Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 21st November 2019 at Cranage Hall Hotel.
Part 1
Present
Councillor R Hurst (RH) who chaired the meeting
Councillor A Nicol (AN)
Councillor J Swithenbank (JS)
Ms J Mason – Clerk
Declaration of Interest
None declared
Public Forum
One member of the public.
No comments were made.
Apologies Cllr R Hocknell due to work commitments, Cllr G Morgan due to work commitments, Cllr D Bennett due to ill health and Cllr S Houlston due to work commitments.
124/19 Minutes
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd October 2019 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
125/19 Capital Projects
Football pitch storage for equipment
The structural base had been completed in order to place the container on site. The Clerk had visited site and the container was unable to be sited on the grass due to access restrictions (overheard electric wires and the reluctance to deliver on to grass) but overgrown vegetation had been cleared to ensure no car parking spaces were lost.
The Clerk requested support of the members to check the company was authentic as they required payment before delivery.
Resolved Cllr RH would check the company before the purchase was completed.
Small Play Area
The bid was due to be submitted in December, the Clerk and the Chairman were meeting Mr E Yoxall ANSA on 28th November to approve the submission after comments had been made by the residents. The bid was for £45,000 – £48,000 and a contribution had been requested from the PC.
Resolved the PC would contribute but this would be dependent on approving the proposed plan and viewing the costs against the grant obtained.
Social Isolation / Loneliness in the Parish
Cllr AN and the Clerk had attended a meeting at Cranage Hall Hotel with the manager and a member of staff from CE Connecting Communities. The hotel would provide a two-course meal with tea /coffee for £15.00, the only viable day would be a Sunday due to business commitments in the week and they would make no charge for the room. Mr Muktadir Khan – Connecting Communities communicated over 40 attended the Holmes Chapel luncheon on a Monday and they were very keen for CPC to start this venture to give support. He offered his help to organise the advertising.
Resolved the Parish Council would support the cost by £10 per head for three months from January 2020.
Resolved the Parish Council would advertise the event by posters and a delivered invitation to each household.
Resolved the event would be on the last Sunday of every month and the hotel would control the payment upon arrival.
It was agreed this venture would be revisited after three months to evaluate success and then the costing support may have to be capped.
It was noted this would be included in the budget 2020/21.
126/19 Business Plan
Deferred.
127/19 Highways
Northwich Road Speed limit
A resident from Northwich Road had sent a letter to assist a site meeting with the portfolio holder and the Ward Cllrs. The Clerk had circulated to the Ward Cllrs.
Cllr AK reported that the he felt he could not take this forward anymore as CE Highways had dismissed that Northwich Road would fit the criteria for a speed reduction.
The Parish Council had tried to support the residents for over twelve months but had to agree that there were no further actions that could be taken at this stage.
Leese crossroads
No report had been submitted from Mr C Hodgeson.
Cheshire Railings on Byley lane
Cllr AN enquired whose responsibility these were to repair and improve. The Clerk reported it was the Parish Councils. The Chairman proposed this was left until the new year to consider under capital projects. This was agreed by members.
Site visit with Mr Lee Glover on 4th November
The Clerk had met with the highways officer and the following pints had been raised;
- Flooding on Byley Lane – reported ref 3373938
- Twemlow Lane flooding – actioned
- Twemlow Lane verges by Hawthorn House – this would be undertaken by the two landowners with the approval of highways.
- Entrances to Hopley Tyres – no actions
- Sink Hole on A50 by Hopley Tyres – reported ref 3377863
- Foxfield Court – trees on grass verge – highways would remove as would block vision eventually when grown.
- Manor Barn hedges – CE highways responsibility and they would action.
- Dead trees at Brereton Fencing – formal action would be taken by CE Highways.
- Memorabilia being removed on Needham Estate – it was agreed this had not been removed by CE Highways, ANSA or the Parish Council.
Needham Estate fencing
There had been a report that the fencing had fallen, and the gate was damaged by the fields by water works. This had been reported to the landowner who had agreed to repair.
New Boundary Signs
The Clerk had placed the order and they were being made at the present time.
Cllr RH requested an extra sign with posts was ordered to be sited on Hermitage Lane as it had been overlooked.
Resolved an extra sign would be ordered with posts.
128/19 Footpath and Tree Report
A report had been submitted that day and would be circulated to members and the Clerk would action.
Trees
Fire damaged trees at Brereton Timber – as site visit with Mr. L Glover
Footpaths
- Manor Barns hedges
As site visit with Mr. L Glover 123/19.
Footpath Claim – Carver Ave/ Byley Lane/Crescent Avenue Ref FPS/R0660/14A/2
A consultation letter from CE, indicating the PROW of which the inspector had approved after the appeal, had been circulated to the relevant parties for comment. It was inevitable this would receive more objections.
When this process was complete there would be a final decision.
129/19 Planning Applications
- 19/4693C The Old School house, Knutsford Road, Cranage CW4 7DE – Gates and fence to the front of the property.
Resolved No Objection
- 19/4694C The Old School House, Knutsford Road, Cranage Cw4 7DE – Listed building consent for gates and fence to the front of the building.
Resolved No Objection
- 19/5073C Kings Lane Farmhouse, Kings Lane, Cranage CW10 9LA – Agricultural storage building.
Resolved No Objection
- 19/5128C Rose Cottages, Sandy Lane, Cranage CW4 8HN – Extension and alteration
Resolved No Objection
Sibelco meeting 16.01.20
The Clerk would confirm Cllr GM attendance.
The planning conditions for the Community Liaison Group was discussed
130/19 VE Day
Deferred.
131/19 Accounts
It was noted the balance of account = Leek United £30,721.75 + Natwest £43,614.91 = £74,336.66.
Payments
- Online payment – £205.00 Ms B S Amies (website)
- Online payment – £75.00 CHALC (Cllr RJH Chairmanship)
- Online payment – £2,076.00 Parsons Containers
- Online payment – £578.00 James Ashbrook’s Ltd
- Online payment – £180.00 SLCC membership 2020
Receipts
- NIL
Resolved the above payments are approved and signed for as a true and accurate record.
132/19 Precept 2020/21
The Budget had been circulated by the Clerk and members discussed the figures including the undertaken projects. The impact on the capital reserves this year indicated the figure would be £10,00 at the end of 2020/21.
Resolved the precept would be £20,000 for 2020/21.
133/19 Cheshire East
Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from the Ward Councillor A Kolker.
Cllr AK reported on the Labour cabinet trying to eliminate the Mayor system. Highways were due to report issues on a new format called ‘Fix My Street’ to assist the public when reporting issues. It was noted Ms G Kidd Senior Highways Officer had also resigned.
134/19 Chairman and Members Report
Cranage Bowling Club
Cllr RH had made contact and was due to make plans for next year.
Town & Parish Conference 20.11.19
Deferred due to the absence of the Chairman.
Clerks Appraisal
Cllr RH reported this was due to be conducted on 27.11.19. Any issues should be sent to her via email.
135/19 Clerks Report
Training Dates 2020
Circulated
Meeting dates 2020
Circulated
136/19 The next meeting would be on the 21st January 2020 @ Cranage Hall Hotel
Meeting closed at 8.40pm