Present: Vice Chairman 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 6 members of the public.

Non-Confidential items
26.1.1 Apologies and attendance register
Mr Moakes had forwarded his apologies, in advance of the meeting. The other members present completed the attendance register. Apologies had also been received in advance of the meeting from District Councillor, Mr J Kempster and County Councillor, Ms C Kelly both of whom had involvements in other meetings.

Resolved: The Vice Chairman, Mr S Gould to chair this meeting.

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

26.1.3 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 Vice Chairman, Mr S Gould.

26.1.4 Casual vacancy and possible co-option
Casual vacancy notices had been displayed but there had been no interest at the time of the meeting. The clerk had prepared a further legal notice which complies with the electoral procedures laid down by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC). Mrs Nash suggested preparing some additional information describing the role of the parish councillor.

Resolved: The clerk to liaise with Mrs Nash regarding this.

26.1.5 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.

26.1.6 Public speaking
The members of the public attended to see how matters were progressing with the achievement of a grit/salt bin for Stacey Close. The clerk and the parish council members were extremely grateful to District Councillor Mr Kempster for liaising with Staffordshire County Council (SCC) regarding Stacey Close, a missing grit bin from Back Lane and grit provision at Elkstones. The clerk read a summary from District Councillor Mr Kempster. SCC had reiterated to Councillor Mr Kempster that the area of Stacey Close does not meet the criteria for SCC to site a grit bin. SCC would not prevent the parish council meeting the cost of supplying a grit bin and refilling it but would prefer a grit bin to be sited on the unadopted portion of Stacey Close. Some of the members of the public present did not support this view. One member of the public reiterated his opinion from a previous meeting that salt/grit will cause damage to the tarmac surface. The widest part of the close may be the optimum place to site it; however, regularly parked vehicles may impact on this decision

Resolved: to forward some photographs and to continue to liaise with SCC regarding parish grit supplies.

26.1.7 Update from the County Councillor
County Councillor, Mrs C Kellyhad forwarded her apologies in advance of the meeting but will attend the March meeting.

26.1.8 Attendance by the District Councillor
District Councillor, Mr Kempster was in attendance.

26.1.9 Burial Ground
A draft of a public meeting leaflet had been circulated between the clerk and members of the parish council. The final proof will be agreed with a view to holding a public meeting in mid-February to ascertain the parishioners’ opinions/requirements for future burial facilities in Warslow.

Resolved: the clerk to contact the village hall secretary to establish available Monday dates in February to hold a public meeting.
Resolved: to invite the vicar, local councillors and a representative from the Peak Park to this meeting.

26.1.10 Speed devices
The clerk had not been supplied with any further information regarding the possibility of purchasing a speed device.

Resolved: The clerk to contact District Councillor Mr Kempster to establish his findings from the previous meeting and further information regarding available grants from Connect Fibre.

26.1.11 Budget and Precept for 2026-27
The clerk and responsible finance officer (RFO) had prepared a budget and year end forecast for the members in advance of the meeting. The budget did not include the cost of speed devices and only a modest sum related to burial ground expenditure which may not happen in 26-27. The tax base figure for 26-27 had been received and this had gone down slightly which means the charge for a band D property would increase slightly, even if the precept figure remained exactly the same as the previous year. Members discussed the budget and precept.

Resolved: to precept for £14,000 for 2026-27. (This is the same figure as 2025-2026)
Resolved: the clerk and RFO to submit the necessary documents to SMDC.

26.1.12 Items for the Community Magazine and Longnor Benefice Magazine (if required)
Resolved: to place an article in the next edition regarding the casual vacancy and an article to raise awareness of the forthcoming leaflet drop regarding future burial facilities.

26.1.13 Planning, appeals, planning decisions
There were no new planning applications to consider.