Parish Council Meeting 7th March 2022

A member of the public asked for an update on the Civic Amenities visits. The Chair advised that the visits will be reinstated from 26^th March 2022.

Concerns were raised regarding speeding traffic in Norton Bridge.

The Clerk will again request a speed camera van from Safer Roads.

Action Clerk.

HS2 concerns regarding” heavy holding trains” with night time collections.

Cllr B Jones will speak with his contacts at SCRG and raise the concerns.

Action Cllr B Jones.

Concerns have been raised regarding flooding at the back of the play area around St Luke’s. There used to be a ditch that controlled flooding but this has not been maintained for several years. The Clerk will write to the Landowner advising of the flooding concerns.

Action Clerk.

None.

Cllr R Hopley, Cllr P Jones.

None

All matters arising from the minutes have been dealt with apart from item 22/24. Requesting signs “Unsuitable for HGV’s”. This will be discussed at the meeting with P.Lees on 11^th March 2022.

Resolved The minutes of the meeting held on 7^th February 2022 were accepted as a true record of the meeting. A copy was signed by the Chair.

No decisions or validations received since the last meeting.

Planning Application 21/34553/FUL was discussed regarding a document issued by the Case Officer.

A letter will be issued to the Case Officer in response.

Action Clerk.

The Chair asked Cllr Pert about the Borough Council using a Planning Consultant to make decisions on outstanding applications. Cllr Pert stated that the Planning Department is under pressure due to increased applications and staff sickness issues. The consultant has been employed temporarily to help with feasibility studies.

Nat West Balance at 25^th February 2022                           £6048.55

Includes HMRC  VAT refund 12/8/18 to 31/3/21 (£1175.35)

Un presented cheques  932 Pinewood Electrics

installation of defib cabinet (£60)

933 SPCA training (£30).

£5958.55

Clerks March salary £255.44 plus £7.92 expenses for

postage stamps                                                                       £263.36

Balance                                                                                £5695.19

NALC pay award now settled for April 2021. Arrears will be due for Liz

April 21 to September 21 and Sue September 21 to March 22.

Chebsey Defibrillator pads expire 1/5/2022.

Norton Bridge Defibrillator pads expire 31/05/22

Cost of one pack of new pads £47.94 inc VAT Three packs of Pads required 2 for Chebsey and one for Norton Bridge.

All above approved by everyone present               

The ditch at Shallowfield Lane was discussed. Cllr J Pert agreed to contact Cllr J Green to visit the area.

Action Cllr J Pert and Cllr J Green

Cllr J Pert reported the fact that Staffordshire County Council will be investing 15 million pounds in Highways to help with the pot holes and gullies in the County.

The risk assessment for the visits was agreed by all Councillors’ present.

A poster with the dates of the visits will be displayed on the notice boards and the Parish Council website.

No updates at present. Cllr B Jones will contact Kris Douglas to see if any progress with B.T. Cllr J Pert has information on different deliveries of Broadband facilities, he will forward details to Cllr B Jones.

Action Cllr B Jones and Cllr J Pert

The past month has seen HS2 Ltd complete their exploratory ground condition drilling tests around Cold Norton and Yarnfield, although it is understood that some local landowners have not permitted HS2 access.
The SRCG continues to lobby government sources regarding the relocation of the IMRB and also contractors in relation to the likely pressure on local roads.
The latest HS2 plans show that they expect to complete the planning to realign Yarnfield Lane to be done around June 2022 and work to commence during Q3 2023.
Further updates will follow.

Funding

HS2 will not help with Broadband installation or speeding restrictions. Further aspects of funding to be looked into.

Tender received from Street Scene £2145 ex VAT. After discussion it was decided the quote was not affordable. The Clerk will ask if a discount can be offered. Oak Farm and Jacksons of Eccleshall did not respond to the request to tender.

SJL Landscaping was having difficulty in reaching the deadline.

The Clerk will contact SJL Landscaping to see if they can provide a quote for the meeting to be held on 11^th March.

Cllr J Green will consider putting in a tender.

Action Clerk and Cllr J Green.

Weekly Inspection of Norton Bridge Recreation Area.

A resident from Norton Bridge (A member of Friends of Norton Bridge) has kindly offered to carry out the inspection. Details will be forwarded to the Clerk.

Joint celebrations with the PCC were discussed but it was agreed to continue with the plans already discussed and agreed at last month’s meeting. Cllr J Lawson will look into the cost of purchasing commemorative mugs.

Action Cllr J Lawson.

Concerns were raised about car parking and congestion in Chebsey if the Parish Hall is used for the cream tea afternoon. The Chair advised that she had previously hosted a cream tea afternoon at the Parish Hall. The event was advertised and four sittings were arranged at two hourly intervals. Bookings were taken on a first come first served basis and there were no issues with parking or congestion. The procedure will be the same for the Jubilee celebrations.

Further details of the celebrations will be discussed at next month’s meeting.

Cllr B Jones will keep the spare key for the Notice Board.

The date of the May meeting will now be 9^th May 2022 along with the Annual Meeting.

Thank you letter from M Watson Eccleshall First Responder.

Request for Defibrillator Pads for Chebsey and Norton Bridge. (See item 22/39)

Discuss Broadband updates, Jubilee celebrations, Norton Bridge Bus Route (102 & 103.) Footpath request for Blurtons Lane to Hilcote Cross Roads.

With no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 9.45pm.