MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 4 JULY 2011 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), J Foster, Nick Goulding, E Guy, P Kelly and A McEllin
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: PCSO P Hambleton, CWAC Cllr. M Stocks, Members of the Community Centre committee and members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM
1. Mr Hargreaves reported that the road on the north side of Birches Lane, Lostock Green is still in a dreadful state with grids broken, rubbish not cleared and the bridge is still broken. He said that he has contacted Cllr. Stocks with regard to reducing the speed limit on the road. Cllr. Stocks confirmed that he has emailed Richard Flood and a Highways Engineer will be inspecting the road next week.
2. Mr Hargreaves also asked for the Parish Council to assist with asking for ‘Access only’ for HGV’s and for a double bend sign in order to slow the traffic down. The Parish Council and Cllr. Stocks will contact Highways.
3. Jackie Garner from the Community Centre asked if some hedging can be removed and wooden fencing installed on the Stubbs Lane side of the Community Centre. This will open the area out to prevent anti-social behaviour and, hopefully, reduce burglaries. The Parish Council approved the removal but asked that the work should coincide with the fencing to comply with Health and Safety.
4. Cllr. Kelly asked when the dog bins would be installed. Cllr. Stocks responded that he is waiting for a response from Mike Solari of Streetscene.
5. Cllr. Kelly asked if a report was available on the traffic lights at the Business Park. Cllr. Stocks to chase.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies from Cllrs Beasant and Woodward.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the council held on 6 June 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 6 JUNE 2011
1) Members of the Parish Council assisted with geranium planting at Lostock Gralam railway station with Sally Buttifant.
2) School Transport – Cllr. Stocks reported that the decisions by CWAC are currently being reviewed. There is 1 appeal lodged at the time of the meeting.
3) The Clerk has contacted Planning Enforcement at CWAC regarding Fryer Road.
4) The Play Scheme will take place for two weeks at the Community Centre from 15 August 2011.
REPORT FROM PCSO P HAMBLETON
PCSO Hambleton reported on the following:
No more metal thefts have been reported this month,
There have been 55 prosecutions for speeding on Manchester Road,
He is attending the primary school on Wednesday 6 July to talk about ‘stranger danger’,
There is a spate of scam people knocking on doors and ringing about computer viruses,
Motorbikes are continuing to ride in Winnington Wood, however, one bike has been seized and crushed,
He will be attending both Wincham and Lostock Green fete on 9 July 2011.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS
Cllr. Stocks reported on the following matters:
He has already reported on the School Transport consultation and will continue to lobby for more consultation before decisions are to be made. CWAC is producing a report on 13 July about denominational school transport,
Cllr. Stocks reported on the sale of the School House at Lostock Gralam. CWAC was involved as the school asked if CWAC could purchase the building as there are issues of safeguarding the children due to the position of the house. The house was sold at auction to a private individual. At this point the meeting asked for clarification from Rev B Sharp who was attending another meeting. She confirmed the sale of the building and that an independent trust fund has been set up. The interest on the money raised from the purchase can be spent on ‘education for children or adults of the parish of Lostock Gralam’ in accordance with advice from the Charities Commission. Anyone in the parish can apply for grant funding from the Church.
TO DISCUSS THE FORTHCOMING TATA PUBLIC INQUIRY
1. Liaison Meeting – The Clerk will attend the TATA Liaison meeting on 12 July and has been given questions to ask at the meeting from the Parish Council.
2. Public Inquiry – Cllr. McEllin and Guy reported on the pre-meeting for the public inquiry on Tuesday 26 July at 11.00 a.m. at Northwich Vics Football Ground. They encouraged as many people as possible to attend, even if it is an hour. CHAIN will be advertising the Inquiry with a large balloon hovering at the height of the proposed chimney. They have requested financial assistance from the Parish Council to assist with advertising on a billboard by London Road for a two week period leading up to the Inquiry. RESOLVED to donate £500 from the Incinerator reserve fund.
Cllr. Stocks confirmed that CWAC will be legally represented with a barrister at the Inquiry and that he and other CWAC Councillors will be speaking at the Inquiry.
Cllr. Guy will be speaking on behalf of the Parish Council and Cllr. McEllin will be speaking in a personal capacity.
PLAY AREAS AND INSPECTIONS
Birches Lane
The field is open again and will remain open until early September when the works will be completed. The grass is a bit scrappy and the Clerk has spoken to Groundwork. Fiona Cowley is due to attend the Lostock Green Fete on 9 July to provide information to residents.
Stubbs Lane
Minor repairs have been completed on the Teen Shelter and fencing. Hedging issue dealt with in Public Forum.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
The Clerk reported on the following:
a) There is a police public meeting on 13 July at the Council offices, the Drumber at 7.00 p.m.
b) The Clerk has received an updated training programme with venues – copies circulated.
c) The BBC has contacted the Parish Council about a programme they are making about dangerous roads. Cllr. Guy is collating information to give to the producers and asked that any information should be sent to her.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The Council considered the following planning applications and RESOLVED to respond as below:
Planning Applications
11/01960/FUL 20 Birches Lane, Lostock Green, CW9 7SN
First floor rear extension
No objection
11/02517/COU 457 Manchester Road, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7QB
Change of use to allow the running of private hire vehicles from home
No objection providing that no more than 2 private hire vehicles are parked at any one time and that vehicles don’t enter or leave at any other times than stated on the application.
11/02726/TPO 389 Manchester Road, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7PJ
To fell sycamore and birch tree, reduce 2 oak and 1 sycamore and crown reduce 1 oak and 2 sycamore.
No objection
Planning Decisions
None
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to accept payment of the following accounts.
Chq no. Payee Amount
118 NL Clarke – Salary April – June 2011
Expenses (phone and petrol) 900.75
22.93
923.68
119 Countrywide Grounds Maintenance
Grass cutting June 2011 232.80
120 QS Services – maintenance at play areas 37.20
121 Amos Wright – churchyard maintenance 250.00
SO Freeola – web site fees June – Sept 10.80
The meeting finished at 9.10 p.m.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 5 September 2011 at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.