Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 21st February 2017 at Cranage Village Hall.
Declaration of Interest Councillor G Morgan and Councillor M Hodge declared a personal interest in 16/4724W
Public Forum
8 members of the public present including one member of the press.
The comments from the public were summarised as follows –
- members requested to speak louder as the public are unable to hear.
- an extra traffic assessment for the ‘Sibelco’ planning application funded by the Parish Council was pointless.
- concerns about Councillors awareness of Declarations of Interest at the last meeting.
- a vote of gratitude to Mr G Yarwood for his contribution to the Parish.
- comments from concerned residents in relation to 16/4724W.
Part 1
Present Councillor R Hurst (who chaired the meeting), Councillor M Hodge, Councillor G Morgan, Councillor R Hocknell, Councillor A Kolker (Cheshire East) and the Clerk.
Apologies – Councillor D Madden due to daughter’s birthday.
17/17 Minutes
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10th January 2017 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
18/17 Parish Council Vacancy
It was noted Mr G Yarwood had resigned as a Parish Councillor. The Chairman thanked GY for all his hard work and commitment to the community where we all lived. GY had served as a Parish Councillor since 14th January 1997.
Resolved the Clerk would organise a gift to recognise his contribution to the Parish Council.
The vacancy notice for a new member would be advertised on the notice boards.
19/17 Land at Deans Row
The Clerk had instructed Knights Solicitors to approach the solicitor for the Secretary of Health to register the land that they owned and take ownership. A reply had not been received to date.
It was agreed that the Clerk would reemphasise the comments in a letter to the solicitor for the Secretary of Health – Hill Dickson LLP.
Cllr G Morgan wished to review the alternatives suggested by Knights solicitors and would report back to members before the next meeting.
20/17 The land at Middlewich Road
In the absence of Cllr D Madden the report she had circulated was acknowledged by members. The comments from Mr N Hancox – solicitor approved by SLCC had been received. The reports and subsequent actions taken by the Parish Council since the questionnaire was discussed in detail by Cllr R Hocknell and the short comings of the transfer of ownership from the Parish Council.
Cllr R Hocknell proposed – the land owned by the Parish Council on Middlewich Road Land registration reference CH552902 would be retained in the ownership of the Parish Council.
Seconded GM Vote – FOR unanimous
Resolved the land owned by the Parish Council on Middlewich Road would be retained in the ownership of the Parish Council.
Cllr R Hocknell proposed – the Standing Orders would be amended to add a statutory obligation to hold a full referendum of the electors in the Parish to allow the Parish Council to dispose of the land at Middlewich Road Land registration reference CH552902.
Seconded GM Vote – FOR unanimous.
Resolved the Clerk would revise the Standing Orders to be reviewed at the next full council meeting.
21/17 Business Plan
The draft document had been circulated to members
Resolved the business plan would be adopted by the Parish Council.
22/17 Footpath and Tree Report
- No report had been submitted by the officer.
- Cllr R Hurst and the Clerk had met with Mr M Cohen on 03.02.17 in relation to the trees overhanging and blocking the walkers along the A50, by the paddock. These had now been addressed by the land owner.
- A letter had been received from PROW in relation to the footpath behind Deans Row the request had now dropped to 8 out of 42. It was agreed Cllr G Morgan would take some actions before the next meeting.
- Dog fouling signs on the paddock – the clerk to contact Cllr D Madden.
- Trees along Needham estate entrance – the trees that had been donated by Field of Trust and needed some attention. It was agreed Cllr R Hurst would review and set up a working party.
- Cllr L Gilbert had requested a list of improvements from CPC in relation to the footpaths from Cranage to Holmes Chapel. It was agreed it needed more than sweeping but scraping and siding back as it was very slippy due to the leaf drop to walk.
23/17 Land adjacent to the Village Hall
The Clerk had made contact with Mr S Barber from ANSA and he had requested Ms Elaine Webster would re draft the report to be presented to the Cheshire East legal team.
24/17 Highways
Grass cutting along A50
The clerk had obtained three quotes for cutting the grass along the A50, all three were discussed.
