Gnosall Parish Council’s Annual Assembly 2026

Each year between March and June, each Parish Council is required to hold an Annual Assembly for its parishioners under The Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12 Para 7 (1).

Open to all registered electors in the Parish, the Annual Assembly is  a meeting of the electorate of the parish, not a Council meeting, which is a meeting of the Parish Council which residents are allowed to attend.

It is an opportunity for parishioners to speak about local issues, to ask the Council questions, make suggestions and to discuss anything they consider pertinent to the people of the Parish.

The meeting is when the Council, and local organisations, let residents know what they have been doing over the past year and to present the Parish Council’s Annual Report.

The meeting was open by the Chair, Cllr Gregory, who welcomed those in attendance and gave a brief overview of the year and asked the assembly to accept the minutes from the previous years meeting.

Stafford Borough Councillor Scott Spencer was then invited to address the Assembly. Cllr Spencer spoke the Staffordshire Local Plan and the implications that the Local Government Reorganisation will could have on planning. He addresses local planning issues, flooding, road maintenance and the upcoming road closure on the Eccleshall Road.

The floor was then handed to PCSO Gareth Higgins, who spoke about the role of the PCSO’s in the community, advised residents about the Smart Alert app, and the best ways to communicate with the police about crimes in the area.

PCSO Higgin’s will be holding a mobile police surgery at the Grosvenor Centre on Saturday the 23rd of May in the afternoon, times to be confirmed.

He also advised that Staffordshire Police are looking to create a Community Speed Watch group in the parish, advising that full training and equipment will be provided if enough volunteers come forward.

There is also the opportunity to have a talk from Action Fraud, helping residents identify possible scams, what to do if they suspect fraud or are victims of fraud. The Chief Officer will liaise with PCSO Higgins to arrange possible dates.

PCSO Higgins took questions from the assembly on farm crime, rogue traders, counterfeit notes and E-bikes and E-scooters.

The Chair thanked both speakers for their contributions to the evening.

The assembly where then invited to raise any questions or comments.

A resident requested an update on the Loop Planning Application. The Chair advised that the Parish Council were waiting for the application to be discussed at a Stafford Borough Council public planning meeting. The meeting scheduled for the 13th of May has been cancelled and the next meeting is on the 10th of June. The Council monitors the Agenda’s and as soon as the Loop Application appears, they will request a speaking slot at that meeting.

No further questions, comments or suggestions were tendered.

The Chair thank everyone for attending and invited them to enjoy some light refreshments.

The meeting was closed at 8.30pm.

The Annual Report can be accessed below.