Berkswich Parish Council 4 February 2025

BERKSWICH PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Berkswich Parish Council Meeting held on

Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 7.30 pm at Walton Village Hall

Present:       Cllr Alan Taylor (Chair), Cllr, Caroline Pearson (Vice Chair), Cllr Sue Francis, Cllr Beverley Hughes, Cllr Ann Millichap, Cllr Malcolm Millichap (Acting Secretary), Cllr Michael Norris, Cllr Bob Gilson, Cllr Tim Luker and Cllr Vicky Campbell

In Attendance:   There were five members of the public in attendance.

Cllr Taylor welcomed everyone to the meeting.

25/1      Public Session

1. a) Concern was expressed relating to the speed of vehicles on Brocton Road. It was felt that speed restriction repeater signs should be displayed to help remind drivers of the need for safety. The Chair replied that consideration was being given to this matter and budget provision had been made for the next financial year for signage.

1. b) The Council was asked what provision was being made to repair the telephone kiosk, since it represented a danger to the public in its present state. The Chair said the matter was in hand and an early solution was anticipated.

1. c) It was pointed out that the patch of brambles near the Village Hall had still not been attended to. The Chair reported that TGM had been awarded the contract to replant all the flower beds along the Milford Road, but bad weather had delayed matters. The Council was promised that action would be taken this month.

1. d) The boundary hedge owned by the Tennis Club was causing a problem for pedestrians and needed attention. The Chair agreed the matter would be put to the Tennis Club.

1. e) The Milestone in Milford, thought to be the only one in the Parish, was black with age and neglect and needed attention. A member of the public offered to clean the milestone if this would help. The chair accepted the offer with thanks and gave advice on the method of cleaning.

1. f) The Council was asked where the boundary lay between Walton on the Hill and Milford Villages.  Berkswich Parish existed at the time of the Doomsday Book, 1086 AD, though Brocton and Milford did not exist at that time.  In 1894 AD the Local Government Act established Berkswich Parish as it is known today, but with no indication of a boundary between the two villages. It had further been agreed there would be 10 Councillors.

1. g) Concern was expressed about the parking of cars outside Walton High School. The Chair said this was an ongoing problem that was raised annually with the Police and the school management, with little success.

25/2      Apologies – Mrs Sue Fullwood, our Clerk was unwell and not in attendance.

25/3      Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 December 2024 – Resolved: It was agreed that the minutes were accurate.

25/4      Declaration of Interest regarding items on the agenda.  None.

25/5      Clerk’s Report for December 2024 and January 2025 – Resolved: The reports were accepted.

25/6      Wooden Planters around the Parish

             It was agreed that some of the planters needed attention but the matter should be discussed further at the March meeting.  In the meantime, the Clerk to write thanking the volunteer for replacing the planter on Old Croft Road. Action: Clerk

25/7      The poor state of Grass Verges around the Parish

             The state of grass verges along Old Croft Road was very poor following building work at one of the homes. The Chair said the matter would be taken up with the developer when work was complete.

25/8      Flower Beds on Milford Road

             See also 25/1 c) above. The Chair said that TGM would start work using the necessary machinery this month.

25/9      Village Green Application

             The signature of a Justice of the Peace was required to finalise the application. Action: Cllr Millichap

25/10    Damage to the Bridleway at Broc Hill Way

             This was the subject of a meeting at Brocton Village Hall earlier on 4 February, when police and Chase rangers had outlined their actions to tackle the problem.

25/11    Membership of other Organisations

             Consideration was given to joining CPRE Staffordshire, a charitable organisation which helped protect, promote and enhance the countryside and green spaces. It was agreed the cost of £60 per annum was low but the benefits could be useful. It was agreed to seek membership.  Action: Clerk

25/12    The Safety of Lithium-ion batteries Campaign

             The Bill was now in the House of Lords.  The campaign organisers had not provided sufficient information for us to act. It was agreed we should seek further advice before expressing support. Action: Clerk

25/13    Financial Matters

• Bank reconciliation and expenditure for December 2024 and January 2025 – Resolved: unanimously approved.

• Budget report for December 2024 and December 2025 – Resolved: unanimously approved.

25/14    Planning Matters

• Stafford Borough Council’s Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) Update 2024

The Chair said he had been invited to a meeting with a representative of a public relations firm acting for a development company with an option to purchase on the land to discuss the issues involved. It was felt that our response should be that the Council should consider every planning application on its merits. Council needed to be careful not to give the impression they had already formed an opinion on any planning proposal. Such a meeting might suggest the Parish Council had been consulted and this could lead to misrepresentation. Resolved: It was agreed the Chair would not attend such a meeting and would inform the PR firm of this.  Action: Chair

25/15    Reports from other Meetings

• Environment Group

The meeting with the school at Hollybush Coppice had progressed well and half of the work on hedge planting had been completed with the aid of the pupils, who were very enthusiastic. The five ornamental trees planted in the playing fields by TGM looked fine. Further investigation was needed to identify a contractor to repair the post and rail fence around Walton Coppice at a reasonable price.

• Village Hall Management Committee

It was reported that the Church Group which met in the Village Hall, were seeking to purchase Stafford Cinema as their base. This would have an impact on the finances of the Hall.  Unauthorised parking of vehicles at the Village Hall was a problem, which the committee was addressing.

• Trent Valley Collaboration Group

The next meeting would be hosted by Berkswich Parish Council at Walton Village Hall at 9.30am on Monday 10 March 2025.  All councillors were welcome to attend.

25/16    Items for the Agenda for the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday 4 March 2025

• Village Green
• Broc Hill Way
• Telephone Box
• Bluebell Hollow Play Area
• Hollybush Play area
• Hedge Trimming near The Crescent

Cllr. M. Millichap

Acting Secretary

6 February 2025