Delamere & Oakmere Parish Council

Delamere & Oakmere Parish Council MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF DELAMERE AND OAKMERE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 16 th NOVEMBER 2015 AT 7.15 P.M. DELAMERE COMMUNITY CENTRE, STATION ROAD, DELAMERE Present: Councillors R Ackerley, K McVicker, A Gore, A Lewis, C George, C Rothwell, A Bell, D Rutter, D Wheeler and T Overland. Also present: Mrs J Monks, Clerk, Cheshire West & Chester Ward Councillor J Leather and four members of the public and one representative from Cheshire Community Action. Public Speaking Time The owner of Fourways Quarry addressed the Parish Council with regards to the planning application submitted for holiday lodges on this site. A planning application had been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council in May 2015 for this development but this contained no application for a sailing club so plans were currently being drawn up for a sailing club on this site. The owner has now been informed that a separate planning application will be required for this. The economic driver for the site is the sailing club and local residents may be able to join this. The Parish Council were informed that a planning application for the sailing club will be submitted soon to the Planning Department of Cheshire West and Chester Council. A member of the public addressed the Parish Council with regards to the proposal for a standalone footbridge at Delamere station. The Highways Department of Cheshire West and Chester Council had informed the member of the public that there were no funds available and that a Section 106 agreement had been made in relation to the Marley Tiles site but this would only be available as part of this planning application. The member of the public concerned had contacted a local MP regarding this matter and was going to pursue this matter via the local MP. 1 Welcome and apologies for absence The Chairman of the Parish Council welcomed councillors and members of the public to the meeting. Councillor Y Billows sent her apologies as she could not attend due to personal reasons. 2 Member s Code of Conduct and declarations of interest Councillor T Overland and K McVicker are members of Mid-Cheshire Bridleway Association and therefore declared an interest in relation to item 18. Page 52

3 Minutes of the last Parish Council meeting The clerk noted that Councillor D Rutter had attended the last meeting on Monday 19 th October and was requested to amend the minutes accordingly. The minutes of Delamere and Oakmere Parish Council on Monday 19 th October 2015 be approved as a correct record, subject to the above amendment. 4 Neighbourhood Plan A representative from Cheshire Community Action gave the Parish Council a brief introduction to Neighbourhood Plans. The Neighbourhood Plan, introduced under the Localism Act 2011, is a statutory role as part of the planning process. The role of Cheshire Community Action is talk to Parish Councils to provide advice and assistance and work alongside the Cheshire Association of Local Councils and Cheshire West and Chester Council. The representative from Cheshire Community Action stated that a Neighbourhood Plan is an opportunity for communities to write planning policy and decide what type of housing they require in their community. It is however purely based on land use and cannot influence traffic management. A Neighbourhood Plan has to engage with member of the public and plan for the future. The clerk noted that when undertaking a Neighbourhood Plan it is recommended that you form a steering group, made up of members of the community and Parish Councillors. There are grants available from the Locality Team in Central Government in order to fund a Neighbourhood Plan. The Parish Council has to go through a series of statutory consultation process which is a set legal process, in which the plan is modified and then submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council. It will be then externally verified and inspected and is then adopted via a referendum. The average Neighbourhood Plan takes two years to produce and in this plan the Parish Council will need to provide evidence which supports each policy which supports a clear vision for the community. 5 Courthouse/Haulage Yard Planning This item was deferred until the next Parish Council meeting in December. Page 53

