Chebsey Parish Council extraordinary meeting 26th February 2024

The Chair welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the extraordinary meeting. The Chair explained that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Parish Council putting in an application for the Railway Inn, car park and paddock to be added to the Register of Assets of Community use.

The Chair invited the Publican from the Railway Inn at Norton Bridge to give an overview of the current situation.

The Publican explained that the first he knew about the land going to auction on 25^th March was when he received a phone call from the Estate Agent .The Railway Inn, .car park and paddock are rented on a 15 year rolling lease. The Landowner has not been in contact regarding any change in the lease or to say the land is to go to auction. The major concern is that the only access to the paddock is through the car park. A rural pub needs a car park. The paddock has been used for community events. The events held last summer were very popular and well  supported by small  local businesses. There are already chickens and wild flowers that are enjoyed by those visiting the pub, further ideas for the use of the paddock include picnic tables, allotments, bee hives and an access to the play area in St Luke’s Close. Friends of Norton Bridge will be holding a community meeting on 27^th February 2024 with the view to also putting in an application.

Cllr R Hopley, Cllr S Edge, Cllr B Samra, Cllr P Jones (SBC), Cllr J Pert (SBC SCC)

None

To discuss the potential of the Parish Council putting in an application for the Railway Inn at Norton Bridge to be added to the Register of Assets of Community use along with its car park and field at the back of the property.

After a discussion a vote was taken. A unanimous decision was made to put the application forward. Cllr S Edge and Cllr R Hopley advised the clerk of their support for  the application when sending their apologies for non attendance at the meeting.The application will be completed with the clerk as contact. Cllr Ainsworth-Hickman, Cllr Foster-Birks and S. Wardle from FONB will complete the expression of interest and application forms for the Parish Council and FONB. Action Cllr Ainsworth-Hickman, Cllr Foster-Birks.

FONB will prepare community statements; the Publican will list all the events that have taken place in the pub, car park and paddock. Photographic evidence of use of the paddock will also be attached to the application.

The clerk will write to the Estate Agents to get confirmation of which of the three companies that have involvement with the land is actually the land owner. Action clerk.

The goal is to present the two separate applications to Stafford Borough Council on Friday 1^st March 2024. It was suggested the forms be delivered by hand and a receipt obtained.

If the application is approved it will stay on the register for five years, after which time a renewal application will be required.

Any items to be notified to the clerk.

With no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 19.31