Present :
		R Holt, Chairman S Pardoe, Vice Chairman E Connor R Gleave N Tappin K Worrall M Hodgson

Apologies for absence received from Cllr A Hooker.
Congratulations were offered to Mr R Gleave on becoming Chairman of ABCA and Mr Bob Heaton on becoming Vice-chairman.

1. Minutes of the last meeting held on 2^nd June were accepted and signed as a correct record.

2. Public Matters

No members of the public present.

3. Matters Arising...

a) A letter has been sent to Mrs Eileen Burrows thanking her for many years service on the Parish Council
b) Playing field - Mr M Hodgson will contact Sara Case-Upton as nothing has been started as yet. Margaret Carding has spoke to Mr R. Gleave about placing a seat on the Playing field in memory of her mother, Sylvia, as she did a lot of the work in getting the new equipment.
c) Work on verges of Chapel Lane now completed.
d) Cheshire Railings. Nothing as yet from John Oakley.
e) Bus shelter, Station Rd. is now included on the Insurance.
f) Training of Clerks and Quality Parish Councils to be discussed at next meeting.
g) Pavements have been cleared but surfaces now require attention.
h) Blue vans Cliff Rd. Police went to look at problem but the vans had been moved.
i) Rubbish, Station car park.E Connor spoke to person responsible and matter has been passed onto Alan Thompson, Environmental Officer at VR.
j) S Pardoe has contacted Network Rail concerning the hacking of trees along the railway. Network Rail replied stating that they had no contractors working in the area but they will try to find out who did the work.

4. Planning Applications

a) Hillcrest, Strawberry Lane. Fence (retrospecive) for Mrs Hopkinson. The Council felt that the fence was too high and should be dropped to 1.5m in height, also VR should check to see if this area was designated as 'open plan'.
b) 68 Cliff Rd. Two storey extn, single storey extn, conservatory and replacement garage for M Latham. No objection
c) Field South of Sandycroft, Warrington Rd, amendment to siting of three timber units for Mr & Mrs Butler. No objection.
d) The Barn, Manor Farm for Mr & Mrs Campbell, Conversion of redundant barn into two self contained units for use as offices, and removal of redundant lean-to and erection of timber garage. After a site visit by R. Holt and S. Pardoe it was decided that there was no objection to the proposal.

5. Planning Decisions

a) 7 Wall Hill Way, bedroom extn etc - approved.
b) Lower Green Chapel Lane, renewal of planning permission - approved.
c) 25 Milton Rough, conversion of buildings - approved.

6. Authority for signing cheques

None

7. District Representatives Report

None

8. Reports from other meetings

Best kept village : N. Tappin went with inspectors on 23 June. Amongst the comments were, lack of rubbish, historic orchards, playing field, Nursery, Hazel Pear Wood and no village centre.
Quality Parish Councils, Byley Hall : certain questions arose from this meeting.
- Experienced clerks necessary?
- And if the Parish Council does not become a 'Quality Council' what happens?
- Is it beneficial?
- Does a 'Quality Council' have more or less influence?
- Planning. Would VR take more notice of a quality council?
It was decided to write and ask Cllr A. Hooker to speak to Mrs Bingham-Jones at VR as to what differences it would make to Acton Bridge and would there be any advantage.

9. Correspondence

a) 'Code of Practice' video-circulated.
    CCC Funding for Communities Conf. 23 July Malpas. Unable to attend but minutes to be requested
b) Horse & rider road signs, reply received CCC will check the location.
c) Road markings through village - CCC request list of roads where markings are required.
d) Casual vacancy. VR acknowledgement received.
e) Quality & Parish Council Scheme booklet
f) CCC Countryside Rights Of way. Tables to be completed and footpaths checked by S. Pardoe & N. Tappin.
g) Audit Commission Assessment form to be sent back.
h) Blue vans, reply received from Police.
i) VRBC Boundary Committee, explanation of letter attached from the Boundary Committee.
j) Copies of letters sent by S. Pardoe to Network Rail with ref to trees.
k) Weaver Valley Cycling Club letter received giving date of next race through village.
l) New Ethical Framework registration.
m) Cheshire Training partnership Prog 2003/04
n) Post Office closure at Greenbank, Northwich
o) Police Lost & Found Property survey - passed to Bob Heaton
p) Invitation to Mayor's garden Party 11th July.
q) VRBC NEATS programme pilot scheme for ENCAMS which was formerly the 'Tidy Britain Group'
r) I&DEA guide for new members.
s) Draft Equestrian Strategy Consultation.
t) VR Police Forum.

10. Village Matters

1) Weaver Valley Cycling club race 6 July. It has been mentioned that the cyclists do not keep to their side of the road and that more Marshals are required along Hill Top Rd and Acton Lane and on all corners. A letter to be sent to the club.
2) Dog fouling is as bad as ever.
3) It was suggested that a 'Welcome pack' be put together for newcomers to the village.

11. Any other business

a) Grant has been given to ABCA for refurbishment of rooms. Quotes are being obtained, total value about £5,000, Parish Council to contribute 5%.
b) Vacancy for Parish Councillor. Three applicants. All were considered and it was decided to offer the position to Hazel Leigh.
c) Accounts were accepted.
d) Risk Assessment was discussed and sanctioned.

12. Next meeting will be held on Monday 1. September 2003 at 7.30 pm

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