Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Penkridge Parish Council Meeting held
On 14th December 2023 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 Sam Harper-Wallis [Vice Chairman]
“ Andrew Adams
“ Jo Chapman
“ Mrs Petula M C Hughes
“ Victor Kelly
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Andrew Lenz
“ Chris Manton
“ Anthony Minshall
“ Gary Poston
“ Mrs Vivenne Smith
“ Alan Smallwood
Staffordshire County Councillor David Williams
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
There was four members of the public in attendance.
Part I – Public Session
- APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams and Miss Luana Bills.
- PERSONALIA AND EVENTS
[a] The above was received for December 2023.
[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
Mrs Liz Minshall ST19 5BS, said she had three things to raise, firstly when was the dishwasher to be ordered for the Community Café, secondly the Companies current undertaking the wi-fi upgrade in the village should work with the Parish Council and lastly there was a Warm Homes Scheme energy assessment for Parishioners at the Fire Station but no advertising around the village of the event.
Mr Alan Stevens of Haling Road had a few items he had been asked to raise on behalf of Mrs Dorothy Briggs:
At the Highway Liaison meeting in 2017 several items were raised in relation to the Cannock Road, the excessive flow of traffic, the road being used as a rat run, 20 mph speed limit all with no action undertaken and the footpath along Otherton brook which was in a poor state. She had also had a meeting with Sir Gavin Williams regarding the Cannock Road and speed humps.
Mr Chris Harrison ST19 5HY, was the Chairman of the Gentleman Spoofers who meet to play the ancient arms of spoof, they also raise money for local charities and at their last AGM agreed to purchase and donate a bench to the village. The idea was placed before the Recreation and Amenities Committee who agreed to locate the bench in the Horsefair Play Area, the bench has now arrived and delivered to the Parish Council with a plaque following shortly. Once the bench has been installed they would like to have an official ‘hand over’ with Councillors and members of the Group.
- POLICE MATTERS
[a] A Police report for November/December was received.
Councillors asked if the contents of the report could be included within the Full Council minutes under the Police section.
Resolved that the Police be asked if the contents of the report could be included within the Full Council minutes under the Police section.
- SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS
Staffordshire County Councillor Cllr David Williams advised he has sent his report to the Parish Administrator and this would be circulated to Councillors.
Cllr Adams said that South Staffordshire Council were undertaking Community Engagement which included how South Staffs Council communicated to all Parishioners and how this could be made better.
Cllr Kelly said an email had been received regarding Speed Indicator Devices and the possible opportunity for a grant towards the cost. He had also attended a site meeting for the West Midland Rail Hub.
- MINUTES
Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting be approved for:
[a] Full Council Meeting of 9th November 2023.
[b] It was noted that there were no additional Follow Up Sheets.
- COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted for the:
[a] Planning Minutes for the 9th November 2023
The minutes were received for the
[b] Finance and Resources meeting of 2nd November 2023.
The PA advised Councillors that the provision of four speed Indicator Devices should be changed to two and the funds be put back into the Play Area Capital spend as the figures supplied by the Police for the Community Speed Watch did not warrant four SIDS. There was also funding available from South Staffordshire Council for the purchase of a SID. She said in the current climate it was more important that additional Play Area equipment was provided for families health and wellbeing.
- BUDGET 2023/2024
Consideration was given to the budget requirements for the financial year 2023/2024 for:
[a] Full Council
Resolved that PPC News be increased by £500 and Legal Fees/Consultancy be reduced by £500 to allow for consideration that the PPC News to be delivered either by Royal Mail or with the Penkridge Advertiser.
[b] Haling Dene Management
[c] Recreation and Amenities
Resolved that the Play Area Project Capital budget be reduced to £5,000 [for one year only] and Community Development be increased to £10,000 to allow for the purchase of four Speed indicator devices.
[d] Burial Ground
Resolved that the above be approved.
- COMMITTEE MINUTES [Cont’d]
- PRECEPT 2024-2025
[a] The Estimated Balances and Summary of Estimates sheets were received for the half year 2023-2024.
[b] Consideration was given to setting the 2024-2025 Precept at £310,000.
Councillors voted 11 for setting the Precept at £310,000 and one against.
Cllr Kelly asked for a named vote:
For the Precept being set at £310,000 Cllrs Andrew Adams, Mrs Jo Chapman, Sam Harper-Wallis, Mrs Petula Hughes, Ron Kenyon, Andrew Lenz, Chris Manton, Anthony Minshall, Gary Poston, Mrs Vivienne Smith and Alan Smallwood.
