Chebsey Parish Council Meeting 8th January 2024

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the New Year.

There were no members of the public present.

Cllr J Lawson, Cllr P Jones (SBC), Cllr J Pert (SBC SCC)

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

23/167 Election costs breakdown for Stafford Borough Council received.

The costs were discussed by the Councillors. It was agreed that the clerk should reply to the Elections Office to ask who sets the formula for the costs. Action clerk

23/168 Precept requested.

23/172 Further email issued to D Adkins requesting update on Tommy’s Trail.

A reply was received giving details of an estimated cost for a “Creation Agreement”. After discussion it was agreed the clerk will write to D Adkins to ask what the difference is between the four paths that have not been used for 20 years and Tommy’s Trail which is in daily use. Action clerk

The clerk reported all the concerns raised at the meeting on 4^th December.2023.

The minutes from the meeting held on 4^th December 2023 were agreed as a true record by everyone present. The Chair signed the minutes.

(Payment to D Malley Payroll services approved by email  £50.00)

Lloyds On Line Account Balance as at 20^th December 2023 £9029.06

Payments to be approved

Payment to Play Inspection Company NB Annual Inspection       £102.00

Clerk’s January salary plus arrears from April 23                          £495.95

HMRC Q3 PAYE (Oct-Dec)                                                             £63.40

Balance after online payments                                   £8367.71

Payments approved by everyone present.

After discussion it was agreed that the cost of the Hall hire for the Christmas Afternoon Tea on 16^th December 2023 would be £100.00. Councillor S Edge will arrange for an invoice to be sent to the clerk. Action Cllr S Edge.

The Parish Newsletter was discussed. It was agreed for the Cllr’s to think about the input and whether it should be on the website or distributed door to door. To be discussed again at the next meeting. Action Cllr’s.

The date for the Annual Parish meeting has been set for Monday 13^th May 2024. The meeting will take place before the monthly Parish Council meeting.

The Cllr vacancy was discussed; the Cllr’s will encourage members of the Parish to apply for the vacancy.

The clerk and Cllr B Samra are experiencing problems with the website. The clerk will email the digital team at Staffordshire County Council to request a meeting to discuss the problems. Action clerk.

Tenders for Norton Bridge Recreation area maintenance (grass cutting )will be sent to

A D Garden Maintenance (Stafford), P C Facilities (Norton Bridge), John Green Landscapes (Shallowford), SJL Landscapes and Oak Tree Farm. Cllr S Edge and Cllr D Foster-Birks will send the clerk details of other interested parties. Action clerk, Cllr S Edge and Cllr D Foster-Birks.

The bus route will be monitored and feedback will be given at the meetings.

Plans are being made for the working party at Norton Bridge Recreation Area; further information should be available for the next meeting. The annual inspection of the Recreation Area has not changed much since last year. It will be taken into consideration when the work starts in the spring.

Christmas AfternoonTea – 16^th December 2023

Income                                                        Expenditure

153 people (inc. child.) @ £10 = £1530        Food Total £509.59

Raffle                                        £137         (A. Skerratt £10

Cake sales                                  £7.79       (A. Strange £10

(S. Hopley £218.50

(M .Ainsworth-Hickman £271.09

Children’s Presents £250

(25 @ £10)

Room Hire £100

Total Income £1674.79                Total Expenditure £859.59

Profit  £815.20

–      25 children saw Santa including 2 x young volunteers

–      153 people paid plus 13 volunteers = 166 meals

–      Planning an evaluation meeting sometime in Jan., due to increase in numbers this year feel we need a working party to plan future event.

The Chair received a thank you email from a Shallowford  resident, the email thanked everyone involved with the event. The sender said they had a lovely time and wish to book for the 2024 Christmas Afternoon Tea.

The profit of £815.20 will be ring fenced to be used for defibrillator costs around the Parish.

The clerk will write to the volunteers who check the defibrillators on a weekly basis thanking them for their continued support. Action clerk

Further updates

–      New Bus route started today the 8^th January2024.A huge thank you to all who delivered leaflets informing residents of new route. There were a few teething problems with the first few buses, due to the Highways Department closing the B5026 without prior notification. The clerk will write to the Highways asking why there was no notification of the closure. Action clerk.

The clerk will email the bus timetable to Eccleshall and Stone Rural Parish Clerks and ask them to display it. Action clerk.

A Community Fund Raiser will take place at the public house in Norton Bridge on 26^th May 2024 (Bank Holiday) to raise funds for Friends of Norton Bridge

Two members of Friends of Norton Bridge have very kindly offered to pay for the food costs. The event will be ticketed; it will be well advertised and hopefully become an annual event.

The Civic Amenity Visits have now been agreed as 20^th April 2024, 25^th May 2024, 29^th June 2024, 27^th July 2024, 28^th September 2024, 26^th October 2024 and 30^th November 2024. The visits will take place between 9am and 10am on the Railway Forecourt at Norton Bridge. The dates will be displayed on the Notice Boards and the website.

7 Visits at £118 = £826. 

The clerk has emailed Paula Lees to request an urgent site visit to discuss the Chebsey Lanes. Severe flooding has occurred due to blocked drains and a broken pipe found by the bus shelter. Also require information about the temporary traffic lights on the B5026.

Friends of Norton Bridge would like to have sight of the information collected from the recent speed camera visits. The clerk will contact Stafford safer roads. Action clerk .

Cllr B Samra provided an update from SRCG after the cancellation of Phase 2 on 4^th October 2024.

SRCG are working on reports about alternative rail schemes that if implemented would transform rail connectivity across the north of England. The schemes would cost a fraction of the HS2 and NPR plans proposed by the DfT and could easily be implemented with money released by the cancellation of Phase 2.

Email from Simon Sansome regarding Snowball Community .A disability app, a free review platform for the disabled community. The clerk will reply to the email thanking Simon for the information and the Parish Council are happy to receive any feedback for our area. Action clerk

Email from Lisa community police officer regarding attending meetings in 2024.

The clerk replied to the email providing the meeting dates and information about the Thursday morning “Drop In”.

Email from Mr Clewley regarding a donation to the Parish Council for help with the defibrillator costs from Chebsey Village Trust. He has now completed the bank forms and is waiting to hear from them.

Email from the Community Link a charity that provides wheelchair accessible transport for people in the community who struggle to use public transport. The clerk will reply to the email and ask for further information. Action clerk.

No validations or Decisions since last meeting.

Newsletter, Councillor Vacancy, Review Standing Orders and Policies. Tenders for Norton Bridge Recreation Area maintenance.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 5^th February 2024 in Chebsey Parish Hall.

With no further business the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 20.23.