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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 5th June 2008.
Present Councillor R Bennett Chairman Councillor D Meacock Vice Chairman Councillor H A S Hardie Councillor R Hewitt Councillor R Hardie Councillor J Ashcroft Councillor Y Shaikh Councillor P Morgan Councillor C Chadwick Councillor V Lacey In Attendance Borough Councillor Paul Kennedy Roy Stopford - Clerk to the Council 1 resident PC Chris Davies - WSNPU The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed Councillors, Borough Councillor, Paul Kennedy, PC Chris Davies and Mr. Priestner to the meeting.
- 16 Apologies for Absence - The Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Jolyon Ward..
- 17 Declaration of Acceptance of office - The Clerk confirmed that Councillor Jolyon Ward, not being in attendance, had still not completed the declaration and was not able to partake in the business of the Parish Council or act in any capacity, until doing so.
The Chairman invited a proposal to adjourn to allow PC Davies and Mr. Peter Priestner to address the Parish Council. Councillor Ashcroft proposed, and Councillor R Hardie seconded a motion to so adjourn.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7.33pm and introduced PC Chris Davis (4402) - Warrington South Neighbourhood Policing Unit, who had come along to introduce himself to members of the Parish Council and to give an update on local policing within Walton. Although the Parish has very little reported crime, the areas around the boundary were highlighted and PC Davies urged Councillors to contact Stockton Heath Police station with details of any incidents brought to their attention, or other information. PC Davies gave details of the current manning levels at the station and indicated his intention to attend some future meetings so as to update Councillors. The direct telephone contact numbers, for emergency use by Councillors, were handed to the Clerk. The Chairman thanked PC Davies for taking the time to come along and speak to the Parish Council.
Mr. Peter Priestner addressed the Councillors regarding the meeting at Halton BC to consider the Creamfields application.
Councillor Bennett having previously declared an interest in this matter left the room. Councillor Meacock took over the Chair,
Mr. Priestner commented on the interest of Councillor Bennett in the matter and his continuing concern about the procedure adopted at previous meetings. The Clerk outlined the position expressed by Councillor Bennett on accepting the office of Chairman in that he would chose to leave the room on every occasion that the subject of Creamfields was to be raised or discussed.
In referring to the licence application hearing, Mr. Priestner expressed disappointment that no member of the Parish Council had attended the meeting when residents and Councillors from other Parish Councils had. There was surprise that the camping at the event was not part of the licence and the information given by the police seemed to indicate a reduction in police manning from the previous years. People attending were given ample opportunity to voice their objections and concerns but the licence was approved.
Councillor R Hardie commented that the Parish Council had arranged the public meeting but had not been asked to take any action by residents. The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council had agreed at the previous meeting to allow the Clerk to organise the meetings of a Parish Liaison Committee, set up by Inspector Sarah Edgar. The first meeting had been held the evening prior to the application hearing and representatives of all Parish Councils and St John's Church had attended. The Parish Council was funding the meetings and Jim King had agreed to attend any meetings before and after the event.
After further discussion, the Vice-Chairman thanked Mr. Priestner for his comments and asked that the Chairman be invited to resume the Chair. Councillor Bennett rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
The meeting was reconvened at 7.55pm - 18 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on the 8th May 2008 were reviewed. Borough Councillor Kennedy and other Councillors had previously drawn the Clerk's attention to the opening paragraph of the minutes which should read Borough Councillor for Hatton, Stretton and Walton. Councillor Ashcroft raised other small grammatical errors that he passed to the Clerk viz:
Page 286, first line on notes of adjournment, address should be addressed. Page 287, paragraph 8, 2nd line, Clerks should read Clerk's. Page 289, Other Parish Matters, paragraph 4, line 2, experience should be experienced and select should be selected. Page 289, Other Parish Matters, paragraph 7, line 1, undertook should be undertaken. It was proposed by Councillor Hewitt and seconded by Councillor Ashcroft that, subject to these change, the minutes be accepted as a true record. Motion approved.
- 19 Reports on Matters Arising from the previous minutes
The Clerk noted that the official notification of the election result was sent to him on the 9th May 2008. The Clerk also confirmed that he had written a letter to the former Borough Councillor Peter Walker to thank him for his work on behalf of the Parish. Mr. Walker acknowledged the letter by e-mail.
- 20 Borough Councillors Report
Borough Councillor Paul Kennedy confirmed that he attended the licence meeting regarding the Disability Awareness Day event and expressed views on the licence terms, as outlined by Mr. Garrett at the previous meeting. He was also to attend the Development Control Committee meeting regarding the application for 5 Grantham Road. The Clerk was asked to confirm if WBC had responded regarding a crossing at the Stag Inn. Residents complained to him about noise from an event at Warrington Sports Club. The matter has been dealt with and an apology sent to the residents by the club. Business cards for the WBC officer responsible for noise were passed to the Clerk. The uneven surface outside 99 Ellesmere Road was commented upon and clarification was given of the reasons behind the CCTV application at the Crematorium. There was a shortage of allotments within the area and Councillors were asked to contact WBC (Andy Barrie) on 01925-442731, with details of any land that might be suitable. Councillor Kennedy asked that his mobile number, 07827-258024 be included on the details on the Notice Boards.
