SHENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
Serving Little Aston, Shenstone, Stonnall, Shenstone Wood End, Lynn, Parish Council Office 25C Main Street Shenstone WS14 OLZ
Tel: 01543 481 947
e-mail: <admin@shenstone-staffs.gov.uk >
web: www.shenstone-staffs.gov.uk
Approved minutes pf meeting of Full Council held on Tuesday Oct 11th 2022 at Shenstone Village Hall at 7.15pm
84 Register of members in attendance.
Cllr David Salter – Chair (Shenstone Wood End), Cllrs Sheila Beilby, Gail Nicholls & Val Neale (Stonnall), Cllr Kelly Harrison (Little Aston). Cllrs Lesley Edgley, Stuart Jones, Neil Perry, Rita Hancocks (Shenstone).
PCSO Andrea Horsnall. Mr Ed Connick.
Mrs Leona Leung, Mr Duncan Gleig & Mr Phil Whitehouse.
85 Acceptance of apologies.
Cllrs David Thompson, Mick Cox & Nick Smith.
District Cllr Elizabeth Little. County Cllr David Smith.
86 Public Participation.
Members of the public are invited to address Council for a maximum of 15 minutes.
PCSO Horsnall briefed Council on the crime stats since early Sept. There have been 32 calls from Little Aston, 18 from Stonnall & 114 from Shenstone ranging from crime, transport issues, suspicious incidents, safety & concerns for others.
Distraction burglaries are a major concern with SMART alerts sent out warning elderly residents to be vigilant. The Clerk confirmed that the alerts have been printed and are being distributed to all homes across Shenstone & Stonnall.
Mr Whitehouse asked the PCSO if there is a communication plan. The PCSO responded that the smart alerts will be followed up with leaflet drops to households.
She also confirmed that British Transport Police are assisting the investigations as the offenders may be travelling in & out of Shenstone via train.
Vehicle crime is on the increase with the darker nights and residents are advised to be extra careful to lock vehicles & not leave items on display. Sadly, as the cost of living rises, crime is also expected to increase.
Noise complaints have been received from residents near the pubs in the centre of Shenstone which will be looked into.
Community Speedwatch is starting up again very soon with hopefully a team of ten.
Junior Cadets is also starting again soon at local schools.
New PCSO Tom Passmore joining soon.
87 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
88 To accept and confirm minutes of the last Full Council meeting on Tuesday 27th Sept 2022
Duly accepted & signed.
89 Update from Clerk on outstanding issues. Inc Pine Trees problem alongside station track, Admiral Parker Drive.
County Cllr David Smith shared the following via email
You may recall this has been raised with me as a County Highways issue and was raised as a safety issue with the tram operator. Their view was that any major work would require the closure of the line at both considerable cost and inconvenience unless it was done on a day when the trains were not running. If the trees represented a railway hazard they will have to take a different view.
The trees are on County land and many were planted by residents and are totally inappropriate varieties but until we can get cooperation from the railway we are in a stalemate. If it’s the Councils wish I will again pursue the matter.
In the meantime, the County Tree Officer has agreed to give his assessment next week.
Lengthsman vehicle.
A parking space behind the Parish Office has been agreed by our landlord Russell Edwards.
This means that Council may now consider a vehicle for the Lengthsman to store & transport tools. RESOLUTION : It was agreed to adjourn until November to consider further.
90 To receive reports from District and County Councillors.
Cllr Salter reported that Lichfield District Council are that evening considering the proposal of a Cinema in the old Debenhams building.
91 Finance.
Current financial position & transactions for approval as of 11th Oct 2022. Use this link to access this month’s financial transactions spreadsheet
Unity account £162,477.68.
Nat West Current Account £905.00. Nat West Business Reserve £53,349.66 & Nat West Liquidity Account Ring Fenced Funds for ear marked projects £112,649.32.
Following receipt & payment of all invoices related to St Johns restoration & safety work £20,000 needs to be transferred from the £25,000 ear marked funds in the Nat West Liquidity Account to cover these costs. RESOLUTION : Fully approved.
Community Grant applications for 2022/23 will be advertised from Oct 24th.
92 Planning.
Approve planning applications received and update on any objections/ developments. Use this link to access this month’s planning applications spreadsheet
Tender invitations have been published for ground work maintenance at St Johns Cemetery.
Full specs will be sent to any interested parties.
Re Oakwood Close Lammas Land infringement , Pickerings are in the process of compiling the first letter of the legal investigation.
93 Councillor vacancies: update on interviews.
Confirm appointments of three new Councillors : Leona Leung (Shenstone), Duncan Gleig & Phil Whitehouse (Stonnall & Little Aston). RESOLUTION : Fully ratified.
94 Request for a new litter bin next to the restored Old Tower, St Johns Cemetery £450.00 & add to schedule of works.
RESOLUTION : Fully approved.
95 Shenstone & Stonnall Renewable Energy Feasibilty Study: update & next steps
The Feasibility Study is waiting sign off of the Executive Summary by the Working Group.
96 Newsletter. The next newsletter is planned for early November.
All articles for publication required by Oct 27th.
97 Next meeting of Full Council Tues 8th Nov 2022 at Stonnall Community Centre, 7.15pm.
