MINUTES OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 12 APRIL 2010 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors S Wells, A McEllin, P Kelly, J Foster, M Litton,
D Woodward and R Reece
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: Members of the public.
REPORT FROM JAMES BIRDSEY, LOSTOCK GRALAM FOOTBALL CLUB
James outlined the lengthy history of the football club and, that in 2003-4 the club managed to purchase the ground from the brewery through monies raised via the club members. However, the ground and facilities was very poor and there has been a campaign to upgrade for the past six years through grants.
A junior pitch has been created and the senior pitch moved; changing facilities have been rebuilt and a community room created. There is to be an open day on 24 July 2010 to which the Parish Council is invited to open the new ground and view the facilities.
Lostock Gralam Football club is keen to engage with the local community through running clubs, hiring the community room and is keen that the Parish Council and surrounding areas know about the club.
The following questions were asked of James:
Are girls/women able to play football at the club? James replied that girls can join the children’s club but they currently do not have facilities for women.
What will the club do about access if the pub closes/refuses to allow cars to park? James replied that the club has a public right of way across the car park and therefore will always be able to access the ground. The club has made 30 car-parking spaces on the ground itself to try to address this issue but agrees that if there was a match with a large number of spectators there might be problems.
Access to the car park at the pub can be a problem as it is so close to the crossroads. Can the entrance be moved? Highways have refused to move the entrance to the gate by the pub due to the close proximity to the crossroads.
Cllr. Wells thanked James for his report and wished the club well in the future.
PUBLIC FORUM
Miss Griffiths asked the following questions:
1. When reading the leaflet accompanying the precept demand from CWAC, she was unable to find an amount that Chester City pay compared with other areas in Cheshire West. The members were unable to answer her but would look for a reply for next month.
2. The “No HGV signs” on Station Road are not stopping HGV’s using the road. Cllr. Wells replied that although the Council could report this to the police, it was probably not going to stop the issue in the long term.
Cllr. Kelly reported on the following items reported by residents:
3. There seem to be HGV’s and Camper vans parking on the Triangle site over night.
4. Dog fouling still seems to be as bad as ever. The Clerk will email Cllr. Stocks to see if the dog bins have been ordered.
5. There are still problems regarding parking on pavements outside Vamasaki.
6. When is the bus service going to be increased, as promised on the completion of the Triangle? Cllr. McEllin replied that additional buses would be laid on when the park is occupied.
7. The manholes outside the chemist on Manchester Road are in a poor state. The Clerk to investigate and report.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies for absence from Parish Councillors J Bessant and N Goulding. Cllrs. M Byram and N Wright also sent apologies.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 1 March 2010, subject to an alteration requested by Cllr. McEllin regarding the CHAIN donation request, having been copied to members were confirmed and signed as being a correct record.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 1 MARCH 2010.
The Clerk reported on the following matter:
Open Spaces Audit – following complaints by various Clerks in the area, the audit has been extended.
CHAIN
The Council discussed a letter copied to members from a local resident expressing his concern that the Parish Council was donating money to CHAIN. The Clerk is to reply fully following discussion by the Council.
The Clerk confirmed that the procedure for voting on the donation in the March meeting was completed in accordance with the Standing Orders requiring anyone involved to declare a personal interest and leave the room during voting. The vote was a majority verdit.
The Chairman reminded members that the Parish Council has held earmarked funds for fighting the incinerator for many years, gradually building up the amount in small increments. Other Parish Councils in the near vicinity have also been earmarking funds to fight the plans and many have contributed to CHAIN. He reiterated that the Parish Council is representing the majority view of the local residents, not the Parish Council. Since CHAIN began to collect signatures against the incinerator, over 1,000 people in the Lostock area have added their names to the petition. In local elections since 1999 the successful candidates have stood on a 'No Incinerator' platform. The parish council therefore believes this gives them a clear mandate to oppose any local incinerator.'
