Appleton Parish Council ______Appleton Parish Hall, Dudlow Green Road, Appleton, , WA4 5EQ Telephone / Fax 01925 268153 Email [email protected] Minutes of the monthly Parish Council meeting of Appleton Parish Council held on Tuesday 21st November 2017 at 7.30pm at Primary School, Arley Road, Appleton Thorn WA4 4RW

Present: - Councillor S Benger (Chairman) Councillor K Arnett, Councillor B Axcell, Councillor I Axcell, Councillor J Bilsland, Councillor A Cross, Councillor P Walker, Councillor J Walker and J Wheeler. Mrs. J Monks (Clerk) and seven members of the public and two PCSOs.

1. Welcome and apologies for absence

Councillor S Benger welcomed everyone to the Parish Council meeting.

Councillor S Benger reminded all the Parish Councillors and members of the public that the use of mobile phones was prohibited during a meeting and all Parish Councillors were asked to use the microphones when speaking.

Councillor S Harris and Councillor J Price sent their apologies for the meeting as they were unable to attend due to being on holiday. Councillor T Stansfield was not in attendance.

2. Members Code of Conduct and Declarations of Interest

Councillor S Benger declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Section 191 certificate for Sevenoaks 2017/31017 and 2017/31605, Orchard House, Councillor S Benger did not take part in the discussions in relation to these items on the agenda and left the room for the discussion and decision relating to these applications.

3. PCSO / Police report

The PCSO in attendance reported that there had been following reported incidents in the last twenty-eight days. • Eight anti-social behaviour incidents. • Four reported break-ins’. • Ten reports of concerns for safety • Two reports of criminal damage. • Thirteen reports of suspicious activity • One car theft. • Eight traffic related incidents.

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The PCSO reported they had attended the BYP project on a Friday night.

Councillor K Arnett stated that he had reported a car parked on the corner of Southway Avenue which was causing an obstruction at the help desk in Police Station however no action had been taken. The PCSO stated that he would consider this.

4. Public Participation.

The Chairman of the CARE group in Appleton Thorn addressed the Parish Council with regards to a meeting with Bloor Homes regarding the field in Appleton Thorn. Bloor seemed to have made some concessions however they remained disappointed regarding the lack of open green space and the proposed play area did not compensate for the lack of a village green which was detailed in the Appleton Thorn Neighbourhood Plan.

5. Planning

The recommendations of the Planning Committee on applications received since the last meeting were accepted and it was RESOLVED that; The following recommendations be forwarded to the Development Control Manager, Environment and Regeneration, Warrington Borough Council. No Objections to the following applications – 2017/31419, 18 Barshaw Gardens, Appleton, WA4 5FA. Householder - Proposed single storey kitchen/family room and dining room extension to rear elevation plus bedroom extension over existing garage to side. 2017/31393, Crosslands, Walnut Tree Lane, Appleton, WA4 5NL. Full Planning - Proposed rear extension. 2017/31396, 475 London Road, Appleton, WA4 5DP. Householder - Proposed single storey extension to front, side and rear to replace garage. 2017/31313, 54 Kingsley Drive, Appleton, Warrington, WA4 5AF. Householder - Proposed roof extension over existing garage, two storey rear extension, part garage conversion, front dormers and porch.

2017/31555, Lynwood, Broomfields Road, Appleton, WA4 3AE. Householder - Proposed First Floor Study/Office over existing garage with change in roof style and height. 2017/31580, 71 Stonehill Close, Appleton, WA4 5QD. Householder - Proposed bedroom extension over existing garage to side elevation. 2017/31600, 20 Field Lane, Appleton, WA4 5JR. Householder - Proposed single storey rear extension.

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2017/31551, 23 Pineways, Appleton, WA4 5EJ. Householder - Proposed change of roof design and change of height to a garage arranged under planning approval 2014/24114. The Parish Council raised concerns to the following applications; 2017/31511, 21 Woodbridge Close, Appleton, Warrington, WA4 5RD. Householder - Proposed single storey rear extension with balcony and loft conversion with dormer windows. The Parish Council are concerned that the house at the rear could have a loss of privacy due to balcony. The Parish Council would ask if the impact of this could be investigated. The Parish Council raised objections to the following applications; 2017/31017, Land Adjacent to Sevenoaks, Old Pewterspear Lane, Appleton, Warrington, WA4 5NH. Section 191 Certificate - Existing wooden garden outbuilding. The above Section 191 certificate was discussed at the Planning Committee meeting of Appleton Parish Council on Monday 13th November 2017.This Planning Committee meeting was attended by several members of the public all of whom have submitted objections to Warrington Borough Council with regards to the above application. The Parish Council believe that the building should not be considered for a Section 191 certificate as the Parish Council has witness testimony that this building was only built in 2016 as such full planning permission should be applied for. It is the understanding of the Parish Council that the site was previously a pond, and this has been filled in, without planning permission to build the outbuilding. The Parish Council are concerned regarding access to this outbuilding as vehicle road access should not be via Old Pewterspear Lane.

