Hixon Parish Council
16 July 2024
Consider Insurance to Cover Cyber Attacks
Item 037/24
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1 Purpose of Report
1.1 To recommend this report be received and considered at Hixon Parish
Council (HPC) meeting 16th July 2024.
2 Background Information and Key Issues
2.1 On 19th June 2024 an email from HPC’s insurers (The Clear Group)
was sent to all Councillors via the Clerk regarding additional insurance
against Cyber Attacks at a starting price of £120.00
2.2 Question, does HPC need to take out additional insurance?
2.3 HPC has a number areas that need to be considered as points of
access for Cyber Attacks these include website, data files, emails and
devices.
2.4 Website: HPC website is located on a platform provided and supported
by Staffordshire County Council therefore, the responsibility for
ensuring the secure of the site resides with SCC. No action required by
HPC.
2.5 Data Files: All files owned by HPC should be saved to Microsoft One
Drive. Therefore, Microsoft will be responsible for the security of the
Council’s files. Action, Clerk to confirm all files have been saved to One
Drive.
2.6 Emails: If HPC takes up the offer to use SCC’s email accounts (free of
charge), Staffordshire County Council would also be responsible for
email security,
2.7 Devices and applications: At present, the Clerks computer only has a
free antivirus application. To ensure all devices and applications are
adequately protected from viruses and malware the Council should
invest in a proprietary antivirus software such as McAfee.
2.8 Given the above it would appear that purchasing extra insurance at a
cost of £120, may not be required. Indeed, the extra insurance costs
would very much depend on the Council’s current situation regarding
security and protective products
2.9 For information please see 10 ways to avoid Cyber Attacks.

10 Ways to Prevent Cyber Attacks

Hixon Parish Council
16 July 2024
Consider Insurance to Cover Cyber Attacks
Item 037/24
P a g e 2 | 3
3 Financial
3.1 McAfee
https://www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-gb/landingpage/
direct/sem/search-campaign.html?csrc=google&csrcl2=textad&
cctype=search&ccstype=&ccoe=direct&ccoel2=sem&pkg_id=521&
affid=1485&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_camp
aign=%5BENGB%
5D%5BSearch%5D%5BBrand%5D+McAfee+Other+KWs&utm_c
ontent=%5Bbrand%5D+mcafee+total+protection&utm_term=mcafee%
20total%20protection&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk__vuL6ph
wMV5ZdQBh1RhAwBEAAYASAAEgKOz_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
3.2 McAfee cost £27.49 /year or £52.99/year for two years. This includes
protection for up to 10 Parish Council devices.
4 Resources –
4.1 Clerk to acquire McAfee.
5 Legal Implications
5.1 None
6 Recommendation
6.1 That HPC purchases McAfee, see 3,2 above.
6.2 .HPC to consider the 10 ways to avoid Cyber Attacks, see 2.9 above
6.3 Implement actions proposed in section 2 above
7 Report produced by
7.1 Cllr Susan McKeown
8 Appendices
8.1 None

Hixon Parish Council
16 July 2024
Creating / Installing of Flower Boxes by Noticeboards
Item 042/24
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1 Purpose of Report
1.1 To recommend this report be received and considered at Hixon Parish
Council (HPC) meeting 16th July 2024.
2 Background Information and Key Issues
2.1 HPC’s is seeking to improve the vista within the Parish.
Following on from the successful erection and planting of 4 No.
flowerboxes in the parish at Church Lane, Lea Road and Lea Heath,
reference report number 20230926, this report seeks to add further
flowerboxes.
2.2 The proposal is to construct 2 No. small flowerboxes each side of the
notice boards located at Sycamore Drive and Walnut Crest. (4 No. in
total).
2.3 The flowerboxes to be constructed of recycled plastic to a height of
300mm above ground. Width of the flowerboxes to be agreed via a site
visit. The corners of the open flowerboxes will required bracing, as the
boxes will be open top and bottom design.
Turf to be removed from the ground where the open flowerboxes are
sited. A layer of gravel topped with peat free compost to within 75mm
of top of the boxes
2.4 Planting to be agreed.
3 Financial
3.1 HPC to seek a quotation for the above work.
3.2 HPC to seek a quote to add to HPC’s annual maintenance and
watering regime.
4 Resources –
4.1 Final Specification to be drawn up for quotation purposes.
5 Legal Implications
5.1 The installation of flowerboxes at entrance to Walnut Crest may require
approval from Homes Plus (Stafford and Rural Homes).
Hixon Parish Council
16 July 2024
Creating / Installing of Flower Boxes by Noticeboards
Item 042/24
P a g e 2 | 2
No approval will be necessary for the flowerboxes at the entrance to
Sycamore Drive.
6 Recommendation
6.1 HPC to agree to seek quotations for 4 No small flowerboxes, together
with installation and planting.
6.2 HPC to agree to seek quotation to add 4 No. small flowerboxes to
annual maintenance and watering regime.
7 Report produced by
7.1 Cllr Susan McKeown
8 Appendices
8.1 None

Hixon Parish Council
16 July 2024
Redundant Telephone Kiosks
Report No. 1
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1 Purpose of Report
1.1 The purpose of this report is to consider making the redundant telephone kiosks at Sycamore Drive and Lea Heath more attractive.
2 Background Information and Key Issues
2.1 At the May meeting of Hixon Parish Council it was proposed and accepted to clear the overgrowing vegetation inside and around the Lea Heath telephone kiosk. Minute 037/24 refers;
2.2 This report proposes setting a budget to make the kiosks more visually attractive;
2.3 See photographs taken at McArthur Glen Retail Outlet site at Cannock.
3 Financial Implications
3.1 A contractor has been appointed to carry out the clearing works at a cost of £ ???
3.2 A Lea Heath resident has volunteered to maintain the kiosk and surrounding area clear of vegetation;
3.3 It is proposed to set an initial budget of £100 per kiosk (£200 total) to purchase false flowers and to decorate the redundant kiosks at Sycamore Drive and Lea Heath.
3 Resources –
3.6 No significant use of Clerk’s time;
3.7 Councillors will purchase and fix the false flowers at each kiosk.
3 Legal Implications
3.7 No legal implications. The kiosks were ‘gifted’ to Hixon Parish Council.
4 Recommendation
4.1 Authorise Cllrs B. McKeown and S. McKeown to purchase the false flowers;
4.2 Invite other Hixon Parish Councillors to help fix to kiosks.
5 Report produced by
5.1 Cllr Brendan McKeown
Hixon Parish Council
16 July 2024
Redundant Telephone Kiosks
Report No. 1
P a g e 2 | 2
6 Appendices
6.1 Two photographs taken at McArthur Glen Retail Outlet in Cannock