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

BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY 5^th MAY 2026 AT 7:15 pm

  AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

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

 In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Clerk, Cllr M Belfield, 2 members of the public.

1. Election of Chairman

RESOLVED Cllr Toone was elected as Chairman for 2026/27

• 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 2026/27

• Vice Chairman to take and sign the Declaration of Office

Cllr Meyrick will take and sign the Declaration of Office of Vice Chair prior to the next meeting.

• Review/Completion of Register of Interests

Cllrs had been earlier been reminded by SDDC of the requirement to review and update their individual Register of Interest. 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 to accept the latest version of the Standing Orders from NALC which had previously been circulated.

• To review the Financial Regulations

RESOLVED to accept the changes made to the Financial Regulations.

1. Review of polices.

RESOLVED 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.

1. Review of inventory of land and assets.

The inventory of land and assets had been circulated with the accounts for the year ending 31.03.26 and with the agenda for this meeting. The inventory was accepted.

                                 The parish council has the following assets at 31^st March 2026

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

The quote for the insurance cover for 2026/27 has not been received; the Clerk has been chasing for the quotation.

At the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held in May 2025, it was resolved to accept the 3 year fixed term for the insurance; the year 2026/27 will be the second year of the fixed agreement.

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

RESOLVED to continue with membership of DALC and SLCC.

The Clerk confirmed the DALC subscription fee was purely for Bretby Parish Council whilst the SLCC fee has been pro- rated between the three parish councils the Clerk works for.

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

BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 5^th MAY 2026 AT 7:25pm

AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

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

In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Cllr Benfield, Cllr Haines (from 8:00 pm onwards), 2 members of the public.

26/1250   Apologies

Apologies were noted from Cllr Meyrick (Personal) and from Cllr Lowe.  Cllr Haines advised in advance of her late attendance due to a planning committee meeting.

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

26/1251  Variation of Order of Business

No variation to the order of the business was noted.

26/1252  Declaration of Interests:

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

26/1253  Public Speaking

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

No comments were raised.

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

Cllr Belfield report on his efforts with DCC in relation to repairs to the carriageway on Knights Lane following damage caused by a car fire.

He has also received a complaint from a resident about lorries waiting to access the Bretby Nurseries; this complaint related to noise disturbance and has been logged with DCC and with SDDC Planning Dept.

A DCC officer related to drainage issues has looked at the flooding on Newton Lane and noted half the drains are not logged onto DCC system, the system has now been updated and the drains scheduled for a clean.  An additional drain has been installed. DCC will ask the landowners to dig trenches in their fields to help prevent the lane from flooding.

After the last meeting, Cllr Belfield requested a grass cutting schedule, this is still outstanding and he informed the meeting that he will continue to chase for the schedule.

Cllr Falder commented the cutting of verges was not the main priority, Bretby Lane does not require cutting as residents cut outside their property and therefore resources should be allocated elsewhere, citing it was more important to have good visibility on Knights Lane, Newton Lane and Watery Lane.

The Willington bridge may close for 4 weeks in August whilst repairs are undertaken, this includes being closed to pedestrians.  There remains some uncertainty whether the works will take place as the diversion routes are also scheduled for repairs but DCC is working with Staffs CC to find alternative routes.  A request was made for diversion signs to be erected earlier along routes to notify motorists of the road closures. It was noted that should the repairs not take place over the summer, the repairs will most likely be pushed back for another 12 months in order to avoid major traffic disruption during school times.

Discussions took place relating to the number of roadworks and temporary traffic lights in place around the district, along with instances cited where no work appears to be happening.  Cllr Belfield reported utility companies have a high level of statutory powers and the fines levied to utility companies who do not put out the correct signage or who delay works, are not large enough to deter delays in work being undertaken.

There are no further updates relating to the Local Government Review (LGR) but all acknowledged whatever the outcome of the review, there will be additional roles for parish councils.

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

None were raised.

