UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

Meeting of the Environmental Initiatives Committee of the Upton by Chester & District Parish Council held on Tuesday 5^th September 2006, at the Pavilion on Wealstone Lane, Upton

Present: Cllr. Robert Thompson (Chairman), Cllr Lyndsey Cussons,

Cllr Jean Evans, Cllr Gerald Grant, Cllr Peter Griffiths,

Cllr Jill Houlbrook and Cllr Patricia Lott

1. APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Cllr Caroline Mosley, Cllr Gill Jordan, Cllr David Capstick and Cllr Bryan Smith.

Resolved: that the apologies be noted.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

No declarations were received.

4 IMPROVEMENTS TO CHEMISTRY PITS PLAY AREA:

The Clerk reported that she had not yet heard about the grant application to the City Council for the improvements to the wild life area. The Clerk also advised that the deeds to the area did not prevent the name of the area being changed, but that a legal document would have to be produced if the name were to be changed. Cllr Jill Houlbrook moved that the name remain unchanged and Cllr Jean Evans seconded this motion.

The Clerk reported that the local history group wanted to undertake a’dig’ in the area and were asking for permission from the Parish Council. The Chairman felt that the group should be asked to work with the City Council’s Archaeology Department. Cllr Jill Houlbrook asked if Members could be invited to assist in the project.

Cllr Peter Griffiths asked if signage could be put on Marina Drive and Heath Road to indicated that a recreational area was in existence.

Resolved: (a) that the name of the area remain unchanged.

(b) that the Clerk inform the History Group of the decision.

(c) that signage for the area be put forward to the next Finance Committee meeting.

5. BULB/TREE PLANTING FOR 2006/07:

The Clerk reported that she had received an email from Chester Zoo indicating that they would be willing to meet with the Parish Council to discuss possible enhancements to the roundabout on A41 at the Zoo entrance.

Members discussed the further planting of daffodil bulbs along the Cheshire fencing at Wealstone Lane Playing Fields with the possibility of the guides/brownies getting involved with the planting again.

Members discussed the absence of a pedestrian pathway between the Zoo roundabout on A41 and the Zoo entrance.

Resolved: (a) that the Clerk contact Chester Zoo to arrange a date for a meeting to discuss the roundabout.

(b) that the Clerk explore the costs of daffodils and also the possibility of the guides/brownies getting involved in the planting.

(c) that the Clerk contact Cheshire Highways and ask if they could consider installing a pathway from the roundabout to the Zoo entrance.

6. STAINING OF BENCHES:

Cllr Peter Griffiths reported that a number of benches in the area were in need of staining.

Three benches at the War Memorial which belonged to the Parish Council

One bench on the bank at Church Lane/Upton Lane junction.

One bench opposite The Wheatsheaf.

One bench on Newhall Road.

Cllr Griffiths told Members that he was willing to do the work himself. Members discussed the ownership of the other benches.

Members also discussed the work recently done at the War Memorial by the gas board who had not reinstated the grassed area correctly.

Resolved: (a) that Cllr Griffiths be given permission to stain the benches at the War Memorial.

(b) that the Clerk contact the owners of the other benches and request permission for them to be stained.

(c) that the Clerk contact Cheshire Highways and ask them to contact the gas board and get the area reinstated correctly.

7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Resolved: that this be set at a later date.