Council-Held-On-2014

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SAUGHALL AND SHOTWICK PARK PARISH COUNCIL held on 1 September 2014 in the Vernon Institute, Church Road, Saughall

In attendance: Councillor Mrs J Edwards Councillor Mrs K Ford Councillor DF Holman Councillor H Jennings (Home Watch Co-ordinator) Councillor Mrs J Johnson Councillor B Kerr Councillor Mrs J Knox Councillor Mrs JE Storrar Councillor RA Storrar Councillor A Warrington Councillor Mrs JM Young (in the Chair) Councillor PP Young

Cheshire West and Chester Councillor Brian Crowe Mr Bob Salisbury, Internal Auditor

Public Speaking Time

Mr Peter Townsend had given the appropriate notice that he wanted to address the Council. He had submitted a planning application in respect of Oakwood Farm for a Touring Caravan Park with 15 pitches etc. to the Planning Authority and it was in the process of consulting the Council on it. ((Minute No. 209 (a) (i) refers.)

Mr Townsend informed that he was following the set procedures and was being ‘up front’ about what he wanted to do. He was in favour of conserving the green belt and was not proposing to alter the hard standing that was already on the site. He intended to carry out improvement work to make it ‘like a paddock’. Oakwood Farm was not big enough to support agriculture and the caravans and caravaners (who may spend money in the local area) would help local business.

Mr Townsend informed that he had taken a sympathetic approach to developing the site and had erected fencing which was tall enough that it was not possible to see what was behind it. He also informed that he had let his business units, purposefully, to people who did not make too much noise.

Mr Townsend then answered Members’ questions as appropriate.

206. APOLOGIES FOR AUTHORISED ABSENCE

Apologies for authorised absence were received from Councillor Mrs D Whitton and PCSO Wendy Leason and PC Paul Taylor. . 207. MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were received.

Page 109 208. MINUTES

RESOLVED:

That subject to the following being inserted into Minute No. 193 the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4 August 2014 be confirmed as a correct record:

The Council noted the content of emails dated 16 and 23 July 2014 from WREN’s Senior Grant Manager, Richard Smith and it was

RESOLVED: That

(i) the Clerk be requested to advise WREN that this Council accepts the condition stipulated in the email dated 23 July 2014; and

(ii) the Clerk be authorised to sign the contract and arrange for the work to be completed.

(d) Future Development of the Golden Jubilee Park

The Chairman reported that proposals would be presented to the October 2014 meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman’s report be received.

209. PLANNING MATTERS

(a) Planning Applications The Council considered the following planning applications which had been lodged with the Planning Authority, Cheshire West and Chester Council, since its last meeting and set out its observations on it as follows:

(i) 14/03187/FUL Proposal: Touring Caravan Park with 15 pitches, camping area with 5 pitches, toilet and shower block, access alterations and installation of drainage system. Location: Oakwood Farm, Parkgate Road, Saughall, Chester.

‘No objections subject to adequate landscaping to shield the site.’

(ii) 14/03112/FUL Proposal: Demolition of existing single storey side extension and erection of a two bedroom dwelling. Location: Land at 86 Church Road, Saughall, Chester.

‘No objections.’

Page 110 (iii) 14/03297/FUL Proposal: Two storey rear extension, replacement garage building, revised access and landscaping works. Location: The Vicarage, Church Road, Saughall, Chester.

‘This Council fully supports this planning application.’

(b) Planning Decisions

The Council noted the following planning decision that had been made by Cheshire West and Chester Council – the Planning Authority:

(i) 14/02890/FUL Proposal: Conservatory to side. Location: Woodside Farm, Parkgate Road, Saughall, Chester.

‘Refusal’

(ii) 14/03024/FUL Proposal: Two storey side extension. Location: 44 Timberfields Road, Saughall, Chester.

‘Approval’

210. POLICE/HOME WATCH

(a) PCSO’s Report

The PCSO’s report for July 2014 was appended to the agenda for Members’ information.

The Chairman read out PCSO Wendy Leason written report for August 2014 on crimes committed and anti social behaviour in Saughall. She reported that there had been a worrying increase in incidents. Two burglaries had occurred, one in Larchfields and the next evening the victim’s vehicle had been entered. The other burglary had occurred in Hermitage Road. Entry had been gained through an insecure rear patio door and an expensive bicycle had been stolen. Also, a shed had been broken into overnight on Church Road and the offenders had stolen two bicycles and fishing equipment.

There had been a number of incidents involving suspicious persons/activity in Kingswood Lane. On three occasions a van had been seen parked up on the lane at night time. The two males in the van had been seen in the fields with torches and had claimed to be metal detecting.