6 Progress Reports and Correspondence received. The clerk had received a response on 12 th November 2015 from the Abbeywood Estate regarding their postcode. They confirmed that they will take further steps to improve signage to their property. The clerk noted that Little Wood had not been entered into the Green Flag award scheme for 2015, therefore no current certificate was available. The clerk had received an email from a resident regarding the Parish Council s response to planning applications on the Haulage Yard in Oakmere. The chairman of the Parish Council had responded to this accordingly. 7 Co-option of vacant seats The Parish Councillors considered the application forms and CVs which had been received. Both candidates were excellent and the Parish Council was pleased to have received a good response to the vacancy. RESOLVED: Mr John Edwards was co-opted as a member of Delamere and Oakmere Parish Council to represent the Oakmere Ward. Mr John Edwards signed the declaration of acceptance and the clerk gave him declaration of interest form for completion. The clerk would circulate a schedule of training events from the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, a copy of the Standing Orders and a copy of the Good Councillor guide for Mr Edwards s reference. The Chairman of the Parish Council informed the new councillor that he would have to abide by the Code of Conduct and declare any interest in relation to agenda items. All Parish Councillors were reminded not to give their personal opinion on events and issues via Twitter/Facebook or any other social media. The minutes are the only correct record of events and personal opinions of any Parish Councillor should not be expressed. Page 54

8 Meeting dates for 2016 The meeting dates for 2016 were agreed as follows and the clerk was requested to circulate and put on the website and book the community centre accordingly. Monday 18 th January Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 8 th February Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 14th March Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 18 th April Annual Parish Meeting 7.15pm Monday 18 th April Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 16 th May Annual Meeting of the Parish Council 7.15pm Monday 16 th May Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 20 th June Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 18 th July Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 19 th September Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 17 th October Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 14 th November Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm Monday 12 th December Monthly Parish Council Meeting 7.15pm 9 Planning The Parish Council considered all the planning applications which had been received up to 16 th November 2015. (a) No objections were to be made in relation to 15/04237/PDQ, Conversion of outbuilding to provide one detached one bedroom residential unit. Outbuildings at Ottersbank Farm, Fishpool Road, Delamere. (b) No objections were to be made in relation to 15/04443/S73, Variation of Condition 1 (approved plans), 7 (timescales) and 52 (restoration plan) of planning application 4/34390. Fourways, Sand Quarry, Chester Road, Oakmere. (c) No objections were to be made in relation to 15/04583/FUL, Construction of 2 storey side extension and single storey rear extension, Pinewood Overdale Lane Oakmere. Page 55

10 Speed Limit Contribution The request for a contribution from the Parish Council to amend the speed limit on Station Road and Abbey Lane from Cheshire West and Chester Council Highways Department was considered by the Parish Council. In an email dated 2 nd November 2016 the Highways Department of Cheshire West and Chester Council had confirmed that if the Parish Council purely wanted to progress the speed limits in Delamere and Oakmere then the 50% contribution would equate to 1317.85. However as the Highways Department were currently designing the local safety scheme for the Abbey Arms crossroads, which would include implementing a 40 mph limit on the southern side. Cheshire West and Chester Highways Department would be able to fund the Traffic Regulation Order costs and the costs associated with the 40 mph signing elements. This would then bring the Parish Council s contribution down to 674.21 (this is broken down as 530.57 for the Station Road section plus half of the 287.28 for the Abbey Lane section, thereby 143.64). The Parish Council would contribute up to 675.00 towards amending the speed limit on Station Road and Abbey Lane. The clerk was requested to draft a letter accordingly informing the Highways Department of this decision in writing. A copy of this letter was also be circulated to Cheshire West and Chester Ward Councillor J Leather for his attention. 11 Land at Frith Avenue The clerk had received an email on 21 st October 2015 from the Forestry Commission regarding this. The Forestry Commission were looking at the possibility of the Parish Council leasing the site from the Forestry Commission however any option would need to have national office agreement. The clerk was asked to monitor a response and inform the Parish Council of any progress. 12 Finance The clerk reported that the current bank balances were as follows and bank statements showing these amounts were presented and signed by the chairman. Bank account balance is 19,020.42 ( 264.00 unpaid cheques). New Homes Bonus fund 5793.02. Page 56

