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The annual report, March 2009
Cranage Parish Council Annual Report - March 2009 The time for the Chairman's report seems to come around very quickly, following another busy year with numerous meetings and presentations regarding the changeover to the new East Cheshire Unitary Authority. I am grateful to the members of the old Borough Council, the County Council and the new East Cheshire Unitary Authority for attending our meetings to ease this transition. Further changes occurred earlier in the year when Penny Copestake, our Parish Clerk, handed in her resignation to work full time at Keele University. We were very thankful that Frank Walton was available and willing to stand in as temporary clerk while we advertised the post and carried out interviews. Julie Mason was duly appointed and I wish her every success as Clerk to Cranage, Twemlow and Somerford Parish Councils. Highway matters have continued to play an important part in our meetings. The markings on the A50 at the Big Stone crossroads have been improved and signs have been erected reminding drivers of the dangers and numerous accidents on this road. We are endeavouring to improve the "Cheshire Railings" which are still in poor repair due to age and accidents. There have also been further meetings about the road markings at the Hall Farm Drive junction. These improvements should take place in the next financial year. United Utilities shave dealt with the problem of the stench affecting properties adjacent to the A50 and the issue of loose manhole covers has also been resolved. As always there have been many planning applications to deal with, both commercial and domestic. We are currently experiencing problems with containers left in the open countryside and are working towards a solution. The Parish Council continues to be represented on the Liaison Boards of both EON and Ineos Chlor. Councillors also attend meetings with other public bodies such as Congleton Borough Council - At homes; Police Forum; ChALC; the Quality Parish Forum and the East Cheshire Consultancy Body. We retain a nominee on the M6 forum as this has a significant impact on the wellbeing of the Parish. The web site for the Parish Council is now up and running. The new address is "thelocalchannel.co.uk/cranage". Information is updated on a regular basis. If you wish to add anything to the site please contact John Halstead. Unfortunately, little progress has been made regarding the purchase of the land to enable access to the River Dane to construct a new footbridge between Cranage and Holmes Chapel. The position in the Dane area will remain unclear until the East Cheshire Unitary Authority is in place to deal with the necessary funding. Finally, I wish to thank the Councillors and Clerks for the amount of time and energy given attending all the meetings associated with their work on the Parish Council. I would also like to thank members of outside bodies and parishioners who bring matters of concern to the Parish Council to enable us to carry out our duties and hopefully influence the decision makers on matters which are important to the community in which we live. G R Yarwood Chairman Financial summary from 1st April 2008 to 31st January 2009 Balances at 1st April 2008 Cheshire Building Society 38589.81 Cranage Appeals 155.86 38745.67 Receipts Precept 20000.00 Rent 50.00 Wayleave 45.77 Dividend 70.10 Interest 1602.19 21768.06 21768.06 60513.73 Payments Grants 100.00 Rent 286.00 Insurance 451.48 Membership fees 290.91 Tax on interest 320.60 Salary 2306.02 Training 25.00 3780.01 3780.01 Balances @ 28/02/09 56733.72 CONTACTS Chairman Mr George Yarwood. Holly House, Middlewich Road, Cranage. CW10 9LT Tel. 01606 833131. email: george.yarwood@dsl.pipex.com Vice Chairman Mr John Halstead. Pump Cottage, Kings Lane, Cranage CW10 9LX Tel 01477 534822. email: techmechnw@btinternet.com
Councillors Mr Mike Boag-Munroe. Padgate, Twemlow Lane, Cranage. CW4 8EX Tel. 01477 534291. email: mikeboag@yahoo.co.uk
Mr Dudley Hopley. Fairholme, Knutsford Road, Cranage. CW4 8ER Tel 01477 533642. email: info@hopleytyres.co.uk
Mrs Rachel Hurst. Whitegate, Byley Lane, Cranage, CW4 8EJ Tel. 01477 534415. email: Rachel.hurst@baesystems.com
Mrs May Mackenzie. 4 Needham Drive, Cranage. CW4 8FB Tel. 01477 532007. email: may_mackenzie@hotmail.com
Mrs Jane Worstencroft. 8 Crescent Road, Cranage. CW4 8EN Tel. 01477 534020. email: jane.worstencroft@btinternet.com
Clerk to the Parish Council Mrs Julie Mason. 10 Brereton Heath Lane, Brereton Heath. CW12 4SY. Tel. 01477 549988. email: Masjl2@aol.com
Tree Officer Mr Ian Thomlinson. Spring Bank, Knutsford Road, Cranage. CW4 8ER Tel 01477 533160. email: thomlinson@springbankcw4.plus.com
Twinning Officer Mrs June Seddon. Sandylands Farm, Twemlow Lane, Cranage. Tel 01477 537795
Footpaths Officer Position vacant. If you are interested please contact the Clerk; Mrs Julie Mason
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