PCSO Leason also reported that that a vehicle had been set on fire at Little Creek Kennels.

Councillor B Kerr reported on an incident that had occurred in Greenway on Sunday, 24 August 2014 where a garage door had been opened and the Police contacted about it. Nothing had been taken and the door had

Page 111 now been secured but it was worrying that the Police had not visited, especially as a vulnerable member of the community had been targeted.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the PCSO’s report be received: and

(2) the Chairman be requested to ascertain what action the Police had taken when it received the report that the garage door in Greenway had been opened.

(b) Home Watch

Councillor H Jennings informed the Council that he had little to report and that he had not received any telephone calls over the last month. He reported that the Saughall sign on the Parkgate Road by K’s Nurseries was still obscured by vegetation even though the Clerk had reported it to the Area Engineer last month.

RESOLVED:

That the Clerk be requested to inform Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Area Engineer for Ellesmere Port and Rural West (North), Ian McNeill’s that the Saughall sign still requires attention.

Councillor Mrs JM Young informed that the Team had run a very successful summer Play Scheme this year, although the numbers of children were down on the previous year. She thanked those Councillors who had taken the time to visit the Play Scheme as the children had got a lot out of it. However, she also informed that it was disappointing that not many Councillors had called to see the activities with which the children had been involved.

The Team’s next activity was to arrange the car parking at the Vernon Institute for the centenary of the First World War commemorations.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mrs JM Young be thanked for her report.

211. OPENNESS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES REGULATIONS.

The Council considered a letter dated 8 August 2014 from The Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP and a Press Release about Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations which were about making local councils more transparent and accountable to local people. The new law allowed the press and public to film, tweet and blog at meetings they were allowed to attend.

Page 112 RESOLVED: That

(1) the contents of The Right Hon Eric Pickle MP’s letter of 8 August and the Press Release be noted; and

(2) the Clerk be requested to amend Standing Order Nos. 66 and 69, in the light of the information received, accordingly and publish the amended Standing Orders on the Council’s website.

212. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT

The Council received an email dated 12 August 2014 from the National Co- ordinator, Local Works that informed that the first proposal to be submitted by a Parish Council under the Sustainable Communities Act had been successful. It had asked that the Government empower Parish and Town Councils to circulate agendas electronically, if desired by the Council.

The Council had previously been asked to support a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act to give all Parish and Town Councils the right to sell electricity that they generate from any local schemes.

The Clerk had responded to the National Co-ordinator drawing attention to an email that she sent to him on 1 May 2014 informing that the Council fully supported the proposal. (Minute No. 107 refers.)

RESOLVED:

That the position be noted.

213. ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE COUNCIL’S BUSINESS PLAN

It was noted that the Business Plan Action Group (Councillors B Kerr, Mrs K Ford, Mrs D Whitton and PP Young) had not yet met in order to provide the Council with an updated draft of the Business Plan for consideration and adoption.

RESOLVED:

That the Business Plan Action Group be requested to meet in September 2014 to review the Council’s Business Plan and provide a report and recommendations to the October 2014 meeting of the Council.

214. BYELAW – NO BALL GAMES – GREEN AMENITY AREAS

Further to Minute No. 189 (b) the Council noted the responses received from Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Officers to the Clerk’s query about the status of the No Ball Games Byelaw and enforcement arrangements.

The Clerk had been informed by the Urban Spaces – Team Leader, Environmental Services, Jill Connolly that the Byelaw situation across the borough was in the process of being investigated and a response was awaited

Page 113 from the Council’s Legal Team shortly. She had also informed that it was difficult to enforce the Byelaw.

RESOLVED: That

(1) Cheshire West and Chester Council’s response to the Clerk’s query about the status of the No Ball Games Byelaw and enforcement arrangements be noted;

(2) PCSO Wendy Leason be requested to liaise with the concerned resident who lived in Greenway and attempt to find a solution to the problem; and

(3) Councillor Brian Crowe be requested to liaise with Jill Connolly regarding the status of the No Ball Games Byelaw and the result of her investigations re parks and particularly the grassed amenity areas in Saughall and provide a report on his findings at the next Council meeting scheduled for Monday, 6 October 2014.

215. PARISH PLAN REFRESH REPORT AND ACTION PLAN – ANNUAL REVIEW

The Council carried out its annual review and revised its Parish Plan Refresh Report and Action List accordingly.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the Clerk be requested to amend the Parish Plan Refresh Report and Action List in the light of the Council’s discussions and post copies of the revised documents on the Council’s Website; and

(2) the Clerk be requested to query why only one side of the Church Road/Saughall Hey junction has been widened and why the artificial grass has not been laid with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Area Engineer for Ellesmere Port and Rural West (North), Ian McNeill.

