Approved SPC Meeting Minutes – 08.04.25

Approved minutes of Full Council meeting held on Tuesday April 8^th, 2025, at Stonnall Community Centre.

Prior to commencement the Chair reminded everyone that the meeting would be recorded.

195 Register of members in attendance.

Cllr David Salter (Chair-Shenstone Wood End), Cllr David Thompson, Cllr Lesley Edgley, Cllr Simon Fisher, Cllr Chris Callow- all Shenstone. Cllr Gail Nicholls, Cllr Phil Whitehouse, Cllr Mick Cox, Cllr Dino D’Ambrosio- all Stonnall. Cllr Alan Pugh- Little Aston.

196 Acceptance of apologies.

Cllr Chris Jones & Cllr Stuart Harrison.

197 Public Participation.

Members of the public are invited to address Council for a maximum of 15 minutes.

A Stonnall resident attended the meeting briefly to enquire if there is any update following the recent on-site meeting re flooding at Stonnall Playing Fields, thanking also the County Officer who attended for doing so.

Cllr Salter said that nothing had been heard from the landowners so County would now serve a section 25 notice. The Playing Fields AGM is scheduled for April 22^nd & Cllrs Salter & Whitehouse have several focal points to work on. The resident stated he was very happy to assist in any way possible with Cllr Salter responding that eyes on the ground monitoring the situation is ideal.

198 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

199 To accept and confirm minutes of the last Full Council meeting on Tuesday 11^th March 2025.

Duly approved and signed

200 Clerk’s update on outstanding issues from last meeting.

• Little Aston Village Hall request for up to £20,000 to complete new build.

Consideration of additional information received.

Cllr Nicholls briefed Council on the attendance of Mr Richard Paxton, Chair of Little Aston Village Hall’s attendance at the Finance Committee meeting on March 25^th and the information sent by him since in response to questions raised by Members. All information has been shared with Council so if Council are minded agreeing, the recommendation is to support a grant fund of £20,000 which will be made up of £8,000 of CIL funding and £12,000 of ring fenced funds apportioned to Little Aston.

Cllr Salter explained the background of the project for the benefit of new members explaining that Council have funded £15,000 to date with an expectation of a request for perhaps £10,000 more. However, as the current position is £50,000 overall is required, including a promise of £30,000 from other sources, the shortfall is £20,000. There is very high demand for the facility including a waiting list including special needs users and the facility is a priority in the Neighbourhood Plan.

Cllr Thompson said that he was in support of the application but asked for monthly reports from Mr Paxton as Project Manager as well as his attendance at meetings on occasion to give updates, especially as the contingency is so fine. Cllr Whitehouse agreed, especially expressing concerns re governance and the structure of the Village Hall committee with a lot of responsibility resting with one person and no apparent Council representation on the Committee. Cllr Salter said that he was the nominated representative but has struggled to attend the meetings which will now take a higher priority.

Cllr Fisher asked whether views had been expressed by Cllr Stuart Harrison as a Little Aston Councillor. The Clerk said no opinion had been shared with her in lieu of Cllr Harrisons absence at the meeting but he was a key member of the Little Aston Neighbourhood Plan working group and fully supportive of the project during those meetings.

RESOLUTION: £20,000 to be paid to Little Aston Village Hall provided that Mr Paxton as Chair and Project Manager provides the regular requested updates and attends meetings if asked to do so. Proposed: Cllr Thompson. Seconded: Cllr Whitehouse. Unanimously approved

• Outstanding community grant request from Stonnall Brownies for £1,000.

Consideration of support information.

Cllr Edgley briefed Members on the application and support information received.

It was noted that the application is for the Brownies but the Scouts were mentioned. If Scouts require funding, they are encouraged to apply to Council separately.

RESOLUTION: £600 to be paid to Stonnall Brownies. Proposed: Cllr Edgley, Seconded: Cllr Nicholls. Unanimously approved.

• Consideration of quotes received for trees in right of way Pinfold Hill to Millbrook Drive.

Two quotes have now been received for the re-pollarding & height reduction work identified by a Millbrook resident as being necessary. The Clerk is awaiting a third but, in the meantime, Cllr Edgley has investigated and is of the opinion that no work is required though Cllr Hawes did say that the thick canopy of trees can make the walkway quite dark.

