Stowe by Chartley Parish Council – Full Council
Minutes 13 October 2026
A meeting of Stowe by Chartley Parish Council which was held on Wednesday 14th October 2026, at the Stowe by Chartley Village Hall, which commenced at 7.35pm, some 35 minutes later than the published starting time of 7pm. It was noted that the meeting time was delayed due to some councillors requesting clarification on the agenda item 26/174(b) and this discussion delayed the meeting start time.
Please note, following the discussion prior to the meeting, Cllr P Coote, Cllr J Harnett and Cllr L Tilston decided to leave the village hall prior to the PC meeting commencing, stating they were leaving because the chair did not ask the only member of the general public present to leave the village hall, after his comments which the above councillors considered were offensive.
It was also noted that no apologies for absence, were recorded for this meeting from the above councillors, who left the village hall at 7.34pm.
However, it was further noted that the meeting had not started at this point, so the chair had no authority to ask anyone to leave the meeting or instruct anyone to leave the village hall.
The only member of the general public in the village hall, who had arrived to attend the meeting, also then chose to leave the village hall prior to the PC meeting commencing.
It was confirmed prior to the meeting by the PC chair Cllr K Byrne, that if three councillors remained, at the meeting, this would ensure a quorum, and therefore the meeting would continue as per the calling notice for the PC meeting, as previously circulated on the PC meeting agenda.
The PC chair welcomed councillors to the meeting and commenced the meeting at 7.35pm. Present at the meeting: Cllr K Byrne, Cllr T Alder and Cllr E Finney.
Attendance: There were no members of the general public, in attendance at the meeting and it was noted the PC clerk was also absent.
The PC Chairman open the meeting at 7.35pm, Cllr Alder suggested we proceeded with the planned meeting as three members present ensured the meeting was quorate, this was agreed by those present.
26/163 To agree minute taker. It was therefore resolved that the meeting would be recorded and the minutes transcribed from the tape recording, at a later date as suggested by the Staffordshire Parish Councils Association. This motion was proposed by Cllr Finney and seconded by Cllr Alder.
It was also noted apologies were not included on the agenda, in error, so it was therefore reported Cllr R Ryson had sent his apologies which were excepted along, with apologies for Cllr Andrew Mynors – SSC. Agreed: The above was noted and agreed proposed by Cllr Finney and seconded by Cllr Alder.
26/164 To receive Declarations of Interest. None were received.
26/165 To receive and consider written applications for dispensations under the Localism Act 2011
None were received.
26/166 Public participation session, in accordance with standing orders. No members of the general public were present, so the session did not proceed.
26/167 To approve the Minutes of the last PC Meeting (if available), for signature by the Chairman.
Agreed: As there were no minutes available due to the clerk’s absence, no approvals were tabled for discussion.
26/168 To confirm an arrangement with Cloudy IT, for a monthly rolling contract until other arrangements
can be agreed. It was noted that whilst the clerk had been absent from work she had telephoned Cloudy IT to agree a rolling monthly contract until she returned to work, as which point the agreement to move these services, would be actioned as per the motion proposed and seconded at the September Parish Council Meeting.
Agreed: The above actions were proposed by Cllr T Alder and seconded by Cllr E Finney.
26/169 To receive the Working Party notes and approve the proposed draft letters. Cllr Finney reported the following:
- It was confirmed that the PC chair did not want to chair the working party as stated at the working party meeting, and it was resolved that the proposal made at the meeting should remain unchanged.
- Cllr Finney had contacted Mr Stevens to ask if he was prepared to stand as Vice Chair of the working party, as he had been suggested at the last meeting. Tom said he would think about the position; however, he confirmed his work role had increased recently, and he was travelling a lot more.
- The letters prepared on behalf of the working party were all agreed, including the attachments, the circulation list and the method proposed signing in the clerk’s absence, was also agreed.
- Cllr Finney also asked Mr Stevens on behalf of the working party, if he would consider making the presentation to represent the local community at the SBC special planning meeting, and he agreed providing work commitments allowed him to attend.
- It was suggested the chair of the working party kept a close relationship with the case officer, Mr Gerry Walsh, to be advised at the soonest opportunity of any date for the said meeting.
- Cllr E Finney asked that the circulated notes were all
Agreed: All the above was agreed by a unanimous vote taken by councillors present at the meeting, proposed by Cllr Finney and seconded by Cllr K Byrne.
26/170 To receive a report from the Stafford East Rural Parish Group (SERPG) formally the Trent Valley Group. Cllr Alder circulated a written report regarding the meeting held at Gayton Village Hall, on Wednesdy 7th October 2026, which were accepted.
- It was noted there was a meeting of the Staffordshire Parish Councils Forum to be held Uttoxeter on 23rd November 2026. Cllr Alder agreed to go and represent the PC, it was suggested the clerk may wish to attend if she is back at It was resolved that the chair would inform all councillors and ask if anyone else would like to attend.
- The meeting also noted it is being proposed that in the future SBC councillors would not be able to call in any planning applications. Concerns were express regarding this reported change, in the planning policies. It was agreed to ask the clerk when she returned to work to take this up with our member of parliament Rt Hon Sir Gavin Williamson.
- It was a further noted that Stowe by Chartley Parish Council were invited to host the next meeting SERPG jointly with Hixon Parish Council on 17th March 2027.
- All the above was agreed and Cllr Alder was asked to book the village hall by the PC Cllr Alder also offered to do the refreshments, but not the tea and coffee and it was agreed we asked Cllr Brendon McKeown, to chair this joint meeting.
Agreed: The proposals were agreed unanimously by those councillors present.
26/171 To agree and note the date and time of future next meeting – 11th November 2026 Agreed: The above date was agreed.
26/172 Council to resolve to exclude the public under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 section 1(2), as the matters to be discussed are of a confidential nature
Agreed: The above motion was agreed, however there were no members of the general public to be excluded from the meeting.
26/173(a) Discuss arrangements for carrying out the role of Proper Officer during the clerk’s absence. This item was recorded as confidential notes, which will only be circulated to all councillors at Stowe by Chartley Parish Council for reference. and will not be circulated generally or placed on the PC website.
26/172(b) To discuss the matters relating to the Council’s policies and procedures.
This item was recorded as confidential notes, which will only be circulated to all councillors at Stowe by Chartley Parish Council for reference. and will not be circulated generally or placed on the PC website.
The meeting was concluded and closed at 8.40pm, following the confidential items being discussed