MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM ON TUESDAY 24 JANUARY 2023 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins; Cllr. A Hall and Cllr. A Wright.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr R Hewitt, Clerk. No members of the public were present.
22/87 Apologies – Cllr. D Ayres (Vice Chairman), Cllr. R Smith and Cllr. A Cowell.
22/88 Declarations of Members Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation – None.
22/89 To approve the Minutes of the previous meetings – The minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2022 were approved as a correct record.
22/90 Ward Councillor Report – Deferred.
22/91 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
There were no members of the public present.
22/92 Report from Councillors who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – None.
22/93 Planning
Shropshire Council have refused planning permission for 22/0499/FUL Woodcroft Farm. A planning enforcement report made in consultation with the Chairman was noted.
22/94 Financial items
a) Payments: None.
b) Mid-year accounts 2022-23 and precept 2023-24: The finances of the parish council for 2022-23 to date were reviewed and noted. Discussion of the draft budget and precept for 2023-24 followed. It was agreed to allocate funding for the forthcoming Coronation of His Royal Highness King Charles III (£250.00) and increase funding for grass maintenance. The budget for 2023-24 was agreed and the precept set at £5,000.00.
c) Effectiveness of internal financial controls: Systems of internal control were reviewed, and it was agreed they are effective in safeguarding public money and resources.
22/95 Highway Items/ Amenity Items/ Footpath Items
a) Report on drainage at Station Road: Cllr. Wright kindly gave a verbal report on an emergency visit by highways to resolve a drainage defect report. Highways advised at the time that the drainage system that uses the nearby former railway cutting is not their responsibility. On the basis that the highway drains discharge into the aforementioned drainage system, the parish council agreed to request a review meeting with highways.
b) New speed limit on B4361 by village hall: Members of the parish council are due to meet shortly with highways to review possible options. It was agreed to delegate powers to the Clerk to agree on the options presented, subject to consultation with the members present at the meeting with highways.
c) To report Highway / Amenity and Footpath items: Highways met with Cllr. Smith to confirm the location of the blocked culvert under Park Lane and have subsequently reported that the issue will be completed under their “programme of upcoming maintenance”. Cllr. Wright kindly agreed to approach the local landowner to request their ditches are cleared in anticipation of the unblocking of the culvert. An uncovered drain on the verge of the B4361 and potholes on Wheatcommon Lane have been reported to highways.
22/96 Shropshire Council’s draft Sustainable Affordable Warmth Strategy – Noted.
22/97 Proposed new council divisions and division boundaries for Shropshire Council – Noted.
22/98 D Day 80 (6 June 2024) – Deferred.
22/99 Schedule of meetings 2023-24
The joint Annual Parish meeting will be organised by the parish council on 18 May 2023. It was agreed to hold the annual meeting immediately afterwards. With this amendment the schedule of meetings 2023-24 was agreed.
22/100 Clerk’s report
The housing needs survey in the parish has been completed by Shropshire Council and a report on the survey is expected to be available in February 2023. Highways have been informed regarding the decision on the Overton Road consultation made at the last meeting. An application has been made for a licence to plant trees in the highway verge at Batchcott as part of the late Queen’s Green Canopy. Recent data provided by West Mercia Police on speed enforcement was noted.
A VAT refund claim has been submitted to HMRC (£894.40). The deadline for an environmental maintenance grant application in 2023-24 is 31 May 2023. A re-declaration to the Pensions Regulator is required by August 2023. The parish council website has been transferred to a new server by the contractor responsible for its maintenance. PKF Littlejohn have been re-appointed external auditors to 2026-27 by Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments Ltd.
Shropshire Council are consulting on unsafe walking routes to schools, budgets in 2023-24 and a draft Ironbridge Gorge supplementary planning document.
22/101 Matters raised for next meeting – New bank account, annual parish meeting, environmental maintenance in spring 2023.
22/102 Next Meeting – The next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21 March 2023 at the village hall.
The meeting closed at 8.55 pm.