MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 5 JULY 2010 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors M Litton, A McEllin, D Woodward, S Wells, J Beasant and P Kelly
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: CWAC N Wright and M Stocks, B Allcock and members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM
The following matters were raised by members of the public:
1. Residents from Wilson Crescent are concerned about children playing ball games in the road on Wilson Crescent. There have been instances of balls damaging property. Both the Clerk and the concerned public have spoken to the PCSO about the matter. Cllr. McEllin confirmed that there is no law against people playing in the road but if there is damage to property the police should be informed. Evidence needs to be gathered in the form of a diary and / or photographs to take to the police if it continues. The Clerk to contact the PCSO again.
2. Mr Mather has complained about a safety release valve making unacceptable noises from Brunner Mond. He has received a visit from Brunner Mond who claim it is the responsibility of a sub-contractor. The Parish Council advised contacting the EHO to complain.
3. The shrouds have still not been placed over street lights 34 and 35 on Manchester Road, as promised by Highways. The Clerk to contact Highways.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies for absence from Parish Councillors J Foster, N
Goulding and R Reece.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the council held on 7 June 2010, 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 11 May 2010.
The Clerk reported on the following:
1. Cllrs. Litton and Woodward attended training on 12 June 2010.
2. The Playscheme has been booked at Lostock Gralam Community Centre from Monday 16 August until Friday 27 August. Any child can attend aged between 6 and 11 years on a first come basis.
3. Cllrs. Litton and McEllin and the Clerk attending the Strategic Planning Committee on 17 June 2010 with Cllr. McEllin speaking against both the Viridor and RRS application. Both applications were refused and there is the likelihood that they will both appeal.
4. The SID machine was used in the area by Cllr. Kelly and the Clerk between 19 and 25 June 2010. Approximately 37% of drivers were doing 36 mph and over. The results have been sent to the police.
OFF ROAD BIKES IN LOSTOCK GRALAM
There have been numerous complaints regarding off-road bikes in the area behind Townshend Road and there was a report that a child was hurt over the weekend of 19/20 June 2010. The PSCO and police are trying to tackle the problem but need to catch them in action.
The Clerk contacted Cheshire Wildlife Trust to see if there was legal protection for the bluebells in the woods. Unfortunately the only protection would be if the site is a Local Nature Reserve or Site of Special Scientific Interest which it is not.
It was RESOLVED
to contact the Land Registry to ascertain the owner of the woods (at a cost of around £60) and
arrange a meeting with Inspector Loughlin and representatives from the Council.
REPORT FROM PCSO G JONES
None
PCSO CONTRACT
There was a discussion about the PCSO contract and whether it was worth cancelling the contract (12 months written notice is required). The Clerk has been in contact with Wincham Parish Council with whom the Council share the PCSO.
RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Inspector Loughlin to arrange a meeting to discuss the contract and to extend the invitation to Wincham to join the meeting.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNILLORS
Cllrs. Byram and Wright reported on the following:
the waste contract PFI consultation has been extended to February 2011. Following the planning application refusal , Viridor and RRS have 6 months to appeal.
CWAC are carrying out resealing on sections of roads in the area following the harsh winter.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
The Clerk reported on the folllowing matters:
a) ChALC Annual Meeting Thursday 21 October 2010. It was agreed that the Clerk and Chairman will attend.
b) Brunner Mond Liaison Meeting – Monday 12 July 2010. As the Clerk is unable to attend, Cllr. Kelly has agreed to attend.
c) Community Forum – 15 June 2010. The Clerk attended, the speakers were Inspector P Loughlin, Rupert Adams CWAC regarding regulatory services and Helen de Lomas about the new domestic waste collection contracts.
d) Vale Royal Area Meeting – Mr Ian Jones – new ChALC Development Officer attended to introduce himself. He has previously worked for Cheshire County Council in the Legal and Democratic Services Department. (He has taken over from Chalky). Mrs Emma Stevens also attended as the new Parish Liaison Officer for CWAC. She will act as the main contact between CWAC, ChALC and local councils.
e) Complaint from a resident in Herbert Street about a noisy party on 19 June 2010 at a house on Manchester Road. This is not the first time the noise has gone on through the night. The resident and others contacted the police and the EHO. The Clerk also contacted the PCSO who was going to visit the property.
f) There is to be a workshop on the future of cheques on 14 July 2010 run by the Charity Commission.
g) There is a meeting at the CWAC headquarters on 21 July about capital investment by CWAC over the next 10 years.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
Cllr. Kelly declared a prejudicial interest in application 10/00694/FUL and Cllr. Beasant declared a prejudicial interest in application 10/1401/FUL. Each Councillor left the room when the relevant application was discussed and therefore took no part in the decision.
It was RESOLVED to comment on the applications as follows:
Planning Applications
10/00694/FUL Mr P Kelly
Land rear of 4 Wilson Crescent, Lostock Gralam
Two storey two-bedroom dwelling (re-submission 10/0694/FUL)
No objection provided neighbours are happy with the proposals
10/1401/FUL Mr J Mainwaring
8 Highfield Avenue, Lostock Gralam
Single storey rear extension (amendment to planning permission 07-2876-FUL)
No objection
10/01113/FUL Ineos Enterprises Ltd
Brine Purification Plant, Griffiths Road
Renewal of planning permission 07-1477-FUL – single storey laboratory building
No objection
Planning Decisions
10/00964/FUL Mr Stainsby
1 St Johns Avenue, Lostock Gralam
Erection of six foot high wood and concrete fencing alongside boundary.
Permitted
FINANCE
1. RESOLVED to accept the 1st quarter accounts as a true account.
2. External Audit – The Clerk reported that the external audit has come back with a clean report and no actions necessary.
3. Cheque signatures – The Clerk confirmed that Cllrs. Litton and Woodward have been added to the list of cheque signatures.
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to accept payment of the following accounts:
Chq no. Payee Amount
060 Lostock Gralam Community Centre
Room hire 18.75
061 Baldwin Landscaping
Play inspections – May and June 2010 117.50
062 ChALC
Training 12 June 60.00
063 M Litton
Chairman’s Allowance – travel to meetings 20.00
064 QS Services
Play area maintenance 35.25
065 Amos Wright
Grass cutting at Churchyard 400.00
066 NL Clarke
Salary, expenses and stationery 1178.77
067 Audit Commission
External Audit 470.00
068 Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society
Annual subscription 8.00
D/D Freeola
Subscription June – September 2010 10.58
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 6 September 2010 at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.