Minutes of a meeting of Shobnall Parish Council

held at Brook House, Shobnall Road

on Monday 21 March 2022 commencing at 7pm

Present

Councillor Dennis (in the Chair)

Councillors Dittmer, Donlon, Hoare and Shilton

Mary Danby, Clerk

Public Forum

No members of the public were present.

 Apologies

            Councillor Asghar

174. Councillor resignation

Councillor Hoare announced that, with regret, she was resigning from the Parish Council for personal reasons with effect from the end of meeting.

Councillors said that Councillor Hoare’s experience and input would be missed at future meetings and they thanked her for her many years of service to the local community.

Resolved        That the Clerk notify ESBC of Councillor Hoare’s resignation and that a Casual Vacancy be declared.

175. Declarations of Interest and written applications for dispensations under the Localism Act 2011

            None received.

176. Update to Councillors’ Register of Interest

            None received.

177. Minutes

Resolved        That the Minutes of the meeting held 21 February 2022 be approved as an accurate record.

178. Matters arising from the previous meeting

   Minute No. 168           Defibrillators

The Clerk reported that Jannel Cruisers had advised that they installed a defibrillator on the Marina side of their building in 2021. They said that would have no objection if the Parish Council wanted to install another defibrillator on the towpath side of their building for public use.

Despite a follow-up letter, there has been no response to date from The Albion Taphouse.

Resolved        That a defibrillator be installed on the towpath side of Jannel Cruisers building.

179. Borough Councillors’ reports

No reports were available as Councillors McKiernan and Walker had given their apologies as they were attending an ESBC meeting.

180. County Councillor’s report

A report was unavailable as Councillor Afsar was not present at the meeting.

181. Financial matters

181.1   Schedule of payments 

             Resolved        That:

1. The above payments be approved.
2. This council takes note of the NJC National Salary Award and authorises its implementation.

181.2   Bank reconciliation as at 28 February 2022 

             Resolved        That the above was a true record.

181.3   Earmarked Reserves (EMRs) 

Resolved        That the information be noted.

182. Actual income and expenditure to 31 December 2021

Resolved        That the report be noted.

183. Website

It was noted that there had been 39 visits to the website in the 30 days to 14 March 2022.

184. Financial Regulations

Resolved        That the Financial Regulation 11.8 be amended as recommended by the Internal Auditor to read (changes in bold):

When it is to enter into a contract of less than £25,000 in value for the supply of goods or materials or for the execution of works or specialist services other than such goods, materials, works or specialist services as are excepted as set out in paragraph (a) the Clerk will seek to obtain 3 quotations (priced descriptions of the proposed supply); where the value is below £1,000 and above £500 the Clerk or RFO shall strive to obtain 3 estimates. Otherwise, Regulation 10.3 above shall apply.

185. Planning matters

185.1   Planning applications 

185.2   Planning Decisions

            Resolved        That the report be noted.

186. Staffordshire County Council:

Application for footpath between Footpath 3 Shobnall and Shobnall Road

Resolved        That the Parish Council has no objection to the proposed footpath between Footpath 3 Shobnall and Shobnall Road. Councillors noted that the documentation had been displayed on the Parish Council’s noticeboards as requested and these would remain on display until 11 April 2022.

187. Councillors’ questions

187.1   Councillor Shilton reported a pot hole on Shobnall Road, 50 yards before Marston’s Brewery’s gate. Agreed that this be reported to Staffordshire Highways.

187.2   Councillor Donlon reported that she had recently attended the virtual 20’s Plenty meeting. Councillors noted that the council had previously agreed not to progress the initiative in the Parish.

187.3   Councillor Dennis noted that Tatenhill and Rangemore Parish Council recent Minutes had included the following:

A resident had contacted the parish council following an incident on 17 November 2021. Members agreed that the village roads were not adequate for school buses, for both the safety of children attending the local schools and also residents living in the villages. It was noted that if the coaches were not stopping in Tatenhill there is no reason for them to drive through the village. The Clerk was asked to establish who set the bus routes to the schools. There was also a discussion about the spine road which will be introduced through the Lawns Farm development. Clerk was asked to establish the design of the new spine road along with time scales. Members felt it was important that the local MP, county and borough councillors should be approached to establish their support with this serious village issue. Members of the public were also encouraged to contact their local borough and county councillors and also their MP.

Agreed            That clarity be sought from Tatenhill and Rangemore Parish Council on the reference to the Lawns Farm spine road as this would have a potential detrimental impact on traffic flow in Shobnall.

188. Correspondence and circulars

188.1   SPCA

The SPCA’s weekly Bulletins had been circulated to all Councillors.

188.2   Highway England

The A38 Traffic Management Bulletins had been circulated to all Councillors.

 Date of next meeting:

Tuesday 19 April 2022 immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting which will commence at 6.30pm at Brook House, 18 Shobnall Road, Burton upon Trent DE14 2BA.

The Meeting closed at 8.02pm