Parish Council Meeting July 2023

Minutes of Denstone Parish Council Meeting 10th July 2023
1. Present – Cllr Jess Turner (Chair), Cllr B Wright, Cllr M Shermer, Cllr E Edmonds, Cllr J Mountney, Cllr M Flower, Cllr Stratton, Borough Cllr Steve Sankey, and Julie Sadler (Clerk)
Apologies: None
There were 9 Members of the village at the meeting.
2. The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12th June 2023 – The minutes were agreed by all as a true record of the meeting and were signed and dated by Cllr Turner (Chair).
3. To receive declarations of interest – Cllr Shermer item 6c and Cllr Flower item 12c as a member of the show committee.
4. Adjournment for public participation
a. A member of public commented on what a marvellous job Sue Edmonds had done on the flowers in the village. This was agreed by the councillors, a huge thank you Sue Edmonds.
b. A member of public commented on how untidy and overgrown the area around the noticeboards in front of the village hall was. Russ Whitehurst volunteered to contact the new Lengthsman and talk him through what areas need to be covered. The Parish Councillors thanked Russ Whitehurst.
c. It was agreed by the councillors that the public would be able to join in the discussion regarding planning application P/2023/00482 during item 6a.
5. Matters Arising/Clerk’s Report
a. Correspondence Received
I. Cllr Turner informed the meeting that an email had been received from a member of the village stating that they had no objection to The Croft being included in the settlement boundary of the neighbourhood plan. Cllr Turner stated that the Parish Council was not sure exactly what was meant by this and would contact the member of the public to find out more information. Action Clerk
II. Cllr Mountney raised the issue that a member of the village had informed her that there was some damage to the bus shelter at Stubwood. Cllr Wright volunteered to investigate getting this sorted. The Parishioner also stated that there were no signs on the JCB side of Lady Meadow bridge to say not suitable for big lorries, or even to say there is a narrow bridge. It was agreed that the clerk would report this to SCC. Action Cllr Wright and Clerk
b. Councillor Vacancy – the clerk informed the meeting that no applications for this position had been received but the notices would be left up and if the clerk receives any applications this item will be put back on the agenda. Action Clerk
c. Laptop – An email was issued to all councillors before the meeting stating what the laptop was and how much it cost. The clerk did point out that as she would purchase the laptop initially the council would not be able to claim back the VAT. Taking this into consideration it was unanimously agreed that clerk would purchase the new laptop. Action Clerk
d. Microsoft 365 Subscription Renewal – The councillors unanimously agreed to pay a quarter of the cost of the subscription renewal.
e. FOI request – The clerk informed the meeting that the Parish Council had received a Freedom of Information request from a member of the village. A copy of the response had been sent to the councillors. Action Clerk
f. ICO renewal – The councillors unanimously agreed for the renewal of the subscription.
g. Gardener update – The clerk informed the meeting that she had not received any response to the poster.
h. Election Charges – It was unanimously agreed that the payment would be made to the ESBC.
6. Planning (Permitted & Refused are decisions by ESBC)
a. P/2023/00482 – Erection of an existing factory to form a new paint plant and the formation of replacement car parking – JCB Ltd – Rocester ST14 5JP – It was unanimously agreed that the clerk would ask for an extension on this application to enable the councillors to put together a
Minutes of Denstone Parish Council Meeting 10th July 2023
response to all the issues raised at the meeting. The councillors’ response would then be made public. Action Clerk
b. P/2023/00629 – Erection of a single storey side extension to existing dwelling and extension and alteration of existing barn to form ancillary annexe accommodation – Top House Farm Quixhill Lane ST14 5DD – It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council had no objection to this application. However, the councillors agreed for the clerk to make a comment stating that the Parish Council would ask for a condition that it remains as an annexe. Action Clerk
c. P/2023/00702 – Application for a certificate of lawfulness for the retention of the single storey rear extension to existing garage for storage use – 6 The Westlands Denstone Staffordshire ST14 6HS – it was unanimously agreed that there was no objection to this application.
d. NP review update – Cllr Turner informed the meeting that following the closure of Reg 14 Consultation the Parish Council will be undertaking the following over the summer months:
I. Collate all the responses into the consolidation Statement.
II. Consider each response and record whether it requires a modification to the draft Neighbourhood Plan or not. Where it does, also record the change.
III. Make the changes in response to Regulation 14 to the draft Neighbourhood Plan.
IV. Prepare the submission documents for the September Parish Council Meeting. This includes a plan of the Neighbourhood area, Basic Conditions Statement, Consultation Statement and updated Neighbourhood Plan.
