Parish Council Meeting July 2026

www.denstonevillage.org.uk

clerk@denstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk

Minutes of Denstone Parish Council meeting held on Monday 13^th July 2026 at Denstone Village Hall, College Road, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 5HR.

At the start of the meeting Cllr Mountney welcomed the new Parish Councillor Cllr Nigel Moult to the meeting.

1. Attendees: Cllr Jo Mountney (Chair), Cllr S Owen, Cllr A Oldroyd-Clarke, Cllr E Edmonds, Cllr M Flower, Cllr B Wright, Cllr S Ratcliffe, Cllr N Moult Borough Councillor Steve Sankey and J Sadler (Clerk)

5 members of the village present.

           Apologies – Cllr Shermer, County Councillor Gary Hales

2. Declarations of Interest – None
3. Minutes of Parish Council meeting held on 8^th June 2026

The clerk informed the meeting that the amount for the tree survey had been corrected to £195.00 instead of £185.00. The minutes of the meeting held on the 8^th June 2026 were agreed by all members as a true record of the meeting. These were signed and dated by Cllr Mountney (Chair)

4. Public participation
   1. New Local Plan – Cllr Sankey informed the meeting that a meeting would be held on the 14^th July by the Borough Council and an announcement made regarding the local plan. He advised that the Parish Council should watch this closely. He stated that he would keep the clerk up to date. Clerk to update councillors. Action Clerk and Cllr Sankey
   2. Unitary Status – Cllr Sankey informed the meeting that there would be an announcement on the 14^th July with regard to which option would be taken regarding the Unitary Status. Again he would keep the clerk up to date on any updates. Action Clerk and Cllr Sankey.
   3. Laurel Hedge on College Road – it was agreed that the clerk would write to the land owner of the hedge regarding having it cut as it is hanging over the pavement. Action Clerk
   4. Cllr Flower asked about the cutting of the hedge on College Road where the cuttings had just been left at the side. It was queried whether this was done by the lengthsman. Clerk to ask. Action Clerk
   5. Power surge in the village – Cllr Moult raised the issue of the power surge in the village at the weekend, and if anyone could claim compensation for damaged equipment. It was agreed that anyone who suffered from this should check the National Grid website for guidance.
   6. Brown Water – Cllr Moult raised the issue of brown water coming out of the taps. Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke stated that there was some work taking place in the village which could be the reason behind this.
   7. College Traffic – Cllr Ratcliffe stated that he had received complaints from some members of the village regarding near misses by traffic coming from Denstone College. It was suggested that any issues like this be raised directly with the college.
5. Matters Arising/Clerk’s report
   1. Correspondence Received – The clerk informed the meeting that she had forwarded the email prior to the meeting asking if any councillors would like to apply to join the Standards Committee at the ESBC no Councillors showed any interest in this.
   2. Railway Line Leak – Cllr Flower informed the meeting that there was a site visit with Tim Clery but there had been no further update as yet. Clerk to chase. Action Clerk
   3. Extra Defibrillator – The clerk informed the meeting that a site visit took place on the 2^nd July with herself, Cllr Shermer and a member from AEDdonate. Details regarding the position for placing the defibrillator were discussed and a picture of the solar defibrillator sent to Cllr Shermer and Cllr Edwards. The Parish Council have received funding from JCB of £750 and £500 from Community funding at SCC. A huge thank you to both JCB and Cllr Hales. It was agreed that pictures of the defib would be sent to Dr Yates for his thoughts on the size of the defib. Cllr Flower also suggested using the money held by the Parish Council from previous Denstone shows for a contribution towards the defibrillator as it was a worthwhile cause. It was agreed that this would be discussed at the next meeting. Action Clerk
   4. Lilac Tree – The clerk had received a quote from David Green to remove the lilac tree behind the stone bus shelter. A quote of £120.00 was unanimously agreed by the councillors. Clerk to contact Dave Green to obtain a date for this to be actioned. Action Clerk
   5. Cutting of the hedge – This was discussed in item 4c.
   6. Fibre connection – Cllr Sankey gave a brief update on the position regarding Fibre connection. He agreed to write a notice to be put on Denstone Matters Facebook page and also to send to the clerk for the notice boards. Action Cllr Sankey and Clerk
   7. ICO Annual subscription renewal – it was unanimously agreed to renew the ICO annual subscription. Action Clerk
   8. Microsoft annual subscription – it was unanimously agreed to renew the Microsoft 365 annual subscription. This is shared with Ellastone Parish Council and Edlaston and Wyaston Parish Council. Action Clerk
   9. Oak Road Footpath – The clerk informed the meeting that she had received an email stating that SCC highways cannot do any work to the footpath as it would then become their responsibility. They suggested the parish council write to ESBC planning and they will support the council to ensure the contractor makes improvements or if, it was not on the planning application, make him resolve the matter. It was agreed by the councillors that the clerk would write to planning and the contractor concerned. Action Clerk