Councillor S Benger declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Section 191 certificate for Sevenoaks 2017/31017, Councillor S Benger did not take part in the discussions in relation to this item on the agenda and left the room for the discussion and decision relating to this application.

Due to Councillor J Wheeler being a member being substitute member on the Warrington Borough Council Development Control Committee, she did not participate in the planning discussions or the recommendations agreed. For information, only – 2017/31422, 21 Littlecote Gardens, Appleton, WA4 5DL. Section 192 (Lawful Development Certificate) - Proposed rear extension. 2017/31404, Konstructa, Barleycastle Trading Estate, Lyncastle Road, Appleton, WA4 4SN. Discharge of Condition - Application for approval of details reserved by Condition 6 (Foul and Surface drainage); Condition 7 (Surface water drainage scheme) and Condition 8 (Drainage Management and Maintenance Plan) following Planning Approval 2016/28170. 2017/31476, 2 Eversley Close, Appleton, Warrington, WA4 5NW. Lawful Development Certificate - Proposed single storey kitchen extension to rear elevation and single storey entrance canopy to front.

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2017/31500, 17 Park Crescent, Appleton, Warrington, WA4 5JJ. TPO - Application for tree works to 1 x Silver Birch situated in the rear left-hand corner of the rear garden. Carry out 20-30% overall crown reduction to increase wind and light permeation. 2017/31540, Dingle Lane, Appleton, Warrington. TPO - Proposed works to provide safety clearance to the highway, proposed crown lift to approximately 5.2m from ground level on Highway side.

2017/31562 1 Teddington Close, Appleton, WA4 5QG. TPO - Application for tree works to 1 x Oak to remove deadwood from crown and crown clean to increase wind and light permeation. Crown lift to 4m. Sympathetically reduce back side lateral branches encroaching the neighbouring drive and weight reduce large limb overhanging highway to achieve a more overall balanced appearance. 2017/31355, 66 Willow Lane, Appleton, WA4 5EA. Section 192 certificate - Proposed single storey side extension. 2017/31605. Orchard House, Hatfield Gardens, Appleton, WA4 6QJ. Non-material amendment - Amendment to previously approved plans on application 2015/26954 consisting of additional windows, doors, internal walls and staircase. 6. Update from the Bloor Homes meeting and management of public open space

Representatives from the Parish Council met with Bloor Homes to see the draft of the latest plan for their proposed development of Appleton Thorn village field on Monday 6th November 2017. Councillor A Cross reported that Bloor Homes want the householders on the proposed site on the field at Appleton Thorn to pay a levy towards the upkeep of play area. Councillor A Cross stated that he had contacted & Parish Council and had been investigating how they funded and managed Grappenhall Heys Walled garden.

7. Previous Planning Applications

Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council received a letter dated 20th October 2017 from the Department for Communities and Local Government regarding the Appleton Cross and Grappenhall Heys Developments (2017/29930 and 2017/29929). They confirmed that the Secretary of State will not call-in these applications and that Warrington Borough Council would determine these planning applications. As such both planning applications have been approved.

8. Clerk’s Report and Accounts

The clerk noted that the next Planning Committee meeting is on Monday 11th December 9.30am followed by the Finance and General Purposes meeting at 10am on the same day.

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The October 2017 statement of Receipts and Payments for the Financial Year 2017/2018 was noted, and the Members noted the Bank Statement as at 31st October 2017. The revised budget was also noted following payments. RESOLVED that; Payments were to be made in accordance with the payment schedule for November 2017 and the updated budget was accepted. The bank reconciliation and bank statement were both signed by the Chairman. The clerk had received a response from Stretton Parish Council dated 12th October 2017 regarding Planning Consultants. Stretton Parish Council would like to work closely with neighbouring Parishes. The clerk has arranged a meeting for all interested Parish Councils on Monday 27th November at Appleton Parish Hall at 6.30pm to discuss the next steps. The clerk confirmed that the Parish Ranger had attended the weedkilling course on 2nd November 2017 and 9th November 2017 and had passed the required exam. Warrington Borough Council have confirmed that they are responsible for treatment of the Japanese Knotweed on the land at the Rugby Field in Bridge Lane.

