Text Box: Upton by Chester & District Parish Council COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER March 2008

For up to date information all year round visit the Website www.uptonbychester.org.uk
 
 

 

 

 

 

 


                                               

 

 

PAVILION PROJECT

The Parish Council has realised for some time that major decisions will have to be made in the near future regarding the Wealstone Lane Pavilion.  The Council decided to consult a Regeneration Company with wide experience by the name of Urban Hope.

Following several meetings with Dr Martin Carey of Urban Hope some proposals have been drawn up.  At this stage, the Parish Council have selected two possible schemes for developing and improving the facilities at Wealstone Lane.

The Parish Council is now embarking on a major consultation process with the people of Upton both as regards the schemes that have been discussed and the method of raising the necessary funds to pay for the work. A questionnaire and prepaid reply envelope are enclosed with this newsletter.

 

RELOCATION OF PHARMACY

The Co-operative Pharmacy that currently owns the chemist on Long Lane has been successful in its application for a minor relocation of the pharmacy to Upton Village Surgery on Wealstone Lane.  Whilst the Parish Council is not against a pharmacy in the doctors surgery, it is unhappy about the loss of this facility on Long Lane, which will have an impact on the residents in that area.  The Upton Village Surgery is currently applying for planning permission to enlarge its premises at Wealstone Lane to enable this move to take place. If the move goes ahead, the Co-operative Society will fund a new layout for the Parish Council’s car park, whereby white lining will enable more spaces to be accessed safely. 

 

CIVIC PRIDE COMPETITION

The Civic Pride competition for 2008 is now in progress. Upton came 4th last year and with only a little more effort should achieve a higher position.  As 2008 is the "Cheshire Year of the Garden" judges will be looking for attractive gardens in Upton to take their place, together with those from other competition entrants to find the most attractive garden in Cheshire.

 

BEST KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION

Numbers of gardens entered for this competition have declined over the last few years.  The Parish Council is keen to continue with this project and would like to ask for volunteers from the community to get involved with short listing gardens to be judged, this would eliminate the need for people to enter their gardens.  If you would like to get involved, please contact the Clerk as detailed overleaf.

 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPETITION

Last Christmas the Parish Council decided to have a Christmas Lights "Competition". Members of the Council looked at decorative lights  in the roads of Upton and each gave a short list to the Chairman, who looked at these lights and chose 66 Bolesworth Road as the most innovative and attractive set of decorative lights. All members of the Council contributed to a Hamper which was presented to the winner.


YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS

UPTON HEATH                                                                   UPTON GRANGE

Theresa Bartliff  66 Cross Green                    348467               David Evans           26 Alpraham Crescent         377200

John Butler          109 Long Lane                      383703                    Jean Evans (Chairman)

                                                                                                                                26 Alpraham Crescent                         377200

Liz Squire             49 Appleton Road                348993                    Jill Houlbrook     18 Daleside                            383345

                                                                                                                Christopher Reeve

Pat Lott                  47 Appleton Road                344837                                                    51Appleton Road                343061

Caroline Mosley  (Vice-Chairman)                                 Bryan Smith           11 Willow Close                 381164

                                8 Westminster Avenue       676542                    MOSTON

BACHE                                                                                                  Gerald Grant          16 Tintern Avenue             312825         

Bob Thompson     5 Ashwood Crt, Hoole        342920                    UPTON PARK    

                                                                                                                David Capstick  54 Upton Park                          380299

                                                                                                                Gill Jordan           39 Wealstone Lane              374223

Text Box: ALL meetings, both full Council and committees are open to ALL Upton Parish residents. Agendas and venue for all meetings are displayed at Upton Library, on the Wealstone Lane Pavilion notice board and on the website: www.uptonbychester.org.uk. Full Parish Council meetings are held at The Pavilion on Wealstone Lane (unless otherwise stated) and start at 7.30 pm and include a ten minute Open Forum at which residents can bring matters to the attention of members of the Council. Future dates are: 7th April 2008 at Lecture Theatre, Chester Zoo after the Annual Assembly 19th May 2008 Annual Meeting – future meeting dates to be decided at this meeting Contact the Clerk to the Council, Mrs Sandra Devenney during office hours on 0151 644 5975, in writing to: 20 Bridge Street, Port Sunlight, Wirral CH62 4UR or e-mail on clerk@uptonbychester.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZEBRA CROSSING AT BACHE

Since the introduction of the speed hump at the Bache shopping area, City Councillors including Cllr Jean Evans and Cllr Jill Houlbrook have campaigned for it to be made into a zebra crossing as it was causing confusion to both pedestrians and road users alike.  It is good to see that the Highways Department have now taken notice of these views and have installed a zebra crossing.

