24/05/2023
RANTON PARISH COUNCIL
NEWSLETTER APRIL 2023
Chairman's Statement
2023 Local Elections. 4 th May 2023 will see elections for both
borough and parish councils. For the first time in this country you
need to prove your identity prior to voting so do not forget to take your
VOTER ID with you to the polling station. See the pamphlet on the
subject that came with your polling cards for more detailed
information. All of your current parish councillors are standing but
unless there are more candidates than positions you will not have to
vote for your parish councillors just the borough councillors.
Highways. To help me write this newsletter I turned to the last one I
wrote which was in April 2015 and it is disappointing to see that, as
now, we still have issues with the Staffordshire County Council over
the condition of our roads. From my own perspective the condition of
the roads has, however, only deteriorated. We continue to report
potholes and flooding issues but SCC appear not to be interested.
Any highways issues that you may have can be reported direct to the
SCC via their web site at
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Highways/Roads-and-highways.aspx
or follow it through from the SCC front page.
Footpaths. Footpaths within the parish are currently in good order,
perhaps they have not been used too much over the winter months.
We log any concerns raised with SCC but should you wish, any issues
can be reported directly to the Public Footpaths and Bridleways
section at SCC at
https://prow.staffordshire.gov.uk/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fstandardm
ap.aspx
Ranton Web Site. The address for the Ranton Web site is:
https://ranton-parish-council.webnode.page/ . So please refer to it for
2
the latest news and updates. The email address for RPC is:
rantonparishcouncil@gmail.com
Finance. The finances for the RPC in 2023/24 are likely to be a
challenge as we are currently predicting an over spend of a few
hundred pounds. Any shortfall will be covered by our reserves but
future years are likely to see larger increases in the precept than we
have previously had to enable the RPC to balance the books.
David Batchelor (Chair)
Civic Amenity Visit. The refuse vehicle will be on the Village Hall
car park as follows:
Saturday 29 th April 2023 10 – 12am
Saturday 30 th September 2023 10 – 12am
Ranton Parish Council Members. The Parish Council meets at
the Village Hall on the 3 rd Thursday of each month at 7:30pm. The
meeting is open to all members of the public and an agenda is
published on the village notice board a few days before the meeting.
Normally there is no meeting held in August or December.
Position Name Telephone
number
Chair David Batchelor 282734
Vice-chair Ben Jeeves 162402
Councillor Mark Winnington* 822224
Councillor Malanie Russell 282032
Councillor Jeff Forrester 282495
Clerk Gayle Whelan
* also Borough and County councillor.
Ranton Parish Council Meetings are Scheduled for
15th June 2023
RantonParishCouncil.co.uk
Generally we meet every 3rd Thursday at 7:30pm at Ranton Village Hall. Meetings are held throughout the year, except in August and December where no meeting is held.
If you wish to contact a Parish Councillor please feel free to use the Contact Form, or email Gayle Wheelan at rantonparishcouncil@gmail.com
All members of the parish are entitled to attend and have their say.
Agenda
7;30pm General Meeting
1. Apologies
2. Declarations of interest in the following agenda
3. To accept the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, October 21st. as a true record
4. Questions from the public
5. To receive reports and updates as necessary, including:
Mowing -
Village Hall committee
Highways
Footpaths/Gulleys and weeding
6. Finance matters
Monthly outgoings
Online banking
Reserve account
7. Parish Clerk report
Update on actions
Training courses
VAT submission
8. Planning updates/to resolve on planning applications
9. Chairman's Questions/Items for Information/Next date and agenda
Gayle Whelan, Ranton Parish Council Clerk
rantonparishcouncil@gmail.com
Civic Amenities Visit 29th April in the Village Hall Carpark, details on the Ranton Parish Notice Board.
Next date will be 30th September , please check for any amendments on the council website
https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste-civic-amenity-site-visits
To become a Parish Councillor information below, Elections 4th May 2023
Parish and Town Council - Standing as a Candidate
To stand for election to a Parish or Town Council, there are a number of criteria that you must meet.
Information on standing as a candidate in local elections is available on the Electoral Commission website.
In short, to qualify to be a candidate for a local election, the day you are nominated and on the day of the election you must satisfy the following criteria:-
- aged 18 years or over
- and either a UK or Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Irish Republic, or a citizen of a member state of the EU.
In addition, you must meet at least one of the following:
- on the day of nomination and on the day of the election you are and thereafter you continue to be registered as a voter in the Parish
- for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election you have occupied any land other other premises as owner or tenant in the Parish
- for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election your principal or only place of work has been in the Parish
- for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election you have resided in the Parish or within three miles of it
You will be unable to be elected and to serve as a Councillor if:
- you are a paid employee of the Parish
- you are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order
- you have within five years, before the day of the election, been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months without the option of a fine
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_file/Part-1-Can-you-stand-for-election-P-and-C.pdf
Local Events
Help is needed to support our Church, if anyone has any ideas please see Tony.
Village Hall Committee is organising a Street Party 7th May 2023, Tickets £5.00 under 12's free, call 07909 510974 or 07703 622769. Road Closures in place between 1pm and 6pm