Minutes January 2025

CROWTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Crowton Parish Council meeting held on

Tuesday 14th January 2025 at Crowton Village Hall

2024 Meeting started 7pm

Present

Cllr Ralph Oultram (Chair) RO Cllr Richard Thorne (Vice Chair) RT, Cllr Jenny Currie (JC)

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

Ward Councillor’s Lynn Stocks & Gillian Edwards (GE)

0 members of the public (MOP)

Clerk - T Whitlow (TW)

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Apologies for Absence were received & accepted from:

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

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Declarations of Members’ Interests:

RT & JC– pecuniary interest - planning application 23/03218/FUL Little Brook Farm Kingsley Road, Crowton.

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Approve Minutes The minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 10 December 2024 were approved & signed by the Chair.

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Public Participation:

No members of the public present.

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Ward Councillor reports:

Apologies received from Cllr Phil Rimmer

LS:

CWAC budget meetings commence in February.

Green bins – sign up is now open cost increased to £52.50

GE:

Flood meeting with EA & flood management officer was well attended.

Christmas Toy Appeal was well supported thanks given to all who contributed.

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

Hedge at Ruloe TW re-reported, to write to property owner.

Christmas tree has not been removed, TW to liaise with MOP who assisted and BS.

Confirmation of parish field rent increase sent and acknowledged.

Independent gulley cleaner can’t assist as he now works for Cheshire East.

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Correspondence:

MOP has emailed expressing an interest in co-option. Further information on parish councillor and application form has been sent. Information will be sent to councillors if/when MOP responds.

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Accounts/Financial:

1. Cash book as at 26.12.24 approved.

2. Bank reconciliation 26.12.24 approved.

3. Payments ratified/for approval

R December payroll

A Clerks expenses Nov – Dec £ 76.00

A Christmas Tree £100

A MOP donation towards lighting/daily checks of Christmas tree £70.00

Receipts

Bank interest £52.36

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Clerks Report

Nothing not covered as an agenda item.

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Village Maintenance:

Discussed – Resolved to continue to recompense 2 main volunteers for expenses periodically through the year. Without these volunteers the PC would have to have employ a contractor.

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Budget 2025-26:

Discussed, minor amendments made. Resolved to approve the amended budget. TW to recirculate.

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Precept 2025-26:

Discussed in line with the budget. Resolved set the precept at £11,000 for 2025-26. This equates to a £2.89 per year increase for a band D property.

TW to complete paperwork and send to CWAC

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Village Signage:

Signs have been ordered, due to the Christmas break will be ready later this month/early February.

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VE Day Celebrations:

Discussed. Resolved that the PC would not organise a village event, but would consider supporting any group/organisation in the village that wished to do so. Potential for a long term memorial to be purchased with funds if no event organised.

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Adoption of 2024 Financial Regulations:

Deferred to next month.

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Planning:

New Applications:

24/03485/FUL Darley Meadows Farm Norley Lane Crowton Northwich CW8 2RR Proposal: Change of use of the extant agricultural building, to allow for livestock to be housed. Reviewed – No comments.

Comments to 23/03218/FUL Little Brook Farm Kingsley Road have been submitted.

LPA Decisions:

24/03375/FUL Oak Hill Farm Ainsworth Lane Crowton Northwich CW8 2RS Proposal: Single storey and two storey extensions - Approved

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Highways:

Flood debris near the bus stop has been actioned by Colas, totally unsatisfactory. Footpath breaking up, grass verges uneven. TW to re-report.

Station Road has more potholes appearing, following the whole stretch having work carried out last year. TW to report.

Culvert Wall-TW to contact highways to ensure this is to be completed in the 2025-26 financial year.

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Millenium Green:

1. Pathway – marked out for contractor, once weather allows, to complete remedial works.

Pathway has been cleared of leaves.

Bridge – RH not present – defer to next month.

2. Volunteers: Are due back in February.

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Asset 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 not been able to contact the school, or fit the map. Will follow up this month..

4. SID’s extended warranty – Warranty is £199 per SID, per year, on a 3 year contract. Resolved to extend the warranty. TW to action.

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Community Resilience Group:

JC had circulated the draft Resilience Plan, as per the Joint Community Emergency Planning Team (JCEPT) minor additions and changes required. GE & TW to work with JC & SD to get the document completed.

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Items for next agenda:

Financial Regs, bus shelter, MG bridge. Future meeting dates. Appointment of auditor.

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Date of next meeting: Tuesday 11th February 2025 at Crowton Village Hall.

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