Eon price increase                                 Came & Co Local Council Insurance, rebranding to Gallaghers

86. To receive a Financial Report

A bank reconciliation was given. The current account stood at £16,681; capital totalled £69,077. Expenditure against budget was in line with expectations.

The VAT reclaim had been submitted.

87.To approve the payments on the payment schedule

Mrs M Jones, salary and expenses, £357;  HMRC, PAYE, £17.60

Village Gardeners, September mowing, £490.46;

Edingale Village Hall, Donation, Seniors Christmas Party, £500, (S.137, LGA 1972)

Aviva, pension, September and October, £19.36

It was RESOLVED to approve the payments, Cllr Dhillon would authorise these.

88.Date of next meeting

Monday 1st November, 7.30 at Edingale Village Hall, following Cllr Training at 7pm. The meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.