Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Penkridge Parish Council Meeting held
On 8th December 2022 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 Victor Kelly [Chairman]
“ Mrs Petula M C Hughes [Vice Chairman]
“ Andrew Adams
“ Mrs Helen Adams
“ Ms Gail Ballance
“ John Eastwood
“ Sam Harper-Wallis
“ Andrew Lenz
“ Anthony Minshall
“ Calvert Stonehouse
“ Alan Smallwood
Ms L Hough [Parish Administrator]
Also in Attendance
SSC Cllr Len Bates
SCC Cllr David Williams
There were four members of the Public in attendance
Part I – Public Session
5461. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllrs Gordon Hawkins, David Oldfield and Mrs Vivienne Smith.
5462. PERSONALIA AND EVENTS
[a] The above was received for December 2022.
[b] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/recording the
meeting were Cllrs Andrew Lenz and Calvert Stonehouse.
5463. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest.
5464. DISCLOSABLE PECUNINARY INTEREST [DPI}
There were no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests received.
5465. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Christine Robinson, Library Volunteer and member of the Civic Society, said she thought the new
Hardware shop on Crown Bridge was an eyesore and the signage was not in-keeping, there were
also baskets from the shop on the pavements which restricted access.
The Chairman advised that the relevant authorities would be made aware of the above.
Cllr Eastwood said he had seen on social media many residents had received letters from South
Staffs Water and were concerned what action they should take.
5466. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Cllr Len Bates gave his report on South Staffordshire Council’s Local Plan, a copy is attached to the
official copy of the minutes.
Cllr David Williams gave his report for Staffordshire County Council relating to proposed work and
that already undertaken, a copy is attached to the official copy of the minutes.
Cllr Andrew Adams gave an update regarding the Asylum Seekers at the Hatherton Hotel, Preston
Vale Solar Farm, the two trees at the rear of the open space on Mill Street and Heron Play Area.
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Cllr Mrs Gail Balance left the meeting at 8.20 pm
5467. POLICE MATTERS
[a] The Police report for November and December was received.
[b] An email was received dated 26th November from Staffordshire Police regarding vehicles
contravening the weight restrictions in the village and it was noted this had been passed to Cllr Lenz
to respond.
5468. MINUTES
Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting be approved for:
[a] Full Council meeting of the 10th November 2022.
Cllr Eastwood advised the wording under Item 5454[b] had not been recorded correctly and asked
that the wording be amended to read:
For Exclusive Users rent increase there will be a zero increase for charitable users rising to six per cent
for all other users.
Resolved that all Councillors present agreed to the amendment in wording to the 10th November Full
Council minutes under item 5454[b].
[b] The Follow Up Sheets were received for the Full Council, Haling Dene Management and Recreation
and Amenities.
5469. COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted for the:
[a] Planning Minutes for 10th November 2022.
5470. WORKING GROUP MINUTES
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
5471. OUTSIDE GROUPS WITH PC REPRESENTATION
The Penkridge Sports and Recreation Centre minutes of 5th September were received.
5472. ACCOUNTS
Resolved that:
[a] The accounts for payment for the month November be approved.
[b] The expenditure summary print outs for November were received.
[c] The November Monthly Summary of Accounts and Pie Chart for the website were noted.
[d] The following accounting details were noted:
Current Account Balance £ 42,752
Business Saver Balance £334,895
Expenditure for the Month of October:
Full Council £ 56,516
Haling Dene Mgt £ 79,467
Recreation and Amenities £146,166
Burial Ground £ 25,399
Total Income for the Month of August:
Full Council £ 2,139
Haling Dene Mgt £ 41,582
Recreation and Amenities £ 61,074
Burial Ground £ 10,794
5473. CASUAL VACANCIES
[a] Consideration was given to applications for Co-Option to the Levedale Ward.
There was a paper voted for all four applicants.
There were six votes for Ron Kenyon, three votes for Stephen Croomer and one spoilt paper.
Resolved that Mr Ron Kenyon be co-opted on to the Parish Council.
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5474. HALING DENE CENTRE
[a] An email was received from Carnell with regard to having a Food Bank at the Haling Dene Centre
for the Cannock and District Food Bank and Trussell Trust.
[b] Consideration was given to holding a Pantomime for 2023, Snow White, at a cost of £1,799 by M & M
Productions and the ticket cost to be £10.00 per person.
Resolved that there be three performances and the charge be £10.00 per ticket.
[c] Consideration be given to relocating the bench in the Haling Dene rear grounds in memory of the
late Bevan Craddock due to youth gathering, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
Resolved that Cllr Minshall speak to Mrs Craddock and advise of the problems with youths and
vandalism around the bench and this be bought back to the January meeting.
