Minutes - June 2025

CROWTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Crowton Parish Council meeting held on

Tuesday 13th May 2025 at Crowton Village Hall

2025-6 Meeting started 7.15pm

Present: Cllr Ralph Oultram, (Chaiman) Cllr Jenny Currie (JC) Cllr Sue Dolley (SD), Cllr Roger Hammond (RH), Cllr Kathryn Brennan (KB) Cllr Joel Rutter, (JR),

In Attendance: Clerk - T Whitlow (TW)

Ward Councillors Gillian Edwards & Lynn Stocks, PCSO Neil Flanagan

25/21Apologies for Absence were received & accepted from:

Cllr Bob Stubbs (BS), Cllr Richard Thorne

25/22Declarations of Members’ Interests:

None

25/23Public Participation:

None present

25/24Approve Minutes:

The minutes of the last Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 13 May 2025 were approved & signed by the Chair.

25/25PCSO Update:

PCSO reported that there had been no reportable incidents in the village over the last month. He has not been active with the speed camera but will do more speed checks during the summer.

25/26Ward Councillor reports:

Cllr Lynn Stocks reported on:

Devolution - consultation period has now ended. Details of the deal are yet to be finalised.

Members Budgets are open

Changes to the planning framework.

Cllr Gillian Edwards reported on:

Members Budgets

Summer Reading Challenge.

25/27Matters Arising – from previous minutes (if not an agenda item)

None

25/28Accounts/Financial:

Payments:

Rock Graphics - £660 – refurbishment of the fingerpost.

Receipts:

Field rent Q2 £335

25/29Clerks Report:

None not covered as an agenda item.

25/30Planning:

New Applications:

No new applications notified from LPA

LPA Decisions & appeals.

25/00711/FUL Springfield Bag Lane Crowton Northwich CW8 2TP Proposal: Single storey extension to side and rear of the existing dwelling to comprise garage with utility room to the rear. Approved.

25/01056/FUL Orchard Cottage Ainsworth Lane Crowton Northwich CW8 2RS Proposal: Single storey side extension. Approved.

TW has followed up several outstanding applications with LPA, but nothing to report back.

25/31Highways:

•Cllr has spoken to the CWAC Highways and Bridges team, whilst on site regarding the work to the culvert. They are hoping it will be programmed in this financial year.

•Tree’s from the MG are overhanging the Highway. Highways originally promised that when the culvert work was carried out, which will require traffic lights, that the PC could complete this work. TW to follow up with Highways as this is now required.

25/32Millenium Green:

1.Volunteers: will put up more bird boxes, remove dead tree and cut back the Himalayan Balsam on their visit next week. The PC wish to thank all the volunteers for their continued support. The bird boxes have been donated from the ‘After Club’ at Crowton School. The PC Resolved to donate £50 to the Crowton School PTA outdoor class room fundraising (from the MG account)

2.Fencing: JR & BS – Work in progress

25/33Asset Maintenance & Register:

1.Fingerpost – Norley Lane junction – work is now complete. Thanks to Rock Graphics

2.Phone Box – Onston Lane: Work in progress.

3.War Memorial Fence: Work in progress

25/34Community Drop-In Event: will be held on 8th July. Leaflets & poster designed by member of the village. Thanks given to the member of public.

Ward and Parish councillors will be in attendance with 10 contributors.

Working group to have final meeting the preceding week.

Leaflet drop to be organised by the group, to all properties in the parish.

Cost for the event will come from the Resilience Plan budget, as associated.

25/35Village Event:

To mark the end of WW11 the parish council are organising a community celebration event, to be held at the Hare & Hounds on Monday 25th August (Bank Holiday) RO & TW have had discussions with the pub. The PC will contribute to the pub towards the cots of running the event. TW to apply for members budget also.

As no further PC meetings planned before the event the PC have set a cap of £750 on their expenditure, which was budgeted for a VE Day celebration.

25/36Community Resilience Group:

Work in progress. Emergency supplies discussed to be stored at the village Hall. A £200 budget for the purchase of these was agreed.

25/37Village Signage:

Following on going discussions on the design of the village signage it was Resolved to engage Rock Graphics to supply the new village signs to go above the 3 planters on Kingsley Road, Station Road & Bent Lane, as per their original design, Resolved not to purchase the highways signage.

25/38Defibrillators:

TW has investigated grants for defibs, most start up again later in the year. To review when grants are open again.

25/39Annual Internal Audit Report 2024-25:

Reviewed. No issues noted.

25/40Exception Certificate 2024-25:

Resolved to certify as exempt from External Audit as below the £25k threshold. TW to add to the website.

25/41Annual Governance Statement 2024-25:

Reviewed. Completed. Signed by chair. TW to add to the website.

25/42Accounting Statements 2024-25:

Reviewed, approved, Signed by chair. TW to add to the website.

25/43Provision of Public Rights:

Resolved to set the dates for public rights as 12 June – 24 July 2025. TW to add to the website & noticeboard.