216. VILLAGE EVENTS

(a) Remembrance Sunday and First World War Centenary Commemorations – Sunday, 9 November 2014

RESOLVED:

That Councillors A Warrington and JM Young be requested to agree the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday and the First World War Commemorations scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, 9 November 2014 with the Vicar.

(b) Christmas Lights Switch On – Monday, 1 December 2014

It was noted that the Christmas Lights Switch On event would be held on the evening of Monday, 1 December 2014 at the Vernon Institute and there would not be a clash as the Council had already agreed to meet on

Page 114 Tuesday, 2 December 2014 at the Uniformed Groups’ Headquarters. (Minute No. 115 refers.)

217. GOLDEN JUBILEE PARK

(a) Annual Inspection Report 2014

Councillor Mrs JM Young reported that the Field Committee had considered the Annual Inspection Report and agreed that the Aerial Runway required attention. It needed to be reset. Also, the loose mats under the Space Net needed fixing. The other faults identified in the report did not require any action to be taken other than them being monitored.

RESOLVED:

That the Clerk be requested to ask Massey and Harris to carry out the work needed to the Aerial Runway and the Space Net as soon as possible.

(b) Field Committee Meeting – 10am on Saturday, 30 August 2014

Councillor Mrs JM Young reported that the hedge had been cut and the Committee had been pleased with the results. The contractor would be returning shortly to fill in the ruts left by the tractor’s tyres.

The Committee was advising that the square of land on the conveyancing document, shown as being in the ownership of the Council, needed to be cleared and tidied. Also, the hedge at the back of the fruit trees needed to be cut.

The bull rushes in the small pond required thinning and the debris in the bigger pond needed to be removed. Councillor Mrs JM Young asked that a date be identified when people would be available to help.

On the whole, the Council noted that the Golden Jubilee Park was looking good but one thing that the Field Committee was disappointed about was that the poppies had failed to germinate.

RESOLVED: That

(1) arrangements be made to clean out the pond commencing at 1pm on Sunday, 14 September 2014 in the Golden Jubilee Park and this work be followed with tea and scones; and

(2) the Clerk be requested to ask Gordon Dutton to trim the hedges around the Golden Jubilee Park. .

Councillor Mrs JM Young informed that there had been an 18% return on the survey form used to try to establish what local people would like to see provided in the Golden Jubilee Park.

Page 115 It was hoped that a grant could be obtained from the ‘Inspired Facilities Fund’, a £110 million programme that funded the renovation and modernisation of local sports facilities. Bids were invited for funding up to a maximum of £75,000 and the project must start within six months. Sports England and Sports Cheshire would advise whether it was worth making a bid. Putting a bid together could be seen as a challenge.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

(d) Multi Use Games Unit (MUGA)

Councillor Mrs K Ford reported that she had been in touch with the Council’s Contractors, Leisure Surfaces (Cheshire) Ltd. They had informed that the MUGA would take six weeks to install in the Golden Jubilee Park. They required a 25% deposit and the balance when all the work had been completed.

The Council noted that WREN had requested the timescale for completion of the project so that it could register it with its Regulators (Entrust). WREN also needed to know the number and timing of the grant claims that would be made. When this information was received a funding agreement would be drafted. Under no circumstances could work could not begin on the MUGA until the funding agreement was signed and in place.

RESOLVED: That

(1) the Clerk be requested to inform WREN of the timescale for the project and that the Council will only be making one claim for funding and this will be done once the work has been completed; and

(2) in the absence of the Clerk either the Chairman or Vice-Chairman be authorised to sign the WREN funding agreement.

(e) Future Development of the Park and the Proposal to fund the refurbishment of the Swing Park etc.

The Chairman informed that for various reasons Members had decided not to attend Sutcliffe Play’s The Home Show Seminar Program 2014.

218. OUTSTANDING ISSUES

The Chairman reported that the Council had some outstanding issues. She listed them and Members offered advice on the way forward as follows:

 Safe route to Blacon High School for the accompanied child – The Chairman and Vice-Chairman walked the route with Cheshire West and Chester Council Officers but never received the decision on the route as was promised. - Refer to Councillor Brian Crowe.

