Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 11th September 2018 at Cranage Village Hall.
Part 1
Present Councillor R J Hocknell (who chaired the meeting), Councillor R Hurst, Councillor D Bennett, Councillor M Hodge, Councillor G Morgan, Councillor A Kolker – Cheshire East Representative (arrived at 8.30pm) and the Clerk.
Declaration of Interest
Cllr D Bennett – Smart M6.
Public Forum
1 member of the public present.
Apologies – Cllr J Swithenbank and Cllr M Cohen both due to work commitments.
90/18 Minutes
Cllr R Hurst proposed two amendments which were accepted by full Council.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 31st July 2018 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
91/18 Highways
VTC Consultants
The Clerk had approached Cheshire East highways with all the relevant points that had been raised by John Carruthers.
Goostrey Lane and Middlewich Road junctions with A50
CE had agreed to take actions with improved signage and white lines. The PC agreed to see the benefits these actions would achieve.
Twemlow Lane
It seemed the traffic counter had been positioned in the wrong place to capture traffic speeds. This had resulted in CE not thinking there was a need to reduce the speed within the built-up area to 30mph.
Resolved the traffic survey should be completed again on Twemlow Lane.
The bend sign would be addressed by CE.
Bus Stops for children
It was identified that there needed to be clear waiting areas for school children on Northwich Road, Twemlow Lane, Goostrey Lane and Byley Lane. It was agreed highways would be contacted for approval and the Clerk would contact Cranage Hall Hotel for support as it was not in Cheshire East highways ownership on Byley Lane and Cllr M Hodge and Cllr D Bennet would investigate the school pick up place for the children on Northwich Road.
Speed Display Unit on Northwich Road
The Clerk was requested to obtain some prices for a Speed Display Unit.
Sign Cleaning across the Parish
It seemed that Cheshire East could no longer carry out the works due to time and financial pressures. Cllr A Kolker had cleaned some signs himself.
Give Way sign on Northwich Road
Actioned
M6 Smart motorway
The Parish Council had received a response letter from Fiona Bruce MP which had been circulated. It seemed she felt there was no more actions she could take after communication from Highways England.
It was noted the Resident’s Action Group were due to meet with Fiona Bruce MP on Friday 14th September.
Holly Hedge outside Manor Barns
Cllr RH had contacted the letting agency, but no actions had been taken. The Clerk would chase.
Advertising lorries on side of M6 in fields of private ownership.
After a resident’s complaint the Clerk had reported this to planning enforcement. The response received was the site had been visited but you had to prove the vehicles had not moved which was difficult to conclude due to time and financial restraints. CE were awaiting the outcome of a case in another area of the borough.
92/18 Adult fitness area
The lottery funding application had been successful, and the Parish Council had been awarded £10,000. The Clerk had met with Pentagon and ANSA, Cheshire East to decide exact location and positioning of equipment (map and plan circulated to members).
There had been feedback from the resident who had originally requested an Adult Fitness area. Cllr D Bennett had visited an existing site on Stocks Lane in Lower Peover and utilised the equipment. If the heights of certain equipment were increased, it would incur higher costs as to the flooring would have to change.
Resolved the gate climb would be changed for a net climb with an approved increase in budget.
The equipment was due to be installed on 15th October.
93/18 Standing Orders
Cllr RGH, Cllr RH, Cllr GM and Cllr MH supported this item on the agenda.
Resolved the amendments circulated in reference to the land at Middlewich Road would be included in the Standing Orders
Resolved the amendments circulated in reference to planning applications being responded to be the Clerk between meetings would be included in the Standing Orders.
94/18 Footpaths and Tree Report
The report from the officer was discussed;
- The road adjacent to Hawthorn House has been reopened and the diverted pathway has been removed, so reinstated as per previous. The Clerk was asked to enquire as it was closed that day.
- The diverted pathway around Glebe Farm has yet to be opened, but before doing do this it would require cutting back. It is already overgrown. The Clerk was asked to report
- The hawthorn hedge adjacent to the A50, running from the cemetery to the Cranage / Needham Drive estate needs cutting. The bird nesting season now over, it would be an ideal time to do this job. Cllr R Hocknell would take some actions with the landowners.
- The small woodland adjacent to Carver avenue now has tree branches that are impacting on walking on the pavement. Some branches need cutting back.
