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AGENDA

68/21 – Public Open Session

Time for this session is limited to 30 minutes as per Standing Order number 3F. Members of the Public are invited to address the Parish Council (limited to 3 minutes per person as per Standing Order number 3G).

69/21 – Apologies

To receive and note apologies for absence

70/21 – Police Matters

a)       To receive for information monthly Police Report

  1. To receive an update on the meeting with the Chief Inspector Wain

71/21 –  Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

To receive Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests from the Agenda

 

72/21 –  Code of Conduct

To approve requests for Code of Conduct Dispensations.  (A request for a dispensation must be made in writing to the Clerk and be granted by decision of the Council)

 

73/21 – South Staffordshire Council

  1. To receive reports from District Councillors for information
  2. To receive update on grounds management plan
  3. Planning Applications for consideration:

Application no.: 21/00988/FUL

Location: 106 Richmond Drive, Perton

Proposed: Two storey side extension

 

 

 

74/21 – Minutes

  1. To approve minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13th September 2021
  2. To receive for information draft minutes from the following committees/working parties:

Management Committee 15th September 2021

Planning Committee 23rd September 2021

Finance Committee held 5th October  2021

 

75/21 – Finance

  1. To approve list of Payments for approval September 2021
  2. To receive the Cash Book to date for information
  3. The receive the Income Statement to date for information
  4. To receive the Expenditure and Budget to Date for information
  5. Grant Request – Perton Craft Group
  6. To review and note Precept considerations / projects for January budget meeting
  7. To appoint a member to the Finance Committee to fill the vacancy

 

76/21 – Staffordshire County Council

  1. To receive and discuss the report from County Councillor
  2. To discuss imposing a 7.5 tonne weight limit to Wrottesley Park Road
  3. To receive an update from the SCC/SPCA webinar held on 27th September 2021

 

77/21 – Policies

a)            For review and amend where necessary – no amendments recommended

  1. Scheme of Delegation
  2. Data Audit – GDPR
  3. b) Policies reviewed by relevant committees with the following recommendations.
  4. Petty Cash –no amendments
  5. Grant Policy – no amendments

 

78/21 – Reports – to receive the following reports for information.

  1. Weekly Clerks Reports
  2. Environmental Report
  3. Hot Water/heating update

 

79/21– Christmas Tree – Anders Square  

To discuss purchase, installation and dressing costs of the 22ft tree

80/21– SPCA

a)       To receive nominations to the Executive Committee

  1. To discuss motions for debate at AGM to be held on 6th December 2021

 

81/21 – Date and time of next meeting

Full Council Meeting of Perton Parish Council – 8th November 2021 at 7pm, Perton Civic Centre.

 

Crime & Disorder Implications
Section 17 of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998, places a duty on a local authority to consider crime and disorder implications and to exercise its various functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions and to do all that it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in its area.
Where relevant any decisions made at the Parish Council meeting have taken this duty of care into consideration.

 

We kindly request that all councillors and members of the public planning to attend, take a lateral flow test prior to arrival.  In the event of a positive result please do not attend, instead follow Government advice.

Hand sanitising and social distancing measures will be in place.  Masks will be mandatory unless a valid exemption applies.

Minutes

 

Minutes of the meeting of Perton Parish Council, held at Perton Civic Centre on Monday 11th October 2021, 7.00pm

PRESENT:

Councillors Mrs PA Allen, AA Bourke, R Bradley, N Caine, P Davis , K Elder (Chairman),

D Glynn (Vice- Chairman), Mrs A James, C Rathbone, J Sherlock, Mrs B Walters

 

Parish Clerk Mrs B Hodgetts

Assistant Parish Clerk Mrs L Higgins

Members of the public – 17

South Staffordshire Council Representatives – M Jenkinson and R Taylor (part of meeting)

PCSO A Tooth   (part of meeting)

 

68/21 – PUBLIC OPEN SESSION

A representative from Perton Middle School raised their concerns regarding funding from Staffordshire County Council in respect of repairs required.  A visit from County councillor Abrahams would be welcome.  PPC to support the school in lobbying the County, copying in Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP.

Several members of the public once again raised their concerns at the lack of grounds maintenance, maintenance of the river.  Councillors assured the residents that the District and Parish Councillors are raising their concerns.

There are some areas where flytipping has occurred, SSDC representatives were given locations and will arrange collection.  A traffic cone and lifebelts are in the lake and logs left at the side of the river Penk all need removing.

There is concern with vehicles obstructing pavements or parking illegally.  PCSO informed that these can be reported to 101, alternatively report online.  Perton Academy have signed up to Parking Stars which is a new scheme with a QR code to help report issues.

Could SSDC liaise with the County Council and other authorities to report maintenance requirements?