Against the Precept being set at £310,000 Cllr Victor Kelly.
Resolved that the Precept for the financial year 2024-2025 be set at £310,000.
- 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
Resolved that:
[a] The accounts for payment for the month of November be approved.
[b] The expenditure summary print outs for November were received.
[c] The Pie Chart showing summary income and expenditure for November was received.
[d] The Internal Auditor’s half year internal audit report was received.
[e] It was noted that the National Joint Council for Local Government Services had agreed:
[i] A pay increase of £1,925 for all NJC pay points upto pay point 43 and above with effect from 1st April 2023
[f] The following accounting details were noted:
Current Account Balance £ 7,949
Business Saver Balance £407,054
Expenditure for the Month of November:
Full Council £ 44,308
Haling Dene Mgt £ 102,139
Recreation and Amenities £ 62,952
Burial Ground £ 27,101
Total Income for the Month of November:
Full Council £ 5,224
Haling Dene Mgt £ 46,914
Recreation and Amenities £ 5,514
Burial Ground £ 8,206
- CASUAL VACANCY – NORTH EAST WARD
[a] It was noted that no requests to hold an election for the above had been received.
[b] It was noted that the above vacancy would be advertised for Co-Option.
- SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
[a] An email was received and considered from South Staffordshire Council’s Director Partnerships with regard to holding a Member Working Group and to nominate a Council representative if Council wish to take part.
Resolved that the Council take part and Cllr Tony Minshall be the Council’s representative.
[b] A letter was received from the Cabinet Member of Community Services with regard to Closed Churchyards.
Resolved that a letter be sent to the Cabinet Member thanking them for their letter.
- STAFFORDSHIRE PARISH COUNCILASSOCIATION – COUNCILLOR TRAINING
[a] It was noted that following the arrangement of the above in conjunction with Brewood Parish Council only two Councillors attended from Penkridge.
- HALING DENE CENTRE
[a] Consideration was given to an updated quotation from Polair Condition with regard to the replacement of the Cellar Refrigeration System.
Resolved that this item be reviewed and placed on the January Haling Dene Management agenda for an update.
[b] Following the Haling Dene Centre Tree Survey undertaken by A Dunford & Son a quotation was received from M Bissell Trees and Hedges to undertake the remedial work at a cost of £1,950 and the recommended work at a cost of £650.
Resolved that the remedial work be approved but the South Staffordshire Council’s Tree Officer be contacted with regard to the recommended work.
[c] A quotation was received from Kirklands for a dishwasher for the kitchen at a cost of £1,890 and it was noted the Parish Council had received a grant of £1,000 from South Staffs Council’s Best Medicine Funds.
Resolved that:
[i] The quotation from Kirklands for a dishwasher for the kitchen at a cost of £1,890.00 be approved.
[ii] The PA to obtain details with regard to the Council having a Credit Card to purchase such items and this be placed on the January Full Council agenda.
[d] Consideration was given to if the Council wished to once again hold a Pantomime for 2024 and to have three performances by M & M Productions at a cost of £2,899, if so what would the charge be for attendees.
Resolved that:
[i] The Pantomime for 2024 be approved to have three performances by M & M Productions at a cost of £2,899.
[ii] The charge per person be £11.00.
- NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN WORKING GROUP
[a] Cllr Harper-Wallis gave an update that the Neighbourhood Plan Consultation was available online and hard copies had been delivered with the Penkridge Advertiser to 3,500 homes.
To date there had been 34 surveys completed on line and 16 placed in the post boxes around the village
- GRANTS
[a] Consideration was given to a grant application from PACE 2000 for a grant of £500 towards their room hire cost.
Councillors said that this was not in line with the grant application procedures where all applications should be placed on the June Full Council agenda unless it was for an emergency, and this application was not considered an emergency.
Resolved that the grant be approved, on this occasion, but the applicant be notified that in future this will not be considered.
- COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH
[a] The data was received for the above between 1st January and 10th November 2023, details of which would be required when considering the draft budgets and Precept for 2024-2025.
- DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 11th January 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.
Part II – Private Session
- FINANCE AND RESOURCES
[a] The 2024-2025 Tax Base for Band D was received.
[b] The Finance and Resources minutes of 2nd November 2023 were received and considered.
The meeting closed at 10.05 pm
Chairman ………………………………………………………………………… Dated …..……………………