Highways & Byways March 2020 The News and Views from Mickle Trafford and District A Host of Golden Daffodils www.mickletrafford.org.uk Page 2 Highways and Byways This is definitely my favourite time of year. I love the way that the sight of daffodils lifts my spirits as I look out at my garden and when I drive around our villages. The massed ranks on the A41 in Hoole Village, from where our cover picture is taken, the Hoole roundabout, the A56 and all our country lanes serve to delight and we all know that the blossom will soon be coming and the trees will become green. It is good to have something cheerful to focus on with all the uncertainty and disquiet over the current health situation. I suppose all we can do is look out for each other and keep washing our hands. Perhaps the situation will be much clearer by the time of our May newsletter. The May newsletter will be the first of our new year and we will be seeking advertisers to support us. We offer a low cost way of promoting your business to all 1000 homes in our villages and on the Mickletrafford.org website. We only expect to cover the costs of getting local news out to local residents through the newsletter. For information about advertising see page 7. Our next newsletter will come out at the end of May and we welcome your news and items of interest. Please send anything you wish to be included by Monday 11th May to Jenny by email at [email protected]. If you want to chat about anything contact Jenny and Roger on 01244 301860. If you find yourself in a period of extended self isolation and need help of any kind or just want to hear a friendly voice please ring the number above. We will be able to find someone to help you. ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY 14th APRIL 6.00pm — VILLAGE HALL ALL WELCOME. An opportunity to put your questions to the Parish Council. The views expressed in Highways and Byways are not necessarily the views of the Parish Council. The inclusion of any products and services within the newsletter does not imply endorsement by the editorial team. Page 3 WHAT’S ON — at a glance Sunday 29th March Leigh’s Quiz 8.30pm Chester Fields Wednesdays April St Peter’s Toddler group, 10.30—12.00 Village Hall Weds 1st April Village Club Fun Quiz 9pm Village Hall Sunday 5th April Palm Sunday 9.30am Family Service St Peter’s Thursday 9th April Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion St John’s Friday 10th April Good Friday 11am Devotional Service St Peter’s Sunday 12th April Easter Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion St Peter’s Tuesday 14th April Annual Parish Council meeting 6.00pm Village Hall Tuesday 14th April Parish Council meeting 6.30pm Village Hall Weds 15th April Village Club Fun Quiz 9pm Village Hall Sunday 26th April Leigh’s Quiz 8.30pm Chester Fields Weds 29th April Village Club Fun Quiz 9pm Village Hall Wednesdays May St Peter’s Toddler group, 10.30—12.00 Village Hall Sat 9th/Sun10th May Open Day at Mickle Trafford Mill 10am—3pm Monday 11th May Parish Council meeting 6.30pm Village Hall Weds 13th May Village Club Fun Quiz 9pm Village Hall Saturday 16th May The Tone Junkies 8pm Village Hall If you want to make sure your special event is highlighted in this section contact Jenny 01244 301860 Page 4 MICKLE TRAFFORD & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL NEWS Based on the Parish Council Meetings held on 10th February and 9th March Open Forum Mr Robert Charnley – Principal Planning Officer – CWaC The Traveller Site on Plemstall Lane is now owned by a family from Birmingham and Mr Charnley advised that a new Planning Application has been lodged and should be with the Parish Council next week. There is currently an enforcement notice covering the site but the personal circumstances of the new applicants will be considered before any final decisions are taken. The new application will be considered on the basis that the site is still “Green Belt” and not on the basis that it has been partially developed already. Across the CWaC area there is a requirement for a 5-year supply of traveller sites and at this time CWaC have not been able to achieve the figure required. There are currently 3 further new applications in the area and should some of these be recommended for approval then it is likely that the provision figure will be reached. Cllr Spence asked if CWaC were still looking for Transit sites and would this help the current situation. Mr Charnley stated that Transit sites were a different issue and would not affect the provision of permanent sites. POLICE UPDATE Crime Information: There have been a range of incidents this month. With so many busy roads and roundabouts in the Chester Villages area accidents are always an issue. There have been reports of people trying to sell various things door to door. Police advice is not to engage with them. There has been an increase in theft from motor vehicles and house burglaries. People have reported suspicious persons about their properties. If you feel unsafe ring 101, or 999 if it is an emergency. Drug activity, and associated anti-social behaviour, has also been reported. A schedule of Police Surgeries is posted at the Village Hall. The Chairman then closed the Open Forum. Names of Councillors present, apologies for absence, and Declarations of Interest were recorded. Parish Council Minutes. Minutes of the meetings held on 13th January and 10th February were accepted. Planning/Finance Committee The minutes of meetings held on the 3rd February and 2nd March were noted. Page 5 QDJ Park Committee Report A meeting of the committee will be held before the end of March. The Clerk has circulated details of the agenda. Installation of hand-rail from Wells Close to the A56. Advice of the Highways Officer will be sought. Provision of a road salt/grit bin at the Village Hall It was suggested that the Village Hall Trust should keep a grit bag in the vicinity of the Village Hall for use when necessary. Village Hall Noticeboards The V H Trust wants to provide three additional notice boards for User groups. These would be sited on the side of the hall by the car park. Approval of the PCC would be required and details of the design finalised. Approval was given to progress the matter to the next stage. Action Update A56 Speed survey recommendations Mr Bateman is still awaiting designs from the delivery team. Planters The locations have been accepted. Interactive Speed signs (Two) Mr Bateman is still awaiting designs from the delivery team. Ditch at School Lane It has finally been agreed that CWaC will erect a fence at their own cost after being unable to get any agreement from Muir Housing. Road / Pavements Further information regarding problems with the drains and pavements along the A56 have been forwarded to Mr Bateman. New dog waste bin on School Lane The CWaC Officer responsible for the installation of the new bin confirmed by e-mail on the 28th February that the job would be carried out. Hoole Penfold CWaC are still investigating the ownership of the “Penfold” and have now moved the investigation to the Corporate Properties team who have asked the Clerk to confirm the location of the Penfold. Matters raised at the discretion of the Chairman (Not for resolution) Cllr Taylor advised that he had recently updated the website with the Minutes from the various Parish Council committees. He felt there was too much information on the site and this should be restricted to the last 3 months. Anyone wanting further information will be advised to contact the Clerk who would provide it. Cllr Rowlands advised that the Tennis Club was holding a celebration in August and would have space in a marquee should the Parish council wish to use it. Ideas sought. Page 6 Date and time of Next Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 14th April at The Village Hall at 6.30pm. Please note that this meeting will be preceded by the Annual Parish Council meeting which will start at 6.00pm. IN THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY, EVENTS ADVERTISED IN THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS MAY NEED TO BE CANCELLED AT SHORT NOTICE ADVERTISING IN THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS The Highways and Byways comes out every second month. See below for costs. Prices include a 10% discount for all 6 editions. Quarter page in black and white for 1 edition £12 6 editions £65 Half page in black and white for 1 edition £18 6 editions £97 Full page in black and white for 1 edition £30 6 editions £162 There is a limited scope for colour advertisements where the cost is doubled. To discuss your advertising needs, call Jenny and Roger on 01244 301860 . Page 7 Mickle Trafford Mill Hello and welcome from all at Mickle Trafford Mill Charitable Trust! We are having some wonderful open day events this year and so if you are looking to visit Trafford Mill then we begin with May Mills Weekend which is a national event for the Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) to whom we are affiliated. We are open on 9th and 10th May from 10am till 3pm each day. To book on a heritage tour of the building please contact Ceris Timms using the details below. Each tour slot is for up to 20 people and takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.