DRAFT

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 25 September 2025 at Swynnerton Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr Roy James (Chairman)

Cllr P Cheadle, Cllr D Bishop, Cllr T Love, Cllr N Adams, Cllr N Leeson

Stafford Borough Council:  Cllr Roy 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 introduced themselves to the Parish Council and provided confirmation that the new windows had been fitted (funding provided by a grant from the Parish Council). The request from the Bowling Club for a refurbishment of the path was discussed and the trustees stated that they would discuss this at their next Trustee meeting in October.

3. Reports from County and Borough Councillors
   • Cllr Bagguley provided an update on the road safety changes in Beech. The schedule of works should be finalised soon.
   • The feasibility study for a crossing across the A34 has been requested but has not yet been scheduled. Cllr Bagguley to continue to push this forward.
   • Cllr Bagguley has raised the poor condition of some of the pavements in Tittensor and has been successful in getting sections added to repair works. Timing to be confirmed.
   • The County Council are lobbying for changes to non urgent utility works whereby there will be greater coordination between the County’s highway works and utility works.
   • Application to the Community fund for community groups is open until the end of November. Information on County Council website.
   • Cllr James provided an update on the Local Government Reorganisation and reminded Cllrs to respond to the consultation for the Post Office green paper.

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr P Marsh.

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 7 August 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.
   • Planning Application 25/40885/OUT for 81 dwellings in Barlaston was discussed. It was agreed to send objections to the application based on the application being on greenbelt, flooding of the area and traffic congestion at the crossroads.

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 consider taking over the grass cutting on Swynnerton play area at the meeting in October having received feedback from both the Borough Council and the County Council.
   • The Trentham Heritage Group are meeting with Trentham Gardens at the end of the month to request permission to site an information board.

7. Financial matters
   • The payments for September 2025 were presented for approval, duly approved, and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 31 August 2025 were considered and signed.
   • It was noted that external audit had been concluded. No matters have been raised by the external auditor.
   • It was AGREED to purchase 2 remembrance wreaths for Tittensor and Swynnerton.
   • It was AGREED to purchase bulbs for Tittensor, Swynnerton and Trentham/Hanchurch up to a total cost of £90.
   • It was AGREED to renew the contract with The Play Inspection Company for a further 12 months.

8. Review draft communications policy and review and adoption of information technology policy and complaints policy
   • The communications policy was considered – no amendments were proposed. The policy is to be bought back to the October meeting for adoption.
   • The information policy and the complaints policy were considered and adopted without amendment.

9. Consider feedback on planning application for an additional recreation area in Tittensor (25/40632/FUL)
   • The response from Biodiversity Officer and highways department and Staffordshire police were considered. It was agreed that the costs associated with the additional requirements needed to move the project forward at the planning stage were not feasible, particularly when the County Council could not provide certainty of granting a lease. It was therefore AGREED to withdraw the planning application.
   • The use of the section 106 monies was discussed. The monies can currently be used for equipment for older children. As no other projects for older children has been identified, it was agreed that the Chairman should enquire whether the terms of the agreement could be amended to include equipment for younger children.

10. Consider updates and discuss request for a grant from Tittensor Bowling Club towards repair and improvement of pathway around the bowling green.
    • A quote had been received for repair of the path (£3,250) and this was provided to the Trustees.
    • The request from the Bowling Club for a refurbishment of the path had been discussed earlier in the meeting and the trustees would discuss this at their next Trustee meeting in October. Responsibility for the maintenance of the path to be clarified.

• Agree on installation of a youth shelter in Swynnerton play are – location and model
  • The Borough Council (lease owner) and Swynnerton Estates (landowner) have agreed that a youth shelter can be sited on the play area.
  • The quote for the preferred model of shelter – Sutcliffe open half pod shelter (£9,253) – was considered. It was AGREED to purchase this shelter. Clerk to contact Sutcliffe to organise a site survey.

• Discuss and agree annual donation for village halls in the Parish
  • Last year Hanchurch village hall’s grant of £750 wasn’t paid due to the uncertainty regarding continuation of the village hall. It was AGREED that the £750 for last year should be paid now as the new Trustees were investing in the hall’s infrastructure.
  • It was AGREED that Swynnerton, Tittensor and Hanchurch village hall should all receive a £750 grant. For Tittensor village hall this payment includes the £250 lease payment for Tittensor play area.

13. Discuss requesting County Council to review adequacy of weight limit signage in Swynnerton

Cllr Bagguley reported that compliance with and enforcement of the weight limits presented the main challenge across the County, however, he would continue to raise these problems within the County Council.

• Consider proposed meeting dates and venues for Parish Council meetings.

The proposed dates and venues for meetings in 2026 were considered and agreed – subject to availability of the halls: 22^nd January (Hanchurch village hall), 19^th March (Swynnerton village Hall), 23^rd April (Tittensor village hall), 21^st May (Swynnerton village hall), 25^th June (Hanchurch village hall), 6^th August (Tittensor village hall), 24^thSeptember (Swynnerton village hall), 29^th October (Tittensor village hall) and 26^th November (Hanchurch village hall).

• The date of the next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 30 October, 7.15pm at Tittensor Village Hall

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

Authorised Payments. 

If you would like a copy of the bank reconciliation in a format other than pdf please contact the Clerk.