Parish Council Meeting October 2022

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

Apologies: Cllr J Mountney and Cllr L Beckett-Fountain

8 Members of the village attended the meeting.

2. The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11^th July 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 – None
4. Adjournment for Public Participation

A member of the public expressed their concern regarding the manhole outside 16 College Road, the drain at the bottom of Narrow Lane and the drain outside the Stone House. It was agreed that the clerk would contact SCC regarding these items.

5. Matters Arising/Clerk’s Report
6. Correspondence Received

• Resignation of a Councillor – The clerk informed the meeting that Cllr Beckett-Fountain had sent an email today resigning from the Parish Council with immediate effect. Cllr Beckett-Fountain volunteered to continue checking the play area until a replacement could be found and trained if that was ok with the Parish Council. The Parish Council agreed that they would be happy for her to do that. The clerk would confirm this to Cllr Beckett-Fountain. The clerk would contact the ESBC regarding Cllr Beckett Fountains resignation. The post will then be advertised for a replacement. Action Clerk
• Parish Council Forum – the clerk informed the meeting that the date of the forum had been changed to the 27^th October at 6.30pm via Zoom. Cllr Turner volunteered to attend on behalf of the Parish Council. Action Cllr Turner and Clerk
• Walking Bus for children at All Saints School – The idea of resurrecting a walking bus for All Saints School was discussed at the meeting. The main reason for this was to help alleviate the problems with parking at the school. A member of the school was present at the meeting and agreed that the school would approach the parents for volunteers. The councillors were in full support of this idea, and it was agreed that Cllr Mountney would converse with the school about this and update the councillors at the next meeting. As Cllr Mountney was not present at the meeting it was agreed that the clerk would update her. Action Clerk and Cllr Mountney

1. Review Councillors Accountabilities – Due to Cllr Beckett-Fountain resigning. Cllrs Flower and Lillistone agreed to take over the accountability for the play area. Cllr Flower also agreed to take on the role of checking the play area on a weekly basis. It was agreed that the clerk would sort out the training for this. Cllr Flower also agreed to take on the role of dealing with the SIDs. Clerk to update accountabilities sheet and send to all councillors. Action Clerk
2. Box outside shop – The clerk confirmed that Gary Plant is happy to move the box.
3. The garden border either side of the seat in front of the Village Hall – The Lengthsman confirmed that this has now been done and he will continue to keep an eye on it.
4. War Memorial – Cllr Turner agreed to move this forward and update the councillors at the next meeting.
5. Contribution to Microsoft 365 – The clerk informed the meeting that unfortunately she had to purchase Microsoft 365 to be able to perform her duties as a Parish Clerk. This is a yearly cost of £79.99. The clerk had split this cost between her 4 Parish Councils. The Parish Council unanimously agreed to pay a quarter share of £20.00.
6. External Audit – Cllr Turner confirmed that the External Audit report had been received. A couple of dating errors were raised on the form, however everything else was found to be correct. All the appropriate documents have now been put on the website for the perusal by the public.
7. Planning (Permitted & Refused are decisions by ESBC)
   1. P/2022/00977 – Permission in principle for the erection of a 4 bedroomed dwelling with an integral garage – Bank House Farm, Oak Road, Denstone ST14 5HT – It was unanimously agreed by the Parish Council that the details put together by the NPMG would be sent to the ESBC as the objection on behalf of the Parish Council. Clerk to Action.
   2. P/2022/00926 – Retention of temporary office, mess and storage facilities in connection with commercial haulage business for the period 19^th June 2021 to the 31^st July 2025 – Lilac Cottage, Stubwood, Denstone, ST14 5HU – This has now been approved.
   3. P/2022/00510 – Change of use from agricultural land to a dog exercise area – reshape banking and formation of two parking bays – This application has now been withdrawn by the applicant.
   4. P/2019/01489 – Cllr Turner confirmed that the Parish Council are still awaiting a document from the ESBC. It is understood that this could be some considerable time.
   5. Neighbourhood Planning Review/Grant – Cllr Turner was delighted to inform the Parish Council that they had received a grant of £9160. She confirmed that this was pretty much the whole amount that they had asked for in the application. Cllr Turner went onto say that there will be some engagement further this year and the new NP in the early part of next year. There will be a 6-week consultation period next year which will be well advertised throughout the village nearer the time. Any money of the grant not spent will be returned. Cllr Turner suggested that the NPMG should be able to spend the grant without waiting for the next Parish Council meeting. After some discussion it was decided that the clerk would take advise on this and come back to the Parish Council as soon as possible. Action Clerk
8. Broadband – Cllr Sankey

Cllr Sankey confirmed that there were no further updates from the last meeting.

