LYMM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held in the Parish Council Chamber, Village Hall,
Pepper Street, Lymm on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 7.30 pm
______________________________________________________________________________

Present Councillor J Griffiths (Chairman)
" R Barr
" Mrs C Coupe
" Mrs P Gaster
" June Gittins
" Mrs P Hunter
" Mrs P Marks
" I G Marks
" Mrs S E Woodyatt
" W N Woodyatt

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs L Gallimore and D Openshaw

22. 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.

23. Minutes

RESOLVED : That the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12 May 2009 be signed as a correct record.

24. Proceedings of the Committees of the Council

1. Planning and Development Committee on 12 May 2009
2. Plans Sub – Committee on 8 June 2009

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

25. Policing in Lymm

Standing Orders were suspended for PCSO Glover to speak to the Parish Council. PCSO Glover asked if it would be possible to upgrade the CCTV cameras in the village as the pictures currently produced were of little evidential value. Cllr Griffiths said that he had been contacted about vandalism to vehicles on Mardale Crscent and Grasmere Road. PCSO Glover asked that all such incidents be reported immediately to the Police. Cllr Mrs Woodyatt asked if burglaries in Lymm were currently an issue. PCSO Glover said that during the summer months there were burglaries as windows were left open.

RESOLVED : The Clerk to make enquiries as to the types and costs of upgraded cameras for the CCTV

Standing Orders were re-instated


26. Matters Arising

1. LPC 13.2 Replacement Gas Main. Clr Woodyatt said that the problems encountered with the gas main probably dated back to the days of the Lymm Urban District Council.

2. LPC 13.10. Cllr Woodyatt asked if any action had been taken to prevent vehicles speeding near the Jolly Thresher Public House. The Clerk advised that she had asked the Police to carry out speed checks in this area. Cllr Woodyatt said that a 40 mph speed limit was needed on Higher Lane, Burford Lane and Mill Lane. Cllr Barr said that Warrington Borough Council was carrying out a review of speed limits and he would like to see reduced speed limits introduced on Camsley Lane and Cherry Lane.

RESOLVED : Warrington Borough Council be asked to consider introducing 40 mph speed limits on Higher Lane, Mill Lane, Burford Lane, Camsley Lane and Cherry Lane.

3. LPC 163.3. Bins at Lymm Duck Race. The Clerk has received a letter from Paula Darlington, Warrington Borough Council saying that the bins in Lymm were emptied on the Thursday prior to the Easter weekend. The Clerk has spoken to Kevin McCready, Warrington Borough Council and he is looking at the possibility of providing a supply of wheelie bins for use at the Duck Race.

4. LPC 13.2. Matters Raised by Phil Sexton. The Clerk has received an e mail from Phil Sexton advising that the village has been problem free and to thank the PCSOs for their action to achieve this. Mr Sexton said that the Spar is having a detrimental effect on trade in the village however he has been informed that Spar is a franchise and so the drop in customer flow should impact on the business causing a re-think of their present retail strategy. Mr Sexton thanked the Parish Council for all the help and support it is providing to Lymm and the Traders group.

5. LPC 13.6. Maintenance Work on Barsbank Lane / Star Lane. Warrington Borough Council has advised that the work would start on 26 May 2009 and the principal contractor would be Wrenco (Contractors) Ltd. Warrington Borough Council has also advised that the bus stops on these roads will remain in their current locations and will be upgraded to receive the raised platform and the required markings to assist those with mobility problems. A diversionary bus service will operate via Statham during the period of the road works. Cllr Marks said that it was pleasing that the Parish Council’s action had resulted in the maintenance of a bus service for the Statham residents during the period of the road works.

6. LPC 14. Provision of a Dog Bin on Barsbank Lane. The Clerk contacted Dave Cotterill, Warrington Borough Council about the provision of a dog bin on Barsbank Lane at the junction with the footpath to the Bridgewater Canal. Warrington Borough Council no longer installs dog bins but Mr Cotterill will arrange for the provision of a normal bin at this location in the next schedule of installations.

7. LPC 16. Play Facilities in Lymm. Mr Cotterill has advised that Sandy Lane and Ridgway Grundy Park have been identified as sites for Playbuilder investment to enhance children’s play facilities in Lymm. If the Parish Council were to put play facilities on the May Queen Field the Parish Council would need to give an undertaking to Warrington Borough Council that it would be able to fund future management of the facilities in perpetuity. Mr Cotterill has suggested that he attends the July Parish Council meeting to discuss play facilities in Lymm.

RESOLVED : Mr Cotterill be invited to the July Parish Council meeting

8. LPC 17. Annual Return for Year Ended 31 March 2009. The annual return has been audited by the internal auditors for the Parish Council and their report has been forwarded to all members of the Parish Council. The annual return is now ready for submission to the external auditors.

27. Chairman's Communications

1. Su Williams had contacted the Chairman about the ban on placing notices on the railings at the Lower Dam. Cllr Mrs Woodyatt said that the reason for the ban was to preserve the appearance of the Conservation Area.

RESOLVED : A letter be sent to Su Williams explaining the Parish Council’s reasons for the ban on notices on the railings at the Lower Dam.

