Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Penkridge Parish Council Meeting held
On 11th July 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]
“ Mrs Petula M C Hughes [Vice Chairman]
“ Andrew Adams
“ Sam Harper-Wallis
“ Victor Kelly
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Andrew Lenz
“ Christopher Manton
“ Anthony Minshall
“ Gary Poston
“ Mrs Vivienne Smith
“ Alan Smallwood
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
Staffordshire County Councillor David Williams
There were two members of the public in attendance.
Part I – Public Session
- APOLOGIES
[a] Apologies were received from Cllrs Miss Luana Bills and Mrs Jo Chapman.
- PERSONALIA AND EVENTS
[a] The above was received for July 2024.
[b] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/audio recording the meeting – Cllrs Andrew Lenz and Gary Poston.
[c] Councillors congratulated Cllr Mrs Smith following Staffordshire County Council awarding her Volunteers Week for her commitment and contribution as a Volunteer who makes a difference to all the families she supports on a weekly basis at the Penkridge Parent and Toddler Group.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest.
- DISCLOSABLE PECUNINARY INTEREST [DPI]
There were no Disposable Pecuniary Interests received.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cllr Andrew Lenz said he had been informed by a Parishioner, Mr Parker of Wolverhampton Road, that he had contacted Staffordshire County Council’s Mr Mark Deaville but had not received a reply from him.
The Chairman said this item could be placed on the July Recreation and Amenities agenda.
Cllr Smallwood asked if there had been any progress on the hedges being cut from Francis Green Lane bridge to Francis Close as they were very overgrown and caused problems for parents taking their children to school.
Cllr Mrs Smith said one parent had cleared some of the branches/nettles over-hanging the pathway.
- POLICE MATTERS
[a] It was noted that future Police reports would be issued quarterly, the last report was issued in May 2024.
[b] An email was received dated 25th June from CI Tim Norbury in relation to Councillors’ request for monthly Police Reports.
- SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS
South Staffordshire Council Councillors advised that there were no updates at this moment in time.
Cllr David Williams gave his report:
Otherton Brook footways currently have multiple outstanding works, these were planned for 4th and 5th June 2024, there are no updates at present on when the scheduled work will commence.
Boscomoor Lane flooding by the fishing tackle shop, work is awaiting scheduling, this requires a dig down and investigation.
Haling Road is currently receiving surface dress patching works and surface dressing is planned for 2025.
Councillors then had a question and answer session with Cllr Williams.
- MINUTES
Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting be approved for:
[a] Full Council meeting of 13th June 2024
[b] The Follow Up Sheets for the May and June Full Council meeting were received.
- COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted for the:
[a] Planning Minutes of the 13th June 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.
- ACCOUNTS
[a] The accounts for payment for the months of May and June 2024 be approved.
[b] The expenditure summary print outs for May and June 2024 were received.
[c] The May and June Summary of Accounts and Pie Charts for the website were noted.
These are to be emailed to Councillors from September 2024.
[d] The 2024-2025 Annual Expenditure Pie Chart for the website was noted.
[e] It was noted the Bank Mandate had been updated and the following Councillors were now on the Mandate and able to sign cheques:
Cllr Mrs Helen Adams, Andrew Adams, Mrs Jo Chapman, Mrs Petula Hughes, Victor Kelly, Ron Kenyon, Gary Poston and Mrs Vivienne Smith.
[f] The following accounting details were noted:
Current Account Balance £ 63,013
Business Saver Balance £345,774
Expenditure for the Month of June:
Full Council £ 18,710
Haling Dene Mgt £ 42,647
Recreation and Amenities £ 25,001
Burial Ground £ 11,702
Total Income for the Month of June:
Full Council £ 1,300
Haling Dene Mgt £ 25,091
Recreation and Amenities £ 27,502
Burial Ground £ 9,001
- PENKRIDGE PARISH CASUAL VACANCY – NORTH EAST WARD
[a] Applications for the above vacancy were received and considered for the North East Ward.
Resolved that Jayne Taylor be co-opted onto the Parish Council for the North East Ward.
- RECREATION AND AMENITIES MEETING – 23RD MAY 2024
[a] Burial Ground – Conifer Removal
Following the below resolution at the June Full Council meeting an email was received from the SSC Senior Arboriculture Officer advising the tree can be removed.
Resolved that the quotation from M Bissell Trees and Hedges be accepted but the PA to find out the legalities of cutting a leylandii conifer tree down with a wide girth and this item be placed on the July Full Council agenda.
- PENKRIDGE LIBRARY
[a] The draft Lease for Penkridge Library for the coming five years was received and considered.
[b] Council considered the above document and unanimously approved the document and the continuation of the Contract with Staffordshire County Council for a further five years.
Resolved that the Contract be approved and signed for a further five years.
- SPEED INDICATOR DEVICES
[a] Following the presentation by Morelock on 9th July and the paperwork distributed with the March Recreation and Amenities agenda Council considered how they wished to take this item forward.
Councillors agreed that they purchase four Speed Indictor Devices.
The costs be approved as follows:
Device £2,695 each plus VAT
Posts £ 75 each plus VAT
Installation £ 150
Pole Installation Cost £1,000 to £1,500 per pole
Cost includes £379 permit to dig per pole and £75.00 pole cost.
Section 50 Licence Not required if the SIDs are Solar Powered Devices
It was noted that the current budget was £13,00 and that South Staffordshire Council had been asked if they could match fund the cost of supply and install two poles as previous agreed, which would reduce the overall cost by £3,000.
Council considered the locations of the SIDs with the agreed locations to be:
A449 going North before the Bloor Homes Island
Pillaton – Central location
Wolgarston Way Entrance by Cannock Road and A449
Resolved that:
[i] The Council purchase four Speed Indictor Devices
[ii] The cost for the above to include purchase, poles and installation be approved at £17,080.
[iii] The locations of the four devices be as per the above with specific locations to be agreed following a site meeting by Councillors.
Councillor Lenz asked that it be recorded that Mr Alan Stevens be thanked for all his work with the Community Speed Watch together with the Speed Watch Team.
- NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
[a] The Chairman of the above, Mrs Yvonne Buckland, gave an update.
She said there was three strands of activity: Data Questionnaire, Policies and the Report writing. The proposals for the Policies would be presented to the September Full Council meeting.
- STAFFORDSHIRE PARISH COUNCIL ASSOCIATION
[a] An email was received dated 27th June from the above for information, the PA had reserved two places for Councillors and will advise once a date and time has been agreed.
[b] Councillors who were nominated to attend were Cllrs Andrew Lenz and Anthony Minshall on Friday 20th September at 2.00 pm.
- DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 12th September 2024 at 7.30 pm.
The meeting closed at 9.35 pm
Chairman ………………………………………………………………………… Dated …..……………………