 

BUS STOPS ON HEATH ROAD

Some time ago the Transport Department of Cheshire County Council looked at the possibility of installing additional bus stops on Heath Road near the junction of Gatesheath Drive.  At that time only nearby residents were consulted and objections were received.  Following this, a number of residents living around Gatesheath Drive had requested that this be reconsidered.  The Parish Council delivered a questionnaire to just over 200 homes and had 53 replies, only two of which had objections.  Of the remaining 51 replies, 21 people said that they did not currently use the bus service but would consider doing so if the additional bus stops were installed.  The Parish Council therefore supported the County Council in its proposal to install the bus stops which has now been completed.

 

BOWLING GREEN

Chester City Council has paid for some major upgrading of the Bowling Green at Wealstone Lane  over the winter months.  The bowling green is available to the general public at a cost of £2 per person per hour and this includes bowls which are available at the Pavilion.  The bowling green is also used by various bowling clubs who are keen to increase their membership, so if you would like to get involved please contact the Clerk.

 

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

To ensure that the Parish Council is open and accountable there is a Publication Scheme in place which identifies types of information available and where it can be found.  Details of the scheme can be found at Upton Library, Parish Council Website and from the Clerk.  As part of this, a request was made to let residents have details of Members attendance at meetings.  This list includes full council meetings and committee meetings

NAME                        NUMBER  OF MEETINGS                         NUMBER ATTENDED

Cllr Theresa Bartliff                               17                                                        11

Cllr John Butler                                     16                                                        12

Cllr David Capstick                              25                                                        14

Cllr Lyndsay Cussons                           10                                                        9

Cllr David Evans                                   25                                                        13

Cllr Jean Evans                                     31                                                        27

Cllr Gerald Grant                                  29                                                        25

Cllr Peter Griffiths                                 16                                                        16

Cllr Jill Houlbrook                                25                                                        12

Cllr Gill Jordan                                     31                                                        12

Cllr Pat Lott                                         29                                                        20

Cllr Caroline Mosley                             31                                                        18

Cllr Chris Reeve                                   14                                                        11

Cllr Bryan Smith                                   16                                                        10

Cllr Liz Squire                                      10                                                        9

Cllr Robert Thompson                          23                                                        13

 

CHESHIRE RAILINGS

Residents may have noticed that the Cheshire Railings around the playing fields at Wealstone Lane were recently painted and look marvellous.  Many thanks to the County Council for this work.  There are other pieces of Cheshire Railings in Upton and it is hoped that these will also be done in the near future.

 

PRECEPT

Electors will be pleased to know that the Parish Precept for the coming year of £24.98 for a ‘D’Band property will be slightly less than 2007-2008. Your Parish Councillors have achieved this position by employing a strict financial regime, presided over by the Finance Chairman and ably guided by the Clerk.  All members of the Council have collectively been responsible for this excellent achievement.

The City Council portion of your council tax will increase by 2.5% which is £4.30 for the year and the County Council portion will increase by 3.5% which is £35.09 for the year.

 

BULB PLANTING AT WEALSTONE LANE

During the autumn of 2007 the Parish Council arranged to plant around a thousand bulbs near the Wealstone Lane Play Area.  Hopefully as this Newsletter is circulated the bulbs will be brightening up the scene around the Play Area.

AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Area Committees, which are run by the City Council, meet bi-monthly, alternating the venue. They were set up some years ago to allow decisions relating to local people to be made at local level with the support and input of local residents. Your local Area Committee covers Upton, Newton and Hoole. Residents are welcome at all meetings and have plenty of opportunity to air their views.  If you would like to raise a question at a forthcoming meeting, you can either email to areaworking@chester.gov.uk or phone the Area Manager on 01244 402549.  Dates of futures meetings are:  7th May, 7th July, 12th Sept, 4th Nov, 28th Jan and 18th Mar (Venues to be decided). If you would like agendas emailed to you then please contact the Area Manager on the number above. 

 

Roy Alexander

RSK Professor of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Chester

 

Will be giving a presentation on

 

Ashton Hayes project to become England’s first

carbon neutral village

It will also cover the results of a survey conducted in Upton

 

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Cllr Jean Evans, Chairman of the Parish Council

 

Will be giving an update on what has been happening over the

past twelve months.

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There will also be an opportunity for local residents

to raise any issues they may have.

 

The Meeting will take place at

7pm on Monday 7th April 2008

at

The Lecture Theatre, Chester Zoo

(Located near the Park & Ride entrance)

Visit the Parish Council website on www.uptonbychester.org.uk

 
 
ALL WELCOME