Essington Parish Council – Annual Parish Meeting.

The Annual Parish Meeting to be held on the 12th of May 2025, 7pm-8pm in the Council Chamber, at Essington Community Centre, Hobnock Road, Essington, WV112RF.
Recording of Meetings
For administration purposes this meeting may be recorded by the Parish Council.
Please Note: The Parish Council is not responsible for any recordings that may be made by members of the public. Should it be your intention to record the meeting please make this clear prior to its commencement. In the event that a member of the public does not wish to be recorded kindly respect their rights.
Press Participation- None
Present: Councillor Chris Steel – Chairman and Louise Tipler- Clerk
Attendees- 6
Agenda
1. Apologies- None
2.Chairman’s Address – Progress over the past 12 months and plans for the coming Year 2025/26. Chairman’s Report 2024/2025
The Chairman welcomed attendees to the meeting followed by the following report
April 2024
Replaced the old sash windows in the old School Hall and Classroom in the 1911 Café area at the CC.

May
The PC applied through SSDC for a health inequalities grant which we were successful in receiving £47k to upgrade and replace the Pools pathways.

June/July/August
Council agreed to a new Porch Entrance to facilitate the Community Centre Hall, and the implementation of ANPR on the Car Park due to volumes of traffic and public safety.

September
Council agreed and ordered 2 play equipment units for Westcroft and Broad Lane Playing Fields.

October/November
Council secured further funding of £40k through UKSPF to complete the Pools Pathways, resurface the Car Park with new layout and a pond dipping platform., which the pc match funded with £13,637.

December
The Council had to make the decision to remove some of the equipment on Swan Park due to receiving a concerning report from ROSPA.

January 2025
The ladies’ toilets benefitted from a long-awaited refurbishment.

February/March
The Council supported Essington Bowling Club with a Grant for £2000.00 towards a new members storage hut.
Chatty Café went live welcoming residents into a warm friendly environment every Tuesday in the Community Centre Hall for Free Tea/Coffee and Toast which has been successful welcoming upwards of 25 members per week, with new friendships being made.
The Council held their third Celebration in the Community, recognising those who make a difference dedicating their time for the benefit of the Village.

Projects and Plans for 2025/26

Men’s Toilet Refurb
ECC CCTV and Alarm System
Swan Park- Hoping to get additional funding.
Remembrance Garden/Memorial Garden
Pools Green Flag Status.

3. Public Participation – Members of the Parish of Essington questions for the Council.
. Parking on the Bovis Estate was raised, which unfortunately the Parish Council have no control over. Abusive behaviour should be reported to the Police and Highways issues to Staffordshire County Council.
. Plans for Swan Park was mentioned- the chairman explained that the wooden equipment was listed as dangerous in the last ROSPA annual inspection and therefore had to be removed, which was not anticipated, the hope was that it would last a while longer.
The Parish Council currently has just over £13k saved for new equipment and is currently active in fundraising additional funds, however, that takes time. The Parish Council spent £30k last year on the parks at Westcroft and Broad Lane which it is also responsible for.
The plan is to keep raising funds to invest in the 3 park areas, but no confirmed timeline has been considered for improvements yet. In recent weeks the PC have received donations from local businesses of £600.00.
. Plans for the greenbelt- Housing need will ultimately impact Essington and the whole of South staffs in the coming years, there are no considerable planning applications at the moment.

4.Date of the next meeting- To be arranged

5.Closure- 8pm