Illegal use of the bus lane is continuing to be an issue, PCSO A Tooth has agreed to patrol the bus lane when possible, unfortunately he cannot issue tickets, he will try to get a Special Constable to accompany him who can issue them.  Unfortunately the ANPR camera has been delayed, the Parish Council are very concerned about this and will be following it up with the County Council.

Footpaths in Cornovian Close need to be reported by the resident to the County Council, Councillor Caine is not happy with this response.

Resolved to move standing order 3f) to allow further public participation.

Electric scooters are becoming a nuisance, these are illegal to use in public spaces unless part of trial scheme.  PCSO Tooth has raised this issue but this needs a formal operation put into place.

Speeding motorists – the side roads around Perton should be 20mph, unfortunately traffic orders are expensive and who would enforce the limits?  The Clerk explained that the Speed Impact Device currently on Severn Drive is working and will only flash when motorists reach speeds over 30mph.  The council agreed to turn the SID round to gauge the speed of vehicles coming through the chicane and pass the data to PCSO Tooth.

69/21 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received and noted from Cllr J Turner.

70/21 – POLICE MATTERS AND REPORT

  1. A written report received from PCSO A Tooth was made available for members.  PCSO Tooth to start surgeries again.
  2. A brief report was presented to Councillors following meetings with Chief Inspector D Wain. It was agreed that a Locality 4 meeting should be held with the Ben Adams – PFC Commissioner.

 

71/21 – DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER INTERESTS

Declaration of other interest received from the following:

  • Cllr K Elder for item 75/21 e)
  • Cllr N Caine for item 80/21 a)

 

72/21 – REQUESTS FOR CODE OF CONDUCT DISPENSATIONS

No request for dispensation received.

73/21 – SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL

  1. South Staffordshire Council written reports from Cllrs Mrs R Heseltine and P Davis were noted for information.  Verbal reports were presented by Cllrs Mrs P Allen, AA Bourke and N Caine.
  2. An update on the grounds maintenance Management Plan was presented by District Council representatives.

They understand and appreciate that from a residents perspective all the council tax is paid to the District Council but it is not their responsibility to deliver all the services for South Staffordshire.  They don’t want to over promise and under deliver they will discuss what can be done on behalf of the District Council.    They are not responsible for housing association land, county council land, private or unadopted land.

Street Scene has a budget of £1.2m to cover all areas within the 27 parishes of South Staffordshire, roughly £44k per village, this includes car parking, street sweeping, emptying bins,  ground maintenance and any engineering works.  If they are not doing what they should they will do what they can to address this.

Some issues raised during the meeting will be looked at how the District can help, some of the long term issues are not going to be dealt with overnight.

The consultation confirmed that residents use the main open spaces for walking, wellbeing and exercise.

105 residents thought there were no problems with the sites, but 306 said they need improving across the board.   The most common issue raised was pathway maintenance, in terms of both access and surfacing. Other negative comments were rats, shrubs/heads and verges.   There were comments both for and against dredging the river Penk and wild meadow areas.

Shrub pruning will begin in Perton and during winter a footpath inspection is carried out across the district to assess where remedial work is required and ranked in order of priority.

Areas around the lake will be thinned out to try and alleviate the rat problems.  Bait boxes are placed where possible.  It may be that further engagement is required with the residents, the Parish Council could help with this.

Verge cutting is managed by District Council on behalf of Staffordshire County Council who only pay for 8 cuts of highway verges, 3 cuts are financed by the District Council.  This may have to be looked at if County funding changes.  District will work with Parishes to agree areas that can remain as wildflower meadows.

Dredging the lakes will need assessing with specialists and partners and will require a cost benefit analysis.  Self set trees have been removed from the river channels and the grills will be kept clear.

Litter around the upper lake was surprisingly low on the agenda from the public.

A draft plan will be completed, and ultimately used to support a business case for more resources.  This will be an active working document.

Councillor comments:

Some of the areas do not need a prune they need to be cut further, some are causing safety concerns especially around the bus lane.  If nothing is done with trees, then Perton will become a woodland.  When trees are cut down the logs need removing otherwise they end up in the lake.

 

There is a need to dredge one of the lakes.   The lifebuoy sites need reviewing and possibly relocating.  They will be reviewed at the same time as carrying out footpath inspections.

 

Residents will have to accept that rats cannot be obliterated.

 

Can the road sweeper visit the area which would remove some of the weeds in the gutter?

 

Litter bins installed on lamp posts around the Parkway are not in good condition or lying on the floor, can these be looked at?

No financial support is currently required from parishes towards the management plan, but residents see that they are paying more for less maintenance.  Unfortunately working with local groups is necessary, and they are always happy to do this. Some of the alleyways are unadopted which always creates a problem for maintenance responsibility.

