Parish Council meeting 5th September 2022

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Vote on Co-Option of prospective Councillors.

The Chair introduced Miss Donna Foster and Mr Bob Samra. The Councillor’s voted unanimously to Co-Opt Donna and Bob onto the Chebsey Parish Council.

The Chair asked if anyone from the public had any questions or concerns. There were none.

The next Civic amenities visit will be on 24^th September 2022.

The CPR training has had to be cancelled; it will be rearranged as soon as possible.

Cllr Ainsworth-Hickman said a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored her for her walk in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. £1119 was raised.

The Local History Society will be holding an exhibition on 5 & 6^th of November in St Luke’s Church Hall

On Friday 30th Sept (5pm), the SRCG is holding a public meeting at the Yarnfield Conference Centre.

Cllr S. Edge Cllr J. Lawson

Mr Weaver received the findings of the survey conducted by Midlands Rural Housing in July 2022. A need for seven units was identified by the survey consisting of two affordable rental properties, two shared ownership properties, two open market properties and one self build property. Mr Weaver said he will be putting an outline planning application into the planning department. When the application is submitted the full report from Midlands Rural Housing will be available through public access on Stafford Borough Council’s planning portal .Mr Weaver answered questions from the public and agreed to attend the Parish Council meeting once the application has been validated by the planning department.

The Chair thanked Mr Weaver for attending the meeting. Mr Weaver left the meeting at 19.37.

None

Friends of Norton Bridge will be looking into trying to get the bus route reinstated.

The “Drop In” on Thursday mornings has proved popular, one week there were 14 people last week there were 4. The cost is 50p for a drink and 50p for a piece of cake. Everybody is welcome.

Item 22/119

 Old Mill Farmhouse, decision still not made. The Chair was extremely concerned after a neighbour had a chance meeting with the planning officer who was said to be  unaware of the other children’s home in the area. It was agreed to write a letter to the planning department raising concerns that cases are not being looked into thoroughly. Cllr Peter Jones and Cllr Jeremy Pert to be copied into the letter. Action Clerk.

Drumble House 22/35672/FUL The planning portal is showing three neighbour responses for the application. All three responses are from the same person who is a relative. It was agreed to write to the Case Officer to make them aware of a possible conflict of interest. Cllr Peter Jones Cllr Jeremy Pert to be copied into the letter.

Item 22/122

The Chair had meetings with P. Lees and Cllr J Pert regarding the ditch at Shallowford Bank and the blocked gullies at Parsons Bank. Works will be undertaken as soon as possible, however, Searchlight Lane will need a road closure order which requires 13 weeks’ notice.

Item 22/123

The plaques for the Jubilee trees have arrived. The Chair arranged for them to be put with the trees.

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 4^th July 2022 were agreed as a true record by everyone present.

Appeal 21/35006/HOU Aluminium veranda Waterstone Barn Lower Heamies Refusal stands.

Planning Application 22/36300/PTEL Telecommunications mast Norton Bridge refused.

Planning Application 22/36091/OUT Outline planning for 4 bed detached house at The Grange Stone Road Eccleshall. Comments by 13 Sept. After discussion it was agreed there were no objections, but the Cllr’s would like to question the access to the property, and flooding issues. The Clerk will notify the Case Officer. Action Clerk.

Planning Application 22/36140/FUL Alterations and extensions 1&2 Hilcote Cottages. Comments by 21^st Sept. After discussion it was agreed to ask the Case Officer to take into consideration the previous refusal 17/26625/FUL and that the previous application be linked to the new one on the planning portal. Action Clerk.

Payments for August (Approved by emails)

Cheque 956  Chebsey Parochial Church Room Hire 1^st January to 30th June 2022 £90

Cheque 957 DM Payroll services April to Sept 2022                                                  £40

Cheque 958 SPCA Good Councillor Guides X 2 plus P&P                                     £9.50

Payments received from Friends of Norton Bridge grass cutting                            £280

Jubilee Grant                         £1000.

Nat West Current Account on  25^th August 2022                                          £5303.15

Cheque 959 Clerks September Salary                                                                £224.20

Unpresented cheque   958 SPCA                                                                         £9.50

Balance                                                                                                             £5069.45

All above payments approved by everyone present.

Discuss the budget.

The budget was discussed and it was agreed that the budget should be checked on a monthly basis. Cllr B Jones set up a projections form, it was agreed this should be updated onto the website. Action Cllr B. Jones and the Clerk.

Chebsey Parish Council Financial Regulations.

All present agreed they had read the Financial Regulations and are happy with them. Action Clerk The Clerk will update the document with the minute number and date and display on the website.

The asset list was approved by everyone present and will be displayed on the website.

Action Clerk

Cllr J Pert gave an update on the Station Gateway Regeneration. He stated he was pleased with the refusal of the telecommunications mast which was in an inappropriate location. A mast is required for better connectivity, but it needs to be sited in the right place. Cllr Pert updated the Cllr’s on his meeting with the Chair regarding Searchlight Lane and Parsons Bank.

The Chair expressed her concerns about the state of the land between Norton Bridge and the B5026 which is overgrown with weeds consisting of thistles and ragwort .It was agreed to contact Highways and Network Rail to remind them of their responsibilities. The Chair will forward photos to the Clerk. Action The Chair and Clerk

The website was discussed and it was agreed that the SCC website would be advantageous in that it would be more user friendly and It would be in keeping with other Parish Councils in Staffordshire. Action Clerk to notify H. Wheate (SCC) and P. Bickerstaff (Current Website Manager)

Cllr B. Jones has priced a 3 seater hardwood bench with a 15 year life expectancy for £357 (before VAT). It was agreed to purchase the bench at that price if no further discount can be arranged. Action Cllr B. Jones.

A plaque will be arranged once the bench is in place.

Whilst there has been little, or no, political action as regards HS2 during the parliamentary summer recess and the Conservative Party leadership contest, work on section 2a, around the parish, continues at pace. In particular it is noticeable that the number of security personnel has increased markedly around the key sites at Yarnfield and Swynnerton following actions of protest groups.
The SRCG had planned for a meeting locally with the HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson, but a cabinet reshuffle saw his position change and the meeting cancelled. No doubt the SRCG will, with support from Sir Bill Cash, attempt to meet with the new minister when appointed.

On Friday 30th Sept (5pm), the SRCG is holding a public meeting at the Yarnfield Conference Centre.
Bob Jones

Cllr J Pert advised the Cllr’s of the HS2 Community Fund from Highways. He will forward the link to the Clerk. Action Cllr J Pert

Email from admin of Local Audit giving option to Opt out, and find own external auditor.

After discussion it was agreed to continue with the current audit system.

Email in relation to Meecebrook Garden Community requesting a meeting to be arranged.

Clerk to contact Raeven Withers again to arrange a meeting. Action Clerk

Email from S Holman re Wildlife and Bird care Nature Recovery Project.

Details noted.

Email from E Burns re garden questionnaire.

The Clerk will respond to the questionnaire. Action Clerk

Dates for next year’s meetings to be agreed.

Cllr D. Foster offered her apologies for the October meeting.

With no further business the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 21.17