Approved SPC Minutes 10.09.24

Approved minutes of meeting of Full Council Tuesday September 10th, 2024, at 7.15pm Stonnall Community Centre

Prior to the commencement of business Cllr Salter asked for agreement from everyone present that the meeting could be audio recorded. This was a trial and also a means of referencing to ensuring accuracy in detailed discussions.

63 Register of members in attendance

Cllrs David Salter(Chair) , Lesley Edgley, David Thompson, Chris Callow, Dino D’Ambrosio, Gail Nicholls, Simon Fisher, Stuart Harrison. County Cllr David Smith, 2 members of the public

Shirley O’Mara (Clerk). Pam Salter (Minutes clerk)

64  Acceptance of apologies.

Apologies were accepted from Cllrs Mick Cox, Stuart Harrison, and Ruth Graham

Cllr Phil Whitehouse (to arrive later following an LDC cabinet meeting)

65 Public Participation.

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

The representative of SCAR briefed Council as follows:

The Chester Road. There is a photo opportunity this coming Saturday with the family of Alan Preston, the cyclist who was killed at the top of Lazy Hill, There is press coverage of the work with Walsall Council. There has been good interaction between the press, the charity, and the Preston family. There is the possibility of a plaque or something similar. This is giving the opportunity to push for more action from Walsall Council. regarding reduction of the speed limit from 50 down to 40. What they are doing technically is not known yet. Implementation is planned for the second quarter of next year. It will go out in papers early next week.

SIDS within the Parish- this a question for Council rather than a report. The Chair noted that this would be covered at item 73 and with the agreement of Council this was pulled forward after Parish formalities.

66 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.

67 To accept and confirm minutes of the last Full Council meeting on Tuesday 10th July.

Duly approved & signed.

68 Clerk’s update on outstanding issues from last meeting:

• from May full Council, update on payments to Chairs of Committee.

The Clerk has contacted SPCA for their advice and is awaiting a response. Resolution: ongoing

– Richard Cooper/Footherley Lane bench footpath: Both Cllr Thompson and Cllr Salter wish to visit the site and research ownership. The Clerk to pursue.

-St Peter’s school community grant project: the lengthsmen have been involved with the building of the gazebo and planters. Feedback has been very positive. Cllr D’Ambrosio reported that the planters were now in situ. Cllr Whitehouse has secured two tons of topsoil from the quarry; arrangements have to be made for delivery. The school is very happy. Cllr Graham had previously mentioned she had previously given introductory talks to children around planting, and she volunteered to do this for the school. Cllr D’Ambrosio will liaise when all is set up.

The Chair brought item 73 forwarded with agreement of Council. (minutes of 73 in numerical order below)

69 To receive reports from County and District Councillors.

• Cllr Whitehouse entered the room during this item; he was made aware of, and agreed to, the recording.

County Cllr Smith passed round an example of a new device that replaces cat’s eyes These are solar powered LEDs and can be seen 24 hours a day and have a greater visible range. These cost £50 each to purchase.

Although the Stonnall public meeting on11^th Sept. is sold out it is being made available to watch on TEAMS and a recording will be available on the Parish Council website.

The public meeting is partly to do with the Neighbourhood plan but there are massive concerns over proposed sites, use of Green belt land and increased traffic due to the Government having imposed an additional 2,500 homes within Lichfield District area. The Chair commented that these will not all be built in Stonnall. Cllr Smith replied that the vehicles would though all come through Stonnall and many past his house.

Cllr Smith also noted agenda item on CCTV in Stonnall and said that this was visited before, and concerns were raised on the grounds of privacy.

The crossing at Cartersfield Lane where the new Starbucks is planned was then mentioned and Cllr Smith thanked Cllr Salter and Cllr Powell for their vigorous objections at the LDC Planning meeting. He was disappointed that the Planning Committee had refused on block to consider further evidence. This had resulted in approval subject to a traffic plan which Cllr Smith has now drafted and for which he believes the developers of the site should fund..

Cllr Smith has put in a strong complaint to County regarding the proposed white box on the entry to Starbucks.

