BEESTON PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2021
held at Peckforton & Beeston Village Room 7.30pm 25th May 2021
present: Daphne Weedall (Chair), Mike Harrison (Vice Chair), Gill Thexton, Andrew Haydock, Tom Platt, Andrew Evans, Sandy Verity, Helen Exley (Clerk)
- Introduction & Welcome
Daphne Weedall welcomed all Councillors to the meeting. There were no members of public present.
- Annual Report of the Parish Council by the Chairman, Beeston Parish Council.
A year quite like no other we have ever experienced before. For example, like many others, I decided that it was imperative that I should self isolate, with Carl, for 3 months, from March 2020. I would like to start by thanking you all for your personal support to me and for responding to the new ways of working which have been expected of us. Beeston, Haughton, Peckforton and Spurstow “Be a Good Neighbour” initiative was launched on March 23rd 2020 in response to Covid 19 lock down. Each Parish took a turn to man the phone line and details of the service were spread door to door. A data base of volunteers, services and deliveries available to benefit those in our communities who were self isolating was developed. The number of people interested in volunteering was heart warming. Many lasting new relationships have developed which I am confident will continue to unofficially support, as required. Sunflower seeds were distributed, throughout the Parishes, in April 2020, as part of the “Grow Some Sunshine” campaign. From my point of view, it was a unique opportunity to forge important community links with our neighbouring Parishes which I hope we can continue to realise and strengthen in the coming years. In June 2020, it was an auspicious time to congratulate Helen for securing on line banking for Beeston Parish Council for the first time. It took 9 months to achieve. The cogs of the banking world continue to turn very slowly! In May, Parishioners have had great pleasure to see the giant Poppies adorn the Lamp posts and other structures in Beeston to celebrate the centenary of the Royal British Legion. It’s first branch, setting up, in nearby, Birkenhead. I am so grateful to Mike for taking on the mantle of Chair. He has been the driving force of much of what Beeston Parish Councillors have achieved, this year. To this end, Mike has kindly provided me with a background summary of how we have responded to issues and concerns within the Parish.
Wild Boar Hotel We do not believe CW&C are fulfilling their responsibilities to safeguard this listed property. Considerable time has been spent by the Parish Council engaging with CW&C Planning Department over the condition of the property. The Parish Council have endeavoured to persuade CW&C to issue an Urgent Works Notice on the owners in an attempt to ensure the building is safeguarded against further deterioration caused by vandalism and the effects of the weather. The police have attended the property on over 60 occasions. Unfortunately due to the lack of action by the owners and CW&C we are still engaged in this correspondence and the listed property visibly continues to deteriorate. There is some hope with potential new owners on the scene but there is an urgent need for further protection to the structure.
Planning Matters The impact on the area in respect of planning applications for (a) extension to Castledene, (b) a new build at Lower Rock Farm, (c) a new agricultural building on land off Grimes Lane, (d) alterations at Wood End Cottage,(e) alterations at Fields Cottage, (f) alterations at Yew Tree Cottage, (g) Reclamation Yard – new houses and (g) Beeston Gate Farm – replacement outbuilding have all been considered and where applicable objections / concerns lodged with CW&C Planning Department. The Parish Council have a good dialogue with the developers of the old Cattle Market site who provide regular updates and are very responsive to any issues / queries put to them by the Parish Council.
Re-opening of Beeston Castle & Tarporley Station Project We have established contact with the Group that has been formed to get the old station reopened and made comments on their published plan.
Consultations by CW&C There have been two consultations issued by CW&C during the year – the proposed closure of Huxley Primary School (opposed by the Parish Council) and changes to the Household Waste Collection Services (the Parish Council raised concerns about resultant potential increases in fly tipping of waste resulting from fewer collections and the possibility of charges being imposed for the collection of garden waste).
Parking issues in and around Beeston Castle village The Parish Council have worked with English Heritage and the Police to reduce the parking issues caused by the influx of visitors to the area especially during the Covid restrictions over the year.
Highways issues
Defects – Considerable time and effort has gone into endeavouring to get CW&C to deal with the numerous defective road drains and resultant flooding issues. Finally, as the result of the lack of communication / action a complaint was made to CW&C’s Chief Executive. Since this there has been notable progress in getting these issues resolved. There are still outstanding issues on a number of the Beeston Castle roads which we will continue to follow up with the Highways Department.
Litter – In view of the quantity of litter discarded along the roads through the Parish we have engaged the services of a litter picker who helps to reduce the amount of litter left lying around the Parish. The Parish Council also regularly reports fly tipping to CW&C. This illegally dumped waste includes vehicle tyres, sinks, beds and garden waste amongst other items.
Speed limit proposal – This project was started with CW&C some years ago and their progress has been extremely slow. Finally this year, some three years after the original assessment, the official consultation was published. In the autumn of 2020 the Parish Council asked for a couple of changes to be made in order to provide greater safety for road users, especially those on foot, bicycle or horseback, Due to sickness within CW&C Highways Department these proposals are yet to be reviewed. The Parish Council will continue to apply pressure on the Highways Department to finalise this project.
Footpath issues The footpath that is causing the greatest difficulty over the year, and for some years previously, continues to be Footpath 19. It has now been determined, by the Inspector who was appointed to review the case, that the path runs along a track which over the years has been incorporated into the garden of Ivy Cottage, Moss Lane. CW&C now need to enforce the opening of the footpath at this point.
Engagement with the community The Parish Council regularly updates its website with information / matters which will be of interest / concern to residents within the Parish.
At this point, I would like to say that I will not be standing for Chair. I have enjoyed my involvement and am proud and pleased with what we have achieved in the past 6 years but feel that it is the right time to step down.
- Statement on the Parish Council accounts for Year ending 31 March 2021 by the Clerk to the Parish Council.
The Parish Council expenditure has increased by £880 and this is due to the full annual impact of the litter picker costs and increase in the Clerk’s payment.
The Pandemic has meant that the majority of meetings have been held via zoom which has meant a slight decrease in Meeting room costs.
New village signs were purchased for £73 and this has been the only parish project expenditure in this financial year.
Due to the healthy reserve at the end of last financial year, the Councillors felt that the Precept level should be reduced by £570 for this financial year and it was set at £4425.
A quiet year financially and this is largely due to the pandemic.
The clerk thanks the councillors for their continued support in her role and especially to Mike Harrison Vice Chair for all his support.
- To invite the public to raise any matters of interest.
No Members of the public were present.