STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 10 November 2022
held at Moddershall Village Hall
Present: Councillors Cllr A McCulloch
Cllr T D Scrivens
Cllr W Woolliscroft
Cllr P Dimberline
Cllr B Fletcher
Cllr T Mardling
Cllr M Tyler
Cllr S Haine
Cllr B Price
Borough Councillors: none
County Councillor: none
Parish Clerk: L Davies
- PUBLIC PARTICPIATION
No questions from member of the public were received.
- APOLOGIES RECEIVED – ACCEPTANCE AND RECORDING OF APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr G Jones, Cllr R James and Cllr A Harp.
- RECORD DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS IN ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED
Declarations of interest were declared for agenda item 9 from Cllr S Haine.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 6 OCTOBER 2022
The minutes of the Parish Meetings held on 6 October 2022 were considered, approved and duly signed as a correct record of the meeting.
- DISCUSS MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES NOT ON AGENDA
Installation of the new village sign in Oulton is now on the works list for Amey.
- REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
- County Councillors: no matters reported
- Borough Councillors: no matters reported.
- REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
The details of the planning applications discussed in October, and the start of November were duly considered and noted.
- RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The Chairman provided a summary of the presentation given at the Parish Forum with regards to the Stafford Plan – Preferred options Consultation and community engagement events taking place.
- A second quote for the Aston-By-Stone garden has been received. A third quote has been requested. Once this is received the Parish Council can move forward with finalising the conditions of funding.
- DISCUSS REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CHAIRS FOR MODDERSHALL VILLAGE HALL
- The Oulton Village Hall Committee has offered to sell 20-25 of their old conference chairs to Moddershall village hall (MVH).
- It was noted that the chairs in MVH were in need of replacing. However, 50 chairs would be required. Following a discussion on this matter, it was proposed, seconded and AGREED that £2,000 (excl VAT) should be provided to purchase new chairs. Available options to be presented at the next meeting. Clerk to action
- RECEIVE COST INFORMATION ON SPEED INDICATION DEVICES
- The meeting received the report of the clerk on the costs associated with installing speed indication devices. After discussing the costs, potential locations and practicalities of the devices it was AGREED not to progress further with the SIDs at present.
- It was acknowledged that speeding remained an issue within Oulton and therefore the council should reconsider the requirements for SIDs in 12 months.
- AGREE MEETING DATES FOR 2023
The proposed meeting dates for 2023 were considered and AGREED.
- AGREE FREQUENCY OF AMENITY VISITS FOR 2023
It was AGREED that the Parish should request two one-hour civic amenity visits for Oulton, to take place in March and October 2023.
- RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT – CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND PROGRESS REPORT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
- The report of the Clerk was received and matters noted.
- A resident of Aston has enquired whether a bus shelter can be located on the A34 bus stop by the Fire Service headquarters. The matter was discussed, however, it was acknowledged that there is insufficient space for a shelter to be installed.
- It was noted that the National Joint Council for Government Services pay awards for local councils for 2022/23 has been agreed. This equates to a pay rise of £1 per hour, backdated to 1st April 2022.
- The Chairman of the Stone Food and Drink Festival has contacted the Parish Council as the festival may be held at Kibblestone Scout Camp in 2023. Implications for Oulton and surrounding areas were discussed and potential issues raised. Cllr Scrivens to feedback to the Chairman of the festival.
- REVIEW AND AGREE DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2023/24
- The draft budget for 2023/24, prepared by the Clerk, was discussed.
- It was agreed that funds should be allocated to obtaining a condition report for Moddershall village hall so that a schedule of refurbishment/maintenance can be derived. Funds allocated for donations to local charities should be reduced to reflect the increase in spend on the village hall.
- RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORISATIONS REPORT
The Payments Authorisations Report, together with the income received in the last period (October 2022) was 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 reconciliations for the year to date (31 October 2022) was received, approved and signed.
- REVIEW OF THE PARISH COUNCIL’S 5 YEAR FINANCE PLAN MONITORING
It was noted that a new 5-year plan would be discussed in the New Year.
- AGREE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 12th January November 2023 at 7.30pm at Moddershall Village Hall.
Signed …………………………………………… Dated………………………..
Chairman
Lucy Davies
Parish Clerk
November 2022