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

1 Public Matters

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

2 Minutes

The minutes of the 9th January 2012 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, Clr Fifield reported that the CW&C members did not think anything could be changed.
Copies of the letter sent to Network Rail and the response have been passed to affected residents. Action Chairman - Completed

The letter from Network Rail had mentioned the speed of the trains but it was thought by the Parish Council that there are restrictions at Acton Bridge because of the curve in the track and the viaduct over the river. Clr Fifield said he would try and find out if there is a speed restriction. Action Clr Fifield.

It was decided to take no further action with Network Rail.

Speeding
PC Gareth James had been in touch, via email, reporting on actions that had been taken and further events. The driver awareness day has been held. PC James had reported that it was a success. A number of drivers had been stopped and had elected to take the Driver Awareness session.

PC James has now moved to other duties and his position has been filled by PC Greg Thompson. The Chairman has been in contact and invited him to the Parish Council Meetings.

Fiona Dunning, CW&C, has been in touch and suggested a 'walk about' in the Village and to meet with the new PC> It was agreed to discuss any topics with PC Thomson at a Council meeting and to establish if there was a need to do the 'walk about'.

Neighbourhood Plans
Clr Pardoe mentioned the meeting held by CPRE in association with ChALC on Jan 18th at Middlewich (see Item 8). It was very well presented and much useful information was given. It was again stated that the 'green belt' conditions and legislation had not been changed.

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

The Chairman said that some Notification of Decisions were being sent by email in spite of the assurances that they would be sent by post. This will be followed up by Clr Fifield.

ABCA Lease
Clr Oliver had offered to contact Moss & Haslehurst and try to make progress. Clr Oliver said that the Land Registry have stated that the lease has now to be signed by all the officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) of ABCA. This will be arranged. Action Clr Oliver Completed.

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 Pardoe reported that the information had been put on the Village web site.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
The Chairman reported that ABCA had formed a small sub-committee to co-ordinate celebrations. A general meeting will be held on the 29th February for anyone interested in joining, offering suggestions or in helping in any way.

CW&C Councillors Fund
Clr Fifield reported that bids for grants from the joint discretionary funds of the CW&C Councillors would be received at the Ward Forum on 15th Feb at Cuddington Community Centre. A sum of £1,300 had been apportioned to Acton Bridge. ABCA are to decide on their requirements and will forward the request via Clr Hodgson. Clr Fifield said that applications for the 2010-11 fund may have now been missed. To assist quick submission, Clr Pardoe offered to scan the forms and Clr Hodgson would complete them for sending by email. Clr Bayley suggested that the application for the coming years fund should also be sent.

Clr Hodgson said that he had received an invoice from CW&C Highways to pay for the 30mph roundels that had recently been painted on the roads. The invoice created two problems, firstly that the bill also include for the roundels that had been done for Crowton but secondly it had been the decision of the Parish Council and ABCA that the roundels were the least priority and should not be done unless there was money available in the grant fund. A sum of £1,800 had been allocated last time and this money had been used to pay for other items for the Village.

Clr Mc Kie asked for copies of the correspondence and offered to investigate the situation. Action Clr Mc Kie / Clr Hodgson

Joint Parish Councils Meeting
The second Joint Parish Council for the Weaver and Cuddington Ward was held in the Parish Rooms on Friday 13th Jan. Alison Armstrong (CW&C) had presented information on the Localism Bill. Members have serious doubts about its effectiveness and application to small rural councils. Clr Fifield was thanked for making the arrangements and organisation.

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 - Ongoing

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
Clr Hall tabled a review the records of past expenditure a forward plan. Action Clr Hall - Completed.
The plan showed a steady growth of reserves as set against standard expenditure. This was as required by the Council to anticipate funding of painting of the Parish Rooms as required by the lease. It was agreed that the Clerk would make mention of this in the returns to the Auditor as accumulation of significant sums are queried by the Auditor. Clr Hall was thanked for his work in producing the plan.

