MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STAPELEY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 21ST JUNE 2006 AT BROAD LANE METHODIST CHAPEL |
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STAPELEY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 21ST JUNE 2006 AT BROAD LANE METHODIST CHAPEL |
Present: Councillor M Gibson Councillor S Heathcote Councillor M Johnson Councillor S McEneny Councillor M Murphy Councillor K Nord Councillor S Room Councillor M Wilcock
In attendance: Bron Kerrigan Parish Plans Development Officer (Cheshire Community Council)
Apology: Councillor S McEneny (business commitment)
1 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor M Gibson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning applications Nos. P06/0491 (Outline application for one dwelling - land at Batherton Lane, Batherton) and P06/0528 (Meadow Lane Farm, London Road, Stapeley - change of use of agricultural buildings to general store and B1 business) on the basis of his business relationship with the applicants. Councillor M Murphy declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning application P06/0528 on the basis that the applicant was a neighbour.
No other Member made any declaration of interest in any item of business on the agenda.
2 CRONKINSON DEVELOPMENT
It was reported that although Dan Milner (Landscape Architect - Bovis Homes) had expected to be in attendance, he had contacted the Clerk and stated that Bovis did not have an agreed response to the open space issues raised at the last meeting and it was not appropriate, at the present time, for him to attend. He would contact the Clerk as soon as Bovis had received a response.
Members expressed their disappointment that there was no representation from Bovis; the Clerk was asked to write to Mr T Hyldon (Bovis) and the Borough Council in respect of (a) newt mitigation measures, (b) newt mitigation measures, (c) untidiness of the site, and (d) non-commencement of Community Hall build. The letters should convey Members' strength of feeling about the apparent inactivity in respect of these issues.
3 PARISH PLANS Bron Kerrigan, newly appointed Parish Plan Development Officer at Cheshire Community Council was in attendance and offered advice on the following -
Ø Importance of involving the Borough Council in the Plan's development Ø Sources of funding Ø Funding in general to facilitate the process Ø Constitution for the Steering Group Ø Terms of Reference Ø Programme of work Ø Methodology Ø Involvement of local organisations, eg schools Ø First public meeting
She emphasised the need for the involvement of the community, without which a Plan could not be prepared. Although previous advice given was to the effect that a 4-8 Member Steering Group should be established, Ms Kerrigan's advice was that an 8-15 Member Group would be more appropriate, with 1-3 Parish Councillors also being appointed, but, as advised previously, the Group should not be chaired by a Parish Councillor.
Following her presentation, Ms Kerrigan was thanked for her contribution and her offer to attend on a future occasion and she withdrew from the meeting. 4 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING AND OTHER OUTSTANDING ISSUES
4.1 "Litter-Pick"
Following on the success of the "Parish Spring Clean" Members were invited to agree a date for the next "litter-pick".
RESOLVED: (a) That the next "Litter-Pick" be held on Sunday, 9th July at 10.00am;
(b) That all participants assemble at Pear Tree School;
(c) That the Clerk notify Crewe Chronicle of the date.
4.2 Re-configuration Traffic Lights - A51 London Road Junction with Ellwood Way/Peter de Stapleigh Way Cheshire County Council had advised that the work necessary to re-configure the traffic-lights, to include a left-turn filter onto London Road was expected to be completed by the end of June. 4.3 Left-Filter Lane - Ellwood Way The Parish Council asked the Clerk to pursue progress on its request to County Highways that the left filter lane, in the vicinity of Pollard Drive, be extended to avoid "tail-backs" at the traffic lights. Enquiries had been made. The County Council Officer was currently away from the office, but the Clerk expected to be able to report to the next meeting. 4.4 Notice-board - Outside Co-Op Late Shop It was reported that the new notice-board, funded by the Co-op, was now in place and the Clerk had displayed a number of notices, including contact details for Parish Councillors, the current vacancy on the Parish Council and the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting. The Clerk has written, on behalf of the Parish Council, to thank the Co-op for its support.
5 INFORMATION ITEMS/CORRESPONDENCE
5.1 Information Only
Ø Mobile Library Service
The Nantwich Mobile Library service was introducing a service at the Cronkinson Farm Public House to reflect the growing population in Stapeley. The service commenced on Saturday, 10th June and would be on site on alternate Saturdays between 11.30am and 12.30pm. A notice had been displayed on the new notice-board.
Ø Additional Litter-Bins
It was reported that the Borough Council had installed litter-bins on Hawksey Drive and a litter-bin at each end of the public right of way in the vicinity of the public footpath adjacent to Pear Tree School.
Ø Annions Lane
Although the lay-by was of insufficient width to permit the installation of a litter-bin, the Borough Council's Cleansing Department was to include it on its schedule of litter collection once a fortnight.
Ø Additional Information from Residents
Members received a list of comments made by residents who had been unable to attend the Annual Parish Meeting. Responses were given to the residents, where information was known.
The Clerk was asked to make appropriate enquiries to ensure that responses could be provided to residents in due course. It was also suggested that such comments/response could be included on the Parish Council's website.
Ø Casual Vacancy on the Parish Council
Members were reminded that there was one remaining casual vacancy on the Parish Council. The Clerk had placed a notice on both notice-boards inviting applications.
5.2 Parish Conference - 13th June 2006
The Clerk had attended the Parish Conference held on 13th June 2006, organised by the Borough Council. A brief report on the issues raised was submitted for information.
