MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 7 JUNE 2010 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors M Litton, J Foster, A McEllin, D Woodward and P Kelly
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: PCSO G Jones, CWAC N Wright and M Stocks, B Allcock, Members of the Public.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Parish Councillors S Wells, N Goulding, R Reece and J Beasant. Cheshire West and Chester Councillor M Byram and G Miller.
PUBLIC FORUM
Miss Griffiths reported on the following items:
1. The gas pipe work on Griffiths Road is causing problems as the traffic lights seem to fail regularly. This has already been reported.
2. Driving on Townshend Road and surrounding roads is becoming increasingly difficult as the roads are full of parked cars. Although there was sympathy, it is the same throughout the parish as the roads cannot cope with the amount of cars nowadays. An approach will be made to Weaver Vale Housing to ask about using the grass verges as additional parking.
Cllr. Kelly reported on the following items raised by local residents:
1. The grass banks on Manchester Road are overgrown.
2. The traffic lights at the Business Park are still faulty.
3. The bus shelter on Fryer Road needs attention.
4. What has happened with the dog bins in the area? Cllr. Stocks reported that he is waiting for the survey results from CWAC before he can order some more.
5. Speeding seems to have increased on Manchester Road again. Cllr. Kelly has been in touch with CCA who have offered the SID machine for 1 week from 17 June 2010. The speed guns can’t be used until further training has been given by the Police.
6. There has been a spate of off road bikes on the fields behind Lostock Gralam. PCSO Jones confirmed that there have been reports of bikes and they have been out several times but not caught anyone yet. There are reports of people breaking locks, blocking drains and felling trees to access and make tracks for the bikes. It is thought NPL own the land but it has been difficult to confirm and any requests to the Land Registry have to be paid for. PCSO Jones urged people to report any activity as soon as they see it.
7. Cllr Kelly asked Cllr Wright if there was any more information regarding the piece of land off Griffiths Road owned by CWAC. Cllr Wright replied that Vale Royal bought the land but CWAC are not looking to sell at the moment. He confirmed that BM will need access across the land during construction but not the land itself. Cllr. Stocks confirmed that he asked for maps of CWAC land on 20 April 2010 and is still waiting for a reply. CWAC have still to formally respond to the Brunner Mond application and this will be postponed until probably September due to BM not advertising correctly.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the council held on 11 May 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.
None
REPORT FROM PCSO G JONES
PCSO Jones reported that the police have completed speed monitoring on Manchester Road. There has been drug activity in the area and with a warrant issued in Manchester Road and possible eviction. Thefts have been reported in the area in the past month.
Cllr. McEllin asked PCSO Jones to monitor the play area for anti-social behaviour in the evenings as youths are drinking and smashing bottles on the car park. PCSO Jones will also attend the youth club to speak to the children.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNILLORS
Cllr. Wright informed the meeting that the planning meeting to decide on the RRS and Viridor applications will be held on 17 June at 4.00 p.m. at Northwich Victoria Club. Both Councillors emphasised the need for as many members of public to attend the meeting as possible.
A Community Forum will be held at Byley Village Hall on 15 June. One of the topics to be debated will be Waste Collection. A discussion was held about the type of waste collections in Cheshire West and Chester.
Both Councillors reiterated that there was lots happening behind the scenes at CWAC to ensure Northwich will be redeveloped in the near future. There was concern that the town centre was looking quiet but Cllr. Stocks reminded the meeting that town centre shop rates are determined by central government. Due to the current recession development might slow down.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
1. The Clerk attended the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Seminar on 19 May. This proved useful to learn about CWAC’s support for local councils and what assistance they could offer to PC’s.
2. ChALC Annual Meeting on 21 October 2010. Motions to be debated need forwarding to ChALC. Cllr. Litton and the Clerk will attend.
3. Manchester Airport – evaluation of the grant awarded in April 2008 (for goal posts).
4. Letter from CWAC – Emma Stevens has been appointed as Parish Liaison Officer and will be contacting Parish Councils in due course to meet.
5. Letter received from HOW regarding the public consultation about the housing on the triangle.
6. Community and Faith Sector Survey has been received and will be completed by the Clerk.
7. Training for Cllrs. Litton and Woodward on Saturday 12 June at 9.30 a.m.
8. Fly Tipping has been reported on the Lime Beds on the border with Plumley. The Clerk has been in communication with CWAC.
9. The Playscheme at Lostock Gralam has not yet been confirmed. Cllr. McEllin said that they have spoken to the Community Centre about booking two weeks but will contact them to see if any dates have been booked.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The following planning applications have been received and sent to council for approval.
10/00964/FUL Mr S Stainsby
1 St Johns Avenue, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7QT
Erection of a six foot high wood and concrete fencing alongside boundary next to foothpath, to include six foot high gate over driveway.
No objection
10/00694/FUL Mr P Kelly
Land rear of 4 Wilson Crescent, Lostock Gralam
2 Storey dwelling
Withdrawn
10/01117/ADV Lostock Triangle Site, Lostock Gralam
1 x externally illuminated V shaped post sign on extending legs and 1 x externally illuminated double sided twin post sign
No objection
10/00701/FUL Land and Garages rear of 4 Townshend Road, Lostock Gralam
Double garage (retrospective)
Permitted
BANK ACCOUNT
It was RESOLVED to add Cllrs. Litton and Woodward to the signatures on the Co-op bank account. The Clerk to action.
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was resolved to accept payment of the following accounts:
Chq no. Payee Amount
55 Playsafety Ltd.
RoSPA play inspections 2010 155.10
56 Countrywide Grounds Maintenance
Grasscutting June 2010 213.85
57 Lostock Gralam Community Centre
Litter pick April – June 2010 162.50
58 Samaritans
s.137 donation 100.00
59 Alzheimers Society
s.137 donation 100.00
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 5 July at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.