Present: Chairman, Mr P Moakes, Mr S Gould, Mrs J Nash, Mr M Wardman, Mr B Peach, Mr C Plant and the clerk, Mrs S Hampson. Also in attendance were District Councillor, Mr J Kempster and 5 members of the public in attendance, for part of the meeting.

Non-Confidential items
25.11.1 Apologies and attendance register
Mr Searston had forwarded his resignation, in advance of the meeting. The other members present completed the attendance register. The clerk had completed a casual vacancy notice.

25.11.2 Declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
There was no need, by any member present, to record an interest in the register.

25.11.3 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 noticeboard.

Resolved: to accept the minutes as a true record of proceedings. The minutes were signed by the Chairman, Mr P Moakes.

25.11.4 Public speaking procedures document
This was available but the members of the public were familiar with the document from previous attendance. The members of the public signed the public attendance register.

25.11.5 Public speaking
The clerk had sought absolute clarification of the adoption of a portion of Stacey Close by Staffordshire County Council (SCC). The portion of Stacey Close referred to in previous minutes has been adopted by SCC; however, this area does not meet the criteria for SCC to grit or provide a grit bin. County Councillor Kelly had forwarded a response regarding the criteria for SCC to place a grit bin.

County Councillor Ms Kelly had established that for the parish council to provide a grit bin at Stacey Close, the parish council members would have to meet with representatives from SCC to establish a suitable site that does not affect free flow of pedestrians on the pavement, vehicle traffic, dropped kerbs The parish council would also have to pay for a consent licence. SCC will not provide the grit bin, nor the grit for such a bin. In addition to the parish council precept funding the consent licence and the grit bin, the precept would also have to pay for all future refills of grit at Stacey Close. SCC will not recognise such a grit bin on their asset list of grit bins. This information was relayed by the clerk to the members of the public.

Five members of the public in attendance live on Stacey Close and voiced strong and quite heated, differing opinions regarding the possibility of a grit bin being placed. One resident offered to supply rock salt, free of charge but would not like a grit bin to be permanently sited. He also raised the detrimental future impact of salt on tarmac leading to future potholes unlikely to be mended by SCC.

Unfortunately, discussions became quite personal between the members of the public such that the meeting had to be suspended to enable the councillors to withdraw to discuss the possibility of the parish council placing a grit bin at this location.

The meeting was reconvened.
Resolved: By majority decision, the parish council will, in principle, fund a grit bin on Stacey Close subject, however; to approval of an appropriate location by SCC and the success of the parish council’s application for a consent licence.

25.11.6 Update from the County Councillor
County Councillor, Mrs C Kellyhad advised the clerk of her intention to attend the meeting but unfortunately, was not in attendance.

25.11.7 Attendance by the District Councillor
District Councillor, Mr Kempster was in attendance. He advised members of a number of initiatives including speed indication devices displaying a smiley face or a thumbs down symbol. Data can be downloaded for the police. The devices cost approximately £5,000 each but if a number of parish councils club together, the price may be £3,000 to £3,500. Funding may also be available. District Councillor Kempster had details of 3 suppliers. Some excess vehicular speed has been witnessed in Warslow. The members gave consideration to the purchase. Connect Fibre is presently offering £500 grants for communities or parish councils to apply.

Resolved: District Councillor Kempster to provide details to the clerk.

The District Councillor also provided information on a vacant seat policy affecting 16-8 years on public transport. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) is campaigning to enable 16-18 year olds to get to sixth form education.

25.11.8 Burial Ground
Mr Moakes had hoped that the present vicar could attend the meeting. Members discussed again the possibility of a leaflet drop. The present vicar will only be in position in the parish for a few more months. The parish council has previously costed alternatives to secure burial provision which have proven to be very expensive. The parish council has spent 5 years trying to secure alternative burial provision Canvassing public opinion is important to ascertain the preferences for future burials, either by a public open meeting or leaflet drop.

Resolved: to prepare a notice of a public meeting as a means of consultation regarding the future provision of burial facilities in Warslow.

25.11.9 Noticeboard
The new noticeboard had been put in place and is a vast improvement. The colour of the supporting legs was noted to be different. Mr Peach was thanked for his efforts in erecting the new noticeboard.

25.11.10 Initial budget items for 2026-2027
The clerk and responsible finance officer (RFO) had prepared a budget and year end forecast for the members to consider in advance of the final precept setting at the meeting in January 2026. The budget had not included the cost of speed devices referred to in item 25.11.7. The SMDC tax base, to calculate the parish council’s precept impact on Band D properties, was not available for the meeting.

25.11.11 Items for the Community Magazine and Longnor Benefice Magazine (if required)
Resolved: to place an article in the next edition regarding the casual vacancy.

25.11.12 Planning, appeals, planning decisions
There were no new planning applications to consider. An application which had not been referred to the clerk concerned proposals regarding ash die back at Gap farm