| | Attendees: Cllr M Shermer (Chair), Cllr C Kelly, Cllr E Edmonds, Cllr B Wright, Cllr J Turner, Cllr J. Mountney, Cllr L Beckett-Fountain andCllr S Ratcliffe, Julie Sadler (Clerk) and Borough Councillor S Sankey.Also present at the meeting was Russell Whitehurst and Jean Wright. Apologies: Cllr K. Stratton, | |
| | The minutes of the meeting held on the 5th January 2021. The minutes were agreed by all as a true record of the meeting and will be signed by the Chair and the clerk at the next available meeting. | Clerk and Cllr Shermer |
| | Declaration of interest None | |
| | Adjournment for Public Participation – It was raised by a parishioner that there was a lot of litter between the JCB car park and Lady Meadow bridge and Oak Road. This was being dropped by walkers who parked at the car park and then walked around the lake. Cllr Shermer confirmed that she walked there every day and she had not seen considerable amounts of litter. JCB were dealing with any litter problems as they employ a person who picks up the litter every day. | |
| | Matters Rising/Clerks Report Correspondence Received – The clerk raised the issue that virtual meetings were being discussed again by NALC as the government only agreed for them to take place for a year and this would be coming to a close in early May. The clerk informed the councillors that she would keep them updated on any changes to this as and when they ariseDefibrillator Pads and Battery – The clerk informed the meeting that AEDdonate no longer fitted the new pads and battery to the defibrillator. Cllr Wright therefore volunteered to carry out this job as long as instructions were provided. Clerk to forward Cllr Wrights address and ask for instructions to be included with the items. Hedge Trimmer Update – The clerk asked for any update as to where we were with the new hedge trimmer. Cllr Edmonds confirmed that it had not been delivered as yet but TaylorMade were hoping to receive it in the next couple of weeks. | Clerk Clerk Cllr Wright |
| 6. | Planning Applications P/2021/00006 – Demolition of existing canopy and erection of a conservatory to the front elevation – Brook Cottage, Quixhill Lane, Prestwood, Staffordshire, ST14 5DD – No objections P/2021/00050 – Erection of a single storey rear extension and canopy to the rear and side elevation – 16 Hawthorn Close, Denstone, Staffordshire, ST14 5HB – No objections P/2020/01501 – Retention of temporary office, mess and storage facilities for a period of 3 years following expiration of P/2018/00379 – Lilac Cottage, Stubwood Lane, Denstone, ST14 5HU – No objections | |
| 7. | Broadband Funding – Cllr Shermer confirmed that there was no update at the moments. Cllr Beckett-Fountain informed the meeting that they were currently being stonewalled by BT but they would keep pushing. The clerk was asked to keep this item on the agenda for future months. | Clerk |
| 8. | SCC COVID19 Support Fund – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that there is still currently £274.10 left in the fund so if anyone is aware of anyone who requires some of the funding please contact the clerk. | |
| 9. | Website Accessibility – The Clerk has had contact with the SCC digital team and they had confirmed that they would most likely start working on the website in April. Everyone agreed that this was excellent news. | |
| 10. | Community Speed Watch– Russ confirmed that the quote of £690 that was given for the Community Speed Watch Signs was only a provisional one. The Cllrs did agree to having the signs but needed a firm quote before this could be signed off. Russ agreed to meet up with the company and obtain a firm quote and bring it to the next meeting. In addition, Cllr Turner asked if a sign could be placed near the play area. Russ said that he didn’t think that this would be a problem. | Cllr Shermer and R. Whitehurst |
| 11. | Bookshelf – Information/Telephone Box – Cllr Edmonds asked if anyone had got any spare book shelfs that could go into the information box. Cllr Wright said that he had a look every couple of weeks when going by and tidies it up taking anything to the charity shop that is not required. He volunteered to make a new shelf and put it in. Cllr Shermer thanked Cllr Wright on behalf of the Parish Council. | Cllr Wright |
