MINUTES OF

HUNTINGTON PARISH COUNCILMEETING

18th September2017.7.30 p.m. atHuntington Village Hall.

PRESENT

Chairman – Cllr Roy Shelton
Cllr. Mark Williams / Cllr. Anthony Wilcox / Cllr Jacky Creswick
Cllr. Nick Dodd
Cllr Andy Tassell / Cllr. Dave Whitehead / Cllr. John Creswick

Non-Councillors

Clerk – Louise Gibson

Public –6

  1. APOLOGIES

Cllr Carolyn Walker – Work Commitments

Cllr Mike Dutton – Work Commitments

  1. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Cllr Mark Williams and Cllr Jacky Creswick, when the item was presented, declared a retrospective non-pecuniary interest in the Works Programme, Item 11, regarding Huntington Under 5’s working with Huntington Primary due to their roles as Governors at the Primary School.

  1. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION

No additional communication this month.

  1. MINUTES

17/704RESOLVED – That the Councilagreed the minutes of themeeting held on the 18th September 2017 as a trueand proper record.

  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Chairman began by reading the Police Report below:

Incident Type / Number / Location/Incident
Miscellaneous / 5 / Bluebell Close – Domestic Incident
Chester Rd – Neighbour Dispute
Caldy Valley Rd – Verbal threats made towards caller from dog walker
Garrison Close – Breach of bail conditions
Alanbrooke Rd – Malicious Communications
Burglary / 0
Suspicious Vehicle / 0
Suspicious Person / 0
Truancy / 0
Theft / 0
Road Traffic Collision (With Injury) / 0
Road Traffic Collision(No injury) / 0
Criminal Damage / 0
ASB / 0

The Chairman then reported that62 vehicles were recorded exceeding the speed limit on Caldy Valley Road. The Chairman remarked that this seemed high in relation to previous data and asked how this did compare. PC Carmon, present at the meeting, said that he would provide a breakdown of the speeding over the past 12 months.

Four residents wished to remark on the proposal by CWaC to introduce traffic lights on the junction of Gorse Way and Chester Road. One resident remarked that he had monitored the traffic flow at various timesof the day and the flow of traffic was always constant with no delays. By introducing these lights, residents present believed that this would cause considerable delay and increase noise and traffic pollution. It had recently been reported that CWaC were looking for ways to reduce air pollution and these traffic lights, in residents’ opinion, would have the opposite effect. Residents’ views stated that the money would be better spent on other traffic issues in the area such as speed cameras. It was also believed by one resident that Butterbache Rd would become a ‘rat run’ for motorists trying to avoid the lights.

A resident also wished to express his ‘shock and horror’ at the path that has been installed at Jubilee Field. He believed that this looks like a runway. He wished to ask the Council why residents had not been consulted, why this was path was constructed and how was it decided which route this path would take?

  1. PROPOSED TRAFFIC LIGHT INSTALLATION.

Following residents’ concerns by email, the Parish Council had consulted Mr Paul Parry of CWaC Highways and his response circulated to all Councillors. Mr Parry’s main points were that, with hundreds of homes still be to occupied and built on Saighton Camp, traffic flow would be a problem in the future and funding was available for this scheme from developers but would not be in the future so should be implemented now. The Council were reminded that this was a condition of planning, along with two pedestrian crossings and other traffic calming measures in the areas, when Saighton Camp was originally proposed. Therefore, developers were under a legal obligation to implement this.

Councillors asked what alternatives had been considered such as traffic lights at the junction of Gorse Way and Caldy Valley Road or a mini-roundabout instead of traffic lights. Alternatively, it was questioned whether the money from developers could be ring-fenced for this project but only implemented the traffic got worse. If no problems arose, the money could then be used on other traffic measures.

RESOLVED 17/705: That the Council write to the CWaC Portfolio Holder for Transport, the shadow Portfolio Holder and Paul Parry, asking if alternatives had been considered.

