Chebsey Parish Council Meeting 7th April 2025

Public Participation. (Please refer to the Chebsey Parish Council Public Participation Policy which can be found on www.chebseyparishcouncil.co.uk )

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. A member of the public opened the questions, asking if it would be possible for the Parish Council to contact the Parochial Church Council to see if they could request to rent part of the field next to St Luke’s Church Hall. The lease on the field is due to expire next March. The field could be used to host outdoor events and used as space for the community to get together now that the pub has closed. The clerk will write to the PCC: Action clerk

Lakesedge residents raised their concerns regarding Planning Application 25/40225/OUT. They have raised their concerns with Stafford Borough Council and the Enforcement Officers regarding breaches of previous applications dating back at least 7 years. A member of the public raised the fact that not all the information is showing on the planning portal and some of the information that is showing is incorrect. The Chair explained the need for everyone to write to the Case Officer at Stafford Borough Council. The more people object, the more chance there is of being listened to. There were concerns about the increase in the volume of traffic, with the 500 houses being proposed by Bloor Homes. Recent tragic accidents have highlighted the need for traffic calming measures. The Chair said the councillors would be discussing the application later in the agenda and would consider asking Councillor J Pert from Stafford Borough Council to “Call in” the application.

A member of the public raised concerns about the barrier at the Moto services, it is being left open and vehicles are using the access as a “rat run”. When the planning application was approved it was agreed the barrier would only be opened for deliveries. The clerk will write to Moto Services and the Enforcement Office.: Action clerk

Due to personal reasons Cllr D Matthews will not be attending the next few meetings. Cllr J Pert (SBC SCC) Cllr P Jones (SBC)

Cllr S Edge Meecebrook.

25/031 The clerk wrote to the Enforcement Office.

25/034 The defibrillator training was a great success, with a good turnout.

25/035 The Hall Hire Invoice was received and approved by email. The clerk arranged for the payment to be made.

The clerk applied for the VAT refund from HMRC a payment of £395.45 was paid into the Lloyds On line account on the 11^th March 2025.

25/037 The clerk wrote to G Tec to let them know they had won the tender for the grass cutting at Norton Bridge Recreation Area, they replied to say they would make arrangements for the work to commence.

The clerk wrote to the Play Inspection Company to continue with the December Inspection.

25/040 The clerk wrote to Staffs Safer Roads regarding the speeding in Norton Bridge, a reply was received saying they would up the visits of the speed camera van.

The minutes from the meeting held on 3^rd March 2025 were approved as a true record of the meeting by everyone present. The Chair signed the minutes.

HMRC VAT Refund received on 11^th March 2025    £395.45.

The clerk is finalising the accounts for 24/25, Cllr B Samra has completed the bank reconciliation, so the clerk can arrange for Dr J Wheeler to start the internal audit.

for the 24/25 AGAR.

Cllr B Samra said the budget is on track.

Lloyds On Line Bank Account as at 31^st March 2025    £7759.69    

April Payments for approval

SBC 2nd Instalment for Election costs       £569.18

Clerk’s April Salary                                     £338.60

HMRC PAYE  Q4                                           £8.80 all to be paid 8^th April 2025

SBC Civic Amenities Invoice                     £826.00 to be paid 14^th April 2025

Lloyds On Line Account balance after payments          £6017.11 (which includes £1137.35 ring fenced for the defibrillator expenses)

The precept is due in April

From 13^th May 2025 Lloyds Bank are changing the Treasurers Account to a Community Account. This means we will have to pay an account maintenance fee of £4.25 per month. I don’t think we will be affected by any of the other new charges they are introducing.

A donation for the Stone first responders was discussed and a payment of £50 was agreed. The clerk will contact the first responders to arrange to make the donation. The Chair would like to invite them to do a training event at a Thursday morning “Drop in” Action clerk.

All payments approved by everyone present.

To note item 24/137 payment for Chebsey Hall Hire £15 was for 25^th September 2024 not 25^th October 2024 as stated on the invoice.

