Curborough, Elmhurst, Farewell and Chorley Parish Council 14 November 2019 In attendance: Councillor Brown, Keen, Bailye, Smith, Robinson, Onions, Derry, Gulliver, Packwood. Also in attendance: Members of public: 2 Other Councillors: 0 Clerk: Ellen Bird 1. Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mejor, Tisdale and Jennings Noted 2. Declarations of Interest There were none. 3. Chairman’s Opening Remarks The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. He reported that the funeral had been held of former Councillor Sam Crutchley. Councillors remembered him as having a dry sense of humour and as an outspoken and interesting man. The Chair also thanked Councillor Gulliver for Chairing the last meeting on his behalf. Noted 4. Public Forum There were no issues. 5. To approve the minutes from 12 September 2019 Turning Restrictions A515 The minutes be amended to read: Councillor Tittley assured Councillors that there was no intention to prosecute agricultural vehicles working for farms affected by the turning restrictions. 1 Date: Signed: Resolved subject to the above amendments, to approve the Parish Meeting minutes held on 12 September 2019. The Minutes were signed by the Chair. 6. Speed Limit – update on Progress Councillors noted that work was progressing on speed limits for Chorley and Elmhurst. They noted that there would be significant costs involved which the Council would have to determine how to fund. Costings were currently being explored by Staffordshire County Council (SCC). Noted. 7. To receive County/District Councillor Reports No District/County Councillors were in attendance. 8. Police Report There was no report. 9. Clerk’s Report The Clerk provided an update on items received and sent since the last meeting. Noted. 2 Date: Signed: 10. Accounts for Payment The balances on the current account and business reserve accounts are £144,517.85 (as at 30 October 2019) and £116.74 (as at 4 October 2019 ) respectively. The Parish Council are asked to approve the following payments at their meeting on 14 November 2019: Please note the cheque book has 3 cheques remaining. In order to pay all accounts payable detailed below they have been combined for each payee. Cost VAT Invoice No Cheque Chq total amount Number Clerk’s Wage payrise £45.57 - 7 £567.08 October 2019 (paid 213.76 owed £259.33) Clerk’s wages £259.33 - 8 000722 November Clerk’s Wages £259 - 9 000722 December (post dated to 12 Dec) Clerk’s Expenses £3.18 - - 000722 WCAVA £36.40 1.10 2020205 000723 72.81 (Payroll/HMRC Payment Oct) WCAVA £36.41 1.10 2020233 000723 (Payroll/HMRC Payment Nov) Mazars (external £240 40 LIMI1668671597386- 000724 240 Audit) SB02484 There was no income to report. It was noted that there was only one cheque left in the cheque book. The Clerk said she would try to order another in time for the next meeting. Resolved to approve the accounts for payment. 11. External Auditor Report The External Auditor Report was received and noted by the Council. 12. Investment of Parish Funds Councillors discussed where and how to invest the Parish Funds raised from the sale of ‘The Elms’ building. The Clerk had sought advice from Lichfield District Council who advised that their financial advisors wouldn’t be able to give the Parish financial advice. 3 Date: Signed: The Clerk had also contacted Burntwood Town Council who reported they had used an investment fund and a savings account for their funds. Councillor Keen volunteered to investigate what was involved in setting up a Village Trust for the monies. Resolved to a) ask the Clerk to contact Staffordshire Parish Council Association for advice regarding what other Councils have done in a similar position; b) ask the Clerk to contact Alan Topliss to see if he had any other contacts regarding who may be able to provide financial advice. c) To ask the Clerk to arrange a meeting with Natwest to see if they could provide financial advice and to resolve signatory issues. 13. Policy Documents Councillors had received and reviewed policy documents for the Council. Resolved to approve the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and code of conduct. 14. Any other Items (For Information only) - It was noted that there was a HS2 Consultation event being held shortly. Meeting ended: 20:10 4 Date: Signed: Curborough and Elmhurst 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. There were none. 3. Planning Applications Received. There were no comments. 4. Flooding Issues in Curborough and Elmhurst Councillors reported that there were two blocked drains in Elmhurst village center on road near Black & White Cottage Resolved to ask the Clerk to report to Staffordshire County Council Highyways It was noted that flooding had occurred twice now in 3 weeks at four locations along Watery Lane, Curborough – at Fullbrook, at Curborough Hall Farm corner, under railway bridge and by new build just inside Lichfield City parish. Also outside Curborough Cottages Resolved to ask Staffordshire County Council Highways to unblock grated drain in the road opposite Curborough Cottages as it has silted up again and is causing flooding on the corner. 5. Phone box update and defibrillator installation progress. It was noted that all the kit received for phone box conversion. Phil Tompkins is working on a structure to go into the box. 5 Date: Signed: 6. Highways latest. It was noted that there was a pothole now in the middle of Grange Lane, near to where the other potholes are. The edge of the road is falling away on the northern road into/out of Elmhurst village, at the corner by ‘The Lodge.’ Councillors discussed the proposals for 30 MPH signs for Elmhurst. Resolved to request that a) the Staffordshire County Council Officer attend next meeting so that Councillors can discuss the matter with her. b) That the Clerk report the other issues to Staffordshire County Council Highways. 7. Any other items for information. There were none. Meeting closed 8.30pm 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 8.30pm 7 Date: Signed: .