Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13th March 2024 at Davenports Tea Rooms at 7.45pm.
Present: Councillors Davenport, Antrobus, Brierley-Jones, Dawson, Christopher, Morrell and Hough.
1. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillor Underdown & Councillor Lynn Gibbon.
2. Declarations of Interest – No declarations were made.
3. Report from CW&C (Sent to the Clerk after the meeting).
General
- Budget Council – 4.99% CW&C / Fire 1.99% and Police 4.99%
- CEO Session – good feedback thought it was worth doing.
- Parish Plans requested – on projects which we could proactively support for members budgets 24/25
- Members Budgets/Grants – balances rolled over – new applications from April.
- Working with MP for Investment in Marbury related to Network North and funding from HS2 (Winnington Bridge options) £185m allocated for roads and infrastructure projects. Need to ensure this is ring fenced.
- Spacehive/Crowd Funding – now open for applications need to increase numbers from Marbury – up to 70% of funding could be allocated. Supported successful motion for increased funding and retained in the Budget.
- Road condition and flooding continue to blight the ward. CWaC simply do not have the money available to fix the deteriorating condition of our assets – Have pushed for additional budget and more frequent Gully Cleaning – voted down by the Labour Group – despite this plenty of activity across the ward/ driven by both the regular surveys and reports through the App (encourage residents to keep reporting)
Highways
- Lots of activity across the ward especially in Anderton and Comberbach
- Cogshall Lane – is near being resolved rerouting overflow water from pond onto the canal and the brook.
Crime
- Operation Park Safe – members of the public can report poor parking and pavement parking.
- Work with PCC on Pickmere and wider issues continues – now looking at a consistent message with signage and at the borough wide PSO of no drinking in public spaces.
- Working with PCC to raise the issue of general safety of women and girls across CE, CW & Warrington. PM sitting on VYGW Commission.
Consultations
- Participate Now – ongoing for Residents and PCs register online.
- Planning Policy linked to Local Plan – national changes ends 17th March
- Housing Strategy Engagement – ends 1st April
- Museums and Libraries – affects everyone – ends 2nd April
- Sexual Health Services – ends 2nd April
- Future of Day Services – ends 8th May
- Adult Social Care – takes 70% of the budget worth doing – ends 19th May
- Proposals for Thought
- Neighbourhood Plans – design /housing/planning / changes to the National Planning Framework making it simpler.
- Resilience Plans – on any kind of risk including flooding in preparation– warm hubs/ equipment although sandbags are no longer free.
4. To confirm the minutes of the Meetings held on Wednesday 17th January 2024
MATTERS ARISING
- A533 Northwich Road – Road Issues / Speed Limit Reduction – A SID had been in use recently. The Clerk would contact the newly formed Community Speed Watch Team for an update and to discuss the possibility of the purchase of a permanent SID.
- River Litter Bins – Councillor Davenport reported that the Leigh Arms would be more than happy to site a Dog Litter Bin. However, it had been noted that there was a litter bin on the grass verge near to the Leigh Arms, which could possibly be moved. As this litter bin may have been purchased by Little Leigh PCit was agreed that Councillor Dawson would contact them to discuss the matter further.
- Signage at Hill Farm – It was agreed to do nothing more on this matter.
- Dutton Parish Social Committee Account – No further action made.
- Dones View Farm Barn – New Access – No further details forthcoming.
- Hedge opposite Tunnel Top – This was discussed, and it was agreed that Councillor Brierley-Jones would ask P Bate to pay a visit and advise if the pavement needed clearing and/or the hedge need any further cutting.
- Potholes on Marsh Lane at junctions of A49 and Higher Lane – Some work
on the potholes had been done, but comments were made that the works had left more issues than they had solved. The Clerk was asked to make a further report on this.
- Flooding on A49 near to Junction of Marsh Lane – It was understood that investigations had been taking place here, but the Clerk was asked to log it again on the CW&C ‘Report It’ Site.
- Flooding on Higher Lane – Councillor Antrobus reported that this was being investigated.
- Flooding in Dutton Hollows – Councillor Dawson had sent a video showing some of the issues which flooding in this area was causing. This had been forwarded to CW&C and they had visited the site and responded saying issues would be dealt with. WATCH THIS SPACE!
5. CORRESPONDENCE
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Erection of a forestry building and track
Dones View Farm Northwich Road Dutton Northwich WA4 4HD
Ref. No: 23/03252/AGR Status: Full Application required.
Single storey rear extension and side dormers (retrospective)
Meadow Farm Marsh Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4JJ
Ref. No: 23/03476/FUL Status: Permitted
Erection of a forestry building
Dones Green Farm Marsh Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4EU
Ref. No: 23/03244/AGR Status: Full Application required.
Adjust roof with dormers, rear/side extension and porch extension.
The Farm House Marsh Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4EU
Ref. No: 23/02598/FUL Status: Pending
Convert the basement into habitable use, works to include lowering existing floor to allow for drainage, waterproofing and insulation.
Bartington Hall Warrington Road Dutton Northwich CW8 4QU
Ref. No: 23/02603/LBC Status: Pending
Discharge of conditions 3 (materials), 7 (sound insulation) and 19 (land contamination) of planning permission 22/01211/FUL
Dutton Park Farm Lodge Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4HL
Ref. No: 23/02170/DIS Status: Pending
Proposed change of use from Public House (use class sui generis) to C3 Dwelling House – The Tunnel Top Northwich Road Dutton Northwich WA4 4JY
Ref. No: 23/01978/FUL Status: Pending
Alterations to existing detached outbuilding to provide residential annexe to existing family dwelling at No. 1 Tunnel End, Dutton Northwich WA4 4LA
Ref. No: 23/01519/FUL Status: Permitted
Nonmaterial amendment to 20/04525/FUL (Change of porch from brick to sandstone)
7 Whitley Brook Court Marsh Lane Dutton Northwich Cheshire WA4 4EY
Ref. No: 21/04753/NMA Status: Awaiting decision.
http://pa.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/online-applications/
7. Financial Matters
Current Balance: £ 5707.93
- Review and Payment of Clerks Salary/Expenses – £2006.18
- Payment to HMRC – £ 472.20
- Payment to Davenports – £160.00
- Tangled Wed Solutions – £370.00 – It was noted that this cost had risen quite a lot. The Clerk stated that Tax was now having to be paid on this but of course this could be claimed back.
All payments were passed for payment.
8. AOB
- Hope Farm Festival – 31st May – 2nd June – The Council were not concerned about this festival but were disappointed that the Organisers had not informed them directly of the date, as they said they would, and again news on the event had been found on a social media site.
- Councillor Davenport informed members that he was retiring and from September the Council would have to find another meeting place. Both Little Leigh and Whitley Village Hall were proposed.
- Councillor Christopher had attended the West Cheshire Town & Parish Council Conference and gave details of some of the matters discussed including ‘How to develop a Local Plan’ and dealing with Enforcement matters.
- Councillor Dawson had attended the CW&C CEO meeting at Wincham. The main discussion at this meeting had been the state of Cheshire roads.
- Councillor Dawson had recently organised another village litter pick which was much appreciated.
- Concern was raised about the road name signs at both end of Marsh Lane. The clerk was asked to report this.
9. Date and Place of next meeting
- AGM & APM – May 8th