Subject

Minute

Action

1. Attendance

Mr WA Ashworth (Committee Chairman) P

Mr DR Peake (Chairman of the Council) P

Mr JB Adams P

Mrs IM Mackenzie P

Mr RC Parry P

Mr DE Savage P

Mr A Watkins P

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

2. Declarations of interests

None

3. Minutes

Resolved: 13-05-04 approved

4. Matters arising

1. County Structure Plan – Comments submitted and acknowledged by CCC
2. Toilets – Proposals for superloo understood to be approved but not confirmed in writing
3. Recycling skips – Gradually being re-sited on George & Dragon car park. Some complaints which must be monitored

Clerk

5. Planning applications

37578/3 – Aventis London Rd – Office building - No objection

37585/3 – 62 West Way - To operate private hire – No objection provided that initial consent limited in time (say 1 year) and condition imposed that vehicle must be parked off road

37602/3 – 12 Jodrell Close – Extension – No objection

37632/3 – 12 Elm Drive - Extension – No objection

Clerk

6. Joint Highways Committee

1. Report of last meeting – IMM reported on last meeting, which she had attended – report available for circulation. She expressed some concern about workings and effectiveness of meetings
2. Roy Spicer – District Engineer – Last meeting had been last meeting for RS before retirement in Sept. Agreed Clerk write to him
3. Future meetings – Agreed attendance at future meetings be considered by IMM and RCP in light of agenda items

Clerk

Clerk

IMM &
RCP

7. Review of budget

Clerk gave general overview of budget and main items. Budget had been fixed by the old Council but it could be amended throughout the year if considered necessary. Committees would need to consider financing of major planning issues and Cranage Playing Field project. Decisions would have to take into account position of Cranage Parish Council in opposing ODPM decision on Byley Gas Plant

8. Review of work

Clerk explained that next few items would assist new members in understanding main tasks of committee – progress of which would be built into production of a Forward Plan

9. CAD – Kinderton

Clerk gave verbal report about history of this matter, two applications, issues involved including report of last CAD meeting – in particular issue of whether a general report should be obtained because of lack of funding for lots of different experts

10. Byley gas plant litigation

Clerk gave verbal report and brief details of history of planning application and appeal; success of local campaign thwarted by decision of ODPM to overrule Planning Inspector on grounds of extreme need. High Court writ issued by Cranage Parish Council and 3 local residents

11. Employment site A54

Clerk gave verbal report explaining inclusion of this site in Local Plan as part of Local Plan Review process. Local objections resulted in GONW instructing CBC to defer adoption of Local Plan until issues resolved. Decision of ODPM awaited

12. Review of financial implications

Committee considered financial implications of items 9, 10 and 11 and agreed following recommendations:

• CAD - Kinderton – Match funding of Middlewich TC fir current year – anticipated at £2000
• Byley gas plant litigation – Clerk to make enquiries about costs risks before funding agreed
• Employment site – No requirement for funding at present or anticipated

Clerk

Clerk

13. Library project

Clerk explained background in particular:

• Efforts to improve facilities
• Joint meetings – CCC CBC and HCPC
• Unsuccessful bids for funding – e.g. lottery
• Planning application because of need for new car park in village
• Ultimately car park project pursued by CBC who bought land from CCC
• Further funds now added by CCC budget to enable project to proceed in next 2 years
• Joint meetings would resume shortly
• Mainly T&P project but A&P would need to be involved also

DRP IMM and DES had received invitation to opening of one stop shop on Monday 26-07-04

14. Plans

Clerk gave general overview of function of each of these Plans and present position:

1. Local Plan – adoption delayed as mentioned above
2. County Structure Plan – Council had commented on Review and comments acknowledged
3. Waste Plan - Council had commented on Review and comments acknowledged; had considerable significance for Kinderton because appeared to suggest one new site required for Cheshire
4. Parish Plans / Profiles / Vital Villages – One of these projects undertaken by Cranage Parish Council in last year; participation in such an exercise expected to raise status of Parish Council and its influence. IMM willing to give a brief presentation to future meeting

IMM &

Clerk

15. Lighting

1. Clerk explained difference between Footway (HCPC) and Highway (CCC) lighting, majority being highway
2. Various areas in need of improvement but no CCC funds available – need for information about funding policy
3. Agreed Clerk enquire about possibility of putting forward a 5 year plan

Clerk

16. Highway maintenance and complaints

Clerk explained how complaints handled and passed on to Joint Highways. Often raised in Members’ Items at meetings and can be actioned without lengthy discussion. Members encouraged to raise them with Clerk by e-mail or note – no need to save them up for meetings

All members

17. Traffic conditions and road safety issues

Clerk explained actions taken over many years to deal with serious traffic problems and road safety issues on main roads throughout village. Main obstacle in discussions with Highways is funding. Even simple issues – e.g. parking restrictions in Parkway are low priority and will not be carried out in short term. Agreed consideration of a wide variety of issues required at future meetings to raise serious issues again

Clerk

18. M6 Motorway

1. Current survey being conducted by Highways Agency re managing M6 focussed on surrounding towns and villages – Agreed Clerk be authorised to complete questionnaire
2. Recent government announcement re Toll Motorway in Cheshire had renewed interest in a local forum
3. First meeting to be held at Cranage Village Hall – Tuesday 28-09-04 organised by Frank Walton and Clerk through Assoc of Local Councils AGM

Clerk

Clerk

19. Village centre

1. Improvements – Clerk explained scheme to carry out improvements in village centre started for year 2000. Various problems due to lack of Project Leader from CBC.

CBC had agreed to resolve appointment within next week – Clerk to report back

• Continuing concern expressed about dangerous parking on London Rd and need for Police action
• Letter received from CBC re action being taken to reduce vandalism problems on new car park behind library including CCTV

• Concern expressed about poor unloading on Precinct – Clerk advised full details should be obtained for any future incident to enable matters to be reported
• Outstanding work particularly road markings to be referred to agents

Clerk

Clerk

20. Police problems

1. Sutton Oaks seat – Clerk reported that this issue would be discussed further at full Council on 05-08-04
2. Community Safety Forum – Noted that 2 meetings had taken place – reports at next Council meeting

Clerk

YDM

21. Comprehensive School

Clerk reported on complaints made to ACR when Chairman. Pressure had been put on school who acknowledged need for more planting. There appeared to be impasse over banking and landscaping and following site inspection by ACR IMM and Clerk Geoff Allen of CBC had been asked to advise. Agreed Clerk endeavour to make progress when advice received

Clerk

22. General correspondence

Clerk produced items for circulation

Clerk

23. Members items

Clerk to deal with complaints on following points:

1. Sweeping up of gravel following road works
2. Overflowing waste bin – Daresbury Close
3. Condition of footpath Precinct to Sandiford estate
4. High volume of traffic through Sandiford Rd
5. New car park – triangular area
6. Parking in Parkway

Clerk reported items 1 3 4 & 6 raised already

Clerk

Close 9.30 p.m.

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