Hilderstone Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 23rd October 2019 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllr. Shelley (Chairman), Cllr. Stringer (Vice Chairman), Cllr. P Davies, Cllr. Clark, Cllr. Woodward, Cllr. Crump, Stafford Borough Cllr. Harp and Mrs Amanda Kingston (Clerk).

There were no members of the public or press.

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

2. Apologies. Cllr. J Davies

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

4. Matters arising. Cllr. Crump recommended bookings for the Village Hall be made by email or text. Cllr. Crump suggested individuals contact her directly if problems persist.

5. Public Participation. None

6. Borough Councillor’s Report. Cllr. Harp provided an update on developments at the Borough Council and requested contact details for all Councillors. These are available on the website at www.hilderstone.org.uk Clerk to forward details.

Some concern was raised regarding the general cleanliness of the footpaths and access to Stafford town centre from the North end of Town.

7. County Councillor’s Report. Cllr. Parry was not in attendance to provide a report.

8. Planning. 19/31239/HOU at Home Lea, Sharpley Heath Rd, Hilderstone, ST15 8SJ. Replacement of existing flat roof garage with new single storey pitched roof garden room, principally on existing footprint. Resolved The PC have no objections to the application.

19/31069/HOU at 7 Eastholme, Sandon Road, Hilderstone. ST15 8SE. Double width vehicle hard standing to front garden. Extend existing width of dropped curb to 2.75m. Resolved The PC have no objection to the application.

Status of Earlier Applications:
19/30989/HOU at Parcel Cottage, Sandon Road, Hilderstone, Stone, ST15 8SF. Single storey mono pitched brick and oak framed garden room to the front and side elevation of cottage; a new front door entrance covered by an oak framed canopy. Allowed.

9. Traffic and Highways. The Parish Clerk provided an update on the progress of the installation of the Speed Indicator Device. A suitable date for all parties to meet on site is still being explored.

Staffordshire County Cllr. Parry has included all the blocked drains identified at the previous meeting in his forthcoming drains maintenance project.

Concern was expressed regarding speeding traffic through the village. It was noted that there was a recent near miss outside the village hall.

10. Footpaths/Village Maintenance/Best Kept Village. Staffordshire County Cllr. Parry has been informed of the overgrown hedge bordering Priory Cottage.

The hedge along footpath 14 has been cut back.

A stile on the footpath on Cotwalton Lane is in need of repair. Resolved Cllr. P Davies to follow up and report back.

Local resident, Mrs. Peggy Shelley has offered to donate a replacement bench for the Village Green dedicated to the WI. The Parish Council wish to formally thank Mrs. Shelley for her kind donation.

The Tree Planting event to commemorate the seven fallen soldiers from World War One will take place on the 10th November at 12:30pm. Following discussions with the Tree Officer from Stafford Borough Council, it was agreed to purchase one Golden Beech Tree. An anonymous donor has offered to pay for the total cost of the tree and commemorative plaque. The Parish Council wish to thank them for their kind donation and hope this will provide a valued and lasting memorial for the village.

A Cherry Tree at the play area in Dingle Lane is in need of some non-urgent attention. Resolved Clerk to ask Weston Ground Maintenance to undertake an inspection.

Two replacement trees are needed for Roebuck Bank. Resolved Cllr. Clark to organise. Parish Council unanimously approved a maximum spend of £100.

Concern was raised regarding the level of dog fouling in the village. The Grounds Maintenance Contractor expressed concern that it was particularly bad during his previous visit. This has been reported to the Stafford Borough Council Dog Warden. Clerk to raise the issue in the next article for the parish magazine.

11. Village Events. The Stoke Archaeological Society held a successful exhibition of findings from a recent excavation of the old Hilderstone Hall.

Forthcoming Events:

Tree Planting Remembrance Event, Sunday 10th November, 12:30pm at the children’s play area in Dingle Lane.

Hilderstone Village Christmas Party, Tuesday 17th December. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Cllr. Woodward and Sue Stubbs. Contact details are available on the Hilderstone village website at www.hilderstone.org.uk

Hilderstone Christmas Concert, Saturday 21st December, 7:30pm in Hilderstone Village Hall

12. Correspondence.
• The Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan.
• Tithe Map production – Clerk to request a copy of the Hilderstone Map
• National community energy campaign.
• Members Digest 260

13. Finance. The monthly accounts were presented and signed by the Chairman. The current account is £18,636.13 in credit and the deposit account £3128.79 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. Councillor Expenses, Printer Ink – £14.99
2. Admin and Clerk expenses – £66.06
3. Tree memorial plaque – £178.32
4. Grass Cutting Daffodil Bank – £324.00
5. Poppy wreath for Remembrance – £17.00
6. Village Maintenance – £81.25
7. Daffodil Bulbs – £75

The draft budget for 2020-21 was considered. Resolved to increase the Clerk Salary budget line to enable the Clerk to increase hours from 4 to 5 hours per week. It was agreed that the changing government agenda and subsequent requirements for Parish Councils mean 4 hours are no longer sufficient to complete the requirements of the post.

It was also agreed that an increase in the budget line for General Administration was required to enable the Parish Council to purchase a new website in order to meet the legal requirements regarding accessibility of websites which will come into force in September 2020. Clerk to confirm costings and bring back to the next meeting.

14. Any Other Business. The first phase of the Access for All development at the Church has been completed. An application has been submitted for the phase 2 development which is awaiting decision.

15. Date of next meeting. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th November 2019 at 7:30pm. The meeting closed at 9.45pm

………………………………………………… Cllr. M. Shelley, Chairman. 27.11.19