MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD
MONDAY 7th 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
- 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 10th 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.
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 22nd May 2025
4. DCC – Council Plan 2025-2029
All Cllrs have been circulated with the information prior to the meeting..
24/1145 Finance
- Accounts passed for payment
| BACS | Staffing – Feb | £163.98 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI and PAYE (Feb) | £44.00 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (Feb) | £57.89 |
| BACS | Staffing – March | £163.98 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI and PAYE (March) | £44.00 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (March) | £57.89 |
| Charges | Service charges | £4.25 |
For approval
| Mrs J Storer | Expenses | c/f to next meeting |
| BACS | Staffing – April | £163.98 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI & PAYE (April) | £44.00 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (April) | £57.89 |
| DALC | Subscription 2025/26 Standard Cllrs agreed for the standard subscription rather than the enhanced rate | £395.54 |
Money Received
| Deposit interest | Feb 2025 | £2.70 |
| Deposit interest | March 2025 | £2.36 |
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 21st March 2025 – NOTED
SDDC – Charitable Collections Policy – deadline 20th June 2025 – NOTED
EMA – Draft Sustainable Development Plan Consultation 2025 – deadline closes 16th May 2025 – NOTED
24/1148 Items for information only
(a) To receive reports from Meetings attended
6th 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.