Minutes of Denstone Parish Council Meeting 13^th October 2025 at 7.00pm

1. Attendees: Cllr Shermer (Acting Chair), Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke, Cllr E Edmonds, Cllr M Flower, Cllr Ratcliffe, Cllr Wright, Borough Cllr Steve Sankey, County Councillor Gary Hales and J Sadler (Clerk)

  Apologies – Cllr Turner and Cllr Mountney

5 members of the village present.

2. To receive declarations of interest – None
3. To approve the minutes of the 8^th September 2025 – The minutes were approved and agreed by all as a true record of the meeting. These were signed and dated by Cllr Shermer (Acting Chair).
4. Public Participation – Nothing was raised by the public present at the meeting.
5. Councillor Vacancy – The clerk informed the meeting that she had informed the ESBC of the resignation of Cllr Stratton. In turn she had received the appropriate letter which had been put on the notice boards. The letter will expire on the 15^th Once the clerk receives confirmation from the ESBC she will advertise the vacancy. It was agreed by the councillors that the closing date will be the end of October. Action Clerk
6. Matters Arising/Clerk’s report
   1. Correspondence Received
      1. Thanks – the clerk informed the meeting that she had received an email from the Secretary of Staffordshire Moorlands Bridleways Group thanking the Parish Council for the work done on the gate of the railway track. A copy of the email was sent to all the councillors prior to the meeting.
      2. Lengthsman – the clerk informed the meeting that Cllr Shermer and herself met with the lengthsman to discuss his work in the village. The Lengthsman raised the issue of replacing the current strimmer and purchasing a leaf vacuum which is definitely required at this time of year. The Councillors agreed to purchase such items. Cllr Edmonds volunteered to talk to TaylorMade to see if they could provide such tools cheaper than the quotes obtained by the clerk. Action Cllr Edmonds.

• Nettles – The clerk informed the meeting that she had received an email from a member of the public requesting that the nettles along the footpath running down the main road to JCB be cut back again. Also, the footpath to Robert’s Green (as was) needs strimming, too, as it is still a public right of way. Both of these items have been added to the lengthsmans’ rota so that they are completed on a regular basis.

1. Parking in Denstone – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that the Parish Council had received an email from PCSO Shaun Elliott stating that he had received a complaint from a Denstone resident about the parking around the Tavern Public House and Village Hall, especially when there is an event on. Cllr Shermer confirmed that Parking has been discussed at Parish Council meetings on a number of occasions and, until more parking space can be acquired, this will always be an issue. However it was agreed that the clerk contact PCSO Shaun Elliott and ask what if anything the Parish Council can do, which department the council should contact. Also is it appropriate for pictures to be taken of the cars and sent to the appropriate department. Action Clerk
2. Railway Line Leak – the clerk confirmed that she had received a further email from the ranger regarding this issue stating that they may need to dig up the track to seek the source of the problem. Cllr Sankey asked that the clerk obtain a date when this would be done. Cllr Shermer asked if both Cllr Sankey and Cllr Hales could contact the ranger to see if they could possibly put any pressure on the relevant department. Action Clerk, Cllr Sankey and Cllr Hales.
3. Extra Defibrillator – the clerk informed the meeting that she had set the wheels in motion for this and would keep the councillors up to date on any progress. Action Clerk
4. Picnic Benches – Railway Line – Funding – The clerk informed the meeting that the 2 new benches would be arriving on the 14^th October (tomorrow). Cllr Oldroyd – Clarke had volunteered to approach two members of the village to see if they could remove the old ones before the new ones arrived. Cllr Shermer volunteered to be present when the new ones arrived. The clerk also informed the meeting that thanks to Cllr Hales she was able to obtain funding of £464.00 towards the cost of the new benches. Cllr Shermer expressed a huge thanks to Cllr Hales. Action Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke, Cllr Shermer
5. Manhole Cover College Road – the clerk informed the meeting that SCC confirmed that the manhole covers on College Road were the responsibility of Severn Trent Water. The clerk has now reported them. Cllr Flower also raised that 2 other manhole covers were loose on College Road near the traffic calming. Clerk to report these as well. Action Clerk