Had it not been for inclement weather a crew was ready to remove the hedging on Main Street. Cllr Nicholls was concerned that Church Road had not been completed although promised. Cllr Smith assured her that weather had delayed it, but it was now first on the list. Following a request for any questions Cllr Smith left the meeting.

District Cllr Whitehouse gave an overview and asked for Cllrs to contact him regarding queries on specific information reported on in the following points:

• Council about to start consultation on the Local plan- LDC have produced a draft paper for feedback around December in particular regarding housing.
• call for sites to be identified for development, The public meeting tomorrow feeds into calls for sites and the Neighbourhood plan.
• recycling rules on food waste will be compulsory from March 2026. There is a push through for Parish Councils to increase recycling. LDC have ordered 11 vehicles to implement food waste collection.
• the new leisure centre at Stychbrook Park is progressing completed within 14 months and will replace Friary Grange.
• cinema work starting imminently contractors committed to a 14-month fit out.
• emphasis on maintenance of the smaller parks/open spaces which have currently missed out on funding.
• Unlike many Councils, LDC has a robust financial position including £51 million of investments and high reserves and 6Million in general reserves ensuring the ability to deliver on these projects.

70 Finance.

The Clerk read out details of the current financial position & transactions for approval as of Sept 10^th, 2024
Link to the August financial transactions spreadsheet 
Link to the financial transactions spreadsheet from 1st to 10th Sept 2024

Nat West Current Account £904,65

Nat West Reserve £34,466.71.

Nat West Liquidity Account £ 102,214.78 ring fenced funds for ear marked projects.

Unity Bank: £116, 779. 64 including £10,000 grant funding for Stonnall Neighbourhood Plan

There were no questions regarding transactions.

The Chair wished it to be minuted that the Clerk had received full approval for the external audit from the external auditors Mazars. Council acknowledged the excellent work of the Clerk in securing this outcome.

Next meeting of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee: date to be agreed

71 Planning.

Approve planning applications received in last month and update on any objections/ development.
Link to planning applications spreadsheet.
Cllr Thompson reported on the following applications:

• 52 Thornhill Road. Restaurant seeking to expand Streetly Two district Councillors have called this in and there is a substantial objection from Parish.
• 20 metre monopole at Little Aston Rd. Thanks to Stuart Harrison for the substantial work on a submitted objection
• Appeal on Shenstone Main Street backland planning. Objections submitted to the third attempt by landowner. Objection regarding cramming
• Haddon House-developers have put in a fast-track appeal i.e. previously submitted material is all that can be considered by the Inspectorate.
• Stables at Derry Farm. Two objections from PC. Firstly, there is other accommodation already available and if this is passed the Application on grounds of agricultural workers home should stay as a covenant permanently.

Next meeting of the Neighbourhood, Planning & Property Committee Meeting:

Tuesday October 22^nd at  5.30pm Shenstone Parish Office

72 New Councillors. Update from interviews & confirmation of recommendations.

6 persons were interviewed for 4 vacancies. Of these 3 have been recommended to Council for approval namely Louise Hawes, who was introduced earlier and is attending as a member of the public, Allan Pugh, and Kevin Ward.

Cllr Thompson thanked Cllr Salter and Cllr Edgerley for stepping in at short notice to make up the interview panel. The Clerk confirmed that all applicants had been interviewed. There were no applicants from Stonnall or Little Aston. There is still one vacancy. In respect of this Cllr Thompson referred to the previous round of interviews from which current new Cllrs were appointed. All applicants had scored highly, making it a close decision. One eminently appointable Stonnall resident had not been selected. Could this person be asked if they would like to reapply?

The Clerk explained that following GDPR guidelines details had been destroyed . Cllr Whitehouse believed this person had now left the Stonnall.

Proposal: Vote to endorse the approval of all 3 applicants.

Resolution: approved unanimously

73 Traffic Committee: update on proposed location for SIDs across wards.

Cllr D’Ambrosio reported that he had put forward a number of locations for SIDS, three in each ward on a rotation basis of 9, to Beth Tranter. She had provided a detailed reply with concerns to consider related to the chosen locations. This negative response indicates what we cannot do- we need guidance from the relevant parties on what we can do to progress successfully.

Cllr Salter stated that there appeared to have been a misunderstanding by County between permanent and mobile sites and existing locations.