Clr Grimshaw said that in the light of reviews under the title of 'Double Taxation' that CW&C may be charging for the upkeep of the playing field and equipment. There was the proposal of a one off grant of £6,000. This had come 'out of the blue' for the Parish Council and would need more information.

6.2 Parish Precept 2012 to 2013
Following the decision at last months meeting the precept form had been filled in for £2,750 and sent to CW&C.

6.3 Clerk's Salary
The Clerk's salary was reviewed and following discussion on comparable salaries and price change since the last increase, it was proposed by Clr Pardoe, seconded by Clr Bayley that the salary be raised to £1,242.60 pa, an increase of £102.60 (9%). This agreed by the Council.

The Clerk said that an email had been received from ChALC about income tax for clerks. A form P46 was mentioned that had to be completed and that she would make enquiries from HMRC. The Parish Council have already registered as an employer.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors

Clr Fifield stated that he is pushing on with the speeding matters and the reduction of the limit on the A roads. It was discussed that the transitional changes of limits between Villages was a further problem, e.g. Station Road. Clr Fifield agreed and said he would include the point in his actions to get speeds reduced.

Clr Grimshaw said that under the new arrangements to manage the use and distribution of the funding from central government, CW&C are one of only four authorities in the Country that have been selected, they would be tightening up on duplication of services. The Police is one area that could see big changes.

8 Reports from other meetings

1) Joint Cemetery Committee, minutes received and put in the folder for reading.

2) CPRE/ChALC meeting on Planning.. Clr Pardoe reported on the meeting. The presentation, entirely given by one planning consultant had been very good. A lot of the information reinforced and restated matters that we had been aware of re green belt, Local Policy Framework, Neighbourhood Plans. Clr Pardoe and the Chairman had spoken to the presenter (Mr Brooks) about the green belt and neighbourhood plans at the end of the meeting. He confirmed that areas washed over by the green belt did not need a plan and a plan would not give the Village any more protection than it has at present. However he did say that where a matter was left 'silent' it could be taken as not being of consequence and a Village strategy document could be useful.

There is to be follow-up meeting on the 30th March. It was agreed to obtain information and reserve places. Action Clerk

Clr Pardoe also mentioned that Mr Mike Sanderson the chairman of the local region branch, had canvassed for new members at the end of the meeting. It was agreed that the Council would take out membership at a cost of £29 pa.

9 Correspondence

CPRE booklet 'A guide to neighbourhood planning'.
CW&C - Bulletin Jan 2012.
CW&C - Taxi Licensing - Consultation document.
CW&C - Bulletin - Standards and Members Conduct - Localism Act 2011.
CW&C - Members Briefings, issues 279-290.
CW&C - House insulation scheme - CW&C, Warm Zone and Scottish Power.
CW&C and NHS - Joint Strategy for Future Wellbeing of Communities in West Cheshire.
Weaverham, Cuddington & Acton Bridge Cemetery Committee -Minutes 17th Jan.
ChALC - Meeting 30th March - Engaging Communities in Planning - Second event.
ChALC - Area meetings proposals.
ChALC - Newsletter No. 142 Feb 2012.
Cheshire Community Development Trust - Rural Bus Service - Application Form.
Cheshire Community Development Trust - Information on First Aid Training, Criminal Records Checks and Payroll Services.
Cheshire Rural Touring Arts - Booklet - Venues 2012.
West Cheshire Together - Partnership West Cheshire - Edition No 35.
Furniture at Work - Catalogue.
Glaston - Catalogue.
Vickie Crank - Harper University, Shropshire, - Neighbourhood Planning - survey form

10 Village Matters

a) Clr Evans reported on a computer Scam that he had become aware of and that the police should be informed if people were contacted. The 101 phone number should be used.

b) Clr Pardoe said that he had reported the water leak in Station Road. It was known about by UU but they had been slow to respond. Even CW&C involvement had not speeded them up.

11 Any other business

No matters were raised.

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Monday 5th March 2012, at 7-30pm.