A meeting of Warslow and Elkstones Parish Council Meeting was held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 24th September 2025 in Warslow Village Hall.
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 2 members of the public in attendance, for part of the meeting.
Non-Confidential items
25.9.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received from Mr Searston, District Councillor, Mr J Kempster and County Councillor, Ms C Kelly.
Apologies had also been received from Mr P Moakes. The other members present completed the attendance register.
25.9.2 Declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
There was no need, by any member present, to record an interest in the register.
25.9.3 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.
25.9.4 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.
25.9.5 Public speaking
The members of the public had attended regarding Staffordshire County Council’s (SCC’s) refusal to site a grit bin at Stacey Close. The members were also somewhat annoyed that the County Councillor had reported SCC’s refusal to provide the criteria which formed this decision. They reported some other issues; allegedly, there has been the placement of unenforceable no parking signs by some residents. They further reported that different areas of Stacey Close fall under different ownership and claim the entrance portion has been adopted by SCC.
A lengthy discussion took place, requiring some further definitive answers from SCC and the County Councillor. The parish council considered SCC’s refusal to supply the criteria, via the County Councillor, unacceptable. The purchase of grit bins by the parish council has a precept implication together with potential future maintenance and liability issues.
Resolved: the clerk to seek absolute clarification of the adoption of a portion of Stacey Close by SCC. Also, to ascertain liability issues for the parish council if the parish council considered purchasing and siting a grit bin on Stacey Close.
25.9.6 Update from the County Councillor
The new County Councillor, Mrs C Kelly was not in attendance. Please the public speaking discussion above.
25.9.7 Attendance by the District Councillor
Apologies had been received, in advance of the meeting, from District Councillor, Mr Kempster.
25.9.8 Noticeboard and grant application
The new noticeboard had been received.
Resolved: Mr Wardman and Mr Peach to liaise to erect the new noticeboard on the existing posts of the redundant noticeboard. Mr Moakes to receive the redundant noticeboard for disposal.
25.9.9 Bank signatories
Confirmation had been received that the new signatories are now in place. This had enabled the clerk to order missing bank statements and a new cheque book.
25.9.10 Items for the Community Magazine and Longnor Benefice Magazine (if required)
There was no article to place in the next edition.
25.9.11 Information Commissioner’s Office
As a public body holding data, the registration had been completed by the clerk and responsible finance officer. The option to pay by direct debit had been exercised to save £5 on the annual premium resulting in an annual fee of £47.
25.9.12 Planning, appeals, planning decisions
There were no new planning applications to consider.
| Chq No. | Name | Description | Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cq 845 |
S Hampson |
September and October Clerk’s Salary with Back Pay |
£608.01 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 846 |
HMRC |
Quarter 2 income tax |
£218.20 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 847 |
S Hampson |
Premises allowance, mileage and expenses |
£68.70 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq 848 |
S Billings |
28 hours of lengthsman’s duties |
£392.00 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
25.9.14 Highway issues, grit bins, street lighting.
No new issues to report.
25.9.15 Correspondence and communication, website background
Details of this had been sent to the members in advance of the meeting and included: Parishes day on 11th October, SPCA courses, SMDC local government reorganisation, funding opportunities, in touch newsletter, residents and veteran well being event, new contact for Connect Fibre, Remembrance Day information.
The Connect Fibre team is hoping to make host another public meeting in the village hall but the parish council has not been provided with a date.
The clerk has ordered a wreath for the Remembrance Day service. This will be collected and laid by the Chairman of the Parish Council.
25.9.16 Items for the next agenda
New noticeboard, grit bin, burial ground, initial budget for 2026-27. Additional items to be prepared by the clerk.
25.9.17 Date and time of next meeting
Wednesday, 26th November 2025
Confidential business
25.9.18 Burial ground
The vicar had been invited to attend the parish council meeting but unfortunately, had to attend an alternative meeting.
Mr Moakes had previously met the vicar to discuss the achievement of additional burial facilities for the village of Warslow. The discussion involved the possibility of relocating the spring drain within the churchyard. A formal approval from the parochial church council would be required, along with the church authority. However, there is no option to reroute the drain within the confines of the churchyard; it would have to be routed externally. Back filling of the drain would need to be undertaken requiring quotes from grave digging personnel. There may also need to be archaeological involvement. The overall course of the spring, by such action, would not be altered.
Significant costs, which could be at least £40,000, may be involved with such a project. There may be the possibility of some funding from the Diocese but this is not confirmed. It was also noted that a sum of at least £40,000 to relocate a drain, for a relatively small number of additional burial places may not be the right decision as this sum could be used towards the purchase of alternative land for additional facilities. Obtaining additional land has; however, proved extremely difficult to secure. It was noted that the present vicar may not be in post within the parish for more than 6-8 months but at present is supportive.
For the parish council to fund such a project, further discussions may centre around raising the precept or obtaining a loan which could be quite significant.
The members discussed how best to inform the residents of Warslow eg holding a public meeting or a mail drop to every household. It is very important to ascertain the interest of the residents in securing future burial facilities within the village.
Resolved: to move future burial ground discussions to within the non-confidential section and to consider extending the public speaking section to incorporate a burial ground discussion.
Resolved: the members to liaise about the contents of a mail drop to each resident.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.30pm
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk to Warslow and Elkstones Parish Council
26th September 2025