Parish Council Meeting February 2026

Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Monday  9^th February 2026 at Denstone Village Hall, College Road, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 5HR. The meeting commenced at 7pm

1. Attendees: Cllr Turner (Chair), Cllr Shermer, Cllr Mountney, Cllr Wright, Cllr S Owen, Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke, Cllr Ratcliffe, Borough Cllr Steve Sankey and J Sadler (Clerk)

Apologies – Cllr Edmonds, Cllr M Flower and County Councillor Gary Hales 6 members of the village present.

2. To receive declarations of interest – None
3. To approve the minutes of the 12^th January 2026 – The minutes were approved and agreed by all as a true record of the meeting. These were signed and dated by Cllr Turner (Chair).
4. Public Participation – None
5. Matters Arising/Clerk’s report
   1. Correspondence Received
6. Grit Bins – The clerk informed the meeting that Cllr Hales had informed her that there was to be a review on grit bins later in the year. However, it was decided that a picture would be taken of where the new grit bin was required and sent to Paula Lees in highways in readiness for when the review is done. Cllr Shermer volunteered to send the photo to the clerk. Action Cllr Shermer/Clerk
7. The Government has launched its formal consultation on Local government Reorganisation (LGR) – As the clerk had only sent this document out in the last couple of days and not all councillors had chance to look at it yet, Cllr Turner volunteered to put all the options in table format and send it out to the councillors. It was agreed that the clerk would put this on the agenda again for the next meeting as the closing date for the consultation was not until the 26^th March. Action Cllr Turner/Clerk

• Health & Wellbeing – The councillors agreed that there were sufficient events in the village to cover health and wellbeing.

1. Hedge on Hawthorn House – The clerk informed the meeting that she had received an email from a member of the village which she had forwarded to all councillors prior to the meeting. The councillors agreed that at this time they felt the hedge was not too overgrown. However, it was agreed that the Parish Council would keep an eye on it. Clerk to write back to the member of the village. Action Clerk
2. Tom Boden Memorial Sports Trust Licence – The licence was recently brought to the clerk. The cost is the usual £50.00 per annum. This was agreed and signed by the Chair at the meeting.
   1. Parking in Denstone – After Cllr Turner put an article on Denstone Matters Facebook page the problem with the yellow car seems to have resolved itself. However, it was agreed that this would continue to happen as a large vehicle was already parking on College Road. Cllr Turner volunteered to draft a small poster, these would be laminated. Once agreed these could be kept in the Tavern and with the councillors to put on any offending vehicles. Action Cllr Turner.

Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke had sent photos of Openreach vehicles parking on the grass on College Road last week. This has been reported by the clerk. Action Clerk

1. Railway Line Leak – The clerk informed the meeting that there has been no further update but she would continue to chase. Action Clerk
2. Extra Defibrillator – The clerk informed the meeting that she had sent off the photos and was awaiting to hear back from AEDdonate. Clerk to chase Action Clerk

