UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

 

Meeting of the Environmental Initiatives Committee of the Upton by Chester & District Parish Council held on Tuesday 10th April 2007, at the Pavilion on Wealstone Lane, Upton

 

Present:          Cllr. Robert Thompson (Chairman), Cllr David Capstick,

Cllr Lyndsay Cussons, Cllr Jean Evans, Cllr Gerald Grant,

Cllr Peter Griffiths, Cllr Gill Jordan, Cllr Bryan Smith

 

1.                  APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Cllr Jill Houlbrook and Cllr Pat Lott.

 

Resolved:       that the apologies be noted.

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:           

No declarations were received.

 

3.         BEST KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION FOR 2007:

Members discussed the format for this year’s competition including advertising the competition, the prizes and who should do the judging.

 

Resolved:       (a)        that the format remain the same as last year.

(b)               that the prizes remain unchanged.

(c)                that the Clerk contact Martin Peel of Chester City Council to ask him to judge this year’s competition.

 

4.         PROPOSAL FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPETITION:

The Clerk reported that Cllr John Butler had asked that a proposal be put to the Committee to have a prize for the best Christmas Lights on display.  Members discussed this proposal but in Cllr Butler’s absence were unsure of the criteria he had in mind.

 

Resolved:       that the matter be discussed more fully when further details have been obtained from Cllr Butler.

 

5.        INTERPRETATION SIGN FOR THE WILDLIFE AREA AT

CHEMISTRY PITS PLAY AREA:

 

The Clerk reported that there was a sum of money to buy an Interpretation for the Wildlife Area and that she would like at least one Member to be involved with the meetings with the contactor and Chester City Council to decide on its content. 

 

Resolved:       (a)        that Cllr David Evans be asked to assist the Clerk.

(b)        that any designs be brought to the Parish Council for final decision.

 

 

6.         BULB/TREE PLANTING FOR 2007/08:

Members discussed bulb/tree planting in the area.  Cllr Peter Griffiths reported that there was a problem with verges in Halton Road and asked if a tree could be put in the verge outside no.s 50 – 56.  The Clerk reported that the verges in the whole road were in a bad state of repair.  Cllr Griffiths also reported that there was a row of Hawthorn trees along the A41 but that one was lost some time ago and asked if a replacement could be sought.  Cllr Griffiths also asked if daffodil bulbs could be planted in the verge under the Twinning Sign outside the High School.  Cllr David Capstick asked if an area could be found along Liverpool Road as well.  The Chairman reminded Members that the Parish Council had considered doing something with the roundabout at Chester Zoo.  The Clerk reported that the Zoo had indicated that they were very keen about this and would be available for a meeting to discuss it further sometime in May/June.

 

Resolved:       (a)        that the Clerk contact Cheshire Highways to request attention for

the verges in Halton Road.

(b)        that the Clerk contact Cheshire Highways to request a replacement Hawthorn tree for the A41.

(c)        that the Clerk contact Cheshire Highways and ask if the Parish Council could plant daffodil bulbs in the verge under the Twinning Sign at the High School.

(d)        that locations for bulbs along Liverpool Road be looked at next year.

 

7.        BENCH ON MILL LANE:

Cllr Peter Griffiths reported that the bench on Mill Lane required a replacement as it had become dangerous.  The Clerk reported that she had contacted Chester Zoo to see if they would like to sponsor a bench for the area, but that they had declined the offer.  Members discussed the need to replace the bench as soon as possible.  Cllr Peter Griffiths told Members that he felt that the Parish Council should start a fund for replacement benches in the future.  Members also discussed putting a piece in the next newsletter for local residents to sponsor Memorial benches.  Cllr David Capstick told Members that he felt that there should be a standard pattern for memorial benches placed in the area.

 

Resolved:       (a)        that the Clerk arrange for the removal of the old bench and a

replacement bench to be put on Mill Lane.

(b)        that the Parish Communications Committee be asked to consider an article asking for people to sponsor benches in the area.

 

7.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING:         

Resolved:       that this be set at a later date.