   10. Shed – Village Hall – Cllr Edmonds informed the meeting that he had been unable to view any metal sheds but would now look at some wooden sheds and would report back to the next meeting. Action Cllr Edmonds.
6. Planning (Permitted & Refused are decisions by ESBC) – Cllr Shermer
   1. P/2025/01221 – Land South of College Road Denstone – Appeal against the refusal of permission in principal application for the erection of up to 9 self-build dwellings – appeal reference 6006486 – Decision upheld. No further action.
   2. P/2026/00505 – The clerk informed the meeting that she had been notified by planning that this application had been withdrawn. No further action.
   3. Planning Policy – It was agreed that the survey would be done by Cllr Shermer and Cllr Owen. Action Cllr Shermer and Cllr Owen.
   4. Removal of local member call in rights – It was unanimously agreed by the council to support this issue and therefore the clerk would send the letter on behalf of the Parish Council. Action Clerk
7. Highways – Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke
   1. Pot Holes – Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke raised the issue of the pot holes on the roundabout on the B5031 near the farm shop as these needed repairing. Clerk to report to SCC. Action Clerk
   2. Feasibility Report – Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke stated that there was no further update at this time. Action Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke
   3. Data B5031 – The clerk informed the meeting that she had not received any further update but would continue to chase. Action Clerk
   4. SID permissions – Letter was sent to Cllr Murray regarding the issued raised by the SPCA and the permission to install SIDs. No further update as yet. Clerk to chase. Action Clerk
8. Playground – Cllr Flower
9. Cllr Flower informed the meeting that all inspections were up to date. There was however, some deterioration on a drain pipe that he said would be sorted. Action Cllr Flower
10. Village Hall – Parish Clerk
    1. Next meeting – The clerk asked Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke if he could attend the next village hall meeting on behalf of the Parish Council as Cllr Shermer was not available. Clerk to inform Cllr Oldroyd – Clarke of the date once received. Action Clerk
11. Denstone College – Cllr Edmonds
    1. College Meeting – Cllr Edmonds confirmed that he and Cllr Shermer had met with the head of Denstone College on the 1^st July and the notes from that meeting and the traffic count were sent to all councillors by Cllr Shermer after the meeting. Cllr Edmonds confirmed that a further meeting would be held at the end of the first half term of the next college year to update the Parish Council on how the new term was progressing. Cllr Edmonds expressed sincere thanks to Cynthia and Ian for doing the traffic count. This was much appreciated.
12. Miscellaneous
    1885. War memorial – Cllr Edmonds confirmed that he had received a quote for the new blocks this was £1885.00 +VAT and a quote for repointing the war memorial of £1590.00 +VAT. It was agreed it would be best to go ahead with the repointing. Cllr Edmonds to get a date for when this could be done. With regards to the new blocks this would be discussed further at the next meeting. Action Cllr Edmonds.
    1886. Fountain – Cllr Edmonds confirmed that RTS had been and cleaned the pathway in front of the fountain and it looked a lot better now. Clerk to write and express sincere thanks to RTS for the work carried out. Action Clerk
    1887. Denstone Meadow – Cllr Edmonds confirmed that the tree survey was carried out and it was recommended that one large tree had Ash dieback and needed cutting down. Clerk to get a quote from Dave Green. Action Clerk
    1888. Telephone Box – Cllr Mountney confirmed that the telephone box in the village on College Road had now been repainted and looked fabulous. The paint was donated by Cllr Shermer and the work was done by a member of the village and her daughter. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Sue Allerton and thanks to Cllr Shermer for donating the paint. Action Clerk
    1889. Brook behind the shop – it was unanimously agreed to send a letter of thanks to Mr Keates for the work that he has done behind the shop. Action Clerk
13. Payments – To approve the following payments

Cllr Mountney went through the payments individually. The payments were proposed by Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke, seconded by Cllr Ratcliffe and agreed by all. All 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 June 2026 £25.00 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144]
26. Clerk’s pay for June 2026 (Made by Standing Order) = Net Pay £577.71 [LGA 1972 s112]
27. HMRC – Clerk – Tax – June 2026 – £144.40
28. Clerk Employee National Insurance – June 2026 – £45.77
29. N Power – June 2026 – £36.73
30. Clerks expenses – June Travel – £9.00
31. Lengthsman – June 2026 – £153.58
32. Julie Sadler – Microsoft annual subscription – £35.00 (shared with 2 other Parish Councils)
33. ICO subscription – £52.00
34. Tree Development Surveys & Consultancy – Tree Survey of Denstone Meadow – £195.00 (agreed at meeting on June 8^th)

1. items for Future Agenda

• Remembrance Wreath

Date of next meeting –  14^th  September 2026 at 7.00pm Village Hall Denstone.