 

Statutory duties for all authorities are available to view on the Parish Council website.

 

  1. Planning application:   21/00988/FUL – 106 Richmond Drive, Perton

Proposed two storey side extension

Resolved that this is inappropriate and over development of a site.

74/21 – MINUTES

  1. Resolved that the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13th September 2021 were a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.
  2. Noted for information the draft minutes of the following committees:
  • Management Committee held 15th September
  • Planning Committee held 23rd September
  • Finance Committee held on 5th October 2021

75/21 – FINANCE

  1. Paid Expenditure Transactions between paid between 01/09/21 and  30/09/21

                                                Resolved payments approved.

 

Cheque       Paid date      Tn no                               Gross  Details  Heading

DDb ASH09     01/09/21              4417                                £164.30  Ash Waste Services            General & Recycle Waste  224

DDb Rates09   01/09/21              4418                             £1,435.00 South Staffordshire Council    Rates – September  221

DDb Website09 01/09/21              4419                                 £30.00  Kalidescope                     Website & Email Hosting/Maintenance  133/1

Bacs RP09      01/09/21              4421                             £1,740.00  Reformed Plastics              Outdoor Furniture – Welcome Back   138

Bacs              03/09/21              4420                                £150.00  Refunded Deposit               F Thomas – 28/08/21  223

RefDep28/08

Bacs PEN09    10/09/21              4422                             £2,796.68 Staffordshire County            Pension – August  201/4

Bacs IR09       10/09/21              4423                             £2,605.76  Inland Revenue                 Tax & NI – August  201/3

Bacs Zurich     10/09/21              4424                             £3,546.50  Zurich Municipal                Insurance Premium  216

Bacs DTE09    13/09/21              4426                                £108.00  Down to Earth                   Grass Cutting to Playground – August  125/3

Bacs TPIC      13/09/21              4427                                £180.00 The Play Inspection Co.        Outdoor Annual Inspection  119

Bacs External   13/09/21              4428                                £720.00  Mazars                            External Audit for year ending 31/03/21  105/1

Bacs              13/09/21              4429                                £100.00  Refunded Deposit               L Dixon – 04/09/21  223

RefDep04/09

Bacs              20/09/21              4425                                 £50.00  Refunded Deposit               M Keillor – 31/08/21  223

RefDep31/08

Bacs GAS09    20/09/21              4430                                 £57.05  Contract Natural Gas Ltd      Gas Supply – August  213

Bacs SSDC      20/09/21              4431                                £180.00  South Staffordshire Council   Premises Annual Licence Fee  127

Bacs MSO      20/09/21              4432                                £406.08  Communicate Better            MSOffice365 Business Annual Charge   112/2

Sept-Aug

Bacs HAGS09  20/09/21              4433                                 £30.00  HAGS-SMP Ltd                  Play Area Repairs  125/1

Bacs Elec09    21/09/21              4434                                £353.40  Eon Next Electricity             Electricity Supply 1st – 31st August  209

Bacs              24/09/21              4435                             £9,228.28  Salaries                          Month 06 (Sept)  201/1

Bacs AE09      27/09/21              4436                                 £84.00  Acquiesce Environmental      Legionella Monitoring & Testing   215

Compliance Limited

Bacs Halls09   27/09/21              4437                                 £60.41  Halls SMS                        Centre Feed & Hand Towels  207/2

Bacs TBB09    27/09/21              4438                                £285.50  The Bookbinders                Bound Minutes  129

Bacs SPCA09  27/09/21              4439                                 £30.00  Staffordshire Parish             Cllr Training – Budgets and Precepts  128

Council’s Association

Bacs VA09      27/09/21              4440                                £131.18  Vendaid                          Hot Drink Consumables and Machine   208/1

Maintenance

Bacs              29/09/21              4441                                 £34.99  Just Keys Ltd                    Citizen of the Year Clock  110

CreditCard09

Bacs              29/09/21              4442                                 £99.95  PremiumPaints.Co.Uk          Concrete Sealer for Covid Cobra  122

CreditCard09

Total                                                               £24,607.08

 

 

 

 

  1. Cash book to date received and noted for information.
  2. Income statement to date received and noted for information.
  3. Expenditure and budget to date received and noted for information.
  4. Grant request received from Perton Crafters’ Too. Resolved to approve a grant of £300.
  5. Ideas for precept items were discussed. These included  investigation of employing  a Lengths man, Skatepark, MUGA lighting and senior youth club.

9.30pm Resolved to move standing order 10a x) to allow further time to complete the agenda.

