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Editor's note : as part of its Freedom of Information initiative, copies of the Parish Council's minutes will be placed on this web site after council approval at the following meeting, but are for information only. The printed edition is the only authoritative version.


ACTON BRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 7th October 2013 at 7-30pm in the Parish Rooms.

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

1 Public Matters
Two members of the public were present.
Mrs L Scott of Holly Tree Cottage, Acton Lane, wished to query why the Parish Council did not consult residents on planning issues instead of involving CW&C, e.g. she now had to submit a retrospective planning application for the fence built at the boundary of her property. It was not possible for the Parish Council to give direction or consultation on planning matters. It was outside their remit. Should they do so and give wrong advice there could be serious consequences.

2 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting 2nd September, with the correction of one typing error, 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 had not been attended to, the Clerk had again urged attention by Highways. There has been some clearance of the grass verge to improve drainage but further work is needed. Action - Clerk - Ongoing

May meeting
4a) Acton Hall Farm redevelopment
The Chairman reported that there have been some amended plans but no building elevations on the planning web site. Nothing has been made known to the Parish Council officially. The Parish Council has been forwarded copies of emails between Clr J Grimshaw and Ms L Woodray of CW&C Planning Dept that indicated that the scheme as submitted could not be justified under the NPPF.

It was agreed, that as it is most unusual that an application should be outstanding for such a long time, a letter should be sent to CW&C Planning to seek clarification of the situation. Action - Clerk

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. Clr Oliver will copy the letter to the Clerk. Action Clr Oliver

June meeting
Item 4 Planning Applications
a) 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 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. Refer to Item 1 and 4 of this meeting. Action Clerk Completed
Item 11 Any other business
b) The Chairman has been in touch with CW&C Planning regarding the signs, one each side of the entrance to the car park, to indicate Acton Bridge Parish Rooms - Bowls and Tennis. CW&C Planning has supplied information that shows that the size of the signs as proposed do not require planning permission. Action Completed

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. The topic is on the Agenda for the Joint Parish Councils meeting and will be discussed there.

Defibrillators. Mrs J Evans Chair ABCA attended a training Course and brought the one for Acton Bridge to the last ABCA meeting. It will be temporarily housed in the Parish Rooms until a secure location is installed outside the Rooms. Access will be via a code supplied by the operator when 999 is called.
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

September Meeting
a) Further to public representations made regarding the Certificated Location license by the Caravan Club for a site off Acton Lane, the Parish Council had written to the Caravan Club pointing out the objections and the failings of the site. The Caravan Club have acknowledged the letter but nothing further has been received.

b) Residents also raised items concern over the lighting columns being obstructed by trees and a SLOW sign required on Acton Lane. The Clerk will contact CW&C Highways. Action Clerk.

c) White House, Cliff Lane - single storey side extension, additional alterations and new detached garage. There was no new information on this application.

4 Planning Applications
The retrospective application for the fence at Holly Tree Cottage, Acton Lane, was discussed. The Parish Council decided that it would recommend that the fence be altered to the limit as has been previously done on other occasions when similar cases to this had been raised.

5 Planning Decisions
a) Land at Hill Top Rd - Appeal by applicant against refusal by CW&C for a single dwelling on the site has been granted. Although in the Green Belt the Inspector had decided that this application amounted to 'limited in-fill'.

b) Milton Bank Farm Extension to agricultural building. The application has been granted.

c) 24, Cliff Road Change of use of land to equine use and provision of stables. The application has been granted. The location of the stable has been moved slightly away from the original position adjacent to number 28 Cliff Road.

d) 20, Cliff Road - outline application for four dwellings. Application refused on Green Belt grounds. The Parish Council were very disappointed at the information and comments provided by CW&C Highways which simply quoted statistics for the location and ignored the factual evidence. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to CW&C Highways expressing the concerns. Action Clerk

e) 29 Milton Rough - single storey rear extension. The application has been refused quoting the impact on the neighbours.

f) The Chairman reported that further to the granting of the application at 23 Milton Rough for extension of garage, neighbours still have concern about the culvert that runs under the extension.

6 Financial Matters
a) The payment of the Clerk's salary for July, August and September was approved.
b) A sum of Thirty pounds for petty cash was approved.
c) A survey / questionnaire from the auditors has been completed and returned by the Clerk.

7 CWAC Ward Councillors
None

8 Reports from other meetings
Report from Clr Pardoe reported on the Weaverhm Parish Council meeting that he had attended where the Superfast Broadband was a topic. Weaverham could be included in 2015 but 'Openreach' have the contract and will evaluate the potential numbers requiring the service.

Clr Pardoe also mentioned that the area PCSO had been present and had discussed the problems of unsociable behaviour in Weaverham.

9 Correspondence
a) The Chairman mentioned the Joint Parish Council meeting on the 16th Oct and the request that we should have an item for discussion. It was mentioned at a recent meeting on rural transport Acton Bridge was not considered as we are with Weaverham and Cuddington and outside a 'Rural' boundary that had been drawn. It was agreed that this was one of a number of items where we believe Acton Bridge should not be in a Ward that did not share it's rural problems and thus the change of Ward should be our topic.
b) Landscape Character Workshop it was agreed that as we did not have any members able to attend the meeting that the organisers should be contacted to let them know of our interest. Action Clerk
c) The Draft Local Plan was discussed and the copy circulated. Any comments to be supplied to the Clerk on an urgent basis due to the closing date for comments.

CW&C - Members Briefings, issues 561 - 572.
CW&C - Bulletin - July 2013 and August.
CW&C - Community Governance Review - Review of Crowton.
CW&C - Local Plan Consultation.
CW&C -. Draft Local Plan - drop-in events.
CW&C - .Democratic Services - Scale of fees for Parish Elections and Local Plan Referendums.
West Cheshire Together Partnership West Sept 2013.
Cheshire Landscape Trust - Warden sessions at Weaverham 12th Oct.
ChALC - VR Area meeting 3rd Oct.
ChALC News - JUly 2013.
Cheshire Community Development - Rural Bus Service.
email PCSO Adam Miscikas dates of meetings.
email CW&C Opposition fails in bid to change local housing figures
email CW&C Artisan Market extended trial period.

10 Village Matters
a) The hedge at the outside of the Hazel Pear Wood has not been cut this year and the Woodland Trust are to be asked to carry out the cut as agreed. Action Clerk

b)Clr Hughes raised the issue of Neighbourhood Plans now that a planning decision had gone against the Green Belt. It was agreed to contact Little Leigh and ask for information or for someone to talk to the Parish Council. Action Clerk

11 Any other business
None

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Monday 4th November 2013, at 7-30pm.


Minutes of the 2013 Parish Council AGM are here
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Web version edited by Steve Pardoe. E&OE.
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