SOMERFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 11th April 2018 at Somerford Park Farm @ 7.30 pm.

Present; Councillor G Bell (Chairman), Councillor K Wainwright, Councillor R Crookes, Councillor J Wray East (left early to attend another meeting) and the Clerk.

Declaration of Interest Cllr K Wainwright - RSPB land and Blackfirs Lane development by DWH.

Public Forum Nobody Present

41/18 Apologies Cllr S Hughes due to work commitments, Councillor M Hartnett due to work commitments Councillor P Crompton due to a hip operation and Councillor T Swain no reason submitted.

42/18 Minutes Resolved the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 19th March 2018 having been circulated be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

43/18 Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from the Ward Councillor J Wray. Cllr J Wray communicated the Highways local area budget to the Council. It was agreed that he would ask for two 10-tonne weight signage to be added to the Somerford Booths side of Radnor Bridge and at the Lane junction. He would also request the resurfacing of Black firs Lane and the improvement of the footpaths along Road on the minor works programme. The Chairman wished it to be noted the CLR will cost in excess of £90m and the notification signs were poor in comparison to such a large project. It would have been ideal that they have been better displayed. Cllr J Wray left the meeting to attend Brereton PC at 8.30pm

44/18 David Wilson Homes There had been no confirmation of a meeting with the Parish Council, as CE highways/ DWH communication was confusing in relation to the improvement of the lanes around the triangle . CE Highways confirmed the works were being completed w/c 16/4/18 but DWH thought there was an extra consultation to be carried out and then further works actioned. The Parish Council requested the Clerk would arrange a meeting with Mr A Taylor from DWH as soon as possible for a site visit and to discuss the verges. Cllr G Bell and Cllr R Crookes would attend.

45/18 RSPB Land The land still had not been sold, Ben Costello had sent to the following update via email in March; prices being sought for full design as Alex Froggatt’s drawing Option A and if anything changes due to public consultation the agreed changes will be with the selected contractor, the

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RSPB are asking to tender the full project so they can take advantages of any economies of scale. The tenders will be completed under an NEC4 short contract and will be delivered under the CDM Regulations 2015 (health and safety) with all contractors being asked to demonstrate previous experience, relevant insurances and abilities to work safely. The planning conditions – details have been submitted to be able to discharge these conditions and confirm the details of the proposals. Even if the public consultation chooses an alternative option the changes can be submitted as a minor amendment as the basic principles are the same and it will minimise any time delay. The weed control was in hand with a local farmer Mr D Sheard, so the same situation with weeds was not reached this year as last.

46/18 Planning Applications No planning applications had been submitted.

47/18 Accounts To note the balance of accounts = £6,950.34

Payments Cheque number 216- £36.00 – CPRE Membership Cheque number 217- £20.00 Cheshire Community Action Cheque number 218 - £112.32 CHALC Affiliation Fee Cheque number 219 - £987.14 Parish Council (Clerks salary Jan to March and HMRC contributions) Cheque number 220 - £1,005.95 Stevens Solicitors (Clerks Computer – contributions of £209.58 to be received from other Parish Councils) Cheque number 221 - £378.60 Zurich Insurance

Receipts £7,000 Precept Cheshire East £209.58 cum Moreton Parish Council (computer)

Resolved the above payments be accepted as a true and accurate record.

48/18 Highways Radnor Bank Bridge The bridge was closed from today for repairs and closed from 9.30am until 3.30pm (this would last 2 weeks) . Traffic Regulation on Back Lane A resident had contacted the Chairman about planning permission which had been granted for two housing developments adjacent to Back Lane, and the following points were noted 1. Work has already commenced on one of the sites which has approval for 83 housing units by the erection of security fencing and the opening of a site access onto Back Lane. Work on the second site is likely to be commence soon 2. The access from Chelford Road has already been designated as “Unsuitable for Heavy Goods Vehicles” and a sign to that effect is displayed; 3. Traffic approaching the junction from the north would have to cross the bridge over the which is itself subject to a 10-tonne weight limit – although the sign to that

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effect previously sited close to the junction of Chelford Road, Swettenham Road and Hall Green Lane has been removed 4. It is a regular occurrence for vehicles more than 10 tonnes to cross the Radnor Bridge, especially since several signs previously displayed are no longer in evidence and this has been exacerbated since building work on Black Firs Lane commenced. The bridge parapet walls have been damaged on a number of occasions in the recent past due to vehicle strikes and there is currently a temporary traffic light controlled one lane system in operation on the bridge following the most recent incident 5. Traffic approaching the junction from the south would travel along Chelford Road, a route already heavily used by HGV’s serving the building sites off Black Firs Lane; 6. The section of road in question will be closed to through traffic altogether once the Congleton Link Road is open and possibly before then and thus a Traffic Regulation Order would only be effectively needed until that time; 7. The section of road in question is heavily used by both pedestrians and equestrians and is both very narrow and subject to flooding.

The Parish Council had enquired about a TRO but had been refused and they had been directed to the police for advice. Congleton Link Road – CE A536 Side Road order 2016 & Compulsory Purchase order 2016 - had been circulated to members. Abandoned Vehicle The grass verge was unadopted therefore no actions could be taken. Footpath siding along A54 The Clerk was still awaiting an update from Congleton Town Council. Brown signs for Holiday Park These were unauthorised and should not be displayed. Verges along Chelford Road and Blackfirs Lane The Parish Council had enquired about taking accountability for the maintenance of the verges with Cllr Rachel Bailey. The Chairman and the Clerk had met with John Tickle and when a request was asked for in writing nothing had been forthcoming to date. Cllr K Wainwright expressed her concern as the verges had a history of flooding and she thought this would lead to an extra cost. The Chairman explained it was just grass cutting and tree maintenance as they completed now.

49/18 Clerks Report GDPR Update The Clerks had attended a consultation event last week with ICO, SLCC and CHALC. There was still no clear guidance who would be the Data Protection officer. There was guidance from NALC. This seemed to be a large task to undertake especially at the year end. Emails It was not confirmed if Cllr S Hughes had actioned his email account. Bin consultation Circulated to members Newsletter The articles from embers had been received and the newsletter would be actioned this week

50/18 Chairman and Members Report

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Website Logo Deferred to next meeting Police Forum 19.4.18 Cllr G Bell had attended and feedback the relevant point.

51/18 It was noted the next meeting would be on 14th May 2018 at 7.30 pm at the Pavilion in Somerford Park Farm.

X Chairman

The meeting concluded business at 9.50pm

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