8. Highways – Cllr Edmonds
   6360. SIDS – The clerk informed the meeting that all the costs for the SIDs had been confirmed and a breakdown had been sent to the councillors before the meeting. The councillors confirmed that the cost was a little higher than expected but with the exceptional contribution of £5000 from JCB they were happy to go ahead with the purchase up the £6360.00. The councillors unanimously agreed for the clerk to go ahead and place the order. Action Clerk
   6361. Potholes – Nothing raised.
9. Denstone College Liaison
   1. Traffic Count – the clerk confirmed that there had been two traffic counts carried out in the village. The councillors expressed sincere thanks to all those who took part. Cllr Turner confirmed that though the figures of the count don’t appear higher than last year. The village feels considerably busier.
   2. Next Meeting – The next meeting with Denstone College is on the 14^th October Cllrs Turner and Edmonds will be attending along with a member of the village. It was agreed that the councillors will send any questions that they would like raised at the meeting to the clerk no later than the 12^th
10. Green Spaces – Cllr Wright
    1. Staffs Way – Cllr Wright updated the meeting.
    2. New Bench – the new bench is now in situ and the councillors have received several positive comments. Thanks to Cllr Wright and the Lengthsman for all the work they contributed to this project.
    3. Section 53 application for the addition of a public footpath along Green Lane – Cllr Wright confirmed that this matter will be heard and determined at the Countryside and Rights of way Committee on the 14^th Once the application has been determined the Parish Council will be notified.
11. Website
12. Domain Renewal – It was unanimously agreed by the councillors to pay for the Domain renewal.
13. Silver Hosting Package – It was unanimously agreed by the councillors to pay for the silver hosting package for the website.
14. Liaison
    1. Village Hall – Cllr Stratton informed the meeting that the following events will be held in the village.:

• on the 12^th November at 10am there will be a sale of the Mother and Toddler group equipment.
• Suzanne Smith will switch on the Christmas lights at 6pm on Sunday 20^th There will be stalls in the village hall from 4pm a bit like a Christmas market.
• On the 3^rd December there will be an open day to commemorate the 60^th It was suggested that the Parish Council have a table showing all that been accomplished over the last few years. Cllr Ratcliffe to see if he can obtain some boards from JCB.
• On the 16^th December at 7.30 there will be a Swinging Sixties night all welcome.
• On the 8^th January 2023 there will be a New Year Lunch all welcome.

If you would like any more information on any of the above, please go the village hall website by clicking the link below.

htmlhttps://denstonevillagehall.weebly.com/news–whats-on.html

7. The Show – Cllr Flower informed the meeting that the Denstone Show in September was a great success. The AGM is on the 24^th November at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. All are welcome to attend. The date for next years show has already been agreed it is 2^nd September 2023.
8. Schools – update – see item 6a.

13. Play Area – Cllr Beckett-Fountain
    1. Action Plan – There was no further update on the action plan.
    2. Quote – The quote for replacing the fence was sent out prior to the meeting. However, some councillors were not happy with the fence being metal. Jacquie Payne volunteered to obtain some further for the Parish Council. This was agreed by the councillors.

The issue was also raised regarding the sign on the play area. Cllr Flower agreed to take a picture of the current sign and send it to the clerk. Cllr Flower and the Clerk

14. Alton Towers – Cllr Mountney

Meeting 7^th September – Cllr Wright informed the meeting that Alton Towers were working with the SCC to reduce the speed limit to 20/30mph around some of the lanes of surrounding villages to hopefully prevent the Satnavs sending motorists to them, hence reducing the traffic.

15. JCB – nothing to be discussed.
16. Finance
17. Signing of cheques – All the papers have now been signed to register Cllr Wright and Cllr Flower as signatures. Clerk to send to the bank. Clerk to Action
18. Online Banking – once all new signatures have been added and confirmed the clerk will investigate setting up online banking.
19. Miscellaneous
    1. How to support Ukraine Families in the Village – Cllr Sankey informed the meeting that transport was the main issue for the families. He suggested that the Parish Council write to the County Council regarding this. Councillors agreed. Clerk to Action.
    2. Support the cost of the Lengthsman – it was agreed that the clerk would send an email regarding this to Cllr Sankey. He would then contact the ESBC.
    3. Reinstatement of field adjacent to the Oak Road Development – Cllr Turner informed the meeting that Hannah from Urban Vision had written some appropriate wording for the clerk to send to the ESBC regarding this. Cllr Turner will pass this onto the clerk.
    4. Remembrance Wreath – it was unanimously agreed by the councillors that a contribution of £40 would be made to the Royal British Legion for a wreath. Cllr Edmonds agreed to lay the wreath.
20. Payments – To approve the following payments: Proposed by Cllr Ratcliffe and seconded by Cllr Edmonds. The cheques were signed by Cllr Edmonds and Cllr Stratton and distributed by the clerk. Action Clerk
    87. Lascombe Consulting – Website – pay for July & August 2022 = £50 September £37 = £87.00 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144]
    88. Lascombe Consulting – Domain Renewal = £28.18
    89. Clerk’s pay for July, August, and September 2022 (Made by Standing Order) = £412.75 [LGA 1972 s112]
    90. Clerk’s expenses – Stationery = £15.20
    91. Contribution to the cost of Microsoft 365 – J Sadler = £20
    92. J Etherington – Cleaning Village Hall toilets July £40 & August 2022 £50 Total = £90 paid – September £40
    93. Russ Whitehurst – Lengthsman July £70 & August 2022 £190 Total = £260 paid – September £70
    94. Tracy Hyder – gardener – July £106.00 & August 2022 = £10 Total = £116.00 paid – September £37.50
    95. SCC – Silver Hosting package – Julie Sadler =£125.00
    96. N Power – Electricity – July £29.61 August £29.39 and September £29.42 total = £88.42
    97. Denstone Village Hall – Hire of Hall – £35.00
    98. Remembrance Wreath – £40 – Royal British Legion
    99. Mazars – External Audit = £240
    100. Marmax – New Bench = £520.80 paid
    101. James Durose – Funding Jubilee from Alton Towers – £500 paid
    102. James Durose – Contribution towards the cost of the insurance of the Jubilee – £200 paid
    103. Denstone Country Show – Contribution towards the cost of the insurance of the Country Show – £200 paid

items for Future Agenda

None

Date of next meeting: Monday 14^th November 2022 at 7.pm in Denstone Village Hall.