Approved minutes of Full Council meeting held on Tuesday Dec 12^th at Stonnall Community Centre.

126 Register of members in attendance

Cllrs Gail Nicholls, Mick Cox, Val Neale & Dino D’Ambrosio (Stonnall), Cllrs Stuart Jones, Lesley Edgley (Chair), David Thompson, Christopher Callow, (Shenstone), Cllr Stuart Harrison (Little Aston). County Cllr David Smith.

Cllr David Salter joined the meeting for the last thirty minutes after a previous District meeting.

Shirley O’Mara (Clerk).

127 Acceptance of apologies.

Cllr Phil Whitehouse. Cllr Leone Leung. Cllr Ruth Graham. Cllr Simon Fisher. Cllr Emma Scothern

128 Public Participation.

Members of the public are invited to address Council for a maximum of 15 minutes.

The Clerk read out the following data from PCSO Tom Passmore:

Calls to the Police in the last month : Shenstone 85 Calls- 16 crimes,1 Burglary, 6 thefts from vans ( tool related thefts ) 1 Anti-Social behaviour.

Stonnall 9 calls-1 crime & 1 Anti-Social behaviour. Little Aston 27 calls-7- crimes 1 – Burglary

There is a drop-in session arranged at Dobbie’s Garden Centre on 16^th December between 13.00-15.00 focusing on crime prevention with more community engagement events in the New year.

129 Declarations of interest. Members should consider whether they should partake in any discussion or vote on matters on the agenda unless they have a dispensation:

None

130 To accept and confirm minutes of the last Full Council meeting on Tuesday 14^th Nov 2023.

Amended draft minutes duly signed & accepted

131 Clerk’s update on outstanding issues from last meeting.

Tree outside Edwards Rest, Stonnall.

Following advice from Staffs County Council that this location is not suitable and an alternative location should be found, Cllr Cox has shared this information with the resident. There will be no further action.

Adoption of phone box on Smarts Avenue. All paperwork completed & contract signed.

Cllr D’Ambrosio will forward information from “Community Heartbeat” to the Clerk for action towards adding a defibrillator.

Members thanked Cllr D’Ambrosio for his work on this to date.

Cllr Jones mentioned also adding a shelf for books if there is room.

The Clerk updated Council on storage for the larger items of Lengthsmans tools which has been very kindly offered by Cllr Callow at The Bulls Head. Thanks were extended by Members.

A separate storage cupboard will be purchased for outside the rear of the Parish office after permission from the landlord to use additional space.

132 To receive reports from District and County Councillors.

County Cllr Smith shared with Council email correspondence between himself and the Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffs County with regard to County’s Communities Strategy- Engaging with our Communities. Cllr Smith expressed his concern that much of what this strategy covers is the same as the Neighbourhood Plan refreshes & that they need to be aligned. Cllr Thompson said that the Neighbourhood Plan Consultants are aware of the Strategy, which is focused on good communities, being neighbourly and volunteering rather than shaping planning policy.

Cllr Smith has had a very constructive meeting with Shire Oak Quarry looking at what happens with the site after its ten years of liability ends. Cllr Thompson gave examples of what can be achieved quoting another site locally.

133 Finance.

Current financial position & transactions for approval as of 12^th Dec 2023. Link to financial transactions spreadsheet

Nat West Current Account £905.00. Nat West Business Reserve £54,016.47.

Nat West Liquidity Account ring fenced funds for earmarked projects £94,795.39.

Unity Bank Account £98,400.

Community Grant reminder letters have been sent out.

Next meeting of Finance, Legal, Health & Safety Committee Tues Jan 23rd 2024, at 5.30 pm Shenstone Community Library.

134 Planning.

Approve planning applications received in last month and update on any objections inc rear of 8-16 Main Street, Shenstone. Link to planning spreadsheet

Cllr Thompson briefed as follows:

• Planning application for Haddon House, Shenstone has been withdrawn though a further application is likely.

• Planning application 23/01322/FUL Richard Cooper Road: no objection as volume increases keeping basically to the same height and footprint are becoming more frequent and increasingly passed through the planning system.

• Application for development of two apartments at the rear of 8-16 Main Street, Shenstone: objection submitted as well as objections from neighbours. Significant impact on trees with 15 earmarked for removal. Shenstone Environmental Group requested to add an objection.

135 Neighbourhood Plan refreshes: update & next steps from three Wards.

Cllr Thompson briefed as follows:

• Two meetings to date with Navigus

• Currently data gathering for submission of a revised plan for Shenstone & Little Aston in March.

• Dates identified for public consultation events in early March which will be drop-in sessions.

• Also leaflet drops to homes identifying key questions & requesting feedback, a response option added to Parish Council website and use of social media across wards.

• There will be planning policy recommendations and a list of wider community aspirations included in outcomes for both areas.

Cllr Cox updated members on progress with the Stonnall neighbourhood plan refresh. There has been contact with Navigus and a draft agenda is ready for the planned meeting on 17^th Jan at 7.30 at Stonnall Community Centre. All are welcome.

136 Update on Heat Networks Development Unit bid for government funding by LDC/South Staffs Water Ltd by 31.12.23.

A meeting will be held on Wednesday with Cllr Cox of Lichfield District Council & the Director of Finance to approve a Heat Networks Development Unit funding bid and agreement to South Staffs Water proposals for 33% match funding.

137 Lammas Land Boundary incursion: update & next steps

The Clerk has been in contact with DAS Legal Expenses, who represent the Council’s Insurers, and submitted all documentation requested relating to the Lammas Land boundary incursion investigation. Specific advice is pending but Council is requested not to take legal action at this stage.

138 Shenstone Playing Fields Committee play area renewal consultation update.

The consultation is ongoing with Shenstone Playing Fields Management Committee now looking at an alternative proposal from the successful bidder. There has been very positive feedback overall but strong opposition from residents of Lincoln Croft who have expressed huge discomfort to the initial plans.

Cllrs Thompson & Jones are closely involved with the Management Committee & Cllr Callow said he was willing to be included also. Ongoing consultation must be ensured following any revisions.

139 Clerk salary review

Cllr Edgley took the minutes on this item as the Clerk was not present for discussions.

• Council wished to record an apology to the Clerk for the handling of point 119 at the November meeting. Council felt that the proposals should have been better prepared, presented and discussed.

• An agreed appraisal process has been established for the future with the Chair appointed as the Clerk’s line manager.

• Third party advice was obtained from the SPCA & internal auditor to inform decisions.

• A review and new job description to be approved.

RESOLUTION: Council unanimously approved a remuneration increase to LC2 Scale 31 back dated to April 2023. From 1^st April 2024 this will change to Scale 32.

140 Maintenance of traffic islands.

It was agreed that the Movecorp signs need to be removed from the roundabout in Little Aston & the Pinfold Hill roundabout needs hedge maintenance before bird nesting starts.

Also, Lengthsman to conduct an assessment on quality of road signage.

141 Next meeting of Full Council Tues 9^th Jan 2024 at Little Aston Village Hall 7.15pm.