2023 September

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

September 2023 Financial Statements and Payments

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

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 28 September 2023 at Swynnerton Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr Roy James (Chairman)

Cllr Pat Cheadle, Cllr Enrique Mateu, Cllr John Deaville,

Cllr Peter Marsh, Cllr Nicky Adams, Cllr Terry Love

Stafford Borough Council:  Cllr Roy James

Stafford County Council: Cllr J Pert

In attendance:  L Davies (Parish Clerk), 2 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.
   • A resident raised concerns regarding the discussion for a playing field in Tittensor.
   • Concerns over flooding in Stableford were raised – Cllr Pert undertook to raise the issue with highways.
   • Flooding of a gully on Winghouse Lane on the approach to Chase Lane was raised. Residents encouraged to report the flooding on the County Council website when it occurs.

3. Reports from County and Borough Councillors
   • Cllr Pert provided an update on the safer road scheme in Beech. There is also a drive to improve broadband speeds in rural areas – Cllrs asked to raise any black spots within the Parish.
   • Cllr James explained that the Borough Council was still in a period of settling in – no significant developments to report.

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr D Bishop.

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 8 August 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 raised.

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 progress on actions noted.
   • An additional gully is to be installed in Beechdale Ln to reduce flooding.
   • The contractor for installing the Community Speed Watch signs has been unwell during the summer. It is understood that the business is continuing to operate. The contractor has not yet been in contact to confirm a date. Cllr Marsh to action
   • A further letter has been sent to the The Lady Katherine and Sir Richard Leveson Charity regarding the Parish Council being removed as a Trustee.

7. Financial Matters
   • It was AGREED to provide £500 to each of the village halls in the Parish. It was noted that the donation also covers the rent for the playground in Tittensor (£200). Clerk to action
   • It was AGREED to purchase a remembrance wreath for Tittensor and Swynnerton. Clerk to action
   • The payments for September were presented for approval, duly APPROVED and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 31 August 2023 were considered and signed.
   • It was noted that the audit for the Year Ending 31 March 2023 had been signed by the external auditor and the Notice of Completion displayed.

8. Consider request for bulbs for Swynnerton residents.
   • It was AGREED to purchase a bag of 100 bulbs for each of Swynnerton, Hanchurch/Trentham and Tittensor. Clerk to action

9. Consider costs for additional road sweeping and/or gully cleaning in the Parish
   • Quotes for road sweeping and gully cleaning were discussed. It was noted that, due to the condition of the pavement and low overhanging trees, it had not been possible to find a contractor to undertake pavement sweeping along the Whitmore Road.
   • It was AGREED to undertake gully cleaning and road sweeping in Swynnerton (Park drive – to the junction of Fairbanks Walk and residential areas of Main Street) and Tittensor (residential areas of Winghouse Lane) and road sweeping in Trentham (Whitmore Road) at the prices quoted.
   • Cllr Pert undertook to provide a schedule of when the County Council planned to sweep those areas so that the additional sweeping could be effectively planned. Clerk to schedule with contractor once County Council schedule has been received.

10. Discuss traffic issues on Winghouse Lane and the A34

Cllr Marsh explained that several residents had formed a group to consider ways to mitigate traffic problems in Tittensor. A community meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 3rd October to discuss possible solutions. Cllr Marsh undertook to bring any outcomes from the meeting back to the Parish Council at the next meeting.

11. Discuss condition of footpaths on A519

The poor condition of areas of the footpath from the Hanchurch junction traffic lights along the A519 towards Beech was raised. Fault to be reported online to the County Council. Clerk to action

• Consider concerns over the pointing on the Cenotaph, Swynnerton
  • The pointing on the cenotaph is in a poor condition and the main structure of the cenotaph is severely weathered.
  • It was noted that Barlaston had instructed a company to repoint their cenotaph and the costs of this was discussed.
  • It was AGREED to contact the contractor who had undertaken the work at Barlaston to understand the costs of repointing the cenotaph. A budget of circa £2,000 was provisionally set.

13. Consider replacement of playground seats and cutting back of overhanging tree, Tittensor
    • Over the course of the summer the condition of a further 4 seats of the equipment have deteriorated. It was AGREED to replace these seats at a cost of £465 plus delivery and installation.
    • It was AGREED that the overhanging tree should be cut back from the equipment. Clerk to action

14. Consider request for additional salt bin on Park View, Swynnerton
    • Residents of Park View and the neighbouring roads have requested whether a salt bin could be purchased to be placed at the end of Park View as this is an area susceptible to bad road conditions in the freezing weather. It was AGREED to purchase a small bin and salt. Clerk to action

• Consider proposed meeting dates and venues for meeting in 2024.
  • The schedule of draft dates for meetings in 2024 was discussed.
  • It was AGREED to move the March meeting forward a week as not to clash with the Easter weekend. Cllrs asked to inform the Clerk of any issues with the proposed dates by Friday 6^th
  • Clerk to proceed with booking venues as required.

• Confirm the date of the next Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday 26th October 2023, 7.15pm at St Luke’s Church Hall, Tittensor.

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