Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Penkridge Parish Council Meeting held
On 13th February 2025 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
“ Mrs Jo Chapman
“ Victor Kelly
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Andrew Lenz
“ Christopher Manton
“ Gary Poston
“ Mrs Vivienne Smith
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
Mrs Yvonne Buckland – Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
There were six members of the public in attendance.
Part I – Public Session
5943. APOLOGIES
[a] Apologies were received from Cllrs Anthony Minshall, Alan Smallwood and Ms Jayne Taylor.
5944. PERSONALIA AND EVENTS
[a] The above was received for February 2025.
[b] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/audio recording the meeting was Cllrs Victor Kelly, Andew Lenz and Gary Poston.
5945. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Mr Helen Adams and Andrew Lenz declared an interest in agenda item 13[a] Recreation and Amenities – Allotments.
5946. DISCLOSABLE PECUNINARY INTEREST [DPI]
Cllrs Mr Helen Adams and Andrew Lenz declared an interest in agenda item 13[a] Recreation and Amenities – Allotments.
5947. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Steve Leason, ST19 5SW, advised that he had submitted a letter regarding the pond on his wife’s Francis Green Lane allotment. He read out a report and gave various facts with regard to ponds on individual allotments and the environmental benefits of having a pond.
Mrs Christine Robinson, ST19 5DW, said she had been battling for two years with dog excrement left in Market Street, Clay Street and Wolverhampton Road.
The PA had asked for signage from South Staffordshire Council and the pavements will be sprayed when there is a dry day.
Mr Alan Stevens, ST19 5BZ, wanted to express his annoyance that on 23rd January the Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting, scheduled to start at 8.00 pm, commenced 20 minutes early. He advised that three members of the public were waiting to join the meeting, and Councillors should respect the notices and keep to the scheduled time.
5948. POLICE MATTERS
[a] It was noted that no Police report had been received.
5949. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS
[a] South Staffordshire Councillors advised that the matter of Devolution was at the beginning of the process, and they would keep Parish Councillors updated.
[b] A Memo was received dated 15th January from the Leader of South Staffordshire Council regarding Devolution.
5950. MINUTES
Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting be approved for:
[a] Full Council meeting of 9th January 2025
[b] The Follow Up Sheets for the 9th January 2025 were received.
5951. COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted for the:
[a] Planning Minutes of the 9th January 2025
[b] Haling Dene Management Minutes of 23rd January 2025
[c] Recreation and Amenities Minutes of 23rd January 2025
5952. WORKING GROUP MINUTES
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
5953. OUTSIDE GROUPS WITH PC REPRESENTATION
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
5954. ACCOUNTS
[a] The accounts for payment for the months of December 2024 and January 2025 were approved.
[b] The expenditure summary print outs for December 2024 and January 2025 were received.
[c] The December 2024 and January 2025 Monthly Summary of Accounts and Pie Charts were noted.
[d ] Approval was given to reinvest the Council’s Bond with Nationwide for a further 12 months at an interest rate of 4.0%.
Resolved that the Council’s Bond be reinvested with Nationwide for a further 12 months at an interest rate of 4.0%.
[e] Current Account Balance £ 71,568
Business Saver Balance £ 383,639
Expenditure for the Month of November:
Full Council £ 58,507
Haling Dene Mgt £ 151,441
Recreation and Amenities £ 105,311
Burial Ground £ 45,486
Total Income for the Month of November:
Full Council £ 24,504
Haling Dene Mgt £ 86,105
Recreation and Amenities £ 30,855
Burial Ground £ 38,227
5955. RECREATION AND AMENITIES
[a] Following the resolution at the above 23rd January meeting and a site visit on Monday 10th February:
[i] Consideration was given to if the Council would allow ponds on individual allotments.
Cllr Manton asked that there be a named vote.
Councillors who voted in favour of the above were Cllrs Mrs Petula Hughes, Andrew Adams, Mrs Jo Chapman, Victor Kelly, Ron Kenyon, Chris Manton, Gary Poston and Mrs Vivienne Smith.
Resolved that the Council allow ponds on individual allotment plots.
[ii] Consideration was given to amending the Allotment Rules and Regulations to allow Ponds on individual plots.
Resolved that the PA update the Rules and Regulations, and these be considered at the 27th March Recreation and Amenities Committee.
5956. GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT 2025-2028
[a] Following the request from the Haling Dene Management and Recreation and Amenities Committees for additional information in relation to the above, the PA’s update was received.
[b] Consideration was given to quotations to undertake the above Contract to commence on 1st April 2025.
Resolved that the Grass Cutting Contract be awarded to M Bissell Trees and Hedges for a three year period with the option to extend the Contract for a further two years.
5957. SPEED INDICATOR DEVICES
[a] An email dated 31st January was received and considered from the SCC Community Highways Assistant Manager giving an updated cost for the installation of the Traffic Management Costs and associated works.
Resolved that the above quotation be approved at a cost of £12,000.
5958. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
[a] An update was received from Mrs Buckland. She advised that the Working Party were to finalise the Policies and asked for guidance how to bring this to the Council. The Group were waiting for an update with regard to funding for the Design and Access codes which would cost approximately £5,000.
Council asked that a presentation be given to the Council on Thursday 13th March at 6.30 pm.
Resolved that a presentation from the above be given to Council on Thursday 13th March at 6.30 pm.
5959. SOCIETY OF LOCAL COUNCIL CLERKS
[a] Consideration was given to renewing the subscription to the above at a cost of £360.
Resolved that the subscription be renewed.
5960. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 13th March 2025 at 7.30 pm.
The meeting closed at 8.20 pm
Chairman ………………………………………………………………………… Dated …..……………………