Hilderstone Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 27th November 2019 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllr. Shelley (Chairman), Cllr. Stringer (Vice Chairman), Cllr. Clark, Cllr. Woodward, Cllr. Crump, Cllr. J Davies 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. P Davies, Stafford Borough Cllr. Harp

3. Minutes of the last meeting. These were read, 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 was not in attendance to provide a report.

8. Planning. None.

Status of Earlier Applications:
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. Allowed.

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 Awaiting decision.

18/29729/FUL at Land at Former Bird In Hand Car Park, Cresswell Road, Hilderstone – An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State in respect of the above site against the enforcement notice served by Stafford Borough Council.

9. Traffic and Highways. The meeting date between SCC, Amey, Western Power and the Parish Council to discuss the viability of the Speed Indicator Device is still to be agreed.

The keep left sign at the build out by the Roebuck has been displaced. Clerk to report to SCC Highways.

Three of the boundary markers on the verge at Cotwalton Corner are missing/damaged and need replacing. Clerk to report to SCC Highways.

10. Footpaths/Village Maintenance/Best Kept Village.  It was noted that that the local Ramblers have carried out some footpath maintenance.

There has been some improvement in the number of dog mess incidents in the Meadows.

The Hedge along footpath 14 has been partially cut back, however one home owner is still to complete their section. Cllr. P Davies to follow up.

A streetlight at the play area in Dingle Lane is no longer working. Clerk has reported to SCC Highways.

11. Village Events.  It was noted that an event was held in the memory of Doreen Boulton, an active member of the local community and a member of the Women’s Institute for over 60 years.

The Tree Planting event for Remembrance went well and was well attended. Thanks were extended to the anonymous donor who covered the total cost of tree and plaque. Clerk to extend formal thanks on behalf of the Parish Council.

Forthcoming Events:

Christmas Fair at Hilderstone Hall, Hall Lane, Saturday 7th December from 10am to 2pm.

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, 7:00pm in Hilderstone Village Hall. Tickets are available from concert members and the Roebuck Public House at a cost of £5 per ticket.

12. Correspondence.
• Stone Carol Service Sunday 8th December.
• SPCA AGM Monday 2nd December.
• Thank you from Hilderstone Village Hall for the CF contribution.
• Peter Pan Gala Performance – invitation to purchase tickets
• Civic Carol Service – 22nd December
• Members Digest 261

Members Digest 260 Cllr. Crump updated members on the key points from the last Members Digest, in particular Stafford Borough Councils commitment to reduce plastic waste. The Borough Council voted to take the following actions;

1. State its support for the eradication of single use plastic items. This policy is made clear to all suppliers and contract holders.
2. Encourage our community to reduce and ultimately stop the use of single use plastic products.
3. Actively promote the reduction of single use plastic products.
4. Work with other agencies and local authorities to reduce the use of all single use plastic products as soon as possible.
5. Make the reduction of single use plastic products part of the implementation of the climate emergency declaration.

Voting was 35 for and one councillor abstained.

13. Finance. The monthly accounts were presented and signed by the Chairman. The current account is £18,244.41 in credit and the deposit account £3129.32 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. Donation to Hilderstone Christmas Party – £500
2. Admin and Clerk expenses – £86.73
3. Village Maintenance – verge maintenance and weedkilling – £84.00
4. Village Maintenance – planting, flower boxes, removal of leaves and drainage work- £181.00

The final draft budget for 2020-21 was considered. A discussion was held regarding the cost of a new website and a range of quotes were considered. Resolved by unanimous vote to accept the Silver package offer by Staffordshire County Council. Following the discussion regarding Clerk hours at the previous meeting it was Resolved by unanimous vote to increase the Clerk hours to 5 hours per week from April 2020.

Resolved by unanimous agreement to set the budget for 2020-21 at £11,533. This represents a 12.2% increase on the 2019-20 budget equating to an extra cost of £4.15 per band D property per year. The increase in spend primarily relates to the need for increased Clerk hours in relation to the growing workload and requirements placed on Parish Councils by central government changes in legislation.

Resolved by unanimous agreement to submit a precept request of £11,013 plus £520 Concurrent Function monies.

14. Any Other Business. The Stone Town Mayor will be holding a charity pig race on the 25th January.

Stafford Borough Council will be increasing car parking charges in Stafford and Stone.

Some discussion was held regarding the planting of more trees in the village. Clerk to add to the agenda of the January meeting.

The replacement bench for the village green has kindly been purchased by Mrs. Peggy Shelley and will be installed shortly.

15. Date of next meeting. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd January 2020 at 7:30pm. The meeting closed at 8.45pm

………………………………………………… Cllr. M. Shelley, Chairman. 22.01.20