Hilderstone Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 26th February 2020 at 7:30pm

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

There were no members of the public present.

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. None.

5. Public Participation. None

6. Borough Councillor’s Report. Stafford Borough Council will be introducing new recycling arrangements which include a new bag to take all cardboard and paper. Once the new bag is provided the caddy inside the blue bin will no longer be required and no cardboard or paper must be placed inside the blue bin. Further details can be found at https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/bluebag An annual fee will be introduced for the brown bin.

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

8. Planning. None.

Status of Earlier Applications: None

9. Traffic and Highways. The contact details for Staffordshire County Council Highways require updating on the website and notice boards. Highways is now a fully digitised service and can only be accessed via the online system at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Highways/Roads-and-highways.aspx or via the MyStaffs app which can be downloaded from the Google Play or App Store. Clerk to update.

Following the onsite meeting with Staffordshire County Council and Western Power, the Parish Council have been informed that replacement of the mains operated vehicle activated sign on entry to the village will not be possible. They have suggested an alternative location for a solar device at Eastholme.

Four quotations for solar powered devices with data capture capability were considered. Resolved by unanimous agreement to purchase the Evolis Speed Indicator Device from Elan City at a total cost of £1851.22 + VAT.

Installation of the post to hold the device and purchase of the required jubilee clip fastenings will cost approx. £500. Resolved by unanimous agreement for the clerk to order the post and fixings.

10. Footpaths/Village Maintenance/Best Kept Village. The format for the Best Kept Village event has changed and will now enable supplementary evidence such as photographs and video’s to be submitted throughout the year. This will enable the judges to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the village and events that take place over the year, rather than basing decisions on two visits which may not provide a true reflection of village life.

Streetlight number 4 near the park has still not been repaired, despite being reported in November. Clerk to follow up.

The planting of a number of trees in key locations was discussed. It was agreed the Clerk will add a paragraph to the Parish Magazine outlining the intention to plant trees in specific locations. The Clerk will also consult with Stafford Borough and Staffordshire County Council.

A number of village maintenance requirements were raised including the painting of the cast iron bollard on Sandon Road, the painting of the Milestone opposite the Village Hall and the need to clean a number of local road signs. Clerk to speak with the Village Maintenance Contractor.

The hedge bordering the Village Green requires cutting back. Clerk to speak to Weston Ground Maintenance.

11. Village Events.

Forthcoming Events:

Village Jumble Sale, Saturday 18th April from 2pm. Donations received from 10am.

Scarecrow Event, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June 1:30pm till 5pm throughout the village.

12. Correspondence.
• Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Consultation
• Email from local resident regarding footpath outside Hall Farm Cottages, Sandon Road.
• Stafford BC Recycling changes
• Great British Spring Clean
• Stone Town Mayor’s Charity Quiz Night 27 March
• Mayor of Stafford’s Horse Racing Evening 6th March
• Plan for Stafford Borough Biodiversity supplementary planning document.
• Members Digest 263

Members Digest 262 Councillor Crump updated members on key points from the last members digest. A Judge has banned a woman from running a food business after hearing her café on the Airfield Industrial Estate in Hixon was a health risk. She was fined £1105 with a £110.50 surcharge and ordered to pay the council’s legal costs of £1000.

13. Finance. The monthly accounts were presented and signed by the Chairman. The current account is £15,729.79 in credit and the deposit account £3130.90 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. Weston with Gayton PC Printer recharge – £49.56
2. Admin and Clerk expenses – £39.87
3. Stafford Borough Council recharge of Election expenses – £104.95

The appointment of the Internal Auditor was considered. Resolved by unanimous agreement to appoint Mrs. C. Heelis as internal auditor.

14. Any Other Business. A discussion was held regarding the set up of the new website. Some concern was raised that the Village Information Network may not work once the OVH server is closed down. Councillor Clark to follow up.

The meeting dates for 2020 were noted.

The Clerk provided an overview of the consultation on the Issues and Options paper for the Stafford Local Plan. Clerk to send Councillors the link to all relevant documents.

The Lichfield Diocese has granted a faculty for Christ Church to have work start on the toilet facilities.

Councillor Clark received and signed for his copy of the Register of Electors 2020.

15. Date of next meeting. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 25th March 2020 at 7:30pm. The meeting closed at 9.35pm

………………………………………………… Cllr. M. Shelley, Chairman. 25.03.20