LYMM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held in the Parish Council Chamber, Village Hall,
Pepper Street, Lymm on Tuesday 12 May 2009 at 7.30 pm
______________________________________________________________________________

Present Councillor J Griffiths (Chairman)
" R Barr
" L Gallimore
" Mrs P Gaster
" June Gittins
" Mrs P Hunter
" Mrs P Marks
" I G Marks
" D Openshaw

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mrs C Coupe, Mrs S E Woodyatt and W N Woodyatt

1. Code of Conduct

Members were reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest or prejudicial interest that they may have in any item of business on the agenda no later than when the item is reached.

2. Election of Chairman

The name of Councillor J Griffiths was proposed and seconded and as no other nominations were made it was –

RESOLVED : That Councillor Joe Griffiths be elected Chairman of Lymm Parish Council to serve until acceptance of office by his successor.

3. Election of Deputy Chairman

The name of Councillor Mrs P Hunter was proposed and seconded and as no other nominations were made it was –

RESOLVED : That Councillor Mrs Pam Hunter be elected as Deputy Chairman of Lymm Parish Council to serve until acceptance of office by her successor.

4. Appointment of Committees

RESOLVED : That the constitution of the Standing Committees be as follows :

a. Planning & Development Committee : All members of the Council.

b. Planning Applications Sub-Committee : Councillors Mrs C Coupe, June Gittins, J Griffiths, Mrs P Hunter, Mrs P Marks, D Openshaw, Mrs S E Woodyatt and W N Woodyatt

c. Village Hall Sub-Committee : Chairman of the Council together with Councillors R Barr, Mrs C Coupe, June Gittins, Mrs P Hunter and Mrs P Marks.

d. Allotment Garden Sub-Committee : Chairman of the Council together with Councillors L Gallimore, Mrs P Gaster, June Gittins and I Marks

5. Delegation of Powers

RESOLVED : That the Planning Applications Sub-Committee (otherwise known as the Plans Sub-Committee) be delegated authority to recommend or make other comment to the Local Planning Authority on the following types of applications.

a. Extension to dwellings
b. Domestic garages
c. Shop fronts and signs
d. New dwellings
e. Changes of use

The Sub-Committee also be delegated authority to recommend to the LPA the refusal of all applications not conforming to the Green Belt and Conservation Area policies.

6. Financial Regulations

RESOLVED : That the Financial Regulations July 2002 and amendments dated 8 October 2002 be adopted.

7. Standing Orders

RESOLVED : That Standing Orders July 2003 and amendments dated 17 December 2007 be adopted.

8. Outside Bodies

RESOLVED : That the following appointments be made –

a. Council for the Protection of Rural England : Councillors Mrs P Hunter and W N Woodyatt
b. Lymm Clothing Charity : Councillors J Griffiths, Woodyatt together with R Broadsmith
c. Lymm & District Youth Club : Councillors R Barr, L Gallimore, Mrs P Gaster and D Openshaw.
d. Association of Parish Councils : Councillors R Barr and J Griffiths
e. Warrington & District Citizens Advice Bureau : Councillors Mrs P Marks and
W N Woodyatt
f. High School Community Facilities Management Committee : Councillors Mrs C Coupe and
W N Woodyatt
g. Oughtrington Community Management Committee : Councillors R Barr and Mrs P Hunter
h. Neighbourhood Management Board : Councillor J Griffiths
i. South Warrington Parish Councils Community Support Officer Group (SWPCSOG) : The Chairman and Cllr Marks

9. Minutes

RESOLVED : That the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14 April 2009 be signed as a correct record.

10. Proceedings of the Committees of the Council

1. Planning and Development Committee on 14 April 2009
2. Plans Sub – Committee on 27 April 2009

RESOLVED : That such of the proceedings of these committees as require the confirmation and adoption of the Council be confirmed and adopted.

11. Matters Arising

1. LPC 122.2. Pumping Station in The Dingle. The Clerk said that she had written twice to United Utilities about the graffiti on the pumping station. A reply had been received from United Utilities advising that enquiries were being made about removing the graffiti. The Clerk said that the building appeared to have been re-painted as no graffiti was now visible.

2. LPC 156.3. Pay and Display Car Parking. Warrington Borough Council has advised that Pay and Display Car Parking in the Pepper Street Car Park should be operational in 4 – 6 weeks. Two ticket machines have been ordered and one will be installed near the toilet and one on the upper level of the car park.

12. Chairman's Communications

The Chairman had no communications.

13. Clerk's Communications

1. The Clerk had obtained quotations from Springbrook Landscapes for the supply of plants for the hanging baskets in the village and replanting the window boxes, barrels and planters.

Supply plants for summer baskets £994.50
Remove and dispose of summer baskets £214.50
Supply plants for Village Hall, entrance signs & Sunken Gardens (Summer) £689.00
Supply plants for Village Hall, entrance signs & Sunken Gardens (Winter)
£659.00
The Clerk had striven to obtain further quotes for this work but had been unable to find a local contractor able to undertake the work.

RESOLVED : Under the provisions of section 96 of the Highways Act 1980 and section 19 of the Local Government Act 1976 Springbrook Landscapes be asked to undertake this work

2. An e mail has been received from Phil Sexton outlining the local traders concerns about various matters in Lymm. The traders consider that the Spar shop does not cater for customer needs and was driving shoppers out of the village. The traders were concerned that the road closures for the replacement gas main should be delayed until January 2010. There had been various acts of vandalism said to have been caused by people who had been drinking in the Golden Fleece. Cllr Marks said that due to the contractor’s incompetence the work to replace the gas main had been delayed.

