Chebsey Parish Council Meeting 5th June 2023

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked if there were any questions from the public.

A statement was read out regarding Planning Application 21/34553/FUL at Izaak Walton Fishery. The statement contained the views of the two members of the public who said it will be sent to the Planning Department at Stafford Borough Council.

The Chair explained the role of the Parish Council in dealing with planning applications and thanked the members of the public for their views.  The members of the public left the meeting at 19.16.

Cllr D Foster-Birks Cllr B Jones Cllr J Pert (SBC SCC) Cllr P Jones (SBC)

Cllr S Edge (Meecebrook) Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman (Old Mill Farmhouse)

23/074 Update on Eccleshall First responders, there is no first responders available at the moment. A vacancy has been advertised.

23/080 Parsons Bank work has been completed but the soil does appear to be wet. The clerk will notify Cllr J Pert and copy P. Lees into the email. Action clerk

The clerk will contact the County Council regarding the unassigned road at Norton Bridge roundabouts. Action clerk

23/084 The clerk received a reply from the Enforcement Office regarding Planning Application 17/27245/FUL. The Cllr’s requested a further letter to be sent to the Enforcement Office for clarification. Action clerk.   

The minutes from the meeting held on 22^nd May 2023 were approved by everyone present as a true record of the meeting.

To approve June expenditure.

NatWest Current Account Balance at 25^th May 2023                    £8333.15

Clerks June Salary cheque no 988                                                      £281.61

Cheque 986 Dr Wheeler for Internal Audit not yet presented                £85.00

Invoice received for BHIB insurance £569.86 for a year renewal or £513.53 if take on a 3 year contract. (To be paid by 30^th June 2023.) It was agreed by everyone present to take out the 3 year contract. Cheque no 989 £513.53

Item 23/100 (CPRE £36.00 annual fee) it was agreed by everyone present to join the CPRE.

Payments awaiting invoice Chebsey Parish Hall Room Hire (March, April & May, June) Cllr S Edge will request the invoice again. Action Cllr S Edge

SJL Landscaping for Norton Bridge Recreation Area grass cutting. The clerk will contact Dean at SJL to request the invoice Action clerk

Election costs (Invoice not expected until Nov/Dec)

Update on Lloyds Bank Account to discuss closing NatWest Account

After discussion it was agreed to transfer £5000 from the NatWest Account into the Lloyds Bank Account. The NatWest Account will run alongside the Lloyds Account until it is known that the Lloyds online account is working correctly. (cheque no 991)

All payments approved by everyone present.

The Chair read out the questions on the Annual Governance Statement to the Councillors who agreed each Statement. All the documents were approved by everyone present.

Documentation will be displayed on the website www.chebseyparishcouncil.co.uk from 6^th June 2023

Documents to be displayed

·         Annual Internal Audit Report

·         Annual Governance Statement

·         Accounting Statement

·         Analysis of any significant year on year variance

·         Bank reconciliation as at 31 March 2023

·         Copy of the certificate of Exemption

·         Details of the arrangements for the exercise of public rights and Name and address of the External Auditor.

The dates 7^th June 2023 to 17^th July 2023 were agreed by everyone present.

It was agreed to carry forward this item to the next meeting.

The Councillors discussed and agreed to adopt the Councillor/Officer Protocol document.

A representative from the play equipment company will visit the Norton Bridge Recreation Area at 1pm on 12^th June to discuss replacing any broken equipment. Cllr D Foster-Birks will attend along with possibly Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman and Mark Wilson from Friends of Norton Bridge.

Saturday 17th June – Civic Amenity Visit

Monday 3^rd July – Friends Of Norton Bridge Meeting.

Saturday 29^th July – Civic Amenity Visit.

Monday 11th September – Joint HS2 Meeting?

Saturday 23rd September – Civic Amenity Visit

Saturday 28th October – Civic Amenity Visit

Saturday 25th November – Civic Amenity Visit

Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman liaised with Network Rail and established that the land the horses are on is not owned by Network Rail.  The landowner has been informed about the horses and he is dealing with the situation.

Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman met with Network Rail regarding the Ragwort problem. Awaiting further information on what Network Rail intend to do.

No updates.

Email received from CPRE inviting the Parish Council to join. Joining fee £36 per year. See item 23/91

Planning Application 23/37251/HOU Double garage at Whitehouse Farm Eccleshall Road ST15 ONS. The application was discussed and there were no objections. The clerk will inform the Case Officer. Action clerk.

Parish Newsletter

With no further business the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 20.36.