The clerk has received an invite from the Vicar of St Matthew’s, Stretton and St Cross in Appleton Thorn inviting Parish Councillors to the St Cross Church carol service on Sunday 10th December at 6.30pm Councillor J Wheeler will undertake a reading at the service.

The clerk has received an email on 17th November 2017 informing the Parish Council that a new external auditor has been appointed for 2017/2018. The new external auditor is PKF LittleJohn LLP based in London. The clerk has received confirmation on 3rd November 2017 that the Parish Council has received a grant of £1,500 from Warrington Borough Council’s Community Initiative fund towards the cost of the Parish Hall refurbishment. This is the maximum amount that can be awarded to a refurbishment project within the updated criteria of the Community Initiative Fund. The clerk has also received confirmation on 16th November 2017 from Wren that the Parish Council had been awarded a £50,000 Wren Grant. The clerk has arranged for a Wren grant meeting to be held at the Parish hall on Monday 11th December at 10am to discuss the further information requested and the way forward with this project.

The clerk received an email dated 30th October 2017 from the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service stating that the Cheshire Fire Authority has launched its annual consultation which will run until 2nd January 2018.

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9. Co-option of Vacant seat following the resignation of Councillor Dot Edwards in the Thorn Ward

Councillor S Benger confirmed that the vacant seat has been advertised and that one application had been received before the closing date.

RESOLVED that;

Mr Bill Roberts be co-opted to the Parish Council.

The clerk stated that Mr Roberts would be requested to sign the declaration of acceptance.

10. Social Media The clerk confirmed that she had a booked the Social Media course on Thursday 25th January 2018 for the clerk, Councillor J Wheeler and Councillor S Harris. The clerk had made enquiries regarding the costs involved in hiring a professional company to manage Facebook a twitter accounts on behalf of the Parish Council as requested at the last Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 17th October. They had confirmed that they would need a specification of what was required before they could give a cost. The issue is with ongoing maintenance and the staffing implications. 11. Meeting dates for 2018 RESOLVED that; The meeting dates for 2018 were agreed as follows and the clerk was requested to circulate and put on the website and book the Parish Hall accordingly. Tuesday 16th January Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 20th February Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 20th March Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 17th April Annual Parish Meeting 7.00pm

Tuesday 17th April Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 15th May Annual Meeting 7.00pm

Tuesday 15th May Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 19th June Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 17th July Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 18th September Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 16th October Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

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Tuesday 20th November Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday 18th December Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm

12. Christmas lights

The clerk confirmed that City Illuminations have undertaken the necessary repairs to both the Christmas lights at the Parish Council office and the Christmas lights at Broomsfields Sheltered Housing. The lights at Broomsfields Sheltered Housing will be switched on from the 24th November 2017. The cost of the re-connection of the tree and for checking the lights at Broomsfields Sheltered Housing was £255.00 plus VAT. The repair for the Christmas lights outside the Parish Council office with an additional one string of lights was £295.00 plus VAT.

RESOLVED that;

The amount of £550.00 be approved with the expenditure to come from the Christmas tree and lights budget.

Councillor P Walker confirmed that Stockton Heath lights will be switched on at 6pm at Victoria Square on 1st December.

13. PCSO funding for 2018/2019

The clerk received a letter dated 11th October 2017 from . They have confirmed that there will be new funding arrangements from March 2018. Appleton Parish boundary will receive one PCSO. Any additional PCSO will have to paid for under a new service level agreement at the cost of £33,280. Currently the Parish Council has previously had a service level agreement for the provision of nine PCSOs to be part-funded within the South Warrington Parishes of Appleton, Grappenhall & Thelwall, and Stockton Heath. Under this new arrangement this will cease to exist. For the year 2016/2017 the charge was £28,379.72. The clerk confirmed that the Parish Council had not yet received a request for payment for 2017/2018, however the maximum charge would be £31,583.64. Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council has confirmed that they will not be funding any additional PSCO and will just receive one PCSO at no charge. Stockton Heath Parish Council have agreed to fund half of the cost of one PCSO and Lymm Parish Council have agreed to fund one PCSO. RESOLVED that; The Parish Council would fund 50% of an additional PCSO at the cost of £16,640. Several Parish Councillors however expressed concerns regarding how the PCSO’s were managed and asked the clerk to draft a letter expressing concerns regarding this and requesting a copy of a service level agreement.

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14. Parish Hall roof

This was discussed at the last Parish Council meeting in October. The clerk had been advised by Richmond Roofing that they would not recommend a slight pitched roof.