  1. A vacancy remains on the Finance Committee, if any Councillor wishes to join the please contact the Clerk.

 

76/21 – STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

  1. A written report from County Cllr Abrahams was noted for information.

Additional comments to be passed to the County Councillor:

The County Council should be made aware of the demographics in the area around the chicane on Severn Drive.   If County cannot commit to changes to the chicane perhaps additional signage could be installed.  The anti-skid surface and the pedestrian crossing marking in need of repair.  Resolved Clerk to confirm the meeting with Councillor Abrahams.

Disappointed to read that the ANPR camera has been delayed.  Resolved Clerk to express the Councils concerns with this decision.  Clerk to contact Chief Inspector Wain to gain support.

The culvert works that Staffordshire Highways had agreed to do in Dippons Lane has not been completed although the County Councillor reported that it had.  Resolved to raise this with County Councillor.

  1. 5 tonne weight limit for Wrottesley Park Road was discussed. This road is being frequently used to cut through to the Bridgnorth Road A454.  Wolverhampton may be able to support this proposal. Resolved to bring this to the attention of the County Councillor. Enforcement would need to be considered if agreed.
  2. An update on the SCC/SPCA webinar held on 27th September 2021 was noted for information

 

77/21 – POLICIES

  1. Policies The following policies were reviewed:
  2. Scheme of Delegation – Resolved no amendments
  3. Data audit – Resolved no amendments
  4. The following policies were reviewed by the Finance Committee and proposed no amendments:
  5. Petty Cash – Resolved no amendments
  6. Grant Policy infectious disease – Resolved no amendments

78/21 – REPORTS

  1. Weekly Clerks reports having previously been distributed were noted for information.
  2. Environmental report – nothing further to report.
  3. Children’s play area annual inspection – only low and very low issues raised. The clerk will simplify the report and pass to councillors. Some of the issues can be addressed by the civic centre staff.
  4. Heating system – the heating has now been turned back on and the water is being heated via the electric immersion heater. There are proposals to install a further gas boiler in the boiler room that serves just the hot water, leaving the main boilers for heating.  Further suggestions have been raised, waiting for quotes to be received.  A meeting will be scheduled when more information is received.

79/21 – CHRISTMAS TREE ANDERS SQUARE

The clerk was unfortunately unable to obtain installation quotes for a donated tree.  Resolved that the Parish Council will cover the costs of a 22ft tree from Weston Sawmills at a cost of £450, and installation of the lights on the tree and around Anders Square at a cost of £1680.

80/21 – SPCA

a)      Term of office for the Executive Committee ends in May.  Resolved Cllr N Caine be re-nominated on behalf of Perton Parish Council.

b)     Motions for debate at the SPCA AGM due to be held on 6th December  to be forwarded to SPCA.

81/21 – DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Full Council Meeting of the Parish Council – Monday 8th November 2021 at 7pm, Perton Civic Centre

 

Meeting closed at 10.01pm

 

 

 

Signed …………………………………………………………………               Date:   …………………………………………

Chairman

 

 

 

Financial Summary – Cashbook

Summary between 01/04/21 and 30/09/21 inclusive.

Balances at the start of the year

Ordinary Accounts

Co-operative Bank                                                                                                            £3,253.47

HSBC Current Account                                                                                                    £14,806.80

Petty Cash Account                                                                                                             £250.00

Public Sector Deposit Fund                                                                                            £116,000.00

Total                                                                                                                             £134,310.27

RECEIPTS                                                                                Net                         Vat                  Gross

Parish Council                                                              £228,977.22                     £0.00          £228,977.22

Civic Centre                                                                   £28,347.88                     £0.00           £28,347.88

Total Receipts                                                              £257,325.10                     £0.00          £257,325.10

PAYMENTS                                                                              Net                        Vat                    Gross

Parish Council                                                               £77,522.04              £3,114.68             £80,636.72

Civic Centre                                                                   £55,130.30              £2,232.01             £57,362.31

Total Payments                                                            £132,652.34              £5,346.69            £137,999.03

Closing

Ordinary Accounts

Co-operative Bank                                                                                                             £2,753.47

HSBC Current Account                                                                                                    £19,632.87

Petty Cash Account                                                                                                              £250.00

Public Sector Deposit Fund                                                                                             £231,000.00

Total                                                                                                                             £253,636.34

Uncleared and Unpresented

Statement Closing Balances

Ordinary Accounts

Co-operative Bank                                                                                                             £2,753.47

HSBC Current Account                                                                                                    £19,632.87

Petty Cash Account                                                                                                              £250.00

Public Sector Deposit Fund                                                                                             £231,000.00

Total                                                                                                                             £253,636.34

Signed

Chair                                                                                                Clerk / Responsible Financial

Perton Parish Council                                                    Page 1