Chebsey Parish Council Meeting 4th December 2023

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked for any questions from the public. The member of the public introduced herself as the owner of Rodgeley Lodge. She explained about the planning application 23/38305/HOU and asked the Councillors if they had any questions about the application. The Councillors thanked her for attending the meeting. No questions were asked. The member of the public left the meeting at 19.03.

Cllr P Jones (SBC) Cllr B Samra

Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman Old Mill Farmhouse

Cllr S Edge Meecebrook

23/154 The Election cost has been itemised. The clerk has emailed the Elections office requesting the total costs for the Borough, no reply has been received as yet.

23/158 Pothole at Hilcote reported enquiry number 4350364.

Road markings at Scamnel Lane reported enquiry number 4350794.Reply received classed as non urgent works will be carried out when funds allow.

Visibility issues at junction on A5013 reported enquiry number 4351075.

The Minutes from the meeting held on 6^th November 2023 were agreed as a true record by everyone present, The Chair signed the minutes.

The budget spreadsheet for 24/25 was discussed and approved by everyone present.

The precept for 24/25 was discussed; the councillor’s decided that an increase of 5% would be needed to keep up with the increase in costs. The clerk will request the precept from Stafford Borough Council. Action clerk

Lloyds On line Account Balance as at 30^th November 2023 £8552.34

Payments to be approved for December

Clerks December Salary                                                         £304.48

SJL Landscaping Invoice 4580 grass cutting for October,

one cut only                                                                               £84.00

Balance after on line payments                                          £8163.86

Payments approved by everyone present.

Clerks Pay NALC pay increase backdated to April 2023. Increase and arrears to be paid in January Salary (Awaiting details from the Payroll Administrator)

Update on the website. The digital team at Stafford County Council are working on the website. They are having problems with the parish council websites (not just ours)

Cllr Foster- Birks updated the Councillors on the progress being made at Norton Bridge Recreation area. A resident of Norton Bridge has very kindly offered a contribution

to assist with payment of outstanding items that are not covered by Kompan.

A skilled working party has been formed, free of charge. They will inspect the area and make a plan of action. The work will be carried out when the weather starts to improve  possibly the end of February beginning of March .A community group will be set up to assist. All the items raised at last year’s inspection will be dealt with.

The annual inspection is due at the end of December.

The timetable for the Norton Bridge bus has now been received. The service will start on 8^th January 2024. A printable copy will be requested for display on the notice boards, Facebook and the website. An article will be put in the Stone Gazette to entice people to use the service. “Use it or lose it.”

Cllr Foster-Birks asked for an update on when St Luke’s Church Hall will be reopened. Cllr Ainsworth-Hickman and Cllr S Edge replied that at the moment there is no date to reopen the Hall. There are ongoing talks with the loss assessors and the Insurance company. There are major discrepancies between estimated costs and repairing/replacing costs. It is being constantly reviewed.

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Events and Social Report

On 18th November – FONB and the History Society had a stall at The Railway Inn, Norton Bridge where collectively they raised £110.50

On 25th November, Civic Amenity Visit – This was the last visit of the year and it was very busy.

Christmas Afternoon Tea – There are 156 people booked in, with the first and last sitting fully booked. Still limited availability for 1.30pm sessions. Volunteers to help on the day as well as help prepare or make cakes still urgently needed. Numerous residents who have booked on the day have made suggestions re where they feel any profits should go and the two suggestions have been a) to the PC and ring fenced towards upkeep of defibrillators, including pads and b) Bright and Beautiful Project.

The Councillors discussed the suggestions and agreed that the profits should be used towards the upkeep of the Defibrillators.

The costs of the civic amenities visits for next year have been received. The Councillors discussed the costs and agreed to seven one hour visits. A total cost of £826.00. The clerk will inform the Borough Council. Action clerk

The clerk has been in touch with Staffordshire County Council about the inclusion of Tommy’s Trail on the “Definitive Map”. They have replied saying that with the agreement of the Landowner they could look at making a creation agreement. There will be associated costs. The clerk will contact the County Council again to obtain further information about the costs. Action clerk

The drains and gullies in Chebsey have been cleaned and a broken pipe has been found by the bus shelter. The clerk will report it to push for the repair. Action clerk

Fallen leaves are causing problems around Parsons Bank, Scamnel Lane and School Lane. The clerk will request the roads are swept. Action clerk

The barrier at the Moto Services has been broken for several months, vehicles are using the entrance to get on and come off the motorway. The clerk will write to Moto Services. Action clerk

There is a large pothole on B5026 near Heamies Lane. The signpost at Hilcote crossroads has fallen over. The clerk will report both issues. Action clerk

No reports received. Cllr Samra did attend the HS2 meeting at Yarnfield , feedback will be requested for the next meeting.

Email from Bianka Patterson from Reconnected, free support in Staffordshire for 55+.

A poster and fact sheet giving details of the help provided will be displayed on Facebook and on the notice boards. Action clerk

Planning Application 23/38305/HOU Rodgeley Lodge was discussed; the Councillor’s had no objections to the application. The clerk will inform the Case Officer. Action clerk

Discuss the Parish Newsletter.

The Chair gave the Councillors feedback from the clerk’s appraisal.

With no further business the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 20.30