Berkswich Parish Council 3 March 2026

BERKSWICH PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Berkswich Parish Council Meeting held on

Tuesday 3 March 2026 at 7.30 pm at Walton Village Hall

Present:       Cllr Alan Taylor (Chair), Cllr Michael Norris, Cllr Sue Francis, Cllr Bob Gilson, Cllr Vicky Campbell, Cllr Tim Luker, Cllr Ann Millichap, Cllr Malcolm Millichap, and Cllr Beverley Hughes

In attendance:   Cllr Ann Edgeller, Staffordshire County and Stafford Borough Council, Cllr Peter Edgeller, Stafford Borough Council, Sue Fullwood, Clerk/RFO and three members of the public.

Cllr Taylor welcomed everyone to the meeting.

26/16        Public Session

1. Planning application 25/41518/PIP – 70 Old Croft Road

Person 1 was concerned about the proposal for four homes to be built on this plot, as they would overlook neighbouring properties and the highways access would be dangerous.  The application would be going to planning committee on 11 March.  Cllr Taylor advised that the Planning Officer’s report would be publicly available on the SBC Planning Portal.   SBC/SCC Cllr A Edgeller said that SBC Cllr P Edgeller would also be able to speak at committee as he had “called in” the application.

1. R&J Aggregates, Milford

Persons 2 and 3 were concerned about unauthorised activities at the former Nicholls Haulage yard near The Green, Milford which was now used by R&J Aggregates for parking lorries used in their business.  Since Christmas 2025 storage silos and other machinery had been erected at the site which was now used for bagging aggregates. There was concern that these materials were harmful to public health and the environment of Cannock Chase National Landscape.  Plant and machinery were in use all day, sometimes from 4am causing noise and disturbance to residents.  It was also believed that there was an occupied residential caravan on site. Attention was drawn to another property near to the Barley Mow where the garden had been separated off and was now being used as a builders’ yard, again without planning permission.  Cllr Taylor responded that the situation sounded serious but that the Parish Council had no power to act.  If a planning application was put in, BPC would be able to comment, but they had no more power than a local resident.  SBC had the power to issue a ‘stop’ notice or take other enforcement action.  Cllr Campbell suggested also contacting the MP for the area, Sir Gavin Williamson.  Cllr Taylor thanked persons 2 and 3 for bringing the issue to the Council’s attention. Person 2 was asked to email SBC Cllr P Edgeller so that he could raise the issue with SBC.

26/17        Apologies – apologies received from Cllr Caroline Pearson due to family illness.  SCC Cllr Andrew Mynors could not attend as he was at another meeting.

26/18        Minutes of the meetings held on 3 February 2026 – Cllr Hughes requested that the question she raised regarding whether Village Gateway signs were necessary was included in the minutes.  Action: Clerk.  Resolved: minutes as amended agreed unanimously.

26/19         Declarations of Interest regarding items on the agenda – None.

26/20        Clerk’s Report for February 2026 – Resolved: accepted unanimously.

26/21        Review of Parish Boundaries

Cllr M Millichap expressed disappointment that he had been led to believe that SBC were not considering established parish councils whilst setting up the proposed Stafford Town Council, to include the majority of urban Stafford including Doxey which was already parished.  He felt that all parishes would be looking to secure their position in any future reorganisation including amalgamation with neighbours. He didn’t want Berkswich to be caught out and risk being swallowed up in the schemes of others and should have its own counter proposals.  Berkswich PC had owned the War Memorial at the top of Radford Bank since 1919 but it was outside the current parish council boundary.  He felt the parish council should consult on taking in Hillcroft Park and Baswich as far as the War Memorial to resume something of its historic extent.  Cllr Norris suggested going all the way to the River Penk.  Cllr M Millichap said that the Council needed to agree whether to do nothing or if action was to be taken, what it should be.  Cllr Norris added that the most dangerous option could be to do nothing at all.  Cllr Taylor felt it was necessary to find out what other councils were doing, at TVCG and possibly the LGR session by SPCA on 6 March, and also the costs involved with a consultation and with running an enlarged parish.  Action: Cllr M Millichap and Cllr Norris

26/22        Potential Purchase of Village Gateway Signs

The Clerk had obtained a quote from Three Fish, a local sign company for aluminium signs with vinyl printing. Resolved: Clerk to suggest locations and discuss with Highways.  Action: Clerk

26/23        Planting Bulbs in Grass Verges

A discussion took place about the possibility of planting flowering bulbs in grass verges on Milford/Main Road.  Resolved: it was agreed to leave the idea for one year to allow the flower beds to settle.

26/24        Response to Staffordshire Local Government Review Consultation

A discussion took place around the various options submitted by Staffordshire local authorities.  Resolved: it was agreed that BPC’s preferred option was one not offered, the whole of Staffordshire including SoTCC as one unitary authority – Cllr Campbell abstained as she did not know enough of the background.  Clerk to respond on behalf of BPC.  Action: Clerk

26/25        Triangle of Land on The Village

The Clerk had received a quote from a solicitor to investigate ownership of the land and had asked for others.  One other person had responded to say they would give a quote.  Item deferred to April meeting.  Action: Clerk

26/26        Sakura Cherry Tree Project

SPCA had sent an email asking if councils would like spare Sakura cherry trees.  Unfortunately the trees had all been taken and SPCA had no plans to receive any further trees.

26/27        Clerk’s Working Hours

The Clerk had accumulated over 50 unpaid hours during 2025 and Council were asked to consider three options wef 1.4.26: A – to increase the Clerk’s hours to 14 per week; B – to keep the hours at 12 per week but decrease the workload; or C – to keep the hours at 12 per week and pay overtime on an ad hoc basis.  Resolved: Cllr Francis proposed to go with option A, seconded by Cllr Gilson motion carried.  Cllr Taylor suggested an honorarium be paid to the Clerk for the already accrued hours of £500 which was agreed as above.  Action: Clerk

26/28        Financial Matters

1. Bank reconciliation and expenditure for January and February 2026 Resolved: Approved unanimously.

1. Budget report for January and February 2026 – Resolved: Approved unanimously.

26/29        Planning Matters

1. Planning application 25/41590/ANX – Resolved: the Council agreed they had no comment on this application. Action: Clerk

26/30        Reports from other meetings

1. Environment Group

Cllr Luker updated that the sub-group were set to go with the FiPL application for bird, bat and owl boxes.  Funding for the FiPL Project had been extended for a further three years so the application was not as urgent.  The FiPL Officer had sent a long email and Cllr Taylor had spoken to her.  A meeting would be arranged with her to ensure everyone was on the same page.

26/31        Items for the Agenda for the Parish Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 7 April 2026

Items agreed were: Parish Boundaries; Village Gateway signs; Parish Fete.

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.40 pm.