Minutes October 2021
MINUTES OF THE MEETING THURDSAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 AT RANTON VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT:
Cllr. M. Russell (Chair)
Cllr D Batchelor (Vice-Chair)
Cllr. J. Forrester
Cllr B Jeeves.
Gayle Whelan (parish clerk)
21/41 Apologies.
All councillors were present.
21/42 Declarations of interest in the following agenda:
None.
21/43 Previous minutes:
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record of the meeting.
21/44
Questions from the public:
None in attendance.
21/45 Finance matters:
Accounts to date:
The latest statement date for 01 October 2021 showed:
Reserve account balance £978.00
Current account balance £9619.36.
Cheques were signed for payment to:
Mazars for £40 for AGAR paperwork
Community Heartbeat Trust for replacement defibrillator pads and battery £273.60
SPCA VAT course attendance for £30.
Action ongoing: Councillors are still looking into the possibility of alternative banking after a number
of difficulties with Natwest Bank over the years. Online banking - waiting list for applying for an
online account. Costs related to use of the annual account. Need for statements and payment.
Action SPCA: Ask questions regarding best ways to progress. Cllr Russell will organise the online
account with Nat West Bank.
Reserve account:
Cllr Russell also proposed moving funds from the parish council's main account to the reserve
account. It was agreed the amount would be discussed once online banking was available.
VAT refund form:
The VAT form is due to be submitted online, however, it was felt beneficial for the clerk to attend a
VAT training course, before this actioned.
Action: Parish clerk to arrange a training session with SPCA.
Laptop:
It was agreed that a laptop should be purchased for the use of the parish clerk. A quote for one was
offered as a benchmark to the councillors. New Inspiron 15 3000 £343.99 (currently £296.00 with
code SAVE14). 15.6-inch Windows 10 Home, 4gb memory, wireless and BT connection
https://deals.dell.com/en-uk/productdetail/aiwj. It was suggested that a printer and ink be included.
Cllr Winnington stated that it may be possible to obtain one through SBC.
Action: Parish clerk to purchase.
Noticeboard:
Cllr Batchelor and Forrester will research best options.
Reports:
Village Hall committee meeting (16 September) 11 December for Xmas fayre. Cllr Russell will obtain
quotes and purchase the Christmas tree.
Work to village hall - may not be rendered and may stay as brickwork. Decide once pointing has
been finished. Roof, the back walls are buckling under the roof as a roof joist is separating. Salt
deposits showing through the plasterboard internally from the original lime render behind. The new
back door has been completed.
Mowing: The grass has not been cut since the last parish council meeting.
Continued mowing of the school fields. Review on an annual basis. Cllr Russell will write a letter and
Cllr Batchelor will review before being sent.
Highways: Signage has been cleaned for free, which was generously completed by Neil Harris. He
will continue with the work as and when needed in the future.
Footpaths: Broken stye on the walk to Gnosall is now broken. Cllr Jeeves will report the breakage.
Gulleys and weeding: Gulley cleaning was discussed, pre-empting winter rain. Some blocked
gulleys by Holly Lane. Cllr Batchelor suggested clearing different drains. Cllr Winnington to do
annually, after April in the new financial year.
Action: Cllr Batchelor to write a list of where gulley cleaning should be carried out. Cllr Winnington
will look at where and when gulley cleaning takes place through the village.
8pm Cllr Winnington arrived at the meeting.
Confirmed course bookings for councillors:
Parish councillor training: Councillor Fundamentals (zoom £25): Thursday 11.11.21 6.30-
8.30pm
Parish clerk training (zoom): The knowledge (£75) 15/22.10.21 6.30-9pm
VAT for local councils zoom (£30) 20.10.21 7-9pm (attended)
Look at chair course
VAT submission:
Parish clerk reported back to councillors and will now complete the form for signing at the next
parish council meeting in November.
Defibrillator:
This has now been rehoused during work to the village hall and has been placed on wooden posts
at the entrance to the village hall car park. New pads and replacement battery are also needed.
Community Heartbeat, who have supplied the defibrillator, have been contacted regarding payment
and an invoice will be issued. The new battery will cost £179 plus VAT and expired replacement
pads £42 plus VAT and £4 delivery (total: £265.60).
Defibrillator account for on an annual basis and included in the financial spreadsheet.
20/47 Planning updates
None.
20/40 Chairman's questions/items for information/next agenda
The next parish council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 7.30pm.
Cllr Batchelor will be absent from the next meeting.
Reminder email a week prior to each meeting.
Signed.................................................. Date...........................
Gayle Whelan, Ranton Parish Council Clerk. rantonparishcouncil@gmail.com