Councillor M Klafkowski - (Chairman)

Councillor R Squirrell ? (Vice Chairman)

Councillor Mrs B Cooke

Councillor C J Cooke

Councillor Mrs G Lindop

Councillor Mrs H Gage

Borough Councillor Margaret Simon

Borough Councillor Michael Kinsey

Mrs F. Pownall

Mrs S Togay ? Clerk

21. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Mrs D Mitchell Grimsditch, Jenny Gill

22. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:

There were no declarations of interest.

23. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING:

N.B. Councillor Michael Kinsey had been omitted in error from the attendance list of the March 17^th Meeting.

RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 17^th March 2004 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

24. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

It was requested that in all future meetings, Environmental Matters be brought forward to an early part of the Agenda due to the heavy meeting commitments of the Borough and County Councillors.

The Clerk also advised that the Director Of Direct Services, CNBC wished to pursue further involvement between the parish and the Borough.

Action: The Clerk to place this item on the next agenda and invite a Direct Services Officer to the next meeting to further inform the council of its proposals.

20/04 Notice Board. Arrange to have these inspected

14/04 30 mph Speed Limit. There had been a delay on the agreed speed limit on Rope Lane due to the need to erect illuminated speed limit signs.

15/04 Renaming of Road . Letter have been sent to all residents of Eastern Road concerning a name change and only one reply has been received from Mr Bennett objecting to the suggested name School Lane. Mr Bennett requests that Rope Hall Lane be considered. CNBC Planning Department have advised that they will assist in the procedure.

RESOLVED: That the council wish to pursue the procedure and rename the lane Rope Hall Lane

15/04 Response has been received from the Sector Inspector Sue Fraser advising of the current status. A copy of the letter to be included in the Correspondence Box for all Councillors. Inspector Fraser wishes to attend our meeting in July to introduce herself and answer any questions.

10a/04 Boundary Markers. This matter is deferred until the July Meeting.

14/04 Speed Surveillance. The Chair had spoken to PC Pete Coppenhall of the traffic division and those who would carry out the exercise would need training. Gresty Lane was also being used as a rat run to access the by-pass and badly needs resurfacing.

26.1 Correspondence Received:

A list of correspondence received was circulated and the communications made available:

The Chair had attended this meeting which offered a free website for each Parish. On the advice of Councillor Squirrell, as we have a successful and established website we wish to continue with our community based website.

The Chair had attended and his only comment was that crime figures in the borough were at present distorted due to the new crime reporting procedure. As time passes then comparative figures will give a true picture of the situation.

The Rope Bank Development had now been withdrawn however the Chair asked whether the CPRE may be able to advise the council if further planning applications were received for this area.

The Councillors discussed the merits and disadvantages of continuing its membership of the above association.

RESOLVED: That Rope Parish Council will continue with its membership of the above.

Nantwich Museum requested a donation.

Hope House Hospice requested a donation

Nantwich Museum had requested a donation

RESOLVED: that the council did not wish to make a donation to the Museum.

2. Hope House Hospice had requested a donation:

RESOLVED: that a donation of £100 be given to Hope House Hospice.

Membership Cheshire Association T & P Councils £333.98

Insurance Renewal £304.54

Clerk?s Salary £400.00

Clerk?s Expenses None

Chairman?s Expenses None

Binders for the Minutes £60.00

Bank mandates were to be obtained and updated regarding signatories and the New clerk?s access to the accounts information.

JDH Public Sector Services had requested the accounts for audit. Councillor Betty Cooke kindly offered to carry out a first stage audit of accounts.

Councillor Squirrell felt happy with the website and would like to include further information on the local community. The Chairman?s report could be included. It was felt that the High School and Sports Centre could provide further information.

Action: Clerk to pursue the inclusion of information from the Sports Centre and High School.

30. PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY:

In the event of a vacancy on the Parish Council, an application for co-option by Jenny Gill had been received by the Council.

RESOLVED: That Jenny Gill is co-opted as a councillor to Rope Parish Council.

31. BERKELEY SCHOOL GOVERNOR VACANCY:

A letter of resignation had been received from Mrs Doris Mitchell Grimsditch and Cllr Heather Gage had volunteered to take over this position.

RESOLVED: that Heather Gage be elected as Berkeley School Governor.

Action: Clerk to inform Jeanette Ithell, Governor Services, CCC of Cllr Gage?s appointment.

32. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS:

Councillor Simon advised that the hedges on Evergreen Way were to be cut back.

There had been misuse of the Dog Fouling Bin again and re-siting should be considered after this had been a successful solution with the other bin.

Due to recent heavy rain the brook had extremely high levels and drainage from Gresty sidings seemed to be contaminated.

Action: The Clerk to gain advice from John Foster concerning this problem.

The Network Rail Land at Eastern Road/Rope Lane junction was now cleared.

The provision of further litter bins near the Rope Lane Bridge was discussed. This would seem to be a matter of re-education of the high school children. Maybe some information from the community wardens would be of help.

The temporary Plastic Box Barriers on Rope Bridge were unsightly.

Action: Clerk to ascertain present position with Cheshire County Council.

It had been ascertained that the flooding at Bankfield Avenue, which sometimes occurred, should be looked into.

Action: Clerk to ask Bob Williams, CCC for some advise.