Minutes of North Rode Parish Council Meeting – 2nd March 2023

MINUTES OF THE NORTH RODE PARISH COUNCILMEETING HELD AT ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH, NORTH RODE ON THURSDAY 2^nd March 2023 at 7.30PM

Present:

Councillor Janet Hughes – Chairman
Councillor Georgina Bailey – Vice Chairman
Councillor Alastair Bayley
Councillor Huw Williams
Councillor Brian Evans
Councillor Jacqui Lea
Cheshire East Councillor Lesley Smetham
Mrs Brenda Lomas – Clerk

Members of the Public
Mr Mark Bullock
Mr Martin Lea

Welcome by the Chairman

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. The Parish Council meeting had the required quorum of three Councillors and therefore decisions could be approved at the meeting.

Recording of the Meeting

The Chairman advised that the meeting would be audio recorded for the assistance of the Clerk.

Apologies for absence

Councillor John Narraway

Resignation of Councillors from the Parish Council

Councillor John Narraway had submitted correspondence dated 2^nd March 2023 to express that he would be resigning from the Parish Council due to personal circumstances. The Parish Councillors at the meeting wished to express their thanks to John for his many years of service as a valued Councillor. It was agreed that the Chair would write a letter to John to formally thank him for his service to the Parish Council.

Councillor Janet Hughes, Chairman stated that she would also be resigning her position as Councillor and as Chairman of the Parish Council from 3rd March 2023 – due to moving house – and submitted her resignation in writing to the Clerk. Janet received thanks and expression of gratitude from all attendees at the meeting for her hard work as Chairman. Janet stated that she did not expect a letter having received thanks in person. Janet advised that she had enjoyed her time as Chairman and expressed her thanks to the Councillors and Clerk for their support and wished the Parish Council all the best for the future.

It was noted that the Parish Council now needs two new Parish Councillors.

Declarations of Interest

Declarations of interest were made from Councillor Hughes, Councillor Lea and Councillor Bayley in respect of discussions appertaining to the application for a Certificate of Lawfulness at Bank Farm, Bank Lane, North Rode.

A declaration of interest was made from Councillor Huw Williams regarding the creation of an entrance to the field adjacent to his property on Church Lane.

Minutes of the previous meetings

Minutes of the last Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 8^th December 2022 were agreed as a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.

Saw Pitt Wood – Councillor Jacqui Lea raised the point that she and her husband had become aware that the owner of Saw Pitt Wood did not have the benefit of a felling licence for the recent felling of trees in Saw Pitt Wood, Shellow Lane, North Rode. It was agreed that the Clerk would report the issue to the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Parish Council.

Points arising from the last meeting on 8th December 2022 – and further discussed where necessary

The Clerk had submitted the parish precept application to CEC.
The Clerk had written to Planning Enforcement of CEC to request updates on the enforcement issues on land behind Daintry Hall and on the creation of a field entrance on Church Lane.
The Clerk had written to the Elections section of Cheshire East Council in respect of the residents of North Rode no longer being offered the opportunity to vote at Daintry Hall but rather be expected to vote at Eaton Village Hall. The Elections section had responded that Daintry Hall had been removed as a polling station following a request from the proprietor of the Daintry Hall Nursery. However, following the Clerk’s request for consideration to re-instate Daintry Hall as a polling station – the elections team could reconsider the situation in 2024. This matter was discussed further and the Chair advised that as part of the recent ‘save our parish boundary’ action – CEC had noted that residents of North Rode were already voting at Eaton and due to this fact, North Rode already had linked with Eaton. Therefore it was important that North Rode should retain it’s own village identity. Councillor Bailey added that by resuming the voting at Daintry Hall – it was a way of preserving Daintry Hall for the use of the village. It was noted that the PC had always used Daintry Hall for PC meetings until the covid pandemic, but that it was now used exclusively by the nursery. The Chair suggested that the PC make another approach to the Daintry Hall Management Committee to advise that the PC would like to use the hall for the September 2023 meeting. Councillor Williams offered to discuss the matter with Daintry Hall Management Committee.
Defibrillator – Councillor Evans had been asked to make enquiries regarding obtaining a defibrillator. Councillor Evans felt that we should buy one defibrillator with a plan to purchase and install or a second one at the other side of the village in the future. Councillor Evans expressed a concern that before he made enquiries – he would like confirmation that the funding for the purchase and installation of a first defibrillator are available and approved. The Councillors unanimously resolved to approve the funding for a defibrillator from Parish Council funds. From previous research, it was considered that the purchase and installation of a defibrillator would be in the region of £2500.
Councillor Williams gave an update on the village name signs, the historic sign and road drainage issues (see points 10 & 11 below)
The possibility of North Rode formulating its own Neighbourhood Plan was discussed. Thirty seven Councils in Cheshire have such plans in place including the villages of Eaton and Marton. It is a lengthy and involved process to formulate the plans. Councillor Smetham advised that there is helpful information on the Cheshire East Council website including a tool kit which can be downloaded. Other Neighbourhood Plans are displayed on the web site which could provide guidance. The main benefit of a Neighbourhood Plan is in terms of planning. It was agreed that the formulation of a Neighbourhood Plan was a major piece of work requiring significant amounts of time and consideration. The final plan has to be submitted to a Planning Inspector for approval and an approved plan becomes a legal document. It would become a part of Cheshire East Council’s documentation and would require consideration in the event of a major planning issue in the village. Councillor Georgina Bailey was involved with the North Rode Parish Plan which was written 10 years ago and was a similar large piece of work. Councillor Smetham advised that there should be finance available from CEC’s Cheshire Community Action whereby a member of the team would assist and could come and talk to the Parish Council about producing a Neighbourhood Plan. The Chairman suggested that interested people could consider undertaking the plan. Councillor Huw Williams said that he would look into obtaining information and Councillor Georgina Bailey offered support. Councillor Bailey suggested that the Parish Council could ask the residents of the village if anyone might be interested in getting involved.

