STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 14 September 2023
held at Moddershall Village Hall
Present:
Councillors
Cllr A McCulloch (Chairman)
Cllr T D Scrivens
Cllr S Haine
Cllr G Jones
Cllr M Tyler
Cllr M James
Cllr T Banks
Cllr B Woolliscoft
Borough Councillors Cllr R James
County Councillor none
Parish Clerk L Davies
- PUBLIC PARTICPIATION
- The Chair and Treasurer from Age Concern – Stone and District provided an update of their activities and ways in which they are assisting residents within the Parish.
- A letter has been received from a resident of Moddershall regarding the village hall. The letter was acknowledged and passed to the village hall sub-committee to consider further.
- APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr P Dimberline and Cllr T Mardling.
- RECORD DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED
No declarations of interest were made.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 6 JULY 2023
The minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 6 July 2023 were considered, approved and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.
- DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA
- Cllr Haine reported that there were currently 4 bins within Oulton. A further location has been identified; however, it was agreed that Cllr Haine/Cllr James should approach the residents close to the site to determine whether they would object to a bin being located there.
- The Borough Council has been contacted regarding the condition of the road surface at the top of Convent Lane as Land Registry regards suggest that they are the owner of the land. Cllr R James to assist with highlighting concerns with the relevant department.
- REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
- County Councillors: no matters reported.
- Borough Councillors: Cllr James provided a summary of recent activity within the Borough Council, including objections to shutting the ticket office at Stafford Station.
- REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
The details of the planning applications discussed in July, August and the start of September were duly considered and noted.
- RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The Chairman provided an update on the community garden in Aston-By-Stone.
- The Chairman proposed that meetings of the Parish Council should be held in rotation between the village halls of Moddershall, Oulton and Aston-By-Stone to improve community engagement. It was AGREED to enquire whether the village halls could accommodate Parish Council meetings. Clerk to action
- The structure of the management committee for Aston-By-Stone’s village hall was provided to the meeting and for the sub-committee to consider at their next meeting.
- CONSIDER MATTERS RELATING TO MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL.
- To agree the minutes of the community meeting on 10 August and discuss outcomes of the meeting.
- The minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 6 July 2023 were considered, approved and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.
- It was noted that since the meeting, two letters have been received and a further offer to assist with the village hall.
- To consider authorising a septic tank inspection survey and pest control services.
- To agree the minutes of the community meeting on 10 August and discuss outcomes of the meeting.
It was discussed and AGREED to instruct a septic tank survey based on the quote of £360 incl VAT plus the cost of emptying the tank beforehand. It was discussed and AGREED not to move forward with contracting pest control services as this time.
- To consider replacement of gas cooker in village hall
It was acknowledged that the Parish Council had received a kind offer from a Cllr to pay for a new gas cooker for the village hall. The offer and the immediate requirement for a gas cooker was discussed. It was noted that current hirers do not use the cooker and that enquiries for bookings had not requested the use of a cooker. It was AGREED – considering the investigations that are taking place with regards to the village hall – that the kind offer would be declined, at this time, but that the requirement for a cooker should be kept under consideration by the village hall sub-committee.
- To review the draft Contractor Fire Policy
The meeting reviewed the draft fire policy, it was AGREED to adopt it as presented.
- To agree the next steps for the village hall sub-committee
It was AGREED that the sub-committee should contact those residents who had expressed an interest in becoming part of a management team to explore this further. The sub-committee will meet in October to move forward their investigations under the terms of reference and bring any recommendations to the next meeting.
- TO AGREE THE QUOTE FOR ASTON BY STONE BUS SHELTER (SOUTHBOUND)
A quote of £950 was considered. It was AGREED to accept this quote – when completed all bus shelters will have been refurbished.
- DISCUSS HIGHWAY MATTERS ON KIBBLESTONE ROAD
- Cllr Haine and Oulton residents contacted Cllr Parry regarding the potholes on Kibblestone Road. Given that the potholes have increased in size, together with their location and position on the road, Cllr Parry was able to raise this matter with highways and they should be repaired in the coming weeks.
- Cllr Haine also raised that the damage caused by lorries entering the Kibblestone Campsite during the Food and Drink Festival have not been rectified.
- DISCUSS IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS WITH KIBBLESTONE SCOUT CAMP REGARDING EVENT
- During the summer an international camp was held at the scout camp which resulted in a significant number of cars being parked in the village, litter from visitors and noise/fireworks that disturbed cattle in nearby fields. Residents of Oulton had not directly received advance notice of the event and local farmers had received incorrect information on the date of the event.
- It was AGREED that the Oulton Cllrs should arrange a meeting with the site manager to express these concerns and to endeavour to improve communications between the site and residents.
- RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
- The County Council has still not replied to the submission of an insurance claim for the bus shelter at the Darlaston roundabout. The meeting agreed to raise this with Cllr Parry.
- It was noted that the broadband and telephone contract at the village hall ends in November. The phone line at the village hall is no longer used (the Clerk uses her own mobile) and difficulties with broadband reliability/adequacy for the hall were discussed.
- It was AGREED not to renew the broadband contract at this time (current users do not rely on the broadband). Parish Council / village hall sub-committee to consider requirements for broadband as part of the overall review of the village hall. Clerk to action
- It was agreed that the Parish Council should consider a mobile phone for the Parish Council. Recommendations to be discussed at the November meeting. Clerk to action
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT
The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last period (July and August 2023) were reviewed, approved and signed by the Chairman.
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND BANK RECONCILIATION FOR THE LAST PERIOD
- The financial statements for the period were received, reviewed and approved.
- The bank reconciliation for the year to date (31 August 2023) was received, approved and signed.
- AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 9 November, 7.30pm at Moddershall Village Hall.
Signed …………………………………………… Dated………………………..
Chairman
Lucy Davies
Parish Clerk
September 2023