The Clerk issued with the Agenda the Financial Report and a copy of the Receipts and Payments Account for the current year to date, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. The Clerk reviewed the report and highlighted the payment made in respect of the donation to Walton Lea Project for the classroom equipment.
The Clerk presented: -
Cheque number 000558 payable to Mr. R Stopford Salary £280.00p Cheque number 000559 payable to Mr. R Stopford Office Expenses £ 7.49p
Councillor Shaikh proposed and Councillor R Hardie seconded a motion that that the Financial Report, the payment by Cheque number 557, to Gopak Ltd for £2509.16p, and the accounts for payment be approved. Motion approved. Councillors Ashcroft and Meacock signed the cheques.
The Clerk issued with the Agenda the Planning Committee Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Councillor R Hardie reviewed his report and it was proposed by Councillor Meacock and seconded by Councillor Chadwick that the Planning Report be accepted. Motion approved.
- 23 Report of Appointed Representatives
WYFC Councillor Morgan - nothing to report Transport Councillor Ashcroft - the Bus Passes are not accepted on Blackpool trams, only on the bus service. Arts Councillor Ashcroft - nothing to report. Publicity Councillor Chadwick - magazines to be issued at the next meeting. Police Forum Councillor H A S Hardie - nothing to report.. Footpaths. Councillor Morgan - commented on the fact that we are in June and yet the towpath was all but impassable. The Clerk agreed to contact Mike Webb at MSCC. Waste Councillor R Hardie - nothing to report. Road/Traffic Councillor Bennett - Reported the covers mentioned last month have been replaced but many of the items previously reported have not been dealt with. Councillor Hardie reported a discussion that he had with Trevor Gleave regarding the criteria for potholes and commented that the repairs don't seem adequate, in that the area filled does not always appear to be sealed around the edges. The Clerk was asked to check the previous information supplied by WBC regarding the criteria for repairing potholes. After further discussion, the Clerk was asked to write to the Chief Executive regarding the policy on potholes and request that checks be carried out to ensure that the repair procedure is sufficient to effect a proper repair.
The Clerk issued with the Agenda, a Report on Parish Matters, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Councillors accepted the report.
Betterment Committee Councillor H A S Hardie reported on the Betterment Committee meeting held on the 4th June 2008, and issued a copy of the notes from the meeting to all Councillors. In view of the fact that the Committee would like to apply for some of the money donated to the Parish by Creamfields, the Clerk was asked to list the matter on the Agenda for the next meeting. In the meantime all Councillors were asked to consider how the donation should be used to give most benefit to the Parish. The Committee also suggested that all Councillors might be assigned to monitor a part of the Parish and report items requiring attention. The road and walls on Hough's Lane was quoted as an example, here the shrubbery obscures the traffic signs and the condition of the signs. Councillor R Hardie asked for comments and Councillor Morgan suggested items for attention should be submitted on a report form designed for the purpose.
Councillor Lacey arrived at this point and apologised for her late arrival.
Village Centre Triangle The Clerk confirmed that the site plan had been sent to Alistair Brown and the copy letter and plan were handed to Councillor Chadwick for future reference if the matter progresses.
Creamfield's Councillor Bennett having previously declared an interest in the matter left the room. Councillor Meacock took the Chair. Councillor R Hardie reported on the first Parish Liaison meeting and outlined items that were discussed or noted for consideration by the Police or the organisers. This was followed by a general discussion on the report by Councillor R Hardie. Councillor Bennett rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
Other Parish MattersThe Clerk reported on his correspondence with United Utilities regarding the pumping station at Pool Lane. A reply is awaited from the company.
Councillor Shaikh commented on the lack of response from the various departments at WBC to matters raised by the Clerk. He suggested that a request be made, under the Freedom of Information act, of the data on how many such requests were not responded to within WBC. BC Kenney advised the Clerk that Jane Sinclair is the contact in the Customer Services Section and BC Sharon Wilson (Poulton North) is the executive member for Customer Services.
The Clerk highlighted the condition of the main Notice Board and BC Kennedy suggested that the Clerk contact his counterpart at Stretton, who had been dealing with a similar problem and might be able to provide details of a company that could effect the repair.
BC Kennedy responded to a question from Councillor R Hardie regarding the results based on the GATSO rubbers placed on Walton Road.
The Chairman read out a letter from the Clerk in which he tendered his resignation, due to personal reasons, and giving 3 months notice of termination. It was agreed that a Committee be set up to deal with advertising the position and short listing the candidates to be interviewed by the full Council. The Clerk produced a copy of the Procedure for Succession of the Clerk, previously adopted by the Council.
Chairman's Diary The Clerk passed to the Chairman the invitation from the Mayor to attend his Civic Service..
The Chairman noted the other correspondence not dealt with under Agenda items.
- 25 Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 3rd July 2008 at St. John's Community Church Hall, Old Chester Road, Walton, commencing at 7.30pm,
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting. The meeting closed at 10.00pm.
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