Meeting 5th November 2018

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

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

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

Mrs M Jones, Clerk, and 4 members of the public.

1. To receive apologies
Cllr Dhillon had apologised as he was away, the apology was accepted.

2. To receive any Declarations of Interest
None received.

3. To approve the Minutes of the meeting of 1st October 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.
A resident commented on the fireworks over the weekend and the matter was briefly discussed.

5. To receive the Clerk’s Report
Village Hall – The Chair had sent a written report. The Halloween Party had gone well and the Fireworks Party had been well attended and made a profit; thanks were given to the fireworks organiser. Quotes were still needed for car park work. The play park inspection report had not yet been received. There would be four more events before the end of the year; church quiz, 1950’s night, Christmas Fayre and Senior’s Lunch. Woodyard Drive – Bromford Homes had been contacted; they would not reimburse the Council for maintenance on their land as there had been no prior agreement. They would maintain it from now on however. Defibrillators – new pads should be ordered as the existing ones would need replacing in January.
Maintenance – The Village Gardeners would do the agreed work at Blakeways Close. Community Speed Watch – a speaker would be invited to the next meeting to speak to potential volunteers and explain the scheme. Land ownership – Lichfield District Council had asked for information to compile a digital map of land ownership and had been sent details of the Parish Council’s land. Water leak in Croxall Road – This had been reported to South Staffs Water and to Highways by the Parish Council and various residents. Workmen had been at the site and hopefully would repair it before any freezing weather. RESOLVED to approve the Clerk’s report.
6. To receive correspondence
SPCA AGM details and information for prospective candidates for May election
Rawlett School expansion consultation
Lichfield District Council Register of electors’ information

7. To receive Councillor’s Reports
Cllr Cliffe asked about repairs to the pothole in Pessall Lane, this was on Highways’ job list.
Cllr Mason had met the tenants about the Black Horse car park, they had a repairing lease to fix only what went wrong during the tenancy, the car park was not their responsibility as it was in a poor state before they took over the pub. Cllrs suggested contacting the owner as it was his responsibility, if there was an accident caused by the grit carried on to the road he would be liable; this could be referred to Highways to enforce.
Cllr Mason had mowed an area of land missed by the contractors and would
plant pansies in any tubs not looked after by other residents.
Cllr Startin had been informed that the path at the top of Pessall Lane had now been cleared, this may have been done by the landowner.
Cllr Lacey and Cllr Meikle reported back on a meeting they had attended with the Chair and Councillors of the District Council about how to engage with Parish Councils more effectively; information had been shared between representatives about land development, affordable housing, concerns about contractors, CIL payments and speed monitoring restrictions. This was followed by the Parish Forum at which the Chief Inspector of Staffordshire Police explained staffing and priorities, and Cllr England of Staffordshire County Council explained strategic delivery and how more people could become involved locally in projects that affected their communities.

8. To consider any planning matters There were no current applications. The Black Horse had been renewed as a Community Asset by Lichfield District Council for a further five years.

9. To consider information from Staffordshire County Council on the bus hire service The County Council had sent a helpful response to Cllr Mason’s queries about the most effective way to organise the service if it was to continue in the long term and had given advice about possible options. The next meeting would consider the future of the service; feedback would be requested from Elford and Harlaston and users from Edingale would be invited to attend to give their views. The Parish Council would then decide whether to continue to support it, and if so how much would be required in the next budget to fund the service.
10. To consider maintenance contract for 2019 The current contractors had not fulfilled the agreement as they had not cleared away the mown grass. It was RESOLVED that the contract for 2019 would go out to tender. The specification would be changed to remove the areas to be cut by Bromford, to add the verges on the Lullington and Harlaston Roads, and to include occasional strimming of the rights of way within the village. The Clerk and Cllr Mason would prepare the amended specification and plan and the tender would be advertised.
11. To consider the Christmas lights As lights had been damaged last year it was RESOLVED to buy a set of good quality outdoor lights for the electrician to install on the tree on the island. The Clerk would contact him to arrange the installation.
12. To receive the Financial Report. Current account – the bank reconciliation was given. The VAT claim had been submitted online and £1,085.69 received, which was more than budgeted due to expenditure on the play lodge and maintenance. Capital Fund – a new fixed rate bond was opened with Buckinghamshire Building Society, to mature at the end of October 2019. The cost of the play lodge and plaque was transferred from the Coop 14 day deposit account to the current account. Bus hire – the Parish Council’s expenditure on this, less donations over 6 months, was £997. Audit – the interim audit had taken place with no issues being raised. Draft budget – this would be considered at the next meeting as the precept request had to be submitted at the end of January. RESOLVED to approve the Financial Report.
13. To approve the payments on the payment schedule Mrs M Jones, salary and expenses, £307.03; Elford Parish Council, bus hire less donations September £270; Edingale Village Hall, Seniors Christmas Lunch donation £500; Lichfield Web Design, web hosting and site maintenance £303.60; Eon, lighting maintenance £31.62 King’s Bromley Poppy Appeal, wreaths £40 RESOLVED to approve the payments.
14. Date of next meeting; Wednesday 5th December 2018. The meeting closed at 20.30 p.m.