The 2 members of the public were present to seek the Council's assistance in determining the ownership of, and responsibility for, oak trees adjacent to their properties in Bank View. The residents had approached CBC and Dane Housing, both of which denied responsibility, although one of the residents could remember CBC cutting back the trees several years ago. Boro. Cllr Furlong offered to arrange a meeting with CBC and Dane Housing.
Actions: The Clerk to write to CBC with copies to Boro. Cllrs. Furlong and Kolker.
Boro. Cllr. Furlong to contact the Chairman for an update at the end of November.

The Chairman then introduced Inspector Mark Gammage of Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Unit.

Inspector Gammage thanked the Members for their invitation and apologised for not visiting the Council sooner after his appointment in mid-June. He explained that, based at Sandbach, he was responsible for neighbourhood policing in 5 towns and surrounding villages. The unit dealt with all matters except 999 emergencies, their involvement in the Goostrey speed watch initiative being a good example but staffing levels meant it was difficult to provide the expected level of policing. Insp. Gammage then answered questions from Members. He took on board a request for the CAT van to be seen in Goostrey more often and stressed that all incidents giving rise to concern should be reported to allow the police to build up a picture of criminal and anti-social behaviour in the area. He agreed that the policy of only attending an incident where police presence would make a difference was subject to wide interpretation but it was not possible to send officers to every incident. He considered PCSO's to be a valuable addition to man power. Although they did not have powers of arrest, this meant that their time was spent in the community and not on interviews and administrative tasks. He acknowledged a request from Cllr. Leake for police presence at some of the speed watch sessions as volunteers were becoming disillusioned and motorists unconcerned when no speeding tickets could be handed out. He agreed that underage drinking was a huge, nationwide problem which was to be addressed in Cheshire by the 'Arch Angel' campaign.

The Chairman thanked Inspector Gammage and suggested he attend the Annual Parish Meeting in April.
The Chairman then opened the meeting.

There were no Declarations of Interests registered.

Boro. Cllr. Kolker had sent apologies for absence, due to a CBC Planning Meeting.

Resolved to accept the Minutes of the Meeting of 10th October 2006 as a true record and to take them as read.

Cty. Cllr. Oliver apologised for not reporting back on the 'Transforming Cheshire' initiative, restructuring and budget matters but explained that these had been dealt with under 'Part Two' (confidential) of the CCC Meeting. There would be further meetings and consultations, with a final decision in early February. CCC had replied to CBC regarding the Site Allocations Development Plan Document, opposing nearly every proposed site.

Boro. Cllr. Furlong reported that the publican at the Red Lion had received a warning about serving underage drinkers and could face suspension of the licence or closure of the premises if not resolved. He hoped that encouragement from the entire community could help the landlord deal with the problem.

AMENITIES: Minutes of the meeting of 7th November had been circulated.
Action: Cllrs. Collins and Salmon to investigate planting options for Shearbrook verge and report back before asking CCC for formal permission.
Resolved:
a) To purchase an 'Evergreen Seat' from Earth Anchors Ltd. at a cost of £491 + fixings, this after consideration of seats available from several suppliers. The seat to be installed on Main Road near Bank View free of charge by CCC.
b) To accept the one tender received, from the current contractor, for Graveyard Maintenance.
c) To accept the one quotation received, from the current contractor, for maintenance work at Shearbrook Bank and the Youth Centre

FINANCE: Minutes of the meeting of 2nd November had been circulated together with copies of the proposed budget for 2007/8.
Resolved: To accept the proposed budget for 2007/8, with the precept unchanged at £28,000, a reserve of £10,000 for Parish Projects and a General Reserve of £25,000.
The date for the next Finance Committee meeting was set for 30th January 2007.

VILLAGE HALL: Minutes of the meeting of 1st November had been circulated.
It was reported that the Caretaker was back at work after a period of sickness and thanks were due to the Hall Manager for his contribution during her absence. The stage backdrop curtain was being installed and the stage lights were to be cleaned, refurbished and safety checked at a cost of £250. A sub-committee had been established to determine the design brief for refurbishment of the toilets and obtain estimates of costs.
Cllr. Craggs was thanked for all his work on this project as was Cllr. Robertson for the gift of a new CD player/radio. Imminent cyclical electrical testing could give rise to repair costs.
Resolved: To accept recommendations and proposals in the minutes of the 1st November meeting.

Planning Reports 141 and 142 had been circulated.
These related to tree removal and/or pruning. The committee had made no objections subject to the approval of CBC's arborist.

Resolved to accept Payment Schedule 11/06.