Income received is 16.00 from advertising income in the Delamere and Oakmere News and 14.15 from Scottish Power rental income. Payments due were for the room hire of the Community Centre, clerk s salary and expenses for November, web hosting fee for the website and the bill for grass cutting at Frith Avenue for September. the following payments be authorised. Cheque No Payee Particulars of payment Amount 000786 Delamere Community Centre Room hire 10.00 000787 Clerk Salary for November 326.05 000788 Clerk Expenses for November 32.19 000789 Clive George Web Hosting fee paid by credit card 4.99 000790 Northwich Town Council Grass cutting for Frith Avenue for September 117.60 13 Playground at Little Wood and Special Expenses Levy The clerk has circulated a spread sheet regarding the cost of playground inspection and maintenance and had been trying to arrange a meeting with Cheshire West and Chester Council regarding this. The clerk was requested to confirm a date for a meeting with Cheshire West and Chester Council. 14 Noticeboards The clerk had obtained one quote for the replacement sign for each noticeboard. The cost would be 175.00 each. The clerk was requested to obtain two other quotes for this work in order to consider this fully. Page 57

15 Defibrillator The clerk confirmed that the grant for the defibrillator had been approved and delivery was expected in four to five weeks time. The clerk informed the Parish Council that this would need to be added to the Parish Council s insurance and asset register and it would require an electrician to install it at the community centre. The clerk was asked to contact the Community centre to submit a formal request to site the defibrillator in the entrance porch. 16 Car parking charges proposal The Parish Council noted that Cheshire West and Chester Council proposed to introduce car parking charges in Northwich and Winsford. Many local residents shopped regularly at both towns and it was felt that the introduction of car parking charges would dramatically affect trade and business in both locations. It was felt that any charge would not cover the administration and installation of car parking ticket machines and would not be beneficial to residents and to any business in either town. The clerk was to draft a letter opposing the introduction of car parking charges in both towns to be sent to Cheshire West and Chester Council. 17 Kelsall Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan The clerk had received a copy of an agreement from Kelsall Parish Council in relation to the Neighbourhood Plan. The chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor R Ackerley signed the agreement and the clerk was requested to return this to Kelsall Parish Council. 18 Oakmere Way Proposed Car park Councillor T Overland informed the Parish Council that a planning application was due to be submitted for a proposed car park for the Oakmere Way from the Mid Cheshire Bridleway Association. The project would be undertaken by Mid Cheshire Bridleway Association in association with Tarmac Trading Ltd. A location plan of the proposed car park was circulated at the meeting. Mid Cheshire Bridleway Association were funding the project and money had also been received from the Ward Members Budgets. Page 58

The Mid Cheshire Bridleway Association and Tarmac were requesting that a long term lease of this site was given to the Parish Council and that the Parish Council would be responsible for this site and the day to day management. As the ongoing costs were unknown the clerk was requested to provide an estimate of costs for the next Parish Council meeting. 19 New Homes Bonus Community Fund None received. 20 Training and Events None attended. 21 Update from Cheshire West and Chester Councillors Cheshire West and Chester Ward Councillor J Leather reported that there were currently the following consultations ongoing for Cheshire West and Chester Council. These are; Let s Talk Consultation Gypsy s and Travellers consultation Air Quality management New Homes Bonus Consultation The deadline dates for each are on Cheshire West and Chester Council s website. The clerk was requested to put the New Homes Bonus consultation on the agenda for the next meeting. Cheshire West and Chester Ward Councillor J Leather also reported that the deadline for individual voter registration is at the end of November. 22 Councillor s report and future agenda items Councillor T Overland raised an issue with regards to school bus services with Cheshire West and Chester Ward Councillor J Leather as the bus service to Weaverham schools will cease from April next year and this will affect residents in Oakmere. Councillor T Overland was requested to put the full details in writing to Cheshire West and Chester Ward Councillor J Leather for this urgent attention. The next edition of the newsletter is ready and will be printed by the school. Councillor C George was thanked for all his hard work in the production of this. Page 59

Councillor C George confirmed that Monday 23 rd November is the next meeting of the website committee. Councillor A Gore reported that a footpath required clearing. The clerk requested that Councillor A Gore send her the details and then the clerk will report this to Cheshire West and Chester Council for their attention and action. 23 Date and time of next meeting The next Parish Council meeting is Monday 14 th December 2015 at 7.15pm at Delamere Community Centre. Chairman s signature..dated. Page 60 Minutes of the monthly Parish meeting of Delamere and Oakmere Parish Council held on Monday 16 th November 2015.