Clerk to the Council: -
Mr. R. Stopford
147 Warrington Road
Penketh
Warrington
WA5 2EN
01925-723124
Minutes of the meeting of Walton Parish Council held at St. John?s Community Church Hall, Old Chester Road, Walton, on Thursday the 6th October 2005.
Present
Councillor V Lacey Chairman
Councillor H P M Allison Vice-Chairman
Councillor C M Brocklehurst
Councillor C Chadwick
Councillor R Hardie
Councillor Mrs. H A S Hardie
Councillor S A Harris
Councillor P Morgan
In Attendance
Borough Councillor P Walker
6 residents of the Parish
Roy Stopford - Clerk to the Council
Madam Vice-Chairman opened the meeting at 7.18pm and addressed the 4 candidates for the vacancy on the Parish Council. To enable the formal interviews to be undertaken, and in accordance with section 60 of the Standing Orders, Madam Vice-Chairman asked members of the public to adjourn to a side room.
Each candidate was interviewed, Mrs. Nicolson at 7.20pm, Mr. Meacock at 7.30pm, Mr. Hewitt at 7.49pm and Mr. Ward at 7.50pm. Each was asked specific questions from a prepared list by the Vice-Chairman. This was followed by each Parish Councillor having the opportunity to ask the candidates questions. Finally each candidate was given the opportunity to ask further questions of the Parish Council.
During the interviews Councillor Chadwick. Borough Councillor Walker arrived during the final discussions on the candidates.
The Parish Councillors discussed each candidate in detail and on the first vote Mrs. Nicolson and Mr. Meacock were excluded. Councillor Chadwick abstained from voting due to arriving part way through the proceedings. The final vote was for Mr. Robert Hewitt by a vote of 4 to 1.
Madam Vice-Chairman declared that Mr. Robert Hewitt was therefore co-opted as Parish Councillor for Ward Number 2.
The members of the public were invited to join the meeting and the result of the interviews declared. Madam Vice-Chairman thanked all the candidates for attending and showing such interest in joining the Parish Council and, after congratulating Mr. Hewitt, invited him to join the meeting.
Madam Vice-Chairman re-opened the meeting at 8.10pm and formally welcomed Councillors and residents of the village.
50 Apologies for Absence
The Clerk confirmed that apologies for non-attendance had been received from Councillors Ashcroft and Bennett.
51
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the representatives of United Utilities had tendered their apologies for not attending. They now proposed to attend the November 2005 meeting. Madam Vice-Chairman invited a motion to adjourn to allow member of the public to address the Council. Councillor Mrs. Hardie proposed and Councillor Chadwick seconded a motion to so adjourn. Motion approved
Mr. Helsby pointed out that the electronic speed sign on the A56 is not operational and also asked what the current situation was with regard to the speed limit on the A56. The Clerk reported that nothing further has been heard from Mr. Moyles. Mr. Helsby reported several further accidents on the A56 but it might be that not all of these were reported to the police.
Mr. Priestner endorsed the comments of Mr. Helsby and drew attention to the safe haven proposals discussed with Mr. Claxton and Sgt. Mike Jones.
Mr. Ward drew attention to the increased volume of HGV traffic along Ellesmere Road and asked if it might be possible to have a weight limit introduced on this road.
Madam Vice-Chairman thanked the residents for their comments and re-convened the meeting at 8.20pm.
52 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on the 1st September 2005 were reviewed. On page 101 the references in paragraph 1 and 40 to ?Vice Chairman? should read Chairman.
Councillor Mr. Hardie could not remember asking the question in the first paragraph on page 103 and Madam Vice-Chairman asked that it be struck from the minutes.
Subject to these amendments, it was proposed by Councillor Mrs. Hardie and seconded by Councillor Mr. Hardie that the minutes be accepted as a true record. Motion approved.
53 Reports on Matters Arising from the previous minutes
Madam Vice-Chairman again congratulated Councillor Hewitt on his appointment and welcomed him on to the Parish Council. Councillor Hewitt completed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and the Code of Conduct, in front of the Clerk. The Clerk was asked to formally notify WBC of the appointment.
Madam Chieman arrived and took the chair. Councillor Chadwick reported on the current situation regarding the transfer of the Parish land to the NPFA. Having had further discussions with the NPFA following the decision at the previous meeting, Councillor Chadwick was able to confirm :-
ยท The amended Deed will reserve the right of the Parish Council to build a village hall in the future.