A meeting of Warslow and Elkstones Parish Council Meeting was held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 26th March 2025 in Warslow Village Hall.
Present: Acting Chairman, Mr P Moakes, Mrs J Nash, Mr S Gould, Mr M Wardman, Mr B Peach, and the clerk, Mrs S Hampson. There were two members of the public in attendance for part of the meeting.
Non-Confidential items
25.3.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been approved from Mr Searston for this meeting, as part of an extended approved period of absence until September 2025, as approved by minute reference 24.11.5. Unfortunately, Mrs C Allsop had tendered her resignation, with immediate effect. The other members present completed the attendance register.
25.3.2 Declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
There was no need, by any member present, to record an interest in the register.
25.3.3 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 Acting Chairman, Mr Moakes.
25.3.4 Public speaking procedures document
This was available for members of the public. The members of the public had attended the previous meeting and declined to read the document again. The members signed the public attendance register.
25.3.5 Public speaking
Two members of the public attended again regarding a request for a grit bin at Stacey Close. Subsequent to the last meeting, one of the members of the public had forwarded information advising that Stacey Close had been adopted by Staffordshire County Council (SCC). The responsibility for placing a grit bin will, therefore, rest with SCC. It was thought that if SCC does not wish to increase the number of grit bins in Warslow, then relocating one may also be a possibility. It was reported that the grit bin on Back Lane is rarely refilled. Some of the grit bins belong to a housing association. The public were advised that District Councillor, Mr J Kempster had been in contact with SCC regarding requests for grit bins for Warslow and other parishes.
Resolved: To pursue a request with SCC for a grit bin, in an appropriate location.
The parish council was further advised that District Councillor Kempster will shortly meet with one of the members of the public to discuss possible youth provision. One member of the public was pleased to see the negative effect of the parish council’s precept for the next financial year, as detailed on recent council tax letters.
25.3.6 Update from the County Councillor
County Councillor, Mrs G Heath had forwarded apologies in advance of the meeting. Unfortunately, Cllr Heath will not be standing again as a councillor at the next elections on 1st May 2025.
25.3.7 Attendance by the District Councillor
District Councillor, Mr J Kempster was not in attendance.
25.3.8 Update from Connect Fibre and public meeting
The previous parish council’s contact for Connect fibre, MF, had been in contact with the clerk to advise her of a change in her job title and, therefore, would no longer be the contact for the parish council. There was no update on a public meeting but it is likely that most of the work within the village is now complete. There was no further update on any connectivity to the village hall. Previous works had resulted in damage to some of the grass verges near the village hall and in other locations and this had been reported to the clerk by the lengthsman. (Also see item 25.3.14).
25.3.9 Noticeboard repairs
Members discussed the serious disrepair of the noticeboard and the inadequate space required to accommodate the agenda, minutes and any other important notices. Members discussed the benefit and longevity of a new artificial timber noticeboard as timber ones present ongoing future maintenance but artificial timbers ones would initially cost more.
Resolved: The clerk to investigate the cost of a new noticeboard, with 2 opening doors, made from artificial timber which would accommodate 8 x A4 sheets of paper, displayed in a portrait fashion.
Resolved: Mr Peach to investigate the condition of the existing posts for suitability to mount a new noticeboard and to advise the clerk.
25.3.10 Defibrillator and AED donate
Personnel from AED donate had attended to the defibrillators in both Warslow and Elkstones and the defibrillator pads in each machine now have an expiry date of 2027. An advisory notice to contact the clerk, if the defibrillator has to be used, would enable replacement pads to be arranged as soon as possible.
26.3.11 Bank signatories
The four new signatories had all completed documentation on line to be approved by the Acting Chair and Vice Chairman as existing signatories. The Vice Chairman had undertaken this and the Acting Chair had attempted to undertake this task in branch but this would have to be undertaken on line and will be achieved as soon as possible.
25.3.12 Items for the Community Magazine and Longnor Benefice Magazine (if required)
The name of the former councillor had been requested to be removed and for the correct website address to be displayed as sent.
Resolved: to continue to advertise the one casual vacancy from now on the parish council following the resignation of Mrs Allsopp.
25.3.13Planning, appeals, planning decisions
There were no new planning applications to consider.
