BURTONWOOD & WESTBROOK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held at the Kingswood Community Centre, Westbrook, on Wednesday, 19 February 2014 at 7.30 pm

Present Chairman Ward

* K Burgess (L) Burtonwood West

Vice Chairman

* A McCausland M.B.E. (IND) Westbrook (Co-opted 16/05/12)

Council Members

* A Abbey (L) Burtonwood East

* J Davidson (L) Burtonwood East

J Joyce (L) Burtonwood East

* J Higham (L) Burtonwood West

* T O’Neill (L) Burtonwood West

D Earl (LD) Callands

* R Harrison M.B.E. (L) Callands

M Harrison (IND) Callands

* S Krizanac (LD) Callands

* Bob MacLaren (IND) Callands

M Smith (LD) Old Hall

(Co-opted 16/105/12)

* A Guthrie (L) Westbrook

* J Guthrie (L) Westbrook

M Thorpe (IND) Westbrook

(Co-opted 16/05/12)

* Denotes Councillor present at Council

Also present J Pickles – Clerk

Chris Gardner – Miller Developments

Mr and Mrs D Cunningham

PCSO S Grady

C86 Apologies

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor J Joyce, D Earl, M Harrison, M Smith and J Guthrie.

C87 Code of Conduct - Declarations of Interest

It was noted that no declarations of interest were received.

C88 Presentation by Chris Garner – Development Officer – Miller Developments

Mr Gardner attended the meeting to report on proposals for the next proposals / phases of developments in relation to Omega South.

The following was noted:-

Zone 7

Ø  About 2.1m square foot of development

Ø  Around 30% manufacturing and 70% logistics business space

Ø  Each expected to include some office space

Ø  Outline application to allow flexibility to respond to occupiers needs

Zone 7 – Landscape and Environment

Ø  Landscape character – former airfield site

Ø  Studies undertaken – landscape / wildlife attributes

Ø  Wider Masterplan approach

Ø  Landscape management

Ø  Drainage

Zone 7 – Key proposed landscape features

Ø  M62 corridor border – dominated by wetland and woodland habitats, building on the established Great Crested Newt community already present

Ø  Green corridor – north to south plus east to west linking habitats across the site with the green heart

Ø  Footpaths and cycle ways – within the green corridors providing attractive and wildlife diverse routes through the site

Ø  Landscape approach

Ø  The green heart

Zone 7 – Transport and Access

Ø  Transport to and from the development is being assessed by use of the Warrington Transport Model

Key features of the approach;-

Ø  New Road linking from Omega Boulevard through the site to junction 8

Ø  Potential for adoption road to be open to the general public thereby potentially providing some relief to existing traffic on Burtonwood Road

Ø  All HGV’s to and from the zone 7 development will enter and exit the site via junction 8 to minimize impact from HGV’s on the surrounding network

Ø  Traffic is being considered in more detail with a specific focus on J8, Burtonwood Road, Whittle Avenue and Lingley Green Avenue

Ø  Output from the modelling work and other areas where the impact may be predicted

Ø  New acess to zone 7 will be created for pedestrians, cycling and for public transport

Zone 1 and 2 – Offices

Ø  Planning permission has already been granted for typically 1,2 and possibly 3 storey offices

Ø  Accessed from junction 8, the entrance will be enhanced through landscape

Ø  The listed monument will be given more prominence and landscape setting

Ø  It will be separated from the manufacturing and logistics zone through a new, wide tree corridor that leads down to the green heart

Ø  A location of the mixed use zone adjacent to the office zones will help to create integration

Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 E – Mixed Use

Ø  Potentially some residential development plus commercial uses such as a supermarket, local shops, restaurants and other amenities to serve the site and wider community

Ø  Adjacent to the green heart, these zones will have a direct connection with the surrounding landscape, creating an environment where people can relax, benefit and interact with the surrounding woodland

Ø  It is likely that zones 3-5 will include a new primary school as part of an overall commitment to provide additional community facilities appropriate to the scale of the development

Zone 6 – New Homes

Ø  New homes will create a natural progression from the existing houses off Whittle Avenue and Lingley Green Avenue

Ø  The existing cycleway from Barrow Hall Lane / Lingley Green Avenue will be continued into the zone along the line of the existing hedgerow

Ø  Zone 6B will look out on the green heart with pedestrian routes into this area allowing the flow of people throughout the wider masterplan

