Present :
		R Holt - Chairman S Pardoe H Bayley D Evans M Hodgson A Hughes J Oliver

1 Public Matters

Further to the on-going concerns of residents over the speeding of vehicles through the Village, again raised at the March meeting, Mr D Bowker Cheshire Community Action, and PC Turner, Cheshire Constabulary had been invited to attend.

There were eight members of the public present. Mr D Mr Bowker spoke about safety issues concerning speeding in rural areas and the experiences he had gained working in the Chester area of the County. With the new divisions set up for Cheshire he hoped to continue the work for Cheshire West and Chester.

He gave some very good information and advice about the use of SID's. The Parish Council has now to inform him of suitable sites for positioning the SID's. The suggested sites have to be approved by the Police and Highways. Mr Bowker would train volunteers in the use of the devices. The roads suggested were Cliff Rd, Hill Top Rd, Station Rd and Milton Rough.

PC Turner reported that the speed trap was very successful last year and he hopes to operate more again this year but starting earlier in the morning than last year. PC turner said that Station Rd was a bad road to stop offending motorists. Health and Safety has to be taken into account but the devices available via Mr Bowker could be utilised.

The Chairman offered sincere thanks to Mr Bowker and PC Turner for coming along to the meeting and giving the Council very good advice.

2 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd March 2009 were accepted and signed.

3. Matters Arising.

Public Matters
i) Speeding Following a meeting of Vale Royal Town and Parish Councils Association at which Mr D Bowker gave a presentation he had been invited to speak at our Council meeting and Councillor Hughes had contacted PC Turner and invited him to the meeting (see above).
ii) Weight restrictions - Network Rail had again been contacted of the use of Acton Lane and Hill Top Rd by heavy, low-load vehicles. The number of one vehicle has been forwarded to Network Rail (see item e below).
iii) Damage to grass verges and large farm vehicles. A letter was sent to the farmers in the Village. The farmers were upset as they do not think that they are to blame for the damage done along the roads. They have suggested that people outside the village who use the fields have caused the damage.

Previous Minutes
a) Home Safety. Mr Thorley has been in contact with the Police and a meeting is to be arranged with PC Sgt Brody.
b) Pavilion. No further progress.
c) Bus Shelter site. The bench has been ordered and a new waste bin will be provided by Vale Royal.
d) Dog litter boxes. VRBC have agreed to move one box to a better position. Still awaiting this. Action R Holt.
e) Network Rail. They were sent the registration number of a lorry, but in reply they said that they could not identify the lorry.
f) Network Rail Removal of trees. A complaint was sent and in reply Network Rail admitted that all the trees should not have been removed. They will plant some replacements.
g) Mrs Bayley reported that the railway is still not tidy, two shopping trolleys were there when she last checked.
h) The Highways Dept have been contacted about the drainage on the bad corner on Cliff Rd. They have promised to inspect and monitor it in wet conditions.
i) Pot holes along Hill Top Rd. The worst of the pot holes has been attended to.
j) Nursery. Station Rd. A neighbour has complained that a timber pergola is being built on the site. This was not on the plans.
k) ABCA Centenary celebrations of the Parish Room. This is to be on the 8th and 9th May.

4. Planning Applications

a) Single storey rear extn.19 Warrington Rd for Mr Faulkner. No strong objection but it was felt that the plans should be considered in conjunction with and part of the previous approved application. The two together constitute an overall large extn in relation to the existing property.
b) Ground floor rear extn and loft conversion, 44 Station Rd for Mr C Johnson. The neighbours have expressed their objections. The extn will have a big impact on the outlook of the neighbouring property. It is very close to the boundary and as there is an existing problem with the drains as they are prone to blockages it is felt that the re-routing may cause further problems.

5. Planning Decisions

Nursery. Station Rd approved by Planning Dept.

6. Authority for signing cheques and Financial Matters

The Statement of Accounts have been circulated and was duly agreed and approval given for signing.
Cheques required.
Bartington Forge Ltd £878.27
Mid Cheshire Footpath Society £8.00
Cheshire Assoc of Local Councils £143.82
Cheshire Community action £20.00
Cash required
Best Kept Village (reimbursement to Mrs Bayley) £25
Petty Cash £50.00
Cheque to be paid in from ABCA £401.00

7. District Representatives Report

None.

8. Reports from other meetings

Weaverham and Acton Bridge Trust. Mr S Pardoe attended. Mrs Dolphin said that she would still liaise with the Trust. The capital value of the trust has gone down for the first time ever due to the current financial conditions and is very worrying. About £1000 is dispersed per year.
Local Councils meeting attended by Mr R Holt. The new Cheshire West And Chester council was discussed. The contribution to new bus and rail passes may be increased. Mr Bowker gave a talk about speeding and he was subsequently invited to attend the Parish Council meeting.

9. Correspondence

a) Connexions. Cheshire and Warrington leaflet. Inside Out. Issue 1.
b) CCC Northwich mobile library. Leaflet of new routes and timetable.
c) Cheshire Matters. Magazine.
d) Cheshire Fire and Rescue.
e) Network Rail, e-mail with ref to removal of trees.
f) CW & CSW Partnership Bulletin edition 2 & 3.
g) Cheshire Composter Spring 09.
h) VRBC Re-organisation of Local government in Cheshire
i) Letter from Mike Hall MP with ref to Veterans badges.
j) CW & CC Local government re-organisation. Changes to Planning process.
k) CW&CC Building Control consultancy.
l) Mr P Roberts, has written to the Council re the current vacancy and offering himself for co-option. This to be discussed under Village matters.

10. Village Matters

a) A row of concrete blocks have been placed on the railway bridge. Highways to be contacted to ascertain the reason.
Action Clerk
b) Bench around tree at junction of Hill Top Rd and Cliff Rd requires renewing.
Action A. Hughes.
c) Speeding. A list of suitable places for SID's to be sent to Mr Bowker.
Action R Holt.
d) Frontage, Hazel Pear. Dip on pavement fills with water. Highways to be contacted.
Action Clerk
e) Footpath behind Smithy overgrown
Action A Hughes
f) The works and related mound of soil in fields on Hill Top Rd was raised. It is believed to be associated with work on the use of buildings previously part of Mr Holland's farm. g) Notice had been given that there is to be a Ladies cycle race through village.
h) Homewatch 1 - It was reported that a white transit van seen in Little Leigh may have been fly tipping.
i) Homewatch 2 - There has been report of a sex attack on a young boy in Tarporley.
j) Road sweeper visited the Village but did not make a good job of sweeping the gutters.
k) Road sign. Orchard Ave. A relative of a resident in Orchard Ave has planted daffodils and crocuses around the sign which made a very pleasant display. A letter has been sent thanking her.

11. Any other business

a) Mr Evans reported that he had carried out an assessment of the Parish Rooms for ABCA regarding the installation of smoke detectors. He was able to say that, under current criteria, there is no requirement for smoke detectors in the Rooms.
b) Vacancy for Parish Councillor. Mr P Roberts application was discussed and it was unanimously agreed to co-opt him onto the Parish Council.
c) Clerks salary. Mr Holt and the clerk left the room whilst this was discussed. It was decided that the Council would increase the clerks salary by £5 per month The salary will now be £95 per month. The clerk thanked the councillors.

The next meeting will be on 5th May 2009. As the next meeting will also be held with the AGM the ordinary meeting will start at 7.00pm.

The AGM will commence at 7.30pm.