In Attendance:

Cllr T Noblett, Wheaton Aston (Chairman)

Cllr W Millington, Wheaton Aston

Cllr. M. Griffiths, Lapley

Cllr P Elson, Wheaton Aston

Cllr Mrs B Cox, Wheaton Aston

Cllr M Fox, Lapley

Cllr P Timson, Wheaton Aston

Also in Attendance:

Mrs A Watson, Parish Clerk

Member of the press

2 representatives of the Goodlife Team SSC (for the Pubic forum Session)

Cllr M Sutton, Staffordshire County Council

Apologies:                         

Cllr B Cox, South Staffordshire Council

Cllr A Anderson, Stretton

Cllr Sue Whittingham, Wheaton Aston

Cllr R Wright, South Staffordshire Council

Cllr B Wells, Stretton

Cllr S Whittingham, Wheaton Aston

Absent:

Public Forum

Chairman welcomed representatives of the Good Life Energy Team from SSC. The team presented to the PC about how the team could save residents money on household bills.

Councillors were encouraged to contact the team for further assistance and share the information with the public.

67% of the population are in ‘out of contract’ rates which is the most expensive rate to be on.

In South Staffs the number of households is high who are on this rate.

The team will be holding a drop in centre where residents can call in and obtain advice and guidance on Thursdays at SSC offices in Codsall, to arrange an appointment call 03333058671

PC to organise a drop in session in Wheaton Aston in the near future. Home visits can be arranged directly with the team.

Standing Orders were imposed 7.45pm

139. To consider apologies

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Mr B Cox, Cllr Wright, Cllr Sue Whittingham, Cllr S

Whittingham, Cllr Wells, and Cllr Anderson

140.Vice Chairman Election

Resolved Cllr Fox is to act as Vice Chairman for the January meeting, proposed by Cllr Noblett and seconded by Cllr Millington

141. Declaration of Interest/Dispensation

Cllr Fox and Cllr Cox declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 151 Wellbeing Session

142. Signing of the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council meeting held on 1^st November were signed as a true and correct copy.

143. Clerks Report

December 2018

Information

Road closure-School Lane Wheaton Aston 6^th November

Crime reference FZ854262018 stolen camera at Marston Field

Fly tipping at Longnor Hall Farm reported 14.11.18

14.11.18 sunken trench on Hartley Bridge reported ref 4141568

24.11.18 damage to road sign at Fenton House Lane /Marston Road

New tree planted at Marston Field

Welding work completed on the Kissing gates at Marston Field

Consultations

https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/doc/179763/name/70618-Locality%20Data%20Profile%202018%20DRAFT%20COPY.pdf/ Draft Locality Profile

yourstaffordshirecard@staffordshire.gov.uk

Meetings/Events

7.11.18 Welder

9.11.18 SSC Lets Work together

23.11.18 Lets Work together

11.9.18 Local councillor training course

8.11.18 VAT training Course SPCA

9.11.18 SSC Event

12.11.18 Onsite welder

12.11.18 SGS Security systems

13.11.18 HR

13.11.18 Finance

15.11.018 Staffs fire and recue conference

20.11.18 Christmas Lights Working Group

24.1.18. Christmas light switch on

29.11.18 Interim Audit

3.12.18 SPCA AGM 7pm

Training/CPD

GDPR-ongoing

CILCA

Items emailed to councillors

1.11.18 SPCA new bulletin

1.11.18 M Bailey concerns over parking

1.11.18 Policy and Partnership

1.11.18 Cllr Sutton, road closure

1.11.18 SPCA news bulletin

8.11.18 SPCA News bulletin

12.11.18 SSC round up

13.11.18 SCC Staffordshire bus pass review

14.11.18 Planning application 18/00919/TREE

14.11.18 Stop the Freight Hub update

15.11.18 Spca news bulletin

20.11.18 Lets work together agenda SSC

20.11.18 S Dores SSC      Tree works

29.11.18 SPCA News bulletin

Enforcement –

Use of devolved powers

Play area repairs budget increased by £4800 from general reserves to account for the fencing at Marston Field

Xmas lights budget reduced by £263.18, transferred to Fx card to fund signage for road closures

Increased DPO role budget heading to £500 (£100 from general reserves) to account for the legal/HR advise as agreed 1.11.18

Decisions issued

18/00341/VAR – Approved with conditions

18/00474/FUL – Approved with conditions

Clerk advised that Afeb have considered the large slab for removal at Primrose Play Area and Afeb suggested that it would be more appropriate to cover the slab over. Resolved that this is acceptable, Clerk to inform Came and Co insurers.

144. Police Report

Unavailable

Cllr Cox advised that police are concerned about the crimes around cars, be vigilant.

