2024 August

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 8 August 2024 at Tittensor Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr Roy James (Chairman)

Cllr P Cheadle, Cllr P Marsh, Cllr D Bishop

Cllr J Deaville, Cllr N Leeson

Stafford Borough Council:  Cllr Roy James

Stafford County Council:  none

In attendance:  L Davies (Parish Clerk)

Public Question Time

1. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. To consider matters raised by members of the public

• A minute silence was held to remember former Borough and Parish Councillor Brian Price who recently passed away.
• The Community Speed Watch representative informed the meeting that the non-permanent signs had been passed onto another area. They also thanked the Parish Council for the installation of the SID at Groundslow.
• A resident enquired whether a further application could be made for a bench on the corner of Winghouse Lane and Copeland Avenue. They were advised to contact the County Council.
• A resident addressed the meeting to discuss a community petition regarding the need for a safe pedestrian crossing across the A34 and the concerns of the residents. Other residents also raised their concerns. The Parish Council advised that they were in support of a crossing, but this was a County Council matter. The Parish Council has raised this matter with the County Council over several years, but the response has been that funds are not available. The Parish Council agreed to obtain dates of the next County Council meeting so that residents could present their petition to the relevant authority.
• Parking outside of the first school on Winghouse Lane was raised and the obstruction this is causing to traffic.

3. Reports from County and Borough Councillors
   • No matters reported.

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr T Love, Cllr N Adams, Cllr E Mateu and Cllr J Pert.

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

none.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on Thursday 26^th June 2024

     The minutes of the last Parish Council meeting 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 considered, and matters noted.
   • It was agreed to get a quote for gully cleaning on Winghouse Lane.
   • It was AGREED that should residents require transport to a County Council meeting to present their petition regarding the crossing, the Parish Council would consider funding a mini-bus to transport residents.

7. Financial Matters
   • The payments for August were presented for approval, duly APPROVED, and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 31 July 2024 were considered and signed.

8. To consider refurbishment of bus shelter and bench at Ferndown and bench at Hanchurch
   • It was agreed to obtain a quote for the refurbishment of the bus shelter and installation of a perch.
   • It was noted that the bench at Hanchurch was in a poor state of repair, it was therefore agreed to see whether it could be refurbished and obtain a quote.
   • It was agreed to obtain a quote for refurbishment of the bench at Ferndown.

9. To consider further work and associated quote for refurbishment of the cenotaph column in Swynnerton
   • The schedule of proposed works from Midland Masonry was considered – to smooth surface of the column and repair cracks.
   • It was AGREED to accept the quote of £1,2220 (exc VAT) and arrange for works to be undertaken.

• To discuss parking on the pavement opposite Fitzherbert Arms
  • It was noted that Cllr Bishop had contacted the pub regarding encouraging staff to use alternative parking to free up spaces on the car park but had received a response.
  • It was also noted that the traffic police had visited and issued fines.
  • The pavement area opposite the Fitzherbert arms is either land owned by the old post office or highway land. Clerk to contact Highways/County to see whether pavement access can be restricted.

• To discuss additional equipment at the park in Swynnerton
  • It was noted that the Borough Council had passed on the Parish Council’s request for goal posts to the legal department – waiting on a response.
  • Cllr Bishop has been given feedback from residents and children in the area regarding the lack of play equipment for older children at the park.
  • It was noted that the play area was Borough Council owned. However, it was agreed to invite Swynnerton residents to the next meeting to discuss the play area and understand the requirements of the village. Swynnerton Councillors to action.

12. To discuss traffic signage within the Parish
    • It was noted that the faded central white lines on Winghouse Lane had been reported online.
    • The response from Highways to matters raised at June’s meeting were considered:
      • HGV movement onto Chase Lane from the A34 – A sign could be considered around this junction but would need to be funded by the Parish Council. The nature of the road would mean that full traffic management would be required, thus increasing the cost. It was agreed to obtain a quote for installing a sign to be able to consider this matter fully.
      • Double white lines – Highways stated that the bend at Winghouse Lane would not be suitable for double white lines are per the Traffic Signs Regulation and General Direction 2016.
      • Additional 30 mph sign along Winghouse Lane after the bend. Highways have stated that legally repeater 30mph signs cannot be used on 30 mph roads in normal circumstances. It was noted that existing signs are very small.
      • It was noted that the branches of trees from a residence on Winghouse were interfering with reading from the SID.

13. To consider the requirement for an additional SID in Tittensor
    • It was raised that drivers were accelerating before the end of the new 30mph zone at Groundslow and whether another SID would be useful to remind drivers of the speed limit.
    • It was agreed to ask highways whether they would allow a further SID to be installed on Winghouse Lane in the direction of the A51 where the old 40mph zone started.

• Update from the Parish Council Traffic Safety Working Group
  • The meeting was presented with the most recent SID stats.
  • Minutes of the last TSWG meeting to be circulated.
  • It was noted that a meeting with the First School and other stakeholders regarding parking on Winghouse Lane was scheduled for September.

• The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 26^th September 2024, 7.15pm at Swynnerton Village Hall.      

There being no further business, the Chairman closed this M