Cllr D’Ambrosio asked Cllr Smith how to convene to review sites in order to move the process on. Adrian Walters seconded this. Cllr Smith saw no problems with convening a site meeting.

Cllr Thompson asked for the opportunity check the platforms in the Shenstone area with Cllr Salter to locate the fixings. Cllr Callow asked what evidence would be left of the sites. If it were metal, he could provide a metal detector to help with the search. This was agreed as a good idea.

Resolution: action to be arranged between individual parties.

74 Lichfield District Council call for sites: Stonnall meeting Sept 11^th

Cllr D’Ambrosio asked who the speakers are for the meeting.

Cllr Whitehouse advised: 4 including District Cllrs Janice Silvester-Hall, Alex Farrell and Cllr Smith.

Cllr Thompson said the LDC local plan is currently under review having been withdrawn for reconsideration with development directed away from infill and Ward expansion and towards a new settlement NE of Lichfield on the A38 corridor. This would enable new infrastructure to be included.

Cllr Thompson showed maps of where several sites, in all 3 Wards had been identified as potential developable areas and stated that we need neighbourhood plans that control where we want it to be and where the infra structure is.

Resultant offerings of land from the call for sites does not mean that the land will be built on.

Cllr Nicholls emphasised that residents in Stonnall are very concerned although she has explained to them that these are only expressions of interest.

Cllr D’Ambrosio said that the meetings need to manage the expectations of residents present.

DT each village will have to manage growth finding appropriate places with infrastructure.

Cllr Whitehouse was aware of everything Cllr Thompson had said including the call for sites. People presenting at the meeting are under no illusion that some of this will not happen. As Councillors it is our duty to engage with residents. Public meetings to inform are essential. Nothing he has put out suggests anything is happening. The meeting is being recorded and hosted on the Parish and Scar websites and will be live streamed on TEAMS.

The call for sites came at the time the neighbourhood plans were being drawn up.

People will always misinterpret.

Cllr Nicholls felt that Cllr Smith almost indicated earlier that all the traffic will be coming through Stonnall.

75 Neighbourhood plan reviews: update on Shenstone, Little Aston & Stonnall.

Cllr Thompson: Navigus planning was appointed by tender to undertake three neighbourhood plan reviews. Unfortunately, Chris Bowden, owner of Navigas Planning Ltd., announced in July that he was closing his business and would be employed from September 2024 onwards by Land Use Consultants (LUC).

LUC are prepared to support the completion of the Neighbourhood Plan commitments. Funding for Little Aston and Shenstone has already been allocated to Navigus with the LUC team undertaking work at day rates. Stonnall would be undertaken at day rates.

There was a separate discussion between Cllrs Thompson & Whitehouse regarding Stonnall’s proposals for circulating the draft plan to residents & the associated costs. Cllr Thompson suggested that the funds allocated could be better spent with Cllr Whitehouse stating that how Stonnall decided to do things was a matter for the Stonnall group only.

Recommendation: That Shenstone PC approves the novation of the Little Aston, Shenstone and Stonnall neighbourhood plan review planning consultant contracts from Navigus Planning Ltd to LUC Ltd though it was noted that as very little work has been completed for Stonnall it is not really a novation, more a new contract.

Resolution: unanimous approval

76 Feasibility study- Blake Street/Little Aston Lane Pedestrian Provision

Cllr Salter noted the ongoing request for many years for safer pedestrian use. This is a very busy junction. Frustration and queues are growing. He has tried for many years to get an extended ‘inter green.’

The 2015 survey was ineffective. A similar system is being used but we can have more input as to how it is installed. The survey costs £700 and County want us to pay for this. This will provide evidence.

Proposal: permission to pay in principle, for the survey costing around £700.

Resolution: Unanimous approval

77 Consideration of bleed control boxes in Stonnall

Cllr Whitehouse has added this item in order to give Council a ‘heads up’ regarding a potential problem that might arise. A resident of Stonnall has been very proactive in fund raising for bleed kits to be installed. He refused support and wanted to do this on his own. All the equipment has now been paid for and he has had approval to install them at the village hall, help would be needed from the lengthsmen to fit them.

