2022 November

The November Financial Statements (authorised payments and bank reconciliation) can be viewed by clicking the following link:

November 2022 Financial Statements

Please contact the Parish Clerk should you require a format other than pdf.

MINUTES OF THE SWYNNERTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

     Held on Thursday, 24 November 2022 in Swynnerton Village Hall

Councillors in attendance: Cllr Roy James (Chairman)

Cllr S Amison, Cllr Peter Bickerstaffe, Cllr Joanne Malkin, Cllr Brian Price, Cllr Terry Love and Cllr E Mateu

Stafford Borough Council: Cllr Roy James

Stafford County Council: None

In attendance: L Davies (Parish Clerk), 1 member 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 public asked when the new SID would be installed in Swynnerton. The Parish Council is waiting for the poles to be installed by the County Council.
   • The Management Committee of Swynnerton Village Hall sent their thanks for the Parish Council’s grant and informed the meeting that they are in the process of getting quotes for installing wifi at the village hall.

3. Reports from County and Borough Councillors

Cllr James raised that the Borough Council had a budget deficit of circa £2m. The Borough Council is looking at increasing the amount of shared service with Cannock district to reduce costs (this will be voted upon at the start of December).

4. Update on works at Hanchurch Interchange from HS2 Senior Engagement Manager
   • The Engagement Manager gave a presentation, providing an update on the works done and planned at the Hanchurch Interchange M6 Junction 15.
   • She also made the meeting aware that Community Investment opportunities were available, whereby HS2 employees/contractors could provide volunteer days to help undertake community projects (e.g. painting of village halls).
   • The bench (owned by the Parish Council) at the junction of Newcastle Road and Trentham Road will need to be removed when works are undertaken. HS2 have stated that this will be replaced when works are complete.

Parish Council Meeting

1. Apologies for absence received

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr T Love, Cllr D Bishop and Cllr N Adams.

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

No declarations of interest were received.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 27th October 2022.

The Minutes were considered, APPROVED and signed by the Chairman.

4. Discuss matters arising from the Minutes not covered in the Agenda

There were no matters arising.

5. Review of the planning committee observations

It was noted that no planning applications had been received since the last meeting.

6. Receive the Clerk’s report – correspondence received and progress report on matters not on the agenda
   • The Clerk’s report was received and matters duly noted.
   • The County Council has raised additional questions regarding the application to place a bench at the junction of Winghouse Lane and Copeland Avenue. These were discussed and responses agreed. Clerk to respond
7. Financial Matters
   • The payments for November 2022 were presented for approval, duly APPROVED and signed.
   • The financial statements and bank reconciliation to 31 October 2022 were considered and the bank reconciliation signed.
   • The National Joint Local Government Services pay agreement for 2022/23 was considered and it was AGREED to increase the Clerk’s hourly rate in line with the recommendations.

8. Consider the County Council’s winter maintenance programme and potential areas for road sweeping and gully cleaning within the Parish.
   • It was AGREED to undertake gully cleaning at Park View, Swynnerton. It was noted that the County Council has cleaned the gullies on Winghouse Lane, Tittensor. Clerk and Swynnerton Cllrs to progress
   • It was noted that road sweeping had been carried out but that additional road sweeping should be considered in Autumn 2023.

9. Agree purchase of additional grit bin and de-icing salt for Swynnerton

It was AGRRED to purchase a small grit bin and de-icing salt to be located at Park View, Swynnerton. Clerk to action

10. Discuss Parish response to the Review of Parliamentary Boundaries 2023 consultation

The Review of Parliamentary Boundaries 2023 and the potential impact on the Parish were discussed. After consideration it was decided not to submit any further comments on this final consultation.

11. Discuss Parish response to the Stafford Borough Local Plan 20-40 Preferred Options Consultation

The Chairman asked Cllrs to submit to the Clerk, any comments to form part of the Parish Council’s response by midday Thursday 8^th December. These will then be collated and a response sent ahead of the deadline on Monday 12^th December.

12. Agree dates of the Civic Amenity Visits

Dates for amenity visits, 3 at each village hall, were discussed and proposed. Clerk to progress.

13. Discuss the Swynnerton Parish Council website
    • Improvements to the Parish Council website were suggested. Clerk to progress
    • The Parish Council’s facebook page was discussed. The page has not been used recently and the former Clerk remains as administrator. It was AGREED that the Clerk should take over administration of the page moving forward. Clerk to progress

14. Confirm the date of the next Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday 26th January 2023, 7.15pm at Hanchurch Village Hall.

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