BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 6^th MAY 2025 AT 7:25 pm

AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

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

In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Clerk, Cllr Haines, Cllr Lowe.

25/1150             Apologies

Apologies were noted from Cllr Ballington (personal) and accepted from Cllr Corner (health). As a quorum was established, the Chair commenced the meeting.

25/1151            Variation of Order of Business

There was no alteration to the variation of the order of business.

25/1152             Declaration of Interests:

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

25/1153             Public Speaking

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

None were raised.

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

The licensing team is working with the police to curb underage drinking.

The National Forest Walking Festival will be held between 16-26 May 2025.

The planning dept has confirmed an appeal for the solar farm has been submitted, but the validation and start date have not released.

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

None were raised.

25/1154            To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 7^th April 2025

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

25/1155            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.

25/1156            To receive the Chairman’s Announcements

None were raised.

25/1157            To receive the Report of the Clerk

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

25/1158            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 two vacancies on the parish council and no expressions of interest have been received.   Discussions took place about how to encourage new Cllrs; the Chairman will write in the Church magazine to promote the parish council.

d)Website update – The Clerk had circulated information about the s5/26 AGAR where a new assertion about digital and data compliance will be included.  The various components to warrant a positive response were discussed.  The parish council currently meets the vast majority of these requirements, however to comply, a generic email address will be introduced and an IT policy will be drafted.

25/1159            Drainage, flooding and highway issues

No further matters were reported.

25/1160             Correspondence

1          DALC – Various circulars and information

2.         Samantha Niblett MP – seeking to hold quarterly meetings with parish council.

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

25/1161          Finance

1. Accounts passed for payment

                      For approval

Money Received

Balance at bank @ 24.04.25

Deposit account                                    £3,085.81

Current account                                    £7,208.29

b)         Requests for funding via S137

No requests for funding have been received.

(c)        To accept the internal auditor’s report for the accounts for the year ending 31^st March 2025

RESOLVED to accept the internal auditor’s report as previously circulated.  No matters were raised and no issues reported by the internal auditor.

(d)        To complete the AGAR for the year ending 31^st March 2025

RESOLVED to approve the accounts for the year ending 31.03.25 with no amendments and the AGAR was completed with positive responses.

(e)       Change of bank accounts from Lloyds to Unity Trust

The Clerk has all the details from members and will complete the new bank mandate.

25/1162            To consider Planning Applications

DMPA/2025/0226: The erection of a single storey side extension, redesign of frontage to construct lower eaves level on existing canopy, Addition of new timber framed storm porch, Internal reconfiguration and replacement of flat roofs at rear to pitched roofs at 217 Bretby Lane, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0QR (25/04/25)

RESOLVED No comments

 DMPA/2025/0363: Proposed two storey side and single storey rear extensions with new dormer extension to rear roof slope and flush-fitting rooflights to front roof slope at 88 Bretby Lane, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0QP (08/05/25)

RESOLVED No comments

DMPA/2024/1480: The erection of extension to existing club house to create a new entrance, toilet facilities and meeting rooms at Burton on Trent Golf Club, Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0PS (22/05/25)

RESOLVED No comments

DMOT/2025/0340: The approval of details reserved by condition 2 (Landscaping Scheme) of permission ref. DMPA/2023/1579 for approval of reserved matters following outline planning permission DMPA/2022/1336 for the erection of one detached infill dwelling with garaging at 70 Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0PT (14/04/25)

RESOLVED No comments

25/1163             Consultations

None received.

25/1164             Items for information only

(a)        To receive reports from Meetings attended

No meetings have been held.

Comments were received about the mowing of verges as Bretby Lane has received 3xcuts already this year.

(b)       Notification of Forthcoming meeting

10^th June 2025 – online meeting with Samantha Nibblett MP

 (c)       Training Sessions – All Cllrs have been provided with the training information via the DALC circulars.

6^th May 2025 –  Cllr Toone completed the Anti Harassment and bullying training

25/1165            Date of next meeting

The next Ordinary parish council meeting will be held on TUESDAY 8^th July 2025 at 7.30pm at St Wystan’s Church, Bretby.  

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 7:51pm.

BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH MEETING

TUESDAY 6^th MAY 2025 AT 7.00pm

  AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

Present:  Cllr S Toone (Chairman),    

In Attendance: Cllr M Falder, Cllr L Meyrick, Cllr J Lowe, Cllr K Haines, Mrs J Storer – Clerk,

1. To receive apologies for absence

Apologies were noted from Cllr Ballington, Cllr Corner.

• To receive the Annual report for 2024/25 – Cllr Toone

An eventful year with a lot of issues affecting the Parish.

Firstly, the Planning Application for the solar farm on Newton Lane. Together with Newton Solney Parish Council, our District and County Councillors and objections from many residents the application was rejected. We are however still awaiting any appeals. Incidentally we are still awaiting the result of appeal made by Knights Lodges about the use of the leisure building. Conversely, we did assist Bretby Parochial Church Council in obtaining planning consent  for the extension of the church burial ground which had been bogged down in red tape at DCC and SDDC for years. We continue to have some issues with enforcement of planning conditions made by SDDC.

