Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 23rd June 2020 – due to COVID – 19 and the Government social distancing regulations the meeting was virtual @ 7.30 pm.
Part 1
Present
Councillor R Hocknell (RJH)
Councillor R Hurst (RH)
Councillor G Morgan – Chairman
Councillor A Nicol (AN)
Councillor S Lavin (SL) (co-opted at this meeting)
Councillor L Gilbert (LG) (Cheshire East Ward Cllr)
Ms J Mason – Clerk
Declaration of Interest
Cllr G Morgan – Sibelco
Public Forum
Ms S Lavin was present in order to be considered for the Parish Councillor vacancy.
The Chairman offered the members to ask any relevant questions.
Apologies
Cllr A Kolker due to other meetings, Cllr DB no apologies received.
It was noted Cllr J Swithenbank had resigned from the Parish Council. The Chairman wish to thank JS for all his hard work over his time as a Cllr.
55/20 Minutes
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 19th May 2020 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
56/20 Parish Councillor Vacancy
Resolved Ms Sophie Lavin would be co-opted as a Parish Councillor.
It was noted the Acceptance of Office could not be signed at the time, but this would be arranged with the Clerk at a later date.
57/20 Play Area on Needham Estate for the younger generation.
The small new play area on Needham estate had started on 15th June and was making good progress. They had discovered a manhole cover and the equipment’s position had been reviewed. The outside hedgerow would not be actioned until September due to the bird nesting season.
The bowling club were keeping the gate open for access until they had completed the works.
58/20 Monies held over from 2019/20
Cllr SL suggested a precept participatory budget process which perhaps could engage the community and find beneficial projects to engage in.
The Chairman proposed members read the information and this item was deferred to the next meeting.
Cllr LG offered his support with this initiative if progressed as he had some experience of it within CE.
59/20 Football Pitches
Cllr RJH, the Clerk and the ‘Hurricanes’ football manager, Mr Tim Sheldon met with J Ashbrook’s Ltd on site to discuss if the drainage issue could be addressed on the football pitch close to the River Dane. The pitch had been unplayable since October 2019, it was acknowledged the weather had been wet over the winter, but it had been substandard before this time. A quote had been circulated to carry out the works. The football manager had offered to allow J Ashbrook Ltd to sponsor the club for advertisement to allow a discount. This had been declined to the economic climate. The Clerk had also contacted Mr G Broughton ANSA/ Cheshire East and they had no funds to contribute to the cost.
It was agreed the Clerk would obtain two more quotes to carry out the works.
60/20 Planning Applications
- 20/2364C Penolver, 75 Northwich Road, Cranage WA16 9LE – demolition of attached garage and erection of new single-story side extensions and double detached garage.
Resolved No Objection
- 20/2156C Caberfeidh, 8 Northwich Road, Cranage CW4 8HL – alterations and extension to existing dwelling, new garage, and associated works.
Cllr RH pointed out this application was a duplicate from the last one that had been submitted – 20/1228C.
Resolved No Comment
- 20/2093C Hunters Gate, Byley Lane Cranage, CW10 9LW demolition of part of an existing stable, construction of new outdoor tennis court to be sited partially on garden of adjacent house on land acquired through demolition of stables.
Resolved No Objection
20/00449E Glebe Farm, Knutsford Road, Cranage CW4 8EF – Fencing business on site causing highway issues.
After Cllr AK had contacted planning enforcement and the complaint had received a priority 3 and an officer had visited site. It had been confirmed a planning application would now be submitted. Both the officer and the footpath officer had noted the cars parking on the verges had improved.
CE Highways had not visited the site.
Resolved the Clerk would, report the old sandbags and the barriers on the edge of the entrance site which was impeding walkers on the footpath.
20/2109C Site of the Haven, Oak Tree Lane, Cranage CW10 9LU – proposal prior approval for the erection of two agricultural storage buildings Determination agricultural / forestry.
This application had caused the Parish Council to receive several complaints since the last meeting. Both Ward Cllrs had been contacted. The Chairman had submitted an objection on behalf of the Parish Council after listening to many residents’ concerns that it may have led to a business being operated from Oak Tree Lane. The application had been withdrawn last week.
