Present: Chairman, Mr B Peach, Vice Chairman, Mr S Gould, Mrs J Nash, Mrs J Peach, Mr C Plant, Mr M Wardman and the clerk, Mrs S Hampson.

Non-confidential items
26.6.1 Apologies and attendance register
There were no apologies and members duly completed the attendance register.

26.6.2 Declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
There was no need, by any member present to complete a declaration of interest related to the agenda.

Confidential items
26.6.3 To authorise a loan application for the purchase of land in Warslow for the purpose of additional community burial facilities
The parish council had been made aware, at the May parish council meeting, of a one-acre field for sale within the village of Warslow. The field has easy access from the main road and tenders were invited by a local estate agent with offers around £30,000. Due to the years of trying to secure a field for the purpose of burial facilities, without success, the parish council were aware that this could be the only opportunity to obtain land for this purpose.

Unfortunately, the deadline for the submission of tenders was 5th June at 12 noon. This meant that the parish council would not have an approved loan application confirmed by the time of the tender deadline.

Discussions had also taken place with a representative of the Parochial Church Council (PCC). The PCC has monies available but at the time of the meeting, could not confirm their availability or any restraints on these funds. The PCC will meet and continue to liaise with the diocese.

The clerk and responsible finance officer (RFO) had liaised with the Staffordshire Parish Councils Association (SPCA) and had obtained a public works loan application.

Resolved: to authorise the clerk and RFO to complete a public works loan application if a tender is

26.6.4 Tender submission for the purchase of land in Warslow
The clerk had established that there would be no buyers fee to pay to the estate agent. The RFO had made several calls to the estate agent and established there was no legal pack. She had printed a copy of the tender application form which was discussed at the meeting.

Members discussed a value to submit by tender for the purchase of the land in questions.

Resolved: to authorise the clerk and RFO to complete and submit the tender application in advance of the deadline.
Resolved: to submit a tender with conditions that the offer would be subject to obtaining a loan for the tender value and obtaining a change of use from agricultural land to cemetery land.
Resolved: the clerk and RFO to submit a tender, accompanied by a covering letter detailing the conditions of the parish council’s offer in the sum of £42,500.00.
Resolved: if the PCC proceeds with a tender, the parish council will not proceed.
Resolved: the clerk and RFO to continue to keep all members of the parish council updated with developments throughout the period leading up to the tender submission and with the outcome.
Resolved: the clerk and RFO to continue to make liaisons with all necessary personnel/ agencies.

The meeting was declared closed at 8.25 pm

Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk to Warslow and Elkstones Parish Council
9th June 2026