MINUTES OF LOSTOCK GRALAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2009 AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH HALL, LOSTOCK GRALAM
The meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Parish Councillors A McEllin, P Kelly, J Foster and N Goulding
IN ATTENDANCE: N Clarke, Clerk
ALSO PRESENT: Insp. P Loughlin, PCSO G Jones, F Kindon (Northwich Guardian),
A Dean (Lostock Gralam School Governor) & B Griffiths (Public)
PART I – Public and Press Present
PUBLIC FORUM
The following matters were raised by members of the public:
Miss Griffiths reported on the following items:
• At the traffic lights on Manchester Road to Hall Lane, Miss Griffiths complained about the entrance to the garages and there also depressions at the junction near the Chinese takeaway. Inspector Loughlin asked PCSO Jones to check the junction. Clerk to report the depressions.
• Hedge on Lodge Lane and Stubbs Lane needs trimming. Clerk to report.
Cllr Goulding reported that the chain link fence on Birches Lane play area, Lostock Green is broken. Clerk to contact a handyman to carry out repairs.
DISCUSSION WITH INSPECTOR P LOUGHLIN
Inspector Loughlin introduced himself to the Council and reported that he was keen to meet all the funding partners for PCSO’s in the Northwich area. Although official papers have not been received yet, he indicated that the renewal for the PCSO’s will be £12,700 per annum. He also reported that there is no recruitment freeze on PCSO’s following Cllr. Gouldings question regarding funding from central government for PCSO provision.
Cllr. Goulding suggested that there is concern in the Parish that it is perceived that those Parishes paying for a PCSO are, in fact, paying twice for policing and that the police use the opportunity to take the regular police away from the area where there is a PCSO.
The following questions were put to the Inspector:
1. Is the contract for a PCSO or for a person? – Lostock Gralam has been lucky that the same PCSO has been in place but if one leaves and there is a gap in service which the Parish Council is still paying for?
Insp. Loughlin assured the Parish Council that cover would happen. If anyone leaves he is able to recruit new staff.
2. The PCSO is deployed in the Parish but the police reserve the right to re-deploy without notice and there tends not to be any notice.
Insp. Loughlin agreed that communications could be better and will try to organise email correspondence when the PCSO is taken off the area.
3. Cllr McEllin asked if the police could let the PC know what proportion of time is spent in each area by PCSO Jones?
Insp. Loughlin reported that all staff have been issued with PDA’s which can be used to record information. He would look into the issue.
4. Has PCSO Jones been issued with a bicycle yet?
Not yet, as he still has to attend a course.
5. The boundary for policing seems to stop at the bridge on Station Road, so Lostock
Green comes under Winsford police. This is obviously difficult when PCSO Jones is responsible for Lostock Green.
Insp. Loughlin agreed that it was not acceptable. He has asked PCSO Jones to speak to the Inspector at Winsford to send over information to PCSO Jones when it comes in regarding PCSO duties.
Cllr Goulding thanked Insp. Loughlin for attending and all agreed it was a useful meeting.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
RESOLVED to accept apologies for absence from Parish Councillors S Wells, H Argent and R Reece. Apologies also received from CWAC M Bryam.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 6 July 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 6 JULY 2009.
1. The Play Area signs were erected the week of 3 August 2009.
2. Groundwork has confirmed that as soon as Veolia has agreed to release the grant money, work can start on the play areas. The Clerk is attending a pre-contract meeting on Tuesday 15 September.
3. Repairs have taken place to the play area flooring at Lostock Gralam.
4. The Playscheme at Lostock Gralam took place during August. No problems reported.
REPORT FROM PCSO JONES
Taken from the report:
Speed checks on Manchester Road. Offenders have been prosecuted.
Enquiries following reported incidents of theft in the area.
Complaints of illegal parking along Manchester Road. Business owners have been advised.
Observations on Lodge Lane following complaints of road offences.
The force aeroplane has been out looking for off road motor-bikes – a number of vehicles have been seized.
REPORT FROM CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCILLORS
Waste Contract
Cllr Wright reported that no application has been received for the waste contract and it looks as though the process will be delayed.
Boundary Committee
The three Marbuary Councillors have indicated to the Boundary Committee that they would prefer a three-member ward rather than a single-member ward as it is difficult to split the ward up with the correct ratio of electors to members. The Parish Council would prefer a single member ward as the current area is very spread out and it feels it would benefit more with a dedicated member. Wincham and Lostock Gralam together make the 3500 required per member but the Clerk pointed out that currently it is being recommended that Lostock Gralam is to be moved wholly into Shakerely ward. The Clerk to monitor the position and bring any more information to the meetings as it received.
