1 Public Matters
None

2 Minutes of the June 2016 Meeting
With one editorial correction the minutes were agreed and signed.

3 Matters arising
June 2016 meeting
a) Voluntary Work Clr Forbes said that a further work session had been held and that a good length of Station Road on the Acton Bridge side has been cleared. Action Clr Forbes Completed

b) Further to the February 2016 meeting and the Saltscape Project, Clr Pardoe has completed a survey of the condition of the PRW footpaths in the Village as had been requested by ETHOS. His report has been sent to the Mid-Cheshire Footpaths Society and action now rests with CW&C to respond to the matters raised. Clr Tonge had offered to contact Mr S Holden at CW&C to find out what actions were proposed. Clr Tonge has sent a message to report that he had not been able to contact the CW&C officer to progress the matters. Action Clr Tonge - ongoing

Clr Pardoe said that Saltscape are awaiting news of the grants applications that have been submitted for a number of projects.

From January 2016 meeting, Item 10 Village Matters
Clr Hall had raised the matter of the state of the pavements throughout the Village and also that overgrown hedges were making walking along the roads very hazardous. The meeting discussed the responsibilities of landowners to cut their hedges. Clr Hall offered to take photographs and to contact CW&C 'Streetscene' to request action in repairs and enforcing of the cutting of hedges. Clr Hall reported that he had followed the matters up on the web site and would do so again. Action Clr Hall Ongoing

d) Speeding on Village roads
Subsequent to the initial meeting and because of lack of progress in completing agreed actions further contact had been made with Highways and a meeting arranged for 15th July, Clrs Holt, Pardoe, Forbes and Oliver would attended. Mr Chris Burnham, Cheshire Police, has also been invited to attend. Action Clr Holt - Completed

The speed data collection equipment has been installed by CW&C. There were comments that the equipment in Station Road had been position in the wrong place and would not show the true scale of the problem. The position of the equipment in Milton Rough was thought to be satisfactory.

Post meeting note
A successful meeting was held on the 15th July with Jamie Barron, Mark Jones and Chris Burnham.

Highways had supplied print-outs of the data collected from the five nominated locations in the Village. It was accepted by Highways that on consideration of the data Station Road and Milton Rough (Station Hill) have considerable excess speeding problems.

Highways agreed to produce costs for installation of a speed display device in Station Road. The Parish Council pointed out cheaper options but Highways said that they prefer to standardise on equipment and that they also have to allow for maintenance costs over ten years. It is expected some funding will be required from Members Budgets and the Parish Council.

Further discussion covered prospects of removing the 40mph zone between Weaverham and AB, Also moving 30mph sign in Station Road back towards Weaverham a distance to give more deceleration time.

Enforcement of speed limits was raised by the Parish Council. Chris Burnham said that he will look at sites for positioning 'speed vans' and installation of the necessary warning signs that speed cameras are in operation. It was subsequently reported that the Police safety camera crew have found a suitable site on Station Road to locate their van. They now have to erect the warning signs and once they are in place enforcement can commence.

Following the news on the speed cameras and signs it was agreed that the Parish Council would delay any decision about the interactive sign on Station Road until the effects of the new speeding camera signs, (which will be permanent) and the enforcement can be assessed although it may be that the interactive sign could be installed at another location.

Highways also made a commitment to re-line and refresh signage on all approaches to the village. A further commitment was made to hold a meeting on site regarding repositioning of the 30 mph speeding signs.

e) Item 5 Planning Decisions – Strawberry Lane
It was noted that the Planning Officers Report on the Strawberry Lane decision was still not published on the web site. Clr Tonge offered to enquire about it. The report is now on the web site. Action Clr Tonge Completed

f) Item 6 Financial Matters

i) The Clerk reported that the accounts for 2015-16 were with Mr P Young Internal Auditor.

ii) Cheque for £2,028.72 for white panels and associated wood frames, as agreed, has been passed to ABCA.

