Subject

Minute

Action

1. Attendance

Mr DR Peake      (Chairman)              P   

Mr A Watkins      (Vice-Chairman)    A

County Councillor K Oliver N

Borough Councillors J Brown P, J Cox A,  TJ Howkins P

P = present, A = apology, N = non-attendance

2. Declarations of interests

IMM & Clerk declared non-prejudicial interest in planning application for Station Yard

3. Minutes

Resolved:

4. Matters arising and general correspondence

1.      Quality status – Chalky White of Assoc. of Local Councils will attend meeting on 16-12-04

2.      Training

·        Report of meeting held on 26-10-04 at CBC – IMM notes circulated; official notes awaited from CBC

·        Cheshire Training Partnership programme for 2005 – Clerk to circulate dates

3.      Byley Gas Plant – Hearing 06-12-04

4.      M6 Forum – DES gave brief report; initial meeting held and objection submitted; next meeting to elect officers

5.      North West Air ambulance Service – Request for donation for replacement helicopter – refer to Finance

6.      Mike Ellison –Taylor – letter from former member following his move to Suffolk

7.      New Ethical Framework Regulations – increase extent of investigations – Clerk to circulate

8.      Assoc. of Local Councils

·        Next Congleton Area Meeting 09-12-04

·        Minutes of AGM received – include resolution to change name – Clerk to circulate

·        October newsletter received – copies available

9.      Somerford Motors – Planning appeal at Westfields 24-11-04 at 10.00 a.m. – Clerk to enquire of CBC and Brereton Parish Council if any assistance required

10. George & Dragon  -  Notice of transfer of licence

11. Funding of Community Safety Officers by Local Councils – Refer to Finance

12. CBC Open Space Study – We should be hearing from consultants (PMP) – refer to A&P

13. Local Plan Review – Modifications on deposit and comments have to be made by 10-12-04.  Modification excludes HC site but nothing to replace it

14. CBC “At Home” – Minutes of meeting held on 07-09-04 now received – Clerk to circulate

15. CAB Annual Meeting (Congleton) – AGM held on 26-10-04.  Apologies for short notice which had arrived in any event whilst Clerk was away

16. CCC new Transport Plan – Short questionnaire to be completed by 26-11-04

17. Cheshire Partnership – Funding arrangements – current applications have to be submitted by 31-12-04 – Clerk to consider in relation to Cranage Playing Fields

18. County Playing Fields Assoc. – Newsletter received – Clerk to circulate

19. Vacancy

·        Two letters of interest received; no notice received by CBC requiring a poll – so Council now has to co-opt

·        Clerk to publicise vacancy and invite submissions for consideration at next meeting

·        Members indicated that a further resignation may be imminent – Resolved Clerk advertise such vacancy as soon as practicable with a view to dealing with both vacancies together if necessary

20. Aventis – Application for removal of trees alongside railway line (for safety reasons) – agreed no objection

21. Cranage Playing Fields

·        CBC now using “Cranage Playing Fields” as official name

·        Next meeting to be held on 09-11-04

22. Joint Highways Committee – no attendance at meeting held on 18-10-04 but no HC matters on agenda

23. County Structure Plan – Examination in public starts on 18-01-05

24. Garden competition

·        Presentation arrangements to be made for A&P on 11-11-04

·        Comments about judging to be considered at a future meeting

25. McCarthy & Stone – Notices now removed

26. Christmas lights – new regulations to be considered by A&P

27. Leisure Centre JMC – Members considered status of committee following discussion at last meeting arising from change of structure of CBC.  Agreed:

·        Agreement needed to be reconsidered and reviewed

·        TJH had asked Tony Parr of CBC to produce copy of latest agreement fro Alsager – Clerk to ask for this as soon as possible

·        Portfolio holder David Brown to be invited to a Council meeting

28. Comprehensive School car park – Update required from Planning

29. Venue for Council meetings – Council noted various complaints raised by Clerk about condition of school for last A&P on 30-09-04.  IMM reported situation being considered by Governors.  Agreed Council continue to monitor situation; not to consider a move before end of current calendar in April 2005

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

5. Performance review

Outstanding correspondence and business following Clerk’s holiday

Clerk

6. Press officer

Resolved duties be undertaken by Clerk

Clerk

7. Amenities & Planning

Items agreed for inclusion in agenda of next meeting – in particular Budgets

Clerk

8. Traffic & Planning

Items agreed for inclusion in agenda of next meeting - in particular Budgets

Clerk

9. Finance

1.      Next meeting - Items agreed for inclusion in agenda - in particular Budgets

2.      Accounts for payment:

DR Cowgill – Salary Oct                                    £ 450-00

Flowercraft – Bulbs                                                 70-50

Royal British Legion – Donation for wreath           16-50

DR Cowgill – Garden vouchers                             100-00

Clerk

Clerk

10. CBC matters

TJH reported on the following:

1.      Leisure Centre JMC – Need for Council to consider Alsager agreement – CBC asked to supply a copy

2.      Local Plan – Need to make further comments

3.      Library – One stop shop – Consultation process ongoing – need to consider library opening hours – Clerk to raise in connection with general discussions

JB reported on the following:

1.      Health scrutiny – Need for more consultation on closure of facilities (e.g. mother and baby unit) at Leighton Hospital where CCC and Primary Care Trust have formed a joint committee

2.      Economic Planning – Report on tourism

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

11. CAD - Kinderton

Nothing to report during holiday period

12. Planning applications

Resolved:

04/0052/COU – 1/3 Macclesfield Rd. – Change of use and extension – Object: Property in dangerous position because of narrow width of road and pavement; therefore concern about rear extension without rear access and / or availability of parking; and concern about wide variety of proposed uses which could generate highway safety problems

04/0088/FUL – 6 Birch Close – Garage – No objection

04/0151/FUL – 69 West Way – Extension – No objection

04/0186/FUL – Cotton Hall – 5 garages with study units – Object: proposed development too intense because of close proximity of listed  building and open countryside; would create user problems and traffic issues on A54

04/0194/FUL – 59 Elm Drive – Conservatory – No objection

04/0195/FUL – 37 Middlewich Road – Loft conversion – No objection

04/0199/FUL – 58 Chester Road – Conservatory - Object: description of application misleading; proposed conservatory really on front of property; inappropriate position; would harm street scene and appearance of well established block of 4 houses

04/0204/FUL – Unit 10 Station Yard Trading Estate – Extension – No objection

Clerk

13. School governors

Following changes in constitution of governing bodies there is no longer an appointment of minor authority governors.  Nevertheless, Council had been requested to nominate a member to fill one of the posts of Community Governor.

Resolved IMM be nominated

Clerk

14. Police

Details of recent incidents reported by Police circulated by Clerk – drug offences noted with considerable concern

15. Forthcoming events

1.      Remembrance Service – 14-11-04

2.      Christmas – Chairman’s letter to be prepared

Clerk

16. Members’ items

1.      Knutsford Road pavement – Width and leaves problems to be referred to T&P

2.      HC Methodist Church – Provision of path from George & Dragon car park to be referred to T&P

3.      Rural Rider Bus Service – ACR reported on change of operator and revision of timetable

4.      Holmes Chapel Singers – Invitation to concert passed to Chairman

5.      Bus shelter London / Station Road corner – Remind Highways of request for removal

6.      Youth Club Jubilee – Refer to next Finance

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Close 9.00 p.m.