25.3.14 Items of account, clerk, clerk’s pay award and back pay, lengthsman, HMRC, general income and expenditure
| Chq No. | Name | Description | Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cq 822 |
S Hampson |
March Clerk’s salary |
£273.38 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 823 |
S Hampson |
Premises allowance, expenses |
£33.55 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) has requested details of financial information related to the parish council for the end of the financial year.
Members struggled to find the benefits of continuing to pay the membership fee to Peak Park Parishes Forum (PPPF) although the annual cost is only £12.00. The present secretary will shortly leave his post.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the present secretary of PPPF to invite his successor to the annual parish council meeting.
As detailed above, the lengthsman had reported damage to grass verges and requested that the parish council give consideration to purchasing 8 x ‘No parking/Please keep off the grass’ advisory type signs to discourage motorists/contractors from parking on the grass and causing damage. Locations of damage were discussed. As part of the new lengthsman’s contract, he will have responsibility for planting some of the village troughs to make them attractive.
Resolved: The clerk to contact District Councillor Kempster for his experience of the placement of no parking signs and their effectiveness.
Resolved: Subject to obtaining receipts, the lengthsman to spend a budget of up to £120 on soil, plant feed, stay-wet crystals, compost and plants for the 3 main village planters in Warslow and to ask about village planters in Elkstones. Mrs Nash to report this to the lengthsman.
25.3.17 Correspondence and communication, website background
Details of this had been sent to the members in advance of the meeting and included: a response from the village hall committee acknowledging that the parish council will no longer meet the costs of the village hall’s insurance but will pay an enhanced hire rate.
The clerk had sent details of a grant available from SMDC, in the sum of £435, towards community events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The clerk had been advised by the secretary of Warslow Village Hall of the possibility of a band concert and pea and pie supper which may fulfil the criteria of the grant.
Resolved: the clerk to liaise further with the village secretary and complete the grant application form.
The members discussed the future of the Best Kept Village (BKV) competition. The previous main co-ordinator of requirements for the Best Kept Village Competition can not undertake the role in 2025. The main objective to proceed with the competition is community cohesion. Members wondered if Warslow Action Group members would be interested in co-ordinating requirements in 2025? The deadline for submission of entries is 30th April which is before the next parish council meeting in May.
Resolved: the clerk to contact the previous BKV co-ordinator for contact details of Warslow Action Group to ascertain their interest in the competition.
A request had been received for members of the parish council to visit Pump Farm visit and information regarding a horse chestnut tree issue and bats. The tree has now been attended to.
Resolved: Mrs Nash, Mr Moakes, Mr Peach and Mr Wardman to attend a site visit.
Other communications included:
New resident request for information about the parish council, PPPF minutes and vacancy for secretary, green spaces funding, village halls week, Great British Spring Clean campaign, draft parish charter and parish assembly, resuscitation training, volunteer befriender leaflets, reading friends, VE 80th bunting, SPCA bulletins, COVID 19 day of reflection, SCC elections 1st May, Peak Park media release, Zurich Municipal spring update, research in decision making about the Peak Park, direct work with children workshop, in touch spring newsletter, equality and diversity training, boosting council’s identity, local government reorganisation and devolution, parish assembly minutes.
25.3.18 Items for the next agenda
The next meeting will be the parish annual meeting followed by the annual parish council meeting. Other items to include: noticeboard, grit bin, bank signatories, burial ground, annual accounts and audit documentation. Additional items to be prepared by the clerk.
25.3.19 Date and time of next meeting
Wednesday, 28th May 2025 at 7.15 pm (parish annual meeting) and 7.30 pm (annual parish council meeting).
Confidential business
25.3.20 Burial ground, churchyard drain
Members further discussed at length, drainage issues in the existing church yard, referred to in the previous minutes. Mr Peach had spoken to a suitably qualified contractor and a number of questions had been raised.
It was also reported that due to changes in responsibilities for different parishes, there may soon be a new vicar with responsibility for Warslow church.
Resolved: Mr Moakes to contact the new vicar.
Resolved: Mr Peach and Mr Gould to look at a well adjacent to the church.
The meeting was declared closed at 10.00 pm.
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk to Warslow and Elkstones Parish Council
28th March 2025