RESOLVED : A letter be sent to Transco asking that better forward planning be given to any future work to be carried out in Lymm

3. A letter has been received from Joyce Penlington, Oughtrington Community Centre asking if the Parish Council could help towards the cost of £285.00 to take he Luncheon Club members to the Barn Owl for their summer outing.

RESOLVED : Under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 the Parish Council to make a grant of £100 to Oughtrington Luncheon Club

4. The bus shelter at the top of Barsbank Lane had been covered with graffiti during the weekend of 9/10 May 2009 and the Clerk had asked the Handyman to paint over the graffiti. A lady living on Wychwood Avenue had telephoned the Clerk complaining about this bus shelter as it was frequently vandalised and the lady asked that the bus shelter be removed.

RESOLVED : The bus shelter to remain at this location

5. The Clerk has received an e mail from Mr Lowe complaining about the rent increases for the Sowbrook Allotments and about the safety of the path running through the allotments.

6. Warrington Borough Council has advised that maintenance work on Star Lane/ Barsbank Lane is due to take place during May and June 2009. The work will require the closure of the roads between 9 a.m and 4.30 p.m. It is also proposed to move the bus stop at the junction of Turnberry Close and Star Lane to a point 30m down Star Lane to the opposite side of the junction. Cllr Mrs Marks said that during the works there would be no bus service to Statham

RESOLVED : 1. Warrington Borough Council be asked to leave the bus stop at its current location

2. Warrington Borough Transport be asked to provide a bus service to Statham during the period of the road works

7. A letter has been received from Warrington Borough Council asking if the Parish Council wishes to comment on the prescribed alterations for the enlargement of school premises at Oughtrington Community Primary School.

8. A Fresh Air Miles Bike Ride will take place on the Broadheath-Thelwall section of the Trans Pennine Trail on Sunday 21 June 2009

9. A letter has been received from the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership asking if the Parish Council would support its campaign to reinstate the Colne to Skipton missing rail link as part of the National Rail Network.

10. The Warrington South Police Newsletter issue 14 which includes details of all the speeding checks done in South Warrington, Grapevine April 2009 and Lymm Festival accounts have been distributed to all members of the Parish Council. Cllr Mrs Marks said that she had received complaints about speeding vehicles on Higher Lane near the Jolly Thresher.

RESOLVED : The Police be asked to carry out speed checks near the Jolly Thresher

11. The Clerk has the 2008 progress report summary on the Local Transport Plan

14. Provision of a Dog Bin

Cllr Mrs Marks said that there were no dog fouling bins along the Bridgewater Canal tow path between Lymm and Barsbank Lane.

RESOLVED : Warrington Borough Council be asked to provide a dog fouling bin on the path leading from Barsbank Lane to the Bridgewater Canal





15. Grant Aid

The Clerk presented a schedule of suggested grant aid recipients for this financial year. Cllr Marks said that the CAB was now very busy helping people with debt problems and may require additional financial assistance during the year

RESOLVED : To make grants to those who have already applied and others as called for as they appear on the schedule at Appendix A.

16. Play Facilities on the May Queen Field

The Clerk said that she had obtained a quotation of £49,643.75 for supplying and installing wooden play equipment on the May Queen Field. Dave Cotterill, Warrington Borough Council had advised that the maintenance costs would be approximately 10% of the capital costs and the Parish Council would need to insure the equipment. Warrington Borough Council had been awarded £1.1 million under the Government’s Playbuilder Project to spend on play equipment throughout Warrington and Mr Cotterill had suggested that he attend a Parish Council meeting to discuss what play equipment could be provided in Lymm.

RESOLVED : Mr Cotterill be invited to a Parish Council meeting to discuss the options for play equipment in Lymm

17. Annual Return Year Ended 31 March 2009

A copy of the Annual Accounts and Annual Governance Statement for the year ending 31 March 2009 has been sent to all members of the Parish Council

RESOLVED : That Lymm Parish Council approves the Annual Accounts and Annual Governance Statement for the year ending 31 March 2009.

18. Reports From Outside Bodies

1. Cllr Mrs Hunter said that the Sanctuary Café would be open during the weekend of 16/17 May 2009

2. Cllr Openshaw said that the Rotary Club had asked him to pass on its thanks for the Parish Council’s support for the Duck Race

3. Cllr Gallimore said that John Woodward had volunteered to take down unauthorised notices from the railings in Lymm

RESOLVED : Mr Woodward be asked to take down unauthorised notices from the railings in Lymm

4. Cllr Barr said that he had attended the Oughtrington Community Association AGM that had been well attended. The Chairman and Treasurer had stood down and Andrew Wilson had been appointed as the new Chairman. There were three volunteers to take over as Treasurer. The building was being very well used and it was hoped to complete the upper floor to provide additional space. Oughtrington Community Association had asked Cllr Barr to pass on its thanks for all the support given by the Parish Council

5. Cllr Marks said that he had attended the South Warrington Neighbourhood Board meeting and said that there was some money available for summer play schemes.

6. Cllr Mrs Marks said that the Twin Town visitors from Meung-sur-Loire would be arriving on Wednesday 20 May 2009 and staying in Lymm until the 24 May 2009. A reception will be held on 20 May 2009 at Thelwall Parish Hall between 2.30 and 5.30 pm to welcome the visitors.

19. Schedule of Accounts for Payment

RESOLVED : That the schedule of accounts for payment in May 2009 in the sum of £10730.77 be passed for payment.

20. Date of Next Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday 9 June 2009 in the Parish Council Chamber, Village Hall, Pepper Street, Lymm at 7.30pm.

20. Public Open Forum

Mike Dyble said that he and Howard Rushworth wished to advise the Parish Council that the Tennis Club would be submitting a planning application for additional floodlights at the Club

21. Part Two Matters

RESOLVED : That the Press and Public be excluded from this part of the proceedings



The meeting closed 8.30 pm