26/1254   To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 17^th March 2026

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

26/1255   To approve the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish held on 17^th March 2026

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

26/1256   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.

26/1257   To receive the Chairman’s Announcements

The appeal for the solar farm has been dismissed but there remains the option for the applicants to appeal to the Secretary of State.

The speed watch group continues and reports several motorists have been caught driving at over 50 mph along the lane; there are some repetitive repeat offenders.

Some residents on Bretby Lane have reported inconsiderate parking on pavements. Cllr Belfield has spoken with the Highways Dept and has been advised that unless a vehicle is blocking the access to a driveway, the Highways  Dept will not become  involved.  The responsibility for parking enforcement lies with the police, with little or no action being taken. Parking has been reported to previous Area Forums but no action has followed.

26/1258  To receive the Report of the Clerk

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

26/1259  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 three vacancies on the parish council, there is one expression of interest and this person will attend the next meeting.

d)  To adopt the Retention list of documents

RESOLVED to adopt the retention of document list without any amendment.

26/1260  Drainage, flooding, and highway issues

The matter was discussed earlier in the meeting.

This item will be removed from future agenda items as discussions of these matters are raised in other sections of the meeting.

Cllr Ballington reported that on 1^st April 2026, all drains on Ashby Road East were cleared and pavements swept.

The Enforcement Officer was reported to be content with the hedging at 70 Ashby Road East however following additional representations and reminders of planning conditions, more hedging has been planted this week and the Enforcement Officer will monitor the situation to ensure that hedging complies with planning conditions.

26/1261  Correspondence

1.         DALC – Various circulars and information

2.         Findern parish council – Regulation 16 consultation on the NDP

3.         MP – briefing guide to Martyn’s Law

4.         SDDC – SDDC Civic Council Meeting – Thursday 21st May 2026

5.         MP – copy of letter sent to The Right Hon. Steve Reed MP Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to recent planning decisions

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

8:00pm Cllr Haines  arrived.

Standing Orders were suspended to allow Cllr Haines to address the meeting.

Cllr Toone thanked Cllr Haines for her work on the solar farm appeal.

Cllr Haines reported the Local Plan has been revised to reflect a 5 year supply following the comments made by the Planning Inspector at the appeal for housing at Kings Newton.  The Regulation 19 consultation on the revised Local Plan has commenced today.

Food waste caddies have been delivered to all properties in the district, with 1^st June 2026 planned for the start of food waste collections. There is a separate team for food waste collections, this will go to a digestor.

The Chair returned to Standing Orders.

26/1262   Finance

(a)        Accounts for Payment

Accounts passed for payment

For approval

Money Received

Balance at bank @ 27.04.26

Deposit account                                    £3,105.56– interest rate 0.50%

Current account                                    £8,161.82

(b)        To consider any requests for funds made under S137

            No requests have been received.

©         To sign the bank reconciliations (Fin Regs 2.6)

            Cllr Toone is to review the bank reconciliations.

 (d)       To review the effectiveness of internal controls (Fin Regs 2.4 & 3.5)

             Having reviewed the Financial Regulations, Cllrs considered the internal controls were effective and no changes were made.

 (e)       To consider the internal auditor’s report on the year ending 31^st March 2026 and consider appointment of internal auditor for 2026/27 (Fin Regs 3.8)                       

             The internal auditor’s report was circulated with the meeting papers.

             RESOLVED to accept the comments and recommendations contained within the internal auditor’s report. The new Standing Orders were adopted at tonight’s Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and the Financial Regulations amended.

             RESOLVED to continue with East Midlands Audit Services Ltd for the internal audit of the 2026/27 financial year.

 (f)        To complete the Annual Governance Statement for the year 2025/26

             RESOLVED, all Cllrs approved the annual governance statement.  The Chair and Clerk signed the statement.

(g)        To approve the accounting statements

             RESOLVED all Cllrs approved the accounting statements that the Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer had already signed. The Chairman signed the statement.

