1 Public Matters
There were approximately 16 residents of Acton Lane, Wall Hill Way and Strawberry Lane present. The strong attendance was due to concerns about the possible issue of a Certificated Location license for a site off Acton Lane by the Caravan Club. The Parish Council had been made aware that a notice, by the Caravan Club, was displayed on the gate to the field on Acton Lane. It transpired that under legislation, Caravans Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, an authorised body (the Caravan Club) can sanction the use of land for up to five caravans on a site without any planning permission being required. Satisfying some basic criteria (half an acre in size, drainage, drinking water supply, safe access, 12ft wide gateway) were all that is required.

The owners of the land had contacted the Caravan Club and also the residents most closely affected.

The residents raised objections on many counts and the meeting discussed how best to represent the issues with the Caravan Club and the Local Authorities. The Parish Council shared the concerns of the residents and promised them their full support.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to the Caravan Club stating their reasons and grounds on the unsuitability of the site, the disturbance by noise from various sources to nearby residents, the condition and poor drainage of the ground and adjoining area, the dangerous bend and accidents at that location, health and hygiene.

Objections would also be raised on the grounds that the land in question is agricultural land within the North Cheshire Green Belt. Within the Green Belt guidelines in the NPPF Chapter 9 Protecting Green Belt Land and the Vale Royal Local Plan (2006), there are a number of clauses that the Parish Council believe to be valid and pertinent to the objections.

It was agreed that the letter be copied to Cheshire West and Chester Planning and Highways Departments. All residents should also write and lodge objections.

Post meeting note. Clr Fifield suggested the letter be also copied to Mr G Evans MP.

Residents raised additional items of concern on Acton Lane, some lighting columns are obstructed by trees and a Slow sign is required on Acton Lane. The Clerk will contact CW&C Highways. Action Clerk.

2 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting 1st July 2013 were accepted and signed.

3 Matters arising

November meeting
10 a). Clr Bayley reported that Mr J Oakley (CW&C) has visited the site and discussed the work to repair the fence and tidy up trees and weeds on the verge at Milton Rough. The work has not been carried out as yet and Clr Bayley will again follow this up with CW&C. Action Clr Bayley.

The blocked grid and drainage problem in Wetton Lane has not been attended to, the Clerk has again urged attention by Highways. Action - Clerk - Ongoing

April meeting
Item 7 CW&C Councillors - A query was made regarding the recent Council Tax statements and that there was no explanation of how the Special Expenses was being assessed and allocated. Clr Fifield will chase up a response. Several emails had been exchanged between Clr Fifield, Mrs Armstrong (Senior Manager - Partnerships & Development, CW&C) and the Chairman. There is no clear resolution, costs in Special Expenses appear to be apportioned for PCSO and playing fields to Parishes on per capita basis that don't fund or manage their own. Action Clr Fifield - Completed

May meeting
4a) Acton Hall Farm redevelopment
The Chairman reported that there has been no movement that has been made known to the Parish Council. It is most unusual that an application should be outstanding for such a long time.

4c) Land at Hill Top Rd - Appeal by applicant against refusal. No new information.

Grant refund
There had again been additional complications caused by separate branches of the Big Lottery Fund contacting Clr Oliver and the Clerk. Information has been supplied and is now believed completed.

June meeting
Item 4 Planning Applications
a) Extended garage 23, Milton Rough The Chairman reported further conversations with the neighbour who has raised many issues over correct installation of the culvert piping, both with CW&C and United Utilities. The work is going ahead but does not appear to being constructed to any specification or to being inspected.
Item 6 Financial Matters
6b) Mr Young to be informed of change in procedure to valuation of assets. Action Clerk Completed. See also Item 6 of this meeting.
Item 10 Village Matters
The building of a fence outside Holly Tree Cottage, Acton Lane and changes to the public footpath signs had been reported. The Clerk has been in touch with CW&C on both matters. The outcome will be followed up. Action Clerk On-going
Item 11 Any other business
b) Mr Heaton is continuing work to get quotes and layouts for the signs, one each side of the entrance to the car park, to indicate Acton Bridge Parish Rooms - Bowls and Tennis. The Parish Council will check with CW&C Planning regards permission for the signs. Action Clerk

July Meeting
Item 7 CW&C
There has been no further news on the revision of speed limits on the B5153 and the cost of new signage for the associated Villages.
Defibrillators. Mrs J Evans Chair ABCA is to attend a training Course.
Item 10 Village Matters Clr Evans is to check on the query that had been raised about the replacement of stiles and can these be replaced by swing (kissing gate) type. Action Clr Evans - On-going

4 Planning Applications
During the Summer break two applications had been responded to by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
a) Milton Bank Farm Extension to agricultural building. The letter sent to CW&C was read out. The letter asked for refusal of the application on the basis of the grounds of that had been stated by the Planning Officer and that the application said that livestock would be kept in the building which was not permitted. It was also pointed out that building impinged on the openness of the Green Belt. The Council agreed with the letter and the recommendation.
b) 24, Cliff Road Change of use of land to equine use and provision of stables. The Chairman had discussed the application with neighbours of the site and a letter had been sent to CW&C requesting that the proposed site, close to No 28 Cliff Rd, be refused. It was proposed that a better and less intrusive location could be found on the field. The letter sent to CW&C was read out. The Council agreed with the letter and the recommendation.

