Present :
		R Holt, Chairman S Pardoe, Vice-Chairman H Bayley D Evans A Hughes J Oliver CW&C Clr C Fifield Public - six Village residents were present.

1.Apologies were received from CW&C Clrs, J Grimshaw and A McKie, Clr M Hodgson, Mrs J Pardoe and Mrs J Evans

2. Acceptance of the Minutes from the AGM held on 6th May 2014 was proposed by Mr Sandys-Winsch, seconded by Clr Pardoe and were signed by the Chairman.

3 Matters arising from AGM 2014

The condition of the road surface in Station Road and Milton Rough was discussed. A new surface had been promised last year following the failure of the renewed surface in 2012. This matter had been progressed by the Clerk with CW&C Highways. Treatment of the road surface had eventually been carried out but it had been a poor quality and was very disappointing. Action Clerk Completed

4 Chairman's Report 2014/15

The Chairman gave his report of the work over the last year. He commenced by reporting the work done by the Council in examining planning applications and protection of the Green Belt against development. There have been a number of applications concerning large extensions and also applications for new build developments using the 'infill' clause in the NPPF as the avenue to bypass the Green Belt. Some had been refused by CW&C but had been granted on appeal.

The Chairman made special mention of the excellent work done by ABCA for the Village and thanked ABCA for all their efforts. He highlighted the volume of work tackled by the officers, Mrs Jane Evans Chair, Bob Heaton Vice Chair and maintenance work, Mrs Gill Spanton ABCA Secretary and Room lettings and Peter Young - Treasurer who has very significant accounts to control. Peter will be retiring from the position this year after nearly 20 years in the post. He will be greatly missed. Peter also serves as internal auditor for the Parish Council accounts.

The Chairman read to the meeting a letter from Jane Evans thanking the Parish Council for their support in the ABCA work.

Other particular issues and topics dealt with by the Council were mentioned by the Chairman; Policing and security- Further contact has been made with the Police to enforce the speed limit in the Village. The Police have been asked to check and enforce the weight limit restrictions on Acton Lane and Hill Top Road. Mr Evans is co-ordinating Homewatch actions and is working to establish coverage of the scheme throughout the Village.

The three CW&C Councillors were thanked for the work on behalf of the Village over the last four years. Clr Fifield will be standing for re-election. Councillors Grimshaw and McKie were not standing in our Ward. We continue to have Joint Parish Councils meetings with our counterparts in the new Weaver & Cuddington Ward and though these help us to discuss common matters it is the view of the Parish Council that our interests are more closely aligned with our neighbouring rural villages and that we should be moved into their Ward.

Our members, Mr David Evans, and Clrs Morton Hodgson and John Oliver serve on the Weaverham, Cuddington and Acton Bridge Joint Cemetery Committee. This local facility is a very valuable asset to our Village.

Clr David Hall continues to serve as a Governor of Weaverham High School and does extremely valuable work particularly in the financial management of the school.

Clrs Pardoe and Hall serve on the Weaverham and Acton Bridge Trust. The Trust is a joint organisation that functions under the Chairmanship of the vicar of Weaverham St Mary's church. The Trust looks after deserving cases and applications for financial support.

Clr Pardoe has liaised on our behalf to further the introduction of Superfast Broadband in rural areas. This has now been achieved for Acton Bridge.

This year Acton Bridge had been placed first in our group for the Community Pride Competition. The Chairman thanked the volunteers in the Village who do lots of unsung work throughout the year, litter pickers, upkeep of flower beds, Station car park and flower bed.

The Chairman thanked the Clerk and the Councillors for the work throughout the year and the last four years while they had been in office.

5 Village Matters.

Mr G Law raised a query on planning matters and should Acton Bridge have a 'Local Plan' to identify places where applications for houses could be considered. Also could the Village be included in a conservation area.

The Chairman said that the Parish Council could not nominate sites for building. Acton Bridge is totally washed over by the Green Belt where building is excluded except in special circumstances.

Clr Pardoe said the subject of a Village Plan , which is different from a Neighbourhood Plan, had been raised with the Planning Officers at CW&C regarding protection from development building. The consensus of opinion is that Green Belt affords the best protection.

The Chairman outlined the procedure for reviewing planning applications and said that the Council is guided by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the requirements given in the CW&C Local Plan. In all applications the Parish Council only make observations and comments, they do not have the final decision which is with CW&C.

Mr Law asked about trees being felled at various places in the Village and could this be a precursor to planning applications. He queried the use of tree preservation orders and if people other than the land-owner could apply for TPO.

Clr Pardoe said he believed this could be done as the orchard facing his house had been served with TPO which had been requested by a former resident not the land-owner. Clr Pardoe offered to look into the matter. Action Clr Pardoe

Clr Fifield suggested that the Parish Council should ask Villagers what they would like for the Village. He had been to a presentation in Cuddington that had detailed the findings of a survey that had been carried out. It had been very useful and brought out some interesting topics and concerns of the residents.

Mrs Butler said that there were few young couples in the Village with children. She commented on the situation at Crowton Primary School where there is notice declaring vacancies for pupils at the school.

It was agreed that a survey would be beneficial for Acton Bridge and the Parish Council would take this up. Action All Clrs

Mr Law said that the Village sign in Station Road should be moved to the entrance to the Village. He had made enquiries and had been told it could be done. Mr Law offered to check and possibly get the answer in writing.

Clr Pardoe spoke on the subject of Superfast Broadband and the fact residents can now connect if they wish. It does seem that few people have as yet connected to the system.

Clr Pardoe offered a vote of thanks to the Chairman for all the work in the year.

There being no other matters the AGM was brought to a close at 8:45pm.

The Chairman thanked the Village residents for their attendance.

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