Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting
held on 26th October 2023 at 7.20 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 Andrew Lenz [Chairman]
“ Alan Smallwood [Vice-Chairman]
“ Mrs Helen Adams
“ Sam Harper-Wallis
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Chris Manton
“ Gary Poston
“ Mrs Vivienne Smith
Non-Committee Members in Attendance were Cllrs Andrew Adams, Mrs Jo Chapman, Mrs Petula Hughes,
Victor Kelly and Anthony Minshall
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
There was one member of the Public in attendance
Part I – Public Session
1628. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from:
Non Committee Member – Cllr Miss Luana Bills
1629. VIDEO/AUDIO RECORDING
[a] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/recording the
meeting were Cllrs Andrew Lenz and Gary Poston.
1630. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams, Andrew Adams and Andrew Lenz declared an interest in Item 10 – Allotments.
1631. DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (DPI)
DPIs had been submitted from Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams, Andrew Adams and Andrew Lenz for Item 10 –
Allotments
1632. MINUTES
Resolved that:
[a] The minutes of the meeting of 27th July 2023 be approved as a true and correct record and signed
by the Chairman.
[b] The Follow Up Sheets were received for the July meeting.
1633. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
[a] The Recreation and Amenities printouts for the year to date were received.
[b] The Burial Ground printouts for the year to date were received.
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Recreation & Amenities
1634. COMMITTEE BUDGET 2024/2025
[a] It was noted that the items of improvement/project for the 2024/2025 financial year will be as per the
one year plan.
Cllr Smallwood put forward a Motion that the Committee purchase four Speed Indicator Devices in
the financial year 2024-2025 with two to be installed on Wolgarston Way and two on the A449. He
asked that a named vote be recorded.
Councillors voted for the Motion Sam Harper-Wallis, Ron Kenyon, Andrew Lenz, Chris Manton, Gary
Poston, Mrs Vivienne Smith and Alan Smallwood. Cllr Mrs Helen Adams voted against the Motion.
Resolved that the Committee purchase four Speed Indicator Devices in the financial year 2024-2025
with two to be installed on Wolgarston Way and two on the A449.
1635. PLAY AREAS
[a] It was noted the train for the Horsefair Play Area had been delivered and will be installed shortly.
[b] An email was received from the Penkridge Gentleman Spoofers following their offer of a bench for
the Horsefair Play Area asking Council to decide the colour of the bench.
The PA advised that a brown bench had been purchased with a lead time of 4-5 weeks for delivery.
[c] The PA’s update with regard to Heron Play Area.
She said the final draft lease had been received and returned with slight amendments to South Staffs
Council. She would advise South Staffs that there would be a price increase from 1st November and
asking if the Parish Council would be able to place an order for the equipment by 31st October.
Cllr Mrs Chapman gave her apologies and left the meeting at 9.00 pm.
[d] Following the RoSPA report advising that part of the Adventure Trail at Kempson Road had to be
removed due to deterioration a replacement had been ordered from Kompan at a cost of £2,383.
[e] Following the disappearance of the Wildlife Camera in the Haling Dene Grounds it was noted a
camera had been kindly donated to the Parish Council and consideration was given to where this
should be located.
Resolved that the camera be placed in the Haling Dene grounds.
1636. HIGHWAY LIAISON
[a] Following the September Full Council agreement that the above come under the remit of the
Recreation and Amenities Committee, to prioritise three areas to be addressed in the first instance,
giving consideration to costs, health, safety and danger elements.
The three areas to be addressed was – Haling Road/Bellbrook, Otherton footpaths and Drains – with
a plan of the drain cleared.
The PA advised that Staffordshire County Councillor David Williams had given a response to the
above at the October Full Council meeting.
The Committee agreed unanimously that the above be placed on the next agenda and Cllr Lenz
would undertake a survey of Haling Road and report back. Councillors also asked that SCC be
asked if there were any Capital Funding reallocated that could be used for any of the above and
information with regard to Section 278 Funding.
Resolved that:
[i] The three areas to be addressed were – Haling Road/Bellbrook, Otherton footpaths and Drains –
with a plan of the drain cleared.
[ii] Cllr Lenz would undertake a survey of Haling Road and report back.
[iii] SCC be asked if there were any Capital Funding reallocated that could be used for any of the
above and information with regard to Section 278 Funding.
The Chairman advised that he would suspend Standing Orders at 9.30 pm for a member of the
public to speak:
Mr Alan Stevens of Haling Road said he had inspected Haling Road and there were 90 tarmac
patches and 60 serious pot holes and crazy surface patches. There had been a new member of the
Community Speed Watch who was also a member of the Council. The Council had discussed SIDs 3-
4 years ago but nothing had been taken forward. No Councillor seem to have a clear memory of
what was agreed and he was ashamed that Councillors do not get things done very quickly.
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1637. TRAFFIC ISLAND
[a] Consideration was given to if the Parish Council should take over the responsibility of maintaining the
traffic island by Bloor Homes.
Resolved that this item be consider in 12 months time.
Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams, Andrew Adams and Andrew Lenz left the meeting before discussions
commenced on the Allotments.
1638 ALLOTMENTS
[a] It was noted that following the earlier incidents at both allotments sites there had been no incidents
since.
[b] Consideration was given for the allotment rental for 2025.
Resolved that the allotment rental for 2025 remain at £44.00.
1639. PENKRIDGE COMMUNITY MANAGED LIBRARY
[a] The notes were received from the meeting with SCC Library Volunteers on 13th September 2023.
Resolved that the Volunteer leaving be sent a card and flowers.
Burial Ground
1640. BURIAL GROUND TABLE OF FEES
[a] Consideration was given to if the Committee wished to increase the above for 2024-2025.
Resolved that the fees increase by 3% from April 2024.
1641. POND FENCE
[a] It was noted the materials for the repair to the pond fence had now been received from Carnell and
the work would be undertaken shortly.
1642. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 25th January 2023 at 7.00 pm.
The meeting closed at 9.50 pm
Chair: _____________________________ Date: _____________________________