Annual Assembly highlights Gnosall’s achievements

The Local Government Act 1972 s9 requires All Town and Parish Councils to hold an Annual Town/Parish Meeting (commonly known as the Annual Assembly), between 1^st March and 1^st  June each year. Gnosall usually holds its Assembly in May but this year it was earlier, given the desire to mark the departure of several colleagues.

The meeting was an annual review of the Council year, an opportunity to debate important local issues and to celebrate community achievements, and this year to celebrate several long service awards. The Parish Council was delighted to welcome residents and guests to the event.

The Chair of Gnosall Parish Council, Councillor Gail Gregory opened the meeting with a warm welcome before introducing the Annual Report for 2024/25, a roundup of the Council’s achievements over the past year, including:

• The re-opening of GG’s Youth Club by the Mayor of Stafford.
• Successful funding application for the review of the Gnosall Neighbourhood Plan.
• Planting of 400 new trees across parks and green spaces following a successful application for funding to the Urban Tree Challenge Fund.
• The launch of the new gov.uk website, bringing the Parish Council in line with new central Government requirements ahead of schedule.
• The recruitment of a new Council Support Officer.
• The co-option of six new councillors after a spate of resignations.
• The recruitment of a new Chief Officer to succeed the outgoing Chief Officer Jayne Cooper.
• Organising and hosting another successful Christmas Lights Switch-On event.

The report contains more detail of the Council’s achievements, as well as reports from the five committees and local group reports. Copies of the Annual Report are available from the Council Office and will be made available on the website.

It was noted that financial information was absent from the Report this year, since the financial year had so recently ended. However, the accounts will be made available shortly and published on the Council website in the usual manner.

Several Long Service Awards were presented by the Chair in recognition of past councillors’ contributions to the Parish and that they had gone above and beyond in their daily work and voluntary positions for, and with, their community.

Presentations were made to the following past Parish Councillors.

• Doug Webb – Parish Councillor 2014 to 2025 (not present)
• Kenneth Ingram – Parish Councillor 2012 to 2025
• Tracey Simpkin – Parish Councillor 1998 to 2025
• Graham Payne – Parish Councillor 1993 to 2025
• Roger Greatrex – Parish Councillor 2005 to 2023

Michelle Nicholls and Allan Mills received notable mentions for their contributions to the Parish despite not reaching the threshold for Long Service Awards.

Councillor Gregory said “January 2025 was an exceptional time for the Council, with the resignation of Chief Officer after 17 years’ service, followed shortly after by the resignation of several councillors, some for reasons of ill-health, some for reasons of increased family commitments. It was decided by the Council to mark the service of councillors who had served the Parish Council for more than ten years.

Their commitment to making Gnosall a great place to live is uplifting and inspiring and we thank them all for their dedication and time over the years of service.”

The Final Award was presented to the outgoing Chief Officer, Jayne Cooper. Jayne leaves the Council after 17 years of service, during which time she has helped the Parish Council achieve National Association of Local Council (NALC) Gold Status, not once but twice, overseen the creation of the award winning boardwalk, wetland and picnic area, the creation of the Chippy Jumps, creating GG’s Youth Club, the birth of GFest, to name just a few achievements and was nominated, and won, NALC’s Clerk of the Year in 2018.

Councillor Gregory said of Jayne “This council has been very fortunate to have her at its helm for so long and she has a deep and abiding love for Gnosall and for this parish council, so leaving it was a difficult decision to make. But life moves on and new challenges present themselves and now Jayne will be charting a new course, which we know she will do brilliantly. We hope that she will also find time for herself, to do the things she hasn’t had time to do until now. An exciting new journey awaits.

I know I speak for everyone on the council when I say that it has been the privilege of my life to be a part of her team.”

The Chair thanked everyone who attended the Annual Assembly and invited them to stay for refreshments.

The 2025 Annual Report

Download the Gnosall Parish Council Annual Report – a year of progress, challenges, and community spirit, celebrating our achievements, welcoming new faces, and shaping the future of Gnosall Parish together.

Gnosall Parish Council Annual Report 2025