2. The Chairman had been contacted by Peter Dodding, Retail Director, James Hall & Co Ltd, Spar Distributors, who was perplexed about the reports about the Lymm Spar Shop published in the Warrington Guardian. Mr Dodding had said that the Spar Shop had been visited by Environmental Health Officers and given a 5 star rating.

RESOLVED : Mr Dodding be invited to speak at the July Parish Council meeting.

28. Clerk's Communications

1. Cllr Mrs Marks had asked the Clerk to enquire if a ribbon could be purchased for use by the Chairman for the medallion at the end of the Chairman’s chain. The Clerk had contacted Fattorini’s who had ribbon collerettes available at a cost of £15.00 plus VAT plus postage.

RESOLVED : A collerette to be purchased from Fattorini’s at a cost of £15.00 plus VAT plus postage

2. The Clerk had attended a Planning Seminar organised by Warrington Borough Council. It was hoped that all plans would one day be sent to Parish Councils electronically. The Plans Sub Committee would then view each set of plans using a laptop computer and projector.

3. The next Warrington Rights of Way Forum will be held on 1 July 2009.

4. The Clerk has received a request for funding from Vitalise who provide respite breaks for disabled people that enables their carers to have a break from their vital care role.

RESOLVED : Under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 the Parish Council to make a grant of £50.00 to Vitalise

5. The Clerk has received an appeal from the Mid-Cheshire Samaritans for a grant to help the organisation continue to offer confidential emotional support to people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

RESOLVED : Under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 the Parish Council to make a grant of £100.00 to Mid-Cheshire Samaritans

6. Mr Chan, Lymm Climbing Club has written inviting members of the Parish Council to the official opening of the new climbing wall at Lymm High School on 19 June 2009 at 1.30 p.m.

7. Letters of thanks for grant aid have been received from Oughtrington Luncheon Club and Warrington Association for Special Children

8. Cheshire Association of Local Councils Newsletter 127 and Grapevine May 2009 have been distributed to all members of the Parish Council

9. The Clerk has Fieldwork June 2009


29. Village Hall Boiler

The Clerk said that the Village Hall gas boiler was very old, inefficient and in need of replacing. The Clerk had obtained three quotations for a replacement boiler.

Contractor
Estimate
HES Ltd £7475.00

The Gas Team £2370.00

Andy Gas £2250.00

RESOLVED : Under the provisions of section 144 of the Local Government Act 1972 a new gas boiler be installed in the Village Hall by Andy Gas

30. Reports From Outside Bodies

1. Cllr Griffiths had attended a very enjoyable Twin Town Reception, started the Royal British Legion Bike Ride and had helped putting up the flags in the village centre

2. Cllrs Griffiths, Barr, Mrs Hunter, Mrs Woodyatt and Woodyatt had attended the Oughtrington Community Centre 30th anniversary celebration. Cllr Barr said that during the speeches Duncan Scott had thanked the Parish Council for all its support.

3. Cllr Barr had attended an Oughtrington Community Centre management meeting. A new booking clerk had been appointed and a very professional team was now marketing the facilities at the community centre. Funds were now being raised to open up the top floor at the centre. The Sure Start scheme had commenced at the community centre and is growing in popularity.

4. Cllr Marks said that Lymm Festival would be taking place soon and he had programmes available.

5. Cllr Mrs Marks had attended the Twin Town events when there had been 63 visitors from Meung-sur-Loire who had visited Liverpool, Ness Gardens and held an evening reception. There will be a barbecue at Oughtrington Community Centre on 21 June 2009 to raise funds for the Twin Town Society.

31. Schedule of Accounts for Payment

RESOLVED : That the schedule of accounts for payment in June 2009 in the sum of £21264.53 be passed for payment.

32. Date of Next Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday 14 July 2009 in the Parish Council Chamber, Village Hall, Pepper Street, Lymm at 7.30pm. The annual inspection of allotment gardens will take place on Tuesday 16 June 2009 commencing at 6 p.m. at Elms Farm




33. Public Open Forum

1. Mike Dyble said that he was sorry to hear of the break-in at Cllr Mrs Woodyatt’s house and he asked that the Police provide more details of crimes in Lymm. Cllr Barr said that the Cheshire Police website gave details of crimes on a ward basis. Cllr Mrs Woodyatt said that the Police had been excellent when they attended after the burglary.

RESOLVED : The Police be asked to provide details of the crimes in Lymm when they attend a Parish Council meeting.

2. Mr Dyble asked if anyone knew what was happening with the development on Pepper Street. Cllr Barr said that the recent progress at the site lived down to the expectations of the Warrington Development Control Committee

3. Mrs Coates said that there had been a large number of cars parked on the pavement opposite Lymm Dam

RESOLVED : The Police be asked to take action against motorists parking on the pavements in Lymm.

4. Mrs Dobson asked why the Parish Council had decided to ban notices from being displayed on the railings at the Lower Dam. Mrs Dobson was advised that this was a decision taken by the whole of the Parish Council to preserve the appearance of the Conservation Area. Cllr Mrs Hunter said that the Lymm Traders had welcomed this decision as the village now looked much tidier.

34. Part Two Matters

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