HULME WALFIELD AND PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 4th October 2018 at ‘Westlow’ Mere Fisheries meeting room.

Declaration of Interest Cllr M Wakerly – 18/4620C

Part 1 Public and Press present

Present Councillor M Wakerly (who chaired the meeting), Councillor P Amies, Councillor G Booth, Councillor T Richardson, Councillor G Silman, Councillor J Wray - East Ward Representative and Ms J Mason – Clerk

Public Forum 3 members of the public present.

There was an update on the Alderley Gate – ‘Bloor Homes’ development after a reply email had been sent from the site manager in response to queries from the meeting in August. There was news included on the next stage of piling which is scheduled w/c 29/10/18, this was slightly later than planned due to the wet weather. There would be a letter delivered to inform affected residents before he work started. Eleven houses on the boundary of the development had been surveyed (thirteen offered), at the cost to Bloor’s Homes, it was noted the results had been sent to Bloor’s directly and the homeowners had to request their own copies. The Parish Council was asked to support homes requesting the surveys are sent direct to residents. This has provided a base line of the house condition (although performed after the first piling activity and many months after work on site commenced) If any damage is noted, specifically after the second piling operation residents were recommended to contact Bloor Homes directly and as soon as possible. Some residents gave specific examples of damage that had occurred at their properties which was believed to be due to vibration and dust from the site. Overall the surveys had been a positive action from Bloor Homes as the noise and vibration from the piling had been considered horrendous by the residents. It was requested that the Parish Council arranged another meeting with Bloor Homes in November if possible.

82/18 Apologies Nil

83/18 Minutes Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 6th September 2018 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

84/18 Rural Lane Improvement Scheme Due to time restraints the site meeting had not taken place since the last meeting. New Boundary signs The boundary signs for both parishes were discussed and possible designs that would be most appropriate. The PC agreed on a preferred ‘oak gate’ format with a sign included which would

1 incorporate wording e.g. safe drivers were welcomed/courteous drivers welcome. The final decision would be dependent on cost.. There would be signs required in the following locations; Giantswood Lane – Hulme Walfield Smithy Lane - Hulme Walfield Shannock Farm - Hulme Walfield & Somerford Booths Mill Lane – Somerford Booths Trap Street – Somerford Booths Lane – Somerford Booths Radnor Bank – Somerford Booths Resolved the Clerk would retrieve three quotes for boundary signs before the next meeting. Resolved the Clerk would meet with highways to discuss locations for the signs in the Parish. Passing places on Smithy Lane and Mill Lane Cllr G Silman and Cllr M Wakerly would meet on 6th October to confirm locations. This information would then be passed to the Clerk for a discussion with CE highways.

One of the members of the Rural Lane’s Improvement Group had circulated some advice from a, Senior Transport Planner who was explaining some possible actions to take to address the volume of traffic. It was agreed the Clerk would make contact for further information.

85/18 Highways Link Road Mr Paul Griffiths had reported via email to the Clerk, the new appointed contractor ‘Graham contractors’ is currently developing a detailed programme and recruiting a local community engagement officer. The plan they are working to is to have a few local drop-in sessions in January (probably at the primary school, Eaton public house). CE should have the detailed plans of the traffic management, timescales for the works and staff on hand to address individual concerns soon. The PC will review the traffic management plan to identify and potential issues in our Parishes. There will be adverts in the press after New Year. In terms of the high-level programme, at the moment there are ground surveys and boreholes been undertaken. These are localised and will last a few weeks. The contractor will be using this information to complete a detailed design. The main site compounds (off Viking Way) will begin to be established in the New Year along with some advance ecological work (tree work, collecting newts, etc.) There might be a few utility diversions beginning to happen in February, but these will be minor and not cause significant disruption. Main works will commence in Spring 2019 depending on the weather. Drainage on Mill Lane There has now been a letter sent from highways to the relevant land owner to ask if he would uncover his drain in the filed adjacent to the road. It was noted this issue was not an action for the Flood Risk Management Team. BT Gully on Mill Lane It was noted this BT issue had now been addressed but there still could be an issue with surface drainage and this was an issue for CE Highways. The Chairman requested this needed to be monitored. Weight Limit on Radnor Bank bridge The weight signs had been ordered by the Clerk and Mr Ian McLauchlan, Bridge Manager Cheshire East Highways had requested a structural report to be completed by Ringway Jacobs. The results of the survey indicated; The current capacity of the structure should be taken as 40T Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and 17 units of HB loading as per the assessment calculations available (1998/2002).