Resolved depending on insurance and risk assessment being in place; Mr P Booths would be instructed to cut the grass verge along the A50 an extra two times a year.
Reduced speed limit along A50
Councillor A Kolker reported that the three week consultation period was open in February and would be published in the press. If there were no objections this would precede in the coming months and a 50 mph would be implemented.
Independent traffic survey along A50 in relation to 16/4724W
The PC had been approached to fund a traffic survey in addition to the one submitted with the planning application 14/4724W. The quotes and details of proposed surveys had been circulated from Mr G Woods. To date Allostock and Holmes Chapel Parish Councils had not responded. Cllr A Kolker had advised it was most likely a fruitless exercise as highways reports had to justify severe harm to be considered as an objection which was very difficult. The impact in Holmes Chapel was of most concern.
Resolved Cranage Parish Council would not fund an independent traffic survey.
Cllr R Hurst would report back.
Hermitage Bridge
This still had not been actioned but it was on the works programme and would be dealt with in due course but not identified as a priority.
Waste site access in Middlewich
Cllr A Kolker had identified this to highways but it did seem as if Arclid waste site would be taken over by Sandbach Town Council to manage therefore would remain open.
Manhole cover – 3276384
Cllr R Hurst to report back to clerk.
25/17 Planning Applications
17/0244C Cranage Mills , Knutsford Road, Cranage CW4 8HJ a new grinder which is more energy efficient. A 12 x 8 tonne storage bins for the mash/meals for loading vehicles.
Resolved No comment
16/4724W Rudheath Lodge Farm – there had been two extra consultation events in Cranage and Allostock in February. The new application would now be determined in Cheshire West and Cheshire East. It was concerning to some objectors that the original comments on the Cheshire East website would not be carried over.
16/3951C Holly Bank – 3 bedroom single dwelling – this was now subject to an appeal.
Resolved the Clerk would write to the Inspector.
Spatial Planning update
It was noted the Local Plan consultation period was open for comments the deadline was 20th March 2017. The site allocations development plan will soon be available to comment on too.
26/17 Accounts
To note the balance of account = Leek United £29,911.85 + Natwest £35,897.89 = £65,809.74
Payments
- £35.00 ICO membership
- £147.00 Crewe Colour Printers (newsletter)
- £41.80 SLCC – Course 1.2.17
- £356.00 Knights Solicitors (Deans Row)
RECEIPTS
- £50.00 Rent – Middlewich Road land
- £996.70 Somerford Parish Council
- £1,271.27 Newbold Astbury cum Moreton Parish Council
Resolved the above payments are approved and signed for as a true and accurate record.
27/17 Internal Auditor
Resolved JDH Services would act as the internal auditor for 2016/17.
28/17 Adult Exercise Area
There had been two letters received in response to the adult fitness area. One positive and one negative. It was agreed that the resident who proposed the idea would be invited by the clerk to the Annual meeting.
29/17 Cheshire East
Resolved to suspend standing orders to receive the report from the ward member –
The Inspector had indicated that he was satisfied that CE had fulfilled the 5 year housing land supply figures. The figures had been robust and sustainable. This hopefully would finally lead to approval of the CE Local Plan.
The CE council tax would be increased by 4.99% and 3% of this would be utilised under Adult Social Care. One third of the budget was used under this heading.
AK also wished to thank Mr G Yarwood for his time served as a Parish Councillor for always cutting the verges on Middlewich Road and planting daffodils along the verge.
30/17 Chairman and Members report
The Chairman discussed the Annual Parish meeting and topics which could be discussed.
It was agreed that Cllr R Hocknell would act as a Councillor to determine the clerk’s salary and contract after the resignation of Cllr G Yarwood.
31/17 Clerks Report
Notice board Maintenance – this had been arranged and would be completed in the warmer weather.
Health and Safety course 18.01.17 – Clerk reported
Housing needs survey – Clerk reported on the response from CE.
Training – Cllr G Morgan and Cllr R Hocknell would attend the Induction Councillors course on 3.4.17.
The Local Beat Managers report was circulated and if members wished anything to be added they should make a note.
32/17 The next meeting would be on the 21st March 2017 @ 7.30pm in Cranage Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9.30pm.