Meeting 5th December 2018

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

Members present:
Cllr Startin (Chair)
Cllr Cliffe
Cllr Mason
Cllr Meikle

Mrs M Jones, Clerk, and 12 members of the public.

1. To receive apologies
Cllrs Dhillon, Lacey and Wesley had apologised as they were away, the apologies were accepted. District Cllr Yeates had also apologised.

2. To receive any Declarations of Interest
None received.

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

4. To adjourn the meeting, to hold the Public Session (maximum 15 minutes) and to reconvene the meeting.

Village Hall – it had been a successful year and the Committee had been praised for the events which had been organised. The Senior Citizen’s lunch had been very good; thanks were given to those who had helped organise this and to the Parish Council for the funding. The bank account looked healthy. Quotes would be obtained for drainage of the car park.

Bus service – several users had attended as they had been invited to comment; they were grateful for the service and used it as much as possible. The Chair explained the cost and said that the Parish Council had to decide how best to fund it, possibly by raising the precept. They also needed the views of the other Parish Councils involved; Elford would meet the next week to discuss it, Harlaston had agreed not to continue after the trial period. If Elford decided to continue with the present service Edingale would be likely to carry on too, otherwise a taxi service would be organised.
Cllr Mason said that it would be best to be organised as a member’s club to avoid any legal challenge on concessionary fares, if this was done everyone would be notified. An increase in donations could be necessary, those present agreed that this would be acceptable.
5. To receive the Clerk’s Report
Maintenance – the tender documents for grass cutting had been prepared and advertised, with a closing date of 14th December, tenders would be considered at the January 7th meeting and the information used for budgeting. Cllr Meikle had proposed asking for a method statement from the successful contractors. Community Speedwatch – the grant application for funding had been successful. Michelle Shaker would attend on January 7th, and potential volunteers would be encouraged to attend to hear more about the scheme. Christmas lights – a new set of lights had been purchased and put up in time for December 1st. These looked very festive and it was hoped they would not be damaged this year. Silhouettes for Remembrance event – an end of grant report would be completed. RESOLVED to approve the Clerk’s report.
6. To receive correspondence
Lichfield District Council, various news items, relevant information would be put on the Parish Council website and village Facebook page.
Staffordshire County Council reductions in grass verge cutting; it was suggested that if they continued to provide this service the first cut should be done earlier in the season. The District Council were likely to take it over and charge parishes for the service.
National Forest information
Trent Rivers Trust newsletter
SPCA bulletins and AGM information
7. To receive Councillor’s Reports
Cllr Cliffe said that the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Meal had been a very sociable event and thanked everyone involved with the organisation; Cllr Meikle added his congratulations.
Cllr Cliffe said that the deep hole near the corner in Pessall Lane was still there and surrounded by barriers, Highways had still not repaired it.
Cllr Mason said that the People’s Orchard Planting Day would take place on February 11th, it would involve the school and hopefully be a community event. Cllr Cliffe asked whether the trees would be planted on the overspill area of the car park; this would be a matter for the Village Hall Committee to decide on.
Cllr Mason said that future Senior Citizen’s Christmas Parties may need rethinking due to growing numbers of older residents.
Cllr Mason also mentioned that the pavement in Pessall Lane was in a poor state and should be reported.

8. To consider any planning matters
Brookhouse Farm 18/01643/ABN – erection of building for storage and calf rearing – no objection but Councillors suggested requesting a green roof to help the building blend with the background.
New Buildings Farm 18/01718/PND and 18/01695/COU – conversion of outbuilding into 2 dwellings – no objection but comments would be made on the access, due to the speed of traffic and a fatal accident at this site, and a request made to improve signage regarding emerging traffic, the building design would be an asset. There was also a need to consider sewage and the nearby River Mease.

9. To consider the bus service Cllr Mason gave information on likely costs of the service for the next financial year of around £2,000. Cllrs agreed that they wished to carry on providing the bus service for those who needed it, as requested by several residents. The cost would be met from an increase in the precept and an increase in donations. It should be run as a member’s club. It was RESOLVED to carry on running the bus service unless Elford Parish Council decided against the joint service, in which case a taxi would be organised. More information would be available after Elford’s next meeting.
10. To consider the draft budget for financial year 2019-20 Following initial discussion of the proposed figures it was agreed that further information would be required on the bus service and maintenance costs; it was RESOLVED that the final budget and the precept figure to be requested would be considered in January.
11. To receive the Financial Report. The bank reconciliation was noted. It was agreed to sign a direct debit mandate for the annual fee to the Information Commissioner. RESOLVED to approve the Financial Report.
12. To approve the payments on the payment schedule Mrs M Jones, salary and expenses, £313.25; HMRC £24.19 Elford Parish Council, bus hire less donations October £318.50; Village Gardeners, tree trimming £100 Christmas Direct, new set of lights £201.98 RESOLVED to approve the payments.
13. Date of next meeting; Monday 7th January 2019.
The meeting closed at 8.40 p.m.