MINUTES OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2009 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors S Wells, P Kelly & A McEllin
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: PCSO’s G Jones, R Guiton and B Griffiths (Public)
PART I – Public and Press Present
PUBLIC FORUM
Miss Griffiths had been asked to raise the matter of a local resident who has requested road markings outside their property from CWAC and paid the required fee. The resident is concerned that the markings haven’t been done. Cllr McEllin told Miss Griffiths that this is a private transaction between CWAC and the resident and that they must contact CWAC themselves.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies for absence from Parish Councillors R Reece, J Foster and N Goulding.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Due to the meeting being inquorate acceptance of the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5 October 2009 has been deferred until the December meeting.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5 OCTOBER 2009.
1. Repairs have been completed at Birches Lane Play Area.
2. There has been no reply from CDP regarding fencing around the Triangle site adjacent to the Community Centre.
3. The Clerk has received an email and phone call from CWAC about the fly posting by Kitchenkraft. The have instructed the Parish Council that the matter is in hand and due to legal reasons they cannot update us yet but will do as soon as there is an outcome.
REPORT FROM PCSO JONES & GUITON
PCSO Jones reported that he has dealt with car thefts, ASBO’s and an arrest in Lostock Gralam. The Council asked if the police were dealing with the motorbike incident in the woodland at the back of Lostock Gralam. PCSO Jones confirmed that the incident had not been officially reported but that they were aware of the problem. He urged the community to report any sightings but that unless they were caught in the act, it was difficult to prosecute.
PCSO Guiton reported that he has received complaints about youths throwing stones at the chapel in Lostock Green and generally misbehaving. He confirmed that he has spoken to the parents of some of the boys and will keep an eye on the situation.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS
None present.
PROPOSED WASTE SITES AT LOSTOCK GRALAM AND WINCHAM
Cllr McEllin informed the meeting that the action group against the RRS application (SID) held a meeting recently which was well attended. The group is active and is planning other activities, which will be publicised.
The Viridor application on Griffiths Road was actually on land belonging to Northwich Town Council rather than Lostock Gralam.
The Brunner Mond application for an incinerator on the Griffiths Road site is one that CHAIN is most worried about. The Clerk reported that she had attended a Liaison meeting at Brunner Mond on 4 November and heard a presentation about the proposed application. The application will take at least 2 years to go through and then with the build time, it is looking at 2014 before the plant will be open.
CHAIN is stepping up its action to oppose the application and is looking for both funding and support from the local Parish Councils. Cllr McEllin asked that this is taken into consideration when planning for the budget. A meeting between the local Parish Councils has been suggested to agree a plan of action. Cllr McEllin to draft a letter.
SID TRAINING
The Clerk reported that four people had attended a training course on using the SID gun earlier in the evening. The Council has the gun until 20 November and is planning to utilise it on both Manchester Road and Birches Lane to record speeding information. Cheshire Community Action (the trainers) are now responsible for both the SIDS and SID guns and they co-ordinate with the police and highways on tackling speed issues. The Clerk and Cllr Kelly will report back to the next meeting.
WEB SITE
The Clerk reported that she had received information from Reg Hardingham that he has set up a new web site for the Parish Council as Lostock Link is being shut down. The Council was concerned that the domain name cannot be transferred to the Council as it is privately owned. The Clerk to contact Mr Hardingham to have a meeting to ascertain the matter and to look at how to upload information onto the web site.
PLAY INSPECTIONS
The Council discussed the distributed play inspections for both areas. It was noted that Stubbs Lane play area has no immediate problems apart from broken glass, which the Council was already aware of.
However, the Birches Lane play area at Lostock Green is in a very poor condition and, although repairs have been carried out, it is recommended that the equipment is replaced as soon as possible. The Council agreed to include an amount in the precept to start a replacement fund and to contact Groundwork Cheshire to begin grant application for the area.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
The Clerk reported on the following items:
1. The Clerk had attended the Brunner Mond Liaison Meeting on 4 November (details of which were discussed in item regarding waste plans).
2. The Clerk attended the ChALC AGM held on 22 October.
3. ChALC is asking for a representative to join a PCSO working party to discuss the forthcoming PCSO renewals. The Clerk will put her name forward.
4. Vale Royal Playscheme is looking for a representative to sit on their committee from May to September to contribute to the organising of the Playschemes in the area each summer. It was agreed to contact Jackie Garner to see if she would be interested.
5. CWAC are carrying out a Gypsy and Traveller consultation in the area with comments by early next year.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The following planning applications have been received and sent to council for approval.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
09/01779FUL Mr P Barrow, 2 St Johns Avenue, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7QT
Erection of conservatory and workshop to rear, new gate and vehicular access
No objection
09/02047/WAS Land and buildings to west side of Lostock Works, Griffiths Road.
Development of a proposed Waste Treatment Plant at the former Chlorine Works
Objection
09/02153/FUL Mr S Chapman, Highfield Farm, Manchester Road, Lostock Gralam
Replacement front wall and roof on a swimming pool boiler pump house.
No objection
DECISIONS RECEIVED
09/01442/FUL 8 Fitton Street, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7PW
Single storey extension to front with canopy
Permitted
09/00837/FUL 14 Station Road, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7PN
Variation of condition 3 & 4 of planning permission 06-2167-FUL to enable landscaping and parking arrangements
Permitted
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to pay the following accounts:
Cq. No. Payee Amount
015 CWAC – bin hire and emptying Oct 09 - Mar 10 433.71
016 Countrywide Grounds – Grass cutting Oct 09 209.30
017 Cheshire Constabulary - PCSO Provision Oct 09 – Mar 10 5500.00
018 Campaign to Protect Rural England – Membership 29.00
019 Alan Lockett – repairs to Birches Lane Play Area 245.00
020 Royal British Legion – s.137 donation for wreath 100.00
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 7 December at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.
The meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.