Page 116  Capacity issues at the new All Saints C of E Primary School - The Local Education Authority used a formula to calculate the expected number of children new housing would generate. From the 36 new houses being erected on the former Saughall, The Ridings Infant School site the formula calculated seven more children. This new Primary School was already oversubscribed in some year groups so the Council wanted to know what arrangements were being made to accommodate Saughall children in future years, as the birth rate was rising. - Refer to Councillor Brian Crowe.

 The Council had agreed to fund a Film Night for the Youth Club - Councillor Mrs J Edwards would ask the Youth Club to pick a film.

 The Neighbourhood Alert System, an online, secure community messaging system that allowed authorised administrators to log in and send messages to registered people in the community, members of Neighbourhood Watch and other schemes, had been used to inform of Election Results. The Council did not consider that this was appropriate. - Members would take this matter up with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer.

 The Council may have an Election in 2015, if there were enough nominations and if so would pay reduced fees as there was likely to be a General Election held on the same day. - This would be borne in mind when the Council set its budget for 2015/16 in January 2015.

 The Snow Angel initiative had not been taken forward. - It was on hold until such times as interested local people wanted to take it forward.

 Resilience Planning had not been taken forward. - It was agreed that there was little point in taking this initiative forward as it would be virtually impossible to keep all of the information required up to date at all times.

 There had not been any charges levied for placing adverts in the Parish Council Newsletter. - It was agreed not to charge.

 The Council had not yet paid any room booking fees to the Vernon Institute - The Clerk had just received the first invoice and the cheque was ready for signing. (Minute No. 225 (a) refers.)

 The artificial grass had not been laid at the Church Road/Saughall Hey junction as promised by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Area Engineer for Ellesmere Port and Rural West (North), Ian McNeill - The Council had already considered this under the agenda item on the Parish Plan Refresh Report and Action Plan – Annual Review (Minute No. 215 refers.)

Page 117  There had been no progress reported on the ‘Twenty’s Plenty for Us’ initiative. - Refer to Councillor Brian Crowe.

 The bus shelter by the new housing development was still leaning to one side. - Refer to Councillor Brian Crowe.

 A request for a poster to be commissioned to advertise Remembrance Sunday and the First World War Centenary Commemorations. - This was agreed.

 A lot of street trees in the village required attention. - Refer to Councillor Brian Crowe.

 The dilapidated state of K’s Nurseries. - The Clerk will ask Gordales to cut the hedges and this eye sore which continued to degenerate over time, be referred to Councillor Brian Crowe to see if Cheshire West and Chester Council can compel the owners to tidy the site.

 Housing Trust’s Walkabouts. - It was reported that they no longer took place.

 The bench to commemorate Ian Humphrey’s life had not yet been purchased and the wording to go on it had not been agreed. - Saughall Neighbourhood Management Team was providing the bench and had put funding for it to one side. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman would be authorised to provide appropriate wording to go on a plaque that would be fastened to the bench.

219. HOUSING PROJECT ON THE FORMER SAUGHALL THE RIDINGS INFANTS SCHOOL SITE

RESOLVED:

That this Council will continue to monitor this housing project.

220. YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Councillor Mrs J Edwards reported that the Youth Club was due to reopen after the summer break on the Tuesday of the following week.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

Page 118 221. VERNON INSTITUTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (VIMC)

Councillor PP Young reported that the VIMC did not hold a meeting in August. The next meeting was scheduled in September 2014 when the assets would be transferred from the old Charity to the new one.

Councillor PP Young informed that the following two events were planned at the Vernon Institute in December 2014:

 Christmas Lights Switch On (Village Event)– Monday, 1st; and  Over by Christmas (an entertaining play to commemorate the Centenary of the start of World War 1) – Saturday, 27th.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

222. CHAIRMAN’S MONTHLY REPORT

Councillor Mrs JM Young inform of various issues she had been involved in during the last month. These included:

 Weeds were growing through the new tarmac and there was still some to be laid by the letter box.  The Co-op Store had been refurbished and reopened.  The arrival of Superfast Fibre Broadband in Saughall had been publicised.  She had attended the MP’s Surgery.  She had received a complaint about noise from the Ridings housing site and advised the complainant to contact Cheshire Trading Standards.  She had received complaints when the field hedge had been cut and also a telephone call from someone who said thank you for getting the hedge cut.  Three companies had visited the play area in the Golden Jubilee Park to provide quotations for the proposed play equipment refurbishment work.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

223. PARISH COUNCIL SURGERIES

(a) Surgery held on the morning of Saturday, 30 August 2014

Councillor A Warrington had presided over the Parish Council Surgery which had been held outside the Co-op Stores. Issues raised and discussed had included the following:

 A gentleman from Newcroft reported the theft of bicycles.  The PCSO put up notices about being vigilant regarding the security of sheds.  A resident of High Grove which was over the border in Wales had asked if the Parish Council Newsletter could be delivered to houses in Page 119 her road as residents would like to be considered as part of the local community.

