Appleton Parish Council Appleton Parish Hall, Dudlow Green Road, Appleton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 5EQ Telephone 01925 268153 Email clerk@appletonpc.org.uk Minutes of the Annual meeting of Appleton Parish Council held on Tuesday 15 th May 2018 at 7.30pm at Appleton Parish Hall, Dudlow Green Road Appleton WA4 5EQ Present: - Councillor S Benger (Chairman) Councillor K Arnett, Councillor B Axcell, Councillor I Axcell, Councillor J Bilsland, Councillor G Palmer, Councillor J Price, Councillor S Harris, Councillor G Skentlebery, Councillor P Walker, Councillor J Walker and J Wheeler. Mrs. J Monks (Clerk) and Mrs I Derbyshire (Assistant Clerk). Minutes for Annual Meeting 1. Election of a new Chairman of the Parish Council Councillor S Harris be elected Chairman of the Parish Council for 2018/2019. Councillor S Harris thanked Councillor S Benger for all her hard work throughout the year as Chairman of the Parish Council. Councillor S Harris also thanked the clerk and all the Parish Councillors for their work on the Parish Council and welcome the new assistant clerk to the Parish Council. 2. Election of a new Deputy Chairman of the Parish Council Councillor J Wheeler be elected Deputy Chairman of the Parish Council for 2018/2019. 3. Code of Conduct and declarations of interest. All Parish Councillors reviewed their declaration of interest forms. Councillor S Harris provided a new declaration of interest form to the clerk to return to Warrington Borough Council and to retain a copy at the Parish Council office. The Parish Council confirms the Code of Conduct for Members adopted by Warrington Borough Council as the council s code of conduct under section 27(2) and 27(3) of the Localism Act 2011. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 1
The Chairman of the Parish Council informed all the Parish Councillors that they would have to abide by the Code of Conduct and declare any interest in relation to agenda items. 4. Members of Committees Councillor S Harris proposed a new committee to be formed to look at events for the Parish Council. A new community events committee be created. Each Parish Councillor was asked to consider if they would like to join this new committee and the clerk was asked to put this is an agenda item for the next Parish Council meeting in June to determine who would be on this committee. The following members be appointed for 2018/2019; Planning Councillor S Benger (Chair), Councillor B Axcell, Councillor I Axcell, Councillor J Walker and Councillor G Palmer/Councillor G Skentlebery (shared). Environment Councillor J Bilsland (Chair) Councillor J Wheeler, Councillor K Arnett, Councillor G Palmer, Councillor S Harris, Councillor T Stansfield and Councillor J Walker. Finance and General Purposes Councillor P Walker (Chair) Councillor S Benger, Councillor S Harris and Councillor B Axcell Youth - Councillor J Bilsland and Councillor J Wheeler Media Councillor S Harris, Councillor J Bilsland, Councillor G Skentlebery and Councillor B Axcell. Employment Committee Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Councillor P Walker. Manchester Airport Liaison Councillor K Arnett. PCSO Liaison Councillor S Harris, Councillor J Bilsland and Councillor S Benger. It was further resolved that the following should represent Appleton Parish Council on Committees involving other Parish Councils: 5. Members of Outside Bodies The following members be appointed for 2018/2019; a) Warrington Branch CPRE Councillor J Price DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 2
b) Warrington Public Rights of Way Forum Councillor K Arnett, Councillor S Harris and Mr. S Guest c) Tree & Pond Warden and Footpath Warden Councillor J Price d) Parish Path Warden Mr. S Guest e) Police and Crime Commissioner Surgery Meetings Councillor J Bilsland and Councillor P Walker f) Bridgewater Canal Users Group Councillor B Axcell In addition, further representations by the Parish Council are as follows Lumb Brook Millennium Green Ltd Mrs. V Davies, Director and Councillor J Walker. Pewterspear Green Trust Councillor J Wheeler, Elected Member, Mr. G Webster, Nominated Member. Broomfields Junior School Mrs. S Richardson, a resident, Sponsored Governor. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 3
Appleton Parish Council Appleton Parish Hall, Dudlow Green Road, Appleton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 5EQ Telephone 01925 268153 Email clerk@appletonpc.org.uk Minutes of the monthly Parish meeting of Appleton Parish Council held on Tuesday 15 th May 2018 at 7.30pm at Appleton Parish Hall, Dudlow Green Road Appleton WA4 5EQ Present: - Councillor S Harris (Chairman) Councillor K Arnett, Councillor B Axcell, Councillor I Axcell, Councillor S Benger, Councillor J Bilsland, Councillor G Palmer, Councillor J Price, Councillor G Skentlebery, Councillor P Walker, Councillor J Walker and J Wheeler. Mrs. J Monks (Clerk), Mrs I Derbyshire (Assistant Clerk) and one PCSO. 1. Welcome and apologies for absence Councillor S Harris welcomed everyone to the Parish Council meeting. Councillor S Harris 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 T Stanfield sent his apologies as he was unable to attend due to work commitments. 