Present :
		R Holt - Chairman S Pardoe H Bayley D Evans M Hodgson A Hughes J Oliver P Roberts Councillors R Oultram and A McKie attended.

Before the normal Parish Council meeting there was an open meeting to discuss the new wards to be created. 13 villagers attended.

Mr Holt opened the meeting and explained that since Cheshire had now been split into two Councils, Cheshire West & Chester and Cheshire East, the Boundary Commission want to rationalise the wards.
When requested last year the Parish Council put forward their preference to stay as previous being part of a ward that included all the small villages nearby.
The Boundary Commission then decided to include Acton Bridge in a ward with Weaverham and Cuddington. The Parish Council feels that Acton Bridge would be overshadowed in this arrangement.
Cheshire West & Chester have now put forward a proposal to retain the Weaver ward as it was with the small villages which would include Acton Bridge.
The Chairman asked the villagers attending what was their preference. The villagers voted unanimously to stay in a ward with the smaller villages. This was proposed by Mr Carter and seconded by Mr Young.
The Parish Council agreed to send a strong letter to the Boundary Commission stating this preference.
Mr Holt agreed to draft a letter agreeing with CW&C proposal. Mr Pardoe will check the letter before it is sent off.

The Parish Council meeting proper began at 7.30pm

1 Public Matters

One member of the public present.

2 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 7th December 2009 were accepted and signed.

3 Matters arising

a) SID's. A Hughes has been in touch with Mr Bowker who has offered to come on either the 21st or 28th January to train volunteers to use the equipment. It was decided that 7.00pm on the 21st would be suitable. Mr Hughes to confirm this with Mr Bowker. The Council and volunteers are covered for Insurance purposes.
b) Bowls Pavilion. Mr Heaton is still trying to get the Bowls and Tennis people together to discuss the Pavilion. The existing building has only temporary planning permission.
c) The plaque, garden near the Station. Mr Pardoe has discussed with the manufacturer the details of a new sign. This will cost £105 including delivery.
d) Pot holes outside Hazel Pear. The land does not belong to the CW&C Council as it is not on the public highway nor is it included on the deeds of the Hazel Pear.
e) Smelly grid, outside Hazel Pear Inn. This problem has yet to be resolved.
g) Mr McKie with ref to Planning rules has asked for someone from Planning to visit ABPC, and will continue to push for a visit.
h) Brine pipeline. This is going ahead.
i) Weight restriction, Hill Top Road. Gemma Day, Network Rail will attend the PC meeting on 1st February. It was suggested that the Landlady and Landlord of the Hazel Pear be formally invited.
Action Clerk
j) Decorating of the outside of Parish Rooms. Mr Hodgson has contacted Mr McKie about a grant towards the decorating. Mr McKie, Mr Oultram and Mrs Riley will each give some money to the total of £900 towards the decorating and towards the cost of printing ABCA News.
k) Sandy Lane. No news from the Enforcement officer. Mr Oultram will chase this up.
l) Wind Farm Frodsham Marshes. Planning approval expected in February.
m) Boundary Commission. See notes on open meeting.

4 Planning Applications

None.

5 Planning Decisions

None.

6 Financial Matters

a) Precept. Form received from CW&C for 2010/2011. A table of likely expenditures had been prepared and circulated to the PC. After discussion it was decided to raise the precept by £100 to a total of £2250.
b) Risk Management was signed.
c) Financial Regulations procedure was also signed.
d) Auditors to be informed that money is being held to go towards the new Pavilion.
e) Invoice from Cemetery Comm for £121.00 This is Acton Bridge's contribution.
f) Balances stand at :- Cheshire Building Society £3245.95, National Savings £859.59
g) Clerk's salary for 3months of £285.00
Authorisation requested to draw a cheque and money for e) and g) This was granted.

7 District Representatives Report

Mr Oultram and Mr McKie talked about the regional study being prepared about Gypsy sites. CW&C has to provide 45 sites.

8 Reports from other meetings

None.

9 Correspondence

a) Community Pride. The existing marking system is to be discontinued. They are going to adopt a marking system that ABPC had previously suggested.
b) CW&C Question Time leaflet. Thurs 14th Jan 10 at Verdin School.
c) Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS. 'Engage' issue 7.
d) Cemetery Comm. Request for AB contribution of £121.00.
e) Community Consultation Ltd. Rural Parish Council Insurance scheme. Action Clerk to contact.
f) Partnership West Edition. 11th Dec 09.
g) Disability Newsletter Issue 45. Jan10.
h) CW&C Update on review of funding & contractual arrangements of local Councils.
i) CW&C Gypsy & Travellers sites.
k) CW&C 'You said, We did' leaflet.
j) CW&C Contributions to Play areas in Parished areas 2009/10.
l) VR Area meeting of Town & Parish Council. Mins of meeting held on 3rd Dec09. Date of the next meeting will be 4th March 10.
m) CW&C Cheshire shared services. Ref i-supplier.
n) Partnership West Newsletter.
o) Cheshire Police Authority. Western area. 'Have your say'.
p) CW&C. VR Statement of Accounts. Year ending 31st March 2009.

10 Village Matters

a) Street lighting on Hill Top Rd has been upgraded. However one resident had observed that the light is too bright in the bedroom close by.
b) There is no street lighting along the shops in Weaverham. It can be quite intimidating at night.
c) Mr Pardoe has received an e-mail about a meeting in Chester ref Climate change. Fri 22nd Jan.
d) Mr Pardoe has also received an e-mail with information about sandless sand bags.

11 Any other business

None.

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on 1st February 2010 at 7.30pm.