[d] It was noted the Council are having a Warm Space on Monday, 5th, Friday 9th, Monday 12th and
Monday 19th December.
[e] Following only two Councillors attending the Kings Coronation Working Group meeting Council
considered if they wished to hold any events and if so to arrange a date when all Councillors can
attend.
Resolved that:
[i] Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams, John Eastwood, Mrs Petula Hughes, Sam Harper-Wallis, Victor Kelly,
Andrew Lenz and Calvert Stonehouse advised they wished to be involved.
[ii] An evening meeting be arranged early in the new year.
5475. COUNCIL MEETING
[a] Consideration was given to Council meetings in Room 16 so Room 1 can be used each Thursday
evening increasing the room hire cost for the year by approximately £2,000.
Resolved that Council retain the use of Room 1 every second Thursday for Full Council meetings.
5476. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL – LOCAL PLAN PUBLIC CONSIULTATION
Consideration was given to a response for the above with the closing date being 23rd December
2022.
Resolved that Cllrs Harper-Wallis and Stonehouse draft a response to be circulated to all Councillors
and submitted to South Staffordshire Council before 21st December.
5477. STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Consideration was given to an email dated 22nd November from the SCC Head of Planning Policy
and Enabling with regard to Penkridge Engagement.
5478. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
[a] Cllr Sam Harper-Wallis gave a verbal update for the above.
In January 2023 the Group will be undertaking Phase 1 of the Consultation with the Public.
5479. WEST MIDLAND INTERCHANGE
Consideration was given to an email dated 22nd November from the South Staffordshire Council
Development Management in relation to the Stage 1 tree, hedgerow and vegetation clearance.
Resolved that the above be asked to advise what were their plans for the hedges/boundary reinstatement and protection for the Bats.
5480. GRANTS AND DONATIONS
[a] Consideration was given to a grant application from a resident of Riverview to have a Defibrillator
fitted installed at Riverview and the grant amount is £1,000.
Resolved that a letter be sent to the applicant requesting further information with regard to if
Housing Plus were to contribute towards the cost of the Defibrillator and cover the cost of
installation, cabinet and electricity supply to the unit.
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5481. NOTICE OF MOTION
To receive and consider the below Notice of Motion from Cllr Sam Harper-Wallis:
Motion for the Parish Council to revive the Civic Award (cancelled this year) under a new event
named “Penkridge Community Champions” and to implement the following:
· Penkridge Parish Council to host a community event in the Haling Dene for the Penkridge
Community Champion 2023 Awards in the first quarter of 2023.
· The event to be hosted in the evening
· Entertainment to be sourced and provided, ideally targeting community groups.
· Refreshments and light buffet to be provided
· Parish Council to approach potential sponsors for the overall event and then sponsors for the
individual awards in order to provide refreshments and entertainment for attendees.
· Parish Council to create an awarding group to vote on potential winners, open to all councillors
to join.
· Parish Council to open up for nominations for the following awards:
· Good Neighbour Award – Someone who has gone over and above for their neighbours; generally
being someone the neighbourhood couldn’t do without.
· Contribution to Community Safety – Any group, school, club, business or individual whose actions
have a positive impact on community safety locally, helping to raise awareness and reduce
crime in our communities.
· Community Business – A company or sole-trader whose business initiatives and outlook makes a
difference to their local communities.
· Young Achiever – A young person aged 25 or under who has shown amazing bravery or excelled
in any way, perhaps under adversity, through leadership or in pioneering a community project.
· Longstanding contribution – An individual who has contributed a huge amount of their time and
effort to a single charity, club, group or organisation.
· Community Spirit – An individual or group who gives outstanding personal service to the
community through hard work, dedication and commitment.
· Parish Council to deploy a new awards website here
https://sites.google.com/view/penkridgecommunitychampions/home – to collect nominations
and provide information.
· Penkridgecommunityaward.co.uk – domain to be purchased and applied to the draft site (£10).
· Parish Council to start to approach organisations and the community for nominations of the
above wards. Via the following methods:
· Social Media
· Notice Boards
· Direct Messages to all known community groups
· Councillor Engagement
· Parish Council to organise a mobile bar provider for the event
· Parish Council to approve a covering budget of £1000 for the event, however this should only be
used to cover costs not able to be covered by sponsors.
· Parish Council to implement a directory of contact information, containing all community groups
on the new parish website.
Resolved that the above be deferred to the January 2023 Full Council agenda.
5482. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 12th January 2023 at 7.30 pm.
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5483. 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 10.20 pm
Chairman ……………………………………………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………