UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

Meeting of the Upton by Chester and District Parish Council held on Monday 13th October 2008 at The Pavilion, Wealstone lane, Upton, Chester

                       

PRESENT:    

Cllr Jean Evans (Chairman), Cllr Theresa Bartliff, Cllr John Butler,

Cllr David Capstick, Cllr David Evans, Cllr Gerald Grant,

Cllr Gill Jordan, Cllr Pat Lott, Cllr Paul Lowry, Cllr Caroline Mosley,

Cllr Chris Reeve, Cllr Bryan Smith and Cllr Miljenko Williams.

 

Also present:              Dr Martin Carey, Project Manager from Urban Hope

                                    Matt Browell, PCSO

                                    Carson Shanks, Community Safety Warden

                                    2 local residents.

1.         OPEN FORUM:

A local resident informed Members that she had read an article in the latest newsletter about money being spent on equipment for older children.  She reported that young people in the area would like a skateboard park.  The Clerk described the outdoor gym equipment that was proposed for Wealstone Lane and also explained the need to complete the work quickly to obtain the grant money.  Cllr Bryan Smith also reported that a few members had attended the youth club some time ago and that the young people had stated that they did not want a skateboard park if they had to be involved in raising the money.  The local resident told Members that she would be happy to conduct a survey in the local school.  The Chairman reported that at the present time there was no finance available for this but that the Parish Council would consider it for the future, it there was sufficient need for one.

Resolved:       that this matter be discussed at the next Environment Committee meeting.

 

2.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Apologies were received from Cllr Jill Houlbrook, Cllr Liz Squire and Cllr Robert Thompson,

Resolved:       that the apologies be received.

 

3.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA:      

Cllr Miljenko Williams declared an interest in the agenda item dealing with the Pavilion as his wife hires the premises.

 

4.         MINUTES:

Resolved:      

(a)        that the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 1st September 2008 be confirmed as a correct record with the amendments agreed.

(b)        that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting of 1st September 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

(c)        that the minutes of the Playing Fields and Environmental Initiaitives Committee meeting of 23rd September 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

(d)        that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting of 23rd September 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

5.     PARISH COUNCIL – 1st Sept 2008:

The Clerk reported on the problems with applying for grants for both the Booklet of Activities for Upton and also the new signage for Wealstone Lane.  Cllr Caroline

Mosley suggested that the Clerk submit a grant application for the new signage anyway to ensure that if any further money becomes available, it would be considered.

Resolved:       that the reports be noted.

 

6.      PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING – 1st September 2008:

Resolved:       that the resolutions passed by the Planning Committee Meeting of 1st September 2008 be noted

 

7.      PLAYING FIELDS AND ENVIRONEMNTAL INITIATIVES COMMITTEE:

The Clerk reported on the reply from Mr Paul Knight of Chester & District Housing Trust with regard to the communication breakdown over the land survey of Marl

Heyes.  The Clerk also reported that the Pavilion roof was leaking again and that there was very little that could be done except for a new roof.

Resolved:       that the resolutions passed by the Playing Fields and Environmental Initiatives Committee Meeting of 23rd September 2008 be noted.

 

8.      PLANNING COMMITTEE:

Resolved:       .that the resolutions passed by the Planning Committee Meeting of 23rd September 2008 be noted.

 

9.      UPDATE ON PAVILION PROJECT:

Due to the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, Members

resolved that members of the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst

the item was dealt with.

Dr. Martin Carey informed Members of the progress made todate with regard to gathering of information for the Pavilion project and the work that he had already done.

A Report and costings were handed out to Members.  Dr Carey reported that the Parish Council were likely to be asked to make a decision on whether to undertake the project

or not by April 2009 and that if the project went ahead, the new community building would be built by March 2010. The Chairman reported that she felt that Members should have time to digest the

information they had received from Dr Carey and that the matter be discussed at a future meeting.

Resolved:       (a)        that the reports be noted.

(b)        that a meeting of the Pavilion Committee be held at 5.30pm on Wednesday 22nd October 2008.

 

10.      NEW EQUIPMENT FOR OLDER CHILDREN:

The Clerk reported on the two current tenders for outdoor gym equipment for older children, including the ways they were manufactured, guarantees given and also

whether they met European Standards.  The quotations were as follows:

                        Quote 1            -           £10,695 including grass matting

                        Quote 2            -           £ 9,300 excluding grass matting.

Resolved:       that Quote 1 be accepted and that the Clerk order the equipment.