Cllr LG explained the application as it was usual for famers to change the use of the land in this way to speed up the process, he felt even though this application had been withdrawn a full planning application would be submitted. The Chairman responded this may happen but there would then be conditions imposed on the site.
Sibelco – it was noted that there had been a complaint submitted to Sibelco in relation to an HGV traveling along New Platt Lane to the junction of Goostrey Lane. The Chairman noted Sibelco were very efficient when complaints were submitted.
61/20 Footpath and Tree Report
A report from the footpath and tree officer had been submitted.
- No major footpath issues seen in the local countryside / footpath system.
- The had been a complaint submitted from Cranage resident regarding hedgerow by 8 Armistead as the hedge encroaches the footpath significantly and due to height and position and blocks visibility of drivers.
- Low hanging trees are becoming an issue along the length of Needham Drive as you enter the estate – both sides of the road are affected, with cutting back required
- There is an issue with the children’s play area on the Cranage estate where grass is starting to grow through the rubberised surface. This requires remedial work.
Resolved the Clerk would report all issues listed
There had been a report that there was no gate to the entrance of the pitch closest to the A50 which involves a threat of illegal encampers.
It was noted the Clerk had reported this to CE.
Management of scrub area by the Village Hall
No actions had been taken despite the agreement, Cllr RH had followed up this on the 18th April and the Clerk on 21st May and no response had been received. It was agreed Cllr LG would follow up with ANSA.
Footpath Claim – Carver Ave/Byley Lane/Crescent Avenue Ref FPS/R0660/14A/2
The Clerk reported that no actions had been taken and the 10-week deadline had elapsed. The files had been submitted by PROW at CE on the 9th March, so the ten weeks elapsed on the 18th May. The PC and CE should have received a ‘start date’ which is the formal commencement date.
Resolved the Clerk would enquire with the inspector.
62/20 Cheshire East
Cllr LG reported that the TRO order on Hermitage Lane had gained funding from the Local Area Highways group for an investigation. This was a joint project with HCPC.
The Clerk enquired about the funding for the M6 motorway bridge on Northwich Road – Cllr LG replied this was a different source of funding and he would enquire and report back.
The Registration Services were open. There was an initiative – Peer Challenge Group which was an outside group who had reported the good progress of which CE Council had made, it should be noted this was also the effective work of the previous Council.
Parking charges had been reinstated on the 15th June.
Cllr LG left the meeting at 9.00pm.
63/20 Highways
Gully on Byley Lane 3373938
CE highways have reported this had been actioned and if anymore issues to send in pictures and an explanation. Cllr AN would take this action.
Gully on Twemlow Lane 3379901
This still had not been actioned despite several emails. It was greed the Clerk would contact Mr Lee Glover again.
64/20 Accounts
It was noted the balance of account = Leek United £30,721.75 + Natwest £36,714.99 = £67,436.74
Payments
- Online payment – £240.00 HSF Recycling Ltd
- Online payment – £373.32 CHALC Affiliation Fee
- Online payment – £324.00 TCS Management Ltd
- Online payment – £250.00 Cranage Village Hall (donation)
Receipts
- £112.00 Cranage Bowling Club
Resolved the above payments are approved and signed for as a true and accurate record.
65/20 Chairman and Members Report
Cllr SL reported that HC Comprehensive School would like the PC to complete a survey about Covid 19 experiences which could be implemented after lock down as positive things in the community .
Cllr RH reported there had some movement of equipment around the Village Hall. The PSO had been notified as there had been evidence of drinking and drugs.
66/20 Clerks Report
The clerk requested the noticeboard on Middlewich Road was varnished as Congleton Town Council had failed to carry out the job.
PART 2
Resolved; “That in accordance with the public bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 as extended by the Local Goverment 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”
67/20 Clerks Salary
The Clerks salary was discussed and reviewed by members following an explanation of applicable pay scales and hourly rates by the Chairman.
Resolved the Clerks salary would be SCP 21 from April 2020.
68/20 The next meeting would be on the 28th July 2020
Meeting closed at 9.15 pm
It was noted the clerk had poor connection on Zoom within this meeting and it was suspended 25 minutes while it was resolved.