Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 30th July 2019 at Cranage Hall Hotel.
Part 1
Present
Councillor R J Hocknell (RJH) – Chairman
Councillor D Bennett (DB) – Vice Chairman
Councillor R Hurst (RH)
Councillor G Morgan (GM)
Councillor A Nicol (AN)
Councillor J Swithenbank (JS)
Councillor A Kolker Cheshire East Representative
Ms J Mason – Clerk
Declaration of Interest
Cllr R Hurst – Village Hall payments
Public Forum
Four members of the public present.
There was a requested from a member of the Village Hall committee for the Parish Council to honour the request for a donation towards the Beer Festival being held at the Village Hall in August. It was their third one and was becoming increasing popular. Every penny raised goes to maintenance costs of the hall.
Apologies Nil
86/19 Minutes
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 18th June 2019 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
87/19 Co option of Parish Councillor
The PC considered the two nominations.
Resolved there would not appoint either candidates.
88/19 Capital Expenditure in the Parish
The Clerk had completed some research on the suggested areas of consideration of capital expenditure in the Parish and a report had been circulated.
Football car park consideration
This proposal had been refused by CE due to taking over green space.
Football pitch storage for equipment
The football managers had circulated options for ideas.
This proposal was accepted and taken for further investigation. It was noted this would be included in the newsletter in September.
Improvement to small play area
The Clerk had met with ANSA and there was still some S106 monies available for the Needham estate. There was also the possibility for funding from FCC Communities (previously known as WREN). They could apply up to £100k but required a 10.25 % deposit.
Resolved this proposal would be taken further to refurbish the small play area with ANSA.
Cllr AK had received a report on the S106 monies for the Dane Valley Ward and confirmed figures although his were higher than stated by ANSA.
Welcome Boundary Signs/Flowers
Resolved all members would bring an ideal example they preferred to the next meeting.
The planters would not be pursued as they were too urban.
Social Isolation in the Parish
This idea was positively received, and the Chairman suggested there needed to be more investigations on how to engage with the socially isolated. He would speak to the doctors before the next meeting for ideas. There had been quotes received from two caterers if the Parish Council held a luncheon.
Hard standing for a bus stop on Byley Lane
Resolved the Clerk was requested to gain some prices.
Footpath by utilising plastic honeycomb along Northwich Road
The Clerk had met with CE highways and this idea had been dismissed and it was not feasible.
Footpath along A50
The Clerk had met with CE Highways and due to the footpath being adjacent to the A50 it requirement a full construction of a footpath to confirm with width requirement and specification for an’ A’ road as some of the footpath would be against the edge of kerb and thus the kerbing at present is not suitable and this would need replacing with the correct standard plus signs would need replacing. This would have to be dismissed as it was in excess of the budget.
Cllr RH proposed the grass cutting was improved and cut more frequently and possibly rolled. It was agreed this would be pursued.
89/19 Budget 2019/20
The budget had been circulated to members and it was discussed in detail in conjunction with 87/19.
Council reviewed the budget in line with expenditure.
Resolved the budget was approved.
90/19 Grant Fund – Community Clean Up fund.
The bowling club had circulated a quote for the improvement works but sadly these had not been completed. The Clerk had requested an extension of the time limit, but this had not been acknowledged by CE Community department.
The Chairman would become involved and speak to the bowling club directly.
91/19 Highways
Northwich Road
Cllr AK had heard no more on the issue. Cllr DB requested he engaged with the new portfolio holder and asked if the speed could be reviewed.
Air Quality Report from Tracey Bettany CE
The report had been circulated and there were in their opinion from the results from their equipment no issues.
Grass cutting Policy
The Clerk had circulated a policy for the areas of grass to be cut in the parish.
Resolved the policy was accepted.
The Chairman requested the Clerk spoke to the contractor as many areas have been missed so far this year.
Car Parking on pavements on Byley Lane
The photographs had been sent to the PCSO but there had been no reply to date.
Deferred.
Manhole cover on Needham Drive
The Clerk had now reported this to United Utilities
92/19 Footpath and Tree Report
Resolved to accept the report for the officer.
The report from the previous month had been followed up and the outstanding points had been addressed. The 50 mph sign still had not been resolved on the A50.
Trees
- Fire damaged trees still not attended to on the Holmes Chapel Fencing site. There are 3 trees – very flimsy, that could present a pedestrian / highways hazard in high winds
- 100 yards from the Needham Drive entrance on A50 (same side of A50 as Holmes Chapel Fencing) a small bow has snapped off a tree it is not blocking the path and entirely on the grass verge but could do with removing though not urgent.
