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 2nd February 2006.
Present
Councillor V Lacey 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
Councillor C Brocklehurst
In Attendance
9 members of the Parish
Roy Stopford - Clerk to the Council
Madam Chairman opened the meeting at 7.34pm and formally welcomed Councillors, members of the Parish and members of the Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group to the meeting.
91 Apologies for Absence
The Clerk confirmed that apologies for non-attendance had been received from Borough Councillor Walker and Councillor Allison.
92
Madam Chairman noted that the members of Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group were attending in respect of item 12 on the Agenda and invited a motion to adjourn to allow the visitors to address the Council. Councillor Mrs. Hardie proposed and Councillor Mr. Hardie seconded a motion to so adjourn. Motion approved and the meeting adjourned at 7.37pm.
Madam Chairman invited representatives of the SHPS Action Group to add any further points they wished to highlight in addition to the submission circulated by the Clerk prior to the meeting. Concerns and matters regarding inadequate facilities for reception children, the existing use of classrooms, the current management of the property, the ability of the current property to cope with the number of pupils and the plans for preserving the archaeological remains and heritage value beneath the site, were all discussed. In response to a question from Mr. Peter Priestner, it was noted that amendments have been proposed to the original plans for the new building and the difference in costs between constructing a new building and preserving and adapting the existing building is un-clarified. Councillors raised several points for clarification.
Madam Chairman invited Mr. Peter Priestner to address the meeting and he drew attention to the unresolved matter of the Blue Wheelie bins for waste paper that are still not available. He had spoken with Mr. Hyde at WBC and some residents are, or have been contacted regarding this matter. The Clerk pointed out that, despite highlighting the matter in the Newsletter, only one response has been received. The Clerk will contact Mr. Hyde to suggest a wider survey be undertaken.
Madam Chairman thanked members of the action group and Mr. Priestner for bringing the matters to the attention of the Parish Council and confirmed that these would be further discussed when the Council was back in session.
Madam Chairman re-convened the meeting at 8.04pm.
93 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on the 5th January 2006 were reviewed.
The following amendments were highlighted:
Page 128, first paragraph, second line, should refer to Council not Councillors.
Throughout the minutes references to Mr. Patrick Mulley should read Mullee.
Page 132, 3rd paragraph, 4th line should read be not by.
Subject to these changes, it was proposed by Councillor Ashcroft and seconded by Councillor Chadwick that the minutes be accepted as a true record. Motion approved.
94 In view of the interest of visitors in respect of the future development of the Stockton Heath Primary School, Madam Chairman moved to item 12 on the Agenda and after a further short discussion, Councillor Mrs. Hardie proposed and Councillor Hewitt seconded a motion that Walton Parish Council supports the proposal by Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group to oppose the demolition of Stockton Heath Primary School.
Councillor Bennett put forward, but after further discussion, withdrew an amendment to instead write to WBC asking them to revisit their proposals. The original motion was approved by a vote 7 for, 1 against and 1 abstention.
Members of the action group thanked the members of the Parish Council for their support in their campaign.
95 Reports on Matters Arising from the previous minutes
· Councillor Chadwick confirmed that the Deed of Dedication, relating to the land, had been distributed by the Clerk to all Councillors for consideration. The only queries being in respect of the address of the Parish Council and confirmation that the transfer did not affect the ownership of the land. Following a brief discussion, Councillor Chadwick proposed and Councillor Mrs. Hardie seconded that Walton Parish Council transfer by way of a Deed of Dedication the land on the Plan of title number CH447606 and known as land on the South East side of Worsley Road Walton, Cheshire to the National Playing Fields Association, as per copy deed attached. Councillor Ashcroft recognised that this was probably the most important action taken by the Parish Council in many years and having personally considered it very deeply, fully supported the proposal. Councillor Chadwick confirmed that the Deed would have to be registered, the cost of which he estimated at £50.00. Councillor Mr. Hardie highlighted the work undertaken by Councillor Chadwick in dealing with this matter and Councillors extended their sincere thanks to him. Madam Chairman asked Councillors to vote on the proposal and it was unanimously approved. It was further proposed by Councillor Ashcroft and seconded by Councillor Mrs. Hardie that Councillors Chadwick and Lacey sign the agreement on behalf of the Parish Council. This motion was also unanimously approved. In view of the significance of the action, Madam Chairman invited all Councillors wishing to do so, to witness the document. Many Councillors took this opportunity. Councillor Mr. Hardie asked if Councillor Chadwick might prepare a ?potted history? of the land and the transfer for the Parish archive.
· In referring to the proposed development in Halton, deferred from the last meeting. Councillor Mr. Hardie reviewed the proposals and highlighted the fact that there appeared to be no provision for ?travellers?. Councillor Mr. Hardie proposed and Councillor Morgan seconded a motion that a response be prepared commenting on the lack of adequate provision for travellers. The motion was unanimously approved.
96 Borough Councillors Report
Due to the absence of Borough Councillor Walker, Madam Chairman moved to the next item.
97 Parish Accounts
The Clerk issued with the Agenda the Financial Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes and a copy of the Receipts and Payments Account for the current year to date. The Clerk reviewed the Financial Report and the accounts for payment.
The Clerk drew attention to the auditor?s recommendations and the suggested course of action set out in the Financial Report. After discussing the matter Councillor Morgan proposed and Councillor Chadwick seconded the following:
that the parcel of land at the junction of Walton Road, Hill Cliffe Road and Worsley Road, Walton, (Title number CH447606), is deemed to be a community asset with a nominal value of £10.
These motions were unanimously approved.
Following further discussion relating to the Parish Benches and the Computer Equipment, it was proposed by Councillor Brocklehurst and seconded by Councillor Ashcroft:
These motions were unanimously approved.