Present: Cllrs Bott and Major, Cllrs Mrs Prince and Mrs Smith

Miss E Goodwin (Parish Clerk),

Cllr Bott chaired the Meeting

1          Public Speaking Time

Mrs P Fryer expressed her concerns regarding the new building at Primary Works, Thorney Lanes; she is also concerned about the risk of flood water.  Mr N Calladine supported her.

2       Apologies County Cllr Jessell, Cllr Mrs Sherwood.

• Declarations of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

4        Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday  29^th July 2019

These were signed as an accurate record of the Meeting.

5        Matters arising not covered on the Agenda

Cllr Mrs Prince expressed concern about the ‘quagmire’ opposite the Meynell; Cllr Bott explained that Berkeley Inns had tried to contact the landowners, but had not had a response.  The Clerk will write to Simon Austen explaining that Berkeley Inns are trying to contact them regarding extra parking for their customers; Cllr Mrs Smith will take photos of the grass, to be sent too.

6        HS2

Nothing to report.

7        Planning        Cllr Major

1. a) Applications received P/2018/00888 indoor equestrian arena at Birchwood House, Abbots Bromley Road; no objections on which the Council could object.
   P/2019/01023         resiting of a temporary stable block at Birchwood House; this is a retrospective planning application.

1. b) Applications approved P/2019/00721 agricultural worker’s house at Oak Farm
   P/2019/00852        extensions to Birchwood House                                                     P/2019/00536        retention of temporary stable block and hardstanding for 12 months at Birchwood House, Abbots Bromley Road
   P/2019/00445        extension of  existing menage and associated post and fence railing  Cllr Mrs Prince pointed out that the abovementioned applications are for private use only; Cllr Bott said there would need to be a change to business use if the situation changes.

1. c)       Applications refused
2. d) Other planning matters      Planning Application No. ES.19/02/504 M – Southern extension to Fauld Mine.  Cllr Mrs Prince pointed out that the excavations are usually carried out beneath Duchy land.
   Primary Works, Thorney Lanes – The Council noted the comments made about the planning permission for the Primary Works at Thorney Lanes.  Whilst members understood the concerns of those whose properties are adjacent to the site, the Council concluded that, on the basis of the information provided in the planning application and that provided in planning guidelines, there were no grounds on which an objection could have been lodged.  Whilst there were not grounds for objection the Council could have drawn attention to the residents concerns.

8         Parish Councillors Reports

Highways      Cllr Bott the potholes have been filled in on Brakenhurst Hill

Environment  Cllr Mrs Prince nothing to report

Footpaths     Cllr Mrs Sherwood   no report

9        County Councillor’s Report  No report

10      Borough Councillor’s Report

Borough Cllr Johnson reported that the improvements to Station Street will begin in January 2020; the work at the Meadowside Centre has been completed, and work will begin at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre; the Parish Council can bid for up to £1,000 from the Councillor Community Fund; there is a five year project, with money from Birmingham and Solihull Local Environment Project, to turn the Washlands into a tourist attraction.

11       Parish Clerk’s Report

The Clerk has not had a response to her letter to Berkeley Inns; the Clerk will meet Cllrs Bott and Major on Monday 11^th November to discuss the expenses/2020-2021 Budget; the dates of the Meetings in 2020 were discussed – Monday 23^rd March, Monday 18^th May  and APM, Monday 15^th June, Monday 14^th September, Tuesday 8^th December; the Clerk queried her salary – Cllr Bott will contact ESBC regarding the rate/s of pay; Cllrs Mrs Prince and Major will contact Nat West bank with a view to paying the Clerk’s salary and HMRC by standing order, with her expenses being refunded at the Meetings.

12      Policies

The updated Standing Orders, Media Policy, Publication Scheme and Risk Assessment had been circulated to the Councillors and agreed.  Cllr Bott proposed retaining the 2007 Code of Conduct; this was agreed.

13      Finance

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

Date            Cheque No     Payee                               Details                   Total

30^th Sept      802              Miss E Goodwin                 Salary/expenses      £519.28

30^th Sept      804              HMRC                                                           £111.80

30^th Sept      805              Mrs L Bott                       Computer support    £20.00

30^th Sept      806              Smith of Derby                 Church clock           £278.40

30^th Sept      807              Hoar Cross Hall                 Room hire                 £20.00

14      Correspondence

Bulb catalogue – not of any interest; support for writing a parish plan – not relevant; correspondence regarding the Pension Scheme – the Clerk will opt out.

15      Members Points of Information

Cllr Mrs Prince reported there had been complaints that soil/stones had been placed on some graves in the Churchyard; Cllr Bott explained the gravedigger had infilled some of the graves which had sunk.

16      Dates of next meeting: Monday 9^th December in the Old Chapel at 7.30pm