We have at last made some progress in improving the roads in the parish. Some stretches of Bretby Lane have been resurfaced but others, for example outside the Garden Centre, still remain in a precarious state. Potholes continue to be a problem. Some progress has also been made to eliminate flooding of lanes in the Parish, which has been the subject of many complaints to DCC over the years. Following visits by Highways engineers arranged by Councillor Muller and guided by Councillor Falder there has been improvements in the drainage on Knights Lane, and Newton Lane and further work promised for flooding on the  bend on Geary Lane. Residents have again expressed concern about traffic in the Parish. The quantity of traffic on Bretby Lane and Knights Lane has increased, particularly of HGVs. Speeding has also been highlighted as a concern, with several requests for further speed restriction measures forwarded to DCC with no real response. One resident has also requested funding from the SNT to start a Community Speedwatch Group but has had no response to the request after several months.

We still have two vacancies for Parish Councillors which we will strive to fill.

3. Public Questions and comments

Cllr Falder reported the repairs on the bend on ~Geary Lane is starting to crumble after only 6 months.

There being no further matters, Cllr Toone closed the meeting at 7:14pm.

BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 6^th MAY 2025 AT 7:15 pm

  AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

Present:  Cllr S Toone (Chairman), Cllr M Falder, Cllr L Meyrick.

 In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Clerk, Cllr K Haines, Cllr J Lowe.

1. Election of Chairman

RESOLVED Cllr Toone was elected as Chairman for 2025/26

• Chairman to take and sign the Declaration of Office

Cllr Toone took and signed the Declaration of Office of Chair of the Parish Council.

• Election of Vice Chairman

RESOLVED Cllr Meyrick was elected as Vice Chairman for 2025/26

• Vice Chairman to take and sign the Declaration of Office

Cllr Meyrick took and signed the Declaration of Office of Vice Chair.

• Review/Completion of Register of Interests

No changes were made to the Register of Interests.

• Appointment of Committees – if required

RESOLVED no committees were formed.

• Appointment of Cllrs to External Bodies and arrangements for reporting back

RESOLVED any Cllr will attend any meetings.

• To review the Standing Orders

RESOLVED no changes were made to the Standing Orders which had previously been circulated.

• To review the Financial Regulations

RESOLVED no changes are to be made to the Financial Regulations.

1. Review of polices.

RESOLVED Cllr noted there are no changes to the parish council’s policies.

1. Review of inventory of land and assets.

The inventory of land and assets had been circulated with the accounts for the year ending 31.03.25 and with the agenda for this meeting. The inventory was accepted.

1. Review and confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insured risks.

RESOLVED the level of insurance cover was agreed and will be taken with Clear Councils Insurance. The insurance quoted for 2025/26 is £621.95, last year’s premium was £568.33.  there is the option of a 3 year fixed term to keep any increases to a minimum.  Insurance budget for 25/26 = £625.00

RESOLVED to accept the 3 year fixed term.

1. Review of the Council’s and/or employees’ memberships of other bodies.

RESOLVED to continue with membership of DALC and SLCC.

1. Reviewing the Council’s policies.

no changes are to be made to the Council’s policies however both Cllrs and the Clerk will monitor correspondence and guidance and will make recommendations to change policies if required.

There being no other business, the Chair closed the meeting at 7:24pm.

1. Review of inventory of land and assets.

                                 The parish council has the following assets at 31^st March 2025

RESOLVED to write down the pc laptop and scanner to £0 given its age

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD

MONDAY 7^th APRIL 2025 AT 7:30pm

AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

Present:  Cllr Toone (Chairman), Cllr Falder, Cllr T Ballington,

In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Clerk, Cllr Haines, Cllr Muller (7:57pm),1 members of the public.

24/1134             Apologies

Apologies were noted from Cllr Meyrick, Cllr Corner, Cllr Lowe. As a quorum was established, the Chair commenced the meeting.

24/1135            Variation of Order of Business

There was no alteration to the variation of the order of business.

24/1136             Declaration of Interests:

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

24/1137             Public Speaking

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

The resident, who at the last meeting reported the erratic display of informing of next Royal Main collections, now reported that the situation has improved.

Along the Ashby Road East pavement there is a build-up of soil in which weeds are germinating; if the soil is not removed immediately, the work undertaken last year to clear the site will have been wasted.  Cllrs noted that a large section of the pavement down to the Golf course has become narrow by years of build-up of soil.  Cllr Haines will follow this matter.

A query was raised about a planning application for 70 Ashby Road East to retain the fencing and landscaping.  Cllrs noted the parish council had not been informed of the application ad revisited the history of planning and lack of enforcement at the site.

Another query was raised about a planning application for 72 Ashby Road East, the resident queried why the application made no mention about drainage and that the work had been undertaken in 2014.   The Chair advised that the retrospective application will have to follow the normal planning guidelines and any concerns about drainage will be addressed by planning conditions and building regulations.

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

SDDC – Cllr Haines reported No May May has been rebranded as grass management and will extend beyond May. Cllrs requested Knights Lane verges are mown in the interest of highway safety.  Mowing has already commenced which in the view of Cllrs is too early and this observation will be taken back to SDDC by Cllr Haines.

