AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF INGESTRE WITH TIXALL PARISH COUNCIL

on March 11th 2020 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Apologies:- Mr N.Bostock

 

1.  Co-option to fill Casual Vacancy

                        Following the advertising of the Casual Vacancy on the Parish Council Notice Boards, there was no request for an election from 10 electors.

                        It is therefore proposed that we should co-opt David Lees to fill the vacancy.

                        The Register of Financial Interests is being updated.

                        The website and notice board lists of Councillors have been updated.

 

2.  Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on January 8th 2020

 

3.   Matters arising from these minutes

1] LOCAL HIGHWAY MATTERS

     Cllr.Francis had previously emailed that he had asked for additional HGV signs and also he had asked for a traffic survey on Holdiford Road as there had been 8 accidents on the bridges in the last 12 months.

 

   The sewage smell by Halfway Houses continues to be monitored.

 

     Following the meeting of the Trent Valley Collaboration Group, 6.2.2020, Dr Andrews is in the process of getting information on the gullies in Ingestre and Tixall.

 

     The serious flooding across the width of the road approaching Hoo Mill crossroads from Tixall, was reported to County Highways, No. 4182612, 28.12.19. In response Amey reported that works had taken place, mainly erecting flood signs, but other works might be pending and the situation would continue to be monitored. The flood was reported again,20.1.2020, No.4185605, the response was; "The inspector has determined that Staffordshire County Council will not be taking any further action."       Staffordshire Highways have been asked to sort out a long term solution to this problem, and Mr Paris supports this, Appendix 11.3.20/App01.  Update.

     There is also a problem with flooding at Ingestre Village Road.

 

 The deep pothole going towards Stafford, just past the entrance to Brancote Sewage Works was reported 16.1.2020, and very promptly repaired.

 

      

            2]  PLANNING APPLICATIONS, ETC.

a) TREE WORKS ON TRENT DRIVE, INGESTRE

               These works are being monitored.

 

           b) CHANGE OF USE AT HEATHCROFT PADDOCK, INGESTRE No.19/31017/COU

                                                                   for Mrs Sam Rowley

               They are now appealing against the refusal to grant change of use.

 

            c) GESTRON EXTENSIONS, INGESTRE for Mr Aaron Chetwynd  No.19/31517/HOU

                   This application has been permitted, 13.2.2020, Appendix 11.3.20/02..

 

            d) CHANGE OF USE FROM BARN TO DWELLING AT BRANCOTE

                 Prior approval was granted on 25.10.2017 for this development

 

 e)  LAND NORTH OF TIXALL MEWS GARAGES - ERECTION OF STABLES, TACKROOM AND

             HAYSTORE AND HARDSTANDINGS.  No.20/31778/FUL for Mr Stephen Tinniswood

      Representations have been sent on this application, 9.2.20, Appendix 11.3.20/03.

     The application is awaiting a decision.

3] HS2

         We have been given a provisional date of March 30th for the Lords Select Committee hearing.

 

4] TRENT VALLEY SOW PARKLANDS AND CANNOCK CHASE AONB HS2 GROUP

      a) RESTORATION AND SECURING OF THE ENTRANCE TO TIXALL ICEHOUSE

            We have now letters of support from the Conservation Officer and Staffordshire Historic Parks and Gardens. We are awaiting a letter from Mr & Mrs Sindrey as landowners granting permission to undertake the project.

            Mr Sindrey has applied for permission to remove the trees from the icehouse and is awaiting this.

               Brian Edgecombe, Structural Engineer, will prepare a drawing for the builder when the entrance has been cleared, and his cost for this is £750 + VAT. We will then get a cost from our builder.

               We have an estimate from a Blacksmith in Stoke to make an iron grill for the entrance to the icehouse chamber at a cost of £340 including a red oxide undercoat and black paint finish.

  

b) SURVEY OF FIELD BY GATEHOUSE & SECURING UNDERGROUND ENTRANCES

               The field by the Gatehouse will be surveyed by the Cannock Chase Volunteers under the guidance of Historic England, free of charge, with a contingency for expenses and a day from Andy Payne of Historic England, if required.

               Mr Sindrey is getting quotes from his son in law for steel plates to cover the underground entrances securely, yet granting access if required, to sit on slightly raised brickwork to compensate for the increased height of the ground due to soil being dumped there when the road was widened.

