A meeting of Wetton and Back of Ecton Parish Council took place on Wednesday, 15th May 2024 at 7.30 pm in Wetton Village Hall.
Present: Mrs D Noble, Mrs J Melville, Mr D Sharp, Ms N Drummond, Mr T Heaney and the clerk, Mrs S Hampson. There were no members of the public in attendance
Non-confidential information
24.5.1 Apologies, attendance register and declaration of interest of councillors related to the agenda
Apologies had not been received in advance of the meeting from any council member. Mrs Powis was not in attendance. 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.
24.5.2 Election of Chairman, vice chairman and declaration of acceptance of office of councillors, possible co-option of new councillor
Resolved: Mrs D Noble to continue as Chair person for the next 12 months (unanimously agreed).
Resolved: Mrs Melville to continue as Vice Chair Person for the next 12 months (unanimously agreed)/
All members present completed the declaration of acceptance of office forms for the next 12 months, before the proper officer, Mrs Hampson.. The Chair person also completed the additional declaration of acceptance of office form.
Interest had been expressed in the casual vacancy but the person concerned was unable to attend.
Resolved: the clerk to make contact with the person concerned.
24.5.3 Register of interest of councillors
The Register of Interest documents were updated and completed by those present.
24.5.4 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.
24.5.5 Public speaking
There were no members of the public in attendance.
24.5.6 PCSO and parking issues
Representatives of the parish council had informally met with some parish residents regarding ongoing parking issues within the village of Wetton. Some useful suggestions were received regarding the use of some land, including the playing field, to ease parking congestion at peak times and weekends. A local farmer offers his field periodically for this purpose. People have politely been asked not to park on verges but without compliance. The clerk had submitted to Staffordshire County Council (SCC), a request for a traffic regulation order (ref 4386615) for yellow lines within Wetton in some areas but this could take some time to be considered.
Mrs Melville had forwarded a response to an enquiry made during a recent Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) Road Show. PDNPA requires evidence for the need of car park which would then require planning consent for a change of use of identified land. In addition, PDNPA requires clarity of use eg for a community car park dedicated to residents as opposed to a visitors’ car park. Residents would then need a chargeable permit involving enforcement. Consultation with other agencies such as Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) and SCC would also be required. Temporary car parks can only operate for 28 days per year. Fees and collection of fees for parking would also have to feature.
Resolved: to contact SCC to visit Wetton to assess requirements, including yellow lines and to collect all cones.
Resolved: to contact the Staffordshire County Councillor to obtain other personnel details at SCC and for support.
Resolved: to contact SCC for additional directional signage to Thors Cave
Resolved: to contact the clerk to Ilam Parish Council for information regarding yellow lines.
Resolved: to consider contacting SCC’s Chief Executive with a formal letter regarding issues related to SCC.
24.5.7 Manifold Track
SCC had advised both the clerk and Mrs Drummond of a ‘work completed’ notice at the Manifold track. Signs have been reinstated; however, the signs have been placed at head height which is not appropriated. The gates are back in place but the road area is gradually being eroded away by the river.
Resolved: to contact SCC and the County Councillor regarding the erosion of the road which if not addressed, may see the permanent closure of this area.
24.5.8 Planning applications, appeals; decision notices, enforcement
NP/SM/0424/0448 Valley Crest – to replace windows and doors and the alteration of a door to a window was considered.
Resolved: no objections were received to this proposal. The clerk to submit the decision to PDNPA.
24.5.9 Items of account, clerk’s salary, HMRC, lengthsman, payroll services, administration
| Chq No. | Name | Description | Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cq854 |
E Fitzgibbon |
Payroll Services |
£70.00 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq855 |
S Hampson |
April Clerks Salary |
£264.20 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq856 |
S Hampson |
Internet, Premises allowance |
£47.95 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq857 |
Grindon PC |
2xCllr Training |
£90.00 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq858 |
S Hampson |
May & June Internet, Premises Allowance |
£86.00 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq859 |
S Hampson |
May and June Clerks Salary |
£528.40 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq860 |
Staffordshire Farm Supplies |
Mower Services |
£223.70 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Cq861 |
HMRC |
Quarter 1 Income Tax |
£198.00 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Mrs Noble had been in contact regarding a sum of £500 awarded for playing field developments. This sum has not been received and will not be until such time as matters progress at the field.
24.5.10 Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024
The clerk and responsible finance officer (RFO) had prepared and submitted the accounts to the members for consideration and approval.
Resolved: to accept these as an accurate record.
24.5.11 Internal audit report
All documentation had been submitted to the new internal auditor by the clerk/RFO; however, a date for the internal audit had not been arranged by the auditor before the meeting.
24.5.12 Certificate of exemption and Agar documentation
The clerk had prepared a certificate of exemption for the parish council together with all annual return documentation and these were with the internal auditor.
Resolved: to arrange an addition council meeting in June to approve all necessary documentation once the internal audit process has been completed.
24.5.13 Highway issues, street lighting
See item 24.5.6
24.5.14 Correspondence and communication
Correspondence forwarded to the members in advance of the meeting and in addition to those covered by the agenda items included: weekly licensing list, SPCA
24.5.15 Items for the next agendas
Asset register and insurance items, parish letter regarding traffic cones, play area equipment and pavilion, mower service, new website. Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024, internal audit, Chairman’s report for 23-24. Additional agenda items to be compiled by the clerk.
24.5.16 Date of the next meeting
Monday, 10th June 2024 audit documentation approval meeting (to be confirmed after internal audit meeting) Wednesday, 10th July 2024 at 7.30 pm ordinary parish council meeting.
Confidential items
24.5.17 Wetton Village Hall
Members of the parish council had met with members of the village hall committee to discuss future issues and insurance. Further information and action will be required.
Resolved: to continue to discuss matters related to the village hall on future agendas
The meeting was declared closed at 9:10pm.
Mrs S Hampson, Clerk
Wetton and Back of Ecton Parish Council
15th May 2024
©Wetton and Back of Ecton Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting