1) Public Matters
Present Mr & Mrs Hudson.

2 Minutes of Previous Meetings
a) The minutes of the meeting 1st September 2014 were accepted and signed.

3 Matters arising
June 2013 meeting
June 2013 meeting
Item 4 Planning Applications
Extended garage 23, Milton Rough. It is believed that the neighbour has now taken action with the Local Ombudsman on the CW&C handling of the matter and his concerns with the apparent lack of acceptance by CW&C over their responsibilities as Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).

February 2014 Meeting
7 CWAC Ward Councillors
b) The new speed limits for Station Road and Milton Rough, as part of the B5154 amendments, have been implemented. Clr Fifield has been seeking clarification of the funding. At present it is believed (letter from Highways refers) to be half by CW&C and half by the relevant Parish Council. Clr Fifield said he has been in touch with Highways and is concerned that the work has been done before costs and payment have been sorted out. Action Clr Fifield ongoing

June meeting
3 Matters Arising
Reference the incident that had taken place on FP12 when three walkers had got into difficulties due to the poor state of the path, the Clerk is to contact Mr Holden as to the latest situation to getting the path opened again. The Clerk said that she had not had any success in contact Mr Holden. Clr Fifield offered to raise the matter on behalf of the Parish Council. Action passed to Clr Fifield. Action Clr Fifield.

September meeting
10 Village Matters
a) Clr Bayley raised the matter of the poor repairs to Station Road and Milton Rough. A resident who had complained to CW&C had been dealt with curtly. Clr Bayley also reported that some tarmac had been dumped near the lay-by at Milton Rough. The Clerk to contact highways and also to ask that the white lines at the junction of Hill Top Road and Station Road be re-instated.
The Clerk reported that Highways accepted that the resurfacing was poor quality but had stated it should last 10 years. There was no information on the poor treatment of the resident that had complained. The white lines at the hill Top Road junction had been repainted. Action Clerk Completed.

c) The Chairman reported that the publication on the First World War 'fallen men' of the Village, prepared by Mr Bob Heaton, was nearing completion and would be distributed with the November issue of the Newsletter. He also reported that at a recent ABCA meeting it had been proposed and agreed that ABCA would share the printing costs with the Parish Council.

A.O.B.
Clr Hughes said that the flower beds outside the Parish Rooms had made a splendid display this year and felt that Mr Jeremy Sandys-Winsch should be thanked. It was agreed, that although ABCA would usually do this, a letter should also be sent from the Parish Council. The Clerk confirmed that she had taken a letter to Mr Sandys-Winsch. Action Clerk Completed

It was reported that a number of the street lights along Acton Lane were not working properly. The Clerk will contact CW&C Highways. The Clerk confirmed that she had reported the lights and that they have been repaired. Action Clerk Completed

4 Planning Applications
a) Mr & Mrs Hudson were present to discuss the plans that had been recently submitted to CW&C for the Falconry on Warrington Road. The Parish Council have not formally received the plans as yet although they have been published on the CW&C web site.

Mr & Mrs Hudson explained that they had now been operating for three years. There had been steady growth and the number of visitors had risen from 200 in the first year, 600 in the second and 800 this year to-date. Mr & Mrs Hudson explained that they operated on an appointment system so firstly the numbers and parking were controlled but also the arrangement enabled them to plan their external courses and displays.

The new plans were very much as approved three years ago and the amendments additions had been carried out. They now have five meerkats for added attraction but there were no intentions to have further animals. Mr & Mrs Hudson said that they are passionate about British species of birds and this was their main aim. They also said that they hoped to be able to create two part-time jobs on the site.

The Parish Council raised no objections or comments on the application and were pleased that the enterprise was working out well for Mr & Mrs Hudson.

b) New dwelling - Long Orchard, Hill Top Road - Outline Planning Application.
Plans have been received for one new property to be erected in the garden of Long Orchard and with a driveway entrance on to Old Lane.

The Parish Council discussed the implications of the building in the Green Belt and that there were no special circumstances offered as to why the building is required. The Parish Council also reiterated the effects on the openness of the green belt, that the site was not an infill site and the filling in of plots would destroy the character of Hill Top Road and its open aspects. It was also pointed out that the high pressure pipelines that pass under Hill Top Road pass through the site.

