1) Public Matters
Present - Mr G Law
Mr Law mentioned the accident and damage to the house on Station Road, he said he had written to the Police about the speeding problem. The Chairman said that there had been correspondence with CW&C Highways and that they had stated that speeding is now worse since the speed limit had been changed.

Mr Law said that the Sat Nav data has not been updated to reflect the change in speed limit. He also said that the central white lines have not been changed and that they still denote the layout for the old speed limit of 60mph. Clr Fifield offered to contact Highways on the markings.

Further to the recent introduction of the reduced speed limit to 40mph, Mr Law said that he had pointed out to Highways that the distance between the two 30mph zones (Weaverham and Acton Bridge ends) was less than that stipulated in the guidelines for change of speed limits and as such there should be a continuous 30mph between Weaverham and Acton Bridge. He also said that CW&C have chosen to ignore the Woodlands and his own properties as being residences on that stretch of road when making their assessment.

The problem of car parking for Station Road residents was also raised. It was a fact that residents parked off the road, partly on the pavement and partly on the grass verge for safety sake and to free the highway for traffic. The possibility of providing an inset parking bay in front of the houses was discussed. It was agreed to consult and consider this scheme.

2 Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of the July meeting were accepted and signed.

3 Matters arising
3.1 Tree Survey
Following the subject raised at the AGM and subsequent meeting of Mr G Law, Clrs Pardoe and Holt, initial work has been carried out by Mr Law. He reported that;
There are a number of Ash trees at the junction of Strawberry Lane / Acton Lane that are in a distressed state, some of which are overhanging the highway. Mr Law queried the responsibility for attending to the trees and for reporting the potential danger. It was accepted that the landowner is responsible for the maintenance of the trees, however it was thought that all parties / people could report potential dangerous situations to CW&C Highways.

Clr Pardoe offered to investigate and take photographs of the trees so that the Parish Council could send the information to CW&C. Action Clr Pardoe and Clerk

Mr Law mentioned the topic of a large Oak tree that had been felled in the land to the North West of Hill Top Farm where a subsequent planning application has been submitted. Clr Fifield said that a person responsible for cutting down a tree with a TPO could be open to prosecution, and he would enquire what the legality of the situation is. Action Clr Fifield

Mr Law has taken Station Road as the first section of highway to be investigated and reported that a number of Ash trees are showing distress. There are also some large Oak trees that have been heavily cut-back by the utilities to clear the power lines and there are some Oak trees near the Railway Station that need attention. Mr Law said that he did not think that any trees along that length of road would be suitable for application for a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

Mr Law was thanked for his work and the detail of his report. The Parish Council discussed the further work and the possibility that if a Village Survey was carried out that tree preservation and planting could be included as a topic. Mr Law suggested that a questionnaire could be raised and views sought on tree preservation.

It was mentioned that Weaverham Trust had carried out a survey of Owley Wood and useful information could be obtained from them.

Refer further to 3.3 Matters Arising May 2015 below.

3.2 Co-option to Parish Council
Further to the recent elections held in May and the notices that had been published and displayed concerning the vacancy for one Parish Councillor, two applications had now been received to fill the vacancy. The letters had been copied and circulated to the Parish Council for consideration prior to the meeting.

The letters were discussed and each candidate considered. The Clerk arranged a secret vote and counted the votes for each candidate. The Clerk announced that Mr R Forbes, 36 Station Road, Acton Bridge, was duly elected.

Mr Forbes would be notified, provided with the necessary forms for completion and invited to the next meeting. A letter of appreciation of the interest and thanking for the application would be sent to the other applicant. Action Clerk

3.3 Matters Arising
April 2015 Meeting
Concerning the Town Farm Quarry applications and appeals;
An Environment Report has been published. It is a very lengthy assessment of the site and gives only limited mention of traffic in the surrounding areas and feeder roads especially B5153.
The date and location of the appeal hearings has been set at Tuesday October 13th and will be heard at Wyvern House, Winsford. It is very important that as many people attend as possible to show the strength of local feeling.

June 2013 Meeting
Extended garage 23, Milton Rough. The matter is still with the Ombudsman for review and resolution. The matter has been given to an investigator but no update as yet.

June 2014 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 matter is with CW&C for action. No progress as yet. Clr Pardoe offered to visit the site and check the present situation. Action Clr Pardoe

Post meeting note
Clr Pardoe has taken photographs of the site and forwarded them to the Clerk and Chairman. These have been sent to CW&C and action urged. Clr Pardoe stated that there is no Warning sign on the Acton Bridge side of the path to state that it is closed.

May 2015 Meeting
b) Village Survey - Further to the action to consider a Village survey, the three Councillors have met a representative of Cuddington Parish Council and obtained a copy of their survey. The information is being circulated to all members of Acton Bridge Parish Council.

Clr Fifield said that he had joined the Parish Council to further the survey and thought it was a useful idea. He believed it could bring out items for all, including young people.
Clr Hall said he thought that the Parish Council had to be very cautious with the questions that were posed in order not to create false impressions and expectations of what could be done.
Clr Fifield said that the Acton Bridge survey need not be as deep as the Cuddington survey.

June 2015 Meeting
Item 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting
Arising from the AGM, and a meeting with Mr Graham Law held between Clrs Pardoe and Holt, Clr Pardoe will contact Mr Law to check progress. Action Clr Pardoe - Completed.

Progress is recorded at Item 3.1.

July 2015 Meeting
Item 4 Planning Applications
a) 57 Cliff Road - application for two properties. A letter objecting to the application and request refusal has been sent to CW&C. Action Clerk - Completed
b) Woodstock, Milton Rough - Raise roof line and provision of dormer bedroom. Letter stating the Parish Council have no objections to the amended application has been sent to CW&C. Action Clerk - Completed
c) Agricultural building, Milton Heys, Sandfield Lane - retrospective application. Letter sent to CW&C following complaints by residents on the matter of the new building. The Parish Council were concerned that the building is for equine activities not agriculture and as such is not justified. It was also concerned that this is the second retrospective application on this site and sets a bad precedent for non-compliance with planning requirements. A letter be sent to CW&C requesting refusal. Action Clerk - Completed
Since the last Parish Council meeting in July, it has subsequently been announced by CW&C that the application has been granted. Of particular concern to the Parish Council is a statement in the Planning Officers Report that the Parish Council has not commented. This is obviously false as the comments sent in by the Clerk are recorded on the web site. It was agreed that the Planning Office should be contacted and an apology requested. Action Chairman
Item 8 Reports from other meetings
Letter has been sent to the Joint Cemetery Committee notifying the appointment to Clr Hazel Bayley to the Committee and that the Parish Council are happy for Mr David Evans to carry on as a co-opted member for as long as he wished. also letter be sent to Mr Morton Hodgson thanking him for all his work on the Parish Council and the Joint Cemetery Committee. Action Clerk Completed
Item 10 Village Matters
c) There had been a number of complaints about speeding traffic along Station Road and Milton Rough. The matter had not improved since the speed limit had been lowered. It was agreed that more enforcement was necessary and that the Police should be asked to take action. Action Clerk Completed
Post Meeting Note As a follow on to notifying the Police Crime Commissioner of apologies for not being able to attend a Parish Councils Consultation Meeting, the PCC had been advised of the concerns over speeding and requested action. The PCC has forwarded the request to the Police. d) The Councillors appointed to prepare information on a Village Survey had not been able to meet as yet. Also Clr Fifield will contact representatives of Cuddington Parish Council who had carried out a similar survey. Action Clr Fifield - Completed Covered above.
e) The Clerk has several times phoned and urged CW&C Highways to attend to the overgrown weeds problems in the gutters along Cliff Road, Pear Tree Lane and Wall Hill Way. Clr Fifield has also chased and will chase again. Action Clr Fifield

4 Planning Applications
a) Power line re-routing. Rose Cottage Acton Lane. The Chairman had visited the property and discussed with the residents. The application is to take the line away from and clear of the property. No objections or comments. Action Clerk
b) Re-submission Fairfield Cottage. The Chairman had spoken to the resident. The application has been amended after consultation with the Planning Officer and was now smaller than the first submission. The first application had been agreed by the Parish Council. There were no objections or comments on the new application. Action Clerk
c) Demolition of 97 Hill Top Road and rebuild. The Parish Council discussed the need to demolish the property which is 300 years old and build a new replacement. The Chairman pointed out the related paragraphs in the NPPF concerning buildings that were either included in or could be considered as part of the 'Heritage Assets'. The building is close to a listed building (Pepper Street) and close to other historic buildings (Hall Green Farm).

It was agreed that as no report or substantiation of the application to demolish the building has been provided or that the existing structure is "beyond practicable repair", that this historical aspect and heritage should be brought to the attention of CW&C and a letter with these observations be sent to CW&C. Action Clerk
Rose Farm Hill Top Road - addition of timber framed building (conservatory) to the rear of the property. There were no objections or comments on the application. Action Clerk

Housing Survey - The Chairman raised the matter of item of correspondence received from a consultant organisation NEMS Market Research that stated they had been commissioned to carry out a survey in Acton Bridge regarding, mainly, affordable housing. A Sample questionnaire had been supplied which it was said after some amendments would be sent to all houses in Acton Bridge.

After discussion with the Vice-Chairman, the Chairman had responded, giving the status of Acton Bridge and pointing out the absence of basic facilities needed to sustain affordable housing. Clr Fifield said that it should be publicised that the survey had not been endorsed by the Parish Council. As there would not be a Village newsletter for some time it was agreed to put the disclaimer on the Village web site. Clr Pardoe offered to draft the text and circulate for comment before putting it on the web site. Action Clr Pardoe

5 Planning Decisions
a) Milton Heys retrospective agricultural building - approved.
b) Woodstock, Milton Rough - approved.

6 Financial Matters
a) The audit papers have been returned and have been approved.
b) Following completion of the election of Parish Councillors and the completion of the forms for the Co-Operative Bank a letter has now been received welcoming the Parish Council. Administrative processes are underway and are expected to completed in four weeks.
c) Further to the news via ChALC of Transparency Code for Smaller Councils, correspondence has been received setting out possible grant money to purchase equipment to enable the Parish Council to comply with the requirements of the Code. The information on compliance and possible equipment had been circulated.

It was accepted that there was no suitable location where additional equipment, computer, scanner etc could be stored or where a dedicated land line and internet connection could be installed for Parish Council use. It was agreed that the Parish Council could comply with the Code using personal equipment of members on a voluntary basis.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors
Clr Fifield said that the new Council is still setting up the various management groups. The future of the shopping precinct at Weaver Square is being discussed.

8 Reports from other meetings
There had been an AGM of the Joint Cemetery Committee. All appointed members including Mr D Evans and also Mr Morton Hodgson had attended.

Interviews have been held and a new Clerk is to be appointed.

9 Correspondence
ChALC AGM set for 29th October, Clr Oliver and Holt to attend.
ChALC - Information on Planning Seminar received. Members are interested but could not attend.
Letter received from Police and Crime Commissioner regarding speeding. Also newsletter of various actions completed. It appears that other Parish Councils do not know the identity of their PCSO. Acton Bridge PCSO has moved and no news of the replacement. Chairman to Check Action Clr Holt
CPRE - Newsletters and Countryside Voice magazine.
Cheshire Community Action - Fee.
Broxap - Booklet on litter bins etc.
Marmax Products - Booklet on recycling items.
J Parkers - Catalogue on bulbs and plants.
TBE Solar - Letter re solar power.

10 Village Matters
a) Clr Fifield reported that the three CW&C Councillors had given a total of £1000 to Pre-School Funds to assist the continued work and existence of the Organisation.
b) Woodland Trust had been in touch (via Clr Pardoe) about possible take-over of the management though a lease to the Village.

This possibility has been raised some years ago but had been rejected. It was agreed to re-examine the files and consider if there are any benefits for the Village.

11 Any other business
None

Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be on Monday 5th October 2015, at 7-30pm.