(h)        To review bank signatures and to make amendments to the bank mandate (Fin Regs 6.1)

             All Cllrs are signatories on the bank account, no changes are to be made to the bank mandate.

• To approve transfer for funds from current account to deposit account

RESOLVED: To transfer £5,000 from the current account to the deposit account.

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

The capital costs of a SID were given to the meeting, Cllrs noting no grant funding is available and any purchase will be funded from the Parish Council funds.  Cllrs discussed the effectiveness of

SIDs and possible locations along Bretby Lane.

             RESOLVED to obtain full costings for the purchase, installation and ongoing maintenance of a SID.

26/1263  To consider Planning Applications

DMPA/2026/0305:The erection of extensions, roof alterations and the erection of a car port to the front of the detached garage along with the raising of the garage roof at 82A Ashby Road East, Bretby, DE15 0PT (09/04/26)

AMENDED plans submitted and circulated to Cllrs 29/04/25 with deadline of 20/05/26

No comments are made.

DMPA/2026/0260: Change of use from barn to residential (C3) with extension at The Sett, Unnamed Road Through Bretby Park, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0RB (10/04/26)

 No comments are made.

DMPA/2026/0327: Change of use of The Dower House for short term holiday letting at The Dower House, Hartshorne Road, Repton, Derby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0RB (11/04/26)

No comments are made.

DMOT/2026/0390: The felling of trees at Cedar Court Nursing Home, Unnamed Road Through Bretby Park, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0QX (24/04/26)

No comments are made.

DMPA/2026/0481: The erection of extensions, roof alterations and the erection of a car port to the front of the detached garage along with the raising of the garage roof at 82A Ashby Road East, Bretby, DE15 0PT (16/05/26)

The above application has been amended. The amendments are summarised as amended red line on location plan

No comments are made.

26/1264   Consultations

East Midlands Freeport Strategic Infrastructure and Contributions Supplementary Planning Document – Consultation deadline 27^th April 2026 – No comments are made.

Future format of Area Forum Meetings – circulated to Cllrs 10.03.26 – No comments are made.

26/1265   Items for information only

(a)        To receive reports from Meetings attended

18^th March 2026 – Online forum on reorganisation of Local Government (DALC) – no report was received.

(b)       Notification of Forthcoming meeting

            6^th May 2026 – online forum with Samantha Nibblett MP

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

26/1266  Date of next meeting

The next Ordinary parish council meeting will be held on Tuesday 7^th July 2026 at 7.30pm at St Wystan’s Church, Bretby.

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.

26/1267   Clerk – use of home

The Clerk explained the changes that came into effect on 1^st April 2026 relating to use of home and that no advice has yet been received as to how this impact for Clerk will be mitigated.   The matter was deferred to a later meeting.

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8:29 pm.

BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 17^th MARCH 2026 AT 7:30 pm

AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY

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

In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Clerk, Cllr Lowe, Cllr Benfield (from 7:33pm), Cllr Haines (from 7:33pm)

25/1234             Apologies

Apologies were noted from Cllr Haines and Cllr Benfield  who will be attending late.

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

25/1235            Variation of Order of Business

The order of business was amended to allow reports from Cllr Benfield and Cllr Haines once they arrive.

25/1236             Declaration of Interests:

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

25/1237             Public Speaking

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

None present.

A summary of when the footways were cleaned was provided by a resident and read to the meeting by Cllr Ballington. The carriageway remains covered in debris

All the gullies are full and Cllr Ballington has submitted a complaint about the lack of attention to the gullies.

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

This will be taken later in the meeting once the Cllrs arrived.

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

None were raised.

25/1238             To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 12^th January 2026

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

7:33pm Cllr Benfield and Cllr Haines  arrived.

Standing Orders were suspended to allow Cllrs to address the meeting.

Cllr Benfield informed that the potholes on Bretby Lane has been fixed and he has written to Staffordshire County Council requesting repairs to be undertaken at the roundabout on Bretby Lane.  Work has been undertaken but the condition of the road remains poor.

