Meeting 6th October 2025

EDINGALE PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT MINUTES
Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 6th October 2025
7.30 pm, at Edingale Village Hall

Members present: Cllrs Startin (Chair), Baughen, Cliffe, Layland, Maskery, Mason, Meikle.
Present: 4 members of the public, Mrs Pritchard (Clerk).
131/25 To receive and approve Apologies .
None.
132/25 To receive any Declarations of Interests.
Cllr D. Layland raised an interest for item 148/25 due to their role as treasurer for Edingale Village Hall.
133/25 To approve the draft Minutes of the Meeting of 1st September 2025.
It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 1st September 2025, having been circulated, be confirmed, and signed as a correct record.
134/25 To adjourn the meeting, to hold the public session (15 minutes), to reconvene the meeting. A member of the public provided an update on the Mease Meadows forestry area. The access is permissive. The access was re-opened in September 2025, however the permissive access will be revoked in the near future due to re-occurring issues, privacy and fire risks due to public acting irresponsibly. ACTION: Face book post to remind walkers to keep dogs on a lead, and privacy to be given to the landowner.
A resident expressed thanks to the Parish Council for their hard work for the Best Kept Village Competition.
A resident raised the question of planting wild flower seeds on the blakeways land. Permission was granted.
135/25 To receive County and District Councillor Reports.
Cllr Bennion provided an update on the local PCSO. Maggie Griffiths is the new PCSO for the area, and is keen to get round the local Parishes.
Cllr Bennion provided an update on the Lichfield District Plan.
136/25 To receive an update on Chetwynd Bridge from Highways.
A representative from Staffordshire County Council, J. Dixon provided an update to the Parish Council on the existing bridge and the new bridge.
Signage due to be installed. Planning permission submitted in December 2024 for the new bridge, three objections were received. Heavy weight vehicle issues were discussed and cameras and sensors have been fitted on bridge to monitor vehicle weights. An agreement has been made with trading standards to begin enforcing penalty notices to vehicles breaking the rules.

137/25 To receive the Clerk’s Report. The clerk report was NOTED.
Highways: Map of Himalayan Balsam sent to Highways Liaison Officer
Administration:
• Contacted Glaisyers Solicitors regarding the Land registration for the lease of land off School Lane
• Lichfield District Council sent an email regarding A FOI request for Public litter bins
• The payroll service is now set up
• Lichfield District Council confirmed the website details for the Parish Council have been updated
Training: Courses or meetings attended since the last meeting
• Planning for Non – Planners
138/25 To consider any Planning matters. None.
139/25 To consider the PCSO operational boundaries. PCSO attended Edingale coffee morning. ACTION: Letter to be sent to PCSO regarding suspicious activity.
140/25 To consider the replacement of two defibrillator batteries. The Council RESOLVED to approve purchase of 2 defibrillator batteries at the cost of £466.08. ACTION: To be delivered to Cllr L. Maskery.
141/25 To consider 2025 Festive Illuminations and Christmas Tree. The Council RESOLVED arrange a Christmas Tree for the village and to provide illumination information to National Grid.
142/25 To consider a review of the Disciplinary and Grievance Policy. The Council RESOLVED to approve the policy.
143/25 To consider a review of the Data Protection Policy. The Council RESOLVED to approve the policy.
144/25 To consider the Dignity and Respect Pledge. The Parish Council RESOLVED to accept the pledge:
Our council has agreed that it will treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their role.
Our council has agreed that it will treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their role.
Our council has put in place a training programme for councillors and staff.
Our council has signed up to Code of Conduct for councillors.
Our council has good governance arrangements in place including, staff contracts, and Dignity at Work Policy (to be adopted in the November meeting).
Our council will commit to seeking professional help at early stages should civility and respect issues arise.
Our council will commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens.
Our council will continue to learn from best practice in the sector and aspire to being a role model / champion council e.g., via Local Council Award Scheme.
Our council supports the continued lobbying for the change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.
145/25 To receive Councillors’ Reports and questions.
Cllr J. Meikle expressed thanks to Cllr A. Mason for his hard work on the Best Kept Village Competition.
Cllr J. Meikle to attend the next Lichfield District Parish Network meeting.
Blakeways Land – A resident has offered to volunteer their time to work on the Blakeways land. Cllrs to meet and agree the perimeters. ACTION: Clerk to add to November agenda for approval.
Cllr A. Mason purchased a flag for the school flagpole. Formal ceremony was cancelled.
Cllr A. Mason raised the issue of full fibre. Open reach have contacted Cllr Mason and full fibre is not available in the village.
Harlaston Parish Council to look at issues involving the Himalayan Balsam and the willow tree, which is on Parish land. Willow branch upstream on the bridge between Harlaston and Edingale which looks like it will hold the water back as it rises and could cause severe major structural damage to the bridge. ACTION: Clerk to report to Staffordshire County Council.
New trees and dead ash trees – communication ongoing with Harlaston Parish Council.
Trees on the Washlands – crown requires raising this season.
Best Kept Village Competition – small sculpture marking the win of the category for Edingale received. Voucher worth £500 has been received. ACTION: Clerk to arrange for the winnings to be collected.
146/25 To receive Correspondence. The Correspondence was noted.
• SPCA – 86th Annual General Meeting, September 2025 Bulletin, General Power of Competence, Staffordshire County Council LGR Proposals, NALC Elections, New Health and Well Being Project Officer
• LDC – Parish Network Group
147/25 To receive a Financial Report. The Council NOTED the financial report. Signed by Cllr J. Startin.
148/25 To approve the Grant Application payment to Edingale Village Hall. The Council RESOLVED to approve the £3000. The Motion was CARRIED. ACTION: Clerk to add to November payment schedule.
149/25 To approve payments on the October Payment Schedule. The Council RESOLVED to approve payments. Cllr J. Startin to approve.
150/25 To confirm date of next meeting (Monday 3rd November 2025). Date NOTED.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 20:48

……………………………………………….. Signed ……………………………………… Date

Appendix 1 Financial Report October 2025

Bank Reconciliation Current
Balance bf 10,834.36 Cooperative
less payments 11,345.62 Community Acc.
Plus receipts 17,875.67
Less transfer to savings 10,000.00 7,364.41
Total 7,364.41

Please note £10,000 has been transferred to the Cooperative instant access account to earn some interest. This should ideally be transferred back before the end of financial year to avoid any confusion when preparing for audit. Originally £15,000 was transferred to the Cooperative instant access account, however £5,000 was transferred back to the Charity & Community Bank Account on 30.09.25 to cover upcoming costs.

Capital Funds
Cooperative Buckinghamshire TOTAL
instant access acc. Bond CAPITAL
1.43% 3.08%
12,918.38 53,383.14 66,301.52

Received interest
64.95