September

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 8^th SEPTEMBER 2026 2026 AT 7:30pm

AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

Present:  Cllr Toone (Chairman), Cllr Falder, Cllr Norton, Cllr Meyrick.

In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Cllr Benfield, Cllr Haines, 7 members of the public.

26/1284   Apologies

Apologies were noted from Cllr Ballington (Personal).

As a quorum was established, the Chair commenced the meeting.

26/1285  Variation of Order of Business

No variation to the order of the business was noted.

26/1286  Declaration of Interests:

Cllrs considered their obligations relating to declaration of interests, no declarations were received.

26/1287  Public Speaking

1. Members of the Public and Council to comment on any matter

A resident reported that the drains on Ashby Road East had been cleared within the last few days.

The pavement between numbers 78 and 80 Ashby Road East was superficially swept approximately 3–4 weeks ago; however, vegetation continues to grow.

The gutters outside numbers 70–76 Ashby Road East have not been swept. Silt has built up, causing this section of the carriageway to narrow.

Roadworks at the Sainsbury’s roundabout have caused significant disruption around Swadlincote and along the A511. Cllr Belfield will make enquiries to establish whether the roadworks have now been completed or whether further works are planned.

In reply to a resident who sought advice on whether planning permission is required for work on residents own homes, In response to a resident seeking advice about planning permission for works to their own property, Cllr Haines explained that where works do not fall within permitted development rights, planning permission is required. Where works are undertaken without the necessary permissions, enforcement action may be taken.

A number of residents from Bretby Lane attended the meeting regarding the planning permission granted for a children’s home on Bretby Lane.

Residents raised concerns that the planning conditions do not adequately address the issues raised by 28 residents, particularly concerns regarding parking given the speed and volume of traffic along Bretby Lane.

Residents advised that the Highways Department had stated that parking on the road was not considered to be an issue and that the property had been modified prior to planning permission being granted.

The planning application had been considered by the Parish Council at its previous meeting, when the Council objected to the application. As planning permission has now been granted, there is no route for the Parish Council to appeal the decision.

Cllr Haines explained that it can be difficult for the Highways Team to object to an application unless the impact is considered to be significant. A further concern is parking on pavements. The Highways Department does not have the power to take enforcement action in relation to this, although the Police may have powers to do so.

It was suggested that residents write individually to DCC Highways regarding their concerns. Residents were also advised that they could contact DCC directly, as the County Council has responsibility for looked-after children and will therefore have responsibility for the operation of the home.

Cllr Toone asked who would be responsible for enforcing the planning conditions. Cllr Haines advised that this would be the Planning Enforcement Department.

• County Council and District Council members to raise any relevant matter.

County Cllr Belfield

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) has been paused due to legal objections. It is anticipated that the May elections will therefore be for the District Council only, rather than for the new unitary authority.

Staffordshire County Council (SCC) has submitted a permit application for works at the Bretby Lane roundabout but has not obtained the necessary permission or consulted Derbyshire County Council (DCC). DCC has made representations regarding the proposed works.

No diversion route has been provided at this stage.

The A38 will be subject to partial closures for approximately two years to allow works to be undertaken on the Egginton/Willington Bridge.

Cllr Haines

Part 1 of the SDDC Local Plan has been submitted to the Secretary of State. Part 2 of the Plan is expected to come forward this month. There are a significant number of new development sites proposed across the district, ranging from approximately 20 to 120 houses per site.

c) Parish Council Members declaring an interest other than Disclosable Pecuniary Interest wishing to make representation

None were raised.

26/1288   To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 7^th July 2026

These were circulated, read, approved, and signed as a correct record by Cllr Toone.

26/1289   To determine which items if any, should be taken with the public excluded.

No items were deemed necessary to be taken with the public excluded other than that listed on the agenda.

26/1290   To receive the Chairman’s Announcements

None were reported.

26/1291  Report from Cllr Norton on the Speedwatch project

1. Cllr Norton provided an update on the Community Speedwatch scheme for the last six months.
2. 37 roadside sessions have been held, during which 4,788 vehicles were checked.
3. 367 vehicles were recorded as speeding, with the highest recorded speed being 51mph.
4. 24 residents were noted to be speeding.
5. 288 motorists have received a first warning letter.
6. 32 motorists have received a second warning letter.
7. Four motorists have received a third letter and have subsequently received a visit from the Police.
8. One motorist has reached Stage 4 and is due to be prosecuted.

The Police have reported that the majority of motorists have heeded the first warning letter. Cllr Norton commented that there is also a view that motorists slow down when Speedwatch volunteers are present.

The Speedwatch volunteers received severe verbal abuse last week. This has been reported to the Police, who have issued letters advising that if the behaviour occurs again, the individuals concerned may face prosecution.

It was considered that the Speedwatch scheme is having a positive impact.

• Cllr Norton attended a meeting hosted by National Highways and received an assurance that

camera-equipped van will be deployed on Bretby Lane to monitor HGV use of the lane.

Letters will be sent to haulage companies identified using Bretby Lane where they do not have a right of access. A warning will be issued on the first occasion, with a fine being imposed for any subsequent offence.

It was also noted that large green tractors using Bretby Lane appear to be travelling to a satellite site, while smaller tractors have also been observed transporting soil.

• The verges on Bretby Lane were mown last week despite there being little grass requiring cutting

while other areas of the highways where mowing is required have not been attended to.

Cllr Haines will raise this with SDDC, requesting that areas maintained by residents are not unnecessarily mown and that resources are instead directed towards areas where vegetation requires cutting.

26/1292  To receive the Report of the Clerk

This had previously been circulated, and no matters were raised.