The Practitioners Guide has been updated for 2025 and it now states that the Parish Council must have a generic email account hosted by an authority owned domain, either .org.uk or .gov.uk. This needs to be agreed and changed over as a matter of urgency. The Cllr’s must also have a gov.uk or org.uk email address. This needs to be set up by the clerk as per the guidance.  After discussion it was agreed the clerk and Cllr B Samra will look into finding an approved registrar: Action clerk & Cllr B Samra

A quote for £259.80 has now been received from Kompan for the parts that are needed to repair the zip wire at Norton Bridge Recreation Area. Friends of Norton Bridge have agreed to reimburse the Parish Council £108.25. The councillors agreed that the parts should be ordered: Action Clerk

Friends of Norton Bridge also offered to pay £280.00 towards the cost of the grass cutting at the Recreation Area. The clerk will send them an invoice and thank you: Action clerk

The councillors asked for letters of thanks to be sent to the volunteers who re-sited the Notice Board and to the resident who mowed the grass verges: Action clerk

Cllr D Wills is now in possession of the parish council lawnmower.

Due to the possible reorganisation of the Stafford Councils the clerk will request a quote from G Tec to cut the small area of grass opposite St Luke’s Church Hal:.  Action clerk

Cllr Development training was cancelled for 25^th March 2025. After discussion it was agreed to try and rearrange the course for a Tuesday evening in June. The clerk will contact the SPCA to arrange a date: Action clerk.

Cllr D Wills gave feedback from the Rural Themed Seminar he attended on 5^th March 2025.

12^th April 2025 Civic Amenity Visit

12^th May 2025 Annual Meeting of Chebsey Parish Council

12^th May  2025 Chebsey Parish Council Meeting

24^th May 2025 Civic Amenity Visit

2^nd June 2025 Chebsey Parish Council Meeting

28^th June 2025 Civic Amenity Visit

7^th July 2025 Chebsey Parish Council Meeting

26^th July 2025 Civic Amenity Visit

1^st September 2025 Chebsey Parish Council Meeting

27^th September 2025 Civic Amenity Visit

6^th October  2025 Chebsey Parish Council Meeting

25^th October 2025 Civic Amenity Visit

3^rd November 2025 Chebsey Parish Council Meeting

29^th November 2025 Civic Amenity Visit

1^st December  2025 Chebsey Parish Council Meeting

Cllr J Pert from the Borough and County Council has issued a letter updating residents about the repairs on the B5026 near Norton Bridge .A copy of the letter will be put on the notice boards and the clerk will put it on the parish councils Face book page: Action clerk

The roads in Chebsey are still in a bad way. The footsteps have collapsed at the corner by Rose Tree Farm, Cllr D Wills will take some photo’s so the clerk can report them: Action Cllr D Wills and clerk

Cllr J Pert will be talking to Network Rail about the large amount of Ragwort on Network Rail Land around Norton Bridge.

An email has been received from the PCSO at Stafford Local Policing asking if the Parish Council would like to register as a “KIN” (Key Individual Network).The councillors agreed this would be a good idea. The clerk will register: Action clerk

An email from Sweet Meadows Plant Centre, offering a trade discount card, which gives 20% off at the till.

An email has been received from Roderick Dental asking if the details of St Mary’s Dental Practice in Stafford can be added to our Local services page on the website

The “Prior Approval” planning application 25/40150/PAR at Manor Farm Scamnel Lane was refused.

Planning application 22/36456/FUL Change of use to Land associated with Rose Tree Cottage to form an addition to the existing residential cartilage including erection of detached garage and new access has been allowed

Planning application 25/40225/OUT at Land at Lakesedge was discussed the councillors unanimously opposed the application and agreed the application should be “Called in” by Cllr J Pert. The clerk will inform the Case Officer and ask Cllr J Pert to “Call in” the application: Action clerk

Planning application 25/40290/LDC Land adjacent to Meadow Court St Luke’s Close Norton Bridge was discussed, there were no objections to this application. The clerk will inform the Case Officer: Action clerk

The Chair reminded everyone to respond quickly to the clerk’s emails.

Annual Parish Council meeting, Report from the Chair,

Monthly meeting to approve the AGAR for 24/25.

Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman gave her apologies for the next meeting, she stated that if anyone wished to take the role of Chair for the next financial year she would be happy, but she would continue if asked to do so. Cllr J Lawson also gave her apologies for the next meeting.

Chebsey Parish Council Annual meeting to be held at 7pm on 12^th May 2025 in St Luke’s Church Hall, followed by the monthly meeting.

With no other business the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.35pm.