Meeting 7th March 2022

Meeting of the Parish Council

held on Monday 7th March 2022

at 7.30 pm, at Edingale Village Hall

Members present:

Cllrs Dhillon (Chair), Cliffe, Mason, Meikle and Purkess

Present: Mrs M Jones, two members of the public.

147.To receive and approve apologies

Cllr Startin had sent an apology due to ill health and the apology was accepted. Cllr Dhillon took the Chair. Cllr Lacey had not attended or sent an apology.

148.To receive any Declarations of Interest

None received.

149.To approve the draft Minutes of the meeting of 7th February 2022 The Minutes were approved and were signed by Cllr Dhillon.

150.To hold the public session

A member of the public enquired about a tree to be planted on Bromford land in memory of a resident. It was agreed that this was not a matter for the Council.

Item 154 was brought forward so that the contractor could explain work required.

151.To receive the Clerk’s Report

Fallen tree near to the school – the contractor had cut down and removed the storm damaged tree and the electrician had been informed about the safety work to the cable. The replacement tree was unlikely to be large enough to display the Christmas lights for some time, and an alternative site would be considered in the Autumn.

Potholes – Cllrs were informed that photos, dimensions and exact locations were required in order to have these reported to Highways and only the most serious were likely to be filled for some time. Members of the public could also report them, and Cllr Dhillon asked for the web address to be forwarded to him so he could report a culvert in Pessall Lane.

Fence at Croxall/Catton Road junction – a non-urgent works instruction had been raised by Highways.

Community Speed Watch equipment – the Parish Council would need to arrange its collection as it was no longer required. Cllr Lacey currently stored this and Cllr Purkess offered to help if required.

Fly tipping at Lullington Road layby – a member of the public had reported this issue to Lichfield District Council.

District Cllr Yeates had spoken to the Clerk and said that changes to the recycling bins would take place in the next few months.

152. To consider any planning matters

(a) New application 22/00239/FUH Ferrers Cottage, Lullington Road; erection of two storey side extension and insertion of rooflights; no adverse effect on neighbouring properties, RESOLVED no objection.

(b) Former applications 21/01279/COU New Buildings Farm, conversion of building to 2 dwellings, this had been approved; Cllr Meikle suggested that the Parish Council should monitor compliance with the conditions regarding improved access.

21/01964/FUH 17 Croxall Road, replacement windows; this had been approved.

153. To consider progress on village name signs

Cllr Mason confirmed that the Parish Council had received three quotes for the signs. Highways had been informed of progress and had asked for further information. Councillors had agreed on a slight variation to the position of the signs at the Croxall Road village entrance. Information on the proposal had been made available for villagers to read on the website and Facebook. As the National Forest logo had been used by Coton in the Elms Parish Council on their new signs the National Forest would be contacted again with a further enquiry.

Further details would be discussed at the next meeting.

154. To consider work required to pathway off Rowley Close

It was agreed that restoration of the pathway through the open space to widen it by clearing the overgrown weeds would be done by the contractor, he had experience of such work and he would approach Cllr Startin regarding use of the required machinery. It was hoped to do this work later in March. A site had been identified to dispose of the arisings safely in the area. It was RESOLVED to approve this proposal.

155. To consider Best Kept Village competition

Cllr Mason reported that the volunteer who had previously organised Edingale’s entry to the competition was no longer able to do so, and as he himself was also busy running Open Gardens someone else was needed to take the lead in running Edingale’s entry. An appeal would be made by the Parish Council for someone to take on this role. Community involvement was a vital part of the competition, and it was expected that residents would volunteer to help. It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would publicise this appeal and send in an expression of interest in entering the competition.

156. To consider grant application from Holy Trinity Church

An application had been received for funding to assist with mowing of the churchyard. This had been budgeted for during the following financial year and it was therefore RESOLVED to approve the application.

157. To receive Councillors’ Reports

Cllr Meikle reported on a slight water leak in Raddle Lane which did not appear to have been repaired effectively and offered to report it to South Staffs Water.

Cllr Mason said that hedges had been cut on the green lane leading from 7-9 Pessall Lane, it was not known who had done this work.

He had discussed the shrub clearance near the Blakeways Close land with the volunteer who had offered to do this and it would now take place after the bird nesting season, he would let the nearby householder know.

He asked whether the District Council would sweep the path in front of the church but it was agreed that as this was not public land they would not do so.

Cllr Cliffe asked about the donation to the Jubilee event and Cllr Purkess said this application would be made by the Village Hall shortly.

158.To receive correspondence

Staffordshire Parish Councils Association; bulletins, training course dates

Lichfield District Council; Community Governance Review, half term activities, request for information on Platinum Jubilee events, funding opportunities

Edingale Village Hall; event dates

Boundary Commission; review of constituencies

Resident regarding blocked drain and dangerous kerb in Hatchett Lane; Highways contacted.

159.To receive a Financial Report

The current account stood at £12,477; capital totalled £69,380.

Earmarking of the capital funds for asset replacement was approved.

The National Salary Award would be implemented.

RESOLVED to approve the Financial Report, see Appendix 1.

160.To approve the payments on the payment schedule

Mrs M Jones, salary and expenses, £205.11;

HMRC, PAYE, £161.41

Acorn Taxi, February £153.61

Edingale Village Hall, room hire £108.00

Village Gardeners, fallen tree removal and replacement, path inspection £270.00

It was RESOLVED to approve the payments; Cllr Purkess would authorise these.

161.Date of next meeting

Monday 4^th April 2022, 7.30 at Edingale Village Hall

The meeting closed at 8.30