7. Planning (Permitted & Refused are decisions by ESBC) – Cllr Turner
   2025. NP Review – in the absence of Cllr Turner, Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that the Examiner’s Report and decision whether the Plan should proceed to referendum is going to Cabinet on the 20^th October 2025. If all goes well the referendum will go to members on the 4^th December 2025.
8. Highways – Cllr Shermer
   5031. Potholes – Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke stated that there was a large pothole at the junction of College Road and the B5031. The clerk confirmed that this had been reported many times. Cllr Hales stated SCC are changing the way they categorise potholes, they are also holding Amey to account and all works will be inspected after completion. Cllr Oldroyd – Clarke and Cllr Shermer volunteered to take a picture of the pothole and send it to the clerk. Cllr Hales asked that the picture be sent to him along with any previous reference number when it was last reported. Action Clerk, Cllr Shermer and Cllr Oldroyd – Clarke.
   5032. Feasibility Report – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that thanks to Cllr Hales she had now received a response from SCC offering a number of dates for a site visit with an engineer. Cllr Shermer confirmed the dates were 2^nd, 3^rd, 16^th and 18^th Cllr Shermer will reply stating that she was available on all dates. Action Cllr Shermer
   5033. Data B5031 – The clerk confirmed that thanks to Cllr Hales it had been confirmed that this would be carried out week commencing 13^th
9. Playground – Cllr Flower
   1. Cllr Flower confirmed that all checks were up to date and all was fine at the playground.
10. Village Hall – Cllr Shermer
    1. Nothing to add at this time. Cllr Oldroyd – Clarke asked if he could attend village hall meetings if Cllr Shermer was unable to attend. Cllr Shermer confirmed that she would ask at the next meeting. Action Cllr Shermer
11. Finance
    1. External Audit letter – the clerk confirmed that she had received the letter however she had questioned an issue raised and was awaiting a response from Mazars the auditors. Clerk to update councillors as soon as she receives a response. Action Clerk
12. Miscellaneous
    1. War Memorial – Fountain and gardens – Cllr Edmonds raised the issue of the war memorial being checked for insurance purposes. The clerk said that she would look into this. Cllr Edmonds also stated that the garden area needed to be addressed and he would be take advice from experts as necessary. Edmonds volunteered to look into this. Action Clerk and Cllr Edmonds.
    2. Cleaning the stream in the village – Clerk to contact Cllr Mountney to see if she can update on this. Action Clerk
13. Payments – To approve the following payments:

The clerk went through the payments individually. The payments were proposed by Cllr Oldroyd-Clarke and seconded by Cllr Edmonds. All payments would be processed online. The online payments were set up by Cllr Shermer and authorised by Cllr Flower. All invoices would be signed and would be returned to the clerk once actioned.

1. Carolyn Hinton – Website – pay for September 2025 = £25 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144]
2. Clerk’s pay for September 2025 (Made by Standing Order) = Net Pay £550.63 [LGA 1972 s112]
3. Julie Sadler – September 2025 – £9.00
4. HMRC – Clerk – Tax – September 2025 – £137.60
5. HMRC – Clerk Employee National Insurance –September 2025 – £40.69
6. N Power – 1^st August to 31^st August 2025 – £45.74
7. Stuart Smith – Lengthsman – September 2025 – £133.21
8. Marmax Recycled Products – 2 Picnic Benches for the Railway line £866.00 +VAT £173.20 = £1039.20
9. Village Hall – Hire of the Hall £10 and 13weeks cleaning of the toilet = £130 total = £140.00

1. items for Future Agenda
   1. War Memorial

    Cllr Hales raised that the work to be carried out on Lady Meadow Bridge was scheduled for the 4^th   November.

Date of next meeting – Monday 10th November 2025 at 7.00pm Village Hall Denstone