2. Members Code of Conduct None declared. 3. PCSO / Police report The PCSO reported that there had been several bike thefts in the area recently including a bike stolen from Broomsfields. There is free bike marking event at Sandy Lane on 16 th May 2018 and the PCSOs will be attending. The PCSO informed the Parish Council they are now on Facebook and they were hopefully getting a Twitter account soon. The PCSO stated that he has increased patrols around the Old Pewterspear Lane area and the Rugby field on the Cobbs Estate. All the PCSOs have now been allocated with work mobile phones and the PCSOs now had a base at Broomsfields Leisure centre with a drop-in surgery. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 4
4. Public Participation. No members of the public were present. 5. Planning The recommendations of the Planning Committee on applications received since the last meeting were accepted and it was The following recommendations be forwarded to the Development Control Manager, Environment and Regeneration, Warrington Borough Council. No Objections to the following applications 2018/32652, Sycamore Cottage. Pepper Street, Appleton, WA4 4RU. Householder - Proposed two storey Side and Rear extensions with front Dormer. 2018/32692, 54 Kingsley Drive, Appleton, WA4 5AF. Householder - Proposed two storey rear extension. 2018/32716, 76 Hatfield Gardens, Appleton, WA4 5QJ. Householder - Proposed Replacement of existing conservatory with flat roofed building incorporating a lantern light. 2018/32773, 14 Field Lane, Appleton, WA4 5JR. Householder - Proposed first floor bedroom extension over existing dining room to rear elevation with Juliet balcony, proposed bedroom with shower room over existing garage to side & entrance porch to existing utility room. 2018/32777, 11 Park Crescent, Appleton, WA4 5JJ. Full Planning - Proposed single storey kitchen/family room extension to rear elevation. The Parish Council raised concerns to the following applications; 2018/32602, 16 Field Lane, Appleton, WA4 5JR. Householder - Proposed removal of existing garage roof to be replaced with new rear extension, roof (hipped and gabled) and two dormers to match adjacent dwelling, providing storage area in new first floor roof space and garden storage at ground floor. The Parish Council are concerned of the impact of the proposed extension on the back garden of the neighbouring property at number 12. 2018/32637, 2 Bernard Avenue, Appleton, WA4 3BD. Householder - Proposed Single storey extension to rear. The Parish Council are concerned regarding the 45-degree code on the neighbouring property. The Parish Council raised objections to the following application; 2018/32672, Pewterspear Road, Appleton WA4 5FD. Reserved matters (Major) Application for the approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning permission ref 2016/28807 (appearance, landscaping, layout, scale and additional access details.) Barratt Homes. 2016/28807, Land bounded by Pewterspear Road, DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 5
Ashford Drive Stretton. It is essential that Warrington Borough Councils makes it is a planning condition and requests Section 106 monies for junction improvements at the following sites. Junction improvements at the traffic crossroads A49/B5356 in Stretton where the Post Office in located. Junction improvements at Lumb Brook Road /A56, at this present time there are traffic issues especially around school drop off and pick up times on both Lumb Brook Road and Bridge Lane. Investigation into the possibility of a roundabout or traffic lights at the Arley Road/ B5356/Lumb Brook Road junction in Appleton Thorn in order to improve traffic issues. Another area of concern is the heavy traffic flow going towards the M56 from the south going A49 (from Stockton Heath direction) and the Longwood / Acton Ave roundabout. In addition to this the Parish Council are concerned regarding the cumulative impact of this development with the proposed developments at both Appleton Cross and Grappenhall Heys by Homes and Communities. The cumulative impact of the traffic from an additional thousand new homes in the immediate area will cripple the current road network and it is essential that the developer, Homes and Communities funds the above junction improvements and the proposed Howshoots link from Witherwin Avenue, Grappenhall Heys to the B5356 junction with Broad Lane, Grappenhall. Given the plot size and the proposed number of houses, the Parish Council wish to object as 180 dwellings will be an overdevelopment of the plot. Whilst it is appreciated this in only outline planning permission there is a distinct lack of open green spaces.the Parish Council are also concerned regarding the lack of supporting infrastructure in the surrounding area. For example, the schools and doctors are currently full. There is insufficient infrastructure to support additional 180 houses in the local area and this has not been addressed in the planning application. The Parish Council requests for this planning application to be referred to Development Control Committee and that Committee members undertake a site visit prior to any decision on this planning application being made. Due to Councillor J Wheeler and Councillor P Walker being substitute members on the Warrington Borough Council Development Control Committee, they did not participate in the planning discussions or the recommendations agreed. For information, only 2018/32594, 47 Hatfield Gardens, Appleton, WA4 5QL. Lawful Development Certificate - Proposed rear extension. 