145. District Report

Unavailable

146. County Report

Finances: the medium term financial strategy displayed 35mill gap to close, currently on course to achieve this. Budget will be finalised in Feb 2019.

Setting the budget will be a challenging task

More available money for social care.

Query raised, are finances sustainable? Cllr Sutton advised that the financial plan is prepared over a five year period, as revenue grants denied business rate contribution is to increase to balance the expenditure. Reserves need replacing.

There has been an increase in looked after children over the past year

Adult service have seen an increase in pressure

147. Financial matters
148. a) Resolved to accept the financial budget comparison to 30^th November 2018
149. b) Resolved to accept the financial summary to 30^th November 2018
150. c) Resolved to approve the expenditure for November 2018
151. d) Resolved to approve the payments noted under delegated powers as noted on the Clerks report
152. e) Resolved to approve Cllr Millington as an additional signatory on the Unity Trust Account
153. f) Resolved a budget of £111,339 has been set with a precept request of £105,719 being requested from SSC. There has been a 2.68% increase in the tax base, from 970.62-996.63, which results in a precept request of -0.10 decrease with the average Band D tax paying £106.08 (£106.18 in 2018/19)

Projects this year are to include the purchase and location of defibrillators in  all three villages, the completion of the Lapley Green renovation project and the installation of CCTV at Marston Field

148. Planning Recommendations: Resolved:
149. a) Planning application: 18/00919/TREE: No comment as tree has been removed
150. b) Planning application after papers sent: 18/00880/FUL: No objection

18/00981/FUL: No objection

1. c) Planning decisions: None received
2. d) Enforcement Cases: None received
3. e) Delegated responses sent: None sent

149 Working Group reports:

• Christmas Lights: No meeting, one to be held early 2019. The event went well, the Christmas lights have been well received
• HR: Meeting held on 13^th November 2018. Clerk and Assistant Clerk’s appraisals have been conducted.

Clerk advised she has completed one module on CILCA and intends to finish the second module ahead of the New Year.

Pay increments from April 2019 were confirmed ( scp 6 5.86%, scp 8 6.58% scp 20 2.61%, scp 31 1.98%)

Village orderly will resume litter picking duties

• Resolved to increase Clerks payscale to SCP 30 and back date from 3^rd October 2018, this is to represent the Clerks increase in duties and management
• Forward Planning and Finance meeting held on 13^th November 2018
• Resolved to set a precept request of £105719, projects this year are to include the purchase and location of defibrillators in all three villages, the completion of the Lapley Green renovation project and the installation of CCTV at Marston Field. Clerk is to investigate this further- future agenda item for discussion.

Resolved: to use the following predicted funds at end of year to fund the Lapley green renovation

£3150 Salaries

£950 contingency admin

£1548 remaining Lapley Tree works

£850 contingency repairs

£286 contingency play area repairs

£25 village improvements contingency

Total £6809 towards Lapley Green

Plus £9994 refund HMRC TOTAL £16803.

Proposed amount for Lapley Green £24000.00 remaining from reserves

Reserves/savings  £52000

Projects £4000

Car park £5000

Youth shelter £2000

Skate park £2500

Marston road £2500

Office £1500

War memorial £500

Chain of office £155

Elections £4500

Drainage Marston Field £8000

Christmas £200

Surfaces £600

Birkenshaw Lane Clearance £1000

Defib and Kiosk  £300

Reserves total £84755  resolved to place all in the Barclays savings account therefore increase Barclays to £84755

• Maintenance: Resolved to devolve powers to the Clerk to complete the work from the Play Area inspections and incur costs within the budget without further presentation to Council.
• A member of SGS met with the group to discuss CCTV and what would be appropriate for the area. This will form a future agenda item to discuss further.

150.Litter

Resolved to defer to the next agenda

151. Wellbeing Session

Resolved: to contact the PCC to enquire if the PC are able to hire the Church to facilitate a walking group (as part of a health initiative) for 6 hours per month, 2 hours per month for a bereavement service and two hours per month for a ‘lifestyle drop in clinic’ which will provide a platform for outside agencies to engage with the community. This is an expected cost of £1300 per annum (£25 per week)

To form a future agenda item when appropriate.

152. Lapley Green Update

Clerk advised that it has been difficult to obtain quotes for the work. Two have been received and a third has been returned for part of the work. SSC are striving to obtain a quote and requested an extension to do this.

Resolved to extend until 10^th January, if not responses are received then the PC will consider separating the work.

Resolved: extension granted

Clerk has contacted Dittons Services additionally.

153.Items for future consideration

Birkenshaw Lane

Lapley Green

CCTV

Litter

154. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be Thursday 17^th January 2019 at 7.30pm, Lapley and Wheaton Aston Village Hall.

Meeting closed  8.55pm