  1. REMEMBRANCE

The minutes from Remembrance were noted and Cllr Dodd confirmed Council that Veterans were being invited to the service. Cllr Shelton gave his apologies for not being able to attend the service this year.

A Councillor asked that future meetings always took into account the costings for these events. Cllr Whitehead and the Clerk confirmed that all events had a budget.

  1. CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON

The notes had previously been circulated to Councillors and were noted. The PTA had been concerned regarding the timing of the event to allow a smooth transition from the PTA event to the Parish Council event. This had now been rectified.

Consideration was given to the suggestion that the Parish Council purchase their own Marquee for future events with the understanding that we allow the PTA to borrow the Marquee for Christmas, following their goodwill gesture to let us borrow their Marquees for the Fete. Due to budget constraints, the Chairman agreed that he would approach the Rugby Club to ask if their Marquee could be borrowed on the same terms as we borrowed it for the Fete.

RESOLVED 17/706: That the Council ask the Rugby Club if the Marquees could be borrowed, as described above.

  1. POLICY ON FRACKING/GAS EXTRACTION

The Chairman reported that we had received a policy, written and adopted by Upton Parish Council, which a resident had asked that we note with further consideration given to how we wish to respond.

RESOLVED 17/707: That the Council note Upton Parish Council’s policy on Fracking/Gas Extraction

The Communications Working Group, in a bid to respond to this policy, had drafted a draft statement. This had not been circulated to Councillors.

RESOLVED 17/708: That the Council agreed to defer any response to the policy until next month’s meeting once the Councillors had been given time to consider their response.

  1. ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS

(a)The Clerk Reimbursements were reviewed.

RESOLVED 17/709: That the Council approve the following reimbursements for September – October

Date of Receipt / Payment to whom / Items / Amount
19/09/17 / Tattenhall Post Office / 9 x 2nd Class stamps
  • 7 x Thank You letters to Fete Volunteers
  • 1 x Welsh Water Letter
  • 1 x CWaC (Formal letter objecting to blanket 20mph speed limit)
/ £5.04
04/10/17 / Amazon / Pink Spray (Dog Fouling Campaign)
Black Cable Ties (for Lamp post Poppies) / Pink Spray: £14.15 + £2.83 VAT
150 Black Extra Long Cable Ties: £10.50
Total: £27.48
9/10/17 / Tattenhall Post Office / 50 x small white envelopes
25 x Large Brown Envelopes / £2.09 + £4.65
Total: £6.74
TOTAL / £39.26

(b)Invoice Approvals were reviewed.

17/710 RESOLVED – That the Council approve the following Invoice payments for September – October

Date of Payment / Payment to whom / Services/Products provided / Amount
14/09/17 / Shelly Seeds (Jim Partington) / L’man duties on Jub Field (August) / £119.85
14/09/17 / Tentative Marquees / Hired Marquee for Fete 2017 / £110.00
27/09/17 / UK Landscaping Services / 8/9: Grass Cut, Litter Pick, Border Edging
22/9: Grass Cut, Litter Pick, Weed Spraying of Hardstanding / £39.98 + £8.00 VAT
Total: £47.98
02/10/17 / Countrywide Grounds Maintenance / Grass to back of Jub Field (Fete) / £90.00 + £18.00 VAT
Total: £108.00
05/10/17 / Chester Handbooks Ltd / Double Page in Oct edition – Fete Write-up and Remembrance Advert / Total: £159.00
05/10/17 / BSB Sound Ltd (Martin Bickley) / Sound System for Fete 2017 / £295.00 + £59.00 VAT
Total: £354.00
10/10/17 / Countrywide Grounds Maintenance / Jub Field Grass Cut (Oct) / £244.63 + £48.93 VAT
Total: £293.56
10/10/17 / Shelly Seeds (Jim Partington) / L’man duties on Jub Field (Sept) / £112.80

Two questions were asked about the Cash book Accounts for September - October (pg120 of Spreadsheet). One of which concerned a missed figure in the Lengthsman column. The Clerk explained that this was an admin error but did not affect the overall figures.

