Parish Council Meeting June 2026

www.denstonevillage.org.uk

clerk@denstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk

Draft Minutes of Denstone Parish Council meeting held on Monday 8^th June 2026 at Denstone Village Hall, College Road, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 5HR.

Attendees: Cllr Shermer (Chair), Cllr S Owen, Cllr A Oldroyd-Clarke, Cllr E Edmonds, Cllr M Flower, Cllr B Wright, County Councillor Gary Hales and J Sadler (Clerk)

15  members of the village present.

1. Apologies – Cllr Jo Mountney, Cllr Ratcliffe and Borough Councillor Steve Sankey
2. Declarations of Interest – None
3. Minutes of Annual Parish Council meeting held on 11^th May 2026

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11^th May 2026 were agreed by all members as a true record of the meeting. These were signed and dated by Cllr Shermer (Chair)

4. Public participation
   1. P/2026/00505 – a number of parishioners were at the meeting to discuss this application so it was agreed to discuss it under public participation. One parishioner raised two questions:
      1. There is an issue with the sewage on the area already so was therefore concerned what impact another 20 residential properties would have.
      2. Also they were concerned about a very old apple tree.

None of these issues seem to be covered in the document of the planning application.

Another parishioner sent in a comprehensive document to the parish council prior to the meeting outlining several issues. Cllr Shermer thanked all the parishioners present and stated that if the Parish Councillors agreed this would be sent to Urban Vision a planning consultant used by the parish council to look at this application and advise the parish council. It was unanimously agreed by the Councillors that this should be done. Cllr Shermer volunteered to write to Urban Vision. Once a response had been received it would be forwarded out to the parishioners raising the concerns and all councillors. Action Cllr Shermer and Clerk

It was also raised that the planning application had not been advertised as yet so the closing date for comments would need to be changed. Clerk to chase this. Action Clerk

1. Road Closure – A parishioner raised that they had not been made aware in advance of the closure of the B5031 near the Farm Shop. The clerk confirmed that she had not received an email confirming this either. Cllr Hales stated that all businesses should have been informed. He would therefore look into it. Action Cllr Hales.
2. Wreaths – A parishioner raised that last year’s wreaths are still around the war memorial and are looking a little shabby and asked could they be removed. Cllr Shermer volunteered to contact the RBL (Royal British Legion) to see if they could be removed. Action Cllr Shermer.
3. All Saints School – A governor of the school informed the meeting that the numbers of young children are dropping in the village which could mean in a few years there would not be a school. Cllr Shermer thanked the governor for the information.

5. Councillor Vacancy

The Clerk informed the meeting that she had received one application for the position of Parish Councillor and that was from Nigel Moult. Unfortunately Mr Moult could not attend the meeting. However, in his absence the councillors took a vote and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Moult was co-opted onto the parish council. Clerk to inform him in writing and send out all the necessary paperwork. Action Clerk

6. Declarations of office

As councillor Mountney was not present the acceptance of office would be sent to her for signature and returning to the clerk. Action Clerk and Cllr Mountney

7. Matters Arising/Clerk’s report
   1. Correspondence Received
      1. Land next to the post box – The clerk informed the meeting that she had received an email from the owners of the shop confirming that they owned the land all the way up to the post box and their intention is to maintain it.
      2. Drop in sessions – the clerk informed the meeting that she had been informed the PCSO Sean Elliott was retiring on the 10^th June and was being replaced by Lucinda Hadfield. The new PCSO confirmed that she was going to do a drop in session on the village hall carpark in her van on Monday 15^th June at 10am and Monday 13^th July at 10am. If anyone would like to pop along and have a chat or just to say hello it would be good to make contact.
   2. Railway Line Leak – The clerk has received confirmation that a contractor is attending the railway line on Tuesday 9^th June with a member of the SCC. The clerk has been informed that there will be an update after the meeting. Cllr Shermer expressed her sincere thanks to Cllr Flower for the work he did on putting together the document regarding the leak and to Cllr Hales for continuing to push this issue on behalf of the Parish Council. Action Clerk
   3. Extra Defibrillator – It was unanimously agreed by the councillors that the parish council would go ahead with the solar powered defibrillator. Cllr Hales suggested that the clerk apply for funding of £500 towards the cost of this. Clerk to apply for funding and contact AEDdonate with regards to a site visit to move this forward. Action Clerk
   4. LGR – update – Cllr Shermer sent out feedback from the meeting on the 4^th June to all councillors prior to the meeting and further updates from Jacob Collier MP would hopefully be brought to the next meeting. Clerk to chase. Action Clerk
   5. Insurance – It was unanimously agreed that the councillors accepted the new quote of £1655.43 for the revised assets on the insurance. This was paid on the 28^th May 2026. It was also agreed that assets would be included in the Councillors accountabilities which would be discussed during the September meeting. Action Clerk.
   6. Contribution to the Compost bin – It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council would make the contribution of £60 towards the cost of cleaning the compost bin.
8. 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 – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that this appeal was now awaiting a decision.
   2. P/2026/00482 – Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for the continued use of the land as domestic garden. The Woodlands College Road Denstone – No objections from the Parish Council.
   3. P/2026/00485 – Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for the continued use of building as a single dwellinghouse (Class C3).- Willow Bank Alton Road Denstone – No objections from the Parish Council.
   4. P/2026/00495 – Application under Section 73 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 for the variation of condition 5 (used for recreational purposes by the residents of Lower Riddings Farm) of planning permission P/2018/01020 (Formation of a ménage including fence and gates) to incorporate commercial use – Lower Riddings Farm College Road Denstone. – No objections from the Parish Council.
9. Highways – Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke
   1. Pot Holes – The main road has been resurfaced which has sorted out all the recent potholes. A huge thank-you to Councillor Hales for his persistence with this.
   2. Feasibility Report – Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke stated that there has not been any further update on this but he would continue to chase. Action Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke
   3. Data B5031 – The clerk informed the meeting that she had sent out the report before the meeting. However, on a close inspection it appears that it was carried out in the incorrect position. Clerk to go back to SCC and asked for it to be done again. Action Clerk
10. Playground – Cllr Flower and Cllr Owen