6. Planning (Permitted & Refused are decisions by ESBC) – Cllr Turner
   1. Planning for non-planners Feedback – Cllr Shermer gave an update on the non-planners training that she attended with Cllr Owen.
7. Highways – Cllr Shermer
   1. Potholes – It was agreed that all current potholes had been reported.
   2. Feasibility Report – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that the council had been given a date to meet with the engineer regarding the feasibility study. This was to be on the 17^th Unfortunately she was unable to attend so it was agreed that Cllr Turner, the clerk and County Councillor Hales would attend the meeting at 10am on the 17^th February.
   3. Data B5031 – It was agreed that the Speed and data volume count would take place on the 20^th – 27^th March 2026. Clerk to reply to Highways. Action Clerk
   4. Footpath on Oak Road – the clerk informed the meeting that she had been told that the footpath had yet to be finished. However, it is unlikely that this would be moved. A member of the village stated that there is a lot of water coming out onto the road. It was agreed that the clerk would chase to see when footpath would be finished. Action Clerk
8. Playground – Cllr Flower
   1. The clerk informed the meeting on behalf of Councillor Flower that the Turtle ride had now been repaired and was now fully functional again. All the checks were also up to date.
9. Village Hall – Cllr Shermer
   1. Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that she had received a number of emails regarding the noticeboards in front of the village hall that was discussed at the last meeting. It was finally agreed that the Parish Council would add the noticeboards in front of the village hall to the Parish Councils asset list and from now on the Parish Council will take responsibility for them. Action Clerk
10. JCB – Cllr Ratcliffe
    1. Drones over the Golf Course – the clerk informed the meeting that she had contacted JCB but had not received a reply as yet. Cllr Ratcliffe agreed to chase the issue. Action Cllr Ratcliffe
11. Denstone College
    1. Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that both Cllr Edmonds and herself had attended a meeting with the head of the college on the 2^nd As usual a traffic count was done prior to the meeting and the Parish Council would like to give a huge thanks to all who took part. The count was less that last time which was good. The college are trying to reduce the traffic flow in the village. Notes of the meeting were sent out to all the councillors.
12. Miscellaneous
    1. War memorial – Cllr Turner informed the meeting that a sample of the stone for the memorial had arrived. Once it was agreed that it was the correct colour the stone mason agreed to provide a price for the rest of the stone.
    2. Strimmer for Lengthsman – the clerk informed the meeting that this had now been received and the invoice had been received.
    3. Councillor Accountabilities/New Position of Chair – The clerk sent out a copy of the accountabilities prior to the meeting. Cllr Turner went through all the accountabilities at the meeting and volunteered to send out a new version to all councillors. Action Cllr Turner

With regards to a new chair of the Parish Council when Cllr Turner steps down in April. Cllr Mountney and Cllr Shermer both expressed interest. It was also agreed that the clerk would contact the ESBC to see if the councillor vacancy can be advertised prior to Cllr Turner leaving the council. Action Clerk

1. Parish Council Logo – it was unanimously agreed that number 1 of the logos sent to all councillors was the one to be used. This would be put on all paperwork sent out by the clerk. Action Clerk
2. Noticeboards on College Road – This was discussed and agreed in item 9a.
3. Bus Service – It was agreed that this would be put on the Denstone matters Facebook. The clerk confirmed that the consultation period had been extended until the 13^th February 2026. Clerk to put on the Denstone Matters Facebook page. Action Clerk

13. Payments – To approve the following payments:

The clerk went through the payments individually. The payments were proposed by Cllr Ratcliffe and seconded by Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke and agreed by all. The payment for S Ratcliffe would be made by cheque. The cheque was written by the clerk and signed by Cllr Flower and Cllr Shermer. All other payments would be processed online by Cllr Shermer and Cllr Flower. All invoices would be signed and would be returned to the clerk once actioned

25. Carolyn Hinton – Website – pay January 2026 £25.00 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144]
26. Clerk’s pay for January 2026 (Made by Standing Order) = Net Pay £577.71 [LGA 1972 s112]
27. HMRC – Clerk – Tax – January 2026 – £144.40
28. Clerk Employee National Insurance – January 2026 – £45.77
29. Clerks expenses – Travel – £9.00
30. Mr S Smith Lengthsman – January 2026 – £59.42
31. Defibrillator – AEDdonate – Village Hall replacement – £1109.99
32. Website – Staffordshire County Council – £137.99
33. TaylorMade – Strimmer £750.00
34. Sue Ratcliffe – Emptying Bin’s on the Old Railway = £106.00
35. Staffordshire Parish Council Association -£84.00 Training -Planning
36. Mazars – External Audit – £252.00
37. N Power 1st January to 31st January 2026 – £60.87
38. Tom Boden Memorial Sports Trust Annual Licence – £50.00

1. items for Future Agenda

New food waste bins

Date of next meeting – Monday 9^th March 2026 at 7.00pm 2026 in the Village Hall Denstone