Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 at Cranage Village Hall.
Election of Chairman for the ensuing year
Resolved Councillor R Hocknell was elected as Chairman for 2018/19. He signed the Acceptance of Office.
The Chairman thanked Cllr R Hurst for her successful term as Chairman.
It was twelve months ago to the day that Manchester Arena was bombed and the Chairman requested everybody took one minute silence to remember to victims and their families.
Part 1
Present Councillor R J Hocknell, (who chaired the meeting), Councillor R Hurst, Councillor J Swithenbank, Councillor M Hodge, Councillor G Morgan (arrived at 7.40pm), Councillor D Bennett, Councillor A Kolker (Cheshire East Council), the Clerk.
Declaration of Interest
Cllr D Bennett – Smart M6 Motorway M6, Cllr G Morgan – Sibelco and 18/2419C and Cllr M Hodge – Sibelco and 18/2419C.
Public Forum
6 members of the public present.
A resident wished it to be noted there were large signs on the edge of the M6 nearby and they were distracting for drivers when they were travelling.
Cllr A Kolker would enquire from highways but thought as they were on trailers they were probably allowed.
A resident requested the traffic figures from 2015 and 2017 were retrieved from Cheshire East highways.
Apologies – Cllr M Cohen due to work commitments
44/18 Minutes
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 27th March 2018 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
Cllr G Morgan arrived at 7.40pm
45/18 Election of Vice Chairman for the ensuing year
Resolved Cllr G Morgan was elected to the Vice Chairman for 2018/19. The Acceptance of Office was signed.
46/18 Councillor Responsibilities
Resolved the following Councillor Responsibilities were approved.
Police – Cllr M Cohen
Village Hall – Cllr R Hurst
Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr G Morgan
Communication (website and newsletters) – Cllr R Hocknell
Compliance – Cllr G Morgan
Highways – Cllr J Swithenbank
CHALC – Cllr M Hodge
Finance – Cllr D Bennett
Business Plan Delivery – Cllr R Hocknell
Planning – Cllr J Swithenbank
Community Liaison with outside bodies – Cllr M Cohen
Manchester Airport – Cllr D Bennett
47/18 Highways
Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from Mr J Carruthers – VTC Consultancy.
The Parish Council had instructed VTC Consultants to install five traffic counters within the Parish to check number, type and speed of vehicles travelling. JC had attended to communicate the results to the Parish Council
Northwich Road
The road reported at approx. 7,000 movements a day and the split was 50% each way. The rural B road was at 50% practical capacity. The 85th centile speed was 50% to 60 mph and the average speed was 44.7 %.
The Parish Council agreed actions –
- to campaign the speed was reduced to 40mph as they felt it was within the Speed Strategy Management Policy approved by CE. They initially agreed 40mph but amended to 50mph.
- To provide hard standing for the children to catch the school bus
Middlewich Road
There were more cars travelling east bound on this lane, but it could be attributed to Kings Lane closure at the time the monitor was installed. The average speed was 34 mph.
The Parish Council agreed actions –
- To check if the junction was on SATNAV and to ensure the white lines were re-instated.
Goostrey Lane
The average speed was 35/40 mph but there could have been an issue with the position of the traffic monitor on this Lane. There were 3,000 movements a day. The junction had a high history of accidents.
The Parish Council agreed actions –
- Mitigate the accident rate on site
- Check the speed of vehicles leaving the junction from the A50 direction.
- To look in detail of the accident history and solutions available.
Byley Lane
There were 2,000 movements a day which was not excessive. The speed of traffic was 40 mph each way and the average speed was 30 mph. The main issue was the school children catching the bus.
The Parish Council agreed actions –
- Hard standing for the school children to catch the bus.
Twemlow Lane
There were 1,700 traffic movements a day and the balance of traffic was 50% each way. There were on average 200 movements an hour. The average speed was 34/36 mph. The monitor had been close to the bend and maybe not been a true reflection of speed. There was a built-up residential area, a horse riding school therefore many horse riders and school children catching the bus.
The Parish Council agreed actions –
- To propose a reduction in speed in the built-up area to 40mph from National Speed Limit.
The Chairman thanked JC for attending and it was agreed a formal report would be submitted a week before the next meeting.
Residents Action Group – M6 Smart Motorway
Proceeding the Parish Council instructing Millar Goodall to carry out the works it had come to light that they had a conflict of interest with Ringway Jacobs and were unable to carry out the works. RAG wished to now instruct Apexacoustics UK.
Cllr R Hurst wished the wording in an email to be withdrawn from RAG as it implied the Parish Council were just a vehicle to recover the VAT costs. This was an inaccurate statement as the Parish Council had resolved and agreed to instruct a company to carry out the FOI request.
Goostrey Lane site meeting with Cllr M Cohen and the Clerk on 02.05.18
After the latest accident on the Goostrey Lane / A50 junction the Parish Council had agreed to meet with CE Highways to discuss some mitigating works to improve the accident rate. Mr Sean Halewood, Mr S Barker (both CE traffic engineers) and the police were in attendance.
It had been agreed to improve the road markings and to install two new signs in the grass verge on the A50 facing motorist as they turn out of Goostrey Lane and the high reflectivity of the material on the signs faces should assist in highlighting the junction. This was to be actioned by September.
Holly Hedge outside Manor Barns
Cllr R Hurst was monitoring this and would revisit after the nesting season was finished. It was not causing a safety issue.
Chevrons outside Twemlow Lane new housing development
These had been replaced but needed moving as too close to the bend. Cllr A Kolker would report.
Hermitage Bridge
Cllr RJH reported works were still outstanding as the pointing needed attention. The hard core had been delivered.
Junction of Twemlow Lane/Hermitage Lane
It was noted there had been a complaint about the muddy verge due to cars parking.