The main concerns of the Parish Council, is that it is not necessary to have a concentration of waste plants in the area. Notwithstanding the possible effects of toxins polluting the air, there is a huge concern about the amount of traffic the plants will create with additional HGV’s on our congested roads. The Parish Council has been campaigning about speeding, HGV noise and the state of the roads in the parish continuously for a number of years.
Cllr. McEllin reported to the Council that she had asked CHAIN for a breakdown of running costs from January until March 2010. These include hire of the Memorial Hall on 26 January £322, advert in the Guardian £147, banner outside the hall £73, web site £588, 15,000 leaflets £400 and signs £355. CHAIN’s income is mainly raised by local people donating cash, but there are also a lot of people who give huge amounts of free time and effort to fight the waste plans.
Cllr. McEllin also reported that CHAIN has taken an empty shop in Northwich for the next three weeks. It will be open on a Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. for the purpose of giving members of the public an opportunity to learn more about the plans and get advice on how to object if they wish from volunteers manning the shop. The closing date for receipt of letters to the DECC is 5th May 2010.
The Council expressed concern that some elderly members of the community might not be able to get into Northwich and suggested holding a surgery in the Community Centre. It was RESOLVED that the centre will be hired on Sunday 25 April from 2.00 – 5.00 p.m. to assist members of the community to use a computer and printer to write either a letter of objection or support to the proposed plans. Cllrs. McEllin, Foster, Kelly and Litton will assist on the day.
TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM PCSO G JONES
No report
TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS PRESENT
Cllr. Wright contacted the Clerk to let the Council know that the RRS and Viridor applications are provisionally due to be heard on 20 May 2010, probably at Northwich Memorial Hall. He reminded the Council that large numbers attending the meeting would be necessary to show opposition to the plans.
Cllr. Wright also reminded the Clerk that there was money held by the ward Councillors for use in each ward. If the Parish Council has a project in mind and is able to match fund details should be sent to him as soon as possible. Cllr. Reece suggested a SID, the Clerk and Cllr. Kelly to look into the feasibility of purchasing a machine.
Cllr. Byram sent a note of thanks for the get well card for his wife.
TO APPROVE THE ASSETS REGISTER
RESOLVED to approve the Assets Register for 2010. The register was signed and dated by the Chairman.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
The Clerk reported on the following items:
1. Audit – the dates have been set for the audits, 28th April for the internal audit and 20 May for the external audit.
2. Ineos Meeting 9th April 2010 – there was no representation from Lostock Gralam.
3. Rospa – notification that the inspection will take place in April 2010.
4. Speed Gun – Cllr. Kelly reported that the gun had been used in the past few weeks. The top speed being 57mph on Manchester Road. There is a possibility that funding could be withdrawn from Cheshire Community Action, which could affect borrowing the SID and speed gun.
5. Vale Royal Area Meeting 4th March 2010 – the Clerk attended the meeting. Nothing of relevance to Lostock Gralam.
6. Community Forum 13th April 2010 – the Clerk reminded members that the meeting was taking place and the PFI and Brunner Mond applications are on the agenda. Cllr. McEllin and Kelly to attend.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The following planning applications have been received and sent to council for approval.
Planning Applications
None
Planning Decisions
09/02467/ADV Lostock Triangle Site, Manchester Road
Proposed entrance signs.
Granted
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to pay the following accounts:
Chq Payee Amount
42 CHAIN 500.00
43 Groundwork Cheshire – Final invoice for toddler play area 4724.83
44 St. John’s Church Hall Association – room hire 120.00
45 Cheshire Community Action – subscription 2010 50.00
46 NL Clarke – salary and expenses Jan – Mar 10 1226.65
47 Countrywide Grounds Maintenance – Grass cutting April 2010 213.85
48 ChALC – subscription 2010 535.19
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council is to be held Monday 10 May 2010 at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m. This is the Parish Meeting and AGM.
The meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.