SHENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
Serving Little Aston, Shenstone, Stonnall, Shenstone Wood End, Lynn, Parish Council Office 25C Main Street Shenstone WS14 OLZ
Tel: 01543 481 947
e-mail: <admin@shenstonepc.pcwpreview.co.uk >
web: www.shenstone-staffs.gov.uk
138 Register of members in attendance
Cllr David Salter (Chair- Shenstone Wood End). Cllrs Lesley Edgley, Simon Fisher, David Thompson, Christopher Callow (Shenstone), Cllrs Gail Nicholls, Phil Whitehouse, Mick Cox, Dino D’Ambrosio, Peter Sherratt (Stonnall), Cllr Stuart Harrison & Alan Pugh (Little Aston).
County Cllr David Smith. PCSO Andrea Horsnall. Shirley O’Mara (Clerk).
Three Stonnall residents & two representatives of F,R,O,G.S Shenstone.
139 Acceptance of apologies.
Cllr Kevin Ward & Cllr Louise Hawes.
140 Public Participation.
Members of the public are invited to address Council for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Three residents of St Peters Close, Stonnall who have been adversely affected by flooding attended the meeting and addressed the Committee:
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Thanks were expressed to County Council & Parish for all assistance to date.
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A detailed update was given for the benefit of new members and photographs shared illustrating the problem as well as offering possible solutions.
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One of the residents in particular wished to register his frustration at the impact that the flood defence work taken in 2020 has had on his property; effectively diverting the issue away from other properties has created flooding which did not previously exist on his property.
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It was noted by all present that this is a very concerning & exasperating situation for all affected and that a lasting solution needs to be found.
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Cllr Salter stated that the Parish Council has no managerial responsibility and that the three landowners of the land in question need to come together to decide what can be done.
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An onsite meeting was held earlier in the day attended by Cllrs Salter, Nicholls & Whitehouse as well as County Cllr Smith & it was proposed that a letter will be written by the Playing Field committee inviting the other two landowners to a meeting to discuss the situation. If there is a negative or no reply to that letter, County can step in to issue an order legally compelling all comply.
The resulting meeting will include Staffs County and Water Authority officers giving expert advice. Cllr Smith said that grants may also be available.
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Cllr Sherratt asked where the water is coming from & it was acknowledged that water certainly seems to have increased significantly, probably from the Chester Road direction. Perhaps drains should be looked at?
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Cllr Pugh said that it was very important that Parish represent the residents in this matter.
The discussions overall lasted for over 45 minutes with the resolution being that the letter to meet urgently is sent by the Playing Field Committee.
Two representatives of F.R.O.G.S Shenstone asked Council for feedback on the 2024 Fun Run & asked if there would be support for a 2025 event. Cllr David Thompson & Cllr Simon Fisher, both members of the existing Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee, confirmed that the event was considered a big success with great feedback and that the Committee were very willing to engage re a future event, suggesting a separate meeting at a date to be arranged. Cllr Salter said he was sure that the Council itself would be equally supportive.
PCSO Andrea Horsnall gave the following report.
Calls from Shenstone in Nov/Dec 99. In Dec/Jan 129.
These included vehicle crime, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and shop lifting.
Calls from Stonnall in Nov/Dec 13 & in Dec/Jan 12. These included burglary and vehicle crime.
Calls from Little Aston in Nov/Dec 31 & in Dec/Jan 20.
PCSO Horsnall is working with children and parents of Little Aston School on traffic in Forge Lane. A Cadets course has been completed at Greysbrooke with two more scheduled for Stonnall & Little Aston.
141 Declarations of interest. Members should consider whether they should partake in any discussion or vote on matters on the agenda unless they have a dispensation:
None.
142 To accept and confirm minutes of the last Full Council meeting on Tuesday Dec 10th, 2024 :
Duly accepted & signed
143 Clerk’s update on outstanding issues from last meeting:
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Lichfield District Council Local Plan consultation (Cllr Pugh).
Cllr Pugh asked for an update. Cllr Thompson said the LDC consultation paper was a strategic starting point that would last at least another 18 months to establish a new Local Plan. The three options of town and village growth were options presented previously by LDC and were the only options in combination that could meet the governments supply timescales.
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Update on Traffic Speed Indicators (Cllr Pugh). Cllr Pugh asked for an update.
Cllr Salter expanded on the emails that had been circulated that day which implied that Staffs County Council might help to create a ‘bulk licence’ and support with installation. Abbotts Bromley PC are heading the initiative. A site meeting with SCC officers is needed at all identified locations.
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Little Aston Christmas tree lights.