PLAY INSPECTIONS
RESOLVED to accept Mark White to complete the monthly site inspection for the play areas. Clerk to contact to arrange a start date.
BT TELEPHONE BOX
The Clerk informed the Council of a letter received from BT suggesting Parish Councils adopt underused phone boxes for £1. The box in Lostock Green has been offered for adoption and the Council have to reply by 31 October 2009.
A discussion ensued with some for the adoption as it is part of the village but others were wary of the responsibility if there is vandalism and what the box would be used for when the phone equipment is removed. RESOLVED to defer the decision until next month.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Land Registry – offer to register unregistered land
Clerks and Councils Direct – July 2009
The Clerk – July 2009
NMC news – Summer 09
Manchester Airport – Draft Noise Action Plan 2008-2013
Boundary Committee – stage review – NB It is recommended that Lostock Gralam is moved into Shakerley ward
Manchester Airport – Educational resources
Manchester Airport – Parish Council meetings – booked onto Friday 18 September meeting 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Draft North West Plan Partial Review – Jul 2009 – comments can be made before 19 October 2009.
Area Partnership Boards – nomination to the board
The Playing Field – Summer 2009
BT – adopting a payphone
CWAC – Consultation on the Local Development Framework
Cheshire Local Access Forum – Invitation for applications for members to join the Forum – details attached.
Letter regarding Speed Display Units (Goostrey PC)
Western ‘Have your say’
Brunner Mond – invitation to Liaison Meeting – 4 November
Manchester Airport – Concert tickets for the community. Action required: Do we accept the tickets and how should they be distributed to the community e.g. raffle prize? Clerk to contact the Airport for tickets for the School raffle.
Community Forum – notes on the last meeting
Fieldwork – September 2009
Clerks and Councils Direct – September 2009
REPORT FROM THE CLERK
1. The speed limit reduction on Birches Lane, Lostock Green has been advertised in the Northwich Guardian so work can begin to change the signs shortly.
2. Hazel Argent has informed the Clerk that she wishes to resign from the Parish Council due to work commitments. The Council suggested a recruitment drive might be in order.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS
The following planning applications have been received and sent to council for approval.
09/00905/ARMM CDP Ltd
Lostock Triangle Site, Manchester Road
Approval of reserved matters for the erection of offices, two hotels, restaurant/pub and retail units (pursuant to outline approval APP/2001/0533)
09/01355/FUL Mr S Switzer
Land behind 14 Station Road, Lostock Gralam
Demolition of existing garage and proposed one detached two-storey dwelling (resubmission of 08-2491-FUL)
09/01442/FUL Mr S Roberts
8 Fitton Street, Lostock Gralam
Single storey extension to front with canopy
DECISIONS RECEIVED
09/00888/FUL Mr and Mrs Stott
7 Birch Grove, Lostock Green, CW9 7SS
Single storey extension to side and rear of dwelling
Granted
09/00852/FUL Mr S Campbell
439 Manchester Road, Lostock Gralam, CW9 7QA
Addition of window/door in elevations and re-use of velux.
Granted
09/00873/FUL Scottish Power Energy
Electricity sub-station Birches Lane, Lostock Gralam
Extension to existing electricity substation
Granted
09/01033/FUL Mr D Dodgson
47 Birches Lane
First floor extension to rear
Granted
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
The Clerk reported that all transfers have taken place from HSBC to the Co-op. The balance in the accounts at 7 September (after deducting payments below) is: Deposit Account, £35,000.00 and Current Account, £13,572.29.
It was RESOLVED to pay the following accounts:
Cq. No. Payee Amount
005 INEOS Enterprises – rental of play area at Birches Lane, Lostock Green 63.00
006 Countrywide Grounds Maintenance – July, Aug & Sept 2009 627.90
007 Make your Mark – signs for play areas 425.50
008 Playcon – repair of wet-pour safety surface at play area 86.25
009 Zurich Insurance – annual premium 1697.17
010 Audit Comission – external audit 2009 327.75
011 Amos Wright – Churchyard maintenance 400.00
012 Lostock Gralam Community Centre – Litter pick July – Sep 09 156.00
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Monday 5 October at Lostock Gralam Church Hall at 7.30 p.m.