2025 November

If you require the financial statements in a format other than pdf please contact the clerk

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 27 November 2025 at Hanchurch Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr R James

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

Stafford Borough Council:  Cllr R James

Stafford County Council:  Cllr S Bagguley

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
   • Trustees from Tittensor Village Hall and Tittensor Bowling Club provided an update on discussions regarding the path surrounding the bowling green. The Trustees are applying for grant to assist with the costs of the path repairs from ACRE and would submit a grant request to the Parish Council in the New Year.
   • A resident of Tittensor, raised whether the Parish Council would support the installation of bleed out kits within the three wards of the Parish. The cost of each kit would be circa £400 excluding VAT. Resident requested to send information to clerk for Parish Council to consider at the next meeting.

3. Reports from County and Borough Councillors
   • Cllr Bagguley provided an update on the road safety changes in Beech and unfortunately another serious accident had recently occurred. The schedule of works will be completed by the end of the financial year.
   • Cllr Bagguley continues to push for the feasibility study for a crossing across the A34 to be scheduled and for the project to be included in County Council’s capital programme subject to the outcomes of the feasibility study.
   • An update on the Local Government Reorganisation was provided from the Borough Council’s perspective. Proposal to be submitted to central government by 28 November.

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies were received from Cllr P Cheadle 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 and Cllr R James stated that they were trustees of Swynnerton Village Hall.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on Thursday 30^th October 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.
   • Cllr P Marsh explained that there was significant opposition to the plans for a planning application to be submitted for a solar farm on land south of Beechcliffe Lane. Alison Gardener MP had also written to the Brough Council to express her opposition to the plan and to request that an Environmental Impact Assessment form part of the planning application.
   • A resident group is being formed to coordinate a response from the community. A petition is to be submitted to the Borough Council.

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 confirmed that the planning application for an additional play area in Tittensor had been withdrawn. The Borough Council have confirmed that the s106 funding can be used for play equipment for younger children and therefore replacing and potentially adding to the equipment at the Tittensor play area can be progressed. Clerk to contact equipment providers to start this process.

7. Financial matters
   • The payments for November 2025 were presented for approval, duly approved, and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 31 October 2025 were considered and signed.
   • The draft budget for year ending 31 March 2027 was considered. Cllrs considered projects and capital expenditure to be included in the budget. Precept to be considered and agreed at January’s meeting.

8. Discuss parish council vacancies in the Hanchurch and Trentham Wards
   • The Parish Council has not received any expressions of interest for the two councillor positions in the Hanchurch and Trentham ward.
   • It was agreed to place a poster within the village hall and refresh posters in the noticeboards to generate interest.
   • Discussions around increasing engagement with residents of Hanchurch and Trentham was also discussed. It was noted that the Parish Council had supported community projects within Tittensor and Swynnerton and it was agreed to also a place a poster in Hanchurch and Trentham regarding community grant funding.

9. Discuss application under section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – alleged footpath in Tittensor Hill Area.
   • The Parish Council have been asked to step in as applicant for a 1996 application under s53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, as the original applicants (Tittensor Neighbourhood Association) no longer exist. The application is to consider whether certain paths in the Tittensor Hill Area meet the criteria to be designated as public footpaths.
   • It was AGREED to step in as applicant so that the application could be considered.

10. To consider collection of data from speed indication devices in the Parish
    • Coordinated collection of data from the devices in Hanchurch/Swynnerton, Tittensor and Swynnerton was discussed.
    • It was proposed and agreed that enquiries should be made into contracting a third party to collect and present the data for the Parish Council. Cllr James to speak with contact who collects data for a neighbouring Parish Council.

• Receive an update from the Traffic Safety Working Group
  • Cllr Marsh provided an update from the Traffic Safety Working Group and the Community Speed Watch Group’s frustration with the delay in progressing a further speed indication device on Winghouse Lane – County Council are currently reviewing procedures.
  • It was noted that the speed van would visit Winghouse Lane, in the vicinity of Groundslow on a cyclical basis.
  • Data from the speed indication device in Groundslow was presented to the meeting. The data suggest that circa 30% of vehicles are exceeding the 30mph speed limit.

• Consider request from Traffic Safety Working Group for funding of verge side gates on Winghouse Lane
  • Cllr Marsh presented information supporting the installation of verge side gates as a further tool for reducing speeding along Winghouse Lane on the entry to the village from the A51 towards the A34.
  • The matter was discussed. The costs of the project are expected to be £4,00-£4,500. It was highlighted that funds were earmarked for an additional speed indication device in this area.
  • A motion was proposed to progress with the installation of the gates; however, the motion was not seconded, and therefore not passed.

13. Discuss reoccurrence of flooding on Winghouse Lane
    • Cllr Marsh noted that flooding had returned at the bend in Winghouse Lane, and the drains were once again blocked. It was noted that the flooding was in a dangerous location with drivers having limited visibility as they approached the bend.
    • The flooding has been reported but Highways have classes the fault as non-urgent. Cllr Bagguely to liaise with the highways department at the Count Council.

• The date of the next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 22 January 2026, 7.15pm at Hanchurch Village Hall

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

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