MINUTES OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2010 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors S Wells, A McEllin, N Goulding, P Kelly, R Reece
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: CWAC Councillor M Stocks, members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM
L Wood complained about vandalism at the Community Centre especially with broken glass around the play area. Fires are also being started deliberately. Ms Wood confirmed that the police have been informed. PCSO Jones will make a point of monitoring the area when he is on evening and weekend shifts. He will also investigate the possibility of using CCTV equipment on a temporary basis.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies for absence from Parish Councillors J Foster.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 January 2010, having been copied to members were confirmed and signed as being a correct record.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 JANUARY 2010.
None
TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM PCSO G JONES
PCSO Jones reported that 5 fixed penalty notices and numerous advisory notices have been issued regarding irregular parking. There is still trouble with cars parking on pavements outside Vamasaki during weekend evenings. The Clerk to write to CWAC Highways.
PCSO Jones also reported that there have been reports of criminal damage to property in the area and attempted theft of lead from roof tops.
TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS PRESENT
Cllr M Stocks reported on the following items:
1. The Community Forum meeting went ahead on 6 January despite the heavy snow. CWAC have to conclude the process of tendering for the PFI waste plants in order to comply with European legislation even though nothing may happen due to the current economic climate. Both applications need planning permission before the PFI can be awarded. CWAC and CEC are due to review the waste plan at the earliest opportunity because of the number of plans for mid-Cheshire. Cllr Stocks emphasised the need for the locals and Parish Council to speak against any applications at any planning meetings.
2. Brunner Mond will make a formal application to the relevant government department for the planned incinerator.
3. CWAC have set their budget and have indicated that there will be very little spending from central government in the next 2 – 5 years.
4. CWAC Highways Committee is meeting on 31 March to discuss the A556 works completed in December 2009. It has been agreed that the consultation with both public and the Parish Council was not effective and this seems to be a hang up from the previous CCC way of working. CWAC Councillors to keep the Parish Council informed.
5. Cllr Stocks encouraged the Parish Council to report any pot-holes, caused by the recent bad weather, in the Parish to either himself or directly to Highways.
6. There will be a consultation soon on waste and recycling in CWAC prior to a single collection once the three separate contracts (from the old boroughs) end.
TO DISCUSS THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
The Clerk reported that the membership of Lostock Gralam Parish Council should consist of 10 members, 8 for Lostock Gralam ward and 2 for Lostock Green ward. There has to be 4 members to be quorate, which has proved difficult in the past year.
There followed a general discussion on how to conduct business of the Council and whether it was necessary to change the number of meetings.
CO-OPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
There was a resolution at the meeting that Dennis Woodward and Jackie Beasant to be co-opted onto the Parish Council. This was agreed unanimously and Cllrs Woodward and Beasant joined the Council after making their declaration of office.
MANCHESTER ROAD
Cllr Kelly reported on the use of the SID on Manchester Road (and for one session on Birches Lane, Lostock Green). The data was circulated to the Council, press and CWAC Councillors. Around 40% of drivers were speeding on each occasion the SID was used on Manchester Road. Cllr Kelly reported that Highways prefer the SID to be used only for an hour at a time.
Cllr Kelly has spoken to Cheshire Community Action to ask if
a) The SID could be moved from pole 33 to pole 34
b) To be used on both sides of the road
c) To put up a sign saying speed watch area
d) To put 30 mph markers on the road
In addition Cllr Kelly has complained to Highways about faulty street lights and that there are not enough dog waste bins on Manchester Road.
Cllr Stocks agreed to report back to the meeting next month after speaking with Highways.
AUDIT REPORT
The Clerk reported on the remark made by the External Auditor regarding inter bank transfers as follows:
The Council makes inter bank account transfers. The Council should consider
how they meet the requirements of S 150(5) of the Local Government Act 1972
which says that ‘every cheque or other order for payment of money (i.e. internet
transactions) …shall be signed by two members of the Council’
The Clerk makes inter bank account transfers from the deposit account to the current account but no third party payments. It was agreed that this was satisfactory, as it was not an order for payment and no further action is needed.
TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE WEB SITE
The Clerk reported that the ownership and running of the web site is now in the hands of the Council. The Council has set up a standing order with Freeola for the web site service contract of £36.00 ex VAT per year. The domain name has been paid for until 7 October 2011 at a cost of £8.99 ex VAT.
TO APPOINT A GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR FOR 2010
The Clerk has circulated the three quotes received and it was RESOLVED to appoint Countrywide Grounds Maintenance for 2010 as the lowest price quoted.
It was also RESOLVED to change the contract next year to a 3 year contract.
TO DEAL WITH CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence required discussion at the meeting:
Invitation to enter the Community Pride / Best Kept Village competition. RESOLVED to decline.
BT – further information about adopting the phone box in Birches Lane, Lostock Green. RESOLVED not to adopt the box.
2010 Training Dates from ChALC. Clerk to suggest courses for Councillors.
Manchester Airport Parish Council meeting on 17 March 2010. The Clerk to attend.
Lostock Gralam Football Club – handover of new building and invitation to the Council to work within the Parish. Clerk to contact.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
The Clerk reported that she had attended a VAT course run by HMRC on 28 January. There may be some issues with reclaiming VAT on Groundwork Cheshire invoices; HMRC is investigating and will come back to the Clerk in the near future.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The following planning applications have been received and sent to council for approval.
Planning Applications
10/00099/MIN INEOS Enterprises Ltd
Moss Lane Farm, Moss Lane, Lostock Gralam
Installation of buried pipelines, power cable and provision of hardstanding.
Planning Decisions
09/02153/FUL Mr D Barber, 10 Village Close, Lostock Green
Addition of a pitched roof over existing single storey extension to front and side
PERMITTED
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to pay the following accounts:
35 Amos Wright – Grass cutting (churchyard) 400.00
36 R Hardingham – Web site set up charges 42.54
37 Baldwin Landscaping – Play Area inspections (Dec and Jan0 117.50
38 Cheshire Probation Board – Churchyard expenses 600.00
39 Lostock Green Parent and Toddler Group – s.137 donation 100.00
FUTURE BUSINESS
1. The Clerk to invite Groundwork Cheshire to the next meeting to discuss the Birches Lane Play Area project.
2. The Clerk to invite Lostock Gralam Football Club to the next meeting.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council is to be held Monday 1 March 2010 at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.
The meeting closed at 8.25 p.m.