Non-confidential information

24.1.1 Apologies and declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
There was no need, by any member present, to declare an interest in the items on the published agenda. Members signed the attendance register.

24.1.2 Minutes of the previous meeting.
These were accepted as a true record of proceedings and signed, in the meeting, by the Chair Person,
Mrs D Noble.

24.1.3 Public speaking
There no members of the public in attendance

24.1.4 PCSO and Manifold Track
Mrs Noble had invited the PCSO to attend the meeting but unfortunately, was unable to attend. Mrs Drummond reported that both gates have now been reinstated on the Manifold track and the work has been carried out to a good standard. However, the ‘no vehicle’ sign has not been reinstated at one end. The barrier has most likely been hit by a vehicle resulting in this being snapped off and will be quite difficult to reinstate.

Resolved: Mrs Drummond to report the missing sign.

24.1.5 Planning applications, appeals; decision notices, enforcement
The S73 application at Waterbank Farm was reported as being rejected by Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA).

24.1.6 Website and transparency document
The clerk had submitted a number of documents to members for consideration to be uploaded to the new website including a list of parish council members and responsibilities. The invoice had been received from the new website provider, Webicious Ltd. Mrs Drummond had approached a resident about the provision of a few quality photographs for use with the new website.

Resolved: to forward the documents prepared by the clerk together with the cheque to enable the new website to become live.
Resolved: Mrs Melville to act as Vice Chairman

Members discussed payment of the invoice from the previous clerk for payment for the hosting of the old website. Mrs Noble had liaised with the former clerk and had received a letter in response but in a very inappropriate tone. Members voted on this matter.

Resolved: By majority, to pay the invoice.

24.1.7 Bank account and signatories
Additional signatories had not progressed since the previous meeting. The bank’s emails may have gone into members’ Spam sections.

Resolved: to progress to all members becoming authorised signatories.
24.1.8 Insurance items and asset register
From the previous meetings, members had taken a copy of the insured items list to assist with the compilation of the asset register, including street furniture and equipment. Mrs Drummond had kindly compiled a list of items in place in Wetton. Some of these items could be considered for inclusion for insurance purposes with only a few for the parish council’s asset register. Other items to be considered for the asset register may include mowing equipment and playground equipment/some contents at the Pavilion.

Resolved: to finalise the asset register at the March meeting.

24.1.9 Lengthsman’s contract
Mrs Melville had kindly visited the Back of Ecton to check for any areas for possible inclusion into the lengthsman’s contract and plus any other requirements in this part of the parish. There is no noticeboard, grit bin or requirements for mowing. Piles of grit have already been deposited by Staffordshire County Council.

Resolved: there is no need to amend the lengthsman’s contract as there are no mowing requirements at the Back of Ecton.

24.1.10 ROSPA inspection report and action points
The clerk had forwarded a copy of the playground inspection report. The action points were discussed mainly surrounding the poor state of the timber aspects of the playground equipment.

Resolved: Mrs Powis to shortly arrange for the timber framed play equipment to be taken down.
Resolved: to leave the swings and goal posts in place.
Resolved: to consider a working party to put up some new equipment already in the possession of the parish council but to have a professional safety assessment undertaken before use.

24.1.11 Consideration of budget items for precept
The clerk and responsible finance officer had prepared and submitted a more final budget to the councillors for consideration, in advance of the meeting, together with the tax base figure supplied by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC). Mr Sharp had provided some additional figures regarding the lengthsman and mower service.

The tax base figure enables the parish council precept figure to be calculated for the Band D properties within the parish. Members gave due consideration to these figures, in addition to precept history figures requested by the clerk, from SMDC.

It was acknowledged that no precept monies had been received by the parish council during 2023-2024 which will obviously result in a high percentage increase for parishioners in 2024-2025. In addition, the precept figure over the previous 4-5 years had remained more or less static rather than a gradual increase. In view of these facts, all parish council expenditure had had to be met by eroding reserve figures which is unsustainable and will result in low capital reserve figures to take forward to the next financial year. Unfortunately, the parish council does not receive any income to offset expenditure and there are no longer any monies available towards the lengthsman’s costs. The members also had to consider the ROSPA safety report (see item 24.1.10) to meet the cost of erecting any new play equipment and maintenance costs of the pavilion and playground area.

Resolved: Following very careful consideration by the members, by majority decision, to set the precept for 2024-2025 at £11,000. This figure will be reviewed for the following financial year.

24.1.12 Parish letter regarding traffic cones
Resolved: the clerk to liaise with members to produce a letter for residents regarding inappropriate use of traffic cones in the village.

24.1.13 Mower service
Mr Sharp provided details of costs of servicing the ride on mower which is owned by the parish council but used for mowing areas belonging to the church. The service costs will be approximately £300 plus £50 per hour transportation costs to take the mower to a workshop.

Resolved: Mrs Robertson to approach a known engineer for a revised cost.

24.1.14 Pavilion, play area and equipment, ROSPA report
Also see item 24.1.10. The clerk had placed an article in the Local Community Newsletter regarding equipment stored in the pavilion. There had been no response to the clerk or members of the parish council following this article. Mrs Melville reported that the pavilion is physically sound but would benefit from painting. Some of the contents included goal nets, footballs and pump, line markers etc. There are also a number of other items to clear out.

Resolved: Mrs Melville to organise a working party to clear/tidy up the pavilion.