Footpaths
- from Holmes Chapel Fencing to Needham Drive estate, in numerous places cutting back of brambles and nettles is required – brambles and nettles are impacting on the footpath in several places – stretching the full width of the footpath in a few places.
Resolved the Chairman would contact the landowner
- Cranage estate
- There have been several complaints from residents relating to hedgerows / foliage impacting on the estate footpaths. Not a one-off issue, and in several places, and particularly with beech hedges, hedgerows / foliage may be overlapping the footpaths.
Cllr RH and the Clerk had walked the whole estate after similar complaints throughout June and July – ANSA were under immense pressure due to sickness and holidays. All the relevant areas had been reported and they were due to undertake actions to improve the estate. The officer had reported he wished to allow some of the estate grass to grow longer and cut in footpaths to encourage wildflower growth.
- Along the footpath running from the Needham Drive turning circle around the back of the estate, there are several trees that need cutting back (council land) as they are now below head height.
- Cranage Football pitches
The FPO is concerned that the infrequent cutting of the Cranage football pitches is going to cause damage to the pitch / grass for the new football season as following the last cut, there was excessive grass for haymaking, and with the rain over the last few days cut grass that has become sodden risks damaging growth of new grass. I am also concerned around the lack of council activity related to pitch improvement prior to the new season. Since the last games in May no treatment has taken place. I was under the impression that top dressing would be applied and the ground verti-drained.
Resolved the Clerk will reportto CE.
Footpath Claim – Carver Ave/ Byley Lane/Crescent Avenue Ref FPS/R0660/14A/2
The was still awaiting a response.
93/19 Planning Applications
Resolved No Objection
- 19/2713C Birchways, Kings Lane, Cranage CW10 9LX – single storey side extension and single storey rear extension (resubmission of 19/1475C)
Resolved No Objection
- 19/2939C Holmes Chapel Fencing and sheds, Knutsford Road, Cranage CW4 8EF – extend dropped kerb lengths to widen two existing access/egress points.
Resolved Objection
18/5051C Land at rear of Cotton Farm, Middlewich Road, Holmes Chapel CW4 7ET – the had been a letter sent to the leader of CE and Cllr AN had made a meeting with Ms D Ackerley.
Sibelco
The Chairman received communication from Mr Matthew Shortland – Estates Surveyor and he assured when works began he would arrange a meeting with the PC.
Advertising Signage on Woodside Golf Club
The Clerk had spoken to the owner and he stated the signage had been there for 20 years.
The complaints were in relation to the advertising and the Clerk was asked to contact planning for advice.
94/19 Accounts
It was noted the balance of account = Leek United £30,488.46 + Natwest £40,398.58 = £70,887.04.
Payments
- Cheque number 274 – £200.00 Cranage Village Hall donation for Beer Festival
- Online payment – £4,578.44 Ms J Mason
- Cheque number 273 – £1,301.39 HMRC
- Online payment – £35.00 CHALC (Cllr AN Introduction to Local Councils – 26.06.19)
- Online payment – £35.00 CHALC (Cllr RH Planning 1 – 11th July)
- Online payment – £35.00 CHALC (Cllr RJH Planning 2 – 18th July) NB Credit note £35.00 CHALC therefore NIL payment
Receipts
- £57.58 – SP Manweb plc
- £1,562.54 -SPC
- £1,562.54 – NBACM PC
- £965.70 – HW & SB PC (o/payment in Q1 – £41.35)
- £541.54 Mr & Mrs M Slattery ( memorial bench)
Resolved the above payments are approved and signed for as a true and accurate record.
Grant Funding Application
- The Village Hall had applied for a grant towards the Beer festival in August.
Resolved the Parish Council would grant £200.00 to Cranage Village Hall.
- A resident from Needham estate had requested £330.00 for bulbs to be planted on the wooded area near the village hall and on the open spaces on Needham estate.
Resolved the Parish Council would grant £330.00 for the payment of bulbs.
95/19 Cheshire East
Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from the Ward Councillor A Kolker.
Cllr AK was due to meet with Ms D Ackerley reference 18/5051C Land at rear of Cotton Farm, Middlewich Road, Holmes Chapel CW4 7ET.
He would circulate the S106 monies to the Clerk to aid information with the play area improvements.
AK thought the Social Isolation idea was very good and would assist in giving the Clerk some information. He invited some comments from members in relation to policing issues as he was meeting the Police Inspector to express concerns.
96/19 Clerks Report
Manchester Airport
Newsletter circulated to members.
SLCC Conference 9th October
Resolved the Clerk would attend.
97/19 The next meeting would be on the 10th September 2019 @ Cranage Hall Hotel
Meeting closed at 9.30pm