MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2012 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
Part I - public and press present
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors M Litton (Chairman), N Goulding,
E Guy, A McEllin (for the first 30 minutes of the meeting),
P Kelly, and D Woodward.
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: PCSO P Hambleton, J Boyd (Barratt Homes) and 1 member of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM
1. Jeremy Boyd, Land Director, of Barratt Homes attended the meeting to show the proposed plans for the residential development at the Business Park prior to the public consultation. There will be 119 houses on the site with 12 accessed from Stubbs Lane (with three entrances). 30% of houses will be affordable, probably 2 or 3 bedroom houses. Barratt hope to begin building in late summer.
Concerns were raised about the drainage. Mr Boyd confirmed that this will be addressed. He said that the public open space will be natural looking and a residential owners group would be responsible for the area.
Mr Boyd confirmed that a leaflet drop is taking place locally in the next week or so.
The Chairman thanked Mr Boyd for attending the meeting.
2. Miss Griffiths asked if the Council could contact Highways regarding repairing the Cheshire Fencing which has been broken on Birches Lane. She also reported cars parking on either side of Station Road making it difficult for traffic to pass.
3. Shaun Wells spoke about a Charity car rally from Northwich to Gibraltar in June 2012 asking if the Parish Council were willing to make a donation to the two charities, SAMM and Christies. The Parish Council suggested this was matter raised in the new financial year.
4. Cllr. McEllin spoke about a press release from CHAIN regarding the Health Protection Agency admitting that there is uncertainty about incinerator health risks. Cllr. McEllin reported that an on line petition has been set up to consider halting the planning applications for the Middlewich and Lostock incinerator until the final report of the study has been published.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies from Cllrs. Beasant and Foster.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs. Goulding and Wells declared a pecuniary interest in the CWAC Taxi Licensing Consultation as owners of a taxi firm.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the council held on 9 January 2012, 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 5 DECEMBER 2011
%uF0B7 An email response has been received from CWAC regarding the Planning web site (following a complaint from a local resident). All historic data from the old Vale Royal area is currently being scanned and put into the new system which will take some time.
%uF0B7 Sonja Swift has replied to queries relating to the Business Park as follows:
%uF0B7 Lighting – nothing has been changed / removed from the fittings.
%uF0B7 Lorries – Marshalls are concerned about this and have contacted the police and CWAC. Until the roads are adopted by the Council no yellow lines are permitted and as such Marshalls are unable to prevent parking taking place
%uF0B7 Manufacturing – Marshalls confirmed that the new company is not manufacturing at the unit.
REPORT FROM PCSO P HAMBLETON
PCSO Hambleton reported on the following activities over the past month:
%uF0B7 He had looked at the plans for Arnold Clark (following complaints from local residents) and confirmed that the plans do not allow for any unloading on the site.
%uF0B7 Some windows broken on the Business Park
%uF0B7 Youths gathering around the Travelodge in the evenings
%uF0B7 Speed checks taken place on Manchester Road with more due for April and May involving the school children
%uF0B7 PCSO Hambleton is on leave during March, any matters should be reported to Northwich Police.
%uF0B7 PCSO Hambleton would like to hold some surgeries; he will liaise with the Clerk regarding using the Church Hall prior to the Parish Council meeting.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS
Apologies from Cllr. Stocks
CO-OPTION OF SHAUN WELLS TO THE PARISH COUNCIL
Shaun Wells was co-opted to the Parish Council and signed the declaration of compliance with the Code of Conduct.
TAXI LICENSING CONSULTATION
The Council discussed the Taxi Licensing Consultation document and completed the questionnaire.
LOSTOCK GRALAM COMMUNITY CENTRE
Cllr. McEllin updated the Councillors about the refurbishment of the toilets at the Community Centre. Phase 1 (gents toilets) is now taking place thanks to a grant from Storengy. Phase 2 (disabled toilet) and phase 3 (ladies) will take place in the next financial year. The Community Centre is pursuing grants from CWAC and Storengy.
There has been a request for an all weather basketball court. The Council suggested that some of the children come to a Parish Council meeting with details.
DIAMOND JUBILEE
The Community Centre is hoping to hold an event on Tuesday 5 June 2012 for the community. More details to follow.
ChALC AREA MEETINGS
The Clerk reported on the Vale Royal Area Meeting held on 2 February 2012. The main issues were double taxation and the Governance Review. Lostock Gralam Parish will be receiving a refund of £1.15 per band D property on their Council Tax due to part funding a PCSO.
ChALC is looking for feedback on the area meetings and suggest scrapping the area meetings and having CWAC and CEC meetings twice a year. The Clerk to respond asking for CWAC meetings in a central location.
TENDERS FOR GRASS CUTTING
Three quotes have been received for the grass cutting and maintenance at the play areas. RESOLVED to accept the lowest price from Countrywide Grounds Maintenance at £1358.00 per year (ex. VAT) with the price adjusted by RPI for year 2 and year 3. The Clerk to contact the three companies.
PLAY AREAS AND INSPECTIONS
The Clerk has contacted RoSPA to arrange a 2012 report on both play areas.
Birches Lane
The new pieces of equipment have now been installed. Work is continuing on the drainage. The signs are still not ready.
Stubbs Lane
The Clerk has received confirmation from CDP that they give permission for the removal of the hedging and replacement with fencing at Stubbs Lane. RESOLVED to contact Stockdale Fencing to complete the work.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
1. CPRE has sent a guide to neighbourhood planning which follows on from the various training sessions and Localism.
2. The Clerk attended the Vale Royal Area Meeting on 2 February 2012.
3. Lostock Gralam Station has received the ‘most improved station award’ from the Cheshire Best Kept Stations awards 2011.
4. A Cheshire Community Action training event it taking place on 7 March at Crewe. Cllr. McEllin has indicated that she will attend.
5. An invitation has been received to participate in the Community Pride Competition 2012 from Cheshire Community Action.
6. A bulletin about Standards and Member conduct has been received from CWAC and ChALC (see enclosure) More details will follow.
7. Manchester Airport is hosting a Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 13 March in the afternoon. Please let me know if anyone wishes to attend.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The Council considered the following planning applications and RESOLVED to respond as below:
Planning Applications
11/05916/FUL Cheshire Business Park
Construction of permanent turning facility on existing internal access
No objection
Planning Decisions
None
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to accept payment of the following accounts
Payee Details Amount
To be Paid
159 – Zurich Insurance Additional premium at Birches Lane Play Area 383.71
160 – Claymore Business Machines Limited Contracted block billing – photocopier 108.00
The meeting finished at 8.35 p.m.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 5 March 2012 at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.