The bin collections system is going digital; this was welcomed by the District Cllrs although the exact workings of the digital system is not known.

Cllr Haines reported upon a successful prosecution in relation to a recent fly tipping incident.

Following a discussion about the refusal of the solar farm planning application; Cllrs noted any appeals needs to be made within 6 months of the decision.

DCC – Cllr Muller reported the proposals for devolution have generated significant discussions, including the revisiting and reflection of previously dismissed suggestions.

Successful Cllrs at the forthcoming County Council elections will only undertake a 2-year term of office; this will bring District and County elections into sync and in readiness for any devolution arrangements.

Cllr Falder reported on a successful meeting with Highways Officers who met with him the week after the last parish council meeting. The flooding on Newton Lane and on Geary Lane have been temporarily resolved. The problems with Knights Lane verges were promised to be sorted.

Cllrs acknowledged that this was Cllr Muller’s last meeting due to the boundary review and thanked him for his help, support and work.

Cllr Toone made enquiries with Cllr Haines about a resident’s application to SNT for funding towards a Speedwatch scheme but who has heard nothing about the application; despite it being submitted some weeks ago – Cllr Haines will chase the application in the morning.

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

None were raised.

24/1138            To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 10^th February 2025

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

24/1139            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.

24/1140            To receive the Chairman’s Announcements

Cllr Toone reported upon the refusal of the solar farm application and the granting of the application to extend the church yard.The Church has written to the parish council to thank them and Cllr Toone for the support shown and this letter of thanks was read to the meeting.

24/1141            To receive the Report of the Clerk

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

24/1142            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 two vacancies on the parish council and no expressions of interest have been received.  

24/1143            Drainage, flooding and highway issues

No further matters were reported.

24/1144            Correspondence

1.         DALC – Various circulars and information

2.         Samantha Niblett MP – seeking views on holding of quarterly meetings with parish councils (circulated to cllrs 17.03.25)

3.         SDDC – Civic Service invite for 22^nd May 2025

4.         DCC – Council Plan 2025-2029

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

24/1145            Finance

1. Accounts passed for payment

                      For approval

Money Received

Balance at bank @ 26.03.25

Deposit account                                    £3,083.28

Current account                                    £4,205.53

b)         Requests for funding via S137

No requests for funding have been received.

• Change of bank from Lloyds to Unity Trust

The clerk made a request for Cllrs to provide information for signatories to the bank account.

24/1146            To consider Planning Applications

DMPA/2025/0012: Retention of hard standing for parking of vehicles and access and parking of machinery and two 20ft storage containers for associated maintenance purposes at Newton Mount Cottages, Bretby Lane, Bretby, Burton-on-Trent, DE15 0QS (25/04/25)

RESOLVED No objections

DMPA/2025/0192: Retention of a garage conversion to living accommodation at 72 Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0PT (28/04/25)

RESOLVED No objections

DMPA/2024/1608:The erection of a two storey side extension, single storey rear and side extension, alterations to front bay windows, formation of a new driveway and relocation of access and remodelling of existing dwelling with associated works at 1 Oldicote Lane, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0QH (20/03/25) – Amended application

RESOLVED No objections

DMPN/2025/0150: Application to determine if prior approval is required under Part 3 Class Q (Agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses) for the proposed conversion of 2 no. agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses at Town Farm, Unnamed Road from Geary Lane To Town Farm, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0RD (09/04/25)

Cllr Falder declared an interest in this application as he is a tenant of land around this site.

RESOLVED No objections

DMOT/2025/0255: Pruning of three Oak trees covered by Tree Preservation Order 150 at 2 Ashby Road East, Bretby, DE15 0PT (09/04/25)

RESOLVED No objections provided the work is undertaken in the autumn.

24/1147             Consultations

DCC – Public experiences of local pharmacy services – circulated to Cllrs 27.02.25 – NOTED

SDDC – Local Plan 2022 -2041 – Monday 10th March to 5pm on Friday 25th April 2025, representations to be on legal compliance and soundness – circulated to Cllrs 11.03.25 – NOTED

SDDC Active Wellbeing Strategy Youth Survey – deadline 21^st March 2025 – NOTED

SDDC – Charitable Collections Policy – deadline 20^th June 2025 – NOTED

EMA – Draft Sustainable Development Plan Consultation 2025 – deadline closes 16^th May 2025 – NOTED                                                                           

24/1148             Items for information only

(a)        To receive reports from Meetings attended

6^th March 2025 – Clerk to attend a session at SDDC about elections and vacancies.

(b)       Notification of Forthcoming meeting

None were raised.

 (c)       Training Sessions – All Cllrs have been provided with the training information via the DALC circulars.

The Clerk was requested to resend the link to the Harassment training.

24/1149            Date of next meeting

The next Ordinary parish council meeting will be held on TUESDAY 6th MAY 2025 at 7.00pm at St Wystan’s Church, Bretby.  The Annual meeting of the parish council and the Annual meeting of the parish will also be held on the same evening.

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8:26pm.