DRAFT minutes February 2025

CROWTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Crowton Parish Council meeting held on

Tuesday 11 February 2025 at Crowton Village Hall

2024 Meeting started 7pm

PresentCllr Ralph Oultram (Chair) RO Cllr Richard Thorne (Vice Chair) RT,

Cllr Sue Dolley (SD) Cllr Roger Hammond (RH), Cllr Joel Rutter, (JR), Cllr Bob Stubbs (BS),

Ward Councillor Gillian Edwards (GE) PCSO Neil Flannagan.

0 members of the public (MOP)

Clerk - T Whitlow (TW)

NoteMinutes silence held in remembrance of Mr Keith Lightfoot, a major contributor to the maintenance of Crowton village for many years. His presence will be greatly missed.

24/138Apologies for Absence were received & accepted from:

Cllr Jenny Currie (JC)

Ward Cllr’s Lynn Stocks & Phil Rimmer

24/139Declarations of Members’ Interests:

None

24/140Approve Minutes The minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 14 January 2025 were approved & signed by the Chair.

24/141Public Participation:

No members of the public present.

PCSO Update:

No significant incidents reported in Crowton for January.

Cheshire Police are currently conducting a residents survey – details to be added to the noticeboard and website, encourage residents to participate. Resident's Voice

Speed in the village discussed. The SID’s are having an impact, but cars appear to speed up immediately after passing them. PCSO to do a speed check.

PCSO asked PC to consider any concerns and email him.

24/142Ward Councillor reports:

GE reported on:

Has been informed of a blockage on a Right of Way – Onston. To follow up

Crowton school and the church are interested in organising a VE Day celebration.

Highways Board meeting – Central government uplift received. Highways are in a managed decline.

Police & Crime Commissioners SWOT fund – grants available from proceeds of seized goods.

24/143Matters Arising – from previous minutes (if not an agenda item)

None.

24/144Correspondence: (unless covered as an agenda item)

Various complaints received regarding developments within the village. These have been passed on to the relevant ward CWAC departments.

24/145Accounts/Financial: to 26.01.25

1.Payments ratified/for approval

RJanuary payroll

A Linux – Domain name (2 yrs) £40.75

Receipts

None

24/146Clerks Report

Precept paperwork has been filed with CWAC and acknowledged.

24/147Planning:

New Applications:

No new applications received

LPA Decisions & appeals.

Appeal24/02173/FUL Quarry Brook Farm, Crowton -Erection of Livestock building & ancillary works (re-submission of 22/03856/FUL) TW to follow up with LPA as no decision has been notified.

24/148Highways:

•Flood debris near the bus stop has been actioned by Colas, totally unsatisfactory. Footpath breaking up, grass verges uneven. TW re-reported. Response that the work has been completed. TW to follow up further GE asked to follow up also.

•Station Road No response from reporting – TW to follow up

•Culvert Wall-Response from Highways today, that this has not been programmed yet. TW to follow up. PC have previously been promised this would be done during the summer of 2025 whilst water levels were low. Trees on the MG also need topping whilst traffic management is in place, this was promised by highways to the fundraising for the MG to reduce costs. GE to also follow up with Highways.

24/149Millenium Green:

1.Pathway: marked out for contractor, once weather allows, to complete remedial works. RO to follow up with the contractor.

Bridge: This has now been planned. JC & TW to obtain quotes for the materials so that the volunteers can commence work.

2.Volunteers: Are due back in March. No report JC not present

24/150Asset Maintenance & Register:

1.Phone Box – Onston Lane: Contractor engaged. Work is weather dependant.

2.War Memorial Fence: Contractor engaged. Work is weather dependant.

3.Bus Shelter: RT has contacted the school, who would be interested in a project. School to confirm idea with RT

4.Village Signage: TW has followed up last week, this should be completed within the next 2 weeks

24/151Community Resilience Group:

JC not present – deferred until next month.

24/152Appointment of Auditor:

Resolved to ask Blanchfield & Co to complete the 24-25 Audit again this year. Clerk recommended a change of auditor for next year.

24/153Financial Regulation (new 2024):

These had been circulated prior. Resolved to adopt. TW to update website.

24/154Meeting Dates 2025-26:

Resolved to continue to hold Parish Council meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month until the end of the next financial year. TW to circulate meeting dates and update website & noticeboard.

24/155Councillor Vacancy:

An application has been received for the councillor vacancy. Resolved to ask the applicant to attend the next meeting to give the councillors further information. TW to action

24/156Items for next agenda:

Resilience Plan, co-option, verge cutting, volunteers, memorial for passed volunteer.

24/157Date of next meeting: Tuesday 11th March 2025 at Crowton Village Hall.