7. Highways – Cllr Shermer
a. SIDS – Cllr Turner asked Cllr Flower in the absence of Cllr Ratcliffe if he could access some data from the SIDs for the next meeting. Cllr Flower agreed to do this. Action Cllr Flower
b. Feasibility update – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that she had received an update from Lisa Hall (SCC) that the study was underway and hopefully there would be more information at the next meeting.
c. Potholes – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that the pothole outside the Farm Shop had not been repaired. Clerk to chase. Action Clerk
d. CSW – Russ Whitehurst informed the meeting that 2 new members from the village had joined the Community Speedwatch team and would be trained shortly.
8. Denstone College Liaison
a. The Party – The councillors commented on how successful, well organised and entertaining the party was. It was agreed that the clerk would sends thanks to the college for inviting all of the village. Clerk also to send details of liaison officer to Cllr Edmonds. Action Clerk
9. Green Spaces – Cllr Wright
a. Staffs Way – Cllr Wright confirmed that there was nothing further to report at this time.
10. Liaison – Cllr Stratton
a. Village Hall – Cllr Stratton confirmed that a poster would be put up in the village hall carpark stating no overnight parking. The next meeting was the 27th July and she would report back to the PC at the next meeting in September.
b. Invoice – The clerk informed the meeting that she had received an invoice from the Village Hall for the hire of the hall. This included the hiring of the hall for consultation of the Neighbourhood Plan.
11. Play Area – Cllr Flower
a. Funding for the play area – Cllr Flower confirmed that there was no update on the funding for the play area but he would discuss the situation with the TBMST as agreed at the last meeting.
b. Play Area Report – Cllr Flower confirmed that this had been sent to the Clerk.
Minutes of Denstone Parish Council Meeting 10th July 2023
c. Fencing Update – Cllr Flower confirmed that the fencing would definitely be completed before the next meeting. As soon as he had a confirmed date he would inform the councillors. Cllr Turner volunteered to do a closure sign for the play area whilst the work was carried out.
12. Miscellaneous
a. Old Website – The clerk informed the meeting that this was moving on and that she would keep the councillors updated of the progress.
b. Village Enhancement Programme – The Clerk informed the meeting that she had received confirmation from Cllr Sankey regarding this. This information had been forwarded to the Parish Councillors and all members of the village who had made suggestions.
c. Denstone Show – It was unanimously agreed by the Parish Council that they would cover the cost of the bouncy castle up to £300 for the show. It was agreed that a sign be put up stating that the bouncy castle was sponsored by the Parish Council. Clerk to reply to Mrs Sankey informing her of this decision. Action Clerk
d. DE-Fib at North end of the Village – It was agreed by the Parish Council that a leaflet would be sent to all in the North end of the Village asking if anyone would be interested in having a defibrillator attached to their house or garage. Clerk to design leaflet.
e. Trees Narrow Lane – Cllr Turner raised the issue of the overgrown branches at the bottom of Narrow Lane. Cllr Edmonds volunteered to ask Jonathon at Denstone College if they could help.
13. Payments – To approve the following payments: Proposed by Cllr Shermer and seconded by Cllr Edmonds. All payments apart from the two marked below would be processed online by Cllr Shermer and Cllr Flower all invoices would be signed and would be returned to the clerk once actioned. The two cheques were signed by Cllr Shermer and Cllr Stratton. Action Clerk, Cllr Shermer, Cllr Flower and Cllr Stratton.
a. Lascombe Consulting – Website – pay for June 2023 = £115.00 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144]
b. Clerk’s pay for June 2023 (Made by Standing Order) = £453.37 [LGA 1972 s112]
c. Clerks Travel expenses for internal audit = £18.00
d. J Etherington – Cleaning Village Hall toilets June 2023 = £50.00
e. Dell Laptop Order – Julie Sadler = £499.01
f. N Power – Electricity – June 2023 £28.93
g. Andrew Hillman – payment for June 2023 Lengthsman = £151.09
h. ESBC – Re-imbursement of Cost of Election = £111.30 – paid by cheque
i. Denstone Village Hall – Hire of Hall = £65.00
j. Quarter Share of Microsoft 365 Subscription – Julie Sadler £20.00
k. ICO Annual Subscription – £40.00 – paid by cheque
items for Future Agenda
No items raised for the next meeting.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday 19th September 2023 at 7.00 pm in the Village Hall Denstone