Minutes of North Rode Parish Council Meeting
held on Tuesday 10th December 2024
at Daintry Hall, North Rode at 7.30pm
Present:
Councillor Huw Williams – Chairman
Councillor Georgina Bailey – Vice Chairman
Councillor Jon Burwood
Councillor Alastair Bayley
Councillor Jacqui Lea
Cheshire East Ward Councillor Lesley Smetham
Mrs Brenda Lomas – Clerk
1. Welcome by the Chairman
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting
2. Apologies for absence
Councillor Brian Evans and Councillor Richard Edwards
3. Public Participation
No members of the public were present
4. Declarations of Interest
None made
5. Minutes of the previous meetings
The minutes of the previous Parish Council Meetings held on Tuesday 10th December 2024 were agreed as being a true and accurate record and were signed by the Chairman.
6. Highways Updates
a) Bank Lane – flooding – CEC Highways had undertaken works to the drains and have since returned to the site to flush the drains to remove silt and debris. It was noted that the works have resulted in a noticeable improvement as surface water is draining away.
b) Bramhall Hill – flooding – it was noted that the drains can now be seen and improvements noticed. There is no update on whether Highways have spoken to the landowner of Tinker Bells Hollow – albeit – an excavator has been seen working on the landowner’s ditch.
c) HGV reports – only one HGV using Bank Lane / Church Lane has been reported to Huw since the last meeting – a Sea Transport Ltd. Vehicle. It is assumed that the local police officer will speak to the company.
d) Georgina had seen that a new bus stop had been built / created by the Chain and Gate – to replace the former bus stop – which was positioned on the other side of the Chain & Gate. No notification of the bus stop had been received by the Parish Council. It was wondered whether the replacement bus stop had something to do with the new CEC transport plan which is currently going through a consultation process.
Action – Huw will ask John Denwood, Highways Engineer if he knows the reason.
7. Planning Applications –
Planning application number 24/2680C for Bank Farm, Bank Lane, North Rode – the application has been altered from a ‘prior approval’ application to a full planning application ‘for a material change of woodland and agricultural land to a wedding venue including the erection of a temporary tipi structure, portable toilets and refreshment provision, camping area, car parking and other materials associated with such use between May and September.’ Formal consultative comments have already been submitted by the Parish Council to the Planning Department in respect of the ‘prior approval’ application – but the Parish Council had been re-consulted on the application for a full planning approval – with comments required by 28th February 2025. Councillors discussed the application and agreed that there are no changes to the previous comments. Concerns were raised that there had been no response to the points previously raised for additional information in relation to the management of traffic, noise and campers. Councillors resolved that the same comments should be made by the Parish Council to the Planning Department with a recommendation for a temporary planning approval – to allow time to assess whether the operation of wedding functions will have a negative impact on the village and on its residents.
Action : Clerk to submit updated comments to the Planning Department on 28th February
8. Planning Enforcement – update
a) Tinker Bells Hollow, Bramhall Hill. No changes noticed – it was agreed that a watching brief will remain as regards whether the site / mobile home becomes occupied.
Action : This matter will remain on future agendas.
b) 20/00120E. Creation of a new access gateway on Church Lane owned by Mr Mark Bullock of The Oaklands. It had been confirmed that Church Lane is a ‘classified’ road. Councillor Williams had contacted John Denwood, Highways Dept for further clarification. Highways have no objections to the current situation. It was deemed that if any commercial use or buildings were erected on the land – then Planning Enforcement would be informed. Councillors resolved to close this case from future agenda until such time that any possible changes to the use of the land are noticed.
Action – Clerk to remove this item from future agendas
c) The Clerk has reported the stationing of a caravan for residential use – on the field on the corner of Bank Lane/Bramall Hill (signed North Rode Stables) to Planning Enforcement. The allocated case number is 25/0100/ENF. Planning Enforcement are also looking at the ‘change of use’ of the land from agricultural to equestrian purposes.
d) The Clerk had reported to Planning Enforcement that the mobile home on the land behind Daintry Hall – owned by Yew Tree Farm – is being lived in – and had also asked for an update on this case as it had last been reported in January 2024 following information that a planning contravention notice had been served. No further information or response had been received from the Planning Enforcement in respect of this case. It had also been noted that the amount of waste and implements / containers within the field had increased of late and possible additional ‘tipping’ of waste material was being undertaken. Councillors resolved that the issues should be re-reported to both Planning Enforcement and to the Environment Agency.
Action : Clerk to re-contact both CEC Planning Enforcement and also the Environment Agency to report concerns regarding the amount of items / waste on agricultural land
e) It was reported that the mobile home at Far Whittles Farm on Bramhall Hill was being advertised as accommodation on the Air B&B website for short terms stays. Councillors queried whether there had been a condition on the planning approval for Far Whittles Farm that the mobile home was allowed to be in place on a temporary basis whilst the new farmhouse was being built. It was resolved that the situation should be checked in terms of planning approval.
Action : Clerk to check the planning approval and to inform planning enforcement if necessary
9. Finance
The Clerk reported that the current balance of the PC’s current account was £6161.38
The following costs were approved by Councillors
Clerks honorarium payment for 2024/25 – £1000
The affiliation fee for ChALC for 2025/26 (which will be due before the next meeting)– around £75
Hire of Daintry Hall for this evening’s meeting £30
Additional payments approved (full details later in the minutes)
Purchase and installation of three Parish Boundary signs – estimate around £2000
Well dressing costs – £320 for the clay – plus additional costs (such as materials for the boards) – estimate around £350
Railway / arches celebrations It was agreed to allocate £500-£600 in total – for the hire of a brass band, ducks for a duck race and prizes, and other associated costs
A bank reconciliation of the PC accounts and assistance with changing the current PC bank account to a community account is still to be undertaken.
