2025 August

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 7 August 2025 at Tittensor Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr Roy James (Chairman)

Cllr P Cheadle, Cllr D Bishop, Cllr P Marsh, Cllr N Leeson

Stafford Borough Council:  Cllr Roy James

Stafford County Council:  None

In attendance:  L Davies (Parish Clerk), 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 member of the Tittensor Bowling Group provided background to the request for a grant towards repairing the path surrounding the bowling green. It was noted that the path does not form part of the Bowling Club’s lease.
   • Members of the Swynnerton Angling Group provided background to their request for a grant to bring the fishing pool in Swynnerton back into use for residents. Lord Stafford has granted a lease to the group free of charge.

3. Reports from County and Borough Councillors
   • Cllr S Bagguley has requested a feasibility study for a crossing in Tittensor, although this will take some time to complete.

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr J Deaville, Cllr N Adams and Cllr T Love.

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

Cllr D Bishop, Cllr P Cheadle and Cllr R James stated that they were trustees of Swynnerton Village Hall. Cllr P Cheadle stated that she was a member of the Tittensor Bowling Club and Cllr D Bishop stated that her husband was part of the Swynnerton Angling Club.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on Thursday 26 June 2025

     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 further 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.
   • A planning application has been received for a solar farm in the neighbouring Parish of Standon. Clerk to circulate developer’s response to resident consultation.

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 to contact the Borough Council to understand the grass cutting schedule for the Swynnerton play area.
   • Meeting to be arranged with Borough Council regarding additional equipment on the Swynnerton play area.

7. Financial matters
   • The payments for August 2025 were presented for approval, duly approved, and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 30 June and 31 July 2025 were considered and signed.

8. Receive updates on Local Government Reorganisation.

Cllr James provided an update of the Local Government Reorganisation and the consultation that is open until 1 September. Cllr and residents are encouraged to complete the survey.

9. Discuss Standing Orders relating to, and protocol for, public participation during Parish Council meetings
   • Cllr Marsh had raised a complaint regarding the conduct of the public participation at the June meeting. The Standing Orders relating to public participation were reviewed and potential changes were discussed.
   • A draft “Guidance for Members of the Public Present at Parish Council Meetings” was reviewed by the Council as a means of communicating to residents the protocol at meetings.
   • It was proposed that the length of the public participation be extended to 30 minutes. However, the motion was not seconded and therefore not carried forward.
   • It was proposed, seconded and agreed to adopt the Guidance document on public participation.

10. Discuss Councillors’ written communication external bodies/individuals and consider adopting a communications policy.
    • It was noted that official communications from the Parish Council should be sent by the Clerk and that Councillors should not send emails that appear to represent the opinion of the Council unless agreed by the Council.
    • It was agreed that a draft communications policy should be considered at the next meeting.

• Provide and update on the planning application for an additional recreation area in Tittensor (25/40632/FUL)

The planning application has been validated and is open for public consultation until 15 August. All documents can be viewed on the Stafford Borough planning portal.

• Discuss feedback from Stone Rural Parish Council regarding request for support for a larger HGV sign at the top of Chase Lane
  • Stone Rural Parish Council considered the request to support funding a larger HGV sign at the top of Chase Lane at its meeting in July. Stone Rural PC considered that this was a County Council matter and should not be funded by the Parish Council.
  • It was agreed that the matter should be raised with Cllr Bagguley who is attending the next Traffic Safety Working Group to see whether the County Council would consider funding a replacement.

13. Consider request for a grant from Tittensor Bowling Club towards the repair and improvement of pathway around the bowling green
    • The path surrounding the bowling green is uneven and is in need or repair. The bowling group have obtained quotes for the repairs, the lowest being £5,000.
    • The importance of the club to the community was acknowledged, as was the additional mobility requirements of several members.
    • The path is not included in the lease for the bowling club and therefore, being the responsibility of the village hall, it was agreed that the Parish Council should offer to meet with the village hall trustees to agree a way forward. Clerk to contact trustees.

• Consider request for a grant from Swynnerton Community Angling Club towards restoring fishing pool.
  • The group have secured a lease with Lord Stafford and have started to clear the area. New decking is required and lilies need to be removed from the pond. The cost of refurbishment will be more than £5,000.
  • The local support for this community asset was discussed and the health and safety issues required to bring the asset into a safe working condition.
  • It was proposed, seconded and AGREED that a grant for £5,000 should be provided to restore the fishing pool.

15. Consider approaching the Highways Department to understand if height restriction limits can be applied to Swynnerton village.
    • The recent incident, where a collision of a high good vehicle with the electricity line/pole caused a fire at a property in the village, has raised further concerns about heavy goods vehicles passing through the village.
    • It was agreed to contact the National Grid to raise these concerns and to enquire whether a risk assessment has been carried with regards to high sided vehicles.

• Receive an update on the Trentham Heritage Project information board

Cllr Leeson and Cllr Adams have met with the Trentham Heritage Group. They are in the process of obtaining permission from the Trentham Estate to install an information board with their grounds.

• The date of the next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 25^th September, 7.15pm at Swynnerton Village Hall

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