Spring 09

 

 


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

 

 

                                               

 

Grant withdrawal hits Parish budget

In recent years, all Parish Councils in the Chester district have been paid a grant by Chester City Council. This aimed to compensate parishes for their costs in providing services (such as playing fields) that are directly paid for by the City Council in other, unparished, parts of Chester. In late November the new Cheshire West and Chester Council announced, without consulting the parishes, that it would be withdrawing this grant.

Last year Upton Parish Council received around £10,000 of this grant and was able to reduce its council tax precept. This year, because the cut in income was announced so late in the budget setting process, we have been forced to increase the parish precept by around £4 per year for a Band D household, even though the Parish Council is actually planning to spend less money than last year.

 

 

 New Community Building project

Following last year’s public consultation, the Parish Council are working with Urban Hope on the possible development of land at Marl Heyes for housing to fund the construction of a community building to replace the Pavilion at Wealstone Lane. This is a big project and therefore a very long and drawn out process. The present Pavilion building needs major repairs. Bringing it up to current standards would mean high costs that would fall on Upton taxpayers. This project will provide a long term replacement funded from the sale of a little used asset.

Despite the credit crunch, several firms of developers have responded to the Parish Council’s request for initial tenders. Urban Hope are providing a management team to work with the interested developers, and with architects, on the design, specifications and costings of the building. They are also still working on land surveys, legal issues, a business plan and risk assessments, all of which are vital to the success of the enterprise.

Unfortunately Sure Start are not able to locate their proposed Upton children’s centre in the new building, because their deadlines were too tight for the Parish Council to meet. However, they have expressed an intention to use the new centre for many of their future activities.

Senior members of the new Cheshire West and Chester Council have also supported the project, describing  it as innovative and a template for the future.

The Parish Council has not yet made any final decisions on either the sale of land at Marl Heyes or the new proposed Community Building.  Once all the facts are to hand the Parish Council will be in a position to make the details public and come to a decision.

 

QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council was awarded Quality Status in 2004 after being vigorously tested on its performance and practices.  This accreditation lasted for four years and in December 2008 the Parish Council applied for re-accreditation and despite increased testing criteria, is pleased to announce that it has yet again achieved Quality Status.

 

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD ON THE WEB

Following a suggestion from a resident we have changed the Parish Council's website so that the Community Notice Board now appears on the Homepage - the page you see first when you visit the site.  Previously it was buried in the 'Miscellaneous' section.  So now, to see all the notices, you simply scroll down the Homepage.  What we want now is for all our social organisations and individual residents to make full use of it.  It's FREE.  All you have to do is send an email to clerk@uptonbychester.org.uk   

Go to www.uptonbychester.org.uk to find out how to do it.

 So let's try together to bring our Community Notice Board to life for the benefit of all our residents and visitors, and for the interest of the people of Arradon, Upton's community links, who will be able to see day by day what's going on over here.

WATERBOARD WORKS

Welsh Water are planning to lay/construct a sewer on Wealstone Lane Playing Fields, adjacent to the Youth Club.  This may necessitate alterations to the existing entrance to the field at this point.  The Parish Council is currently in talks with the water board about how this will be done.  There may be some disruption whilst the works take place.

 

 

 

 

YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS

UPTON HEATH                                                                   UPTON GRANGE

Theresa Bartliff66 Cross Green                       348467               David Evans           26 Alpraham Crescent         377200

John Butler (Vice-Chairman)                                                          Jean Evans (Chairman)

109 Long Lane                      383703                                                    26 Alpraham Crescent         377200

Pat Lott                  47 Appleton Road                344837                                                                                                                   

Paul Lowry           15 Glastonbury Ave            345088

Caroline Mosley  8 Westminster Ave              676542                    Jill Houlbrook     18 Daleside            383345

                                                                                                                Christopher Reeve

Liz Squire             49 Appleton Road                348993                                                    51Appleton Road                343061

Miljenko Williams                                                                             Bryan Smith           11 Willow Close                 381164

                                33a Greenfields                     374544                    MOSTON

BACHE                                                                                                  Gerald Grant          16 Tintern Avenue             312825         

Bob Thompson     5 Ashwood Crt,                    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: 6th April 2009 – Annual Assembly at Upton Heath School, this starts at 7pm -see notice on back page 18th May 2009 – Annual 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

ANNUAL PARISH SERVICE

In co-operation with "Churches Together in Upton" the Chairman and Members of the Parish Council will be attending the Morning Service at the U.R.C. in Heath Road on Sunday 31st May at 10.30 a.m. After a very successful service last year at the Parish Church this service will be the second in the series of visits to the various churches in the area. Any resident is invited to attend together with your Council.

 

NEW GYM EQUIPMENT

During the Autumn 2008, the Parish Council installed a variety of brightly coloured gym style equipment on the Wealstone Lane Playing Fields.  The equipment was placed by the football court as it has been designed for use by young people and adults. Instructions for use have been placed on each piece of equipment

 

The total cost of the gym equipment was £10,000 and the funding came from various sources: a grant from the Chester City Council Area Committee of £4000, £5,000 from Chester City Council Parish Grants and the remaining £1,000 provided by Upton Parish Council.

 

The Parish Council hopes that many local young people and adults will take advantage of this new style equipment and enjoy it.  

SPINAL INJURIES ASSOCIATION

2009 marks the 35th Anniversary of the Association and a ‘Great British Fish & Chip Supper Event’ is being held on Friday 15th May 2009.  To take part you can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper in your local community centre.  The Association will provide fundraising packs and other material.  To get further details call 0845 071 4350, email fishandchips@spinal.co.uk or visit www.spinal.co.uk/fishandships

 

CYCLING SKILLS SESSIONS

Under 16's Cycling Skills Sessions

Saturdays 12.00pm– 1.00pm [from April 18th to Sept during 2009]

Please note session on 25th April is on Sunday 26th April 

 

Wealstone Lane Playing Fields, Upton, Chester

 

**Free Helmet and goodie bag for each rider**

Terms and conditions apply

 

The sessions are aimed at young cyclists up to 16 years of age and will concentrate on developing bike handling and control skills in a fun and challenging environment.  Riders wishing to take part should bring their own bike [in good working order] and be dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.   Each session will cost £1.

For more information please contact Paul Evans on 07855769858 or email paul@chesterroadclub.co.uk.

 

DERELICT GARAGE AT WESTON GROVE

There has been some concern raised with regard to the site on which the garage at Weston Grove used to trade.  This business suffered damage by fire and decided not to re-establish as a garage.  In conjunction with the Environmental Officer and the local authority, the owners of the premises have now removed the old fuel tanks and any soil contamination.  They have given assurance to the Parish Council that they will level and tidy up the site as soon as possible.

 

ALLOTMENTS

The Parish Council has been asked to consider the possibility of providing space for allotments in Upton.  The Parish Council would like to know if there is sufficient demand within the parish area for this facility if there are areas where allotments could be provided.  There would, of course, be costs involved both in providing land and in providing security for the allotments.

If you have views either for or against the provision of allotments in Upton please let your Parish Councillor know or alternatively contact the Clerk to the Parish Council.  Addresses or phone numbers are elsewhere in this newsletter or on the Parish Council Website.

 

UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

What effect will the new unitary authority have in Upton ?

 

Cllr Mike Jones – Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Authority

- and -

Steve Robinson – Chief Executive of Cheshire West & Chester Authority

will give a presentation and answer any questions

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Cllr Jean Evans, Chairman of the Parish Council

will be giving an update on what has been happening during  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 6th April 2009

At Upton Heath County Primary School,

Upton Lane, Upton Heath, Chester.

ALL WELCOME