2018/32667, 54 Petersham Drive, Appleton, WA4 5QF. Section 192 Certificate - Proposed single storey rear extension to replace existing conservatory. 2018/32671, The Lodge. Lumb Brook Road, Appleton, WA4 3HH. Section 192 Certificate - Proposed provision of detached building in the garden to provide a leisure suite. 2018/32746, 301 London Road, Appleton, WA4 5JB. TPO - Application to fell 2 Oak trees. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 6
6. Clerk s Report and Accounts Payments were to be made in accordance with the payment schedule for May 2018. The clerk reported that she had to have the drains for the Parish Hall unblocked the cost of this was 276.00 plus VAT. The clerk reported that the office chair and shredder had broken as such replacement will be purchased. The bank mandates for each of the Parish Council s bank account need amended following the resignation of Mr P Briggs and the appointment of the new clerk, Mrs I Derbyshire. Mr Peter Briggs was removed, and Mrs Irene Derbyshire added to the Parish Council s Natwest account, Mansfield Building Society Account and Nationwide Building Society Account. In accordance with the NatWest bank requirements; The authorised signatories in the current mandate, for the accounts detailed in Section 2, be changed in accordance with sections 5 and 6 and the current mandate will continue as amended. The clerk reported that the Bloor Homes planning application, 2017/31848 Land to the East of Stretton Road, North of Pepper Street within the Centre of Appleton Thorn, Full Planning (Major) - Proposed Erection of 74 dwellings, public open space, landscape and associated infrastructure) and the planning application for 40 Bridge Lane, 2018/32025, change of Use - Proposed change of use from A3 Cafe to A5 Pizzeria were listed for the Development Control Committee hearing on Wednesday 16 th May 2018. Councillor G Palmer stated that she would be attending the committee hearing and the clerk was requested to send her a copy of the objection sent by the Parish Council. The clerk informed the Parish Council that The Pewterspear Green Trust Annual General Meeting is to be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 20th June, at The Sports Pavilion, Stretton. The clerk had been sent a formal complaint regarding the building work which was undertaken on Saturday 28 th April 2018. and a reply to this formal complaint had been circulated to all Parish Councillors and issued by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor S Benger on 10 th May 2018. Following this letter, the Parish Hall user had contacted the Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor S Benger on 15 th May 2018. As the Parish Hall user had hired and used the Parish Hall for a session on Saturday 28 th April 2018, the hall hire fee of 36.00 was due and payable. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 7
7. 2018/2019 National Salary Award The National Joint Councils for Local Government (NJC) new pay scales for 2018/2019 be implemented immediately and backdated to 1 st April 2018 for all staff. 8. Wren grant for the Parish Hall The Wren grant was progressing and phase one and phase two were nearly completed. The next phase is the toilet refurbishment which is due to be commence on 29 th May. The clerk has informed all Parish Hall users of this. Following the removal of the wood panelling in the room outside the office additional plasterboard has been required. The cost of this is 490.00 plus VAT. This cannot be included in the Wren grant application. The Parish Council pay the amount of 490.00 plus VAT for the additional plasterboard. The Parish Council pays for the additional plasterboard, Office carpet and Fire Door repairs at the cost of 1242.00 on 16 th May 2018. The Parish Council pays for the sound system additional speakers, outside lights and bike racks, building regulations and room outside the office (shuttered entrance) at the cost of 9543.60 on 21 st May 2018. 9. Data Protection The clerk informed the Parish Council that the law with regards to Data Protection is changing from May. The clerk informed the Parish Council that there was no longer a required for the Parish Council to appoint a Data Protection Officer. The clerk had undertaken a data audit and had produced a draft consent form with a draft privacy notice. The clerk was asked to put this an agenda item for the Parish Council meeting in June for further consideration. 10. Parish Council insurance The clerk has received an email dated 26th April 2018 regarding the renewal of the Parish Council s insurance policy. The cost of the renewal is 1,450.84 with a 5% discount for a three-year agreement. The previous year s insurance was 1,133.05. The payment of 1,450.84 is paid for the Parish Council insurance from 1 st June 2018 to 31 st May 2019. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 8