Ø  It was anticipated that 30% of homes provided will be affordable housing – a mix of tenures was still under consideration

Ø  Play provision will also be provided as part of the development to cater for a mix of ages

Masterplan – Traffic and Transport

Key transport features of the Masterplan include;-

Ø  A network of pedestrian and cycle routes throughout the site, connecting all areas

Ø  Pedestrian and cycle access points at key locations connecting the external footway / cycleway network

Ø  Internal roads to be linked to external roads with Omega South layout permitting through routes for cars

Ø  Bus services accommodated throughout to ensure no part of the development lies more than 400m from a bus stop location

Ø  All HGV traffic to / from zone 7 (warehousing logistics) will be via a link road connecting to the M62

Ø  Junction 8 – no HGV traffic will be routed via Lingley Green Avenue

Site Access

It is proposed that vehicles will be able to gain access into Omega at a number of points as follows:-

Ø  Direct access onto the M62 junction8

Ø  Burtonwood Road / Westbrook Way / Whittle Avenue roundabout

Ø  Lingley Green Avenue / Kingswood Road roundabout

Ø  Omega Boulevard / Orion Boulevard roundabout

Ø  Opportunities to provide priority access for bus services at one or more of these points will be explored

The Members discussed in length many of the above aspects of the masterplan these included the travel and transport issues, additionally concerns were forwarded in relation to the lack of school places and doctor / dentist provision within the vicinity, the Council were informed that they would be consulted on all future developments, Mr Gardner was thanked for his attendance.

C89 Community / Policing Issues

Community

Mr and Mrs D Cunninham attended the meeting to request support in their application to have the vacant Bridge Public House registered as an asset of community value, it was noted that Mr Cunningham had lodged the application with the Borough Council which also included a petition with 100 signatures.

Mr Cunningham had met with local Councillors and the property developer and they had been given a tour of the vacant building, it was thought that the building would cost in the region of £275K to put back in working order. It was reported that he had contacted 9 brewers but no interest had been raised. It was noted that further talks were ongoing but the outcome did not seem very favorable and it was

Resolved by the Council that support could only be given if the application were to be deemed successful

Policing Issues

PCSO S Grady was present and reported on the following:-

Over the last 60 days there had been 2 reports of anti-social behavior in the Ladywood area

Shed breakins (golf / fishing equipment stolen)

High end vehicles stolen (3 all new plates)

Incidents in Chepstow Close

C90 Minutes of the Previous Meeting (20 November 2013)

Resolved that the minutes of the Council meeting 20 November 2013 be agreed and signed as a correct record

C91 Matters Arising

Nil

C92 Report of the Finance Sub-Committee (19 February 2014)

The Chairman K Burgess reported verbally on the Finance Sub-Committee meeting attended by himself, Councillor A McCausland, A Abbey, A Guthrie, and Councillor B MacLaren and it was

Resolved that the following recommendations of the Finance Sub- Committee be adopted as resolution of the Council

C92.1 Apologies

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillor J Joyce.

C92.2 Code of Conduct – Declarations of Interest

It was noted that no declarations of interest had been received.

C92.3 Applications for Grant

Burtonwood Cheeky Cherubs

Requested a startup grant to support for mums and tots play group Amount requested £500 and it was

Recommended by the Finance Sub-Committee that a grant of £500 be approved

C92.4 Accounts Approved for Payment (Chairman using delegated powers between meetings (January / February 2014)

Nil

C92.5 Accounts Requiring Payment (January / February 2014)

Royal Mail Freepost Top Up £ 105.06

WBC – Printing A/Cs / Asset Register £ 52.80

WBC – Printing A5 Leaflets £ 63.60

Clerks Expenses Jan/Feb 2014 £ 231.67

E Burgess Relief Caretaker Kingswood £ 20.00

Burtonwood CPS 4 X Dinners Litter Pick £ 8.40

St Paul of the Cross 11 X Dinners Litter Pick £ 21.10

WJ & CS Repair to lights Kingswood £ 349.40

WJ & CS Repair to lights Kingswood £ 116.50

WJ & CS Repair to lights Kingswood £ 265.53

Recommended by the Finance Sub-Committee that all payments be made

C92.6 Monthly Accounts & Bank Reconciliation (January 2014)

The Clerk had produced a report detailing the payments and receipts account for the month of January 2014 and it was

Recommended by the Finance Sub-Committee that the report be accepted

C92.7 Kingswood Community Centre

The Clerk reported that repairs had taken place in relation to the internal and external lights.

