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Minutes Approved by Chair / Acting Chair : …………………………… Date: ……………………………
BRERETON AND RAVENHILL PARISH COUNCIL
DISTRICT OF CANNOCK CHASE COUNTY OF STAFFORDSHIRE
Minutes of the
ANNUAL PARISH FULL COUNCIL
Held at: the Parish Hall, Ravenhill Park, Brereton, Rugeley. WS15 1DU
Thursday 16th May 8.15pm – 9.30pm
WELCOME
Members Present:
M Blackham (MB)(Chair),
S Merriman (SM),
K Theobald (KT),
C Davies (CD),
C. Harris (CH),
K Paul (KP),
J Gascoigne (JG)(V-Chair),
A Cowdell (AC),
D Blocksidge (DB),
APOLOGIES
Members Absent: apologies were received from R Hall (RH), R Hall-Davies (RHD), C Boulton (CB), which were accepted. No apologises were received from J Johnson (JJ) which were not accepted.
In Attendance: PR Whibley (Clerk)
Election of Chairman 2024/25.
MB was proposed, seconded and unanimously elected. He duly completed his Acceptance of Office form for the coming year 2024-2025
Election of Vice Chairman 2024/25.
JG was proposed, seconded and unanimously elected. He duly completed his Acceptance of Office form for the coming year 2024-2025
Confirmation of the accuracy of the minutes of the last meeting of the council;
The previous minutes were agreed and signed as a true record.
Receipt and approval of the minutes of the last meeting of a committee;
The council expressed their thanks for the reports and minutes which were approved.
Determining the time and place of all meetings of the Council/Committees.
The meeting explored how the scheme of delegation which the council had implemented was working and what improvements could be tried or considered. It became clear that without committees having the ability to spend any money, (which even having a proposed delegated budget would not overcome the issue). It meant that when committees recommended a purchase the time lapse before it was scrutinised and finally approved by the Full Council and actioned was soul-destroying.
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Minutes Approved by Chair / Acting Chair : …………………………… Date: ……………………………
The council wanted to retain the collective responsibility of all spending. Therefore a proposal was put forward to change the whole scheme of delegation to overcome this issue.
Meetings will be held every fortnight, on the first and third Thursday of every month. There would be no ordinary meetings during the months of August or December. The FAR Committee meeting would be followed by the Full Council. The Planning Committee would remain (timetabled as necessary) but all other committees would become Working Groups (WG). Each WG would have an agreed Lead member. The WG’s would have the same overall remit as when they were committees but without any delegated power of authority. All decisions would be made by the Full Council. They would be able to work remotely but recommend items for their WG section on the meeting agendas.
1st Thursday of the Month
Finance, Asset and Risk Committee 7.30pm – 8.00pm
Full Council 8.00pm – 9.30pm
3rd Thursday of the Month
Planning Committee 7.00pm – 7.30pm (if needed)
Finance, Asset and Risk Committee 7.30pm – 8.00pm
Full Council 8.00pm – 9.30pm
See ◉ below.
Review of the terms of reference for committees;
The Terms of Reference for both the Planning and the Finance Asset & Risk Committee is presently under review. When completed it will be taken to the Full Council for agreement.
Appointment of members to existing committees;
The members on both the Planning and the Finance Asset & Risk Committee remain unchanged.
Appointment of any new committees in accordance with standing order 4 above;
None.
Review and adoption of appropriate standing orders and financial regulations;
Both presently under review by the clerk but when complete these will be given to the Council and FAR committee for amendment.
Review of arrangements, including any charters and agency agreements, with other local authorities and review of contributions made to expenditure incurred by other local authorities;
None.
Review of representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back;
The role of our member, who is also a District Councillor, was discussed and will be raised at the next Full Council meeting.
Review of inventory of land and assets including buildings and office equipment.
Presently under review by a working group.
Confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks;
Presently under review by a working group.
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Minutes Approved by Chair / Acting Chair : …………………………… Date: ……………………………
Review of the Council’s and/or staff subscriptions to other bodies;
It was agreed that these two staff subscriptions should remain. No new ones to be added.
xiii. Review of the Council’s complaints procedure;
The Council do not have one. The clerk will endeavour to produce a draft policy.
Review of the Council’s policies, procedures and practices in respect of its obligations under freedom of information and data protection legislation (see also standing orders 11, 20 and 21);
CD as our DPO will take on the data protection element but would appreciate some external training to help her in this task.
Review of the Council’s policy for dealing with the press/media;
The council have an ancient policy dated 2014 but it has never been updated. Also the existing Media Policy advice bounces between the Media Policy and our Standing Orders
Review of the Council’s employment policies and procedures;
The Council do not have one. The clerk will endeavour to produce a draft policy.
Review of the Council’s expenditure incurred under s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 or the general power of competence.
To date, no expenditure has been granted.
Determining the time and place of ordinary meetings of the Council up to and including the next annual meeting of the Council. See ◉ above.
COMMITTEES
FINANCE ASSET & RISK COMMITTEE
Election of Chair 2024/25. MB
Election of Vice Chair 2024/25. KP
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Election of Chair 2024/25. (CH)
Election of Vice Chair 2024/25. (JG)
POLICY PRACTICES & PROCEDURES WG
Election of Lead 2024/25. –
PARISH HALL MANAGEMENT WG
Election of Lead 2024/25. –
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WG
Election of Lead 2024/25. –
STAFFING WG
Election of Lead 2024/25. –
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Minutes Approved by Chair / Acting Chair : …………………………… Date: ……………………………
HERITAGE WG
Election of Lead 2024/25. –
SPEED CALMING WG
Election of Lead 2024/25. –
NEIGHBOURHOOD WG
Election of Lead 2024/25. –
DATE OF NEXT ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: PROVISIONAL
Thursday 15th May 2025 in the Parish Hall Meeting Room at 8.00pm
Meeting closed: 9.21pm
PR Whibley
Clerk BRPC