 

c) STAFFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE CANAL TOWPATH

               A site meeting with the Canal & River Trust, has been arranged for March 23rd, to discuss improving the towpath and the access from Holdiford Road.

 

d) INGESTRE ORANGERY APPLE STORE HERITAGE HUBB

               This project is being progressed by the Orangery.

                In addition Felix Pelper is anxious to create a circular walk from the Apple Store, and route are being considered, but these would require the permission of the relevant landowners.

 

    

5]  TRENT VALLEY COLLABERATION GROUP

    Dr Andrews attended the meeting, 6.2.2020, Appendix 11.3.20/4. The next meeting will be ~ April 30th at Brocton, 2 for 2.30pm.

 

6]    SWIVEL BRIDGE OVER STAFFS & WORC.CANAL

                 Following a request from Mr A.Collier, the Clerk had written to the Canal & River Trust asking them to check it and carry out any necessary remedial work, 29.10.19. As we are still awaiting their reply, the Clerk had emailed them again, 28.12.29.

TansyJane.Moore@canalrivertrust.org.uk replied, 15.1.2020:

"Thank you your enquiry regarding the tree at Swivel Bridge on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. I am sorry we were unable to reply before the 8^th January. An engineer and ecologist from the CRT have visited the site. Please see our  engineer’s feedback below: 

     We have looked at this tree growing on Swivel Bridge several times in the past.  The conclusion we came to last time was the damage is limited to the wingwall/parapet and is not affecting the arch.  In effect the damage has already been done.  If we remove the tree we will certainly have to rebuild the parapet and wingwall.  Providing the arch is not being damaged I am happy to leave the tree for the time being."

 

7]   WELCOME PACKS

                   It appears that one is required for 2, Home Farm Court. Delivered to Gorse Cottage, Tixall.

 

8] FUTURE COVERAGE FOR THE CLERK'S DUTIES

                 We have purchased an HP Laptop with Microsoft Office 2007 Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint; McFee Anti Virus, for £449.99 and an external 1TB Hard Drive for backing up, £49.99, with a total of £83.33 VAT. The purchase of a printer/scanner had been delayed due to lack of space, and need at the present time. In addition a wireless mouse had been purchased for £18 including £3 VAT.

 

     In had been suggested that it might be helpful if Councillors divided up the list of tasks and shadowed the Clerk, so they would be in a position to advise someone in the future.

                 When a new Clerk is eventually appointed they would have completed the official training, and this should enable the Council to become a "Quality Council" with increased spending powers.

Salt & Enson had suggested 17hrs/week, at a cost of ~£9000pa., but this seemed excessive.

 

9] FUTURE OF TRENT DRIVE, INGESTRE

        Dr Andrews had written to the Land Registry, 9.1.20, Appendix 11.3.20/5, but had had no reply.

Sam Caraway was now investigating this with respect to Felix Pepler's project for a circular walk in Ingestre.

 

10] MILLENNIUM AVENUE in HOO MILL LANE

       Mr A.Haenelt had reported that  all the trees needed their trunks clearing, etc. It had been agreed to ask him to quote for carrying out this work.

 

11] BUDGET REVIEW

        We had now received requests from Ingestre & Tixall PCCs for Churchyard maintenance, Appendix 11.3.20/06.

       We had budgeted for £500 for both Churches. Ingestre had spent £144 on servicing their clock and £550 on mowing, a total of £694. Tixall had a deficit of £392 after the income from the Nesbitt Bequest had been deducted from the mowing costs.

 

12] PRECEPT & CONCURRENT MONIES FOR 2020/21

     We had asked for the same precept, £2000, for both parishes and the full concurrent monies, Ingestre, £152 and Tixall, £221.

     This Parish Precept represents a 1.6% decrease in Band D charges for Tixall, and a 1.9% decrease in Band D charges for Ingestre.

     The costs of the uncontested Parish COuncil Elections in May 2019 is less than expected: £72.70 for Ingestre and £79.20 for Tixall.

 

13] ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

This has been arranged for Wednesday April 22nd, ~7.30pm, after the Annual Village Hall meeting at 7pm. Topics for discussion are invited.

 

14]  INGESTRE VILLAGE NOTICE BOARD

     Mr David Lees had kindly offered to have a look at it again, following his limited repairs last year.

     A replacement in Oak, with a 5yr guarantee would cost ~£980;

     A replacement in Aluminium, with a 10yr guarantee would cost ~£1015 - £1400.