- Woodland adjacent to the Village Hall – Cllr R Hurst reported on the actions that had been taken by ANSA. They still needed to revisit to complete tree works but the area was much improved. The Chairman thanked Cllr R H
- In Holmes Chapel, a stretch of branches needs cutting back on the 50 yard stretch past the cottages on left hand side as you start to walk up the hill to Holmes Chapel. The Clerk would inform HCPC.
Footpath claim Carver Avenue/Crescent Road/Byley Lane
Several interviews taken place in September to gain evidence on the history of the site. The Clerk had spoken with Marcia Grice (employed by CE PROW) and she had indicated the deadline of 16th September won’t be reached and she would ask for an extension as it was complex.
Unregistered Land
Resolved Cllr G Morgan would write a letter to Hill Dickenson solicitors encouraging them to register the land.
95/18 Football pitches
The PC had organised the draining works of the football pitches before the season had commenced. The works had been completed to a very good standard the Hurricanes football team had sent a letter of gratitude.
The football team could now play both pitches.
96/18 GDPR
The Clerk updated members on progress. It was noted some Parish Councils had instructed a Data Protection Officer. The Clerk circulated some details and costings to instruct a DPO.
If all the Clerks four Parish Councils she was employed by supported this option Cranage agreed to be included.
97/18 Newsletter
It was agreed that a newsletter would be produced by October. Councillors discussed topics to be included;
Adult Fitness Area – Cllr DB
M6 Smart Motorway – Cllr MH
Police – Cllr M Cohen (if agreeable)
Football Pitches – the Clerk
Litter Pick – Cllr R Hurst
Highway Improvements – Cllr R Hocknell
98/18 New Community Home Bonus Scheme
The Clerk had attended a meeting on 3rd September at Sandbach Town Hall. The slides had been circulated. If Cranage Parish Council wished to engage they would need to submit a bid next month and there were certain criteria which they had to follow to qualify.
It was agreed the Parish Council had no projects which they would pursue this year but would revisit next year.
99/18 Planning Applications
- 18/4329C Rose Bank, Twemlow Lane, Cranage CW4 8EX – construction of new detached dwelling.
Resolved No Objection
- 18/3969C Oaklands, Sandy Lane, Cranage, CW4 8HR – the renovation and remodel of a detached dwelling included a single storey rear extension and car port.
Resolved No Objection
- 18/4363C New Farm, Middlewich Road, Cranage CW10 9LT – permanent hardstanding.
Resolved No Objection with comments
100/18 Accounts
It was noted the balance of account = Leek United £30,275.36 + Natwest £37,085.18 = £67,360.54.
Payments
- Cheque number 244 – £30.00 SLCC Conference 25.09.18
- Cheque number 245 – 00 Mr J Carruthers
Receipts
- £10,000 Precept CE
- £10,000 Lottery Funding
- £213.10 Leek United Interest
- £1,116.99 SPC
- £62.50 SPC
- £62.50 HW & SB PC
- £62.50 NBACM PC
Resolved the above payments are approved and signed for as a true and accurate record.
Leek United Bond
Cllr J Swithenbank had been added as a signature on the account and the monies reinvested in a one-year bond.
It seemed the Leek United had the highest interest return and NSI was not applicable to a public authority.
101/18 Cheshire East
Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from the Ward Councillor A Kolker.
The charging for new bins had caused a lot of confusion across the borough and Cllr AK clarified the charges from the Environmental Agency. A new bin is £30, if it is damaged ANSA will pay, if it is stolen it will be replaced free of charge and there will be serial numbers on the bins.
| Following the adoption of the Local Plan Strategy last year, the council is preparing several additional planning policy documents. These are being consulted on between 11 September and 22 October 2018. They are:
First Draft Site Allocations and Development Policies Document (SADPD); SADPD Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment; The Garden Village at Handforth draft supplementary planning document; Revised and updated Statement of Community Involvement; and A ‘call for sites’ that may be suitable for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people accommodation. |
102/18 Chairman and Members Report
Cranage Beer Festival – Cllr RH updated members on the success of the event and the excellent profit made of £3,000.
Litter pick on 23rd September at 10 am
Cllr R Hurst encouraged all members to attend.
Town and Parish Conference 26.09.18
The Chairman will attend.
103/18 Clerks Report
Homelessness Report
No comments to submit
Public Forum
No comments
103/18 the next meeting would be on the 23rd October 2018 @ Cranage Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9.20 pm