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Clerk to the Council: - Mr. R. Stopford 147 Warrington Road Penketh Warrington WA5 2EN 01925-723124
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of Walton Parish Council held at St. John's Community Church Hall, Old Chester Road, Walton, on Thursday the 4th October 2007.
Present Councillor H A S Hardie Chairman Councillor J A Ashcroft Councillor R D Bennett Councillor R Hardie Councillor R Hewitt Vice-Chairman Councillor Y. Shaikh Councillor P Morgan Councillor V Lacey Councillor C Chadwick
In Attendance 2 members of the Parish Roy Stopford - Clerk to the Council Madam Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm and formally welcomed Residents and Councillors to the meeting.
The Clerk reported that Councillors Meacock, Ward and Borough Councillor Walker had tendered their apologies for not being able to attend.
Madam Chairman invited a motion to adjourn the meeting to allow residents to address the Council. Councillor R Bennett proposed and Councillor Shaikh seconded a motion to so adjourn. Motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 7.32pm.
Mr. Steve Burrows and Mr. Brian Derby addressed Councillors regarding matters previously reported to the Parish Council in respect of development at Porch House Farm. The matter was referred to the Enforcement Officer at WBC. Three retrospective Planning Applications were notified to residents dated the 25th September 2007. The Clerk confirmed that he had received no further update from the Enforcement Officer on the matters raised, or the Planning Applications mentioned. Mr. Burrows gave brief details of the application and expressed the grounds for objection to be submitted by 3 residents at Porch House Farm viz:
à The development extends beyond the original curtillage à The development contravenes WBC policies on development with a green belt area à The development constitutes a loss of visual amenity
Mr. Burrows commented that the permitted development rights to the property were withdrawn after the development at Porch House Farm was completed.
Councillor R Hardie responded and outlined information given to him when the matter was originally referred to the Parish Council. The Parish Planning Committee will consider the applications when they are eventually received.
Madam Chairman thanked the residents who had addressed the Councillors and reconvened the meeting at 7.40pm.
- 43 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on the 6th September 2007 were reviewed and it was proposed by Councillor R Hardie and seconded by Councillor Chadwick that the minutes be accepted as a true record. Motion approved.
- 44 Reports on Matters Arising from the previous minutes
Councillor R Hardie asked if the Clerk had managed to locate the drain cleaning schedule from WBC, in his files. The Clerk apologised for forgetting to go through his files. Councillor Ashcroft reported that he had attended, on behalf of the Parish Council, the funeral of Mr. Jack Lindfield-Scott. Councillor Shaikh referred to the request for funds by the Stockton Heath Festival. Having considered the application, it was clearly outside the criteria set by the Donations Committee and had been put aside. Councillor R Hardie referred to the matter raised at the previous meeting regarding access along Mill Lane. There followed a full discussion on the response received from WBC. Madam Chairman pointed out that the Parish Council had never had a formal response from Cheshire County Council and Councillor Ashcroft reported that he had visited the Records Office at Chester and read from extracts of previous minutes of the Parish Council lodged there. After further discussion, Councillor Lacey suggested that the Clerk be asked to write to Cheshire County Council to request copies of the correspondence on the matter but Councillor Shaikh suggested that the response from WBC would indicate that this matter was not the responsibility of the Parish Council. The matter was therefore left to lie. - 45 Borough Councillors Report
In view of the fact that Borough Councillor Walker was unable to attend, Madam Chairman moved to the next item on the Agenda
The Clerk issued with the Agenda the Financial Report and a copy of the Receipts and Payments Account for the current year to date. (Clerk's note subsequent to meeting: The Financial Report shows the Clerk's Salary at £218.33p, the correct figure is £268.33p)
The Clerk presented: - Cheque number 000528 payable to Mr. R Stopford £ 268.33p Cheque number 000529 payable to Mr. R Stopford £ 3.16p
It was proposed by Councillor R Hardie, and seconded by Councillor Chadwick, that the Financial Report and the accounts for payment be approved. Motion approved.
Madam Chairman and Councillor Hewitt signed the cheques.
The Clerk drew attention to the schedule for the draft Budget and Precept for 2008/9 distributed to Councillors at the start of the meeting. He reviewed the information shown on the schedule and pointed out that this was for guidance only. Councillors were asked to consider the matter for discussion at the November and December meetings. The Precept has to be set at the January 2008 meeting.
The Clerk issued with the Agenda the Planning Committee Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Councillor R Hardie reviewed the Planning Report and confirmed that a further application has been received in respect of additional hazardous substances to be stored at the TDG site at Acton Grange. After discussing this application it was proposed by Councillor Lacey and seconded by Councillor Chadwick that the Clerk be asked to contact the company for further details and specification covering the storage, associated risks and worst case scenario. Motion approved.
Councillor R Hardie sought the views of other Councillors on the matters raised earlier by Mr. Burrows and Mr. Derby.
Councillor Lacey outlined the problems that have recently re-occurred regarding the odour from the Pool Lane pumping station. Following correspondence from the Clerk, it has transpired that the current problem has arisen due to a cracked main riser, although the e-mail from United Utilities would indicate that the filters installed on the new equipment installed in December 2005 do actually need replacing. The company is doing it's utmost to carry out the repairs a.s.a.p. Councillor Lacey had received comment that the problems at Pool Lane may be caused by the housing development further up the system pipeline and asked what the process is for assessing the sewer capacity since it was not something that she was aware of when serving on the Planning Committee.