 

15] 2019/20 ELECTORAL REGISTERS

These have been received.

 

16] COUNCILLOR TRAINING EVENT WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 12th.

     Mr Lees had attended this and the £20 fee had been paid.

 

4.   Parish Clerk's Report

1] VILLAGE HALL EVENTS

     Staffordshire Industrial Archaeology Society Monday March 2nd, 7.30pm. Mr David Baddeley "Some unusual engines."

     Ingestre & Tixall Local History Group: Wednesday March 25th, 7.45pm, Anne Anne Andrews ""The Brancote Farms."

     Monday March 16th 10am to 12md inaugural Coffee Morning for all ages and all interests.

 

2] LOCAL INFORMATION

     This was available on our website and in the Welcome Pack given to all new residents.

     It had been updated to reflect the removal of the recycling bins at Great Haywood, and the changes to the Police Community Support Officers, now Richard Owen and Rebecca Moores.

 

5.   Parish Council Finances

1] PETTY CASH EXPENDITURE  January 8th to March 11th 2020

 

2] CHEQUES PAID SINCE LAST MEETING

 

3]  CURRENT STATEMENT Appendix 11.3.20/7  To follow 

 

6.  Planning Applications, etc.  Any additional applications received before the meeting will be

       discussed

 

1] DEMOLITION OF GARAGE AND GROUND FLOOR REAR WALL. GROUND FLOOR SIDE

       EXTENSION AND TWO STORY REAR EXTENSION, at 2, Ivy Cottages, Tixall Village.

                                                 No. 20/31843/HOU for Mr D.Bond

                   Representations are being sent, 5.3.20, Appendix 11.3.20/8.

 

2] STAFFORD BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN. 2020 - 2040. ISSUES & OPTIONS

       Mrs Woodhouse and Mr Lees attended this forum on 10.2.2020. We subsequently received a copy of the accompanying Power Point Presentation.

       We are invited to make comments by March 31st, and also on the Biodiversity Draft by March 16th.

 

7.  Correspondence Any additional correspondence received before the meeting will be

       discussed

1] STAFFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

a)   MEMBERS DIGESTS NOS.263 and 264 for January and February - received

Items of interest:

No.263 p2.14  Draft Climate Change Strategy includes 5.5: Improve recycling rates and waste reduction.

No.263 2.51  Empty Property Strategy

 

b) CIVIC AMENITY VISITS 2020

   We have requested visits on April 11^h, June 13^th, August 8^th and October 10^th at a total cost of £800.

c) STAFFORD LITFEST

               On Saturday April 18th at the Gatehouse Theatre, Wolverhampton University and Stafford BC are sponsoring  literary event organised by Stafford Publishers Ltd. This will include book sales.

 

d) WITHDRAWAL OFTHE RECYLCING BINS AT THE VILLAGE HALL

               Dr Andrews had written, 18.1.20, Appendix 11.3.20/09. The Borough Council had subsequently replied, 7.2.20, Appendix 11.3.20/10.

 

e)  PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION ORDER CONSULTATION TO MARCH 2nd

     This applies mainly in Stafford Town and covers anti-social behaviours, and cyclists riding on pedestrianised streets.

 

2] STAFFORDSHIRE PARISH COUNCILS ASSOCIATION (SPCA)

 a) WEEKLY SPCA UPDATES – We had received various information including on:

·         New human resource policies for employees

·         Discrimination - protected characteristics - ethical vegans

·         Loneliness Guide

 

b) SPCA SUBSCRIPTIONS 2020/21

  Our annual subscription of £138, including £25 affiliation fee to the NALC, is now due.

 

3]  STAFFORDSHIRE TITHE MAP DIGITISATION PROJECT

     We have now received our digital copies of the Tixall and Ingestre tithe maps following our donation of £100 to the project, some years ago.

 

4]  WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

     New regulations come into force in September 2020.  Our website appears to be OK, but we have been offered a free template by a commercial company.

 

5] STAFFORDSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE. DRAFT SAFETY PLAN 2020 - 2024

     Received.

 

6] ADVERTISEMENTS

Received from: Funding Consultant; Glasdon Street furniture, etc. and Broxap Litter and Recycling Bins.

 

 

The next  Parish Council Meeting will be the Annual Meeting of the Council, followed by an ordinary meeting on May 13th.