No issues were raised. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed the County and Borough Councillors.

Cllr. Craggs had declared an interest in Planning Application 06/0879/FUL and had taken no part in the Planning Committee’s consideration of that application.

Apologies for Absence had been received from Cllr. Robertson.

Resolved to accept the Minutes of the Meeting of 12th September 2006 as a true record and to take them as read.

Cty. Cllr. Oliver reported a planned ‘Transforming Cheshire’ initiative. Several factors including new legislation, an ageing population, requirements for social services and children’s care and insufficient funding necessitated a major restructuring of Cheshire County Council. Savings of £132M over the next 10 years were predicted but only after a shortfall of £50M in the first 2 years. Details were to be discussed at a County Council meeting on 12th October. Cllr. Oliver agreed to report back at the earliest opportunity.
In reply to questions he explained that problems had been exacerbated by Government underfunding of the Shire Counties and by the 5% cap on Council Tax increases. He could not state which services were likely to be cut but explained that staffing costs accounted for 82% of the County Council’s expenditure. Cllr. Richardson expressed concern that Older People’s Services would suffer.

Boro. Cllr. Kolker referred to CBC’s Site Allocations Development Plan Document which was to be discussed later in the meeting and reminded Members of the public meeting on 12th October at the Victoria Club, Holmes Chapel.

There had been no meetings of the Amenities, Finance or Village Hall Management Committees since the last Parish Council. Copies of the unaudited accounts for April-September 2006 were distributed to Members.

Planning Reports 139 and 140 had been circulated.
Cllr. Craggs reported that the application for development at Heathfield, Blackden Lane had been granted by CBC. Boro. Cllr. Kolker confirmed that the Borough Council had found no grounds for refusal.

Resolved to accept Payment Schedule 10/06.

The Clerk referred to Appendix 10/06. listing her actions resulting from the last meeting and the correspondence received.
a) Acceptance of Invitation to the November PC meeting from Inspector Mark Gammage, Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Unit.
b) Confirmation from Congleton Area Highways Office that CCC would have no objections to the placing of a seat on Main Road and offering to arrange for the bench to be erected and located in the desired position.
Action: The Clerk to ascertain if there would be any charge for this service and the matter to be progressed at the next Amenities Committee meeting.
c) From Highways Office agreeing to cut back branches obscuring 30mph signs, also advising that they could only provide white plastic bollards to prevent parking on the verge at Shearbrook Bank and suggesting planting trees/shrubs as an alternative. This would require a formal request to the Highways Office.
Actions: The Clerk to send reminder about 30mph signs.
The Clerk to contact the Tree Warden about availability of suitable plants.
d) Confirmation that VHPFF meetings would not normally coincide with Parish Council meetings.
e) CBC had reported that the matter of the dog fouling sign had been passed to the dog/community wardens to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
Action: The Clerk to send a reminder direct to the Dog Warden.
f) Information from the Highways Office that ‘No Parking’ zig-zag lines or a single yellow line at the entrance to the Booth Bed Lane play area would require a TRO. At their suggestion a request for no parking had been included in the October Newsletter.
Action: The Clerk to produce a polite notice to be attached to the gate.
g) Invitation to a meeting with Manchester Airport, Community Relations Officer.
Action: The Clerk to give an early invitation to the next Annual Parish Meeting in April 2007.
h) Invitation from CHALC to meet members of the South Petherton Youth Parish Council to learn about their work in reducing anti-social behaviour and engaging with the wider community, Members to advise the Clerk if bookings are to be made.

