Present: Cllrs Bott and Major, Cllr Mrs Prince

Miss E Goodwin (Parish Clerk), Mrs V Smith, County Cllr Mrs Jessell, PCSO Hales and six members of the public

Cllr Bott chaired the Meeting

1          Public Speaking Time

Mrs G Sykes commented that metal detectorists on Thorney Lanes had damaged the drain under the road, resulting in flooding.

2       Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Sherwood, PC Lymer.

7       Parish Councillor Vacancy

Cllr Bott explained that the vacancy had been advertised, and that it was now possible to co-opt a Councillor: Mrs Veronica Smith had expressed an interest.  Cllr Mrs Prince  proposed Mrs Smith, seconded by Cllr Major, carried.

• Declarations of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

4        Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 17^th June 2019

These were signed as an accurate record of the Meeting.

5        Matters arising not covered on the Agenda There were no matters arising

6        HS2  The Parish Clerk had circulated an email regarding the timing of traffic to and from Parkgate;  Cty Cllr Jessel pointed out that there needs to be a traffic management plan.

8        Planning        Cllr Major

1. a) Applications received P/2018/00852 alterations and extensions to first floor
   to include cladding to side elevations  at Birchwood House, Abbots Bromley Road; no objections.
   P/2019/00721  erection of an agricultural workers dwelling (revised scheme) at Oak Farm, Maker Lane; no objections.

1. b) Applications approved P/2019/00536  retention of temporary stable block and hardstanding for 12 months at Birchwood House, Abbots Bromley Road P/2019/00445 extend existing menage and associated post and fence railing
   Cllr Mrs Prince pointed out that the abovementioned applications are for private use only; Cllr Bottn said there would need to be a change to business use if the situation changes.

1. c)       Applications refused

d) Other planning matters Planning Application No. ES.19/02/504 M – Southern extension to Fauld Mine.  Cllr Mrs Prince pointed out that the mining used to be carried out beneath Duchy land, and that the area of mining is spreading further.  Cty Cllr Jessell is Chairman of the Planning Committee, so this will come before her.
Primary Works, Thorney Lanes – Cllr Smith has had three complaints about the building; Cty Cllr Jessell has had complaints; the Parish Clerk has received an email.  Cllr Major had felt it had been a reasonable application.  Cty Cllr Jessell has asked      Brgh Cllr Johnson to ask the planners to visit the site to check that the building is being erected in accordance with the planning approval.

8         Parish Councillors Reports

Highways      Cllr Bott will report the potholes on the road to Hoar Cross Nursing Home and the problems with the drains on Thorney Lanes.

Environment  Cllr Mrs Prince reported that drivers are going too fast; someone has gone through the hedge at the top of School Hill.  There was a discussion regarding chicanes, but it was felt the roads are too narrow.  Cllr Mrs Prince requested a ‘Police Slow’ sign toward Far Hoar Cross Farm as there is one on the road from Yoxall.

Footpaths     Cllr Mrs Sherwood   No report

9        County Councillor’s Report Cty Cllr Jessell talked about the People Helping People Fund to help with rural isolation; she is Chair of Planning, and Chair of Countryside Rights of Way; there is a shortage of National Health places and costs are rising; the County Council has joined the Yorkshire Purchasing Group to purchase electricity for street lights; there has been a small underspend of £3m; the Staffordshire Warmer Homes Fund will help with fuel bills, install central heating etc.

10      Borough Councillor’s Report

No report

11       Parish Clerk’s Report  The Parish Clerk said she would be away from Saturday 3^rd-Saturday 10^th August.
She has written to Berkeley Inns, but had not had a response; the Audit had been received; she has contacted Zurich regarding the individual insurance premiums, but this information is not available – it was suggested that she approach another supplier eg NFU for a comparison price in 2020, together with an explanation as to how the premium is arrived at.

12      Policies

Code of Conduct from 2007 – deferred.

Standing Orders – Cllr Bott proposed a minimum of four meetings per annum, together with the APM; this was seconded, and the policy will be amended.  The Parish Clerk is to look at the pattern of meetings throughout the year, and to propose the dates

Media Policy – change the date.

Publication Scheme – change 2.2 and the date.

Risk Assessment – assets: 13 sets of speed gates.

13      Finance

The Bank Reconciliation was approved, and the following cheques were issued:

Date            Cheque No     Payee                               Details                   Total

29^th July       799              Mrs L Bott                       ICT support            £45.00

29^th July       800              ESBC                               Election costs                   £86.02

29^th July       801              Hoar Cross Hall                 Room hire               £20.00

13      Correspondence

Letter regarding online banking at Natwest; PCSO Hales report

14      Members Points of Information

None.

15      Dates of next meeting: Monday 30^th September, Tuesday 7^th January 2020 in the Old Chapel at 7.30pm