Cllr Flower informed the meeting that all the reports were up to date.

11. Village Hall – Cllr Shermer

Cllr Shermer gave the following update from the village hall;

1. The repairs to the outside toilet are now complete.
2. A new shed is required for the lengthsmans tools to be kept in. The Parish Council agreed to purchase the shed. Cllr Edmonds volunteered to source the price of a metal shed before the next meeting. Action Cllr Edmonds
3. The lilac tree behind the stone bus shelter needs chopping down. It was agreed that the clerk would contact Dave Green for a quote. Action Clerk
4. Finance
   1. Data Audit – the document circulated at the last meeting was agreed to be adopted. Clerk to send a copy for the website. Action Clerk
   2. Sign off Annual Governance Statement 2025-26 – The clerk informed the meeting that the accounts had been checked by two councillors and then forwarded to the internal auditor who had agreed all items as a true record. The papers had then been issued before the meeting to all councillors. This was discussed, completed, and agreed and was signed by the clerk and Cllr Shermer. The clerk would now forward the document to the external auditor. Agreed by all Action Clerk
   3. Sign off Annual Accounting Statement 2025-26 – This was discussed and agreed and was signed by the clerk and Cllr Shermer. Clerk to forward to the external auditor. Agreed by all Action Clerk
   4. Exercise of Public Rights – The clerk informed the meeting that the parishioners can ask to see the accounts and suggested that the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance and Accountability return be displayed on the 11^th June for the period 12^th June to the 23^rd July 2026. This was unanimously agreed. Action Clerk

Cllr Shermer thanked the Clerk for her continued time and efforts in maintaining such precise financial records

13. Miscellaneous
    1. War memorial – Cllr Edmonds confirmed that he had spoken to the stonemason and he stated that he would have a quote for the cost of the stone and repointing of the war memorial before the next meeting. Action Cllr Edmonds
    2. Fountain – Cllr Edmonds stated that he had looked again at the tarmac around the fountain and he thinks that if it was cleaned. it would be alright. Clerk had already contact RTS but would chase for a reply. Action Clerk
    3. Denstone Meadow – Cllr Edmonds stated that he had received a quote of £195 for the tree survey on the meadow. The Parish Council agreed the price for the survey to go ahead. Cllr Edmonds volunteered to contact the surveyor. Action Cllr Edmonds.
    4. Noticeboard near fountain – The lengthsman informed the meeting that one of the legs is unstable on the noticeboard. Cllr Edmonds volunteered to contact Churnet Valley Joinery. Action Cllr Edmonds.
14. Payments – To approve the following payments

The clerk went through the payments individually. The payments were proposed by Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke, seconded by Cllr Owen 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 May 2026 £25.00 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144]
26. Clerk’s pay for May 2026 (Made by Standing Order) = Net Pay £577.71 [LGA 1972 s112]
27. HMRC – Clerk – Tax – May 2026 – £144.40
28. Clerk Employee National Insurance – May 2026 – £45.77
29. Clerks expenses – May Travel – £9.00
30. Lengthsman – May 2026 – £163.13
31. Zurich Insurance – £1655.43 (paid)
32. Denstone Village Hall – Hire of hall and outside toilet – £145.00
33. Tom Boden Sports Memorial Trust – Bin Cleaning Contribution – £60.00
34. N Power – 1^st to 31^st May – £39.84
35. Hilda Tideswell – Internal Audit – £75.00

1. items for Future Agenda
   1. Telephone Box

Date of next meeting – 13^th July 2026 at 7.00pm Village Hall Denstone.