Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 29th. September 2022 in the Upstairs Room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon at 7.00pm.

Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).

Councillors S. Dickinson, C. Hogan, R. Lovell & K. Shaw.

In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.

One member of the Public.

40/22 Apologies for Absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T. Beastall & District Councillor N. Hawkins.

41/22 Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

42/22 Chairman’s Address.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance at the meeting.

43/22 Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

44/22 Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11th. August 2022 had been circulated and it was agreed that the minutes be signed as a true copy.

45/22 Matters Arising.

(a) Applications for Co-opted Councillors.

The newly co-opted Councillor, Conor Hogan, had duly signed the Declaration of Office.

It was reported that there had been no further applications for the remaining vacancy. Advertising the vacancy would continue.

(b) Memorial Seat.

An unofficial approach had been made to a construction company undertaking a very large contract near to the suggested site for the seat asking if it would be prepared to supply the concrete base for the seat. It had indicated that there should be no problem with this. Further contact would be undertaken. The actual site was still to be agreed.

(c) Defibrillator Machine.

The defibrillator had been collected and returned after the software update.

(d) Seat in Sutherland Road.

It was reported that the oak bars for the seat had been ordered from a local supplier. The cost of the bars was reported as £200.00 + V.A.T.

(d) Tow Path on the Leek Arm of the Caldon Canal.

The problem with the overgrowths on the tow path between the bridges on Denford Road and Sutherland Road had been reported to the Canals & Rivers Trust and an acknowledgement received (e) Road Safety on A53 Leek Road, Longsdon.

An email had been sent to the Technical Support Officer of Staffs. County Council to enquire what, if any, promised enforcement action had been taken on the matter but no reply had been received. A further request would be sent.

46/22 Other Business.

(a) HM Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022.

Upon the demise of Her Majesty the opening page of the Council’s website was updated to offer Longsdon’s sympathy to the Royal Family and to let people know where an on line book of condolence could be signed.

A discussion took place on how best to commemorate the late Queen. Various suggestions were made but it was agreed to place a notice on the Council’s website asking parishioners for their ideas.

(b) Website Contract.

It was reported that there would be no problem with setting up a direct debit on the Council’s bank account for payments for the contract. The Chairman would now transfer the account into the Council name. The site had already had an upgrade.

(c) Village Amenities Area(s).

A discussion took place on whether the Council should instigate the provision of amenity areas. It was felt that legal advice would be necessary. The matter was deferred until a later date.

(d) Remembrance Sunday.

It was agreed that the Council’s large poppies would be displayed as last year.

47/22 Correspondence.

The following were reported:-

The Pensions Regulator now required Re-enrolment and Re-declaration of the Council as an employer. This to be dealt with.

From Karen Bradley M.P. - Community Volunteers Celebration Event – Sunday 12th. November 2022 Notice of road closure of Dunwood Lane on 28th. October 2022.

Moorlands Climate Change Action notice of speaker on Sunday 6th. November 2022.

“20’s Plenty for Staffordshire” presentation – Tuesday 25th. October 2022.

48/22 Planning Matters.

There was no business under this item.

49/22 Finance Matters.

(a) H. M. Revenue & Customs had imposed two £100.00 fines for supposedly late returns. This problem was entirely due to the irregular periods of payments to the Clerk. After representations the fines were rescinded.

(b) Orders for Payment.

It was agreed that the following items be paid:

50/22 Public Comments.

There was no business under this item.

51/22 Items for Inclusion in the Agenda for the Next Meeting.

Setting up of an Interest Earning Bank Account.

52/22 Date of Next Meeting.

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Thursday 1st. December 2022 at 7.00pm in the upstairs room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon.