Meeting 4th September 2023

DRAFT MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 4th September 2023
7.30 pm, at Edingale Village Hall
Members present:
Cllrs Startin (Chair), Baughen, Cliffe, Maskery, Mason, Meikle and Sivieri
Present: Clerk, Mrs Jones, 5 members of the public, Lichfield District Cllr Bennion (from 8pm)
113/23 To receive and approve Apologies
None, all present.
114/23 To receive any Declarations of Interests
115/23 To approve the draft Minutes of the Meeting of 3rd July 2023. The draft Minutes were approved and signed.
116/23 To adjourn, to hold the public session, to reconvene the meeting.
The Village Hall Chair explained that quotes were still needed for architectural drawings for new toilets at the hall. The Parish Council had previously agreed to fund the drawing work and it was hoped that quotes would be available by next month.
He also supported the Community Asset nomination for the Black Horse, which would be discussed later in the meeting.
A discussion with the Reverend and churchwarden of Holy Trinity church then followed regarding the ownership of the footway in Church Lane. This question had arisen again due to work needed to lop the trees. A previous Parish Council meeting had agreed that this land was the responsibility of the church as evidenced by a Deed of Grant from 1986. It was agreed that the church accepted responsibility for the land but that the Parish Council would contribute towards the tree work in this instance. Advice would be sought from tree surgeons.
Some neighbours had offered to clear the moss from the footway and the church would check their insurance to ensure that they would be covered as volunteers while doing so.
District Cllr Bennion commented on the need for a new bridge to replace Chetwynd Bridge, the District Council should support the local villages by putting pressure on the County Council to obtain the funding for this. Cllr Sivieri added that the fire service could not use the bridge which left local villages vulnerable.
Cllr Bennion mentioned matters relating to the District Council including improved collaborative working by Cllrs on the new Council since May, recycling and a possibility of a new Local Plan. He was pleased about the start of the new bus service and stressed that villagers should use it or lose it. He offered to help with any planning issues.
117/23 To consider any outcomes of discussions with church representatives regarding Church Lane land.
As agreed earlier, Reverend Busby would obtain advice and costs from tree surgeons; the Parish Council would then consider the amount to be contributed to this work.

118/23 To receive the Clerk’s Report
New bus service – the timetable had been put on the website and notice board and it was hoped that everyone would support this new service as much as possible.
Road closures – Elford Bridge repairs, Wigginton (November).
Gov.uk emails – no progress so far.
Lap top replacement – it was agreed to purchase a new Parish Council laptop up to a cost of £500.

119/23 To consider any Planning matters.
23/00629/FUH Willow Cottage, two storey side and front extension – approved
23/00625/FUH 5 Blakeways Close, ground floor front extension – approved
Lullington Solar Farm – appeal decision, not allowed
Neighbourhood Plan – it was agreed not to progress with this idea while there was uncertainty about Lichfield’s Local Plan.

120/23 To receive an update on Chetwynd Bridge
The width limit had been introduced, although some vehicles still ignored the restrictions, which could risk the structure. Any evidence of those doing so would be forwarded to the County Council. Surveys required for a planning application were being undertaken.
121/23 To consider again nomination of the Black Horse as an Asset of Community Value
Discussion took place between the Cllrs about whether to nominate the Black Horse again. It had been used only as a residence for the last 3 years and some Cllrs doubted any future prospect of its viability as a pub. It was proposed by Cllr Sivieri that the nomination should be made again, Cllrs voted 5 to 2 in favour of the proposal and it was agreed that the forms would be submitted. In the meantime the enforcement team would be contacted about the change of use of the property.
122/23 To consider any progress on a village nature trail
Cllr Meikle had asked for guidance on this from Trent Rivers Trust and would report back to a future meeting.
 

123/23 To consider Highways and Safer Roads responses to Pessall Lane speed limit
Safer Roads and Highways had said they were unable to install 30mph repeated signs along the lane. It was agreed that the Clerk would obtain costs for advisory signage and this would be considered at another meeting.

124/23 To receive Councillors’ Reports
Cllr Cliffe thanked whoever had trimmed the bushes in Croxall Road near the school.
Cllr Maskery suggested that as many people as possible should report the potholes. The Clerk confirmed that this would be helpful and that photos should be included.
Cllr Baughen said that the drains had flooded near the school during a recent downpour, and asked for gully cleaning to be requested.
Cllr Meikle would attend the Best Kept Village awards evening on 6th September and report back on the results.
Cllr Mason had moved the chain fencing as he had mentioned at the last meeting. He asked for the ash trees on Harlaston Road to be considered on the next agenda. He also mentioned the poor state of the school’s area of the field and would mention this to Cllr White during the Summer Show.

125/23 To receive Correspondence
Staffordshire Parish Councils Association weekly bulletins and training information
CPRE newsletters, AGM and query about hedge planting sites
National Forest newsletter
Transform the Trent Valley celebration event – Cllr Mason to attend
Resident regarding overgrown hedges in Croxall Road, asking that villagers should ensure that they did not grow over the footpath. He had also thanked persons unknown who had cleared the footpaths around Pessall Lane.

126/23 To receive a Financial Report
The bank reconciliation stood at £13,936.
It was RESOLVED to approve the report. See appendix 1.

127/23 To approve payments on the Payment Schedule.
Staff costs; salary, expenses, pension and PAYE, £419.75
Village Gardeners, mowing, £566.48
Staffordshire Parish Councils Association, Cllr Training £144
It was RESOLVED to approve the payments. Cllr Startin would authorise these.

Date of next meeting
Monday 2nd October 2023. The meeting closed at 9.15 pm.

Appendix 1

Financial Report, September 2023
Bank Reconciliation Current
Balance bf 9,995.92 Cooperative
less payments 12,171.32 Community Acc.
Plus receipts 16,112.28
Total 13,936.88 13,936.88

(b) Co-op bank
Cllr Maskery now confirmed again as a signatory
Cllr Sivieri approved as a signatory
Transfer from Co-operative capital account to current account £5754 for solar battery.

(c) VAT reclaim
Submitted to HMRC

(d) Grant for Seniors festive meal
£600 budgeted. This would be considered at the next meeting.