Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 17^th June 2021 in the Upstairs Room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon at 7.00pm.

15/21 Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from District Councillor N. Hawkins.

16/21 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

17/21 Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

18/21 Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

19/21 Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the virtual meeting held on 6th. May 2021 had been circulated and it was now agreed that they be signed as a true and correct record.

20/21 Matters Arising.

(a) Resignations.

The Electoral Officer had been informed of the two Councillor resignations and had issued the normal statutory notice which had been published. As this had attracted no responses the Officer had informed the Parish Council that it was now at liberty to co-opt any electors to fill the vacancies. It was agreed that these vacancies be advertised on the notice boards and the Council’s website with applications for the vacancies to be discussed at the next meeting.

(b) Bus Shelter.

The delivery of the new bus shelter had again been delayed but has eventually arrived and had been erected but there were numerous parts missing but delivery of these had been promised. The contractor had agreed to fit these on arrival at no extra cost.

(c) Details of Remembrance Sunday Items.

Information had been obtained about the manufacture of the large poppies from the local volunteer who had agreed to provide a template. It was agreed to purchase four sheets of the material required at an approx cost of £4.50 per sheet.
It was reported that the cheque for £20.00 sent as a donation to the local branch of the British Legion in November had still not been cashed. The cheque could no longer be presented.

(d) St. Chad’s Church Clock.

The Church Administrator had again been contacted and had now reported that the appeal had been officially launched, the Church of England will not pay for any repairs or maintenance to St. Chads and for the clock to be operated electrically there would be a need to seek out a faculty from the DAC office which was likely to be refused as St. Chads is listed.

(e) Planting of the Village Tubs.

It was reported that the Council’s lengthsman had already re-planted the village flower tubs. It was agreed to ask him to provide and plant an additional flower tub next to the public seat in Denford Road.

(f) New Gateway off Gratton Lane.

It was re-iterated that this matter was now being investigated by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

(g) Refurbishment of Parish Benches.

An estimate had been received from the Council’s lengthsman in the sum of £175.00 to paint the seats woodwork with wood stain and Hammerite to the metal parts. It was agreed that this estimate be accepted.

21/21 Other Business.

(a) Fly Tipping at the old New Inn Site.

District Councillor Hawkins had sent a report that the hoarding at the old New Inn site had been broken into and some fly tipping had taken place. This had been reported to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and the hoarding had now been reinstated.

(b) School in Longsdon Memorial Hall.

A resident had contacted the Council asking for information regarding an alleged school being held in Longsdon Memorial Hall. A reply had been forward to say that the Parish Council had no input into this matter and suggested contacting the Memorial Hall Committee.
However an approach had been received from a member of the Memorial Hall Committee asking if the Parish Council could help to get “School” signs erected on the main road. It was agreed that as this was a matter for the County Council, County Councillor Gill Heath be approached.

(c) Dog Waste / Litter Bin.

A request had been received for a Dog Waste / Litter Bin to be sited near to Horse Bridge in Sutherland Road, Longsdon. The Chairman gave the history on this matter when Staffordshire Moorlands District Council refused to replace one which it had removed in error despite the Parish Council offering to purchase a replacement but the Moorlands Council wanted £300.00 per year to service the said bin.
It was agreed to contact the Moorlands Council again stating that there was now more footfall and health hazards due to the Covid emergency.

22/21 Correspondence.

Live & Local Indoor & Outdoor Performances.     ) Already
Staffordshire Moorlands Climate Change News.  ) Distributed
Hug Green Arts Festival – 26th. June 2021.       ) to Councillors.

Information had been received that the Dougie Mac & the Donna Louise Trust Charities were now united.

23/21 Planning.

Councillors discussed the following planning application and agreed to forward no objections, subject to normal planning guidelines, to:

• SMD/2021/0538 Proposed Replacement Conservatory with Orangery & Link Section to Garage at Churnet Croft,
  • Wood Lane, Longsdon

24/21 Finance Matters.

(a) Half yearly Lengthsman invoices together with a statement had been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council but no re-imbursement had been received. It was agreed to contact the Chief Executive Officer of the Moorlands Council to ask for an explanation.

(b) The Clerk confirmed that the Council’s insurance had been renewed with Zurich Municipal.

(c) The Council’s internal auditor, Chris Neufeld, had completed the Annual Internal Audit Report 2020 / 2021 without any adverse comments.
Copies of the necessary documents connected with the following three minute items had already been distributed to Councillors.

(d) As the Council’s turnover was less than £25,000.00 it was agreed that the Exemption Certificate for an External Audit be signed and submitted.

(e) It was agreed that the Annual Governance Statement 2020 / 2021 be approved and signed.

(f) It was agreed that the Accounting Statement 2020 / 2021 be approved and signed.

(g) Orders for Payment.

It was agreed that the following items be paid:

25/21 Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

26/21 Items for Inclusion in the Agenda for the Next Meeting.

There was no business under this item.

27/21 Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Thursday 5th August 2021 at 7.00pm in the upstairs room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon.