Meeting 2nd June

DRAFT MINUTES
Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 2nd June 2025
7.30 pm, at Edingale Village Hall

Members present: Cllrs Startin (Chair), Baughen, Cliffe, Layland, Maskery, and Mason.
Present: 5 members of the public, Lichfield District Cllr Bennion, Mrs Jones (Clerk).
80/25 To receive and approve Apologies
Cllr Meikle had apologised for health reasons, apology was approved.
81/25 To receive any Declarations of Interests.
Cllr Mason declared an interest in a payment in item 95/25.
82/25 To approve the draft Minutes of the Meeting of 13th May 2025. Approved and signed by the Chair.
83/25 To adjourn the meeting, to hold the public session (15 minutes), to reconvene the meeting.
Members of the public present discussed traffic issues on Chetwynd Bridge and it was agreed the Parish Council would write to inform the engineers and suggest improvements.
A long discussion took place between those present regarding the Change of Use application for the Black Horse from pub to residential. The residents present felt that once change of use was allowed Edingale would never have a pub again and argued for it to be advertised for sale as a pub. Councillor Bennion offered to discuss options with the planner and let the Parish Council know what was said.
84/25 To receive the Clerk’s Report.
An update was given on the Lease of land off School Lane; following comments from the solicitor the Parish Council would recommend the Trustees to sign the engrossment.
The Parish Councils Chairs’ meeting organised by Sarah Edwards MP postponed due to ill health, Cllr Startin to attend when rearranged.
85/25 To consider any Planning matters.
25/00577/COU Black Horse Change of Use from Pub to residential. Following the discussion earlier the Clerk would prepare draft comments to send to the District Council, to be circulated to Cllrs and sent following their feedback and that of Cllr Bennion.
86/25 To consider the Internal Auditor’s Report. Proposed by Cllr Mason and RESOLVED by all to approve.

87/25 To approve the Annual Governance Statement.
RESOLVED by all to approve, signed by Chair and Clerk.
88/25 To approve the Annual Accounting Statements.
RESOLVED by all to approve, signed by Chair and Clerk.
89/25 To approve the Certificate of Exemption from Limited Assurance Review.
RESOLVED by all to approve, signed by Chair and Clerk.
90/25 To consider arrangements for the appointment of a new Clerk
Candidates had been invited to an interview on June 9th. July meeting to consider the panel’s recommendation.
91/25 To approve gift of the solar panel battery to Edingale Village Hall Proposed by Cllr Mason, RESOLVED to approve by all; Clerk to inform insurers and remove from asset register.
92/25 To receive Councillors’ Reports and questions Cllr Layland – commented on Chetwynd Bridge traffic, also road closure of Croxall Road for flood alleviation; Clerk to inform Highways the work should have been done near White Knights not The Grange.
Cllr Mason – Best Kept Village Judges had visited on 1st June. He reported on SPCA’s local government briefing, described preparations for Open Gardens and encouraged scarecrow making, the barrels had been planted; he and Mrs Mason were thanked for their hard work.
93/25 To receive Correspondence SPCA – bulletins Staffordshire County Council – road closures; Lichfield District Council – Link up service extended, Parish Network meeting 30th June, Local Cllr fund of £300, expressions of interest requested in new rural business fund (£5,000- £30,000. Member of public – cannabis odour, police to be informed.
94/25 To receive a Financial Report See appendix 1 below. RESOLVED to approve the report.
95/25 To approve payments on the Payment Schedule
Staff costs: salary, expenses, pension, PAYE £443.59; Village Gardeners, maintenance £749.10; Kim Squires Internal Audit services, £167.30; A. Mason, flag and plants £139.72
RESOLVED to approve the payments. Cllr Maskery to authorise.

96/25 Date of next meeting
Monday 7th July (7.30 pm)
The Meeting closed at 20.55.

Appendix 1 Financial Report June 2025

(a) Bank Reconciliation Current
Balance bf 10,834.36 Cooperative
less payments 4,881.03 Community Acc.
Plus receipts 17,500.00
Total 23,453.33 23,453.33

(b) Capital
Capital Funds
Cooperative Buckinghamshire TOTAL
instant access acc. Bond CAPITAL
1.43% 3.08%
2,918.38 53,383.14 56,301.52

4.4.25 Received interest
64.95

(c) Savings
RESOLVED to move £15,000 from the current to instant access account until required, in order to receive interest on this.