Minutes October 2024

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 24th October 2024 at 7.45 at Little Leigh Village Hall.

Present: Councillors Davenport, Hough, Morrell & Underdown. 

1.         APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillors Antrobus, Brierley-Jones, Dawson & Christopher.

2.         DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No Declarations of Interest were made.

3.         Report from CWaC

County Councillor Gibbon was not at the meeting but had sent the following information.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

  • CWaC and the Conservative Group submitted response to the consultation
  • Consultation feedback expected January 2024
  • Areas to mindful of housing numbers to be increased from currently delivery of 1000 to 2100 per year
  • Further clarification required on increasing building in ‘green’ belt by naming areas ‘grey’ belt, which could be anything from a concrete base, glass house or garage and more gypsy and traveller sites , which are being suggested as 5/10 pitches attached to new developments

Anderton Boat Lift Consultation

  • Engineering the Future at Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre, proposals for a major upgrade make your thoughts known Cllrs being interviewed for their thoughts
  •  Engineering the Future project | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk) Anderton Boat Lift: Engineering the Future project | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)
  • (Link includes 04.22 video) – Very informative

Devolution – DEVO

  • Expression of Interest been submitted to Government, CWaC subregional Task Group set up working across the three authorities Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Warrington

Consultations & Surveys

  • Participate Panel – CWaCs online citizens panel anyone can join and receive notification and submit
  • Council Housing Management Survey closes 15th December 24
  • Council House Reduction Scheme closes 31st October 24
  • Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 10th November 24
  • Housing Strategy 2025 -2035 Survey
  • New Local Plan

ALEXA

You can now ask your Alexa for up-to-date information about Council services

  • A new, Alexa skill has been developed by Cheshire West and Chester Council meaning that residents can get quick and easy access to information and updates about services, using simple voice commands.
  • This additional Alexa feature provides real-time information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by responding to a series of questions or commands – such as, when is my next bin collection?, what can I put in my recycling bin?, where’s my nearest library?, when does the current school term start?, I want to report a missed garden bin collection, and much more.
  • The Alexa skill can be installed free of charge, and is accessible to anybody with an Alexa device or the free Alexa app. It’s easy to set up, inclusive for people with mobility or visual impairments and it also demonstrates the Council’s commitment to innovation and good customer service. As well as the new Alexa skill, the Council will continue to offer the more familiar ways to ask questions – including online, telephone and in-person.

General

  • Highways – work continues across the ward but not always as quickly as expected, and arranged officer site visits to key areas to raise concerns across the ward
  • Dealing with issues on the Cat 9 school bus, late drivers not knowing route

Out of hours contact information | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Report it | Cheshire West and Chester Council

As well as opening times for key services and partner contact details.

Tartan rug tables, they compare how each ward within CWC compares with other wards across various themes and indicators, are now live on the refreshed ward profile pages:

Ward profiles | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Community Partnerships

To sign up for regular updates: Community Partnerships ebulletin sign up form

Northwich Community Partnership brings together a wide range of people and organisations with the aim of helping make the lives of everyone living and working in the Northwich area happier and healthier.

This event will take place on Wednesday 6th November 2024 at Brio Leisure Northwich: Memorial Court 11am to 1pm

Northwich Library Update

  • A series of meetings teams have taken place over the last 7 weeks to better inform and develop the proposed detailed design for the building.
  • Updates will continue to be shared on the project webpage: Northwich Library renovation | Cheshire West and Chester Council.
  • The library team are working hard to continue to build the audience at Weaver Hall Museum and we have many events and activities bringing people into the library and museum. Forthcoming events include green-themed activities for Libraries Week, a fun schedule for half term and a spooky author event: Library events | Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Regeneration Updates

Weaver Square, Northwich

Cabinet approval received on 31st July 2024 to:

  • Progress with the procurement of a development partner for the redevelopment of Weaver Square.
  • Relocate Northwich Market into Barons Quay; and
  • Move services out of the Northwich Information Centre

Northwich Market

  • The relocation of Northwich Market to Barons Quay was approved at Cabinet 31st July 2024
  • The next step is to instruct the project design team to enable work to start early in October 2024.
  • To support existing businesses and enthuse new businesses, the current Northwich Market is extending its opening hours, adding in an extra trading day (Thursdays) from 3 October 2024.
  • This means that from 3 October 2024, Northwich Market will be open on a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

London Hearts has launched this scheme with the aim of increasing the number of AEDs to help save lives.

As a charity we understand it is not always possible to install a public access Defibrillator and people’s needs differ particularly in the workplace.

The fund is moving far quicker than we initially anticipated given the limited funding requirement, so we are allocating on a first come first basis as to avoid any disappointment. Anyone in your constituency can apply, including the council.

Would you be so kind to circulate with residents in your constituency?

Funding of circa £660 per unit is required.

Interested? Apply using the link below! —

https://londonhearts.org/defib-scheme/

Facebook Link to the Scheme to Share – https://www.facebook.com/LondonHearts1/posts/pfbid0VtehyLLPq8U3yWF5xuoztJTA5r1vrMasnEdNnnYjxRk5kPQukH3XAvZQbkKn9XTWl

Link VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme – Groundwork

4.         To confirm the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 11th September 2024

MATTERS ARISING

  • A533 Northwich Road – Road Issues / SID – Councillor Davenport had looked into this matter and a cost in the region of £6K had been quoted.  Further enquires would be made and ways of funding it would also be investigated.  The clerk would also request an update on the knotweed.
  • Road repairs – Dutton Hollows – New barriers had now been erected.  The area had flooded recently, and this would be monitored.
  • Land at rear of Northwich Road – No update was available on this matter, but comments were made that the Deeds needed to be checked carefully to make sure anything could be done with it.
  • Hydrogen Pipeline – No information from the recent consultation meetings was available.
  • Sand excavation – No more information on this matter was available.
  • PCSO – The Clerk had contacted the local PCSO but had not yet received a response.

5.         CORRESPONDENCE

6.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Replacement of existing conservatory with orangery

Island Farm Lodge Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4HN

Ref. No: 24/03007/FUL  Status: Pending – No objections raised

Single storey rear extension

3 Dutton Locks Little Leigh Northwich CW8 3QQ

Ref. No: 24/02997/FUL  Status: Pending – No objection raised

Change of use of stables to dwelling

West Brook Barn Higher Lane Dutton Northwich WA4 4JW

Ref. No: 24/01308/FUL Status: Pending

Discharge of condition 4 (structural calculations) of planning permission 23/0519/FUL

1 Tunnel End, Dutton

Ref. No: 24/00836/DIS  Status: Pending

Certificate of Lawfulness for existing use to regularise the existing use of a dwelling in excess of 10 years.

Outbuilding to the West of Dones View Farm, Northwich Road, Dutton

Ref. No: 24/00756/LDC  Status: REFUSED

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

http://pa.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/online-applications/

7.         Financial Review

  • Current Balance: £ 5,371.53

8.         AOB

A sympathy card would be sent to the family of Mrs Alice Platt, a long and respected resident of Dutton after her recent death.

Concern had been raised about a broken handrail to the Dutton Horse Bridge.  The Clerk would contact the Canals & River Trust regarding this matter.  It was also mentioned that the volunteers for a River Weaver Working Group were being looked for.

9.         Date and Place of next meetings

11th December

22nd January 2025

12th March    

14th May

All subject to change.