Parish Council Meeing January 2023

1. Present – Cllr J Turner (Chair), Cllr B Wright, Cllr E Edmonds, Cllr K Lillistone, Cllr M Shermer, Cllr S Ratcliffe, Cllr K Stratton, Cllr M Flower, Cllr J Mountney, Borough Councillor S Sankey (ESBC) and Julie Sadler (Clerk)

Apologies: Cllr S Ratcliffe

9 Members of the village attended the meeting.

Cllr Turner wished everyone a Happy New Year on behalf of the Parish Council.

2. The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8^th December 2022 –The minutes were agreed by all as a true record of the meeting. Cllr Turner (Chair) signed and dated the minutes.
3. Declaration of Interest – Cllr Turner informed the meeting that she knew someone associated with RJS Pavers one of the companies who are submitting a quote for the work to be done on the War Memorial.
4. Adjournment for Public Participation
5. Lady Meadow Bridge – David Boden informed the meeting that he was speaking on behalf of several people in Stubwood with regards to the suggestion raised at the last meeting regarding Lady Meadow Bridge. He confirmed that since the changes to this area were made the traffic has slowed down and with the imminent installation of the SIDS at Stubwood this will reduce it even further. Therefore, he asked the Parish to refrain from talking to Highways regarding making the bridge one way or closing it completely as it is felt that this would just push the traffic into the centre of the village. The Parish confirmed that some of the councillors thought the same and after considering this would refrain from taking this further. Action Clerk/Cllr Shermer
6. Culverts at Stubwood – David Boden ask could the Parish Council raise the issue with highways regarding the cleaning of the new culverts in Stubwood. It was agreed this would be raised with Highways at the meeting on the 13^th January 2023. Action Clerk/Cllr Shermer
7. Broadband – Cllr Sankey apologised for not attending the last meeting. He confirmed that with regards the broadband a draft email had now been sent to Cllr Turner to send out to all people who initially showed an interest. Action Cllr Turner
8. Planning – Cllr Sankey confirmed that he was still waiting to hear from planning regarding what the process is where more than one landowner is involved in a planning application and one of them has no intention of signing off the application. Hopefully he will know more at the next meeting. Action Cllr Sankey
9. Denstone Matters – Cllr Sankey asked what connection Denstone Matters is to the Parish Council. Cllr Turner confirmed that they are two separate groups with no connection.
10. Lengthsman – Jean confirmed that unfortunately the Lengthsman was going to have to hand his notice in and leave the position on the 31^st March 2023. The clerk confirmed that this could be done by email. Clerk to advertise for a new Lengthsman. Action Clerk
11. Overgrown Hedge – A member of the village informed the meeting that the hedge on the steps/footpath between St Chad’s Close and College Road is overgrown. Cllrs Turner and Shermer agreed to have a chat with the landowner. Action Cllr Turner/Cllr Shermer
12. Village Hall – Dave Shooter expressed his sincere thanks on behalf of the Village Hall for the contribution from the Parish Council towards the cost of recladding the village hall. He also asked if the Parish Council could encourage other groups who use the hall to also give a contribution. Cllr Turner suggested talking to a member of Denstone Matters regarding setting up a crowd funding page. Action Cllr Turner
13. Play Area – Cllr Flower/Cllr Lillistone – it was agreed to move item 11 up the agenda at the start of the meeting.

Quote for work on the Play area – Cllr Turner confirmed that at the last meeting on the 8^th December It was agreed by a majority of the councillors that the work on the play area would be carried out by AIE. Cllr Turner also confirmed that after meeting with David Boden and Cllr Flower the new suggested plans for the Pavilion if passed by the Trustees of the Tom Boden Memorial Sports Trust on 2^nd February would not impact on the agreed work for the play area. Therefore, the Parish Council could go ahead. Cllr Flower/Cllr Lillistone to seek out funding. Action Cllr Flower/Cllr Lillistone

David Boden confirmed that the license for the play area will now have to increase again back to £50.00. This will be sent to the clerk for the next meeting.

David Boden asked if the Parish Council wanted to use the compost bin again this year. It was unanimously agreed by the councillors. The cost would be £50.00 Invoice to be sent to the clerk.

David Boden asked if the Parish Council would like him to get a quote for having the laurel hedge cut around the play area again this year. This also was agreed by the councillors.

