Tuesday 13th January 2009 at 7.15pm

Little Aston Primary School, Forge Lane, Little Aston

 

Present

Councillors

D. Salter

Chairman

 

 

 

 

P. Hadley

Vice-chairman

 

 

 

 

Mrs. S. Beilby

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. J. Coton

 

 

 

 

 

T. Cox

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. R. Hancocks

District Councillor 

Late Arrival

 

 

 

C. Hollingsworth

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. S. McGing

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr J. Mason

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. E. Minchin

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. V. Neale 

 

 

 

 

 

I. Sanderson

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr. Mrs. J. Summers

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs V Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. J. Wilson

 

 

 

 

Clerk

Mrs  S. Nelson

 

 

 

 

Councillor

Cllr. Mrs. E. Bayliss

Staffordshire County Council

 

 

Apologies

 

None received

 

 

 

Members of the Public

4 (register available for inspection)

 

Minute No

 

Action

 

118

Up to 15 Minutes Public Participation  (if required)

 

 

118.1  
  • Mr. Gary Cantelo – Representing Pathfinder Football Club presented a petition to council signed by 760 individuals including residents from within the parish, local football teams and other interested parties
  • The Petition posed the question Ô Shenstone Pathfinder FC is in danger of having

To move its home after 30 years and desperately needs the support of users of the club and people of the village to convince the Parish Council to allow us to stay.  If you can support us please sign below: Ô

  • Members of the Pathfinder Football Club reported that they have been overwhelmed by the support they have received and a copy of the petition was presented to the Chairman
  • David Salter Chairman Shenstone Parish Council  confirmed receipt of the petition and thanked the Members of the Pathfinder Football Club for the work undertaken
  • Calls were again made for the Parish Council to address why the Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee is considered dysfunctional
  • Mr. Jon Penrose requested that full clarification be given as to why the SPMFC is considered dysfunctional and requested that Members consider the work that has been undertaken by these members on a voluntary basis for the benefit of Shenstone Parishioners and how this ruling from Council could be deemed contentious
  • David Salter Chairman Shenstone Parish Council endorsed the comments made and advised that as soon as Shenstone Parish Council is in a position to comment further it would do so.  He also thanked Mr. Graeme Heanen for sending questions for consideration by Shenstone Parish Council prior to this meeting – herewith the questions raised and responses provided;

 

Please find below answers to some of the questions you raised in your e-mail to me dated Friday 9th January 2009.   As you will see there are still matters that cannot presently be discussed until further information and relevant advice  is received and so remain Ôsub-judiceÕ.  (Shenstone Parish Council) ~

 

Q . In reference to SPCÕs letter to Cllr P Hadley dated 17 Oct 2008 re. SPFMC

With respect to item 1 ÒGrant FundingÓ can the Parish Council please confirm what they  

referred to as Ôadequate actionÕ required to be taken? Furthermore, will this now re-

instate Grant Funding once fulfilled?  (SPFMC)

A This item remains sub-judice – as advised at recent Parish Council meetings (Shenstone Parish Council

Q. SPC August Newsletter to Parishioners

This makes reference to Ò£4k committed to refurbishing & replacing play equipmentÓ.                            

Please can the Parish Council confirm that:

i) This has been allocated? A The money referred to is allocated towards the total costs of  

any refurbishment of the childrenÕs play area located at Shenstone Playing Fields.

ii) Where and how this has been allocated? A  The money is allocated in the 2008 to 2009

Shenstone Parish Council budget towards the refurbishment of the childrenÕs play area,  

any costs over and above £4K to be secured from alternative sources.  

iii) If so, under what authority was this work undertaken? A Do you refer to the minor  

remedial works that have recently been completed on site?  These were identified as a  cause for concern by a risk assessment survey commissioned by Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee a copy of which was issued to Shenstone Parish Council, the work was undertaken under the Parish CouncilÕs temporary assumed duty of care.

