Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 20th. November 2025 in the Upstairs Room of the Wheel Public House, Leek Road, Longsdon at 7.00pm.
Present: Councillor J. Sargeant (Chair).
Councillors D. Hughes, R. Lovell & K. Shaw.
In Attendance: John Bourne, Clerk to the Council.
77/25 Apologies for Absence.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S. Dickinson & C. Hogan.
78/25 Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest at this point.
79/25 Chairman’s Address.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
80/25 Public Comments.
There was no business under this item.
81/25 Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on 25th. September 2025 had been circulated, and it was agreed that the minutes be signed as a true record.
82/25 Matters Arising.
(a) Defibrillator Cabinet.
The electrical connection together with the installation of the heated cabinet had been agreed. However, there would be a charge of £100.00 + V.A.T. for the electrical socket. It was agreed to accept this quotation. It was hoped that the socket could be in place in time for the Christmas tree but battery power could be used in the first instance if necessary.
(b) Christmas Tree.
A lengthy discussion took place on the purchase and installation of the Christmas tree. Councillor Lovell had been in contact with one supplier already but a further supplier would be contacted if necessary. It was agreed that a maximum sum of £150.00 could be spent on the project.
Councillor Lovell reported that he could possibly arrange for the loan of the large step ladder.
(c) Common Land.
It was reported that one bench on the site had been laid aside and the other had now also been laid aside. It was suggested that Staffs. Wildlife Trust could be involved for advice and perhaps a Natural Habitat could be established.
(d) Remembrance Day Poppies.
Three poppies were destroyed by storms whilst being displayed this year. More would be purchased for next year.
83/25 Other Business.
Lengthsman Instructions.
The lengthsman would be instructed to clear the debris and vegetation from the pavement by the wooden bus shelter and adjacent to the old New Inn.
.
84/25. Correspondence.
The following had already been distributed to Councillors: - SMDC – Residents’ Survey.
Town & Parish Councils Networking Event.
Road Closure – Dunwood Lane – 8th./10th.December 2025.
5th./ 7th. January 2026.
Proposed Changes to Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
SMDC Chairman’s Charity Concert- 20th. December 2025 SMDC In Touch Newsletter.
Christmas Events in the Moorlands.
Stoke.gov.uk – Local Government Re-organisation.
Moorlands Climate Change Summer Newsletter.
Bleed Kit Training – 25th. November 2025.
85/25 Planning Matters.
There was no business under this item.
86/25 Finance Matters.
Orders for Payment.
It was agreed that the following items be paid:
| Recipient | Amount | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| J. A. Gibson. ( | £ 108.00 | . Litter Picking. |
| ( | £ 84.00 | . County Type Jobs. |
| £ 265.00 | Invoiced to District Councillor Cox for Requested Jobs. | |
| John Bourne. | £ 750.11 | Clerk’s Salary & Expenses- (6 months) Nett. |
| H.M. Revenue & Customs. | £ 177.00 | P.A.Y.E. |
| The Wheel. | £ 25.00 | . Replacement Cheque – Original Lost. |
| The Wheel. | £ 25.00 | Room Hire. |
| Ionos | £ 7.20 | Monthly Charge paid by direct debit 10th. October 25. |
| £ 7.20 | Monthly Charge paid by direct debit 10th. November.25. |
87/25 Public Comments.
There was no business under this item.
88/25 Items for Inclusion in the Agenda for the Next Meeting.
There was no business under this item.
89/25 Date of Next Meeting.
The date of the next meeting was arranged for Tuesday 6th. January 2026 at 7.00pm in Longsdon Memorial Hall, Leek Road, Longsdon. The day and venue changed due to the upstairs room of The Wheel becoming unavailable.