Non-confidential information

24.9.1 Apologies and declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mr D Sharp and Mr M Crawford. Mrs N Drummond was ill. Mrs L Powis had a work commitment. There was no need, by any other member present, to declare an interest in the items on the published agenda. Members present signed the attendance register.

24.9.2 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.

24.9.3 Public speaking
There were no members of the public in attendance.

24.9.4 County Councillor update and directional signage for Thors Cave, traffic regulation order, update from meeting with Staffordshire County Council
The County Councillor had been invited but was not in attendance. Subsequent to the previous meeting, some members of the parish council had met with the County Councillor, personnel from Staffordshire County Council (SCC) and a Peak Park Ranger to discuss a number of ongoing traffic related issues affecting Wetton. Members reported quite a positive meeting and the parish council needs to put a plan together. A traffic regulation order involving yellow lines was discussed but where would the cars then go? SCC did not recommend residents parking permits. SCC has not picked up the traffic cones. The road down to Thors Cave is quite horrendous. The Ranger reported that signs from Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) have been put up but subsequently stolen. Members discussed updating the map on the noticeboard and also having a proper map in the car park indicating Thors Cave.

SCC had finally responded to an enquiry made by the clerk in April 2024 regarding traffic related issues. Their response was ‘unable to action’.

Many residents display ‘no parking’ signs in front of their property but these are somewhat random in nature. Members discussed the possibility of uniform advisory signs for each property displaying the name of the parish council on them too which may have more impact but would not be enforceable in law. Members discussed the possibility of residents purchasing such uniform signs.

Resolved: Mr Heaney to investigate appropriate signs and costs from a local company and to report findings at the November meeting.
Resolved: The clerk to contact County Councillor Mrs Heath to see if the cones could be taken to an SCC depot rather than waiting for SCC to collect them.

24.9.5 Highway issues
Also see previous item.
Repairs were reported to have taken place at Day Hole bridge. Yellow fences on Leek Road, near Wetton Mill have fallen down again.

24.9.6 Playing field and pavilion
At the July meeting, Mr Sharp had prepared a document for the members to consider with some costings related to the possible use of the playing field for car parking. Members of the parish council suggested the need to have a sub-committee to frequently meet informally regarding the pavilion and the playing field to investigate requirements and possible options and to report back at the official parish council meetings.

Resolved: At present, the sub-committee members to be Mr D Sharp, Mrs D Noble, Mrs J Melville, Mr T Heaney and to copy the clerk into any correspondence.
Resolved: to obtain 3 quotes for any restoration works to the pavilion and for the gates.

24.9.7 Relocation of waste bins
Mrs Noble advised that she had liaised with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) regarding the relocation of a waste bin and had a reference number. Waste bins can be relocated but the relocation work would have to be undertaken by SMDC to ensure each bin is subsequently incorporated into the waste collection round.

24.9.8 Lighting for church path
Mrs Noble had spoken to members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC). No action had been taken regarding the lighting. The PCC is due to meet at the end of September.

24.9.9 Lengthsman grant scheme
The clerk had been liaising with personnel from Alliance Environmental regarding a possible grant of £400 to offset costs of the lengthsman. She had submitted account details and had received confirmation that once their purchase order had been received, the clerk can submit an invoice for payment. £400 can then be claimed each year, after April by way of a lengthsman grant.

24.9.10 Planning applications, appeals and enforcement
An application at Carr Farm for the conversion of redundant barns to 3 permanent dwellings, access and walls has been withdrawn; however, members reported that work continues at this location. It was assumed that a revised application may be forthcoming.