g) Item 9 Correspondence
At the June meeting, the Chairman tabled two letters and associated photographs that had been received anonymously complaining about damage to a grass verge at the corner of Orchard Avenue and he had queried a ‘protocol’ that had been produced by CW&C for paving of grass verges to assist parking. Clr Fifield believed that this had lapsed since the change of Council but he would enquire as to what is the situation and what could be done. Clr Fifield reported that the ‘protocol’ has finished but an inspection had been made of the damage and repairs were to be carried out. Action Clr Fifield - Completed

h) Metal fence at the Station bridge
There was no update on the proposed replacement with a wooden fence.
Post meeting note
Mr Boardman of Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Group had informed the Chairman that work was due to start on 25th July. Subsequently started on time and now completed.

4 Planning Applications
a) Meadow View Strawberry Lane, application for a Velux Cacabrio dormer window. No Objections or comments.

b) Acton Hall Farm – resolution of planning approval matters – no objections. It was noted that the stable block appeared to be larger in the elevations than shown in the plans.

c) An appeal has been lodged against the refusal by CW&C for the stable block at White House Cliff Road. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Inspectorate restating the reasons for the Parish Councils objections. Action Clerk

5 Planning Decisions
a) New build at Long Orchard. Planning conditions and plans have been approved.

6 Financial Matters
a) Authority for Signing Cheques – The Clerk's salary for three months, April, May & June, of £332.75 was approved.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors
There is little to report. Discussions are taking place on a parking charge strategy. Charges are made in Chester and Ellesmere Port but Northwich is free.

In response to a query, Clr Fifield said that consultants are being employed to consider the future use of the Precinct Area in Northwich. Possibility of car parking and houses have been proposed. Clr Fifield also mentioned that the ASDA store and the Cinema complex at Barrons Quay are due to open in the new year.

8 Reports from other meetings
a) Town Farm Quarry - Clr Pardoe reported on the meeting of the Town Farm Quarry Action Group. Discussions had centred on the survey and the levels of infill. It is believed that the levels are higher than they should be and that there is more sand extraction than should be which will lead to more infill.

A meeting with the Operator and CW&C (Mr Charnley) has been proposed for Monday 26th Sept. Clrs Hall and Holt will attend.

9 Correspondence
i) A letter had been received from Fifield Glynn who have been appointed to act as agents for the owners of the former garden centre site on Station Road. The letter asked for a meeting to discuss proposed building on the site. After discussing with the Vice-Chairman, the Chairman had, through the Clerk, responded to say that the Parish Council do not act as consultants or enter into prior discussion before applications are received.

Clr Fifield declared an interest and left the meeting. Clr Pardoe mentioned that he had in the past had some small business connection with Fifield Glynn but that this would not preclude him from taking part in the discussion.

The Parish Council endorsed the approach that had been taken in responding to the letter. It was also agreed that the site is covered by Green Belt criteria and that there is a Public Footpath in the site.

10 Village Matters
a) Clr Hall raised an item of parking on Station Road, near the Station, and obstruction being caused. It was believed to be residents parking outside their houses. It was agreed that the PCSO be asked to check the situation. Action Clr Holt
b) Clr Oliver raised a query on the condition of the bench on Acton Lane that had been installed in memory of resident Mr Alan Littlemore by Weaver Vale Cycling Club. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Cycling Club to request investigation. Action Clr Holt
c) Clr Oliver also mentioned the bench installed around the tree at the junction of Hill Top Road and Cliff Road and that ABCA were looking into this matter as an offer has been made to renovate / renew the seat.
d) It had been reported that there was a considerable amount of rubbish / waste on the Hazel Pear car park. Clr Forbes offered to enquire into the matter. Action Clr Forbes

11 A.O.B.
None

Date of next meeting
Due to the Summer break the next meeting will be on Monday 5th September 2016, starting at 7-30pm.