11. PCSO Agreement Representatives from both Appleton Parish Council and Stockton Heath Parish Council meet with the local inspector on Monday 23 rd April regarding the proposed service level agreement. The inspector agreed to the priorities as requested under Appendix B and it was agreed that Cheshire Constabulary would amend the agreement accordingly and send an amended version to the clerk of Appleton Parish Council. As no amended agreement has yet been provided the clerk was requested to put this as an agenda item once this had been provided to the Parish Council. 12. Grass Cutting For the last two years the Parish Council has made a provision for additional grass cutting costs if required. The Parish Council instructs and pays Warrington Borough Council for additional grass cuts over the summer period as determined by the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman as and when required. The Parish Council approves the cost, which is approx. 1,500 per cut. The maximum number of cuts to be two, to the total value to be not exceeding 3,000. The funds of which are to be taken from the Environmental Improvement scheme. The Assistant clerk was requested to earmark the amount of 3,000 from the Environmental Improvement scheme budget accordingly. 13. Summer and Winter bedding The clerk informed the Parish Council that Belfield Landscapes was no longer watering the plants at Bridge Lane as the flowers desperately needed watering the Parish Ranger has purchased a five-litre pressure sprayer with carry strap at the cost of 14.92. The Parish Ranger waters the existing bedding plants with the cost of the sprayer at 14.52 with the funds to come from the Environmental improvement budget. The Environmental Committee will look what type of plants need planting and if any additional planters are to be installed. 14. Official Email addresses The clerk is the process of setting up two new email addresses; bookings@appletonpc.org.uk and assistantclerk@appletonpc.org.uk. The current contract is for up to ten email addresses. If any Parish Councillor wants an official email address, please can they let the clerk know and this will be set up accordingly. 15. Social Media and website The clerk had not had the opportunity to obtain quotes for a replacement website. It was agreed that Media committee would investigate this along with Facebook. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 9
16. Play Area for Cobbs Councillor J Wheeler informed the Parish Council that she had been in contact with Warrington Borough Council regarding the possibility of a playground being installed in the Cobbs area of Appleton. Warrington Borough Council cannot identify a suitable area for a playground and have stated that there was no budget for ongoing maintenance costs. The clerk would send a letter to Lumb Brook Millennium Green requesting if they could consider installing a playground. 17. Rugby Field at Bridge Lane Several Parish Councillors discussed the condition of the Rugby Field at Bridge Lane. There were concerns about fly tipping, the continued spread of knotweed and the condition of the old telegraph poles as the bases were now rotten. The clerk was requested to send a letter to the Rugby Field and a copy to Warrington Borough Council regarding the current condition of the field. 18. Minutes of last Parish Council meeting and matters arising The minutes of the Parish Council s Annual Parish Meeting and the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 17 th April 2018 (copies of which had been circulated to each Member) were approved and signed by the Chairman. 19. Parish and Borough Councillors Reports Councillor J Wheeler informed the Parish Council that she met with the South Area Board and discussed a beacon event for the World War one centenary and the new events committee will investigate this. Councillor S Harris reported that the Christmas event will also be looked at by the new events committee. Councillor J Wheeler reported that the Environmental Committee had met with the contractor with regards to the renovation of the BT Phone Boxes. Councillor J Wheeler confirmed that the demolition of garages on the Cobbs Lane Estate has been delayed pending a walk around with Parish Councillors and representatives from the Housing Group. Councillor P Walker reported that Warrington Borough Council may have a consultation involving the future of Sandy Lane tip. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 10
Councillor J Bilsland reported that the BYP shack was being spring cleaned and repainted on Saturday 10 th June 2018 and that any volunteers were welcome. Councillor S Harris reported that there was an event at Stockton Heath Library on 16 th May 2018. 20. Date and time of next meeting Tuesday 19 th June 2018, Planning Committee meeting 7pm followed by the Monthly Parish Council meeting 7.30pm. DRAFT MINUTES ONLY, THESE ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS 11