Councillors: R. Kenney, P. Leason and J. Powell

None made.

None received.

Due to this meeting taking place in the pre-election period for Town Council elections, the Town Council’s Scheme of Public Participation had been suspended.

The minutes of the Environment Sub-Committee meeting held on 14 January 2025 (Minute Numbers ENV25/027 – ENV25/035), were approved as a correct record.

The Chairman drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the Grounds Maintenance Works Update which had been enclosed with the agenda for the meeting. The following points were highlighted:

Asbestos Removal

Although not under any time pressure, the Town Council had reached an impasse with the main allotment holder in respect of what was needed to be done to replace the asbestos (to provide ground support) when it was dug up. A solution was needed to be negotiated.

Woodend Footbridge

The Grounds Maintenance Contractor has cleaned the foot bridge and confirmed that it would be treated and painted by the end of March 2025.

Scrape One

The Grounds Maintenance Contractor has completed work on Scape One. He has cut back a third of the grasses to promote new growth and biodiversity. The Grounds Maintenance Contractor has removed Willow saplings ahead of time and before the nesting season commences. The saplings have been reduced to stumps (which will regrow) to prevent the Willow seeds they produce, from germinating in the scrape.

Plant Borders

The Sub-Committee Chairman, Deputy Town Clerk and Grounds Maintenance Contractor, have undertaken a walkabout to look at the town’s borders, including Walton roundabout, identifying the current issues and considering their future maintenance and improvement. A number of tasks were noted including pollarding some taller Willow trees, general pruning work and some replanting. The Grounds Maintenance Contractor now has a clear idea of what needs to be done, which should be covered by the existing budget.

New Items

Footpath improvement works on Crown Meadow, to alleviate surface water flooding, is a new item added to the list.

Anglers Car Park

The planned work to Angers Car Park is in the Grounds maintenance Contractors sights to complete before the end of the financial year.

Scrape Two

The restoration of Scrape Two involving the digging out of hundreds of unwanted Willow saplings and grasses has been done. The area currently looks unsightly but will regenerate with replanting of the wanted grasses and flowers, still to do.

The Chairman thanked the Deputy Town Clerk for her input on these projects.

The Chairman provided the Sub-Committee with a further update on Crown Meadow which included the following:

Volunteer Groups

Dates have been suggested for a volunteer litter picking meet, now confirmed to be taking place on Saturday 29 March 2025, with several Councillors advising they plan to attend. Himalayan Balsam Removal sessions were also proposed for April and June.

Biodiversity Officer

A site meeting with Stafford Borough Council’s Biodiversity Officer was planned to take place soon to look at the work undertaken on Crown Meadow and to receive advice on further improvements and positive projects to enhance the site.

Environmental Working Group

The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that the Environmental Working Group was looking at getting some volunteer dates, and if it proves popular, the setting up of another WhatsApp group, to share information on volunteer sessions and related environmental updates.

To resolve, pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, that the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting whilst the next items of business are discussed on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the debate.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk which had been attached to the agenda for the meeting.

RECOMMENDED: That the General Purposes Committee authorises the publication of a series of articles on Crown Meadow as described in the Town Clerk’s report.

Job: Remove and dispose of asbestos. Asbestos survey confirmed issues as low risk and requires monitoring.

Status: March 2025: No immediate prospect of being able to remove asbestos sheeting from Plot 13 until an affordable option for new boards is reached. Costs to STC to replace with gravel boards or sleepers is too great. Budget: £1825.

Job: Cleaning and re-treating wood.

Status: 18.06.2025 – Project completed. Budget: £525.

Job: Pruning and replanting. Cut back/prune existing shrubs & ivy to promote new growth. Insert new shrubs where required.

Status: March 2025: Pruning and cutting back has been completed. Mick recommends that new plants are not necessary at this stage. Use remaining budget towards other town borders. Budget: £600.

Job: Cut back/prune existing shrubs & trees to promote new growth. Insert new shrubs where required.

Status: 10.3.25 Town borders were visited and reviewed. Several areas for replanting were agreed. Mick to advise on budget. Budget: £600.

Job: Re-install damage lock gate. Replace damage lock gate on Walton Roundabout.

Status: 28.6.25 DTC to discuss this project with MP and seek a way forward. Waiting on Canal Trust for lock balance arm. Budget: £400.

Job: Foot path improvements to alleviate against flooding. Raise the level of the diagonal foot path.

Status: 03.07.2025 Work to commence in late Summer early Autumn. Budget: £1560 + £1000 contingency.

Job: Repairs and Improvements. Reposition and replace the fence. Resurface with crushed concrete and limestone.

Status: 18.06.2025 Carpark renovation and expansion is completed. Budget: £3100.

In attendance: Bill Waller (Biodiversity and Ecology Officer at Stafford Borough Council), Robert Townsend (Chairman of Environment Sub-Committee), Rachel Edwards (Deputy Town Clerk), Mick Plant (Grounds Maintenance Contractor), Tom Kelt (Vice-Chairman of Environment Sub-Committee)

Observations:

• • The project to strim down the grasses in scrape 1 was initiated in Jan 2025. New grass growth is now evident with a wider range of plant species developing.
• • Scrape 1 has significantly benefitted from the project to remove hundreds of willow bushes and saplings. MP completed the job in March 2025.
• • Scrape 2 has been excavated to remove invasive willow saplings. The scrape is now free of willows and dredged to about 60 cms depth.
• • The spread of Himalayan Balsam was noted. The Env Sub Comm will manage a volunteer programme to contain and reduce HB.
• • The small woodland between the Anglers car park and the amphitheatre was discussed regarding planting new trees to replace dead cherry trees.
• • Discussion point: Creating public access from Crown Meadow northward along the valley to Trent Road meadows was discussed as a concept for a nature corridor.

Bill Waller concluded that Crown Meadow is in good ecological health and that the renovation projects have had a positive effect. Work to maintain and improve the meadows will need to continue.