Present	R Holt - Chairman S Pardoe D Evans D Hall A Hughes J Oliver Clr J Grimshaw CW&C Clr A McKie CW&C
	Apologies	Clr H Bayley M Hodgson Clr C Fifield CW&C

1 Public Matters
There were no members of the public present and no matters to discuss.

2 Minutes
The minutes of the 5th December 2011 meeting were accepted and signed.

3 Matters arising

Network Rail
Further to the large palisade style fence that has been erected by Network Rail along the railway boundary in Chapel Lane, the Chairman reported on the letter that had been sent to Network Rail and the response received. Action Chairman - Completed

The response was of a standard, non specific reply, mentioning speed of trains and bridge safety but not the situation at Chapel Lane. Clr Fifield is contacting CW&C members that are on committees for travel and railways but is not hopeful of any action.

It was agreed to await any news from Clr Fifield before responding to the Network Rail letter. Copies of the letter sent to Network Rail and the response are to be passed to affected residents. Action Chairman

Speeding
PC Gareth James had been in touch, via email, reporting on actions that had been taken and further events. PCSO had carried out speed monitoring and PC James had done stop and warn exercise speeding motorists. A driver awareness day is to be held soon in Acton Bridge. Councillors were pleased that there is action taking place and with future plans. It was noted that Weaverham Parish Council are conducting SID events.

Neighbourhood Plans
Correspondence has been received for a meeting on the subject of local planning to be held by CPRE in association with ChALC on Jan 18th at Middlewich. Two places have been booked, Clr Pardoe and Holt. Clr Oliver expressed an interest. The Clerk will try to secure an extra place. Action Clerk

The possible Village Survey and the topics for review are awaiting the outcome of the Weaverham work on a similar survey and the format and content.

Hazel Pear Wood
There have been no actions or developments to report.

Granny flat - 8, Cliff Road
There has been no formal information on the planning decision as yet although the web site did contain information. Clr Fifield to check. Action Clr Fifield On going

There have been no formal notification of planning decisions for some time. Clr McKie will follow this up in conjunction with Clr Fifield.

ABCA Lease
No news from Moss & Haslehurst as yet following the supply of information for the Land Registry. Clr Oliver offered to contact Moss & Haslehurst and try to make progress. Action Clr Oliver.

Superfast Broadband
Clr Pardoe reported that he has received a 20 page questionnaire, he will check to see if it is applicable to the Village. He said that he may put it on the Internet for interested people to complete.

Clr McKie said that Warrington and Cheshire have submitted a bid for funding. Clr Pardoe confirmed that the Rural Community Broadband Fund (by DEFRA) is open to rural communities and some £20 million is available. Cheshire Community Action may be able to help, Clr Pardoe has contact details. The Parish Council cannot apply as yet but it could be possible in the future.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
The Chairman reported that ABCA had formed a small sub-committee to co-ordinate and propose celebrations.

CW&C Councillors Fund
£1300 from the joint discretionary funds of the CW&C Councillors for use in the community has been passed to ABCA. Milton Baptist Chapel have made a request for some funding. ABCA are to decide on their requirements.

Joint Parish Councils Meeting
The second Joint Parish Council for the Weaver and Cuddington Ward is arranged for Friday 13th Jan at 7-00pm in the Parish Rooms. The meeting will be on the successful format of the first meeting at Weaverham and will have presentations a number of topics. Clr Fifield has arranged refreshments. Councillors will set up tables and chairs on the Friday afternoon.

Remembrance Day
Further to Clr Fifield query on the memorials or records of Acton Bridge servicemen that had lost their lives and the names of six men who were killed in 1914-18 war, that Mr R Gleave had forwarded, the Chairman said he would check to see if they are recorded on the memorial at St Mary's church. Action Clr Holt

4 Planning Applications

There were no planning applications.

5 Planning Decisions

No planning decisions have been received.

6 Financial Matters

6.1 Forward plan for Parish Council
The meeting discussed the statement of Parish Council reserves and the projected expenditure for future years as required by the Financial Regulations. In particular the obligation on the Council to maintain the outside painting of the Parish Rooms was mentioned and the estimated cost of some £4000. It was agreed that there was a need to build up a reserve fund in anticipation of the expenditure.

Clr Hall agreed to review the records of past expenditure and to draw up a forward plan. Action Clr Hall

6.2 Parish Precept 2012 to 2013
After a review of the statement of balances and anticipated standard expenditure, also with regards to sums in 6.1 above, it was agreed to raise the precept by £250 to a total of £2750. This is as per last years increase and would help to build up the reserve.

6.3 Clerk's Salary
Clr Pardoe queried when the review of the Clerk's salary should take place. At the Clerks request, following her absence due to illness, a review had not taken place for two years. It was agreed that any increase in the salary should be anticipated to keep it in line with comparable salaries. This was also needed for the forward planning. The actual salary will be discussed at the next meeting.

6.4 Cheques
The Clerk requested cheques for payment of £50 donation to CAB and £122.00 for the contribution to the Joint Weaverham, Cuddington and Acton Bridge Cemetery Committee. These were agreed and signed.

6.5 Joint Weaverham, Cuddington and Acton Bridge Cemetery Committee
A request had been received from the Clerk to the Committee to rationalise the accounting period, for this and future years, in line with the standard financial year to the end of March. Clr Evans explained that the accounts at present are to the end of October. The change was agreed.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors

Clr Grimshaw reported on the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) and the fact that a Select Committee was currently scrutinising the proposed content. Until such time as the new policy is in place the existing Local Plans (i.e. Vale Royal) will stand. CW&C are are working on a new Local Plan.

The review of housing has shown that CW&C are required to provide 5000 new houses of which 40% are to be classed as 'affordable'. Large developments have been identified around Hartford and it has been raised at CW&C that if these developments should go ahead then the money from the 'new homes bonus' from central government should be applied to the local area.

Clr A McKie mentioned that CW&C are one of only four authorities in the Country that have been selected to manage the use and distribution of the funding from central government rather than specific amounts being earmarked for specific applications.

8 Reports from other meetings

There were no meetings to report.

9 Correspondence

Cheshire Community Action - Annual Review 2010-2011
Cheshire Community Action - Newsletter Dec 2011
Cheshire Community Action - Archives and Local Studies Newsletter Autumn 2011
CW&C - Bulletin Dec 11
CW&C -Local Councils Assembly 1st March 2012
CW&C - Community Governance Review
CW&C - Elimination of double taxation
CW&C - Members Briefings, issues 271 - 278
Partnership West (West Cheshire Together) Issues Nov & Dec 2011
Groundworks NW Ltd Outdoor Playgrounds - Brochure
Campaign for Protection of Rural England - new guide book 'Planning Explained'
Weaverham, Cuddington & Acton Bridge Cemetery Committee - Agenda 17th Jan
NW Air Ambulance request for donation
Morral Play Solutions - AGM and list of services offered.

emails
New traffic arrangements for Northwich
CW&C - Womens Safe Transport
NALC - Repeal of regulations local reployment policy
ChALC - Meeting at Reaseheath (27th Jan) Rural Development Priorities

10 Village Matters

a) Clr Hughes referred again to the subject of the large developments around Hartford and that there is a web-site where objections/comments can be made (lethartforddecide.co.uk). Comments needed for Friday 13th.

b) Clr Pardoe reported on the correspondence he has had with Highways regarding the new gyratory road system for Northwich and the problems that would arise should one of the bridges over the river fail to operate correctly. It was said that an emergency plan is being looked at. There are no plans for a further crossing to be provided over the river.

11 Any other business

No matters were raised.

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Monday 6th February 2012, at 7-30pm.