Curborough, Elmhurst, Farewell and Chorley Parish Council 9 January 2020
In attendance: Councillor Brown, Keen, Bailye, Robinson, Onions, Derry, Tisdale, Jennings, Hammersley and Packwood.
Also in attendance:
Members of public: 2 Other Councillors: Councillor R Strachen, Lichfield District Council Clerk: Ellen Bird
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mejor, Gullivor and Smith.
Noted
2. Declarations of Interest
There were none.
3. Chairman’s Opening Remarks
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
He reported that he had personally been involved in St Giles hospice Christmas Tree collection service and thought Councillors would be interested to note that this year they had raised circa £35,000 for the hospice.
Noted
4. Public Forum
There were no issues.
5. To approve the minutes from 14 November 2019
Resolved to approve the Parish Meeting minutes held on 14 November 2019. The Minutes were signed by the Chair.
1 Date:
Signed: 6. To receive County/District Councillor Reports
Apologies had been received from the County Councillor.
Councillor Strachan, LDC attended the meeting and introduced himself to the Council. Councillors discussed local budget constraints, Lichfield Local Plan, Grange Lane Road defects and developments on district council issues (Swimming Pool, site opposite train station) with the Councillor.
Noted
7. Police Report
There was no report.
8. Clerk’s Report
The Clerk provided an update on items received and sent since the last meeting.
She reported that when submitting her apologies Councillor Smith had reported complaints from residents regarding - Dog fouling notices in the village - Horses churning up the grass outside ‘Greenway’
She requested some notices for each issue.
Noted and resolved to ask the Clerk to contact LDC regarding the issues raised by Councillor Smith.
9. Parish Precept 2020/21
Councillors discussed the Parish Precept for 2020/21 ustilising a budget forecast provided by the Clerk.
They noted that whilst on paper the financial situation was strong, in reality the majority of the money was legally ringfenced for capital projects in Elmhurst.
They discussed the need to complete some maintenance jobs in the Parish. They noted that given the financial restraints of the District and County Council’s the work would not be done unless CEFC undertook the work.
The precept was a relatively small amount for a large area and Councillors decided to increase the Precept by 15% to £6,815 in order to complete some maintenance jobs.
Resolved to set the Parish Precept for 2020/21 to £6,815.
2 Date:
Signed: 10. Accounts for Payment
The balances on the current account and business reserve accounts – updated statements not received by the time of the meeting.
Resolved to ask the Clerk to report these by email as soon as they were received.
The Parish Council were asked to approve the following payments at their meeting on 9 January 2020:
Cost VAT Invoice No Cheque amount Number Clerk’s Wage January 2020 £259.33 10 000725 Clerk’s wages February 2020 £259.33 - 11 000746 (new Cheque book) Clerk’s Expenses £ 18.48 - - 000747 WCAVA (Payroll/HMRC £36.60 1.10 2020269 000748 Payment Dec) WCAVA (Payroll/HMRC £36.40 1.10 2020300 000749 Payment Jan) Information Commissioner £40 - 02cf2cd20505 000750
Resolved to approve the accounts for payment. a) It was noted that one of the signatories was unwell so the Clerk was asked to contact her when she was better in order that the cheques be signed; b) To ask the signatories to attend the bank to arrange for the address to be changed to the Clerk’s address, for the Clerk’s pay to be done by standing order; c) To ask the Clerk to work with signatories to progress the bank mandate.
11. Investment of Parish Funds
The Clerk reported that she had contacted the financial advisor used by NALC and SPCA with regard to the investment of Parish funds. She would report back when a reply was received.
Noted
13. Any other Items (For Information only) - The Chair reported the extreme difficulties he had in reporting the problems with the closure of Watery Lane and the time and energy he had spent trying to resolve the problems he created over the New Year.
He reported that as a result of this and other similar incidents he felt extremely frustrated that the Parish Council was failing to have any impact for the Community.
He reported that after a lot of reflection and consideration he decided that he would serve out his term for the remainder of the Municipal Year as a Councillor and as Chair of the Parish but that he would be standing down as a Councillor in May.
3 Date:
Signed:
Councillors expressed their thanks to the Chair for his work and their sorrow in his resignation.
Noted
Meeting ended: 20:05
4 Date:
Signed:
Curborough and Elmhurst Sub Committee
1. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Packwood declared an interest in the Highways (Elmhurst flooding) issue (landowner connection). Other councillors agreed unanimously that Cllr Packwood should contribute tothat part of the agenda as he may well be able to help identify problems and offer solutions.
2. Minutes of any Sub-Committee/s and Divisional meetings held since the last full parish council meeting.
There were none.
3. Planning Applications Received.
19/01755/FUL Land adjacent Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire
Formation of an access track from Watery Lane (unclassified road) to connect with an existing access track, including drainage ditches, culverts and brick headwalls to each side of the culverts.
Councillors agreed unanimously that a new access track, further away from the existing railway bridge than at present, and coupled with properly planned and constructed drainage ditches and culverts should improve both access and drainage at a problematic part of Watery Lane.
19/01355/FUL Single-storey to rear to form swimming pool, Lichfield Golf & Country Club.
Councillors agreed unanimously that the plan was an addition to already present facilities within the Golf & Country Club complex, therefore it would be an added facility for patrons, not visible from the road or adjoining properties. No objections.
4. Phone box update and defibrillator installation progress.
Cllr Onions reported that the inside of the phone box has been painted and Mr Phil Tompkins has constructed a frame to accommodate the defibrillator inside the phone box. He also reported that the defibrillator and all of its accompanying training materials etc are currently being stored in the kitchen of Elmhurst mission. Councillors questioned whether the parish council’s insurance policy would cover the equipment in its current location.
Resolved to ask the Clerk for clarification on this.
5 Date:
Signed:
5. Highways latest.
Potholes had already been discussed during the main meeting. Councillor Robinson added that there were a number of potholes along the stretch of the A515 from Roundabouts Garage (now known as AMA Garage Services) to the A515 junction with Rugeley Road.
Councillor Onions raised the issue of flooding in Elmhurst village centre. He quoted a number of village residents who had complained to him and Cllr Grove about the excessive flow of water down the lane from a field near ’The Lodge’ into the village centre. Flooding and drainage issues in the village were discussed at length and consequently it was agreed that a working group comprising Cllr Onions, Cllr Grove and Cllr Packwood should meet and work to identify the problems and consequently offer potential improvements/solutions.
Resolved to establish a working group to investigate flooding issues in Elmhurst
6. Any other items for information.
There were none.
Meeting closed 9.25pm
6 Date:
Signed: Farewell and Chorley Sub Committee
1. Declarations of Interest
There were none.
2. Minutes of any Sub-Committee/s and Divisional meetings held since the last full parish council meeting.
Noted.
3. Planning Applications Received.
There were none.
4. Highways latest.
No items to report.
5. Any other items for information.
There were none.
The meeting closed at 8.10pm
7 Date:
Signed: