Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Penkridge Parish Council Meeting held
On 8th June 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 Mrs Helen Adams [Chairman]
“ Sam Harper-Wallis [Vice Chairman]
“ Andrew Adams
“ Jo Chapman
“ Mrs Petula M C Hughes
“ Victor Kelly
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Andrew Lenz
“ Anthony Minshall
“ Gary Poston
“ Mrs Vivienne Smith
“ Alan Smallwood
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
There were two members of the public in attendance.
Part I – Public Session
5593. APOLOGIES
There were no apologies received.
5594. PERSONALIA AND EVENTS
[a] The above was received for June 2023.
The Chairman read out a letter from Compton Care thanking Cllr Kelly for the kind donation of
£1,168.50 from his Chairman’s Charity.
[b] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/recording the
meeting were Cllrs Andrew Lenz and Gary Poston.
5595. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Petula Hughes and Sam Harper-Wallis declared an interest in item 16[d] Grants and Donations –
Civic Society.
Cllr Sam Harper-Wallace declared an interest in Item 16[e] Grants and Donations – Peace Memorial
Hall.
Cllr Andrew Adams declared an interest in Item 16[f] Grants and Donations – Penkridge Litter Pickers.
Cllr Victor Kelly declared an interest in Item 16[a] Grants and Donations – Anglo German
Remembrance Association.
5596. DISCLOSABLE PECUNINARY INTEREST [DPI]
There were no Disposable Pecuniary Interests received.
5597. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Alan Stevens from Haling Road advised that he had been attending Parish Council meetings, as
a resident, for the past six years. Over the years Councillors had discussed the provision of a Speed
Indicator Device, which he thought would be good for the village. Rather than give out grants to
organisations that would only benefit a few people the Council should put this towards purchasing
two or three SIDs. The Community Speed Watch group had evidence that proves traffic was
travelling too fast in and around the village.
Mrs Dorothy Briggs, Cannock Road, said the Council should have a mini bus to take them to Yoxall
and see their cameras and speed cushions, the Council should be moving in the same direction.
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5598. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE & STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS
Cllr Kelly gave an update following the SSC Parish Summit which covered subjects on Tackling
Climate Change, South Staffs Housing Association, Better Health, Local Plan and Code of Conduct.
Cllr Adams said he had attended the South Staffs Housing Association Workshop, who are
responsible for 19,500 properties which have to be maintained and updated, they were aware that
sometimes these were not to the required standard. He also advised that the pathways between
Vale Gardens and Wolgarston Way needed repairs but there was a legal query with regard to
ownership. There was to be a meeting of all bodies to address the problems.
Staffordshire County Councillor David Williams gave an update for –
– There would be a phased repair of Pot Holes
– Pathways work such as surface dressing would be on hold for two years.
– He thanked Cllr Kelly for his work to the grass verge on the A449
– There would be an Environmental Fund available to help problems areas/verges in the Autumn
– The speed cushions on the Cannock Road were legal and SCC had no funds to remove these
but the Parish Council could do this if they had the funds
– If the Parish Council required more work around the Parish they could ring fence monies and
SCC would contribute towards the cost, for example weeding and road sweeping.
– There had been an application for a Community Grant but a member of the Council would
need to speak to Cllr Williams giving him more information before this could be considered.
Councillors then held a question and answer session with Cllr Williams.
5599. POLICE MATTERS
[a] The Police report for May was received.
[b] The Chairman read out an update from Inspector Chris Cotton
5600. MINUTES
Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting be approved for:
[a] Full Council Meeting of 18th May 2023
[b] The Follow Up Sheets were received for the Full Council, Haling Dene Management and Recreation
and Amenities.
5601. COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted for the:
[a] Planning Minutes for the 18th May 2023
[b] Haling Dene Management Minutes for 25th May 2023
[c] Recreation and Amenities Minutes for 25th May 2023
5602. WORKING GROUP MINUTES
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
Cllr Harper-Wallis gave an update for the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, there had been
three applications to join the Group and they had attended a meeting, the Group was now at full
capacity.