The following additional correspondence had been received since setting the agenda.
a) A telephone call from RBL Women’s Section about their proposed seat on Booth Bed Lane. They had been advised by CCC that it would be more efficient if the Parish Council acted on their behalf.
Action: The Clerk to contact Highways for more information.
b) A letter from CBC, Safer Communities about Parish Council owned street lighting.
Action: The Clerk to acknowledge receipt and refer to the Village Hall Management Committee.
c) A questionnaire on Policing Objectives, passed to Cllr. Richardson.
d) Invitation to the Chairman and Members to attend the Annual Remembrance Service on 12th November, Action: The Clerk to acknowledge and confirm provision of a wreath.
f) A letter from GYPP asking the Parish Council to take over part funding of the insurance costs for the present Youth Club building.
Resolved: To pay insurance costs of £700 pa starting with financial year 2007-8.
g) A letter from St. Luke’s asking the Parish Council to take responsibility for placing graveyard waste bins at the roadside for collection.
Action: Cllr. Craggs offered to undertake this task for the time being.

Notification of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order affecting Blackden Lane/Blackden Bridge between 23rd and 30th October 2006.

Cllr. Leake reported that a further session had logged 50-60 speeding vehicles although no letters had yet been sent.
A session attended by a police officer, meaning that speeding tickets could be issued, now seemed unlikely as the officer was unavailable until the end of the month and dark mornings and evenings were imminent. Semi-permanent, battery-operated, unmanned speed warning indicators could be acquired for about £3000 each but the team was looking for a better price.
Action: Cllr. Leake to contact Highways Office about possibility of CCC providing equipment & to discuss lack of police support with Policing Unit.
Cty. Cllr. Oliver left the meeting.

Cllr. Craggs and Boro. Cllr. Kolker had attended a meeting with Network Rail & Northern Rail and felt that there was now no immediate threat to the station building.
Action: Cllr. Craggs to proceed with enquiries re. listed status and alternative uses and report to next meeting.

The Web Site Manager had started work on an upgrade to a more user-friendly format. The contents of the site were discussed, in particular the business directory section.
Actions:
a) The Clerk to include an item in the Newsletter asking traders to contact the PC if they thought the directory was a valuable service and if they would be prepared to pay a small fee for inclusion.
b) The Clerk to write to the Web Site Manager with thanks for his efforts and explaining reservations about the business directory
c) Meeting to be arranged between Cllr. Sturman, the Clerk and the Web Site Manager.

A congregation of about 80 was expected. Cllrs. Collins & Sturman offered to arrange refreshments for after the service.

Deferred to the next PC Meeting.

The G.Y.P.P. Management Committee had decided to pursue the possibility of locating the building at the Western end of the Playing Field rather than adjacent to the Village Hall. This would require new drawings and a new planning application.
The G.Y.P.P. AGM was due to take place at 8pm on 21st November at the present Youth Centre.
Cllr. Leake recommended that Booth Bed Lane be kept in mind as a possible fall back site.

Members expressed concerns about facilities (schools, doctors, dentist, roads & car-parking) in Holmes Chapel being adequate for the possible extra demand. There were already 3-4 new retirement complexes being built and recent developments in Cranage, The Hermitage area and Hawthorne Villas had added to the population. There seemed to be sufficient office accommodation already available or approved.
Action: The Chairman to pass on the Council’s comments to CBC.
Boro. Cllrs. Furlong & Kolker left the meeting.

Cllr. Craggs had researched various cladding systems and was asked to report to the next Village Hall Management Committee meeting.

Cllr. Sturman reported that incidents of setting fire to hedges had started to occur again. The police had been informed but the matter could be raised with Inspector Mark Gammage at the next meeting.
Actions:
a) The Clerk to write to CBC Planning Department about parking outside building sites, especially the current development on Main Road between New Platt Lane and Booth Bed Lane.
b) Cllr. Leake to contact Highways about the possibility of moving the 30mph (approaching the village) and de-restriction sign (leaving the village) further towards the A50.
c) The Clerk to contact the school about school gates being left open or opened by drivers during the times they were supposed to be closed for pupil safety.
d) The Clerk to write to Manor Developments requesting they cut back the hedge bordering the vacant plot on Main Road.

Confirmed: Tuesday 14th November 2006.

The Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.50 pm.