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

Miss E Goodwin (Parish Clerk), Lynne Bott, Hannah Patterson

• Public Participation

Nothing to report.

2   Apologies

County Councillor Jessell, PCSO Leathers

3   Declarations of Interest

Cllr Bott – the request from the PCC for money towards the upkeep of the churchyard/future of the Parish Council website.

4    Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 18^th October 2022

The Minutes were agreed as a true representation of the Meeting, and Cllr Bott signed them.

5   Matters arising not covered on the Agenda

There were no matters arising.

6   HS2 update

The Parish Clerk had forwarded a number of emails to the Parish Councillors; she has not heard

from County Cllr Jessel regarding grants available for communities impacted by HS2.

7   Planning        Cllr Major

1. a) Applications received P/2022/01214

P/2022/01212         Erection of a part single/part two storey

rear extension with Juliet balcony and installation of first floor side window at Netherwood

Farm, Abbots Bromley Road; no objections.

P/2022/01150         Change of use and reinstatement of

Existing outbuildings together with a glazed link extension to form annexe to main building

At 1 Park Cottage, St Michaels Drive; no objections

1. b) Applications approved P/2022/00762        Conversion and alteration of existing building to accommodate two biomass and two oil fired boilers and associated works at Hoar

Cross Hall, Maker Lane.

P/2022/00814        Enclosing of East porch, Hall Cross

Hall, Maker Lane.

P/2022/00816        Listed building application for the enclosing of East porch, Hall Cross Hall, Maker Lane.

1. c) Applications refused
2. d) Other planning matters P/2022/00380        construction of a mobile home for

occasional use as grooms accommodation, storage barn and viewing gazebo at Birchwood

House, Abbots Bromley Road.

P/2022/00470       erection of a detached car port with

studio above at The Old Barn, Abbots Bromley Road.

8    Parish Councillors Reports

Highways      Cllr Bott – some potholes have been repaired, but done poorly.  Cllr Bott has emailed Highways, who say the potholes have not deteriorated sufficiently.

Environment  Cllr Mrs Prince – there is an ongoing problem with litter; sewerage has been

leaking from The Meynell.  The stolen bench was discussed: the Parish Clerk has reported the

theft to the police (there are ‘no realistic lines of enquiry’ to follow) and to Zurich Insurance,

who have acknowledged receipt; Cllr Sherwood suggested making a bench from two stumps of

wood and a plank; this was agreed and she will approach Sam Gregson.

Footpaths     Cllr Mrs Sherwood has spoken to the Duchy regarding the pond which is flooding

in Jackson’s Bank and the damaged footpaths, but they are not interested.  The stile in the Memorial Garden needs some repair work; Cllr Sherwood will speak to Sam Gregson.

9    County Councillor Jessel’s Report

No report

10  Borough Councillor Beech’s Report

No Report

11  PCSO Leathers Report

This had been circulated to the Councillors and Lynne prior to the Meeting.

12  Parish Clerk’s Report

The Clerk had had a successful meeting with Kim Squires, and any issues had been sorted out.

She had emailed the dates of the Meetings for 2023 to Wendy Lowe at The Deer Park and

to PCSO Leathers, who hopes to attend some meetings in the forthcoming year.

She thanked the Councillors for sending their Register of Interest forms to Lynne for inclusion

on the website; Cllr Mrs Sherwood is to send hers to Lynne.

13      Finance

The balance at the end of October was £7593.60 in the Current Account and

£3539.82 in the Business Reserve Account (end of September).

Outstanding cheques: £32.50 Cllr Mrs Sherwood and £30.00 The Deer Park.

Cllr Mrs Sherwood had arranged the transfer of£3000 from the Current Account to the

Business Reserve Account.

The request from the PCC for £500 towards the upkeep of the Churchyard was discussed; it was

agreed to ask the PCC Treasurer for a comparison of costs for 2021 and 2022.