RESOLUTION: Seek advice of Lichfield District Council Tree Officer especially as the trees are covered by TPO’s and there may be additional costs.

• PCSO Tom Passmore has been in touch to say he is returning to work under a phased programme of hours but looks forward to attending a Full Council meeting soon.

201 To receive reports from District and County Councillors.

County Cllr David Smith reported:

• This is his last formal visit as County Councillor. He is very pleased to have contributed £100,000 to projects and hopes that his successor will continue this.

Traffic surveys have been quite vital with concerns over Chester Road remaining whilst some progress has been made.

He is very proud of being largely responsible for the initiative that has led to Shenstone Community Library and the purchase of the then Stonnall Youth & Community Centre for £1.00. Much more money will be needed to secure the latter in the next five years, but he expressed some satisfaction that after 34 years it is in better condition than when it was inherited.

• He advised that flooding is an ongoing problem with issues also in Little Aston.

• He cautioned that elected members do not ask the community for what it wants if they know it cannot be delivered for legal or practical reasons.

• Cllr Smith is very proud that the Stonnall Neighbourhood Plan is going forward under budget and that the unspent funds will be requested to be refunded from Parish.

The management team of the plan are keen to deliver on their wish list.

• Finally, Cllr Smith thanked Members for their cooperation and stressed he will still be involved with matters of Parish going forward.

Cllr Salter on behalf of Council thanked Cllr Smith for all his support and in the many years that they have worked together.

Cllr Whitehouse said that 34 years of service to the public is a fantastic achievement and congratulated Cllr Smith on this adding that on a personal note, Cllr Smith was instrumental in setting up SCAR so successfully in 2005 & is still providing input and guidance to the Neighbourhood Plan. A huge thank you.

Cllr Whitehouse for Lichfield District Council reported:

• Lichfield District Council are helping with waste collection in Birmingham from 9^th April with two lorries also being sent out this weekend.

• There is concern in Little Aston about potential housing development of up to 500 houses in Barnes Croft. As yet there are no pre applications and Cllr Thompson said that everything so far is speculative.

• The Local Government reorganisation: Lichfield District Councils preferred option is to look at a unitary joint proposal.

• Pleased to report that those responsible for the dreadful fly tipping in Watery Lane have been identified and the paperwork is being prepared to go to court. Cllr Pugh asked what the procedure is for reporting fly tipping as he has noticed incidents in Camp Lane.

Cllr Whitehouse explained that incidents are reported online with response usually within 24 hours.

Cllr Thompson mentioned that Sarah Edwards, M.P is looking holding a coffee morning on 10^th May at a venue to be confirmed focusing on road safety & speeding in Shenstone. Surgery dates will hopefully be identified later.

Cllr Salter reminded Members that this Sunday the miniature railway in Little Hay is open from 11.00-4.00 & well worth a visit.

Also, there is a fun day at Shenstone Tower on May 5^th including teddy bear abseiling.

202 Planning.

Review & consider all planning applications received to date including objection submitted re 25/00190 Little Ripley Day Nursery. Link to planning applications spreadsheet

Cllr Thompson reported that Cllr Jones has been working with Cllr Cox on an objection in Wall Heath Lane & with him on the objection re Little Ripley Day Nursery.

Cllr Whitehouse asked where the objection was visible, and it was explained that it would normally be shared as a draft with Members prior to submission but that it was only completed on the closing date so was seen by Cllr Salter as Chair & then forwarded. It is now on the LDC portal.

Next meeting of Neighbourhood Planning & Property Committee to be confirmed.

203 Finance.

Current financial position & transactions for approval as of April 8^th, 2025.

Transactions for March & April were shared.
Link to March 2025’s financial transactions spreadsheet.
Link to the financial transactions spreadsheet from 1st to 8th April

Cllr Whitehouse asked for the background behind the purchase of £2,006 worth of stamps for the Neighbourhood Plan. Cllr Thompson explained that this was part of the communication priorities identified as part of the Reg 16 consultation with costs coming directly out of the Groundwork grant fund.

Financial position as of 9^th April 2025: Nat West Current Account £904.30. Nat West Business Reserve £8,692.88. Nat West Liquidity Account ring fenced funds for ear marked projects £114,088.50. Unity Account £5,093.41.