The Clerk referred to Appendix 10/06. listing her actions resulting from the last meeting and the correspondence received.
a) From Mrs Jean Woof voicing her concerns about the junction of Manor Avenue and Main Road. In spite of the road sign and mirror, turning right is always hazardous and particularly so at busy times and when traffic is moving quickly. Cllr. Leake had already replied that these concerns would be taken into account when dealing with speed watch matters.
Cllr. Padley reported that the junction was hazardous for pedestrians, especially children on the way to and from school
Actions:
i) The Clerk to reply by letter to Mrs Woof explaining that the Council understood her concerns and would take them into account when considering road safety issues.
ii) This item to be on the agenda for the December meeting.

b) Notice of the AGM of the Cheshire Forum of M6 Councils, passed to Cllr. Leake.
c) CBC's acknowledgement of the Parish Councils response to the Site Allocation Development Plan Document.
d) From CBC Planning Department, explaining that the Planning Authority cannot enforce parking restrictions at building sites, it being a matter for the police if vehicles cause an obstruction, this reply to be kept on file.

The following additional correspondence had been received since setting the agenda.
a) Notice of the G.Y.P.P. AGM, Cllrs. Craggs & Richardson to attend. Cllr. Craggs agreed to accept nomination for the committee.
b) From Congleton Area Highways Office confirming that there were no objections to the RBL's proposal to place a seat on the crescent on Booth Bed Lane. They also agreed to carry out the installation work free of charge.
Action: In view of the consultation with local residents carried out by the RBL and the fact that there were two seats already in the vicinity, the Clerk to confirm approval to RBL and co-ordinate installation.
c) From CCC Engineering Services, explaining that New Platt Lane did not meet criteria for inclusion in the gritting route.
Action: The Clerk to reply that New Platt Lane was a main route to and from the village, carrying as much traffic as Main Road. The Parish Council was prepared to pay up to £500 pa for gritting.
d) From CBC Dog Warden, confirming that an anti-fouling sign had been installed on a lamp post near to The Crown and an old one in Manor Avenue replaced.
e) A report from a resident about an unprotected open man-hole on the track from Blackden Firs to Blackden Hall.
Action: The Clerk to report to CBC.
f) From Holmes Chapel Parish Council seeking advice about procedure for upgrading children's play areas.
Action: The Clerk to reply with details of Goostrey PC's experience.

Congleton Area Highways Office had confirmed that they had cut back foliage around the 30 mph signs at the beginning of October. As they were still partly obscured, Cllr. Leake offered to do more cutting back himself.

Cllr. Leake had ascertained that CCC had 4 'Smiley Sid' speed indicators allocated to Congleton Borough on a rota basis. Although Goostrey PC would prefer sole use, an interest had been registered. He had also requested CCC Highways' approval for such signs to be located in Goostrey and was awaiting a reply.
After a short break, there would be more speed watch sessions in the mornings of the next week.

The Chairman reported letters received from the founder of G.R.U.G. (Goostrey Rail Users Group - for Friends of Goostrey Railway Station). Details of the new group are included in the December Newsletter.
Action: The Clerk to invite the founder of G.R.U.G to the December meeting.
Boro. Cllr. Kolker was expected to report back on a recent meeting.

Cllr. Sturman, The Clerk and the Web Site Manager had met to discuss development of the Site.
Resolved:
a) To leave the business section on hold for the time being.
b) To bring the Local Organisations section up-to-date by early in the New Year.
c) To seek an 'owner' for the History page.
d) To remove the Children's and the Notices/For Sale/Wanted pages due to very limited interest and use.
e) To supply updates of PC Minutes and Newsletter in a different format which would save the Site Manager several hours work each month, allowing him more time to devote to improvements.

The Chairman had spoken to the Site Maintenance Manager at CBC about installing a multi-unit framework for older children. This would cost a minimum of £15,000.
Action: Cllr. Sturman to contact the Groundwork Trust about funding before the next meeting.

Reported in item 11.06.9/Additional Correspondence (a)

A meeting had been arranged for 5th December to discuss the damp problem with Barrie Pitt of CCC. Cllrs. Salmon, Craggs, The Village Hall Manager and a representative from the school to attend. It had been stated by CCC that Goostrey PC would pay only 15% of the cost of investigations and repairs.
The design project by a sub-group of the Village Hall Management Committee would continue in tandem.

Resolved: To hold the Annual Meeting on 26th April 2007.
Actions: The Clerk to send invitations to speak at the meeting to Inspector Mark Gammage and to Manchester Airport Community Relations Officer.

Cllr. Padley reported that school's Board of Governors had filled the community governor position and did not now require a Parish Councillor on the Board. A letter was to be expected by the Council.

Cllr. Richardson reported that three lights in the passageway from Booth Bed Lane to Main Road were not working. Action: The Clerk to report to CBC.

Confirmed: Tuesday 12th December 2006.

The Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.40 pm.