                       

11.      BRIDLE PATH AT CHESTER ZOO:

Cllr John Butler told Members that he was still unhappy with the answers he had been given with regard to the concreting of the bridle path between the two monorail

crossings.  Cllr Pat Lott reported that Cllr Jill Houlbrook had stated that this was only a temporary measure whilst work at the Zoo was being completed.  Cllr Butler told

Members that the area of pathway he was talking about had nothing to do with works at the Zoo.  Cllr David Evans reported that this was the responsibility of  Cheshire

County Council and suggested that the Parish Council contact them to ask them to have a look at it.

Resolved:       that the Clerk contact the Footpaths Officer of Cheshire County Council to ask him to look at the bridepath between the two monorail crossings.

 

12.       RE-ACCREDITATION AS A QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL:  

Members discussed the Statement of Intent on Training and also the Community Engagement Strategy that the Clerk had prepared.  Members also discussed a Democracy Champion who would be responsible for promoting democracy and citizenship in the area.  The Clerk also gave details of likely Councillor training costs for the future. 

Resolved:       (a)        that the Statement of Intent of Training be approved.

                        (b)        that the Community Engagement Strategy be approved.

                        (c)        that Cllr Jean Evans be elected Democracy Champion on behalf of the Parish Council.

 

13.      TENNIS COURTS ON WEALSTONE LANE:

The Clerk reported on the outcome of a site meeting with the grounds maintenance contractor and that the costs of works to alleviate the problems would be around £400.

The Clerk also reported that she had received a letter from Christine Russell MP about the tennis courts.  Cllr David Evans asked if it was appropriate for people to play

when the courts were wet.

Resolved:       (a)        that the Clerk arrange for the works to the courts be done.

                        (b)        that the Clerk reply to Christine Russell MP

                        (c)        that the Clerk obtain advice with regard to playing tennis when   the surface was wet.    

 

14.      COMMUNITY SAFETY:

Matt Browell, PCSO and Carson Shanks, Community Warden, gave a report on policing issues in the local area.

 

15.       CHESHIRE VILLAGE QUIZ:

Nothing to report.

 

16.       COMMUNITY LINKS SCHEME:

Nothing to report.

 

17.       PUBLICATIONS:    

Resolved:       that the publications be received.

 

18.        INVITATIONS:       

Resolved:       that the invitations be received.

 

19.       ACCOUNTS REPORT:

Members discussed the following accounts report:

ACCOUNTS REPORT

Date           Chq No  Payee                      Item                       Amount 

21/08/08                 1760            Upton Home & Garden           Pavilion supplies                                  61.85

01/09/08                 1761            Dee Valley Water                     Water at pavilion                                 18.51

01/09/08                 1762            Scottish Power                         Electric at Pavilion                             301.34

15/09/08                 1763            Clerk                                           Salary (Sept)                                     1801.26

15/09/08                 1764            Att 1                                           Wages (Sept)                                      557.42

15/09/08                 1765            Att 2                                           Wages (Sept)                                      674.28

15/09/08                 1766            Att 3                                           Wages (Sept)                                      448.11

15/09/08                 1767            Post Office Ltd                         Tax and N.I.                                       4348.22

01/09/08                 1768            Walker Fire(Chester)Ltd         Fire equipment check/repair             162.16

23/09/08                 1769            B T Payment Services             Telephone at pavilion                         76.36

23/09/08                 1770            Morral Play Solutions             Play equipment inspection                 73.43

23/09/08                 1771            Mrs M Reid                              Refund for bowling season ticket     12.00

It was moved by Cllr Gerald Grant and seconded by Cllr John Butler that the accounts be approved.

Resolved:       that the report be approved.

 

20.       BANK BALANCES:

54131582        Yorkshire Bank                             £73,582.03

Resolved:       that the balance be noted.

 

21.       CORRESPONDENCE:

The Clerk reported on correspondence received including the state of the derelict

garage on Weston Grove.

Resolved:       (a)        that the correspondence be noted.

                        (b)        that The Chairman will contact the City Council about the derelict garage.

 

22.       ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON WEBSITE:

 Resolved:      that the Clerk update the Website where appropriate.

 

23.       DATE OF NEXT FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING:

Resolved:       that the date be set for 5pm on 17th November 2008.

 

24.       DATE FOR ENVIRONEMNT COMMITTEE MEETING:        

Resolved:       that the date be set for 7pm on 3rd November 2008.