Parish Council meeting 4th July 2022

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked if there were any questions from the public. Mr Davis mentioned item 22/123 and said he welcomed the idea of the plaque but could his name be spelt correctly. Apologies from the Clerk. Mr Davis spoke about the flower box that needs replacing at Norton Bridge (item 22/126). The Chair advised Mr Davis that Friends of Norton Bridge have said they will cover the cost, he was advised to contact Sue Wardle.

Friends of Norton Bridge update. They are looking at getting a sign made for the Railway Cottages; The cottages have trouble with deliveries and it is hoped a sign might help. A mail shot is to be arranged to gauge interest in  trying to get the bus service reinstated. Sue Wardle will contact the Clerk with questions on the community speed watch scheme for the Stone Liaison meeting to be held on 27^th July 2022. CPR training dates have been provided for 20/27 September and 4^th October.

The “Drop in” at St Luke’s Church Hall restarts on Thursday 7^th July 2022 at 10.30am

None.

Cllr J Pert said he would be doing a site visit to Parsons Bank to investigate the source of the water that was flowing on to the road. He said he would “Call in” the retrospective planning application 22/35672/FUL at Drumble House as requested.

Cllr S Edge declared an interest in item 22/119 Planning Application 21/35352/FUL

Cllr R Jones feels that Midlands Rural Housing are in no position to criticise the Parish Council in the letter they provided. They did not consult the Parish Council before issuing the survey and there were factual inaccuracies in their document. They issue surveys for a living and should have known that residents can opt out.

Item 22/100 The Clerk will contact Safer Roads for an update. Action Clerk

The minutes for the meeting held on the 6^th June 2022 were approved as a true record of the meeting. The Chair signed the minutes.

The Lawful development application for Old Mill Farm House was discussed. Details of the application have now been received from the planning department. It was agreed to send a letter to T. Dwight (Case Officer.) and Mr J Holmes asking for the planning department to consider a full planning application. Copies to be issued to Cllr J Pert and Sir B. Cash. The letter is to include Children’s Homes Guidance and photographic evidence of parking at a nearby children’s home. Action Clerk.

Retrospective Planning Application 22/35672/FUL Drumble House School Lane Chebsey. The application was discussed. It was agreed to oppose the application. Cllr’s agreed to ask Cllr J Pert to “.Call in” the application The clerk will notify the Case Officer .Action Clerk.

Planning Application 21/35352/FUL Oxleasows Lower Heamies conversion of redundant farm building to self contained residential dwelling. Cllr S Edge left the meeting whilst the application was discussed. It was agreed that as long as the wildlife were correctly looked after the Cllr’s had no objections to the application. The Clerk will notify the Case Officer. Action Clerk.

No decisions on outstanding applications have been made this month.

Cllr J Lawson had been asked about a sign that has been put up directing people to the Fisheries; the positioning of the sign is misleading. The Cllr’s did not feel that this was an issue they could do help with.

Nat West current Account on 24^th June 2022                          £5778.77

Invoice for J Green Landscapes     cheque no 950                       £264.00

Clerks July Salary (Plus arrears from Q1 ) cheque no 951           £356.20

HMRC PAYE  cheque no 952                                                         £45.60

Clerks August Salary cheque no 953                                            £224.20

Balance                                                                                       £4888.77

Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman asked for reimbursement for items purchased for the Jubilee Cream Tea Celebrations. Items listed cheque no 954       £670.69

(Item 22/123) Cheque payable to S Stokes to purchase 5 Slate

Plaques at £12.99 each                                Cheque no 955           £64.95

Balance                                                                                          £4153.13                                     

All above expenditure approved by Cllr’s.

It was agreed to sign a spare cheque in case of any unexpected expenditure during the August break. The Clerk will request approval by email.

Friends of Norton Bridge will pay £280 towards the cost of grass cutting at Norton Bridge Recreation Area and will donate the £10000 grant received for the Jubilee celebrations. The Clerk will send an invoice to the Treasurer for the payments. Action Clerk.

Discuss the budget.

Cllr R Jones explained the entries on the budget sheet he has set up which will assist in setting the budget for future years. He asked if anyone wished to add any expenditure to the sheet to let him know, he would then pass the sheet onto the Clerk.

The Asset list was discussed. Cllr R Jones agreed to look at the list and consider any depreciation. Standard policy for replacement is usually 10 years for large assets and 3-4 years for smaller assets. Action Cllr R Jones

Cllr M Ainsworth-Hickman and Cllr J Lawson will meet with P. Lees on 5^th July 2022 to discuss the blocked gullies on Scamnel Lane and Parsons Bank. Mr Green has been invited to attend due to his knowledge of the whereabouts of the gullies. They will also visit Shallowford Bank to look at the poor state of road which has been reported several times.

The Clerk showed the Cllr’s photos of plaques for the Jubilee trees. The Cllr’s approved slate plaques at a cost of £12.99 each. Five plaques are required at a total cost of £64.95.The Clerk will order the plaques. Action Clerk.

Wording was agreed for a plaque for Cllr D Davis and Cllr J Green. The Clerk will look at suitable plaques and find out a cost. Action Clerk

After discussion it was agreed Cllr R Jones will look at pricing a bench to put the plaque on. Action Cllr R Jones.

Feedback from the Jubilee Cream Tea

The Cream Tea was a great success and everyone had a very enjoyable time. £202.50 was raised for the Alzheimer’s Society.

HS2 Update 4th July 2022. Residents may have noticed the increasing presence of HS2 contractors in the district, particularly around Cold Norton, Yarnfield and Swynnerton. At present surveying and ground sampling work is being undertaken with some temporary road restrictions popping up. The SRCG continues to lobby MP’s and other influencers in regards of building the IMRB away from Yarnfield Lane to Aldersley Rough. The case for relocation was again raised by Sir Bill Cash in a commons debate on HS, as well as some other Staffs and South Cheshire MPs. The SRCG is hoping to encourage the HS2 Minister to visit the area to better understand the issue. A recent speech in the HOC, by the MP for a Buckingham constituency, made clear the significant level of disruption and distress suffered by residents when HS2 and its contractors arrive. It is important that local authorities and other rule makers keep HS2 in line when they start work in earnest in our area.

Funding requests to be carried forward to the next meeting.

No applications have been received for the two vacancies.

The Clerk suggested it would be very useful for the Parish Council to have a Face book page where the vacancies could be advertised and minutes and agendas displayed. It was agreed the Clerk would look at going on a training course to get a page set up correctly. The Cllr’s approved the training cost. Action Clerk

Email from S Watkiss Mammoth Tree Company.

It was agreed the Clerk would email Mr Watkiss and advise him the Parish Council would keep his details on file. Action Clerk.

Email from Harry Wheat re setting up Web Site

The Clerk will email Cllr P Jones regarding clarification of the domain name and the costs. Action Clerk.

Email from Mr D Davis regarding replacement flower box north end of Norton Bridge. Cost of material £86.40. See Public Participation, Friends of Norton Bridge have agreed to cover the cost of the replacement flower box.

Discuss the budget and asset list. HS2 funding. Website. Update from Mr Weaver.

With no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 21.32