Non-confidential items

26.3.1 Apologies and declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mr T Heaney and Mrs L Powis. There was no need, by any member present, to declare an interest in the items on the published agenda. Members present signed the attendance register.

26.3.2 Minutes of the previous meeting.
These were accepted as a true record of proceedings and signed, in the meeting, by the Chair Person,
Mrs J Melville.

26.3.3 Public speaking procedures document, public attendance sheet and public speaking (total 10 minutes)
There were no members of the public in attendance.

26.3.4 Casual vacancies (2 places) and possible co-option
Mr P Vibert had applied to fulfil one of the casual vacancies available on the parish council. The declaration of acceptance of office form was completed together with the Register of Interest form for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC). One further vacancy remains and will continue to be advertised.

26.3.5 Playing field, pavilion, and grants
Mr Heaney was not present; however, he had advised the clerk of a site meeting scheduled for 16th March involving a British playground company regarding a future plan of ideas with a view to pursuing grants. The item will remain on future agendas.

26.3.6 Domains .gov.uk, .org
The parish council continues to work towards the achievement of an alternative email address to comply with Assertion 10 and external audit requirements.

Resolved: the clerk to liaise further with the present website provider and to establish costs.

26.3.7 Lengthsman duties
Mrs Noble had spoken with the lengthsman. He has expressed an interest in submitting a bid for the ride on mower which the parish council will shortly dispose of. The clerk had not received his invoice in time for the meeting. Members welcome input from the community regarding areas for attention by the lengthsman.

It was reported that soil type compounds are escaping from the planters near the public house and during poor weather, sludge is being created.

Resolved: Mrs Melville to ring the lengthsman to arrange a meeting and a walk around the village to identify areas requiring attention that may not already be incorporated into the contract. Whatsapp could possibly be used to receive input from the community.

26.3.8 Church footpath
Mrs Melville advised that she intends to follow up on a previous email regarding the condition of the public footpath near the church. The parish council would like Staffordshire County Council (SCC) to undertake repairs. It was also reported that the church clock requires attention. The clerk advised that whilst the parish council cannot financially support a church, the parish can provide financial support for the church clock as it is considered of community benefit.

Resolved: Contact to be made with County Councillor Ms Kelly regarding support from SCC or the County Councillor’s funds towards the footpath repairs.

26.3.9 Village hall support
The clerk had liaised with the parish council’s website provider regarding the possibility of a website for the village hall and the clerk had contacted a member of the village hall committee regarding this. Mrs Noble had attended a further meeting of the Village Hall Committee

26.3.10 Training policy
The clerk had contacted the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association (SPCA) regarding a training policy. SPCA’s policy was quite complex for the needs of a small parish council. Mrs Melville had produced a more realistic document.

Resolved: to adopt the policy and to continue to review this.

26.3.11 Secure storage of items
Mrs Melville reported that three plastic boxes of parish council items are now in storage in the village hall loft along with Christmas items recently purchased. Storage of deeds for the village hall were discussed.

26.3.12 Planning applications, appeals and enforcement