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 5th January 2006.
Present
Councillor H P M Allison Chairman
Councillor P Morgan
Councillor C Chadwick
Councillor R Hardie
Councillor Mrs. H A S Hardie
Councillor R Hewitt
Councillor R D Bennett
Councillor J A Ashcroft
Councillor S Harris
In Attendance
Borough Councillor Peter Walker
4 members of the Parish
Roy Stopford - Clerk to the Council
Madam Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm and formally welcomed members of the Councillors and members of the Parish to the meeting.
81 Apologies for Absence
The Clerk confirmed that apologies for non-attendance had been received from Councillors Lacey and Brocklehurst.
82
Madam Chairman invited a motion to adjourn to allow the visitors to address the Council. Councillor Bennett proposed and Councillor Chadwick seconded a motion to so adjourn. Motion approved and the meeting adjourned at 7.32pm.
Madam Chairman invited Mr. Patrick Mulley, a former Parish Councillor on Stockton Heath Parish Council, to address the Council.
Mr. Mulley referred to the differing views regarding Stockton Heath Primary School and the ongoing opposition to the demolition and rebuilding. Many children from Walton attend the school and Mr. Mulley asked that the Parish Council discuss the matter at their next meeting with a view to supporting the redevelopment of the school rather than the demolition. Mr. Mulley drew attention to the original costs and the fact that recent design changes have reduced the estimated cost saving offered by building a new property. Roman remains are beneath the school and WBC has indicated that it is intended to use these for décor/landscaping on the new site. Mr. Mulley closed his comments by thanking the Parish Council for their work in achieving the reduction of speed limits in the area. After Councillors had raised several questions, Madam Chairman thanked Mr. Mulley for bringing the matter to the attention of the Parish Council and confirmed that the matter would be further discussed when the Council was back in session, with a view to the matter being included on the Agenda for the February meeting.
Madam Chairman invited Mrs. Kate Fitch of the Walton Lea Project to address the Council.
Mrs. Fitch highlighted the initiative launched by Rural Regeneration Unit to promote fresh local food co-operatives in Cheshire.
The Walton Lea Project provides opportunities for 22 adults with learning difficulties. The Project produces fresh produce and, in conjunction with other local producers, feels that it can develop a scheme to provide fresh local produce for 12 months of the year. Funding for a new van has been secured and the project would like to launch a service in Walton. Funding may be available and Mrs. Fitch asked if the matter could be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting, with a view to supporting the scheme. Councillors raised several questions about how the scheme might operate and how the project is funded. The timescale for the scheme is to commence from Easter 2006.
Mrs. Fitch concluded by offering support and assistance in tending problem areas of the village during next years Village Pride Competition e.g. cleaning road signs.
Madam Chairman thanked Mrs. Fitch for bringing the matter to the attention of the Parish Council and confirmed that the matter would be further discussed when the Council was back in session.
Madam Chairman invited Mrs. Julie Kueres to address the Council.
Mrs. Kueres expressed support for the previous comments by Mr. Mulley regarding Stockton Heath Primary School and went on to express great concern about the level of development in South Warrington. Mrs. Kueres highlighted various developments and expressed the view that the priority given by WBC in building the new school was somehow linked to this development.
Madam Chairman thanked Mrs. Kueres for her comments and confirmed that these would be taken into consideration in any future discussion regarding the future of Stockton Heath Primary School.
Madam Chairman re-convened the meeting at 8.03pm.
83 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on the 1st December 2005 were reviewed.
Clerks note after the meeting ? the reference in the minutes to the previous meeting should read 3rd November 2005 NOT 3rd October 2005.
The following amendments were highlighted:
Page 121, item 71 should refer to Mr. John Priestner not Mr. Peter Priestner
On the last line of the paragraph and should read a.
The spelling throughout the minutes of the WYFC representative should be Biltawi not Bitawli.
Page 122, 3rd paragraph, 3rd line should read under not un.
Subject to these changes, it was proposed by Councillor Ashcroft and seconded by Councillor Mrs. Hardie that the minutes be accepted as a true record. Motion approved.
84 Reports on Matters Arising from the previous minutes
· The Clerk confirmed that a response has been received to the e-mail sent to WBC (David Whitehead) regarding the problems with travellers at Walton Hall reported in November 2005.
· The Clerk also confirmed that there has been no response to the e-mail sent on the same day regarding the work at the ford on Park Lane. Councillors confirmed that the road surface has been repaired.
· Councillor Mr. Hardie reminded the Clerk that he was to write to Mr. Alistair Brown at Davies Ridgeway to clarify if the Trustees make a contribution to the maintenance of the graveyard at the Parish Church.
· Councillor Chadwick confirmed that the Deed of Dedication in respect of the land has been received. Once it has been signed, it has to be registered with the Charity Commissioners. Councillor Chadwick confirmed a conversation with Paul Allen at the NPFA when it was confirmed that there are no tax implications for the Parish Council in completing the transfer. Councillor Chadwick passed the Deed to the Clerk and, in view of the fact that this action is the biggest decision ever taken by the Parish Council, requested him to send a copy to each Councillor for consideration. Once Councillors are happy, a motion to complete the deed will be put before the Parish Council.
85 Borough Councillors Report
Borough Councillor Walker commented on the request from WBC to submit comments and recommendations on the UDP prior to the formal adoption. It was suggested that Councillors have available a copy of the UDP for reference purposes.
Borough Councillor Walker outlined his stance regarding the development of Stockton Heath Primary School.
In referring to the previous meeting, and the discussion regarding the provision of CSO?s, Borough Councillor Walker previewed the planning for 2007/8 and confirmed that the current proposal was that additional funding might be available. This will substantially reduce the costs invoiced to the Parish Council.
Councillor Mrs. Hardie highlighted the concerns touched on at the previous meeting regarding the effect that the proposed restructuring might have on current proposals.
Borough Councillor Walker confirmed that the deadline for submitting proposals has passed and most Police Authorities had not had sufficient information to make any submission. If the Authorities do not agree the Government will have to act but 2008 is the earliest date for any change.