2023 March

The March Financial Statements (authorised payments and bank reconciliation) can be viewed by clicking the following link:

March 2023 Financial Payments

Please contact the Parish Clerk should you require a format other than pdf.

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

       Held on Thursday, 23 March 2023 in Swynnerton Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr Roy James (Chairman)

Cllr Denise Bishop, Cllr Peter Bickerstaffe, Cllr Joanne Malkin, Cllr Brian Price,

Stafford Borough Council:  Cllr Roy James

Stafford County Council: None

In attendance:  L Davies (Parish Clerk), 4 members of the public

Public Question Time

1. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. To consider matters raised by members of the public.
   • Residents of Tittensor and members of the Speed Watch group, raised concerns over speeding coming into the village at Groundslow. Progress on reducing the speed limit was also discussed.
   • Another resident of Tittensor informed the meeting that the information for an information panel by the war memorial in Tittensor had been compiled.
   • Concerns were also raised regarding vehicles parking on the grass verges along Winghouse Lane.

3. Reports from County and Borough Councillors
   • Cllr James reminded the meeting that electors will require ID to vote at the elections in May.
   • It is expected that the revised Local Plan will be published in the summer.

4. Receive update from HS2 early environmental works from Balfour Beatty Site Agent

Mr Maddock gave a presentation on the progress of the early environmental works in the Swynnerton Area.

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr E Mateu, Cllr T Love and Cllr N Adams.

2. Declarations of interest, to consider written requests from Councillors to grant dispensation (under S33, Localism Act, 2011).

No declarations of interest were received.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 26th January 2023.

The Minutes were considered, APPROVED and signed by the Chairman.

4. Discuss matters arising from the Minutes not covered in the Agenda

No matters were discussed.

5. Review of the planning committee observations

The planning applications received and decided since the last meeting were reviewed by the meeting.

6. Receive the Clerk’s report – correspondence received and progress report on matters not on the agenda
   • The Clerk’s report was received and matters duly noted.
   • The Clerk provided information on the parish Elections on 4^th May 2023.
   • It was agreed to get a quote for the repointing of the paving stones around the war memorial.

7. Financial Matters
   • The payments for February 2023 and March 2023 were presented for approval, duly APPROVED and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 28 February 2023 were considered.

8. Consider County Council funding for grass cutting in the Parish (2023/24) and quote for verge maintenance in Tittensor.
   • It was noted that the contribution from the County Council for grass cutting in the next financial year would be for 6 cuts at £77 per cut. It was AGREED to continue with 10 cuts for the next financial year.
   • The quote for verge maintenance in Tittensor was considered and it was AGREED to undertake this maintenance.

9. Discuss maintenance requirements and receive quotes for Tittensor and Ferndown play areas.
   • The costs of replacing and maintaining equipment at Tittensor were considered and it is AGREED that the items should be replaced/maintained.
   • The inspection report for the Tittensor play area highlighted that the matting under the equipment are silted up with soil and where necessary be replaced. Costs to be obtained to replace matting.
   • The Borough Council has provided a schedule of works to be undertaken before the Ferndown play area lease can be ended. It was AGREED to undertake the repairs set out at the costs provided.

10. Discuss maintenance of a bus shelter on A34 Tittensor

The roof of the bus shelter at the junction of Winghouse Lane and the A34 is in need of repair. It was AGREED to undertake these repairs at the cost set out in the quote presented.

11. Receive an update on correspondence with the Leveson Trust

Item to be deferred until the April meeting.

12. Receive an update on speed indication devices

The County Council have stated that they need to reassess the position of the SID at Groundslow to ensure that tree cover in the summer is not obstructive.

13. Consider progress on proposed additional play area in Tittensor

No further progress to report at this time.

14. Consider request for funding of community speed watch signs in Tittensor and Groundslow

It was AGREED to purchase 4 speed watch signs for Tittensor and Groundslow as requested by the Tittensor Speed Watch group.

15. Consider request for a replacement battery for the defibrillator in Swynnerton

The battery in the defibrillator requires replacing. It was agreed to purchase a replacement battery for the village.

16. Discuss progress on repairs to fencing along the A34

Cllr James has spoken with the Borough Council and the repairs are on their list of works.

17. Confirm the date of the next Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday 27th April, 7.15pm at Tittensor Village Hall.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed this Meeting.