26/1293  Governance

a)   Risk Register update

There are no recommended changes to the risk register.

b)  General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

No changes are recommended and there are no reports of any breaches.

c)  Parish Council elections, vacancies, and co-options

There are currently two vacancies on the Parish Council. Although expressions of interest have been received, no formal applications to become a Cllrr have been submitted to date.

26/1294   Local Government Reorganisation update

Already discussed, nothing further was raised.

26/1295   Correspondence

1.  DALC – Various circulars and information

2.  Resident – fly tipping on Watery Lane

3.  DALC – Notification of Government’s decision re the LGR for Derbyshire

4.  SDDC – Notification of Government’s decision re the LGR for Derbyshire

5.  NALC – survey on time off for Cllr duties

6.  East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) – Bus shelter communication

7.   ESBC – East Staffordshire Local Plan 2025 – 2043; Scoping and Engagement Strateg       Consultation between 29^th July 2026 and 27^th August 2026.

8. Resident – enquiring if planning application DMPA/2026/0758 has been considered       by the parish council.  – Clerk replied to inform the application was discussed at the meeting held on 7^th July 2026 and provided the grounds of objections

9. Resident reporting damaged stile adjacent to the Village Green, reported to DCC Rights of Way on 27.08.26 (reference FS-Case-868883370)

All Cllrs have been circulated with the information prior to the meeting.

26/1296   Finance

(a         Accounts for Payment

                         Accounts passed for payment

For approval

Money Received

Balance at bank @ 28.08.26

Deposit account                                    £8,117.44– interest rate 0.50%

Current account                                    £4,276.62

b)         To consider any requests for funds made under S137 – none received

c)         To consider the installation of a speed indicator device (SID) on Bretby Lane

Cllr Norton has experienced difficulty contacting the SNT to discuss funding and continues to follow this up.  Cllr Haines will also follow up on the matter.

d)         To consider the appointment of the internal auditor for 2026/27

This matter was deferred to the next meeting and to await the outcome of the external audit.

e)         To consider and action any matters arising from the external auditor’s report for  2025/26

This has not yet been received.

f)          To sign the bank reconciliations (Fin Regs 2.6)

Cllr Toone reviewed the bank reconciliation and signed.

26/1297  To consider Planning Applications

DMPA 2026 0842 Change of use of agricultural land to residential (use class C2) including retention of hard standing area at 1 Newton Mount Cottage, Bretby Lane, Burton on Trent, Derbyshire, DE15 0QS  (27/07/26)

https://planning.southderbyshire.gov.uk/dmapps.aspx/?ref=DMPA/2026/0842

This application was noted.

DMPA/2026/0714: Outline application (matters of access to be considered now with matters of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reserved for later consideration) for the Erection of 2no. Detached Custom-Build Dwellings at Land off Bretby Road , Burton-on-Trent, DE15 0PT (31/07/26)

The amendments are summarised as:     Amended Description

https://planning.southderbyshire.gov.uk/dmapps.aspx/?ref=DMPA/2026/0714

This application was noted.

DMPA/2026/1004: Retention of lower level decking, gazebo and outside bar area at 89 Bretby Lane, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0QP (04/09/26)

https://planning.southderbyshire.gov.uk/dmapps.aspx/?ref=DMPA/2026/1004.

This application was noted along with that the decking is high and possibly overlooks neighbouring property.

DMPA/2026/1019: Proposed change of use of an Industrial Unit (Use Class B2) to a multi-bay Indoor Golf Simulator (Use Class E(d)) at Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0YZ (05/09/26)

https://planning.southderbyshire.gov.uk/dmapps.aspx/?ref=DMPA/2026/1019.

This application was noted.

DMPA/2026/1019: Proposed change of use of an Industrial Unit (Use Class B2) to a multi-bay Indoor Golf Simulator (Use Class E(d)) at Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0YZ (05/09/26)

https://planning.southderbyshire.gov.uk/dmapps.aspx/?ref=DMPA/2026/1019.

This application was noted.

DMPA/2026/0924: Erection of a detached residential annexe at Vine Barn, Bretby Park , Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0RB (10/09/26)

https://planning.southderbyshire.gov.uk/dmapps.aspx/?ref=DMPA/2026/0924

RESOLVED: No objections

DMPA/2026/1067: Outline application (matters of access, layout and scale to be considered now with matters of appearance and landscaping reserved for later consideration) for two dwellings with access and parking on Land East of 2 Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0PT (12/09/26)

https://planning.southderbyshire.gov.uk/dmapps.aspx/?ref=DMPA/2026/1067.

RESOLVED:

Cllr Belfield spoken to Highways and that the condition relating to the entrance must be attened to before consideration will be given to this application.

26/1298   Consultations

No consultations were before the parish council for consideration.

26/1299  Items for information only

(a)        To receive reports from Meetings attended

No reports were received.

(b)       Notification of Forthcoming meeting

16^th September – Area Forum Meeting, 6:30pm

(c)        Training Sessions – All DALC circulars have been provided to all Cllrs

26/1300  Date of next meeting

The next Ordinary parish council meeting will be held on  MONDAY 9^th NOVEMBER 2026  at 7.30pm at St Wystan’s Church, Bretby.

8:29pm RESOLVED That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted (in respect of the personal situation of an employee which could result in legal proceedings or commercially sensitive information) it is advisable in the public interest, that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.

26/1301   Clerk – use of home

RESOLVED  to pay a contribution to the Clerk for the use of her home at a rate of £27.00 net per quarter.

26/1302  Staffing – to accept the NALC pay increase for 2026/27 at 3.3% back dated to 1st April 2026.

RESOLVED to accept the NALC pay award of 3.3%

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending closed at 8:43pm