MINUTES OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 1 JUNE 2009 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors S Wells, P Kelly, R Reece and A McEllin
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: CWAC M Byram and N Wright, Members of the Public
PART I – Public and Press Present
PUBLIC FORUM
The following matters were raised by members of the public:
1. Ms Griffiths reported she has been told that the footpath at the junction of Birches Lane and the A556 is not accessible to electric scooters. The pavement is not wide enough at the junction and too high by the Picnic Area.
2. Wade Brook turned white during mid-May. She thinks there may have been a DBO (distilled blow off) from Ineos Chlor. Clerk to report.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE from Parish Councillors J Foster, N Goulding and H Argent.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on 11 May 2009, having been copied to members and were confirmed and signed as being a correct record.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 MAY 2009.
None
REPORT FROM PCSO JONES
A written report has been received which includes speed checks on Manchester Road with offenders being prosecuted; vehicles offences on Lodge Lane; school visits during Healthy Schools week; warnings regarding youths riding motorcycles on private land and enquiries following a burglary in the area.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS
1. Following receipt of a letter from Peter Kelly regarding highways Malcolm Byram and Norman Wright confirmed that they are waiting for a reply from Richard Nixon and Richard Flood from CWAC.
2. Both Councillors commented on the welcome presence of the interactive sign on Manchester Road.
3. There is to be a cluster meeting on 22 June at Comberbach starting at 6.00 p.m. There will be CWAC officers present to answer questions from Parish Councils.
THE GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION DOCUMENT
Following discussion it was RESOLVED to accept the Governance and Administration document for Lostock Gralam Parish Council for 2009/10. The document was signed and dated by the Chairman.
RISK ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT
The following points were raised regarding the Risk Assessment document:
1. The Clerk is to obtain quotes for monthly and quarterly play inspections.
2. Code of Conduct training needs to be available if necessary. The Clerk confirmed that she has sent out the training dates for the year from ChALC and that Cllr P Kelly will hopefully be booked onto a course in September.
It was RESOLVED to accept the Risk Assessment document for Lostock Gralam Parish Council for 2009/10 and was duly signed and dated by the Chairman.
MEMBERS REGISTER OF INTEREST DOCUMENT
Members brought completed Register of Interest documents to the meeting for 2009/10. These need updating each year.
CHAIRMAN’S ALLOWANCE
The Clerk reported that although the possibility of a Chairman’s Allowance has been discussed and rejected previously, she felt that it would provide a back up for the Audit Commission as certain items (e.g. flowers for the retiring Chairman). It was RESOLVED that the budget will be £200 for 2009/10.
SIGNS FOR PLAY AREAS
The Council considered the three quotes received for the signs at the Play Areas. It was RESOLVED to award the contract to ‘Make Your Mark’ being the cheapest price. It was agreed to order three signs, two for Lostock Gralam and one for Lostock Green. Clerk to arrange.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Correspondence copied to council
1. Boundary Committee – consultation document.
2. Donations request by Samaritans
3. INEOS Enterprises – minutes from last liaison meeting
4. Timetable of CWAC meetings 09/10
5. ChALC newsletter – May 09
6. CWAC – Request to meet with the Parish Council. It was agreed that in principle the Council would be interested in a meeting but that as a small Council which is not pursuing Quality Status, we are not interested in taking on any services from CWAC.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
1. Vamasaki Opening – The Clerk has received an invitation for Councillors to attend the opening of Vamasaki. Following a discussion, it was agreed that if Councillors wished to attend they would personally make a donation to charity (to the value of the meal taken) as they did not want to accept any gifts or hospitality from the restaurant. It was felt that it would be a good opportunity to make contact with the owners and management of the restaurant in order to establish a line of communication should any issues arise.
2. Interactive Sign on Manchester Road – The Clerk confirmed that the sign was operating and that there has been an article in the local press.
3. Fencing at Stubbs Lane – Groundwork have asked for formal notification as to whether the Council want the toddler fencing for phase 2 of the play area. RESOLVED to ask Groundwork to put the plans in without the fencing and see if the plans are passed. It was agreed that the Council will pay the remaining costs of £6,222 or £10,222 (if fencing required) to complete Phase 2.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following planning application has been received and sent to council for approval.
09/00585/FZ5 Proposed Engineering Works
Land at Park Farm, Holford Brinefields, Lostock Green
No objection
PLANNING DECISIONS None
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was resolved to accept payment of the following accounts:
Chq no. Payee Amount
100810 Lostock Gralam Community Centre – Litter pick April – June 09 156.00
100811 CWAC – Bin Hire & Emptying – April – Sept 09 433.71
The public and press left at 8.40 p.m. and the meeting moved on to Part II – Private and Confidential Business.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 6 July at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.