Present:  Acting Chairman for this meeting, Mr P Moakes, Mrs C Allsop, Mrs J Nash, Mr S Gould, Mr M Wardman and the clerk, Mrs S Hampson.  Also in attendance was Mr B Peach (to be co-opted as a member of the parish council).  There was one member of the public in attendance for part of the meeting.

Non-Confidential items

24.11.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received in advance from Mr N Searston; the other members present completed the attendance register. 

Apologies had also been received from District Councillor, Mr J Kempster

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

24.11.3 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 Acting Chairman, Mr Moakes.

24.11.4 Co-option of new councillor, declaration of acceptance of office and register of interest
Following the recent resignation of Mrs Peach, one vacancy had arisen.  This had been publicised and the notice also forwarded to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s election team and the clerk advised that no election had been requested and the parish was at liberty to co-opt the one valid applicant, Mr B Peach.

Mr Peach duly completed the Declaration of Acceptance of Officer before the Proper Officer of the parish council, Mrs Hampson.  Mr Peach also completed the Register of Interest document.  Mr Peach was welcomed to the parish council.

24.11.5 Approval of Councillor’s leave of absence
The Chairman, Mr Searston had requested consideration to be given for an extended leave of absence due to his illness.  In view of the nature of the illness, the clerk had made contact with the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association (SPCA) for permission to grant a leave of absence for a period up to September 2025.  This will result in the parish council operating, during this period, with 6 members of the parish council.  Members gave consideration to the request.  SPCA’s advice was this request could be approved with Mr Searston’s apologies for absence being noted for each subsequent meeting, until September 2025, along with an approval minute from the November meeting.

Resolved:  to approve a period of authorised absence for Mr N Searston until review in September 2025.

24.11.6 Public speaking procedures document
This was available for any members of the public in attendance

24.11.7 Public speaking
There was one member of the public in attendance to speak at this point in proceedings.

24.11.8 Update by County Councillor
County Councillor Mrs Heath had been invited to attend.

24.9.9 Attendance by the District Councillor
District Councillor, Mr J Kempster had forwarded his apologies due to other District Council commitments.

24.11.10 Possible update from Connect Fibre and forthcoming public meeting
The clerk had contacted MF from Connect Fibre and the Chief Delivery Officer to request answers which can be provided to the residents plus a clear pole location map and a date for a second public meeting.

The clerk had liaised with MF regarding a meeting early in December but had subsequently received an update advising that a public meeting will now be arranged early in the new year.  The invoice for the August meeting had only just been paid.  MF further advised that the initial number of required poles for the scheme will now be reduced and some connectivity will be achieved using ducting in verges.

However, subsequent to receipt of this communication, 3 poles had been erected on the pavement opposite Church Terrace, one of which erected in the middle of the pavement!  Members believed that notices had not been complied with.  The clerk had sent a further email to Connect Fibre asking for further information and to query if the pole in the centre of the pavement meets with the Disability Act to enable wheelchair users to remain on the pavement at this point but there had been no response in time for the meeting.  Mrs Nash had made some preliminary research regarding the required width.  The clerk suggested that the grass verge at the point of the pole in question could possibly be tarmaced to increase the width for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Resolved:  The clerk to contact Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) regarding the Disability Act requirements on a public pavement.
Resolved:  The clerk to contact Staffordshire County Council regarding the possibility of additional tarmac instead of grass verge.
Resolved:  The clerk to contact MF at Connect Fibre for a confirmed public meeting date in January 2025.

24.11.11 Noticeboard repairs and new lock
Mr Gould had not had time to attend to repairs to the noticeboard in time for the meeting but had the matter in hand.  Mrs Nash reported that it had not been possible to obtain additional keys to the noticeboard but there was one key.

Resolved:  To pursue repairs but to leave the noticeboard unlocked.

24.11.12 Lengthsman contract and lengthsman grant scheme
The clerk had forwarded all financial details and generated 3 separate invoices to claim £1,200 under the grant scheme and had subsequently ‘chased’ the matter.  The monies had not been received in time for the meeting but confirmation had been received that this should happen within 30 days.  The members were pleased by this outcome.  The clerk will continue to submit an invoice from 2025 onwards to claim £400 annually whilst the scheme continues.

The Chairman had received a communication from a resident of Elkstones regarding the lengthsman duties in Elkstones being somewhat inadequate.  The lengthsman’s timesheets detail visits to both Warslow and Elkstones.  Members of the council believed that leaf blowing is not successful and would prefer leaves to be removed rather than being left in piles for SMDC to collect.  This would obviously incur additional time and charges by the lengthsman.  Following the success of becoming runner up in this year’s Best Kept Village competition, the council would like to build upon this with the support of the lengthsman.

Resolved:  The clerk to invite the lengthsman to attend the January meeting to discuss aspects of the contract to improve service to the parish.

24.11.13 Initial budget ideas for forthcoming precept setting in January
The clerk had prepared an initial budget and forwarded this in advance of the meeting.  This was discussed at length, with particular reference to costs towards achieving additional burial spaces, suitability trial holes, legal expenses etc.  This aspect will be expensive.

Resolved:  to set the precept in January with a view to a possible acceptable percentage increase if further information becomes available regarding the burial aspect of the budget.

24.11.14 Items for the Community Magazine and Longnor Benefice Magazine (if required)
There were no items to submit other than to now include Mr Peach in the list of councillors.

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

24.11.16 Items of account, clerk, clerk’s pay award and back pay, lengthsman, HMRC, general income and expenditure, defibrillator battery, former website hosting charge