All three members of the public lived in Blackden and wished to express their views on the proposed development of ‘Heathfield’ as follows:

• The Parish Council had opposed an earlier planning application which had eventually been withdrawn. This latest application was very similar.
• The 5 properties in the immediate area are fairly modest, cottage style dwellings and the proposed development would be totally out of keeping.
• Blackden is an attractive, individual area with a history based on smallholdings. Its character and history was being ignored in the proposed development.
• Blackden, as a rural community, formed a barrier between the more developed Goostrey Village and areas to the North.

The Chairman explained that the Planning Committee’s report on this application would be presented later in the proceedings.

There were no Declarations of Interests registered.

Apologies for Absence had been received from Cllrs. Leake, Mitchell & Richardson, Boro. Cllr. Furlong and Cty. Cllr. Oliver.

Resolved to accept the Minutes of the Meeting of 11th July 2006 as a true record and to take them as read.

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

Boro. Cllr. Kolker referred to CBC’s Site Allocations Development Plan Document which identified preferred options for development sites up to 2016. Although there are no sites in Goostrey, he encouraged the Parish Council to study the proposals for Holmes Chapel in respect of available services and infrastructure and to submit comments before 20th October.
Action: Copies of the Document to be circulated to all Councillors. This item to be on the agenda for October PC meeting.

AMENITIES: Minutes of the meeting on 6th September had been circulated.
Actions:
a) The Clerk to investigate reaction of CCC and CBC to the placing of a bench seat on Main Road next to the Bank View planter.
b) The Clerk to contact Beth Johnson Homes for progress report on the future maintenance of gardens at The Old Paddock and to suggest replanting beech hedge. Also to obtain quote from local contractor for bi-annual maintenance.
c) Notice to Tender to be displayed for Graveyard maintenance and quotes obtained for Shearbrook Bank and Youth Centre grounds maintenance, details of work to be as in previous years.
d) The Clerk to seek advice from CBC about appropriate means of preventing parking on the grass verge at Shearbrook Bank.

FINANCE: Minutes of the meeting on 19th July had been circulated.
Resolved:
a) To increase Fidelity Guarantee insurance cover as recommended by the external auditors.
b) To subscribe to Congleton and Sandbach local newspapers.
c) To upgrade to broadband internet service.

The next meeting will now take place in November, the date to be decided. Preparations for the 2007/8 budget and precept to be made in advance of the meeting for discussion.

VILLAGE HALL: Minutes of the meeting on 7th September had been circulated
Resolved: To proceed with painting of the servery.
Actions:
a) The problem of damp in the toilets to be on the agenda for the October PC meeting.
b) The Clerk to contact the Secretary of the VHPFF about VHPFF and Parish Council meetings taking place at the same time.

Planning Reports 136, 137 and 138 had been circulated.
The Committee had objected to the proposed development at Heathfield, Blackden Lane on the same grounds as the previous application (out of keeping with rural environment, massively increased footprint, roof height and danger of creeping development).
The Committee had objected to the inappropriate size and design of a proposed conservatory at Owl’s Hoot, Blackden Lane.

Resolved to accept Payment Schedules 08/06 and 09/06.

The Clerk referred to Appendix 09/06. listing her actions resulting from the last Meeting and the correspondence received.
a) A letter from The Royal British Legion Women’s Section asking for approval to place a bench on the green on Booth Bed Lane, the clerk to reply that the PC had no strong objection and to pass on CBC’s comments.
b) Notice re. AGM of Home-Start Congleton Borough & Macclesfield Outreach Project, no councillors to attend.
c) E-mails from CBC about repairs to the gate and swings at Booth Bed Lane Play area. The gate catch had been repaired but no satisfactory solution found to the repeated damage of swing seats.
d) Invitation to Annual Meeting of CHALC, Cllrs. Craggs, Nicholls and Salmon to attend.
e) Request from CHALC for nominations for World Rural Women’s Day, no reply required.
f) Invitation of AGM of Cheshire Community Council, no councillors to attend.
g) Report of Cheshire Forum of M6 Councils meeting of 13th June and notification of next meeting on 19th September, no reply required.
h) Notification of Royal Liverpool Children’s NHS Trust public consultation about becoming a Foundation Trust and invitation to Open Day, no reply required.
i) Request for contribution towards cost of CBC’s Arts Project for the Gypsy and Traveller community, no reply required.
j) Cllr. Richardson’s reply to CHALC re. Changes in Health Scrutiny, to be circulated to Members.


The following additional correspondence had been received since setting the agenda.
a) Short note about the current position with regard to the M6 J11A-19 (Increasing Capacity) Study, to be circulated to Members.
b) Invitation to CBC ‘At Home’, Cllr. Sturman to advise if able to attend.

There were no Highways Matters to report.

14 speed checking sessions had taken place over the last 3 months. 174 vehicles had been recorded at 38 mph and above, 39 on New Platt Lane, 106 on Main Road and 29 on Station Road. The highest speed recorded was 55 mph. The police had sent letters to motorists travelling at 40 mph and above but did not include company or leased/hire cars.
A meeting with Congleton Community Action team was scheduled for 20th September when further suggestions for speed reduction would be discussed.
Action: The Clerk to report to Congleton BC that overhanging trees were again obscuring the 30 mph speed limit signs on Main Road near to New Platt Lane.

Cllr. Craggs, the Station Master and a Conservation Officer had inspected the inside of the building and confirmed that the structure appeared to be sound. The Station Master had agreed to clear the gutters. Boro. Cllr. Kolker reported that he and Cllr. Craggs would be meeting with Network Rail and Northern Rail on 13th September.
Actions:
a) Cllr. Craggs to contact SE Cheshire Enterprises and Rural Recovery about making practical use of the building.
b) Cllr. Craggs to prepare a report for English Heritage.

Cllr. Sturman reported that at present only the Web Site Manager could update the site. An upgrade was required but this would be a huge job for the Manager who had already spent a great many hours of voluntary time on the project. The information in the local businesses section was 6 years old and people were reporting problems in accessing and using the site.
Actions:
a) Cllr. Craggs to send photographs of Council Members to the Manager.
b) Councillors to provide Cllr. Sturman with word-portraits.
c) The Clerk to investigate ‘ready-made’ web sites which might be available from CCC or NALC, CHALC etc.
d) The item to be on the agenda for the October PC meeting.

Resolved: To hold a morning Service on Sunday 15th October. To invite leaders of local organisations with partners. To provide light refreshments after the service.
Action:
a) The Chairman to make final arrangements with the vicar.
b) The Chairman to liaise with the Clerk re. invitations.
c) Councillors asked to volunteer to help with refreshments.

Action:
a) The Chairman to investigate what types of equipment CBC would recommend.
b) Boro. Cllr. Kolker to make enquiries about ‘No Parking’ at the entrance to the area.
c) To include on the agenda for the October PC meeting.

A letter from the School Head and Governors had been circulated which set out in detail their continuing concerns about a Youth Centre next to the school. A meeting of G.Y.P.P. was due to take place on 14th September to look into the possibility of another site.

The Chairman reported that the mirror opposite Manor Avenue had been repaired and was back in position.
The Chairman asked for better attendance at Committee Meetings.
Cllr. Robertson had investigated the incidence of crime in the Village over the last 6 months and reported 11 thefts/criminal damage, 2 common assaults and 5 burglaries.
It was decided that a dedicated PCSO would be inappropriate at this time.

Cllr. Padley reported that the dog fouling sign, missing from a post on Main Road, had not been replaced.
Action: The Clerk to contact CBC again on this matter.

Confirmed: Tuesday 10th October 2006.

The Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.45 pm.