2026 March

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 19 March 2026 at Swynnerton Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr R James

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

Stafford Borough Council:  Cllr R James

Stafford County Council:  None present

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
   • Residents of Northwood Lane addressed the meeting to raise their concerns over planning application 26/41909/PIP – planning in principle for 9 residential dwellings. Concerns over development within the greenbelt, detrimental impact of openness of the greenbelt, historical assets near to the site and traffic and access to the site were raised.

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

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr N Leeson and Cllr T Love.

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

Cllr R James, Cllr D Bishop and Cllr P Cheadle declared that they were Trustees of Swynnerton Village Hall. Cllr D Bishop also noted that her husband is a member of the Swynnerton Angling Club.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on Thursday 21 January 2026

     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 26/41909/PIP was considered. Considering the matters raised by members of the public and review of the application it was AGREED to object based on inappropriate development in the greenbelt, heritage assets in close proximity and vehicular access to the site.

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.
   • Due to the recent wet weather the installation of the shelter at Swynnerton play area is now scheduled for the last week of March.

7. Financial matters
   • The schedule of earmarked reserves was considered, and it was AGREED that that for the year ending 31 March 2026 earmarked reserves would be £51,462.
   • The payments for March 2026 were presented for approval, duly approved and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 28 February 2026 were considered and signed.
   • It was AGREED to undertake grass cutting in Tittensor for the next financial year. The contribution from the County Council being £684.

8. Confirm the locations of bleed out kits and authorise purchase and installation costs
   • It was AGREED to purchase and install 3 bleed out kits at a cost of £1,440 plus VAT.
   • It was AGREED that the kits should be installed in the bus shelter outside the Fitzherbert Arms (permission received), Tittensor village hall (permission received) and bus shelter at Ferndown Drive South (Parish Council asset).

9. Agree the grant to Hanchurch village hall for removal of trees on the village hall grounds
   • The request for a grant of £2,100 for the removal of trees on the village hall grounds was considered.
   • It was AGREED to provide a grant for the full amount. It was further AGREED that the payment be added to the March payments so that the works could be completed before the trees leaf out for the season.

10. Discuss proposed quotes, schemes and contractors for the project to improve the Tittensor play area
    • The quotes and schemes of the 3 contractors were considered.
    • It was AGREED that the preferred supplier was Sutcliffe Play. Refinements to the scheme were proposed. Clerk to liaise with contractor to determine a final scheme.

11. Receive an update regarding the proposed ground mounted solar farm on land south of Beechcliffe Lane
    • Cllr Marsh stated that the consultation for the solar farm had been paused due to the connection’s reforms for renewable energy projects. The government is currently prioritising projects that have planning permissions are ready break ground in order to reach its 20235 renewable energy targets.
    • Cllr Marsh stated that the action group would continue to gather information to be ready should a planning application be submitted in the future.

• Receive an update on the refurbishment of the fishing pool in Swynnerton

  Cllr D Bishop provided an update on behalf of the Angling Club. Improvements made to date include: new gate at entrance, installation of net wash facilities, reducing the volume of vegetation within the pool, access path within the site, vegetation clearance around the pool and installation of bench and noticeboards. It was further noted that the work had predominately been undertaken by volunteers.

• Consider request for contribution towards Swynnerton Community event
  • The Community are holding an Easter event in the village and have requested whether the Parish Council could contribute towards prices. It was AGREED to provide up to £25 – Cllr Cheadle to purchase Easter eggs on behalf of the community.

• Consider requesting replacement ROW fingerpost from County Council and installing on Early Lane, Swynnerton.

The fingerpost at the end of Early Lane has rotted, broken and lying at the side of the path. Whilst it has been reported to the County Council it was noted that replacement time may be significant. It was AGREED to request a replacement fingerpost from the County Council and for the Parish Council to arrange for it to be installed.

• Discuss the streetlamp on Swynnerton and cost /efficiencies to convert to LED lantern
  • The Parish Council owned streetlamp on Park View is fitted with a high pressure sodium lamp. Exchanging the lamp for an LED lantern would cost £330.00 (ex VAT) and provide cost savings of £60 per year.
  • It was AGREED to move forward with the conversion to LED, although it was noted that the light from LED lamps would be a whiter light than the current warmer yellow light.

• The date of the next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 23 April 2026, 7.15pm at Tittensor Village Hall

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

Added Hanchurch Village Hall Grant of £2,100.00