Hilderstone Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 20th March 2019 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllr. Shelley (Chairman), Cllr. Stringer (Vice Chairman), Cllr. P Davies, Cllr. Clark, Cllr. J Davies, Staffordshire County Cllr. Parry and Mrs Amanda Kingston (Clerk). There were no members of the public or press present.

1. Chairman’s Welcome. Cllr. Shelley welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Apologies. Cllr. Crump, Stafford Borough Cllr. Harp

3. Minutes of the last meeting. These were read, amended, approved and signed.

4. Matters arising. None

5. Public Participation. None

6. Borough Councillor’s Report. Cllr. Harp was not in attendance to provide a report.

7. County Councillor’s Report. Cllr. Parry informed the meeting that the Community fund is changing and projects must now focus on people helping people. Cllr. Parry will provide more information on qualifying criteria. Additional funds are available for highways projects and some additional works to unblock drains and gullies is being considered. The Parish Council are in support of this use of the funding.

Clerk to speak with Cllr. Parry regarding the replacement of the VAS on entry to the village.

Some roads near to Hilderstone will be resurfaced over the next few weeks.

8. Planning. There were no new planning applications.

Status of Earlier Applications:
18/29810/LBC Yew Tree House Sandon Road Hilderstone Stone ST15 8SF
Demolishing the existing outshuts to the listed farmhouse with in conservation area and replaced with single storey extension in same location, relocation of porch door. Allowed

18/29809/HOU Yew Tree House, Sandon Road, Hilderstone, Stone, ST15 8SF
Demolishing the existing extensions to listed farmhouse with in conservation area and replaced with single storey extension in same location, relocation of porch door. In conjunction with 18/29810/LBC Allowed.

9. Traffic and Highways. The Clerk to liaise with the Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) to determine if the mobile Speed Indicator Device could be set up by the Telephone box and be included in the rotation once again.

10. Footpaths/Village Maintenance/Best Kept Village. The overgrown Pyracantha shrub remains cause for concern.

Barbed wire has been reported on Footpath 11 at the top of Dingle Lane. This could present a risk to dogs and prevent horses from using the route. Cllr. P Davies has reported the issue to Staffordshire Rights of Way.

The verge maintenance will be undertaken on or around the 23rd April.

Dog fouling has been reported in the Barnes Croft/ Brempton Croft area. The Clerk has ordered some lamppost stickers that remind people of the potential of a £75 fine.
Clerk to include a reminder of the need to clean up after dogs in the next edition of the Parish Magazine.

A quote to plant seven trees as a memorial to the local fallen soldiers from WW1 has been received at approximately £500. As this is a significant sum, which has not been included in the 2019/20 budget, it was agreed that the Clerk notify the local community of the Parish Councils intention in the next edition of the Parish Magazine and encourage feedback. This will be brought back to the Parish Council for formal agreement at the July meeting.

Flyers advertising the Best Kept Village competition for 2019 have been received and will be displayed on Parish Council notice boards, in the phone box and at the Village Hall. Cllr. Clark will organise the erection of the large BKV signage.

11. Village Events. It has been noted that events are not being advertised on the Events page of the website. Clerk to send details for inclusion.

Forthcoming Events:

Village Market, Sunday 31st March 10am to 4pm in Hilderstone Village Hall.

Jumble Sale, Saturday 6th April at 2pm in Hilderstone Village Hall. Donations will be received from 10am on the day.

Race Night, Saturday 6th April – More details to follow.

Annual Village Dinner Party Saturday 11th May at 7 for 7:30pm in Hilderstone Village Hall.

Children’s Party, Saturday 22nd June 6pm to 8pm in Hilderstone Village Hall.

Hilderstone Village Fair, Saturday 20th July 2pm to 4pm.

Hilderstone Village Christmas Party, Tuesday 17th December. More details to follow.

12. Correspondence.
• Letter from BHIB the Council’s insurance company regarding tree maintenance.
• Members digest 253

Members Digest 252 (Cllr. Crump – written report submitted prior to the meeting) P5.1-5.4 Planning application 18/28965/FUL at Crown Wharf, Crown Street, Stone – public house and studio theatre development. Recommended approval.

P6.21 – Parking pay day deal to help boost town shopping. Shoppers were able to park for free in Stafford and Stone town centres in the afternoon on Saturday 2nd February. It is possible to use cash free parking services. More information is available at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/cash-free-parking

P6.22 – A man who abandoned his car was ordered to pay over £500 but the court. The car left near Beaconside in March, was still there in May 2018 and a fixed penalty was sent to the owner but not paid. The man was found guilty in his absence by magistrates and Newcastle Under Lyme.

13. Finance. The monthly accounts were presented and signed by the Chairman. The current account is £11,194.56 in credit and the deposit account £3125.12 in credit. Although most of these funds are allocated as indicated by the monthly accounts which are circulated to all Councillors prior to each meeting. The following payments were approved:

1. Chairman’s Allowance – £361
2. Village Hall Office Space – £110
3. Clerk Home Office Contribution – £168
4. HMRC PAYE submission – £1.40
5. Clerk expenses – £13.05

The Clerk recommended the Parish Council consider purchasing a laptop. The use of home laptops by staff, which are used by other members of the family, have implications regarding GDPR. It was agreed the Clerk obtain costings to bring back to the next meeting.

The Clerk informed the meeting that good financial practice is to obtain at least three quotes for work or purchases over £100. The Parish Council stated that they would not be obtaining three quotes for work where they already have a preferred contractor and would rather use contractors’ they feel are reliable. They were clear that obtaining additional quotes was not a good use of resources and requested the Clerk not to do so where a preferred contractor was known. For any new purchases or contracts the Clerk is permitted to obtain three quotes.

14. Any Other Business. The Clerk provided an update on the forthcoming Parish and Borough Council Elections. Anyone wishing to stand for election as a Parish or Borough councillor can collect a nomination form from Stafford Borough Council Elections team. Completed nomination forms must be handed to the Elections team between the 27th March and 3rd April 2019.

The Clerk informed the meeting that she still had two weeks annual leave to take before the end of the Financial year and rather than take it now, requested carry over to use in the first few months of 2019/20. This was agreed. The Clerk will take a period of one weeks Annual Leave week beginning 15th April.

Cllr. Stringer asked permission to cut back the hedge on one side of the Village Green. This was agreed.

Stone Town Council have submitted a document to Stafford Borough Council regarding planning practice and the consideration given to planning comments submitted by Parish and Town councils. A copy of the document was circulated to all councillors for consideration. The Clerk was asked to add to the agenda of the next meeting.

Cllr. Clark informed the meeting that approval has been received for the redevelopment of the church. Tenders have been received and are being reviewed. The planning authority have advised there does not seem to be any change in the character to the church or surrounding area therefore formal planning permission should not be required.

16. Date of next meeting.  The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th April 2019 at 7:30pm. The meeting closed at 9.20pm

………………………………………………… Cllr. M. Shelley, Chairman. 24.04.19