Due to bad weather & ill health it was not possible to address the problem of the Christmas tree lights in Little Aston which was disappointing. It has been suggested that crowdfunding may be the way forward to raise the funds required for new lights for 2025. An article will appear in the next Parish magazine to highlight the issue.
144 To receive reports from District and County Councillors.
Cllr Smith reported:
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A fantastic SCAR meeting with the Walsall leader.
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The need to investigate flooding at the back of Heath Close, Stonnall.
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Awaiting report on a sink hole in Walsall Road.
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Excellent preparations for the Stonnall Neighbourhood Plan public meeting to be held on Jan 21st.
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Drew attention to a planning application in Hammerwich for a battery storage plant.
Cllr Whitehouse reported:
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Work has commenced to introduce a Food Waste Service in 2026
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The recently announced government devolution of local councils: district & county councils will no longer exist as we know them and there may be an impact on Parish Councils as a result.
Cllr Thompson mentioned that he had read in a Lichfield District Council newsletter about the introduction of a community bus. Would be interested to know more and share the information which would benefit the more outlying parts of the Parish.
145 Finance.
Current financial position & transactions for approval as of Jan 14th, 2025.
Link to December 2024’s financial transactions spreadsheet.
Link to financial transactions from 1st to 14th January 2025
Unity Bank £13,484.25. Nat West Current Account £904.65. Nat West Business Reserve £34,628.24.
Nat West Liquidity Account Ring fenced funds for ear marked projects £113,308.96.
A reminder that any grant funds received relating to the Neighbourhood Plans must be spent by 31st March.
Internal audit of 2.5 hours completed this morning by Alan Topliss. There are no issues to report but the website audit is still to be completed.
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Sign precept request for 2025/26. Duly signed.
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Update on community grant applications.
Fifteen applications have been received from all three Wards with applications scheduled for review at the next Finance meeting on Jan 28th with recommendations before Council on Feb 11th. In total, with one application sum still pending, the total value of grants requested is £21,370.00.
Cllr Thompson requested that Council note the omission of the Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee to submit an application and requested that Council consider a late application.
Next meeting of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee: Tues Jan 28th, 2025, 4.30pm
146 Planning.
Approve planning applications received in last month and update on any objections/ developments. Link to planning applications spreadsheet
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Continuing potential for adverse possession of land on A5127.
Cllr Salter has taken a list of outstanding issues to Lichfield District Council- awaiting response.
Next meeting of Neighbourhood Planning & Property Committee Tues Feb 25th, 2025, at 5.30pm
147 Neighbourhood plan reviews: update on Shenstone & Little Aston (Cllr Thompson) & Stonnall (Cllr Whitehouse)- includes next steps.
Cllr Thompson said that the Regulation 14 revisions for Shenstone & Little Aston are finished and will soon go to to Lichfield District Council to see if Regulation 16 independent inspector reviews are required. A bid for additional Locality funding is in process.
Cllr Whitehouse said that the public surveys in Stonnall are complete with 166 replies on housing needs and 181 on community questions. The public consultation meeting is Turs 21st Jan from 1.00pm till 8.00pm at the Stonnall Community Centre.
Chris Bowden is drafting the first revision by the end of March so all is on track.
148 Consideration of request for new bins in Stonnall:
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at the bottom of Main Street, where is meets Wall Heath Lane/Church Road as this is a key area where many Dog Walkers access Mill Lane area- install a Black Mixed Waste Bin
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along Wall Heath Lane and especially at the entrance to the Public Footpath and that ‘Fingerpost’ where it meets Lynn Lane- install a red Dog Waste Bin at the entrance/Exit of that The Public Footpath that links Wall Heath Lane to Cartersfield Lane.
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install a Black Mixed Waste Bin on the corner of Wall Heath Crescent to Wall Heath Lane.
Cllr Whitehouse briefed Council on the need for the additional waste bins. Cllr Nicholls queried the need for all & the implications of bad odour from one of the locations. RESOLUTION: After some discussions it was agreed that the Clerk would find out exact costings of the bins and the cost of adding them to the schedule of works.
149 Stonnall Councillor vacancy.
Job advert published.
150 Llamas Land Boundary Dispute:
update following receipt of advice. Following the latest communication from lawyers it is sadly concluded that we do not meet the threshold to proceed with any further action. It has been a long and detailed examination including expenditure of £2,170 but the Llamas Land Committee will now be notified that we can take no further action.
151 Renewable Heating Project: update.
A meeting is scheduled for the end of the month with analysis of a selection of household energy bills taking place.
152 In accordance with the provision of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, Section 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations and Paragraphs 2, 3 and 7 of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following item :
Update on establishment of Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee & Country Club lease negotiations.
153 Next meeting of Full Council Feb 11th Little Aston Village Hall 7.15pm.
