MINUTES of THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING (683)
1st November 2022
PART A – PUBLIC AGENDA
1. ATTENDANCE
Present Councillors Read, Bold, Carson, Dobson, Flannery, Shore
Public 14 members of the public
Apologies Councillor Tarrant; CEC Councillor K Parkinson; Police representatives
2. MINUTES
2.1 Approval of Minutes The minutes of the meeting of 4th October 2022 were AGREED with the correction of the word “volunteer” in item 9.1 to read “volunteers”.
2.2 Matters arising from minutes
Item 5.1 Report from Police Officer In response to a question the Clerk responded that the Police had not responded to a request to hold a police surgery in the parish.
Item 6 Report from CEC Cllr Parkinson In response to a question the Clerk responded that CEC had not replied to a request about helping fund the Parish Council’s petition to Government about HS2B.
Item 7.6 Resignation of Internal Auditor In response to a question the Clerk responded that no responses have been received to local adverts seeking a replacement Internal Auditor, but that other avenues are being explored.
3. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Nil
4. PUBLIC FORUM The following comments/questions were raised by members of the public (MoPs):
• Licensing application for Cheshire Showground (see agenda item 8.1) – a resident made reference to the potential problems that might arise from such an event.
• A MoP said that they would like to get involved in trying to help ameliorate the visitor parking problem in the village by using a field to the rear of their house on relevant occasions. [The Chair spoke to this person after the meeting and suggested they contact the Clerk separately.]
• A MoP asked why the principle of erecting the fence was not on the meeting’s agenda.
• A MoP was aware of the problems caused by visitors and would not want them to be repeated, and hopes the Parish Council would meet with some of the objectors to discuss the issue.
• A MoP mentioned several points:
o Any suggestion to raise the precept by 12% would be huge;
o The Council has a substantial financial reserve;
o The Council has multiple assets which “aren’t used” but residents are paying the bills; the Council should be promoting their additional use;
o The Council’s defibrillator at the Pavilion will be unavailable if the council erects a fence and then closes the land;
o How will the “covenants” dealing with public access to the IROS be adhered to?
Council NOTED these points.
5. REPORT FROM POLICE OFFICER No police representative was present.
6. REPORT FROM CLLR K PARKINSON (CEC) Cllr Parkinson was not present. Cllr Flannery raised an issue in relation to HS2B, and members AGREED to minute the fact that despite the fact that the HS2B Draft Bill had passed its second reading in Parliament, until Royal Assent is given, there remains the possibility that it could be stopped altogether.
7. FINANCE
7.1 Current Financial position The report was NOTED.
7.2 New payments The schedule was AGREED/AUTHORISED.
7.3 Half-year accounts and draft budget for 2023-24 Council AGREED to hold a separate informal meeting before the December Council meeting in which the implications of the report on next year’s budget could be explored. No decisions would be made at that meeting, but the matter would be brought back for decision to the December meeting.
7.4 Replacement of Council laptop and purchase of Council mobile phone Council AUTHORISED the replacement of the Council’s laptop and the purchase of a mobile phone in accordance with the information given in the report.
8. PLANNING MATTERS
8.1 Update on Planning Applications Members NOTED the Planning update that was tabled and commented as follows:
• 22/3985M CEC be asked to ensure that any comments from adjoining neighbours are taken into account.
• Licensing Application – ‘Dubbed Out’, Cheshire Showground – reference was made to other similar large events in past years and the problems that they had created. As a result Council wished to OBJECT to the proposed licence unless it can be satisfied with the arrangements that are put in place for the management of the event. The Clerk was asked to contact Cheshire Showground to discover their attitude and knowledge of the proposed event.
8.2 Neighbourhood Plan Cllr Bold reported that the NP Working Group have met informally for a general catch-up and a formal meeting will be organised shortly to set the next tasks. A date will also be set for the next open meeting whereby Pickmere residents can attend to view the operations of the Working Group.
9. REPORTS FROM CLERK AND FROM COUNCILLORS
9.1 Clover Drive Play Area Refurbishment – Update Cllr Flannery noted that major increases in potential costs are coming through; the Working Group was aiming to publicise the information it has gathered as to potential options. The report was NOTED.
9.2 CEC Strategic Planning Update The report was NOTED, in particular that the Cheshire East Local Plan should hopefully finally be fully adopted in December 2022.
9.3 Inspection of Council trees The report was NOTED; the Clerk was asked to seek a cost for the work identified.
9.4 Erection of Village boundary signs Cllr Bold was unable to present further information at this time.
9.5 Discussion of property boundary The report was NOTED.
9.6 Discussions with CEC about further parking restrictions The report was NOTED. The Clerk was asked to write to the CEC Highways contact and again request the repainting of the faded yellow lines; in addition Cllr Parkinson was to be asked if she can make a contribution to that and CEC’s investigation of parking issues in Pickmere village from the allocation she receives as Ward Councillor for highway maintenance/improvements in High Legh Ward.
9.7 Asset Maintenance Programme The report was NOTED.
9.8 Grant aid for potential CCTV coverage Members RESOLVED to proceed with a scheme of CCTV at the IROS subject to receiving grant aid from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Action Fund.
9.9 HS2 Update Cllrs Flannery and Shore updated the meeting with regard to the meeting held with representatives of HS2 as an initial part of the petitioning process. The report was NOTED, and the Clerk was asked to write to CEC to seek reassurances that that Council is seeking sufficient funding from HS2 to ensure that it is capable of fully monitoring and enforcing the conditions that will be applied to HS2 contractors when work begins on the ground (since that will be that Council’s function.)
The meeting closed at 8.40 p.m.