A meeting of Warslow and Elkstones Parish Council Meeting was held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 27th September 2023 in Warslow Village Hall.
Present: Chairman, Mr N Searston, Mrs Peach, Mr P Moakes, Mrs C Allsop, Mr M Wardman and the clerk, Mrs S Hampson. Also present was SMDC Cabinet member for Tourism and Leisure, Mr M Swindlehurst and one member of the public.
Non-Confidential items
23.9.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mr S Gould and County Councillor, Mrs G Heath. The members present completed the attendance register
23.9.2 Declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
Mrs Allsop declared an interest in a personal planning application being discussed under item 11 of the agenda and completed the document accordingly. There was no need, by any other member present, to record an interest in the register.
23.9.3 Minutes of the previous ordinary meeting
The clerk had forwarded the minutes in advance of the meeting and these had been posted on the website and noticeboards.
Resolved: to accept the minutes as a true record of proceedings. The minutes were signed by the Chairman, Mr Searston.
23.9.4 Attendance by SMDC Minister for Tourism and Leisure
Mr Swindlehurst was in attendance and provided some background information of his role and some of the grant schemes available. He acknowledged that some of the communications from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) need ‘streamlining”. It may be possible to obtain some monies for future Best Kept Village competitions. Other parish groups can apply for funding.
Resolved: Mr Swindlehurst to forward information to the clerk after the meeting and in the future.
23.9.5 Public speaking procedures document
This was available for any members of the public in attendance
23.9.6 Public speaking
A resident attended regarding a rumour circulating the village of Warslow in connection with Warslow Moor Estate properties, owned by Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) being sold. This is not the case. Members thanked her for bring the rumour to their attention. The member of the public would also give consideration to the casual vacancy which has been advertised and contact the chairman/clerk.
A resident from Elkstones had advised the clerk, in advance of the meeting, that there was a well in Elkstones. (This was in response to a reference made in the previous minutes).
23.9.7 Update from County Councillor
Unfortunately, The County Councillor had had to forward her apologies due to illness.
Resolved: to readvise the County Councillor that the potholes in the parish previously reported on a number of occasions had still not been attended to.
23.9.7 Archive visit update
Mr Moakes reported that a visit date had been confirmed for October
23.9.9 Best Kept Village outcome
Mrs Peach reported that the village had received “Highly commended” in the recent competition and official feedback will follow shortly.
23.9.10 Review of policies and new co-option policy
The clerk had prepared a new policy related to co-option of new councillors. In addition, she had liaised with Mr Moakes regarding slight amendments to other policies. Mr Moakes had not had the opportunity to review the seat and privacy policies; however, some amendments will be forwarded to the clerk to make changes.
Resolved: to accept and implement the new co-options policy with immediate effect and to review annually, along with other policies.
Resolved: :Mr Moakes to forward the amendments to identified polices and the clerk to make the necessary changes to be confirmed at the November meeting.
23.9.11 Planning, appeals, planning decisions
Mrs Allsop declared an interest in a planning application and did not take part in the discussions surrounding: NP/SM/0823/0996 The Barn, Stacey Close, Warslow change of use of land to mix of agriculture, keeping horses, homing pigeons and erection of 2 timber buildings
Resolved: to support the above application.
NP/SM/0923/1033 Birch Croft., Leek Road installation of external flue was also discussed.
Resolved: to support the above application.
Planning decision notices had been received for:
Hole Farm, Elkstones rear single extension (refused), Pump Farm, Warslow demolition of farm buildings and erection of2 new buildings (granted), Shorecroft., Warslow double garage (granted)
23.9.12 Items of account, clerk, lengthsman and possible grant, wayleave, Hl\1RC, general income and expenditure
| Chq No. | Name | Description | Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cq 766 |
S Hampson |
Premises allowance |
£52.00 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 767 |
S Hampson |
September & October slerks salary |
£472.48 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 768 |
S Hampson |
Reimb. of expenses and mileage |
£18.40 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 769 |
S Billings |
Lengthsman duties |
£980.00* |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 770 |
HMRC |
Quarter 2 income tax |
£177.20 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 771 |
S Mansfield |
Website costs |
£120.00 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
*Resolved: the clerk to request that the lengthsman does not use a leaf blower as at this time of year, it is unnecessary
23.9.13 External audit outcome
The certificate of exemption has been received and there will now be no further contact until next year.
23.7.14 Highway issues and 20’s plenty campaign
There was nothing further to bring before the council regarding the 20’s plenty campaign. Interest was expressed in Community Speedwatch but the parish council does not have its own equipment. One local parish council is reluctant to share their equipment.
Resolved: The clerk to approach Onecote Parish council for their consideration to loan equipment to carry out a Speedwatch in Warslow and also to seek appropriate training for this.
There were no new pot holes to report but existing ones remain untouched by SCC. Mr Wardman reported overgrown trees causing issues with vehicle mirrors.
Resolved: the clerk to report the overgrown trees to SCC using the postcode provided by Mr Wardman.
23.9.15 Asset register
Items are not individually listed on the parish council’s insurance schedule. The asset register is for items paid for by the parish council not items requiring to be covered by insurance including the defibrillators, telephone box, noticeboard. Items feature on the parish council’s website. A recovered strimmer is still to be tested.
23.9.16 Remembrance Day and wreath
There will be no road closures necessary for the proceedings on Remembrance Day. The wreath will be sourced from Hartington to be laid by a representative of the parish council. Sufficient lamp post poppies remain from the previous year.
23.9.17 Training with other parish council
The clerk had forwarded details of forthcoming training organised by the neighbouring parish of Grindon.
Resolved: the clerk to advise Grindon parish council that 2 delegates (Mrs Allsop and Mr11oakes) would like to take up their kind offer of shared training and for an invoice to paid for the shared costs.
23.9.18 Correspondence and communication
Details had been forwarded to councillors in advance of the meeting and included: SPCA bulletins, licensing details, parish assembly, residents’ survey, code of conduct seminar, community magazine. A resident provided an update regarding the presence of a well in Elkstones (See public speaking)
23.9.19 Items for the next agenda
Budget items, new casual vacancy, Remembrance Day and wreath, burial ground, asset register and possible disposal of assets, archive. Additional items to be prepared by the clerk, as required.
23.9.20 Date and time of next meeting
Wednesday, 29th November 2023
Confidential business
23.9.21 The burial ground, update on church yard meeting
The clerk had forwarded a reminder about the importance of a churchyard meeting prior to the meeting. This had not taken place prior to the meeting but would take place prior to the November meeting. l’vfr Moakes advised that he had received a contact name at Peak District National Park Authority for correspondence. There had been no contact from the diocese for some time.
Resolved: Mr Searston and Mrs Peach to arrange a meeting with the vicar regarding the existing churchyard burial spaces.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.15 pm
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk to Warslow and Elkstones Parish Council
05 October 2023