Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Penkridge Parish Council Meeting held
On 13th March 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
“ Sam Harper-Wallis
“ Victor Kelly
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Andrew Le Resolved that nz
“ Anthony Minshall
“ Gary Poston
“ Mrs Vivienne Smith
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
Mrs Yvonne Buckland – Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
There were four members of the public in attendance.
Part I – Public Session
5961. APOLOGIES
[a] Apologies were received from Cllrs Christopher Manton, Alan Smallwood and Ms Jayne Taylor.
5962. PERSONALIA AND EVENTS
[a] The above was received for March 2025.
[b] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/audio recording the meeting was Cllrs Andew Lenz and Gary Poston.
5963. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest.
5964. DISCLOSABLE PECUNINARY INTEREST [DPI]
There were no DPIs received.
5965. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cllr Andrew Lenz advised Councillors that there had been several allotment meetings and he said they had now set up an Allotment Association named Penkridge Allotments and Leisure Garden Association. They had drafted a Constitution for the Association and asked that this be considered at the March Recreation and Amenities meeting.
5966. POLICE MATTERS
[a] It was noted that no Police report had been received.
5967. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS
[a] South Staffordshire Councillors advised that:
New Rules implemented for empty and deprived houses that would be used for the homeless
UK Shared Prosperity Grants was near completion
Artificial Intelligence was being used for greater port speed and contact made with the correct person.
Devolution was still in discussion with small steps being made.
The Extra Work Teams had been extended for a further two years for Parish Councils.
Yogh clubs were being promoted in the District with the one for Penkridge at the Peace Memorial Hall.
5967. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS [Cont’d]
The hedge along the brook from Boscomoor Lane had finally been cut following the hard work and persistence of Cllrs Helen Adams and Victor Kelly giving the residents light into their houses.
[b] A Memo was received dated 28th February from the Leader of South Staffordshire Council regarding Devolution.
5968. MINUTES
Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting be approved for:
[a] Full Council meeting of 13th February 2025
[b] The Follow Up Sheets for the 13th February 2025 were received.
5969. COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted for the:
[a] Planning Minutes of the 13th February 2025
5970. WORKING GROUP MINUTES
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
5971. OUTSIDE GROUPS WITH PC REPRESENTATION
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
Cllr Kelly advised that the SPCA were involved in the Devolution and how his will affect Parish Councils. There was also a new Code of Conduct and PPF.
5972. ACCOUNTS
[a] The accounts for payment for the month of February 2025 were approved.
[b] The expenditure summary print outs for February 2025 were received.
[c] The February 2025 Monthly Summary of Accounts and Pie Charts were noted.
[d] Current Account Balance £ 42,473
Business Saver Balance £ 383,639
Expenditure for the Month of November:
Full Council £ 62,706
Haling Dene Mgt £ 164,328
Recreation and Amenities £ 116,501
Burial Ground £ 48,387
Total Income for the Month of November:
Full Council £ 24,791
Haling Dene Mgt £ 88,596
Recreation and Amenities £ 30,877
Burial Ground £ 38,227
5973. PENKRIDGE PARISH CASUAL VACANCY – NORTH EAST WARD
[a] It was note that one Expression of Interest had been received but does not meet the requested criteria:
‘If you are interested in serving as a Parish Councillor, please send a written expression of interest to the Parish Clerk along with a personal statement giving reasons why you are interested in joining the Parish Council and what particular set of skills and experience you feel you can bring to the role.’
Resolved that the PA present a formal co-option process to the April Full Council meeting for consideration.
5974. HORTICULTURAL CONTRACT 2025 – 2028
[a] Following the resolution at the 23rd January Haling Dene Management and Recreation and Amenities Committee meetings to receive and consider quotations for the Horticultural Contact to commence April 2025.
Resolved that the contract for the Horticultural Contract be awarded to the Lawn Cutter for a period of 12 months with the option to extend.
5975. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
[a] Following the presentation by Neighbourhood Plan Chairman, Council considered if they wished to approve the Policies written by the Steering Group.
Resolved that the Policies presented to the Council be approved.
5976. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 10th April 2025 at 7.30 pm.
5977. 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 8.20 pm
Chairman ………………………………………………………………………… Dated …..……………………