The Fire Risk Assessment for the building would be completed by the end of this week.

The Clerk was looking at some costings for some replacement chairs for the main hall.

C92.8 Pavilion Centre

It was reported by the Clerk that the following repairs had been completed;-

Repairs to the internal lights

Repairs to internal pipe work

The Fire Risk Assessment for the building would be completed by the end of this week.

Graffiti had been painted on the roof.

C92.9 Play Area – Pavilion

It was noted that the gate had been vandalised again.

Areas of the safety surfacing had been dug up.

The Clerk reported that orders for the above works were to be placed.

C92.10Play Area – Collins Green

It was noted that the Clerk had no reports or updates.

C92.11Play Area Inspections

It was noted that the Clerk had no reports or updates.

C92.12Fir Tree Lane – Community Ground

It was noted that repairs had been completed in relation to the pitch lights.

C92.13Pitches

It was noted that the Clerk had no reports or updates

C92.14Quotations Received

It was reported that the Clerk had gained a quotation for a replacement PC and associated goods £690.00 + vat and it was

Recommended by the Finance Sub-Committee that the quotation be accepted and an order be placed

It was reported by the Clerk that a quote was to be gained for a Walking Bus Kit for 100 children, it was noted that the final figure from PCSO Blanchard had not been received.

C93 Report of the Planning Sub-Committee 19 February 2014

Councillor T O’Neill reported verbally on planning matters and issues at the meeting also attended by Councillor J Guthrie and J Higham.

Resolved that the following recommendations of the Planning Sub-Committee be adopted as resolution of the Council

C93.1 Apologies

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor D Earl.

C93.2 Declarations of Interest

It was noted that no declarations of interest had been received.

C93.3 Documents Received

0 General Item of Correspondence

4 Domestic Planning Applications

7 Non Domestic Planning Applications

0 Prior Notification under Schedule 2, Part 24 of the Town and Country Planning – (General Permitted Development Order) 1995 (1)

0 Notice of Withdrawal of Planning Application

0 Notice of Decision – Permission Granted

0 Notice of Decision – Permission Refused

0 Notice of Certificate of Lawful Use

0 Notice of Permitted Development

0 Notice of Decision – Approved

0 The Planning Inspectorate

0 Notice of Appeal By Way of Informal Hearing

0 Notice of Appeal By Way of Written Representation

0 Notice of Appeal By Way of Public Inquiry

3 Enforcement Notices

0 WBC Development Control Agenda

0 WBC Cat D Listing

0 Ward List

Recommended by the Planning Sub-Committee that the documents received be noted

C94 Correspondence

1.  WBC – Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Consultation

2.  Cheshire Community Action

3.  Cheshire Playing Fields – Annual Report

4.  Email – Cllr B MacLaren – Litter Bins Callands Centre

5.  Email – Caroline Yeomans – General Burtonwood

6.  Police and Crime Commissioner

7.  Email – Cllr B MacLaren – Callands Shopping area – Road Surface

8.  Email – Cllr B MacLaren – Burtonwood Road Surface

9.  WBC – WW1 Commemoration

10.  Data Protection Registration

11.  WBC – Local Plan Core Strategy

12.  WBC – Asset of Community Value – The Bridge Inn

13.  WBC – Tan House Lane and Farmers Lane Structural Maintenance – Notification of Highway Works

14.  Email – Sgt G Jack – PCSO Coverage

15.  February Neighbourhoods Bulletin

16.  Town Centre Wardens End of Year Report 2012/2013

17.  WBC – Warrington Rights of Way Forum

18.  D Parr – Westbrook Clean Up

19.  Wigan Council – New Event Available - Apology

Resolved by the Council that the above documents received be noted

C95 Burtonwood – Reports/Update

It was reported by the Chairman Councillor K Burgess that in Fir Tree Lane old lighting columns (no 6 /7) had not been removed. Additionally gully sucking and litter picking was in need throughout the village, anti-social behavior had been noted in the vicinity of the Elm Tree Public House.

Councillor A Abbey reported on a spate of robberies from local farms,

including his own.

C96 Callands – Reports/Update

Councillor R Harrison reported on the recent storm damage in particular trees that had come down due to the excessive wind, it was noted that all had been removed.