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

Miss E Goodwin (Parish Clerk), Cllr Mrs Jessell, Mrs L Bott, Mrs R Major, and four members of the public

Cllr Bott chaired the Meeting

1          Public Speaking Time  Mrs Elaine Day spoke about the issues with the customers of the Meynell and the parking.  Mr Roy Ward spoke about the issue with the grit on Maker Lane.

2       Apologies

PC R Lymer, Cllr Mrs H Sherwood, Cllr Mrs L Beech

3        Declarations of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

4        Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on Monday 15^th June and Monday 10^th August  These were agreed to be an accurate record of the Meetings; Cllr Bott will sign the  Minutes and email them to the Clerk.

5        Matters arising not covered on the Agenda

Cllr Mrs Prince asked about the proposed changes to the ward boundary; Cllr Jessell explained the consultation period had ended on 7^th September, and that there had been a Zoom meeting which had raised awareness of the proposed changes; a number of local Parish Councils did not support the proposed changes.

6        HS2

No update.

7        Planning        Cllr Major

1. a) Applications received
2. b) Applications approved P/2020/00509  erection of a first floor extension over existing garage to form ancillary staff accommodation at Birchwood House, Abbots Bromley  Road
   P/2020/00523  various extensions at Brackenhurst Manor, Brackenhurst Hill   P/2020/00556        felling of a fir tree at Hoar Cross Hall
   P/2020/00743        erection of single storey front and side extensions, infill extension and a detached double garage at Barndale, Abbots Bromley Road (was P/2019/01384)

1. c) Other planning matters

8         Parish Councillors Reports

Highways      Cllr Bott – he will report the problem in Maker Lane to Highways; Cllr Mrs Jessell suggested reporting it through the County Council website, and to copy her in so that  she can follow it up.  Cllr Bott reported that there are some potholes marked for repair; he will report those not marked and others on Brakenhurst Hill and Blunts Hollow.  Cllr Mrs Prince requested that Maker Lane be added to the gritting list for winter; Cllr Bott will write to the authority.  Cllr Major was thanked for repairing the area around the post box on Maker Lane.

Environment  Cllr Mrs Prince – Nothing to report

Footpaths     Cllr Mrs Sherwood – No report

9        County Councillor’s Report  Cllr Jessell reported that school transport was up and running, and that students on public transport were able to sit safely.  There is going to be a public consultation regarding a 50mph speed limit/7 and a half ton weight limit on the road between the Little India and the Five Lane Ends.  The road traffic orders are being made permanent on the A515.  The gully cleaning is going to be rescheduled to focus on blocked gullies.  Cllr Jessell does not know when the boundary commission will come forward, and she will arrange a Needwood Forest Forum.

10      Borough Councillor’s Report

No report

11       PC R Lymer

He requested that people email him about any issues they may have.

12      Update on The Meynell

The comments made at the meeting on 1^st September had been passed to Berkley Inns, and they have responded.  Cllr Mrs Prince has contacted Simon Austen: he confirmed the Meynell family had given Berkley Inns permission to use the land as a car park over the Christmas period; the family are unsure whether to sell or lease the land to Berkley Inns; the land is unregistered, but it does belong to the Meynell family; the Meynell Ingram Arms could establish a right to use the land as a car         park.  Cllr Jessell commented that planning permission would be required to change the land into a car park; laying tarmac or hardstanding is not suitable; there needs to be proper traffic management; the Planning department at ESBC needs to be involved.  Cllr Mrs Smith asked if it is a conservation area.  Cllr Mrs Prince said she would keep Simon Austen informed.

13      Parish Clerk’s Report

The Annual Audit has been received by Mazars; it has been displayed publicly.

The Clerk has received the 2020-2021 pay scale and will adjust her salary payments.

The balance in the Current Account at the end of August was £4136.19; the interest on the Business Account at the end of July and August was 3p.

Cllr Mrs Smith will contact Simon Gregson for an estimate for repairing the bus shelter, and she will make contact with people to paint the benches.

Cllr Bott declared an interest in the request from the PCC for a donation towards the upkeep of the churchyard; Cllr Prince took the Chair – it was agreed to give the PCC £500.

Cllrs Bott and Major will arrange a date to meet the Parish Clerk to discuss the expenses, Budget  and Precept for 2021-2022.

14      Finance

The following cheques will be issued.

Date            Cheque No     Payee                              Details                   Total

21^st Sept       825              Gregson Groundwork          Speed gate repair    £120.00

21^st Sept       826              Miss E Goodwin                 Expenses                  £53.00

21^st Sept       827              HMRC                              PAYE                     £227.40

21^st Sept       830              Hoar Cross PCC                 Churchyard              £500.00

15      Website accessibility  Mrs L Bott reported that she will be joining the County Council Scheme, and training will begin in March 2021; the Parish Councillors thanked Cllr and Mrs Bott for organising this.

16      Correspondence

No correspondence.

17      Members Points of Information

There were none.

18      Date of next meeting: Tuesday 8^th December at 7.30pm