Cllr Whitehouse reiterated that this was just intended to inform Council of the situation. Resolution: Members were unanimous that this had been noted. The issue could be revisited if required.

78 Renewable Energy Project:

Cllr Thompson reported that he had met with Cllr Silvester-Hall on site who confirmed that the contract for the commissioning of specialist consultants is about to be signed. There will now be twelve months of project management by the District Council, Parish Council, residents and South Staffs Water. Four meetings are planned for next year to produce a business case.

79 Update from Employment Committee meeting Sept 2^nd

The Employment meeting agreed with the SPCA recommendations to support the Clerk with the increasing SPC workload. Additional resources may be required.

Resolution: ongoing discussion

80 Stonnall Pound

All the artwork is in place for the restoration and renovation of the sign.

Proposal: to approve funding of up to a maximum of £1,500

Resolution: approved unanimously

81 Friends of Shenstone Tower.

A request has been submitted for a contribution to the insurance which is £4548.66

Members asked for a breakdown of the insurance. Cllr Salter advised that the public liability element is circa £700.

In a discussion it was asked if Council was minded to contribute. The following points were raised:

This issue was previously muted by former Cllr Stuart Jones, unintended ongoing revenue or comparator request consequences were likely (Cllr Thompson); other associations have received money in the past but insurance is part of business management (Cllr Fisher); grant funding could be applied for next year; it is not out of our remit to be able to help (Cllr Salter); this is a running cost-we support capital projects (Cllr Thompson);

Resolution: More information is needed including how finances are organised Ongoing

82 Saving footpaths

There is a registration date within the next 2 years for all footpaths to be reregistered – all footpaths in all three villages will need to be reregistered . The Clerk confirmed there was no backlog in Staffordshire.

83 CCTV in Stonnall

Cllr Whitehouse informed Council that the same resident referred to in Item 77 has initiated a fund-raising campaign for CCTV cameras for Stonnall including social media projects. The resident declined a request to discuss this with Council. In the discussion that followed the following points were raised: we need to know the rules regarding CCTV (Cllr Thompson); certain regulations need to be followed (Cllr Edgley); when we are told that we have not got a problem with crime figures CCTV would seem superfluous (Cllr Nicholls)

Resolution: Unanimous recognition of Council awareness that this is happening

84 Replacement of damaged bins at Shenstone playing field.

It was confirmed that damage was from general use and not vandalism.

Proposal: to replace the two bins at a cost of £1341.88 +VAT

Vote: approved unanimously

85 Shenstone Christmas Market; Blake Street Christmas tree lights

Proposal: to grant the Christmas Market organisers requested funding for public liability insurance of £122 and for a music licence of £117.00.

Vote: approved unanimously.

Consideration of next steps re Little Aston Blake Street Christmas lights:

Cllr Salter reported that two sections of the Little Aston Christmas tree lights were again faulty due to the growth of the tree and high winds during the year.

The PC had taken responsibility for the tree in 2018 and had installed the existing lights at a cost of almost £4,000 with them having a life expectancy of 3 – 4 years; they are now 6 years old. In 2022 Cllr Salter had managed to make repairs to the lights with the use of a cherry-picker but they have failed again. Removal of the old, and installation of new lights would now cost in the region of £6 -7,000. However, there may be potential to get another year’s usage from them if a cherry-picker could be hired to inspect and repair them again. Members suggested that it was too late to consider for this year and the cost of £7000 could not be approved.

Moving forward to attempt repairs with a cherry picker was discussed with Council stating a registered electrician should do any repair work & Council voted unanimously that Cllr Salter should not attempt to do the work himself. There was discussion of other means of lighting the tree (low level uplighting) & a separate site for a smaller cut tree but no agreement.

Vote: Council voted in the majority to decline the replacement cost for new lights.

86 Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee & Country Club

Cllr Salter read out the following statement:

In accordance with the provision of Schedule 12Aof the Local Government Act 1972, Section 5of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations and Paragraphs 2, 3 and 7of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following item: (Mrs Louise Hawes, as a newly appointed Councillor, stayed for his discussion)

Update on Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee & The Country Club.

87 Next meeting of Full Council:

Oct 8^th, 2024, Shenstone Community Library at 19.15

The Chair concluded the meeting at 21.35