Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Penkridge Parish Council Meeting held
On 11th April 2024 at 7.30 pm at the Haling Dene Centre
Audio recordings will be made of all Ordinary and Special Council meetings and Committee meetings, with the inclusion of confidential matters.
PRESENT
Councillor Mrs Helen Adams [Chairman]
“ Sam Harper-Wallis [Vice Chairman]
“ Jo Chapman
“ Mrs Petula M C Hughes
“ Victor Kelly
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Andrew Lenz
“ Chris Manton
“ Anthony Minshall
“ Gary Poston
“ Mrs Vivienne Smith
“ Alan Smallwood
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
There were twelve members of the public in attendance.
Part I – Public Session
- APOLOGIES
[a] Apologies were received from:
Parish Councillors – Cllrs Andrew Adams and Miss Luana Bills.
- PERSONALIA AND EVENTS
[a] The above was received for April 2024.
[b] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/recording the meeting was Cllrs Victor Kelly, Andrew Lenz and Gary Poston.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest.
- DISCLOSABLE PECUNINARY INTEREST [DPI]
There were no Disposable Pecuniary Interests received.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cllr Lenz said that he had instigated the attendance of allotment holders due the security and vandalism issues to which the Parish Council were not doing anything.
Anna Stimpson, ST19 5JS, said she had held an allotment plot at Francis Green Lane for many years and felt neglected, she did not feel safe and there was a number of people at the allotments on their own, the allotments were private land and there should be a duty of care in place. Decisions are made about the allotments and they did not understand the needs.
Mr Dave Kent, Lock Road, said he had an allotment since the pandemic at Francis Green Lane but echoed what had been said. He sometimes felt threatened by youths and adults. He said he could not use the allotments at certain times of the day because of kids walking though. There should be wire mesh on the gate and a properly fitted lock with keys, this would solve the duty of care.
Gemma Stokes, ST19 5LY, said she echoed what had been said there was vandalism which was mainly kids and the PCSO said the allotment needs to be fenced.
Cllr Lenz said 12 months ago Mr Mutter had requested a 12 monthly get together to sort out issues but nothing has been done, he wanted to get things moving but was not taking responsibility for an allotment association or meeting. He said that details had not been cascaded through to either himself or the allotment holders.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [Cont’d]
Cllr Smallwood said he was the Vice Chair of the Recreation and Amenities Committee and had to support the allotment holders. He said the Council was duty bound to get this sorted and the security was the Council’s responsibility.
Cllr Kelly said a letter should be sent to the Schools asking that the pupils be told they should not use the allotments as a right of way.
The Chairman advised the allotment holders that the Council wished to work with them but it was Councillor Lenz’s responsibility, as Chair of the Recreation and Amenities Committee, to liaise with them organise a meeting.
It was agreed that a meeting be held with the Council and allotment Holders within two months and this would include the Police, if available. Notice of the meeting would be sent out to allotment holders either by letter or email and notices also placed on the gates.
- POLICE MATTERS
[a] A Police report had not been received.
- SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS
Cllr Victor Kelly advised that South Staffordshire Council were going through the latter stages of the Local Plan in which there would be a six week consultation.
Cllr Harper-Wallis said that there were a lot of changes proposed for Penkridge and Dunston and encouraged Parishioners to get involved with the consultation sessions.
The Chairman said that she had signed the S106 agreement for the funds relating to Cameron Homes and hopefully the Council will shortly receive the funding so the Outdoor Gym equipment could be ordered.
The Council had also submitted grant applications for many aspects in order for refurbishment work to be undertaken at the Haling Dene Centre.
- MINUTES
Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting be approved for:
[a] Full Council Meeting of 14th March had not been include in the packs and these would be placed on the 9th May agenda for approval.
[b] The Follow Up Sheets for March Full Council were received.
- COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted for the:
[a] Planning Minutes of the 14th March 2024
[b] Annual Parish Meeting of 7th March 2024.
[c] Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting of 28th March 2024.
[d] Haling Dene Management meeting of 28th March 2024.
- WORKING GROUP MINUTES
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
- OUTSIDE GROUPS WITH PC REPRESENTATION
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
Cllr Kelly said he had attended the recent WMI meeting, of which minutes had been circulated by the Clerk to all Councillors, construction signs were being erected and work was to commence on the A449 and A5 with evening road closures.
[b] Cllr Minshall said he had attended the South Staffordshire Council’s Community Engagement meeting but there was confusion whether it was by Zoom or in person. He had technical issues on the evening and was not briefed in what to expect.
- ACCOUNTS
[a] It was noted that the accounts for payment and the expenditure summary printouts for the month of March 2024 would be included on the May agenda due to the end of year close down.
[b] Councillors were reminded to have their Councillor Allowance submissions in no later than 12th April 2024.
- CROWN BRIDGE HANGING BASKET TREE
[a] The PA advised that she had approached an additional four companies and met one Contractor on Wednesday with another site meeting on Friday and this item would be included on the May agenda for consideration.
- NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN WORKING GROUP
[a] Cllr Harper-Wallis advised that the Group were still undertaking data analysis and the Plan was being written. The conclusions were showing what data and policies were to be written, with examples being cycle and walk-ways, pavements, buses and the poor pool facilities within the village.
- CASUAL VACANCY – NORTH EAST WARD
[a] Consideration was given to the one Expression of Interest received.
The Parish Council decided that the content of the email did not contain the required information as per the Notice of Co-Option.
Resolved that:
[i] The Expressions of Interest application be declined.
[ii] The Vacancy be re-advertised and applications considered at the May meeting.
- SOCIAL MEDIA
[a] The Chairman advised that the Council had achieved many things in the year 2023-2024 with this was continuing into the next financial year, but unfortunately the Groups on Social Media deem the Parish Council can never get it right.
She advised Councillors if they informed anyone of discissions/decisions within the Public Session of a Council meeting and the details are mis-informed on Social Media it is the Councillor’s responsibility to ask that person either remove or amend the post.
Councillors thought the request for quotations/tenders should also be placed on Social Media for a wider variety of applicants but to also alleviate the bad publicity on Social Media.
Resolved that the PA update the Financial Regulations to incorporate the above and this be placed on the May agenda for consideration.
- COUNCILLORS’ EMAILS
[a] It was noted an email had been circulated to all Councillors giving instructions on how they could change their account password if they so wish.
- DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 9th May 2024 at 7.30 pm.
- Local Government Act 1972 – Exclusion of Press and Public – to resolve that the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph(s) Section 1[2] Public Bodies/Admission to meetings Act 1960.
The meeting closed at 8.47 pm
Chairman ………………………………………………………………………… Dated …..……………………