UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Clerk – Mrs Sandra Devenney,

 20 Bridge Street,

Port Sunlight,

Wirral CH62 4UR

Tel  0151 644 5975

E- Mail  clerk@uptonbychester.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

&

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

2007 - 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPORT GIVEN TO

The Annual Assembly Meeting

On 7th April 2008

 

By the Chairman of the Parish Council – Cllr Jean Evans

 

 

The Chairman of the Parish Council reported as follows:

 

 

THE PAVILION PROJECT – The current pavilion building needs replacing and Urban Hope have been taken on as Project Manager and are currently working ‘at risk’ so no money had yet been spent.  Some funds would have to be spent shortly on the initial stages of the project including the consultation exercise which was currently underway.  There are a lot of people interested and enthusiastic about the proposed new community centre, such as the Library, Surestart and Upton Youth Club. 

The PLAY AREA at Wealstone Lane is continuing to be a great success

 

Unfortunately two CASUAL VACANCIES have been created as two Parish Councillors had to resign recently, Cllr Peter Griffiths moved to Llandudno and Cllr Lyndsay Cussons was moving to Bristol.  Cllr Paul Lowry has been co-opted to one vacancy and the Parish Council will be co-opting to the other vacancy at the next meeting.

 

Many DAFFODILS were planted during the winter months by some Members of the Parish Council and these were now on display along the Cheshire fencing and the play area fencing.

 

Further enhancements have been made to THE WILDLIFE AREA at Chemistry Pits Play Area with additional planting.  An interpretation sign is on order.

 

This year the Parish Council held a CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPETITION.  There was some concern about encouraging local residents to festoon their properties with lights, but Members of the Parish Council each had an area of the Parish that they viewed to look for tastefully decorated properties.  A shortlist was then given to the Chairman who did the final judging.  The winner of the competition was presented with a hamper which was paid for by contributions from Parish Councillors and not the precept.

 

The Parish Council again had entered the CIVIC PRIDE COMPETITION and also held its annual BEST KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION.  The Parish Council still felt that these events were important for the local community although new ideas were being sought for the Best Kept Garden Competition through the Community Newsletter.

 

 

 

 

The Upton Village Surgery had put in a planning application for the relocation of the PHARMACY from Long Lane.  The Parish Council were not happy about the loss of the facility on Long Lane but understood that the Co-operative did not feel that the stand alone premises were sustainable.  The Surgery have included additional parking on their own grounds and also the lining of the Parish Council owned car park to create more parking spaces, within its planning application.

 

New SIGNS FOR PLAY AREAS are on order which will indicated the ownership of each open space and also contact numbers.  It is hoped that the new unitary authority will provide additional dog wardens to enforce the new dog laws.

 

Following a survey of around 200 homes in the Gateheath Drive Area, TWO NEW BUS STOPS have been installed on Heath Road.  Of those surveyed only 2 objections were received and many people indicated that they did not currently use the bus service but would consider doing so if the bus stops were installed.

 

As from 1st April 2009 Chester City Council and Cheshire County Council will cease to exist and will be replaced by a UNITARY AUTHORITY for Cheshire West.  It is hoped that the current mystification of which authority is responsible for what will disappear.

 

The Parish Council managed to keep the PRECEPT for 2008/09 the same as the previous year despite creating a budget for some pre-project costs for the Pavilion Project.

 

This year will see the re-launch of the PARISH ANNUAL SERVICE.  Cllr John Butler and Cllr Chris Reeve are currently negotiating with Holy Ascension Church with regard to the format of the first service which will be held on 18th May 2008.  it is hoped that this will continue in future years and alternate around the various churches in the area.

 

COMMUNITY LINKS celebrated 15 years of twinning with Arradon last year.  Various events were held both here and in France which were attended by many local residents.  People are encouraged to get involved with this group.

 

PLANNING CONSULTATIONS

 

The Parish Council looked at over 140 Planning Applications.  It strongly objected to the following:

Telephone Mast at Handford Road

Advertising signs at The Wheatsheaf Inn on Heath Road

Erection of fencing and gates to properties in Acorn Court.

200 houses and business use of land at Countess of Chester Hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: ACCOUNTS SUMMARY 2007/08

                             £

Balance at 1 April 2007                                                                                     4,415

Income -           Precept                         79,890

                        Pavilion                         5,229

                        Bank Interest                  2,338

                        Grants                            9,180

                        Misc other                           82                                      96,719

                                                                                                           101,134

Expenditure –

                        Administration                 38,836

                        Tax & NI                     16,065

                        General                            6,733

                        Section 137                           85

                        Playing Fields                  17,677

                        Pavilion                2,032

                        Open spaces                       894

                        Other                               1,026

                                                                                                            83,348

Balance at 31 March 2007                                                                                  17,786

 

YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS

Upton Heath

Theresa Bartliff         66 Cross Green                      348467

John Butler                 109 Long Lane                       383703

Patricia Lott               47 Appleton Road                 344837

Paul Lowry                 15 Glastonbury Avenue         345088

Caroline Mosley        55 Pyecroft Street                 676542 

Liz Squire                   49 Appleton Road                  348993

Miljenko Williams     33a Greenfields                      374544

Upton Grange

David Evans               26 Alpraham Crescent           377200 

Jean Evans                 26 Alpraham Crescent           377200 

Jill Houlbrook            18 Daleside                            383345           

Christopher Reeve    51 Appleton Road                 343061 

Bryan Smith               11 Willow Close                    381164

Upton Park

David Capstick          54 Upton Park                       380299

Gill Jordan                  39 Wealstone Lane                374223

Moston

Gerald Grant              16 Tintern Avenue                 312825

Bache

Robert Thompson      5 Ashwood Crt, Hoole            342920 

 

 

The Clerk to the Council is Mrs Sandra Devenney who can be contacted during office hours on Chester 0151 644 5975 or in writing:  20 Bridge Street,

Port Sunlight Village, Wirral  CH62 4UR or e-mail clerk@uptonbychester.org.uk