A number of residents affected by the proposal have written to CW&C objecting to the building.
It was also mentioned that contrary to the submission made with the application CW&C can demonstrate a five year supply of land for housing.

The Parish Council agreed to write to CW&C asking for refusal of the application.

5 Planning Decisions
CW&C have notified all parties that the amended arrangement of the Telecom mast does not require planning permission, it has to comply with Town & Country Planning Act (General Permitted Development).

6 Financial Matters
a) Clerk's salary for July, August and September of £329.50 was authorised.
b) The Audit Fee of £42 as discussed in September was authorised.
c) The Clerk reported on the long discussions that she had with the Cheshire Building Society and the Nationwide B.S. over possible charges since the account has been transferred to them. She has tried to get clarification from both offices in Northwich. She had also sourced other accounts with banks and building societies that would give free accounts for Parish Councils. Investigations on possible charges for cheques are still in progress at the Nationwide B.S.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors
Clr Fifield reported that CW&C have brought forward their review of budgets for the next two years and are proposing to freeze the levels of Council Tax for those years.

Clr Fifield also mentioned the applications for money to be distributed from the Councillors discretionary funds. ABCA have submitted details of work and equipment required on the Parish Rooms which would be receiving consideration.

The Chairman mentioned that notification had been received from CW&C of the outcome of the Community Governance Reviews that had taken place for Acton Bridge and our adjoining Parishes. These had gone through with no variations on the notifications already seen and would be formally adopted by CW&C.

8 Reports from other meetings
a) There has been a meeting of the Joint Parish Councils. Clr Fifield mentioned an initiative called 'Social Isolation Project' that Acton Bridge could join in with Weaverham and Cuddington.
b) Three Parish Council members had attended the meeting hosted by Weaverham Trust at which Mr Jeremy Owens had given a presentation on current planning policies and CW&C local Plans. Green Belt is still Acton Bridge's principal defence against development. Mr Owens had stated that CW&C does have the predicted five year supply of land for housing requirement.

9 Correspondence
CW&C - Members Briefings, issues 718 - 723, 726 -735.
CW&C - Bulletin -August and September 2014.
CW&C - Letters -Issue of Local Plan Part 1.
CW&C - Letter -Survey of Land Allocations & Detailed Policies, Sites and Services for Local Plan Part 2.
CW&C - Bus User Survey.
CW&C - Community Assets and Services Pre-feasibility Grants.
CW&C - Lord Mayor of Chester Charity Concert.
CW&C - Grants available for 'Grow Wild Places' project.
Partnership West - September Leaflet.
CPRE - Magazine Autumn 2014 and Cheshire Viewpoint.
CPRE -Christmas Event at High Legh.
Wickstead Playgrounds leaflet.

10 Village Matters
a) Work is in hand to install the defibrillator unit in a cabinet on the outside of the Parish Rooms.
b) A 'Rights of Way' survey is being carried out aimed at opening up access to Middlewich, Frodsham and the Mersey.
c) Clr Evans reported on a number of incidents and his personal experience of hazards to cyclists on the roads in the Village and the bends in Hill Top Road where cyclists were pushed off the road as vehicles were overtaking. The meeting discussed the possibility of installing Warning signs but recognised that there were many bends where these would need to be installed and so it would not be practicable.
d) Clr Evans also mentioned an item in the notes of a meeting of the Police & Crime Commissioner and Parish Councillors in which it was stated that breaches of weight restrictions on designated roads had to be verified by two witnesses before the Police would take action.
e) Clr Oliver reported on correspondence he had received as Tree Warden for the Village and that Cheshire Wildlife Trust were saying that It was necessary for volunteers to register and to be available to assist in conservation work. It was agreed that the Parish Council seek clarification as to what is expected and required.
f) The Chairman said that he had raised the matter of cutting the hedge at the boundary of Hazel Pear Wood with Woodland Trust.
g) The Chairman said that he had followed up a request with Network Rail to clear growth from the footpath leading to / from Milton Rough.
h) The 'Give Way' road sign at the junction of Hill Top Road with Station Road had been knocked over. Highways had been requested to replace the sign.
i) Clr Bayley gave information on a serious incident that had taken place outside her house on Milton Rough when workmen and equipment were involved in an accident with a large HGV. Although there had been damage to property the Police had said that they could not act against the driver as he was from outside the Country.

11 Any other business
None.

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Monday 3rd November 2014, at 7-30pm.