Q  SPC August Newsletter to Parishioners

This also makes reference to a Óworking PartyÓ focussing upon the childrenÕs play area. In light of the advice received by the Charity Commission, can SPC please confirm what their future plans are with regards to continuing their earlier stated intentions upon this matter?

A The working party has been established by the Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee and as such has no delegated authority. Shenstone Parish Council remains Committed to fund up to a maximum of £4000 as previously advised

  • David Salter – Chairman Shenstone Parish Council – thanked the parishioners for their attendance and for raising their concerns and assured all that it is receiving full Council attention.  It was acknowledged the length of time taken has been considerable, but advised that as soon as appropriate legal advice received Shenstone Parish Council will contact members of Fhenstone Playing Fields Management Committee to advise next course of action.

 

 

119

Apologies

 

 

119.1

No apologies recorded – Full Parish Council Committee in attendance

 

 

120

Minutes of the previous Full Parish Council Meeting held Tuesday 9th December 2008

 

 

120.1

i)  Amended as follows:  Councillor T. Cox in attendance

ii)  Councillor Mrs. V. Neale had sent apologies

Once these amendments made:

ii)  Shenstone Parish Council Minutes were agreed by Members as a true and accurate record of the Parish Council Meeting held Tuesday 9th December 2008 and were proposed and seconded and duly signed and dated by Chairman.

 

 

121

Matters Arising from Minutes (for information only)

 

 

121.1

No matters arising

 

 

122

Declaration of Interest on Agenda Items

 

 

122.1

No declarations of interest received

 

 

123

Lynn Lane Embankment Stabilisation Scheme

 

 

123.1

i)  Members from Stonnall Ward expressed their concern regarding the participants of meeting to be arranged with Staffordshire Highways Team and County Councillor Mrs. E. Baylis

ii)  Stonnall parishioners have advised Stonnall Ward Councillors the importance of re-instating the verges after the proposed work has been completed

iii)  Further information required from Staffordshire Highways and a more detailed map required

Clerk to contact Staffordshire Highways for further information for publication in subsequent Parish Council newsletter

iv)  Stonnall Member called for more representation of Stonnall Councillors at the meeting due to be held at Shenstone Parish Council Offices with Highways, County Councillor E. Bayliss and representatives from SOS, SCAR and the Stonnall Conservation Society

v)  County Councillor Erica Bayliss confirmed she would contact Staffordshire Highways team to secure further information and report back to the Council asap.

ONGOING

 

124

Shenstone Playing Fields

Confidential – This Section of the Meeting to be closed to Members of the public

 

 

124.1  

i)  Update

Members were updated with current status regarding legal position of Shenstone Parish Council in relation to the Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee

Members were given details of telephone meeting with Lichfield District Council legal representative Bal Nahal and Lichfield District Council legal team kept appraised of the current situation which is causing concern.

ii)  Response to request for meeting with representatives of Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee

This was debated and Members acknowledged that as soon as Shenstone Parish Council have concluded its legal consultation process a decision will be made concerning the requested meeting

iii)  Response to request for meeting with representatives of Pathfinders Football Club

This was debated and Members acknowledged that as soon as Shenstone Parish Council

have concluded its legal consultation process a decision will be made concerning the requested meeting..

RESOLVED:  TO SEEK SPECIALIST  LEGAL CLARIFICATION REGARDING THE EXACT LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SHENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE FOR SPFMC (Charity Number 701404) AS SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE

 

Council agreed to adjourn the item and defer it to a single issue extraordinary closed meeting to be held on Monday 19th January at 6.00pm.  Venue:  Committee Room of Shenstone Village Hall.  This decision was accepted as calling notice and agenda.

