Annual Parish Council Meeting the 19th of May 2025 AGM25
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 19th of May 2025 at 7pm at Essington Community Centre, Council Chamber. Public and Press are welcome to attend.

Exclusion of the press and public: The Chairman to inform any members of the Public or Press that in view of confidential business to be transacted in item 14 that they are excluded in accordance with the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 Section 1 (2). 

Public and Press Participation Maximum of 15 minutes- Any Elector of the Parish of Essington may raise a question by prior request in writing to the clerk within the period of publication of the agenda and the meeting itself, on any issue relating to Official Parish Council Business.  

Present: County Councillor Michelle Woods & 1 member of the public.
Michelle was introduced to Full Council as our County Councillor for Staffordshire County Council.

Acceptance of Office by all Councillors

Completion of Declarations of Interest forms.
Minutes
1. Election and acceptance of office of the Chairman – Resolved that Chris Steel be appointed as Chairman of the Parish Council for the year 2025/26. Proposed by Gill, seconded by James, all in favour. Chris made his declaration of acceptance of office and signed the said declaration.

2. To record Members, present – Councillors, Chris Steel, Warren Fisher, James Parker, Ken Moseley, Gill Kelly and Joy Markiewicz.

Also present: Louise Tipler – Clerk, Kate Roberts – RFO and Joe Yates – Admin Assistant.
3. Apologies – Hilary Southern

4. Election and acceptance of office of the Vice- Chairman – Resolved that Hilary Southern be appointed as Vice-Chairman of Essington Parish Council for the year 2025/26. Proposed by Warren, seconded by Chris, all in favour, however in her absence she was unable to accept
AGM26
her position in office, therefore it was resolved that should Hilary not accept it will be bought to the next meeting to consider a new Vice Chair.

5. Review and appoint Membership of Committees.

5.1 Management Committee – All members of the Council.

5.2. Appoint Members of the HR Committee – Councillors Chris Steel, Hilary Southern, Gill Kelly and Warren Fisher.
AGM26
5.3 Appoint Members of the Finance Committee – Councillors Chris Steel, Hilary Southern, Warren Fisher, Ken Moseley and James Parker.

5.4. Appoint PC Members to the Pools Committee – Councillors James Parker, Chris Steel, Warren Fisher and Sam Curtis.

5.5 Appointment of Footpath and Tree Wardens – Councillors James Parker and Gill Kelly.

5.6 Appointment to outside Bodies
a. Housing Association Representative – Councillor Joy Markiewicz.
b. Wyrley Juniors Football Club Committee – Councillor Gill Kelly.
c. Police Locality Committee – Check if Committee still exists.
d. Walsall Football Club Committee – Councillor Ken Moseley.

AGM27
6. Record Declarations of Interest – Gill Kelly, item 11.

7. Approval of the minutes of the last Full Council Meeting – Proposed by Ken, seconded by Gill, all in favour that the minutes were a true and accurate record.

8. District Councillors report – Michelle Woods, County Councillor was introduced to the Parish Council.

9. Finance

9.1 Schedule of Payments – May 2025 – Proposed by Warren, seconded by Chris, all in favour. Letters to be sent to contractors who have made donations.

9.2 Income and Expenditure Report- April 2025 – Proposed by James, seconded by Chris, all in favour.

9.3 Bank Reconciliation both accounts- April 2025 – Proposed by Chris, seconded by Ken, all in favour.

9.4 Internal Auditors Report – New auditor for the year 2025/26. Recommendations were noted. Internal Audit report completed and to be issued at the Finance Committee.
10. Car Park Barrier – Stay on Agenda – to be discussed at the Management Committee.

11. ECC Internal Alterations – In principle Councillors are all in favour for alterations to take place.
AGM28
12. UKSPF 2025-2026 – Expression of interest – Application by September 2025.

13. Co-Option – Council considered the interest in Co-Option- Council considered the interest from attendees for Co-option and resolved to Co-opt Ann Phillips for Newtown pending receipt of necessary paperwork before the next Full Council Meeting on the 23rd of June 2025.

14. Medical Centre- Closed Session – Clarify dates when water meters will be fitted. Increase from 1st April 2025 to be billed at the end of June 2025. The RFO to ask the question of how to be billed, monthly, quarterly or annually.

15. Date of the next meeting – 23rd June 2025

16. Closure – 20.50pm