Planning matters

No new planning applications have been lodged

21/2617C Yew Tree Farm – A certificate of lawful use for a proposed single storey domestic outbuilding within a residential curtilage has been granted by the CEC Planning Department.
22/2340C Bank Farm – A certificate of lawful use for a proposed single storey domestic outbuilding has been granted by the CEC Planning Department.
22/3480M Keepers Cottage – Replacement dwelling – the application has been refused on the grounds that the design could not be supported by the CEC Planning Department.
Star Business Park – warehouse was approved.

Planning Enforcement – update

Tinker Bells Hollow, Bramhall Hill. It is understood that the owner is not living in the mobile home at present. A watching brief will remain as regards whether the owner of the property resides in the mobile home at the property and this matter will therefore remain on future agendas.
20/00535E – Land behind Daintry Hall – the Clerk had written again to the CEC Planning Enforcement section to request an update on the position. No response had been received. This item will remain on the agenda until resolved.
22/00120E – Creation of a new field gateway on Church Lane owned by Mr Mark Bullock of The Oaklands. The Clerk had requested an update from the Planning Enforcement department but had not received a response.
22/0080E – Shellow Lane Lodges, Saw Pitt Wood – a possible breach of occupancy condition has been reported to Planning Enforcement by Councillor Smetham on behalf of a resident of North Rode. It is alleged by the resident that workmen / people are living in the lodges for significant periods of time in breach of the holiday use condition. There is also a condition that the lodges should not be used in January of each year. Andy Cush is the allocated Planning Enforcement Officer who will be looking into the case. This item will be kept on the agenda until resolved.

Highways Issues

Traffic

Councillor Williams provided an update on traffic issues on Bank Lane / Church Lane. Following a meeting with a Highways Officer, it had been agreed that signage would be placed on the Congleton Link Road to direct traffic through Congleton town centre with the intention that traffic would be discouraged from using Bank Lane / Church Lane to access the A54.
The Highways Officer had also agreed to the installation of ‘Unsuitable for HGV’ signs on the ends of Bank Lane /Church Lane and also installing similar signs just before the vehicle would turn onto those roads. Highways have been costing up the signs since December 2022 and have confirmed that such measures will be undertaken. The Highways Officer has also got appropriate members of staff to look into degrading the local roads via Waze maps editor and Google in order that the village roads won’t appear on SatNav systems.
Police involvement – Councillor Huw Williams has kept a report of HGV use and had invited residents to report traffic issues directly to him. Disappointingly, he had only received three reports this year. However, it was acknowledged that such traffic incidents can occur quickly and that it can be difficult to catch the information required. The local PCSO’s Gary Charnock and Julie Short are both retiring at the end of March. Councillor Williams has written to their senior officer to ask to be informed of who will be taking over.
The Parish Council had received a report from a resident of Park Road that a vehicle had skidded on ice on the bend by the railway bridge on Shellow Lane and crashed into her garden wall. Councillor Williams reported the incident on the CEC ‘online’ system and also to the Highways Engineer. This is a situation which has previously occurred as it is an off cambre bend. Concerns were expressed that there is no protection to the parapet / bridge itself. The road is not included on the CEC gritting route. Lesley mentioned looking on ‘Crash Map’ which gives historic number of crashes. A grit bin should be provided.

b) Village Signs

Village centre historic sign – there had been six drafts based on the suggestions from Councillors on the design of the sign. Councillor Williams displayed the final design of the sign at the meeting and also demonstrated it’s size. It will be double sided and mounted on a 200m x 200m oak post and the location had been agreed with the Daintry Hall Management Committee – on land in front of Daintry Hall. The proposal had been discussed with the CEC conservation officer who had advised that no planning permission would be required. Councillor Williams advised that he would make enquiries with the manufacturer to see if the Parish Council could perhaps keep the metal cast / original mould. The sign is scheduled to be completed two weeks before the coronation date. The mounting of the sign was discussed – which involves the digging of the post hole and the requirement to set the oak post in concrete. Councillor Bayley and Mr Bullock have agreed to assist Councillor Williams in the installation work There will be some cost to the PC for the post and the concrete. In addition it was agreed to order and display a small plaque on the sign to commemorate the Coronation – which would cost around £120. It was resolved that all sign related costs should be paid from Parish Council funds. It was further resolved to keep the design secret from residents until the sign would be officially unveiled as part of the King Charles III Coronation village celebration on 8th May. The Clerk is to make enquiries as regards obtaining insurance cover for the sign. The Chairman thanked Huw for all his hard work in respect of the historic sign.