ONGOING

 

125

Lammas Land / Little Holms

 

 

125.1

Awaiting final report from Lammas Land Management Committee to send to Lichfield District Council for S106 application -  should be available end January beginning February 2009

Ongoing

 

126

Request for Grant Funding  -  Historic Church Tower,  Shenstone

 

 

126.1

i) The historic/redundant Church Tower located at St. Johns closed graveyard, Shenstone required essential safety maintenance

ii)  A grant fund of £264.00 has been provided by the District Heritage Fund towards this work and there is a shortfall of £86.00 required for the total cost of £350.00

iii)  Members discussed this and

Proposed:  Shenstone Parish Council to grant fund the sum of £86.00 to St. JohnÕs Church Shenstone towards cost of essential maintenance of the redundant Church Tower

This proposal was seconded and carried unanimously

 

 

127

Model Publication Scheme  -  Freedom of Information Act for Adoption

 

 

 

i) Members were provided a copy of the Freedom of Information Act – Model publication scheme – checklist for public authorities and were made aware that from 1st January 2009 there will be one approved model scheme which all authorities are required to adopt

ii)  Existing authorities should operate the new scheme from 1st January 2009

iii) Authorities which do not have an approved publication scheme or do not make information available in accordance with it will be in breach of the Freedom of Information Act.

Resolved:  Shenstone Parish Council resolve to adopt and maintain a publication scheme which has been approved by the Information Commissioner and to publish information in accordance with the scheme.

 

 

128

Committee minutes, reports and recommendations

 

 

128.1

Planning (latest minutes attached)

 

 

 

i)  Update

  • Planning committee running well,  response has been sent to Lichfield District Council regarding the Local Development Framework
  • Next meeting to be held Monday 26th January 2009 at 6pm at Shenstone Parish Council Office

 

 

128.2

Finance & Legal

Clerk

 

 

i)   Update

Committee running well and accounts in healthy position

Following Recommendations  made by the Finance Committee the Parish Council:

  • Resolved - Payment made on behalf of SPFMC by Shenstone Parish Council for £210.00 for additional Public Liability Insurance for Bonfire Night to be reimbursed by SPFMC
  • Resolved – Payment of up to £750 for specific legal advice from Martineau Johnson Solicitors Charities and Trust Department

ii)  Accounts for payment

Were presented to all Members and approved and cheques signed off for payment

iii) Precept 2009 to 2010

Members discussed the Precept request from Lichfield District Council for 2009 to 2010

Further to prudent expenditure and considering the current economic climate is was agreed that the Precept should remain at same rate as 08/09 - £129,000.00

Resolved:  Shenstone Parish Council to request £129,000 Precept for Financial Year 2009 to 2010

iv) Traffic Island Sponsorship update

  • Funds still outstanding for 2 road traffic islands – clerk asked to contact and request intentions
  • A new sponsor has been found for Rosemary Hill Road Traffic Island at £2000 rental per annum – clerk to organise arrangements

 

 

128.3

Community Liaison (latest minutes attached)

 

 

 

i)   February 2009 Newsletter – delivery and format

8 page newsletter to be delivered to all households within parish in February

Appeal for content made

Draft edition will be available for Members approval prior to next Full Council Meeting

ii)  Website

Amendments to web site ongoing

iii) Notice Boards  

Clerk to ensure notices sent to Members responsible for updating notice boards for Stonnall and Little Aston

 

 

128.4

Property, Health and Safety (latest minutes attached)

Clerk  

 

 

i)   Update

  • Chairman of PHS Committee reported all running well.
  • Awaiting delivery of bench and litter bin for bus stop – Shenstone
  • Tree maintenance – opposite Court Drive/Richard Cooper Road – awaiting two further quotation

ONGOING

 

129

Correspondence

 

 

129.1

For action (report attached)

 

 

129.2

For attention (report attached)

 

 

129.3

For general information (report attached)

 

 

130

Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting

 

 
  •  

Tuesday 10th February 2009 – 7.15pm  Stonnall Youth and Community Centre, Stonnall

 

 
  •  

Tuesday 10th March 2009  -  7.15pm  Shenstone Village Hall,  Barnes Road, Shenstone