48/18 The Annual Governance Statement – Section 1
Resolved the Annual Governance Statement 2017/18 was accepted by full Council.
49/18 The Annual Governance Statement – Section 2
Resolved the Annual Governance Statement 2017/18 was accepted by full Council.
50/18 Neighbourhood Plan
The Terms of Reference circulated by the clerk was discussed.
Resolved the terms of reference was accepted by full Council
The designated area had been submitted by Cllr G M but no confirmation had been received from CE.
Over 60 NP questionnaire surveys had been returned from the latest newsletter. This was an excellent response and the results would be collated by the next meeting.
51/18 Bowling Club/Needham Estate
The Neighbourhood Watch Team had approached the Parish Council for support with anti-social behaviour on the estate. There was evidence of drug taking, driving quads ,burning items, smoking, drinking and generally youths being a nuisance.
It was agreed Cllr R Hurst and the Clerk would meet with the Chairman of the NW team.
52/18 Footpath and Tree Report
As the officer was on holiday there was no report submitted.
53/18 Football Pitches in Cranage
The Clerk and MR T Sheldon had met with ANSA to discuss the drainage issues on the two pitches. CE had confirmed there would not support any funding. ANSA had quoted to carry out the works at more than £5,000.
The PC confirmed this was excessive and two more quotes should be retrieved from the football club.
The Clerk had circulated details from CE Communities in relation to support funding from FIFA and the football club had applied; this would be decided in June.
54/18 Adult Fitness Area
The Clerk had submitted the Lottery Application for £10,000 in April on behalf of the Parish Council. The application had been received but not decided.
55/18 Planning Applications
- To note the appeal – 17/4380C Parklands, Byley Lane, Cranage CW4 8EL – New dwelling in lieu of existing cattery on land to the rear of Parklands. Resubmission of planning application ref 16/4600C
- 18/2015C 18 Byley Lane, Cranage – single storey rear and side extension.
Resolved No Objection
- Hunters Gate, Byley lane, Cranage CW10 9LW – Creation of new tennis court and small pavilion at rear of existing dwelling and ancillary works including a new gravel footpath and landscaping.
Resolved No Objection
- 18/2419C Cedar House, Big Stones, Goostrey Lane, Cranage CW4 8FY Erection of a greenhouse and separate summer house in rear garden.
Resolved No Comment
Sibelco plication at Rudheath farm, Cranage – this application was due to the heard at the SPB in Winsford Town Hall for Cheshire West Council on 21st June and the objectors had reached over 1,000 on the Cheshire West website.
56/18 Accounts
It was noted the balance of account = Leek United £30,275.36 + Natwest £32,698.33 = £62,793.66.
Payments
Cheque number
222- £348.48 CHALC Affiliation Fee
223 – £90.00 SLCC Conference
224 – £20.00 Cheshire Community Action
225- £155.00 Crewe Colour Printers
226 – £519.60 Crewe Colour Printers
227- £84.00 Crewe Colour Printers
228 – £209.58 Somerford Parish Council (computer)
229- £1,152.00 Cheshire Wrought Iron (Cheshire Railings) NB Insurance
230- £696.02 Zurich Insurance
231- £36.00 CPRE
232 – £1,000.00 Mr J Carruthers (traffic monitors)
233 – £220.80 JDH Services Ltd
234 – £276.22 RG and ME Street & Son Ltd (hard core for Hermitage bridge footpath)
Receipts
- £10,000 Precept CE
- £987.14 SPC
- £1,289.46 NACM PC
- £684.84 HW&SB PC
- £50.00 CVH (advert)
Resolved the above payments are approved and signed for as a true and accurate record.
The Clerk made the Council aware there had been an error as she had issued the Cheques from CPC for SPC accounts this totalled £1,440.55 and had been reimbursed.
The Chairman noted the error.
56/18 Cheshire East
Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from the Ward Councillor A Kolker.
Cllr A Kolker encouraged members to attend the Connecting Communities meeting
in Holmes Chapel as it was of great benefit to the community and encouraged benefits to the area. The key items they were currently addressing were Social Isolation (especially elderly men), Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sexual Health, Young People’s activities and Carers. The next meeting was on the 7th June at 4.30pm in HC library.
The New Cheshire East Mayor had been appointed- Ms Lesley Smethem.
57/18 Chairman and Members Report
Dementia Friendly Speaker.
It was agreed this would be published in the next newsletter
58/18 Clerks Report
GDPR
The Clerk updated the Council on all the works involved. She would prepare a report by the next meeting.
Business Review update
This needed to be carried out before the next meeting.
PART 2
Resolved; “That in accordance with the public bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 as extended by the Local Government Act 1972 section 100 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for discussion of the under mentioned item on the grounds that the publication of the matter would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted”,
Parish Council website
There had been activities posted on the Cranage Parish Chronicle which had been confused with the Parish Council.
Actions were agreed. Appendix 1
Local Plan Site Allocations in Cranage
Cllr G Morgan updated members on a meeting she had attended on 9th May at Cheshire East.
59/18 the next meeting would be on the 19th June 2018 @ 7.30pm in Cranage Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9.40 pm
Appendix 1
The Deputy Monitoring Officer had called and emailed the Clerk on 18th April with urgency, as she felt there had been a breach of confidentiality by the Council on the Cranage Parish Council website. A member of the community had made a Code of Conduct Compliant against several members of the Strategic Planning Board after the ‘Sibelco’ Sand Quarry hearing was heard at the SPB in March. This complaint had been advertised on the Cranage Parish Chronicle website NOT the Parish Council website.
This was a cause of concern as other members of the public had been confused.
It was agreed Cllr G Morgan would approach Mr P Wild to request he issued a statement on the Cranage Parish Chronicle website to reflect it was not part of the Parish Council.