Full Council Meeting
Agenda
Minutes
ESSINGTON PARISH COUNCIL EP810
DRAFT Minutes of Essington Parish Full Council Meeting held on the 10th June 2019 -7pm
PRESENT Chairman Councillor C. Steel
Councillor R. Bradburn
Councillor W. Fisher
Councillor J. Slim
Councillor W. Haddon
Councillor R. Pole
Councillor G. Kelly
Councillor C. Dodd
Councillor S. Porter
Councillor R. Mattison
Also present were 2 members of the public.
1.Apologies
Councillor Geoff Southern.
2.Declarations of Interest of Members
Councillor Warren Fisher & Councillor Gill Kelly declared an interest in item 11 on the agenda.
2a. Crime Report 9th May-9th June 2019
Burglary: Buttermere Drive access gained to property taking several items.
High Hill entry gained through garage doors alarm activated offenders disturbed nothing taken.
Bognop Road several items taken from Bovis site and retrieved within Swan Park.
Theft of Motor Vehicles: Thirlmere drive access gained resulting in vehicle being stolen from driveway.
Theft from Motor Vehicle: Upper Sneyd Road number plates stolen from vehicle.
Break in attempt: High Hill property front door drilled offenders disturbed, Expensive motor vehicles on driveway.
Violence against a Person: None.
Drugs: None.
Anti-Social Behaviour: Grocery Shop Hill Street items taken youths known to the police messing about police dealt with situation.
Neighbour Dispute Kitchen Lane.
In the absence of our Vice-Chair Councillor Geoff Southern, the Chairman Councillor Chris Steel proposed that Councillor Winston Haddon temporarily stands in. This was seconded by Councillor Warren Fisher and Resolved.
3.Minutes of the last Meeting.
Proposed by Councillor Bradburn, seconded by Councillor Slim.
Resolved that the minutes are a true record.
4.Matters arising (from last meetings minutes).
Councillor Slim mentioned the highways situation on Wolverhampton Road. However, it was pointed out that Councillor Fisher had further information to be discussed later in the meeting.
5.County Councillors Report – None
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Members agreed to send a letter of congratulations to Councillor Kath Perry on her new appointment.
6.District Councillors report
Councillor Warren Fisher gave members an insight and an update, informing them that the highways issue on Wolverhampton Road will be resolved with a temporary repair.
7.Correspondence
Chairman Chris Steel made a short statement for the benefit of the community and Public that if anyone wishes to complain or make an enquiry then they should first and foremost contact the Parish Office and not the personal contact details of Councillors. This should also apply to all Councillors.
An email was received regarding grass cutting on the pools area, it was explained that it is not the responsibility of the Parish Council as we do not own the land, responsibility is that of County Council. Members had a small discussion suggesting a group of volunteers a working party to address cutting back hedges and other overgrowth where it is necessary.
8.Finance
- a) Ratify cost of domain (new email address for all Parish Councillors)
Proposed by Councillor Dodd, seconded by Councillor Slim. Resolved.
- b) Approve purchase of Norton Anti-virus software
Proposed by Councillor Slim, Seconded by Councillor Kelly. Resolved.
- c) Ratify appointment of Alan Topliss Associates at a cost of £13.90 (Junior) £18.90 (Senior) per hour with a pinnacle of no more than £2000 initially.
Proposed by Councillor Slim, seconded by Councillor Dodd. Resolved.
- d) Ratify cost for pools signage, suggested amount of £250
Proposed by Councillor Slim, seconded by Councillor Bradburn. Resolved.
- e) Ratify cost of pedestrian access, adjacent to sub-station, suggested amount of £500
Members commented that any money left over from the £500 could be used for a steel shed for tool storage. Proposed by Councillor Fisher, seconded by Councillor Slim. Resolved.
- f) Income and Expenditure for Tearooms, April/May 2019
Proposed by Councillor Fisher, seconded by Councillor Dodd. Resolved.
- g) VAT update – Members discussed our VAT which was due 6th June, however it was explained that we had missed the deadline based on the state of our accounts. Councillor Fisher suggested with the appointment of a junior accountant that it would be beneficial to make the Vat a priority.
Chairman Chris Steel read out correspondence from Alan Topliss outlining key points that need to be addressed.
9.Planning Matters
A planning application for a Chapel building was discussed for the new crematory area. It was resolved that it would be discussed at length with the Parish Council Planning Committee.
10.Clerk Vacancies-Update
The Chairman, Councillor Chris Steel, commented that he didn’t feel it was appropriate at this time to appoint a new clerk/clerks.
11.Brownshore Pre-School Update
Councillor Fisher and Councillor Kelly declared an interest and left the chamber. As all members
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needed to see the proposed lease and discuss it at length, a further meeting was arranged for Monday 17th June.
Councillors Fisher and Kelly returned to the chamber.
12.Essington in Bloom 2019
Councillor Slim gave members an update on Essington in Blooms progress, stating the dementia garden at Cherry Tree Court was coming on well; some slabs had been donated and were waiting to be laid and a floating bio haven island had been placed at the Pools.
Councillors thanked Councillor Slim for his hard work on behalf of residents and the Council.
13.Broad Lane-Trees rear of 56
Councillor Porter explained that the residents had replaced four trees, as requested. Councillor Porter will check, and liaise with the clerk, to move the matter is resolved.
14.Highways update
Members discussed the M54 Link Consultation to be held at the community centre on Saturday 15th June. Councillor Fisher explained the impact the high level of traffic caused by the roadworks would have on the village, and urged members and residents to attend to raise concerns.
Councillor Porter enquired whether it was possible to get permission for 30mph signs, Councillor Fisher advised he would forward any relevant information from his meeting with Mark Keeling.
15.Food Bank Procedure
Members discussed ways to improve the current food bank procedure, including contacting the YMCA for assistance and offering holistic support. Councillor Slim has contacted a local resident, who is happy to help.
16.Swan Park
Councillor Steel asked for permission from members to suspend formalities to allow a member of the public to speak. This item was swapped with the following in the agenda.
17.Essington Community Centre Barrier & CCTV
Members discussed in length the usage of the barrier, and resolved a suitable alternative was needed. Proposals included use of ANPR cameras. Councillor Fisher proposed setting aside £500 for an upgrade, seconded by Councillor Dodd and resolved. Members agreed to get three quotes, with the Chair, the Vice Chair, and Councillors Dodd and Fisher to make the final decision. The clerk will look back through the minutes, so members can rescind a minute concerning the barrier.
Members also discussed an option to make all of the car parking at the front of the community centre disabled parking.
8.50pm Councillor Steel requested an extension until 9.15pm. Resolved.
16 Swan Park (Reprise)
Members discussed responsibility for swan park with a member of the public, who explained it was the council who were responsible for everything. It was mentioned the community centre handyman would have responsibility to tidy the site. Councillor Slim commented on doing twice daily checks.
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The clerk will check the site every Monday. The member of the public offered to transfer the balance of the swan park bank account to the council, providing it was solely used on the park. The clerk will check the minutes from 2012.
18.Date of the next meeting Monday 8th July 2019
19.Closure. Chairman Chris Steel Closed the meeting at 9.15 pm
Signed__________________ 17.07.2019
Chairman Chris Steel.