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Changes in condition, standards and loading are not expected to reduce the capacity of the structure. The local part-signed weight restriction does not appear to be required from a structural perspective. HW & SB PC accepted the report. Gullies on Giantswood Lane - 335870 Still outstanding.

86/18 Community Home Bonus Scheme It was noted due to work commitments the Chairman was unable to complete this written bid alone. It was agreed the Clerk would try and engage a project manager to write the bid for improvements to the rural lanes on the Parish Councils behalf.

87/18 Audit 2017/18 The Parish Council has provided PKF Littlejohn with a copy of the certificate of exemption as their turnover in 2017/2018 was below £25k. As no formal questions have been raised during the formal six-week public inspection period the Council should NOT receive any further communications from the external auditor. PKF Littlejohn do not provide exempt councils with an external auditor's certificate. The Exempt category is being used for the first time for the 2017/2018 accounts, hence the difference in procedure. Resolved as the six-week inspection period has closed, and there have been no public questions, then the Parish Council formally adopted the previous year's accounts.

88/18 Alderley Gate The Parish Council discussed the actions taken by Bloor homes since the August meeting and the comments from the public forum time. Resolved the Clerk would arrange another meeting in November.

89/18 Newsletter The Clerk had produced the newsletter and it was circulated between members. It was approved and would be sent out the following week to the residents.

90/18 Cheshire East Resolved to suspend standing orders to receive a report from Ward Cllr J Wray Cllr JW reiterated the CLR plans that would be in evidence at the beginning of 2019. The Black Swan public house at had been transferred as a Community Asset after an appeal. This was great news for the Lower Withington Community as if put on the market by the owner they would have the first option to purchase the pub. It was also discussed that the live stock market could be considering being sited on the Carillion Smart M6 compound in Brereton, near Junction 17 when their works were completed which would bring the rural market back to the area. Cllr JW explained the background to this suggestion.

91/18 Planning Applications 18/4620C New Pool Farm, Trap Road, Somerford Booths, Congleton CW12 2JU – Alterations and extension to house. Resolved No Objection

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The Clerk would refer this back to the Neighbourhood Plan

92/18 Accounts To note the balance of accounts = £17,684.29 Payments Cheque number 261 - £887.88 Parish Council (£68.64 HMRC) Cheque number 262 - £63.39 Ms J Mason (expenses June to Sept)

Resolved the above payments be approved and signed for as a true and accurate record

Receipts £1.24 Lloyds Banking Group

91/18 Clerks Report GDPR All four of the Clerks Parish Councils had engaged to appoint a Data Protection Officer. The meeting had been arranged with JDH Services on 18th October. Resolved the Parish Council would engage a Data Protection Officer Noticeboard in the Churchyard Resolved the Clerk would arrange for a new noticeboard to be installed in the churchyard SLCC Conference 27.09.18 The Clerk had attended the training conference at Community Hall.

81/18 Chairman and Members report Town and Parish Conference 26.09.18 The Chairman had attended the conference and communicated the key points to members. Cllr R Bailey had been the speaker and the cost of suspended Councillors to Cheshire East had been in excess of £800,000.

The next meeting would be the on 8th November 2018 @ 7.30pm at ‘Westlow Mere’ fisheries.

Meeting closed at 9.30pm

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