In the absence of Cty. Cllr. Oliver, there were no County Matters reported.

Cllr. Kolker reported the following:
a). A leaflet on rights of way improvement is now available and tabled a copy.

b). Quoting as an example an application for storage of caravans at Astbury, he recommended that the Goostrey Parish Plan be formally registered as a supplementary planning document with the Borough Council.

c). An improved sight line has been created at the junction of Main Road and Hermitage Lane but a further improvement could be made by layering the hedge on its corner for around £500, the Clerk being asked to write to the householder seeking their permission to carry out this work.

To a question by Cllr. Salmon, regarding affordable housing in the Borough, Cllr. Kolker replied that there are currently no plans for any additional such housing in Goostrey, the nearest possibly being by Dane Housing at Twemlow Green.

AMENITIES: There had been no meeting since the last Parish Council.

FINANCE: The outcome of this meeting will be covered later under Item 17.

VILLAGE HALL: Cllr. Sewell commented that the last meeting had decided to withhold £800 from the recharge until the electric meters had been read, but Cllr. Salmon suggested that no payment should be made until a final bill could be submitted based on true meter readings and this was agreed, Cllr. Sewell to inform the County of this change of plan.

Cllr. Leake took the Meeting through Planning Report 127.

Resolved to accept Payment Schedule 12.05.

The Clerk referred to the items in Appendix 12/05, a letter in response from Joint Highways being passed to Cllr. Ball, and then tabled the following additional correspondence which had been received since setting the Agenda:

a). From Cheshire County Council regarding their proposed bus strategy for Cheshire, the Clerk being asked to complete the questionnaire.

b). From Cheshire Police Authority detailing their programme of meetings, the Clerk being asked to give this to Cllr. Richardson for his consideration and to complete the questionnaire.

c). From the Rural Regeneration Unit regarding food co-operatives, the information being given to Cllr. Sewell.

d). From Cheshire County Council inviting representatives to attend the Annual Town & Parish Council Conference, this being passed to the Chairman.

e). From Cllr. Owen, an e:mail received from Network Rail regarding the likely movement of heavy vehicles from December 14 to 31, the Clerk having reported to its Communications Officer the presence of such vehicles already going through the village instead of the approved routes and she undertook to remind the contractors responsible of their obligations.

There were no Highways Matters on the Appendix but Cllr. Salmon reported the breaking up of the road surface at the Mill Lane / Buckbean Way junction, Cllr. Kolker to raise the matter with Joint Highways.

This Item was deferred to the next Meeting.

The Chairman confirmed that the Ball is to take place on Saturday, 28th January, the tickets for which are now available, the licence is yet to be arranged, Cllr. Ball being asked to purchase the wine and Cllr. Robinson being asked to arrange for the same barman to again carry out this service.

The Clerk tabled a letter from the Congleton Community Safety Partnership thanking the Parish Council for its offer to make £2,000 available for the purchase and administration of a speed indicator for the Village and on a proposal by Cllr. Salmon, seconded by Cllr. Ball it was unanimously agreed that this should be added to the next payment schedule. Cllr. Salmon reported that the next training session would be on Sunday, 8th January and he undertook the recruitment of volunteers to attend this and the identification of likely placement sites.

The Chairman reported on the response which she had received from the Borough Council who agreed that the delays had been too long and that they had learned some valuable lessons from this, the Chairman then being asked to submit copies of both her letter and the response to the Ombudsman for consideration. The question of parking congestion at the site had been passed on to Highways.

The Chairman reported that she had submitted the detailed application for Quality Status and had received a response from Chalky White requesting considerable additional detail of clarification of certain items, a meeting with him having been arranged for early in the New Year.

It was unanimously resolved to submit the planning applications prepared and financed by G.Y.P.P. in the name of the Parish Council, the Chairman also undertaking to investigate the possible release of land bordering the site to provide additional options.

The Clerk had circulated the budget approved by the Finance Committee and this was unanimously accepted given one minor change of cost attribution, the precept to remain unchanged at £28,000.

Denise Draper was warmly welcomed by the Meeting and will take up her duties with effect from 1st January.

a). Cllr. Ball raised the issue of payments for personal entries on the Goostrey web site and it was agreed on a one off charge of £5.

b). The Chairman reported that she had received a number of letters and telephone calls of appreciation regarding the recent Home Front Recall event and these were given to Cllr. Robinson to pass on to those who contributed to its success.

It was confirmed that the date of the next Meeting would be 10th January 2006.

The Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.25pm

There were no further issues raised by the members of the Public.