MINUTES OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 5 OCTOBER 2009 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors S Wells, P Kelly, J Foster and R Reece
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: Cllrs G Miller & N Wright (CWAC), B Griffiths (Public)
PART I – Public and Press Present
PUBLIC FORUM
Miss Griffiths reported on the following items:
• The watermain on the A556 to Wade Brook is leaking and has been reported to United Utilties
• Is there a lengthsman employed in Lostock Gralam as she has seen someone cleaning in Lostock Gralam. The Council replied that he must be employed by CWAC.
• Miss Griffiths asked the County Councillors present why CWAC needed a new building (in Chester) when there are plenty of existing old borough buildings around Cheshire West which could be used. Cllrs Wright and Miller replied that some of the existing buildings will continue to be used, especially Wervyn House, Winsford, for Council meetings. However, some of the buildings will be sold in order to rationalise the portfolio. County Hall has been sold to Chester University and the money will be split between Cheshire East and Cheshire West.
• Cllr Kelly reported that the street lights were still on 24 hours a day on the Triangle Business Park and, also, that the traffic lights had been out again.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies for absence from Parish Councillors A McEllin and N Goulding.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7 September 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 7 SEPTEMBER 2009.
1. Junction at Manchester and Hall Road – Clerk reported it to CWAC and received confirmation on 14 September from Highways that the potholes will be filled. PCSO Jones to contact Miss Griffiths regarding parking at the junction.
2. Clerk had appointed a handyman to carry out the repairs at Birches Lane play field but he had let her down. Clerk to contact a new handyman.
3. Clerk wrote to Inspector Snasdell (Winsford) regarding policing in Lostock Green. Waiting for a reply.
REPORT FROM PCSO JONES
There was no report, however, the Clerk reported that she had received a phone call from PCSO Richard Guiton. He reported that he was the PCSO (funded by the police) covering Allostock, Byley, Lower Peover and Lostock Green and works out of Winsford Police Station. He has been in post for about 6 months and patrols the area regularly. He has spoken to some youths following complaints from Bells about children breaking the fencing around the play area and making dens.
The Clerk asked why Lostock Green was now been covered by two PCSO’s and asked if there was communication between the two stations? PCSO Guiton has said that he will try to attend a PC meeting. The Clerk is to forward dates for the rest of the cycle.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS
The following items were reported:
1. Cllr Wright reported that the 30 mph limit should up and running in Lostock Green shortly. BAM Nuttalls have been appointed to install the relevant signs.
2. Cllr Miller reported on the progress of the Cheshire Waste Treatment Plant. The planning application is due to be submitted in October but the tender process has been delayed until between August and October 2010. Each applicant has to have a successful planning application in before starting the tendering process.
PLAY AREA AT STUBBS LANE
The Clerk reported that she had attended a photo call with the Pre-school at the play area which was well publicised in the local press. The groundwork has now been completed and the contractors are waiting for delivery of the play equipment, which should be installed in the next few weeks.
Cllr McEllin had asked the Clerk to enquire as to why the fencing around the car park area has been taken down by CDP as this will cause a H&S hazard if the hall is hired out for children’s parties. The Clerk has written to David Hawkin (CDP) and is currently waiting for a reply.
PLAY INSPECTIONS
The Clerk has had a site meeting with Mark White and arranged monthly inspections, which will recommend action to be taken. In addition, the Clerk has arranged for an annual inspection with Rospa, which will take place every April.
BT TELEPHONE BOX
RESOLVED that the Parish Council will not adopt the Phone Box in Lostock Green. This is due to the possible problems with the up keep of the box, liability issues if the box is vandalised etc.
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
The Clerk reported on the following items:
1. Clerk attended a Parish Council meeting with Manchester Airport on 18 September. The Airport will be resurfacing runway 1 in 2010/11, which will affect all air traffic for some months.
2. The Church Hall has been booked for remainder of the cycle of meetings.
3. Clerk has reported illegal fly posting by Kitchenkraft to Streetscene on a number of occasions. The Clerk has been informed that CWAC will prosecute the company if they continue to fly post. The fly posting is still continuing each weekend.
4. The Clerk attended a Parish Council meeting with Ineos Enterprises on 2 October. She mentioned the foaming of Wade Brook and also asked about Community Grants. The next meeting is to include a tour of the Brine Fields. Cllr Wells expressed an interest in attending with the Clerk.
5. Chalc AGM is being held on 2 October at Middlewich. Clerk to attend.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
CWAC – road closures at A556 from mid-October until December.
Clerk to contact Highways to remind them that they had assured the Parish Council that they had promised to lay quiet tarmac when resurfacing the A556.
Concessionary Travel Scheme information
Viridor Update
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The following planning applications have been received and sent to council for approval.
No planning applications received
DECISIONS RECEIVED
CDP Ltd Approval of reserved matters for the erection of offices, two hotels, restaurant/pub and retail units (pursuant to outline approval APP/2001/0533)
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was RESOLVED to pay the following accounts:
Cq. No. Payee Amount
013 NL Clarke – salary and expenses 1125.93
67.50
1193.43
014 Lostock Gralam Church Hall Association – Hire of hall 140.00
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 9 November at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.
The meeting closed at 8.20 p.m.