5.3 Correspondence
The following items of correspondence had been received -
Ø Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority - outcome of consultation on SHAs, PCTs and Ambulance Services (NW) Ø Cheshire County Council - changes to local working arrangements Ø Cheshire Association of Local Councils Newsletter 109
5.4 Spring Bulbs
The Borough Council is offering free Spring Bulbs, up to a maximum of 1000 and orders were required by 1st September 2006.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk place an order with the Borough Council by 1st September 2006, for 1000 free Spring Bulbs.
6 PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
Councillor Murphy reported on progress on establishing a website which could be accessed independently of the "Local Channel". It would cost between £150-200 to set up (for a 5-year period) and £50 per annum to maintain.
RESOLVED: (a) That the Parish Council support, in principle, the establishment of a dedicated website; and
(b) That Councillor Murphy report financial implications to a future meeting.
7 FINANCIAL MATTERS
7.1 Authorisation of Payments
RESOLVED: That the following payments be authorised.
£64.92 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council - printing costs (£55.26 plus £9.66 vat)
£67.68 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council - printing costs (£57.60 plus £10.08 vat)
£82.05 JDH Business Services Ltd. (£69.83 plus £12.22 vat) Audit of Accounts 2005/2006
7.2 Report on Internal Audit of Accounts - 2005-2006
Copies of the Internal Auditor's report were tabled for information. The following was noted.
1 | Bank statements provided for audit show the balance as at 24.3.06 rather than at 31.3.06 | The Clerk must ensure that the balances at 31/3/06 as shown in the bank reconciliation are correct. | 2 | Receipts includes a written back un-presented cheque of £10. | The external auditor requires that payments rather than receipts are adjusted for un-presented cheques written back.
| 3 | 2005/2006 audit | Exemplary set of books and records with robust internal controls. | 4 | | Minor issue arising is a 60P addition error in the bank reconciliation. |
The Clerk responded to the points raised -
1 The bank statements available when the accounts were prepared were mid-March. The 31st March 06 bank reconciliation would be amended before submission to Hacker Young. 2 The amendment would be made. 4 The bank reconciliation had been re-checked and there were no errors in calculation. There had been a 60P error in the accounts for 2004/2005 and the Clerk undertook to raise this with the Internal Auditor.
8 ELECTION OF CHAIR - PLANNING MATTERS
Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in both planning applications, Councillor M Gibson withdrew from the meeting. Councillor M Murphy withdrew from the meeting during consideration of Planning application P06/0528.
The Parish Council was invited to elect a Chair for consideration of Item 9.1only.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Wilcock be elected Chair for consideration of Item 9.1 only.
9 PLANNING MATTERS
9.1 Planning Applications
P06/0491 Outline application for one dwelling - land at Batherton Lane, Batherton RESOLVED: That no objection be raised to this planning application.
(Note: Councillor M Murphy re-joined the meeting.)
P06/0528 Meadow Lane Farm, London Road, Stapeley - change of use Of agricultural buildings to general store and B1 business RESOLVED: That no objection be raised to this planning application. (Note: Councillor M Gibson re-joined the meeting, and assumed the Chair.)
9.2 Planning Schedule
A Planning Schedule from 1st January 2006 to date, outlining planning applications, together with any comments made by the Parish Council, was submitted for information. 10 COUNCILLORS' REPORTS 10.1 Councillors Heathcote and Johnson reported on their recent attendance at a Basic Induction for Parish Councillors organised and hosted by the Cheshire Association of Local Councils. Attention was drawn to the following specific points, and action agreed as indicated.
Ø Public Question Time: AGREED: That the Standing Orders be amended to allow for 10 minutes at the beginning and end of each meeting for members of the public to raise issues/ask questions. Ø Budget Proposals
The attendees had been advised the Parish Councils should treat budget-setting as a continuous process and give early consideration to budget proposals for the forward year in anticipation of setting its budget at the January meeting.
AGREED: That the Clerk prepare draft budget proposals for submission to the July meeting.
Ø Chair's Allowance
It had been emphasised that Chair's allowances were intended to support the expenses of the office of Chair (eg purchase of clothing for attendance at official functions). The payment should be made when the precept was received; there was no requirement for the Chair to account for its use.
10.2 Councillor McEneny had intended to report back on his meeting with Police Officers on Monday, 22nd May 2006. In his absence, the Clerk reported on an e-mail received from Councillor McEneny.
10.3 Brine Leas School: Councillor Gibson reported on discussions he was proposing to hold with the Headteacher at Brine Leas School and the School Council, in respect of possible activities for young people.
10.4 Parish Plan: Following Bron Kerrigan's presentation earlier, the Parish Council had not reached a conclusion on its next steps. Councillor Wilcock undertook to accept a "steer" from the Parish Council to take matters forward, holding informal discussions with members of the public who had expressed an interest in joining the Steering Group, some of whom had been present at this evening's meeting. Councillor Murphy agreed to discuss potential involvement of the two primary schools with their PTAs.
10.5 The Clerk was asked take appropriate action in respect of the following -
Hawksey Drive Grass-cutting (verify agency responsible) Demountable height of Rural Rider buses (Issue raised at Parish Meeting) Shed at Flowerscroft Potential breach of planning regulations 11 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Having agreed, in principle, to introduce a public question time at Parish Council meetings, members of the public were invited to ask questions/raise issues. 12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
19th July 2006
...............................................Chair |