The Clerk said that the Precept is expected before Easter & the internal audit scheduled for next week. The AGAR documentation has been received.

Receive & consider recommendations from meeting of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee Meeting March 25^th, 2025

Recommendations from Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee Meeting Tuesday March 25^th.

1. Consideration of increasing annual grant payments to the three playing fields of Shenstone, Stonnall & Little Aston from £1,500 to £2,500 .

RESOLUTION: Unanimously approved increase from April 2025.

2. Consideration of financial support to purchase a new defibrillator for Shenstone Village Hall. Cost £966.00. RESOLUTION: Unanimously approved- direct purchase.

3. Consideration of new waste bins for Stonnall: two at cost of £400+VAT and one at £700+VAT. RESOLUTION: After Cllr Whitehouse gave details of location and site visit recommendations Proposed: Cllr Cox. Seconded Cllr Thompson. Unanimously approved.

4. Consideration of bleed kits @£50.00 each.

There was a long discussion about the accessibility of bleed kits especially regarding a central register providing location & access information.

Cllr Salter will continue the research & Cllr Whitehouse suggested speaking to Mr Rob Ellwood who was instrumental in securing one in Stonnall.

The discussions then led on to the locations of actual defibrillators with Cllr Edgley suggesting that the locations of defibs across the Parish should be included in the Parish newsletter. Cllr Salter felt very strongly that the locations should not be advertised as the defib at any location at any particular time may be out of service due to recent use/ no pads or broken and a resident in need would have wasted crucial time in trying to source the assistance directly rather than phone 999.

RESOLUTION: After much debate it was agreed in the majority that comprehensive instructions, including of how to seek assistance properly as well as the locations, would be included in the newsletter though it should be noted Cllr Salter still expressed concern. Cllr Pugh to compose article.

Next meeting of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee Tues May 27^th at 5.30 pm Shenstone Parish Office.

204 Resignations of Cllr Peter Sheratt & Cllr Kevin Ward.

The resignations of both Councillors were accepted though it was acknowledged by Council that there has been a high turnover of co-opted Members which is concerning.

Cllr Thompson said that leavers should be asked for their reasons in some form of leavers interview with Cllr Callow saying he thought being asked what important in case there was anything we could do better. Cllr Whitehouse expressed concern that Members leaving are not likely to be genuinely honest with their reasons as he had personally been told that frustration with the process and not getting anything done had been mentioned as justification to him. He said Council should look also at how we recruit as well as those existing, citing his past comments that the recruitment process needs to change.

Cllr Hawes said that she thought it was important new Members knew what to expect with Cllr Edgley saying that potential candidates should also attend a Council meeting before interview. Cllr Pugh agreed saying those points should be included in any vacancy notice.

205 Neighbourhood Plan refreshes; Approval of Regulation 16 submission to Lichfield District Council of Shenstone & Little Aston Neighbourhood Plans.

Cllr Thompson reported that the Reg 16 consultation documents are with Lichfield District Council & the consultation has started. The external examiner will now be appointed.

Stonnall Neighbourhood Plan: update on Reg 14 consultation.

Cllr Whitehouse said that the public consultation in Stonnall continues until 30^th April.

206 Update from Employment Meeting on Monday April 7^th.

Cllr Nicholls reported:

• we are progressing the investigations into employing an assistant parish clerk, part time, hours to be determined, but with flexibility to cover holidays etc. 

• The new opening hours are working well, especially working from home on Monday. The Clerk will be ordering a new sign to be fixed outside the office. 

• Lengthsman role, The subcontracted Lengthsman is looking to leave his role at the end of the summer, but he will still help us with newsletters etc. We will be looking to find a replacement over the next few months but are looking at the whole Lengthsman scheme overall to ensure we are fit for purpose.  

207 Bluebell Woods Footherley Open Day. Dates confirmed as 27^th & 28^th April.

208 May Full Council:

reminder that members need to consider the elections of Chair & Vice Chair as well as representation on committees and external bodies.

209 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 Shenstone Playing Fields Committee progress

210 Next meeting of Full Council Tues May 13^th Little Aston Village Hall, 8.00pm.

Vice Chair:

13.05.25