It was resolved to pay the following cheques:

Date            Chq     Payee                     Details                   Amount

5^th Dec         889    Deer Park Dairy       room hire                £30.00

5^th Dec         890    Mrs L Bott              website                  £45.00

5^th Dec         891     Gregson G’works      speed gate              £288.00 incl £48.00 VAT

5^th Dec         892    HMRC                    PAYE                       £132.60

5^th Dec         893    Miss E Goodwin        expenses/salary      £

5^th Dec         895    Cllr Mrs Sherwood   plants                       £97.42 incl £16.23 VAT

5^th Dec         896    Hoar Cross PCC        churchyard            £700.00

30^th Dec        SO     Miss E Goodwin        Salary                    £447.85

14   Budget/Precept for 2023-202

The Parish Clerk had met Cllrs Bott and Major to discuss the Budget 2022-2023 and the

Precept for 2023-2024.  Cllr Bott explained there will probably be a small surplus at the

end of the year, and proposed that the Precept remain at £6150; this was agreed.

15   Contribution to the maintenance of the Churchyard

Brian Averill, Treasurer of the PCC, had forwarded the figures to show how the costs had

increased: 2020 – £1060; 2021 – £1250; estimated for 2022 – £1400.

Cllr Mrs Prince suggested that the PCC obtain three quotes for the work; Cllr Major said

He would follow this up, and he would also find out the money is paid to the contractor.

Cllr Mrs Smith suggested making a donation of £700 as this is half of the amount for

2002, and to review the payment; this was agreed.

16   Church Clock

There has been an issue with Smith of Derby and the service agreement (the original has been

archived, but Smith of Derby have forwarded an up to date contract which has been circulated

to the Councillors).  Since Peter Humpidge passed away, no-one knows how the clock works; it

was agreed to arrange for Smith of Derby to carry out the service at a time that is convenient

to Rachel Major.  The cost of the service is £253 plus VAT.

The Parish Clerk will ask Rachel for the contact information for Time Assured, and get an

alternative quote.

17   Discussion and Ratification of the Financial Policy, Risk Assessment, Standing Orders, Media

Policy and Publication Scheme

The Parish Clerk had been advised by Kim Squires to delete clause 6.20 of the Financial Policy

‘Personal credit or debit cards of members or staff shall not be used under any circumstances’.

This recommendation was accepted.

The policies were ratified.

18   The future of the Parish Council website

Lynne said she was happy to continue working on the website; Cllr Mrs Prince asked her to

continue, and was seconded by Cllr Mrs Sherwood.  Lynne was thanked by the Councillors.

19    The future of the Best Kept Village Competition

Cllr Mrs Smith would like to keep it going, but there is the need to get people interested; Cllr

Major commented that the Parish Council need to lead the way.  The way the BKV competition

is organised/judged has changed; Cllr Mrs Smith commented that there is support/advice available.

Cllr Mrs Smith agreed to be the contact.

20  Correspondence

Cllr Jessel’s email regarding recycling centres and the consultation re changes for businesses.

Email from Auditors; confirmed it will be Mazars LLP from 2022-2027, and gave information

about the charges.

Invitation to join the CPRE (planning advice/renewable energy/Green Belt) at a cost of £36.00pa;

it was agreed to keep the information of file.

21   Members points of information

Cllr Bott had had a ph call from Bob Keys who suggested that the Chairs and Secretaries of

Hoar Cross, Abbots Bromley, Yoxall and Newborough Parish Councils meet occasionally; this was

agreed.

The Parish Clerk had spoken to Lisa Horritt of SPCA regarding the Chair of the Parish Council.

Cllr Mrs Smith agreed to be Acting Chair until the election in May.  The Clerk explained the

Procedure: the dates will be sent out in January 2023; existing and prospective new Councillors

Will have to complete the paperwork in March; if there are five or less candidates, all will take their seats automatically; if there are more than five candidates, there will be an election on

4^th May.  A contested election will be more expensive for the Parish Council.

Cllr Mrs Smith raised the issue of a caravan, stables and temporary lights in fields of

Becks Lane; the Parish Clerk will contact Borough Cllr Beech.

Cllr Mrs Smith asked if there will be an event to mark the Coronation of King Charles III; she

will liaise with Lesley Prince.

Cllr Mrs Sherwood thanked Cllr Bott and Lynne most sincerely for their input and said everyone

appreciated what they had done; she presented them with a card and a gift.

22   Dates of next meetings: Monday 20^th March to be held at The Deer Park,

Monday 15^th May Annual Meeting and Annual Parish Meeting in the Church, Monday 19^th June, Monday18th September, Monday 4^th December at The Deer Park.