This request was deliberated upon but no vote was taken.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor A Warrington be thanked for presiding over the last Parish Surgery and for his report.

(b) Next Parish Council Surgery.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor PP Young be requested to preside over the next Parish Council Surgery to be held between 10 and 10:45am on Saturday, 4 October 2014 outside the Co-op Store and bring a report on its proceedings to the next meeting of the Council.

224. CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL – WARD COUNCILLOR’S REPORT (INCLUDING ANY HIGHWAYS OR ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS)

Councillor Brian Crowe reported that:

 He had attended meetings about student accommodation and about the review of the North Cheshire Greenbelt.  He had been to see Dodleston play area and it was very impressive. He urged Members to go and have a look at it as it was fairly low maintenance and in an immaculate state.

225. ACCOUNTS

(a) Payments made since the meeting of the Council held on 4 August 2014:

RESOLVED:

That the following payments be approved:

Financial Year 2014/2015 £ Cheque No Vernon Institute (Room Bookings) 101:70 102805 Mrs S Hudspeth (Expenses) 36:00 102807 Mrs S Hudspeth (Salary) 497:28 102808 Mr JE Davies (Litter Picking) 56:00 102809

(b) The Cost of Grass Cutting and Pruning in the Golden Jubilee Park

It was noted that Saughall Cricket Club had sent the Clerk an invoice amounting to £3,750 for grass cutting and pruning work in the Golden Jubilee Park. Members were reminded that the Club’s grass cutter had needed repair which had meant that the grass in the park had not been cut for a considerable period of time, at the beginning of the growing season.

Page 120 It was considered that the cost may be excessive, particularly as the Council allowed Cricket Club to use the Cricket Field at nil cost to itself.

RESOLVED:

That cheque No. 102806, made out to Saughall Cricket Club for £3,750, be retained by the Clerk and Councillor DF Holman be requested to investigate the costs incurred and bring a report to the next meeting of the Council.

(b) Receipts

There were no receipts since the last meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the cash to bank reconciliation sheet and the bank statement from 25 May to 24 June 2014 be noted.

226. ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE COUNCIL’S FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

RESOLVED:

That this item of business be deferred for consideration to the Council meeting scheduled for Monday, 3 November 2014.

227. ANNUAL AUDIT – RISK MANAGEMENT

RESOLVED: That (1) this item of business be deferred for consideration to the Council meeting scheduled for Monday, 3 November 2014; and

(2) in the meantime, Councillor PP Young be requested to review the Council’s Risk Management Action Plan which is posted on the Council’s website, with a view to making any proposals for its revision at the meeting at (1).

228. MEMBERS’ TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

No Members’ training requirements were identified.

229. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS OF OUTSIDE BODIES

(a) Cheshire West and Chester Council’s (CWaC) Together Event on Tuesday, 16 September 2014 (all day), Cheshire View, Christleton, CH3 7PT.

As part of CWaC’s work to transform and devolve services to more local control it was working in partnership with Local Councils. As part of this work it was planning to hold an event on 16 September for Councils across Cheshire West and Chester. The purpose of this event was to showcase

Page 121 good practice, highlight work that had been done around transfer of services and assets to existing Parish and Town Councils, look at innovation in finance, including social finance, looking at ways in which community benefit could be unlocked from the planning system and providing information about sources of support available nationally and locally.

Councillors DF Holman, Mrs JE Storrar and Mrs JM Young had agreed at the last meeting on Monday, 4 August 2014 that they would attend this event.

(b) Community Road Safety Event for all Parish and Town Councils at 6:30pm on Thursday, 25 September 2014 at the Police Headquarters in Winsford.

The speakers along with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer included representatives from Cheshire and Warrington Road Safety Partnership, the Fire and Rescue Service and examples from the Parish Councils. The aim of the event was to develop a better understanding of what and how community road safety issues could be addressed within Parish and Town Councils in Cheshire.

The event was free but there was a maximum of two places for each Council.

Councillors H Jennings, A Warrington and Mrs JM Young indicated that they would like to attend this event. However, the Council was only allowed to take up two places. Consequently, Councillor Mrs JM Young informed that she would not attend.

230. COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED

No communications other than those detailed on the agenda had been received since the last meeting.

231. CIRCULARS

The following circular had been received since the last meeting:

 Cheshire Rural Touring Arts – autumn 2014.

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