Essington Parish Council Monday the 25th of March 2024.
Agenda
Full Parish Council Meeting held on Monday the 25th of March 2024 at 7pm in the Council Chamber.
Public and Press Participation- None

Present: Councillor’s Chris Steel, Hilary Southern, Adrian Nicklin, Warren Fisher, James Parker, Susan Sheldon, Sam Curtis, and Ken Moseley.
Also Present: Louise Tipler Clerk & Kate Roberts RFO
1. Apologies – Councillors Steve Porter & Thelma Mattison.
2. Declarations of Interest- None
3. Approval of the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday the 26th of February 2024.Proposed by Adrian, seconded by Hilary, all in favour that the minutes are a true and accurate record.
4. Matters arising from previous minutes- None
5. District Councillors Report – District Councillor Warren Fisher delivered the news to Councillors that the proposed Urban extension in Essington for the housing need of Wolverhampton amounting to 2000 plus homes, is no longer going ahead according to the ‘new plan,’ meaning Essington retains it’s greenbelt for now, although the plan is in draft form & not approved by Council as yet at least we can be hopeful at this new positive approach to protect our green spaces.
6. Financial Matters
6.1 Schedule of Payments- March 2024- Proposed by Warren, Seconded by Adrian, all in favour.
The clerk advised council that she had received a report for two invoices for additional pipe work and new thermostat etc which had been requested at Finance Committee, Councillors resolved to pay the invoices set out in the schedule. Proposed by Warren, seconded by Adrian, all in favour.

6.2 Income and Expenditure Reports- February 2024 – All in favour.
6.3 Bank Reconciliation both Accounts – February 2024- Proposed by Warren, seconded by Chris, all in favour.
6.4 Ratify transfers between general and earmarked reserves. – Proposed by Warren, seconded by Ken, all in favour.
6.5 Ratify Staff Pay Scale Increase 1 point. Proposed by Warren, seconded by Chris, all in favour of the salary point increase for one member of staff.
6.6 Approve list of creditors 2024/25.Proposed by Warren, seconded by Chris, all in favour.
6.7 Ratify the appointment of Louise Baudet to act as the Council’s Internal Auditor for the 2024/25 financial year. Recommended by the Finance Committee. Councillors discussed the terms received from the Internal auditor and ratified to engage with Louise Baudet for the financial year 24/25.Proposed by Warren, seconded by Chris, all in favour.
6.8 Ratify costs of £3,995.00 plus VAT to repair as a matter of urgency potholes and uneven ground Long Lane site. Proposed by Ken, seconded by Warren, all in favour.
6.9 Ratify the Purchase of 2x additional collapsable parking barriers. It was resolved to purchase 2x additional barriers at a net cost of £69.00 each Proposed by Hilary, seconded by Ken, all in favour.
6.10 Ratify £250.00 for the purchase of additional signage for the Community Centre Car Park. Proposed by Chris, seconded by Adrian, all in favour.
6.11 Ratify Community Centre Hire costs 2024/25 to be frozen at the current prices- Main Hall £18 per hour – Council Chamber £12 per hour. Proposed by Adrian, seconded by Chris, all in favour to freeze the current Hall Hire costs for 2024/25.
6.12 Ratify replacement (due to vandalism) signage for the Pools Car Park. Proposed by Sam, seconded by James, all in favour to replace the signage as previously supplied at a ceiling cost of £250.00.
6.13 Discuss and Ratify the application for Health Inequalities funding for improvements at the Pools. Councillors discussed the proposed application for funding to create a pathway around the Pools in Brownshore Lane to encourage more accessibility for all users and resolved to submit the application. Proposed by Warren, seconded by Hilary, all in favour.
7. Approve the following Policies and Procedures.
 Statement of Internal Control and Annual Review of Effectiveness of Internal Control
 Asset Register
 Financial Regulations
 Insurance Policy
 Risk Assessment

Data Protection
 Councillor Privacy Notice
 Data Security Breach Reporting Form
 Document Retention and Disposal Policy
 Data Audit
 Email Contact Privacy Notice
 Information and Data Protection Policy
 Privacy Impact Assessment Form
 Publication Scheme
 Social Media and Electronic Communication Policy
 Subject Access Request Form
 The Management of Transferable Data Policy

General Policies

 Dignity at Work, Bullying and Harassment
 Disciplinary Procedure
 Grievance Procedure
 Lone Working Policy and Guidance
 Sickness and Absence Policy
 Whistle Blowing Policy
 Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy
 Community Engagement Policy
 Code of Practice for Handling Complaints
 Environmental Policy
 Equal Opportunities Policy
 Health & Safety Policy (temporary policy pending receipt of H&S documentation from Peninsula)
 Members and Officers Subsistence / Mileage Policy
 Openness and Transparency Policy
 Risk Management Policy
 Training Policy
 Standing Orders
Councillors briefly discussed and approved the policies and procedures & noted for the clerk/RFO to check Clubmate data privacy of members. Proposed by Chris, seconded by Sam, all in favour.

8. Arrange HR Meeting- A HR Meeting has been arranged for Tuesday the 9TH of April 2024 7.00pm.

9. Date of the next meeting-29th of April 2024

10. Closure – 20.32pm

Signed by Louise Tipler the 29th of March 2024.