As Bloor Homes were trying to move their Master Plan forward to the end of July the Group now
needed to move forward quickly and write Policies.
5603. OUTSIDE GROUPS WITH PC REPRESENTATION
[a] It was noted that no minutes had been received.
5604. ACCOUNTS
Resolved that:
[a] The accounts for payment for the month of April be approved.
[b] The expenditure summary print outs for April were received.
[c] The April Monthly Summary of Accounts and Pie Chart for the website were noted.
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5604. ACCOUNTS [Cont’d]
[d] The following accounting details were noted:
Current Account Balance £ 15,225
Business Saver Balance £410,467
Expenditure for the Month of April:
Full Council £ 5,041
Haling Dene Mgt £ 13,172
Recreation and Amenities £ 9,067
Burial Ground £ 4,550
Total Income for the Month of April:
Full Council £ 100
Haling Dene Mgt £ 10,592
Recreation and Amenities £ 3,833
Burial Ground £ 892
5605. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
It was noted that the below Polices/Procedures would be placed the July Full Council agenda for
consideration:
[a] Business Continuity Plan
[b] Business Risk Assessment
[c] Dispensation Procedure
5606. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
[a] Councillors were reminded that they are required to complete their Disclosable Pecuniary and Other
Interests Forms within 28 days of being elected and it was noted the last date to submit forms to the
PA was 27th June.
5607. ONE AND FOUR YEAR PLAN
[a] The Council moved to develop a one and four year plan in order for the Council to focus its efforts
around specific core goals and achievements.
Resolved that the above be approved.
[b] The Parish Council agreed to form a special Working Group for interested members to meet on
Wednesday 28th June at 6.30 pm to consider the above and put proposals for consideration to the
July Full Council meeting.
Resolved that a meeting be held for all interested Councillors on 28th June at 6.30 pm.
5608. GRANTS
Grant Applications were received and considered from:
[a] Penkridge Anglo German Remembrance Day Association for a grant of £300 towards their room hire
costs for the Remembrance Day Reception at the Haling Dene Centre.
Resolved that a grant of £300 be approved for the above.
[b] Penkridge Parochial Church Council for a grant of £1,500 towards the cost of the Churchyard
maintenance.
Councillors raised the regulation considered in 2022 that the 1894 Local Government Act prevents
Parish Council from spending money on Churches.
Councillors requested a named voted:
For the grant Cllrs Andrew Adams, Mrs Jo Chapman, Mrs Petula Hughes, Ron Kenyon, Gary Poston,
Mrs Vivienne Smith and Alan Smallwood.
Against the grant Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams, Sam Harper-Wallis, Victor Kelly, Andrew Lenz and Anthony
Minshall.
Resolved that that a grant of £1,500 be awarded but the Parochial Church be advised that the 1894
Local Government Act prevents Parish Council from spending money on Churches.
[c] Penkridge Voices Community Choir for a grant of £500 towards the cost of room hire, music and
music accompaniment.
Resolved that a grant of £500 be approved towards the above costs.
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5608. GRANTS [Cont’d]
[d] Penkridge Civic Society for a grant of £1,000 for a new combi boiler.
Resolved that a grant be approved of £1,000 be approved towards the above cost.
[e] Penkridge Peace Memorial Hall for a grant of £500 towards the cost of replacing the Water Heater in
the Kitchen with a high efficiency one.
Resolved that a grant of £500 be approved towards the above cost.
[f] Penkridge Litter Pickers for a grant of £250 to purchase new equipment and pay for Liability
Insurance.
Resolved that a grant of £400 be approved towards the above cost.
g] Penkridge Phoenix Art Club A for a grant of £500 towards their room hire costs.
Resolved that that a grant of £400 be approved towards the above cost.
5609. CYBER RISK AND RESILIENCE
[a] It was noted that the Parish Council had completed the above on 25th May 2023.
[b] It was noted that the presentation slides had been circulated to all Councillors for information.
5610. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 13th July 2023 at 7.30 pm.
5611. 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 9.35 pm
Chairman ………………………………………………………………………… Dated …..……………………