The clerk had been investigating if it would be possible to apply for a grant for the necessary roof repairs.

RESOLVED that;

To appoint Richmond Roofing as a contractor to undertake the necessary roof repairs at the Parish Hall at the cost of £7420.00 with the funds to be taken out the Parish Hall improvement budget.

The clerk was advised not to apply for a grant towards the cost of these repairs.

15. Telephone boxes

The clerk had received a quote for £680.00 per box and the expenditure of £1,500 for both telephone boxes was agreed at the last Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 17th October 2017. However, since the original quotation was provided in June 2017 both boxes have been further vandalised as such it has been necessary to amend the quotations for the work accordingly.

The new quotes for the restoration of the phone boxes including a full-glazing kit plus fitting; to supply and fit bookcase and to repaint would be £1,290 per box. The total for both telephone boxes would therefore be £2,580.

RESOLVED that;

The clerk was requested to apply for a grant for funding and for both telephone boxes to be made safe and boarded up the cost of which should not exceed £1,000. The clerk was requested to confirm the costs with the Chairman of the Parish Council and the Chairman was granted authorisation to approve this expenditure under Chairman’s actions.

16. Bulb Planting

Councillor J Bilsland reported that the bulb order had been placed and the bulbs were in the process of being planted. The main areas that bulbs will be planted is Longwood Road opposite Chessington and Staines Closes and Stretton Road opposite the Thorn Inn and on the bend at Wrights Green.

17. Minutes of the Environmental Committee meeting.

Councillor J Bilsland reported that item two, regarding the proposed planters on London Bridge on the Environmental Committee minutes was incorrect and asked for this be removed. Councillor I Axcell reported that she had a meeting with several representatives from Warrington Borough Council and all had agreed that it was not feasible to put planters on the bridge, however standalone planters like the ones at

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Bridge Lane shops may be possible. Councillor J Walker stated that several companies do provide planters and many of the catalogues are online.

RESOLVED that; The Minutes of the Environmental Committee meeting on Wednesday 25th October 2017. (copies of which had been circulated to each Member) were approved and signed by the Chairman.

18. Minutes of last Parish Council meeting and matters arising

RESOLVED that; The Minutes of the Parish Council’s monthly meeting held on Tuesday 17th October 2017 (copies of which had been circulated to each Member) were approved and signed by the Chairman. Councillor J Wheeler informed the Parish Council that a disabled ramp has been installed onto the Millennium Green. The clerk confirmed that she had not booked the Data Protection course as agreed in the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 17th October as it had not been recommended.

19. Parish and Borough Councillors Reports

Councillor A Cross informed the Parish Council that he had not been given the opportunity to speak under item nine the Co-option of Vacant seat following the resignation of Councillor Dot Edwards in the Thorn Ward. Councillor A Cross stated that there was a further application which was received after the deadline and he wishes for this to be considered.

Councillor P Walker informed Councillor A Cross that the clerk had followed the correct procedures and advice had been sought from both the Society of Local Clerks and the Elections Manager of Warrington Borough Council regarding this late application.

Councillor A Cross confirmed that the advert for the vacant post had been circulated to all Parish Councillors and that this clearly stated the deadline date, however he wished for the late application to be considered by the Parish Council.

Mr B Roberts offered to not accept the post of Parish Councillor as he had not signed any acceptance of office if the Parish Council wishes to re-advertise the vacant seat.

The clerk was requested to re-advertise the vacant seat in the Parish Council newsletter with a closing date of four weeks after the last newsletter had been delivered.

Councillor J Bilsland requested that the Parish Council consider adopting a procedure for co-option at the next Parish Council meeting.

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Councillor I Axcell asked if all future Parish Council meetings could be held back at Appleton Parish Hall. Councillor S Benger confirmed that the next Parish Council meeting in December would be held at Appleton Parish Hall.

Councillor K Arnett asked the clerk if an update could be provided from the Highways Department of Warrington Borough Council with regards to the speed limit changes and proposed road markings on Wrights Green.

Councillor J Wheeler reported that Appleton Thorn Primary school had been listed as one of the top primary schools in the country and asked the clerk to send a letter of congratulations to the Head Teacher for this achievement.

Councillor J Wheeler reported that the road markings on Wood Lane have now been installed.

Councillor J Wheeler stated that she had met with a representative from Homes & Communities and she had been provided with a timeline for implementation of their building plans in the area.

20. Date and time of next meetings

Tuesday 19th December 2017, Planning Committee meeting 7pm followed by the Monthly Parish Council meeting 7.30pm at Appleton Parish Hall on Dudlow Green Road in Appleton.

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