Parish boundary signs – Councillor Williams advised that he had encountered problems with the Highways Department as regards the position of a parish boundary sign on Bull Gate Lane – as the CEC’s chosen location for the sign was actually positioned in the village of Bosley. Councillor Williams had worked with Highways to resolve this matter. There would be four signs on main roads i.e. the A54 Buxton Road and the A536 Macclesfield Road – which CEC will fund. An additional three signs are being ‘costed’ by the CEC. Therefore, at present, the funding for the additional three signs is unclear. It may be available from Councillor Smetham’s allocated ward budget or from the CEC Highway’s budget – or the PC might have to pay for them.

c) Drainage Issues

Work in respect of the regular flooding on Bank Lane had been undertaken by CEC but had failed to be completed. At present, the drain takes the water into fields but has nowhere to drain thereafter. The CEC Highways engineer, John Denwood had advised that it would be necessary to install a new drain along Bank Lane and direct the flow to the stream in a nearby wood. Therefore additional work would be undertaken in the future. Councillor Williams advised that it was important to keep reporting incidents of flooding to CEC.

Bramhall Hill – CEC had advised that the gullies had been cleared but that they have all silted up again. Further gully jetting will take place. It was noted that the grass verges are now just soil – which is due to vehicles waiting on the verge whilst others drive through the flood. Ice presents lethal situation. It was noted that there appears to be more traffic use along Bramhall Hill.

Church Lane leakages – CEC are returning at some point to check the drains – including jetting and using trace dye.

Finance

It was resolved that the Parish Council would fund the costs for the purchase, installation and maintenance costs of a defibrillator

It was resolved that the Parish Council would fund the remaining costs for the installation of the village centre historic sign.

It was resolved that the Parish Council would fund the cost of the purchase of cherry tree(s) and any fencing protection required.

The Clerk advised that she had experienced difficulties with the NatWest bank in terms of removing and adding signatories to the PC account. At present, Jerry Howarth, John Narraway and Brenda Lomas remain as signatories – ongoing action will be pursued to remove old signatories and replace them with current members of the Parish Council.

10.Post Jubilee Celebration Update

Councillor Hughes apologized for not being able to pursue the plan to identify locations for the planting of cherry trees in the village. Councillor Williams volunteered to approach Mr Malcolm Kidd regarding the possibility of planting cherry trees in North Rode park.

11. Celebration for the Coronation of King Charles III.

It appeared that, apart from a special Church Service, there were no plans for the village to celebrate the King’s coronation. It was discussed that the Parish Council should organise a village get together and it was agreed that a picnic on the Bank Holiday Monday 8th May would be arranged – at which time – the historic village sign could be unveiled as part of the celebrations.

12. Training – opportunities and training requirements

a) Induction training for Councillor Alastair Bayley still required

b) CEC Code of Conduct training – the date is still to be determined – Councillor Janet Hughes was to attend but has now resigned.

13. Parish Council laptop and website

To be discussed at the next meeting

14. Parish Communications

Communication with residents was discussed and it was agreed that we rely on the village newsletter to send out information. In terms of making contact with individual parishioners, the PC occasionally request communication to be sent to residents via Mrs Sue Bullock who has an e-mail list of most residents of the village. A previous attempt to request residents to provide the Parish Council with their e-mail addresses had been tried but failed. Access to an up to date website would be the best option.

15. Parish Council Elections – to be held on 4th May 2023

Resignations have been received from The Parish Council from Cllr Janet Hughes and Cllr John Narraway. There are now two Parish Councillor vacancies. The Clerk distributed Nomination papers for those persons wishing to stand as a Parish Councillors and requested the completed forms be returned to her – to be taken to the CEC elections team at Westfields, Sandbach.

Election of a New Chairperson – from 3rd March 2023 until 4^th May 2023

Councillor Janet Hughes nominated Councillor Huw Williams and this was seconded by Councillor Georgina Bailey. There were no other nominations for the position of Chairman. It was resolved that Councillor Williams should become Chairman of North Rode Parish Council.

Any Other Business

The Chair advised that the Parish Council can now hold informal zoom type meetings to discuss issues – albeit it would have to meet in person for the making of decisions.

Dates of the next meetings

The proposed dates of the next two meetings are Thursday 11th May 2023 to include the AGM and the Parish Meeting and 7^th September 2023.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm.