Meeting of Chebsey Parish Council 5th February 2024

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

A member of the public introduced herself. Her attendance at the meeting was to raise awareness of Asian Hornets a non native species that is now being spotted in the United Kingdom. DEFRA are trying to raise awareness of the insect in a hope of eradicating them. It was agreed to include an item on the next agenda for a presentation detailing what you need to know, and what to do if you see one. A DEFRA link will be sent to the Cllr’s for their information.

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

Cllr S Edge Meecebrook. Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman Old Mill Farmhouse

24/004 The clerk emailed the Elections Office, reply received and forwarded to Cllr’s. After discussing the Election Office reply it was decided the clerk will write to the Elections Office regarding Royal Mails failure to deliver the Postal Vote paperwork on time. Action clerk.

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Email issued to D Adkins requesting an update from ROW office and asking for an explanation of the difference between the 4 alleged paths and Tommy’s Trail.

24/006 The clerk will contact the digital team at Staffordshire County Council to request training on updating the website .Action clerk.

24/007 Invitation to tender letters have been issued to seven companies. Three tenders have been received so far. The clerk will issue a reminder to the four companies who haven’t replied and issue an invitation to tender to Landscapers who care. (see item 24/025)Action clerk.

24/011 Reply regarding the Community Bus, the cost of hiring the bus is £64 per week, passengers are charged £4 return. This would mean that 16 people per week would be needed to cover the cost. The reply was discussed and it was agreed that the Parish Council could not meet this cost. It was agreed to forward the details to Friends of Norton Bridge to make them aware of the facility. Action clerk.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8^th January 2024 were approved as a true record of the meeting by everyone present. The Chair signed the minutes.

Lloyds On Line Account Balance on 1^st February 2024 £8267.71 (Includes £815.20 earmarked for defibrillator expenses)

Payments to be approved for February 2024

Clerks salary for February £322.95.

Payment approved by everyone present

Balance £7944.76 (Includes £815.20 earmarked for defibrillator expenses).

Awaiting invoice for the annual website fees.

The Standing Orders, Code Of Conduct, Finance Risk Assessment, and Public Participation Policy were reviewed and adopted by all Councillors present. An amendment was made to the Finance Risk Assessment, changing 3 signatories to 2 signatories for cheques and on line payments. The clerk will update the website. Action clerk.

Ideas for the Parish Newsletter were discussed. It was agreed to work on an Annual Newsletter for publication around July to include the Chair’s Statement, the accounts, Councillor contact details and other useful contacts.

Norton Bridge Recreation Area Annual Inspection fee will increase by £4.00 .The increase was discussed and approved by all present. The clerk will notify the Playground Inspection Company. Action clerk.

4th March –  Parish Council Meeting

30th March – Easter Fair, Izaak Walton Brew house, Norton Bridge

8th April – Friends of Norton Bridge Meeting

8th April – Parish Council Meeting

28th April – Civic Amenity Visit

13th May – Parish Meeting and Parish Council Meeting

25th May – Civic Amenity Visit

29th June – Civic Amenity Visit

27th July – Civic Amenity Visit

28th September – Civic Amenity Visit

26th October – Civic Amenity Visit

30th November – Civic Amenity Visit

The History Society will be having a stand at the Easter Fair on the 30^th March. There will be a tombola.

A booklet and exhibition about the railway, is being planned for the future, using exhibits kindly donated.

Cllr Ainsworth –Hickman has been trying to track down the archaeological findings that were due to be displayed at Hanley Museum. A representative from Headland Archaeology

will be looking into it and getting the project back on track.

Friends of Norton Bridge have arranged for a solar light to be put over the defibrillator at Norton Bridge. The clerk will contact Wel Medical again regarding the temperature of the defibrillator case, due to there being no electric supply at the moment.  Action clerk

Staffordshire Safer Roads provided details of the Camera Van visits on 19^th October 2023 between 07.55 and 09.15 hrs 6 speeding offences highest speed recorded 43 mph and 20^th December 2023 between 11.20 and 12.35 3 speeding offences highest speed 40 mph.

The Speed Camera Van will visit Norton Bridge on a monthly basis.

The clerk reported the potholes around the Chebsey Area, a repair was carried out by the bus stop, which was unsatisfactory, the clerk tried to report it again but was unable to do so because the system said reports already held in the area. Further emails sent to Paula Lees, no reply received by 5^th February..

Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman and Cllr S Edge will send the clerk photos of the pot holes on Hilcote Lane, Parsons Bank, Scamnel Lane and the flood at Wheelwright Lane caused by a blocked drain. Action Cllr Ainsworth-Hickman and Cllr S Edge ,

The clerk will send the photos to Highways. Action clerk

The road sweeper has been in Chebsey over the last few days. They have done an excellent job removing 25 tonnes of debris .The clerk will write to Street Scene to say thank you. Action clerk.

Concerns were raised again regarding the barrier at Moto services. The barrier has now been removed completely and people are using the entrance as a short cut to the motorway. The clerk will write to Moto Services again. Action clerk

A suggestion was made to contact Amey Volunteer Initiative to see if they would clear out the ditch behind the bus shelter in Chebsey. The clerk will write to them. Action clerk

HS2 meeting on line 26^th February 2024 at 11am has been cancelled.

Email from Mr M Ashley regarding reopening the Norton Bridge Railway Station. The email was discussed. It was agreed to write to Mr Ashley to advise him that Network Rail are responsible for the Railway Station. It was agreed   the clerk will request permission to forward the email to Friends of Norton Bridge. Action clerk

Email from Geviews re notice boards and planters.

Email from Landscapers that care who specialise in Cemeteries.

The details were passed to Cllr S Edge who is on the Parochial Church Committee. The clerk will also send an invitation to tender for the grass cutting at Norton Bridge Recreation Area. Action clerk

Application 21/34553/FUL at Izaak Walton Fisheries refused on 19^th January 2024.

No validations received since the last meeting.

Concerns have been raised by local residents regarding the removal of an excessive amount of soil at the Izaak Walton Fisheries. The clerk will write to the Enforcement Office to make them aware of the residents concern. Action clerk

Presentation on Asian Hornets

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