Cty. Cllr. Oliver reported:

a). that the decision on the Kinderton Waste Tip is awaiting a judgement by the Environment Agency regarding a possible extension of the Danes Moss facility in Macclesfield which if allowed will mean that the Kinderton Tip is no longer required.

b). on his attendance at the Byley Gas Plant hearing at which he considered the Judge to have been very fair, even though the outcome was in favour of the deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State, and that RAP are considering an appeal.

c). on a deficit of £7 million received from the Government towards the County element of the Council Tax which would lead to either an increase in the tax or a reduction in services, the Parish Council then agreeing that there should firstly be regime of increased efficiency within the County Council followed by an equitable balance of increased tax and reduced services.

d). on the situation regarding Brick Bank Farm in answer to Cllr. Owen's enquiry as an action from the previous Meeting.
 

Boro. Cllr. Furlong confirmed the comments made by Cty. Cllr. Oliver regarding the Byley Gas Plant hearing and also reported that there was no further information on the installation of traffic lights at M6 Junction 17.
 

AMENITIES:  Two issues were raised from the Amenities Meeting:

a). the question of an entry for next year's Best Kept Village Competition, as two out of the three problem areas would not have changed, and on a proposal by Cllr. Owen seconded by Cllr. Henley it was unanimously agreed that the Village would again decline to enter.

b). the principle of housing a defibrillator at the Trading Post but as there is no currently trained operator on the site this is now in abeyance

FINANCE: The only matter arising for consideration by the Parish Council was the draft budget which is covered by Agenda Item 17

VILLAGE HALL:The only matter arising for consideration by the Parish Council was the roof refurbishment which is covered by Agenda Item 15.
 

In the absence of Cllr. Leake there were no planning issues raised.

Acceptance of Payment Schedule 102 was proposed by Cllr. Owen, seconded by Cllr. Salmon and agreed unanimously.
 

Firstly the Clerk reported on matters requiring his action from the previous Meeting, namely the condition of the road outside Brick Bank Farm, which is now with the local authority, the commemorative tree for Boothbed Crescent and the replacement of the Notice Board.

The Clerk then tabled the following correspondence received:

a). A notice of temporary road closure from Joint Highways.

b). A notice of forthcoming meeting dates for the Police Forum which was handed to Cllr. Richardson.

c). A letter from a Resident regarding road surface spoil from cable laying in Station Road apparently being left in the hedgerow.

d). A notice of the forthcoming Annual Town & Parish Council Conference which will be redirected to Cllr. Robinson.
 

Cllr. Ball commented on the appearance of white markings on various roads in the Village indicating that remedial work is to be carried out and the Clerk was asked to contact Highways to determine when this would be done.

Cllr. Henley suggested that assistance to parking in the Village may be to use the area by the now closed Surgery and the Clerk was asked to find out who owns this.

Cllr. Owen reported on the outcome of the latest Liaison Committee Meeting with Network Rail which was that there would be no trains 25-28th December when work again starts with further day working 29-31st December and piling commencing on the 27th. On 29-30th December, REBs will be located and on the 2nd January UTX will be installed, this work then proceeding to June after which any remaining REBs will be lifted in together with a power supply building which will be hidden from view. By early Spring 2006, the project should be completed.

Cllr. Owen then reported the status of the proposed pedestrian bridge to the railway regarding which Boro. Cllr. Kolker had attended a major transport review meeting in Leeds at which he had circulated a letter to all senior managers requesting that Goostrey Station be provided with ticket machines, information screens, an improved service to the airport and the pedestrian bridge.

Cllr. Salmon stated that there was nothing to report at this time.

This item had already been discussed under County Matters.

It was agreed that there was nothing to report at this time.

The Clerk briefly outlined the Village Hall Manager's report on the proposals from the November meeting of Cheshire County Council, the School and the roofing contractors at which the Parish Council's contribution was put at about £7,800. The Clerk was, however, asked to write to Cheshire County Council pointing out that according to the Joint Use Agreement which is currently in force, the Parish is not responsible for any part of the "construction, repair and maintenance of the building" and requesting confirmation of this before the February Parish Council Meeting.
 

This Item was again referred to the next Meeting.

After some considerable debate, the draft budget offered by the Finance Committee was approved without amendment with the exception of the reserves in which that of £2,000 for IT Services was no longer relevant and that for Traffic Calming would be increased to £4,000 to cover the unused expenditure for the previous two years. The Precept would therefore remain unchanged at £28,000.

In concluding the debate, Cllr. Salmon expressed his disappointment at the poor attendance at this Meeting in view of the importance of this Item.
 

a). Cllr. Owen reported on a meeting which he had with the Post Master, at the request of the latter, regarding the future of the Post Office in the Village and it was agreed that a special Task Force should be convened to address this important matter, the Clerk being asked to write to the Post Office Manager responsible for this area inviting him to attend to discuss the options available.

b). Cllr. Ball reported that a new Webmaster, Doug Crowley, had now kindly agreed to take over the Goostrey web site from Bill Craig and that it was now fully functional, the Clerk being asked to write to the latter expressing the gratitude of the Parish Council for all his hard work to date.

c). Cllr. Richardson reported that he had received concerns regarding the Resident who exercises her dogs attached to her bicycle and this was duly noted.

d). The Clerk commented on the apparent increase in dog fouling in the Village, even in the Graveyard, and it was agreed that means of curbing this must be found.