2024 October

 MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 24 October 2024 at Tittensor Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr Roy James (Chairman)

Cllr P Cheadle, Cllr P Marsh, Cllr N Adams, Cllr T Love

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

• Representatives from Longton Bowling Club addressed the meeting with their concerns over future bookings at Hanchurch village hall.
• A resident of Swynnerton asked when the double lines in Swynnerton would be repainted – it is thought that there is more resurfacing work to be undertaken next year.

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

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr E Mateu and Cllr D Bishop.

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 September 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.
   • Cllr James stated that he had a meeting scheduled with Borough planning regarding the change of use of land in Tittensor.
   • It was noted that the gully on Winghouse Lane could not be cleaned by the 3^rd party contractor as it was too blocked and would need traffic management. Clerk to email Cllr Pert to see if the County could prioritise the gully.
   • It was noted that the trigger speed of the SID at Groundslow had been increase to 19mph to try to reduce the impact of interference from branches.

7. Financial Matters
   • The payments for October were presented for approval, duly APPROVED, and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 30 September 2024 were considered and signed.
   • The draft budget for expenditure the year 25/26 was considered. It was agreed to add costs for 3 benches – 2 replacement benches (Swynnerton and Tittensor) and 1 new bench (Tittensor). It was agreed not to replace the bench at Hanchurch lights until further information had been received on the potential redesigning of junction 15.

8. To consider request for financial assistance from Swynnerton Village Hall for the replacement of the upper windows
   • The management committee of Swynnerton Hall are starting a programme of repairs to replace the windows at the village hall.
   • The initial project is to replace the upper windows, and they wish to move forward with a quote of £3,050 +VAT.
   • It was proposed, seconded and AGREED for the Parish Council to purchase and install the windows for the village hall.

9. To receive any updates regarding future bookings at Hanchurch Village Hall

It was reported that the two new Trustees of Hanchurch village hall have not been able to gain control of the bank accounts for the hall and therefore would not be taking bookings from December.

• Agree to apply for a permit to locate a litter bin on the junction of Whitmore Road and Northwood Lane and associated costs

It was AGREED to apply for a permit to place the litter bin. The costs of bins were also discussed and the cost of emptying the bins each week (£5 per week by Street Scene)

• Update from the Parish Council Traffic Safety Working Group
  • Cllr Marsh provided an update of action points from the TSWG. It is hoped that the Village Hall will allow parents to park their cars on the village hall cark park when there are one-off events at the school (dependant on availability).
  • The speed camera van visited the village, but this was on a Sunday morning when the volume of traffic is low.

12. Agree proposed meeting dates and venues for Parish Council meetings in 2025.
    • The dates for the meeting were agreed.
    • It was further agreed not to book any meetings at Hanchurch Village Hall until there is clarity over the future of the hall.

• The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 28 November 2024, 7.15pm at Swynnerton Village Hall.      

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