Play Area Report – Cllr Flower confirmed that the play area report carried out on the 7^th December showed very few problems, however the issues raised will require actioning otherwise they will become big problems. It was suggested that when the new Lengths person is appointed they should be asked if they are interested in doing some additional work on the play area.

5. Matters Arising/Clerk’s Report
   1. Correspondence Received – Bank Letter – the clerk confirmed that she had received a letter from the bank asking some in-depth questions. She confirmed that a reply has been sent to the bank.
   2. War Memorial – Cllr Turner confirmed that she spoke to several companies with regards to carrying out the work on the War Memorial. Hopefully these quotes will be in before the next meeting so a decision can be made. Action Cllr Turner
   3. Precept 2023-24 3rd discussion – After further discussion it was unanimously agreed that the precept would remain £15,500.00 the same as last year. Clerk to send the information to the ESBC. Action Clerk
6. Planning (Permitted & Refused are decisions by ESBC)
7. NP Review – Cllr Turner confirmed the following timeline –
8. January – Do a leaflet drop to people on the ‘themes of the NP’ and let them know they have been reviewing the document and what the broad themes are and policy areas. Cllr Turner confirmed that the cost of this will be no more than £200. The Parish agreed for this to be spent out of the funding received.
9. February – Community drop in event to feedback on the themes and policy areas and a general update on the timeframe, next stages etc. Reflect on any responses making updates as necessary to draft policies.

Reflect on any responses from ESBC making updates as necessary to draft policies.

Submit the NP for Screening to ESBC.

1. Reinstatement of field adjacent to the Oak Road Development – Cllr Edmonds raised this issue again and it was unanimously agreed that under the circumstances the NPMG would seek advise from Urban Vision at a meeting with them on the 10^th January 2023 and report back to the council at the next meeting.
2. Highways – Cllr Shermer
   1. SIDS – the clerk confirmed that we were still waiting for the permit to dig to come through from Staffordshire County Council before we can move onto the next stage.
   2. Potholes – nothing to report
   3. Oak Road, Denstone – School Keep Clear markings – It was unanimously by the Parish Council that they support the proposal. Clerk to reply to SCC. Action Clerk
3. Denstone College Liaison

Cllr Mountney confirmed that she had contacted All Saints with regards to an update on the walking bus. But has not received a reply. However, a meeting is to be held on 18^th January 2023 between the head of All Saints and the Head of Denstone College. Hopefully we will have an update before the next meeting.

Cllr Edmonds informed the meeting that he had raised with the college that college buses are still going down Narrow Lane. The head of the college apologised and confirmed that she would raise the issue again once the college is back after the break. Cllr Edmonds also confirmed that he would ask the head if the college grounds men would be able to cut the laurel hedge as discussed in item 4i. Action Cllr Edmonds

9. Green Spaces – Cllr Wright
10. Staffs Way – Cllr Wright informed the meeting that they are still waiting to hear from Alton Towers Landowners legal people.
11. Liaison
    1. Village Hall – nothing to report.
12. Finance
13. Online Banking – The clerk confirmed that she had given Cllrs Flower and Shermer all the details required to move this to the next stage. Action Cllr Flower/Cllr Shermer.
14. Payments – To approve the following payments: Proposed by Cllr Flower and seconded by Cllr Stratton. The cheques were signed by Cllr Shermer and Cllr Edmonds and distributed by the clerk. Action Clerk
    25. Lascombe Consulting – Website – pay for December 2022 = £25.00 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144]
    26. Clerk’s pay for December 2022 (Made by Standing Order) = £412.75 [LGA 1972 s112]
    27. Clerk’s expenses December 2022 Stationery – £15.20
    28. J Etherington – Cleaning Village Hall toilets December 2022 = £46.25
    29. N Power – December – Electricity – £24.37
    30. Russ Whitehurst – Lengthsman December 2022 = £20.00
    31. Denstone Village Hall – Hire of the hall July 22-Dec 22 inclusive = £30.00
    32. Play Inspection Company Limited – £114.00
    33. Denstone Village Hall – Contribution to cladding of the Village Hall = £1000
    34. URBAN VISION Enterprise CIC – Consultant Fees for Neighbourhood Plan = £665 made up of £525.00 + £!05.00 VAT and £35.00 for paying by Cheque.
    35. Julie Sadler – CPRE Membership – £36.00

items for Future Agenda

None

Date of next meeting: Monday 13^th February 2023 at 7pm in Denstone Village Hall.