| 12. | Denstone Meadow – Cllr Edmonds informed the meeting that there wasn’t much to update on as the Meadow had been under water again. However, it is hoped that they will be able to assess the situation in the next few weeks. | Cllr Edmonds |
| 13, | War Memorial Area – Cllr Edmonds had a chat with Mick Delf who said that he would be more than happy to clear out all the space in between the stones, however he would not be able to fill the gaps again. Russ agreed to do this if Mick was able to give him a demonstration. Russ agreed to discuss this with Mick. | Russ |
| 14. | Stubwood Housing Development – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that she had contacted John German regarding this issue, however she has not heard anything further from them. It was agreed that the clerk would chase this issue and report back at the next meeting. | Clerk |
| 15. | Waterlogged Track and Railway Line – Cllr Shermer informed the meeting that she had contacted Steve Williams the ranger and he had confirmed that his maintenance team if possible, would like to tip 2 wagon loads of stone (approx. 32ton in total) on the village hall car park so that they can transport it over to the railway using a dumper truck? They don’t want to take large wagons down the track itself at the moment given the recent weather, as it would do too much damage, but they want to get a reasonable size and quantity of stone down to do a good job of resurfacing. They would, of course, leave the car park as they found it. It was agreed that Cllr Shermer would contact Bob Beaumont from the Village hall before giving Steve the all clear. It was suggested that the resurfacing should go past the bridge if at all possible as the state of the surface is just as severe there. Cllr Shermer agreed to mention this in her reply to Steve. Cllr Ratcliffe informed the meeting that he had spoken to JCB regarding some stone but unfortunately at this time they only had large stones. However, as and when they cut some stone he will ask for some to be put by should the Parish require it again. | Cllr Shermer |
| 16. | Crumpwood Weir – Cllr Shermer read an email from Steve Williams confirming that the license was in the late stages of being completed. A copy of this email would be forwarded onto all the councillors after the meeting. The Councillors agreed that this was an excellent outcome. Cllr Shermer confirmed her thanks to Steve Williams for all his hard work on this. | |
| 17. | Highways issues Traffic issues & Stubwood sub-committee – Stubwood – Cllr Shermer confirmed that she had nothing further to report on this issue from Richard Rayson. Potholes & drainage issues in the village – Cllr Shermer expressed her sincere thanks to Cllr Wright and Russ for all the hard work they had done in compiling the map of the drains around the village. Thanks also to Russ for the work on the culvert behind the shop. Cllr Ratcliffe confirmed that the problem with the culvert is under the road. Clerk to contact SCC regarding this issue. c. Footpaths and Pavements – Cllr Wright informed the meeting that he had reported the problem with footpath 25. | Clerk |
| 18. | To approve the following payments: Proposed by Cllr Ratcliffe and seconded by Cllr Wright. The clerk will send all the invoices to Cllr Shermer for the outstanding payments. Cllr Shermer will then write the cheques and sign them and get a second signature from either Cllr Stratton or Cllr Edmonds. Webmaster pay for January 2021 = £25.00 [LGA 1972 s142 & 144] Clerk’s pay for January 2021(Made by Standing Order) = £397.80 [LGA 1972 s112]Eon Lighting January 2021 = £20.32 [Parish Councils Act 1957 s3J Etherington – Cleaning Village Hall January 2021 £40.00Russ Whitehurst – Lengthsman January 2021 = £50.00Peter Robotham – Denstone Meadow – £34.50Edward Edmonds – Sign for Trail gate – £60.00Margaret Shermer – Stamps – £21.85Sue Ratcliffe – Railway Bins – £106.00 | Clerk and Cllr Shermer |
| . | Items for next meeting Denstone Diary – Cllr Edmonds Junior Play area – Cllr Beckett-Fountain | |
| | Date of next meeting – Tuesday 2nd March 2021 at 7.00pm via https://zoom.us | |