Other applications awaiting response
c) White House, Cliff Lane - single storey side extension, additional alterations and new detached garage. Comments had been received from neighbours of the site and their comments were also on the CW&C web site. Mr Brocklebank, the owner and applicant, was present.

The proposed plans were discussed and consideration given to the extent of the side extension to accommodate a swimming pool. The size of this and the other alterations were estimated to increase the volume by some 70 to 80%. The proposed new entrance and driveway was also discussed together with the concerns that had been raised by the neighbours on this subject. It was noted that the neighbours did not object to the actual development.

Mr Brocklebank was invited to speak on the application. He said that he considered the change in volume was more like 30%. The roof line of the building had been reduced while trying to keep the pitch of the new roof in keeping with the existing profiles. He said he appreciated the concerns of the neighbours and was prepared to consider some re-arrangement of the entrance and driveway.

The Parish Council considered the overall impact on the openness of the green Belt and in particular the change that was apparent from Cliff Road, being Elevation E on the plans, was most detrimental. The Council decided that they had to be consistent in their assessments of the impact on the openness of the Green Belt and would request refusal on the reasons and grounds set out in the NPPF and the Vale Royal Local Plan.

d) 20, Cliff Road - Outline application for one replacement dwelling and three new dwellings.
Comments from one neighbour were on the CW&C web site. Verbal comments had been received from other neighbours and residents expressing concern at the development and the location of new access points at the dangerous bend.

The Chairman reviewed the objections and again referred to the impact on the openness of the Green Belt based on the reasons and grounds set out in the NPPF and the Vale Royal Local Plan. The replacement of a bungalow by four double storey houses together with the effect on the skyline at this high point was a big factor in requesting refusal. A letter setting out the Parish Councils objections and dangerous positioning of the access points would be sent to CW&C.

e) 29 Milton Rough - single storey rear extension. The Chairman had spoken to the adjoining neighbour. Comments from neighbours on both sides were on the CW&C web site.

The Council reviewed the plans and were concerned that the extension completely filled the rear yard of the property would completely block outlook from the adjoining property. The building work and associated footings would cause serious incursion into the neighbouring property. It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to CW&C with their objections and supporting those raised by the neighbours.

5 Planning Decisions
23 Milton Rough - Application for extension of garage has been approved. There is an 'Information' appended to the Approval concerning the applicants responsibility for flow of water through his land.

6 Financial Matters
a) The approved accounts had been received from the auditors. The Notice stating when residents could view the accounts will be put on the Notice Board.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors
None

8 Reports from other meetings
Report from Clr Pardoe of Vale Royal Area meeting on 11th July has been circulated.

9 Correspondence
The Chairman mentioned a petition being raised in Daresbury Village concerning the possible development of a Travellers Site against the wishes of the residents and the local authority. Anyone who wished could sign the petition.

The Chairman read out correspondence that had been forwarded by Clr Pardoe from a resident on Warrington Road regarding speeding on the A49. It was agreed that in the light of the recent alterations to the speed limits there was nothing that the Parish Council could do.

CW&C - Members Briefings, issues 531 - 560.
CW&C - Bulletin - July 2013 and August.
CW&C - Events Toolkit.
CW&C - Support people with disabilities.
CW&C - Census 2011 - Information for Parishes.
CW&C - Little Leigh Village Design Statement.
CW&C - Community Governance Review 18th Sept , 6-30pm Winsford Lifestyle Centre.
West Cheshire Together Partnership West July 2013.
CPRE - Countryside Voice - Summer edition.
ChALC services - Health and Safety for Local Councils.
ChALC - AGM 24th Oct.
Cheshire Rural Arts - programme Autumn 2013.
Cheshire Community Action - Community Land Trusts.
Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS - Newsletter.
Environment Agency - Reducing flood risks in Northwich - dates of meetings.
Vale Royal T&PC Meeting - Minutes of 14th March 2013.
Sovereign - Play equipment.
Saltex - Green space management

10 Village Matters
A resident had reported that there are several instances of non garden rubbish type fires. It was hoped this was a temporary matter and would not be repeated.

11 Any other business
None

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Monday 7th October 2013, at 7-30pm.