The other question concerned the expenditure in this past financial year. This seemed quite high. However, this was quite misleading as £7,720.00 could be accounted for under New Homes Bonus expenditure and monthly payments for grass maintenance had now finished.

  1. WORKS PROGRAMME

The Works Programme was noted.

New Path Extension at Jubilee Field – In response to the resident who had complained, the Chairman acknowledged the complaint but believed that the colour of the path would blend into the surrounding environment. It was explained that the path was in the original plans but later had to be postponed due to budget contraints. A public consultation had also been conducted before the final Jubile Field had been installed. The Chairman did acknowledge that it was unfortunate that the Parish Council did not consult neighbouring properties beforehand. If any more work was to be carried out on Jubilee Field, properties would be consulted. This would include the possibility of toilets. The Chairman then explained that goal posts would be rected on the file on Wednesday 18th October at 10am. These would be 50 metres apart and suitale for children’s football matches.

The Chairman then noted that numerous complimentary comments had been received both via social media and email , congratulating the Parish Council on the path.

Streetscene Parish Walk with CWaC Officials – Following circulation of the report written after the Parish Walk, some work has been carried out using our key areas identified in the original report but this has been carried out to an unsatoisfactory standard.

Councillors queried whether we could take on the responsibility ourselves if we were so disssatisfied with the management of local areas.. This could, howver, be at considerable cost to the Parish Council.

It was acknowleged that this is a complex situation as many hedges overgrown are actually private properties but CWaC need to act upon their their enforcement procedure where residents would be asked to cut back.

17/711RESOLVED– That the Council ask Streetscene officials to visit the Parish Council to discuss.

Caldy Nature Park Lighting – The Clerk reminded Councillors that representatives were meeting Mr Ian Jones at the end of this week to discuss lighting proposals. The Clerk was asked to contact Bishops High School to ask for their view and possible support.

Huntington Under 5’s – The Parish Council had been contacted by the manager of Huntington Under 5’s to discuss possible future aspirations for the preschool and whether the Parish Council could support. The Council acknowledged that this is a recognised charity but was aware that Huntington Primary School would continue to talk with them as the school development progresses. It was difficult to see how the Parish Council could support at this stage.

17/712 RESOLVED – That the Council still invite Huntington Under 5 management to attend the November Parish Council meeting if they wish so Councillors could gain a better understanding but this would not be an Agenda item for that meeting.

  1. PLANNING

The Planning Register (Pg 116 and 117) was noted

  1. JUBILEE FIELD MAINTENANCE

On the meeting held between the Clerk and UK Landscaping, following the oath installation, 2 areas of further improvement were noted for Jubilee Field. These were the new mounds, where it was felt that more grass seed was needed. The other area was the gateway leading to the main field which had become waterlogged due to heavy vehicles entering and exiting during a very wet Fete and subsequent work on the path.

17/713 RESOLVED – That The Council agree to allow tiem for the grass to grown on the new mounds before any decisions are made regarding extra grass seed

17/714: RESOLVED – That the Council seek a second opinion regarding the gateway flooding and the Clerk will obtain a further 2 quotes, detailing different options such as crusher run, re-seeding and rubber matting.

17/715 RESOLVED – That the Council move to Part 2.

Members of the public left the meeting

  1. OLD POST OFFICE PATH

Quotes had been received for weeding and laying membrane for the Old Post Office Path. However, in the past week, a kind resident has weeded and laid membrane on three quarters of the flower bed. Therefore, these quotes are now no longer relevant in the terms they qouted for.

17/716 RESOLVED– That the Council ask UK Landscaping Services, the cheapest of the qoutes, to revisit the site and re-qoute for the remaining part of the path requiring work. If the qoute is below the Clerk’s discretionary budget of £100, the Clerk is authorised to proceed with the work.

The meeting closed at9:05pm.

The NEXT meeting of the Parish Council is onMonday 20thNovember2017.

Signed ……………………….. Dated ………………………..

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