MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 4 APRIL 2011 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
Part I
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors M Litton, D Woodward, P Kelly, A McEllin,
E Guy, J Beasant and N Goulding
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: B Allcock, CWAC Cllrs N Wright and M Stocks, a member of the public
PUBLIC FORUM
Miss Griffiths reported on the following:
1. She suggested the field adjacent to the railway station on the Manchester bound side could be used to provide a ramp access rather than the steep steps which are currently there. The Clerk to contact Network Rail with the suggestion.
2. A house in Fryer Road, Lostock Gralam has a pile of pallets in the garden. The Clerk confirmed that she had already reported this to CWAC who have a record of the complaint. They suggested that it might present a fire hazard and contacted the Fire Service. The Fire Service has been seen at the house twice but pallets are still arriving. The Clerk to contact CWAC and the Environment Agency.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies from Cllrs. Foster, Wells and CWAC Councillor M Bryram.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the council held on 7 March 2011, having been copied to members, was taken as read and confirmed and signed as being a correct record.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7 MARCH 2011
a) The Clerk has received a response from Highways regarding issues raised by the Parish Council and residents.
b) Highways have completed speed checks through Lostock Green by installing a box on the speed signs at the Lach Dennis end of the village.
c) The Clerk has spoken to Sonja Swift about HGV’s parking overnight on the Business Park.
d) The £2000 grant has been received from Cllr. Stocks’ ward budget for the Play Area and has been banked.
e) A response is awaited from VRPA regarding the play scheme. The Council RESOLVED that the Clerk contact VRPA again to see if any scheme would be put on at Lostock Green as well as Lostock Gralam, and that a contribution of £300 be given to assist with any scheme.
f) The grass has been seeded at Lostock Green Play Area.
g) The election papers have been delivered to CWAC. Eight members are standing again.
h) The Clerk has spoken to CVS about Payroll – CVS informed me that they are amalgamating with three charities and the payroll rates will be increased from the prices agreed last month to £8 per month, £96.00 per year. The Clerk has spoken with Voluntary Action Vale Royal who has quoted £10 per wage slip and £20 for year-end work - £60 per year if paid quarterly. It was RESOLVED that the Council accept the VAVR quote and that the Clerk contact them to arrange payments starting on 1 April 2011.
REPORT FROM PCSO P HAMBLETON AND REPORT OF MEETING HELD ON 23 MARCH 2011 WITH WINCHAM PARISH COUNCIL
PCSO Hambleton was not in attendance.
Cllr. Goulding reported on a meeting held with Wincham Parish Council on 23 March 2011. It was agreed at the meeting that Wincham Parish Council to contact Inspector Paul Loughlin to arrange a joint meeting to discuss the PCSO contract and to ensure that meetings could be held every 6 months with the police.
Cllr. McEllin reported that the Community Centre is having problems with youths causing problems in the area. It has been reported to the police but there has not been any response. The Clerk to contact them again.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS
Cllr. Stocks reported that the Local Development Framework for CWAC is currently out to consultation. It is important that Town and Parish Councils comment on the report as this will become the Core Strategy for the new authority. The document includes questions about housing numbers, localism agenda and removal of waste amongst other items. Cllr. Stocks indicated that it might be necessary to complete a Community Plan in order for the Parish Councils views to be heard.
Cllr. Goulding asked is Highways will adhere and work with the LDF? Cllr. Stocks replied that they are changing the way they work and will, hopefully, be incorporated into CWAC.
The Council thanked Cllr. Stocks and Wright for their contributions over the past Council period and asked that Cllr. Bryam also be thanked via Cllr. Wright. The Parish Council is very grateful for their support and advice over the past years.
TO APPROVE THE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR 2011-12
The Council RESOLVED to approve the Risk Assessment for 2011 – 12.
TO APROVE THE ASSET REGISTER FOR 2011-12
The Council RESOLVED to approve the Asset Register for 2011 –12.
PLAY AREAS AND INSPECTIONS
1. Birches Lane – The Clerk received an email from Fiona Cowley (Groundwork) on 4 April giving an update on the play area. It is hoped that tenders would be sent out during the week. They will prioritise the grassed area so that it can be used for play, and possibly the fete, before the equipment side.
2. Play Inspections – None received.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
The Clerk reported on the following:
a) Enterprise and Education Alliance (see copy attached). The group is looking for approval from the Parish Council for the project they are looking to run and for an area where the footprint can be situated. The Council suggested an area near the Business Park or at the Community Centre.
b) Letter from Mr W Ranger regarding Highways issues (see copy included in pack).
c) Mrs S Colquitt from Harris Road, Lostock Gralam has been in touch about the drainage works on the Business Park, near the woodland. I have spoken to Sonja Swift and emailed David Hawkin but have not received a reply. Since I contacted them they have moved the fencing to make it safe for pedestrians.
d) The fencing will be installed at the Community Centre starting on Wednesday 6 April 2011.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
1. Strategic Planning Board – 24 March 2011
Details of the decision have been in the local press. The pedestrian crossing has been put on hold until the development is built.
2. J & S Motorbikes
CDP have sent a letter about the proposed planning application saying they are starting a public consultation. The application was discussed by the Council and it was RESOLVED to comment that there was no objection to the development provided the retail aspect would not set a precedent for the rest of the site. In addition the Council was prepared to accept some warehousing to support the activity on the site but not warehousing to support elsewhere.
Planning Applications
11/00149/MIN INEOS, Land at Moss Lane, Lostock Gralam
Installation of two buried pipelines between borehols H153 and H158.
No objection
11/00413/FUL 8 School Lane, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7PT
Replacement single storey extension to rear
No objection
11/01250/COU 469 Manchester Raod, CW9 7QB
Change of use from vacant retail premises to veterinary clinic
No objection
Planning Decisions
V/10/02219/ADV Marstons, Cheshire Business Park
Signs for the new public house
GRANTED
GRANTS AND DONATIONS
The Council discussed a letter received from Lostock Green Mother and Toddler Group requesting financial assistance.
It was RESOLVED to approve an s.137 donation to the Group of £100.
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to accept payment of the following accounts.
Chq no. Payee Amount
100 NL Clarke Salary and expenses Jan – March 2011 1210.59
101 Cheshire Community Action Membership 2011-12 50.00
SO Freeola – Web site fees March – June 2011 10.80
102 ChALC – Annual subscription 2011-12 535.80
The meeting finished at 8.45 p.m.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 9 May 2011 at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m. This will be the Annual Parish Meeting and the first meeting of the new Council.