Newton Lane was closed for 2 week whilst the drains were cleared and temporary repairs have been undertaken, Cllr Benfield has complained to the CEO at DCC about the state of repairs, the timing and information of the works. Also noted that if the gullies were attended to in the autumn then much of the problems experienced over the winter could have been avoided.

He has also chased DCC about the ongoing concerns around the lights at nurseries, DCC visited the site at 7am when no lights were on, Cllr Benfield will try to get DCC back in the autumn to observe the concerns around the lighting.

Ashby Road road signs, DCC Highways reports they could not find the faults to the road signs reported at the last meeting.  Cllr Ballington will provide further details and photos to Cllr Benfield.

Cllr Lowe informed the new food waste regulations come into effect on  1^st June 2026 and food caddies will be issued to all households this April.  SDDC anticipated a  low take up and usage of the caddies of around 17%.  SDDC has invested in smaller vehicles, and is hiring extra teams to carry out the food waste collections. No information has been received about the future of brown bins

Environmental Health has invested £50,000 in cameras in the campaign against rural fly tipping.

Street Cleansing and Street Scene  have merged.  Cllrs reported being impressed by the speed of the removal of flytipping on Watery Lane.

Tracy Bingham is now Asst CEO, as Dr Ives is working on the loca government review (LGR).

Cllr Haines reported the Local Plan Part1 is back for consultation due to modifications.

Mowing of Bretby Lane, the Green and other areas have already had the first cut but other areas such as Watery Lane, Knights Lane and Newton Lane are not mown in the summer when they requires it most, Cllr Benfield will obtain a mowing schedule and what is hoped to be achieved by SDDC by starting the mowing so early.

The Highways Dept is attending a meeting at Repton on 26^th March to explain and to provide a rational why the works are scheduled and why diversions are as such.

The Chair returned to Standing Orders.

25/1239            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.

25/1240            To receive the Chairman’s Announcements

There was no report.

25/1241            To receive the Report of the Clerk

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

25/1242            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 three vacancies on the parish council, and no expressions of interest have been received.

d)  To adopt the following policies

• Scheme of Delegation
• Co-option
• Grant awards policy and application form

RESOLVED to adopt the policies without any amendment.

e) To receive an update on the website’s readiness to be 2.2AAA compliant

     Website is completed and compliant.  Information about  visits to the website will be provided to the next meeting.

25/1243            Drainage, flooding, and highway issues

The matter was discussed earlier in the meeting.

25/1244             Correspondence

1.         DALC – Various circulars and information

2.         Resident – copied into emails about sweeping of pavement

3.         DALC – Webinar on Local Government Reorganisation (Wednesday 18 March 2026 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm) Online forum – free to attend.

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

25/1245          Finance

(a)        Accounts for Payment

    Accounts passed for payment

For approval

Money Received

Balance at bank @ 28.02.26

Deposit account                                    £3,103.05– interest rate 0.50%

Current account                                    £5,634.43

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

25/1246            To consider Planning Applications

No applications have been received.

A complaint about the felling of trees at 70A Ashby Road East has been submitted on 26^th February 2026 but no response have been received.

Cllr Lowe explained Biodiversity Net Gain.

25/1247            Consultations

None received.

25/1248   Items for information only

(a)  To receive reports from Meetings attended.

Cllr Ballington will attend the DALC session on the reintroduction of beavers.

24^th February 2026 – SDDC planning Forum – no report.

(b)       Notification of Forthcoming meeting – Area Forum dates to include

18^th March 2026 – Online forum on reorganisation of Local Government (DALC)

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

Cllrs are still to complete the training relating to Prevention of harassment and to provide certificates to the Clerk.

25/1249            Date of next meeting

The next Ordinary parish council meeting will be held on  TUESDAY 5^th MAY 2026 at 7.30pm at St Wystan’s Church, Bretby.

This will also be the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council which will commence at 7:15pm

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8:12pm.