Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 24th June 2019 in the Pavilion ‘D’ at Somerford Park Farm @ 7.30 pm.
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Present;
Councillor G Bell (Chairman),
Councillor P Crompton (Vice Chairman),
Councillor G Derbyshire,
Councillor S Hughes,
Mrs J Mason (Clerk)
Councillor J Wray (Cheshire East Representative)
Declaration of Interest;
Cllr G Derbyshire – Loachbrook estate, Cllr S Hughes – payments
Public Forum
Nobody present
74/19 Apologies
It was noted Cllr A Bossons had resigned.
Cllr R Crookes – annual holidays
75/19 Minutes
Resolved the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15th May 2019 having been circulated be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
76/19 Somerford Business Plan
The Chairman had circulated the Business Plan to members. He explained to members it was becoming a checklist of achievements and had initially been set out as a five-year vision ending in 2020 which needed updating. He asked members for input before the next meeting and then the Parish Council could update the vison for the next five years.
77/19 Black firs Nature Reserve – Cheshire Wildlife Trust
The Chairman, Cllr RC and the Clerk had met with Mr J Plimlott – CWT Living Landscape Manager on the 7th June and explained the fee of £13,000 for the ownership of the land was excessive and the condition of the site was not to standard.
It was agreed JP would meet with his trustees to point out the feelings of the PC that it was not a true valuation and he would feedback if there was any change.
It was noted the rear boundary fence was being resolved between CWT and DWH although he asked support of the PC with communication.
78/19 RSPB Land
There had been a meeting with Mr Colin Pringle (new RSPB liaison since the resignation of SPC’s last appointment). CP had confirmed the sale of the land to Bellway Homes and allowed the PC to cut back the grass which had now been actioned.
The RSPB had agreed to pay the legal fees up to £1,000 for the Parish Council and the PC had instructed’ Bowcock and Pursaill’. The Chairman had requested the RSPB contribution was increased to £100k from £75k. The RSPB encouraged the PC to follow up all relevant sources of funding.
The consultation date had been confirmed for the 14th September 2019 at Blackfirs Primary School and it had been agreed the RSPB would hold a side event at West Heath Shopping centre the weekend beforehand.
It had been agreed to now meet with Bellway homes to discuss the boundary and the connectivity of the sites.
There was another meeting scheduled in July if members had any concerns they should be raised beforehand.
79/19 Highways
Congleton Link Road
The Chairman and the Clerk met with Mr D Cawthra on 21st June (notes had been circulated). Cllr GB had also met with GRAHAM and Cllr S Ackers Smith on 12th June to discuss the closure of Sandy Lane in reference to the cycle way closure. It seemed that the Sandbach Road/ Holmes Chapel Road link could now open before Sandy Lane’s 9-month closure.
The email of complaint in relation to Sandy lane closure was noted.
Environmental Weight Restriction on Radnor Bank
Cllr JW reported that he was contacting Mr R Welch but had not received any feedback to date.
Speed along A54 by Somerford Park Farm
Cllr PC, Cllr GD and the Clerk had met with the local PCSO Sue Holt and been advised that it was possible to do ‘speed gun’ checks within a 40mph zone. She had completed a one-hour slot and had not caught one vehicle. She had offered to leaflet drop the affected houses asking residents to be trained on the gun and SPC had offered to purchase a speed gun. It was agreed that this should now be left to Brereton Parish Council
Cheshire Railings on Radnor Bank
Three quotes had been obtained by the Clerk and they had been circulated to members.
Resolved Mr A Steandeven would be instructed to paint the railings on Radnor Bank.
Footpath clearance by the bench on the A54
Three quotes had been requested and only two had responded. There was an issue with traffic management. If traffic management was necessary, the works should be increased to include the paving of the area around the bench at the same time. The Clerk would try again to obtain three quotes.
New bushes/ trees along Chelford Road
It was agreed that it was a positive step to plant trees on the verge, but it should be controlled and thought given to the type of tree and the grass cutting programme. The complainant should be advised to direct it to CE Highways.
80/19 Laptop and Projector
It was agreed that this was a good idea in principal but need the co operation of Cllr RC so this item would be deferred until the next meeting.
81/19 Loach brook – Bovis Estate.
The planning enforcement officer had reported there was no action he could take as there was no time limit on the developer to complete the site. In his opinion he felt there was still a presence on the site and the only option was for the residents to try and engage with Bovis to complete the site. The Parish Council felt this response was unsatisfactory. This was one of the first developments to be approved and on appeal by the Inspector and if this was to set a precedent to all other new housing developers the area would become a complete mess.
Resolved the Clerk would write to the leader of Cheshire East for support.
82/19 Planning Applications
No application submitted
83/19 Accounts
To note the balance of the accounts = £17,106.52
Payments
- Cheque no 249 – £35.00 CHALC (Cllr GD training 12.06.19)
- Online payment – £98.00 Alex Frogatt (Annual Meeting)
- Cheque no 250- £80.00 Weaver craft (pictures)
- Cheque no 248 – £350.00 Ms B S Amies (website)
- Cheque no 247 – £163.01 Crewe Colour Printers
- Cheque no 251 – £67.50 Cranage Parish Council (TCS Management)
- Direct Debit £5.99 Office 364
Receipts
- £2.63 Lloyds Banking Group
84/19 Cheshire East
Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from the Ward Councillor.
Cllr J Wray had requested the conditions for the Loach brook site, and it had been referred to the S106 manager. It was acknowledged this would take some time to check the conditions on the site as she would have to also check the discharge of conditions alongside.
He suggested that a petition was presented Cheshire East Planning department and Bovis then gave some details.
He circulated the new portfolio holders to the Clerk.
85/19 Parish Councillor Vacancy
Due to the resignation of Cllr A Bossons it was acknowledged there were two Councillor vacancies.
Resolved a postcard would be delivered to all households to advertise the vacancy.
86/19 Clerks Report
Training 2019
Cllr R Crookes was approved to attend the Code of Conduct course on 31.07.19.
Local Plan and Site allocation Site meeting
Cllr GB updated members.
Clerks Pension
The Clerk had met with TCS Management in relation to her pension and it seemed the first stage of the pension staging in 2017 had not been completed correctly as the employer had not been registered with a pension as required. There had been a quote from the TCS Management of £125 to action the process correctly.
Resolved the Parish Council would approve TCS management actioning the correct procedure for the Clerk’s pension.
87/19 Chairman’s and Members Report
Introduction to Local Councils and Councillors
Cllr GD reported back on the course she had attended this month,
Police Surgery at Hoofers café SPF on 17.06.19
Cllr GD and Cllr PC reported back to the Council.
New Home Bonus Scheme
Cllr GB reported this would be reopened next year for consideration.
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”
80/19 Clerks Salary 2019/20
Resolved the PC approve the salary scale increase for 2019/20.
88/19 It was noted the next meeting was on the 22nd July 2019 at 7.30 pm at the Pavilion in Somerford Park Farm.
The meeting concluded business at 10.00 pm