Councillor Bennett proposed and Councillor Chadwick seconded a motion that the Planning Report be accepted. Motion approved.
- 48 Report of Appointed Representatives
WYFC Councillor Morgan - nothing to report Transport Councillor Ashcroft - nothing to report. Arts Councillor Ashcroft - nothing to report. Publicity Councillor Chadwick - distributed the Parish Magazine and asked when the Newsletter might be ready for distribution. The Clerk distributed copies of the draft Newsletter at the start of the meeting and asked for comments/amendments a.s.a.p. so that he could arrange the copying. Police Forum Councillor H A S Hardie - The Clerk reported on the meeting with Cheshire Police regarding possible changes to the Neighbourhood Policing Units on the 1st October attended by Councillor Ward and himself. The Clerk also referred Councillors to the proposal whereby WBC will be asked to make a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) to create a zone whereby the police would have wider powers to confiscate alcohol in a public area in the event of nuisance and/or disorder. The Council discussed this proposal with varying views for and against the proposal. Councillor Morgan proposed, and Councillor Ashcroft seconded, a motion that Walton Parish Council would support Cheshire Police in progressing such a proposal as outlined in the document presented, subject to receiving the map of the proposed designated area. The motion was approved by a majority vote: FOR:6; AGAINST:1; ABSTAINED:1. Madam Chairman did not vote. Footpaths. Councillor Morgan - Councillor R Hardie asked if the footpath report had been sent to John Thorpe at WBC. Councillor Morgan agreed to do this. Waste Councillor R Hardie - nothing to report Road/Traffic Councillor Bennett -Reported that many of the items he raised at the last meeting were still outstanding. The Clerk stated that he had not received any response from WBC but the last response was only received after all items had been completed. Councillor Bennett confirmed that the surface on Park Lane has been re-covered. The white lines however are now totally obliterated. The discussion moved on to the problems of parking on Old Chester Road. The Clerk outlined the current situation and the detailed response from WBC. The proposal that Mr. Moyles has submitted is based on the survey results and appears to give little recognition to the views of the Parish Council and members of the Parish Church. Councillor Lacey queried the authority or process to apply the criteria in deciding this matter. After further discussion it was decided that the matter should be held over until the matter goes before the Traffic Committee.
The Clerk issued with the Agenda, a Report on Parish Matters, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Councillors accepted the report.
Risk AssessmentCouncillor R Hardie commented that there had been no progress in finalising the work on the benches since the last meeting. It was proposed by Councillor R Hardie and seconded by Councillor Ashcroft that the Clerk be asked to write to Councillor Ward to request that the matter be finalised before the next meeting. Motion approved. Madam Chairman confirmed that the work to refurbish the War Memorial has been completed and presented the invoice from Grangeside in the sum of £230.00p. Since the invoice was within the amount authorised at the previous meeting, it was proposed by Councillor Ashcroft and seconded by Councilor Hewitt, that the invoice be approved for payment. Motion approved. The Clerk prepared cheque number 530, Payable to Grangeside, in the sum of £230.00p. Madam Chairman and Councillor Hewitt signed the cheque. The Clerk was asked to write to Councillor Meacock to thank him for dealing with this matter. Betterment Committee Madam Chairman presented a report on behalf of Councillor Ward. Following receipt of the letter from WBC, refusing permission to plant the bulbs, Madam Chairman had made personal contact with WBC regarding this matter and permission has now been granted. There was nil attendance at the committee meeting arranged for the 24th September 2007 but a meeting will be arranged as soon as possible.
Street Lighting The Clerk reported to WBC, the faulty units noted at the previous meeting but no response has been received from WBC.
Village Centre/Triangle Councillor R Hardie reported that Springbrook Nursery have still to submit a quotation to Alistair Brown for improving the triangle.
Creamfield's Concert The Clerk reported on the meeting at Appleton Parish Hall attended by Madam Chairman, Councillor R Hardie and himself.
Training The Clerk reported that none of the 4 Councillors had been able to attend the Basic Induction training course to be held on the 6th October 2007. Madam Chairman asked that they try to attend the next scheduled course.
Other Parish MattersCouncillors were reminded that Remembrance Sunday is on the 11th November 2007 and, in the absence of Madam Chairman, Councillor Hewitt will lay a wreath on behalf of the Parish at the War Memorial during the short service starting at 9.30am. Madam Chairman will arrange the purchase of the wreath and the Clerk will confirm the details with Rev. Harries.
It was noted that the Chief Executive of WBC, Diana Terris, had not been able to accept the previous invitation to meet the Parish Council and it was agreed that the Clerk should again send an invitation.
Councillor Hewitt reported that the 4 gully's on Mill Lane are silted up and need attention.
Chairman's Diary Madam Chairman had nothing to report.
Madam Chairman noted the other correspondence not dealt with under Agenda items.
- 50 Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 1st November 2007 at St. John's Community Church Hall, Old Chester Road, Walton, commencing at 7.30pm,
Madam Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.35pm.
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