Actions :
Clerk & Councillor Evans to review PC bank account and undertake a bank reconciliation of the PC finances
Clerk to organize the auditing of the end of year accounts in April 2025 – (hopefully) by Lynn Petts
Clerk to pay all the above approved costs from the PC account
10. Proposed Cheshire Devolution – The Government are proposing to allow Cheshire to have it’s own Mayor and to devolve certain decision-making functions to the local area (as opposed to Central Government making all decision). This could involve Town and Parish Councils being more involved in local decisions. The scheme is currently under consultation with a view to becoming active by May 2026. This is a new initiative and as such – the PC needs to keep abreast as further details and information are revealed.
Action – all Parish Council members need to be aware of Devolution
11. Police & Crime Commissioner Meeting for Town & Parish Councils.
Huw had attended the recent meeting and found it to be interesting. Dan Price is the P&C Commissioner and appears to be concentrating in areas where most hot spots of crime occur i.e. mainly urban areas. He advised that domestic abuse is very prevalent throughout Cheshire. Dan will be setting up Citizen Assemblies to discuss issues. The Police are likely to increase their precept by £14 per household.
12. Parish Boundary signs
Three signs are still required in order to complete the parish boundary village signs around North Rode – i.e. on Shellow Lane, Bullgate Lane & Cocksmoss Lane. Previous quotes received from the CEC Highways Department were extremely high. Huw has researched the cost of the signs if purchased directly by the PC – which would be £640 for the three signs plus the costs of any required mounting posts. Huw has also made enquiries with Willis Brothers (who are the installation contractors used by CEC) who have quoted £1288 for doing the work of installing the signs – which is inclusive of any required materials. Huw had offered physical assistance to Willis Brothers to reduce the costs – but this had been declined. Councillors agreed to the likely total cost of around £2000 for the purchase and installation of the three boundary signs to be paid out of the PC account.
Action : Huw to continue to investigate the most cost effective way of installing the signs
13. NRPC Events for 2025
Village well dressing event – The proposal to hold a village well dressing event was discussed. Huw had visited the organizer of the Bollington Well Dressing event (7 wells) to learn what was required to dress the well. Huw advised that the PC would need to spend £320 on clay to put onto the boards(s). The clay can be reused each year. Whilst this year, the PC would be looking at the well on Church Lane (below the Church) – there are a number of other wells in the village including one on Pexhill Road. Huw suggested that this year’s well dressing theme could be based on the new village sign picture. Remedial work to the Church Lane well is required before it can be ‘dressed’. Huw is currently organizing this work in conjunction with village volunteers. Huw recommended that the actual well dressing event is kept simple with a ‘bring your own’ picnic and a village walk – perhaps round the village boundary. It was agreed that September may be the best time to hold the event. Training in dressing the boards will be organized.
Action – Huw & volunteers to organize this event
200th anniversary of the Railway / 175th Anniversary of the completion of the North Rode viaduct event – it was agreed that Saturday 14th June 2025 at 2pm would be an appropriate date / time for this village event. Entrance is to be restricted to village residents and their friends. Dressing up in Victorian costume would be encouraged – with possibly a prize for the best dressed. A brass band could be employed – which would require a marquee for the band in the event of inclement weather. The event is to include a duck race along the River Dane – races for both adults and children. It was agreed that the cost of holding the event could be offset a little by charging for ducks / duck race entries. It was discussed that ducks could be sold before the event and/or decorated to individualise them for easy identification on the water. Research is required re obtaining ducks. A Pimms tent could be organized and a steam engine brought onto site. The provision of toilets and traffic marshalls will be required. It was agreed that the Chairman and Clerk would look at the field at Colley Farm. Clerk offered to make enquiries re the brass bands and ducks. It will probably need a social committee to organize the finer details of the event – probably in April.
Action: Huw & Brenda & volunteers / others
14. East Cheshire Parish Liaison Group – Huw had attended a recent meeting and found the discussions and sharing of information between the parish councils to be useful.
15. Village Newsletter – Parish Council report – the Chairman suggested that the residents of the village may wish to be informed of the receipt of planning applications – which could be included in the PC report in the newsletter. Councillors agreed to this proposal.
Action : All new planning applications to be reported in the village newsletter
16. Litter Picking – Councillor Burwood has agreed to organize a litter picking event – to start later in the year with longer days and better weather. It will be advertised in the village newsletter and on the website – to include volunteer assistance
Action : Jon & Huw & volunteers plus litter picking dates to be advertised in the village newsletter and on the website
17. Daintry Hall – Huw provided an update on Daintry Hall following planning approval being granted. There remain some outstanding reports to send in to CEC which formed conditions of the approval. The first phases will include drainage / septic tank / the creation of a work compound and the construction of the pavilion – all whilst keeping the Daintry Hall nursery operational.
18. Annual Parish Meeting – Thursday 8th May 2025 – in order to attract residents to the Parish Meeting, it was proposed to organize a cheese and wine evening. Huw offered to make a presentation as regards the progress of the Daintry Hall improvement work / applications for grants etc. Invitations could be delivered to all residents.
Action : Huw to organize invitations and a presentation / Huw & Clerk to arrange cheese and wine
19. Chairman‘s Request for Assistance
Whilst this item was not on the agenda, the Chairman advised that he is seeking assistance from Councillors with Parish Council matters as he is currently undertaking the majority of actions and it is an unstainable position – given that he is also involved in the Daintry Hall Management Committee and other village fund raising projects. It was agreed that Huw would put together a list of each area of work and send it to all the Councillors with a request that they volunteer to take on a specific role or roles.
Dates of the next Parish Council meetings
The Annual Parish Meeting – followed by the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 8th May 2025.
The date of the following meeting will be Thursday 7th August 2025.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.