Mickle Trafford & District Parish News

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Open Forum
Mrs Jane Hughes and Mrs Sue Mumford read a letter that was sent to the Parish Council regarding funding for the Pre-school relocation project (previously encompassed by the Community Centre Project). It was requested that all questions are to be submitted in writing to the Pre-school Committee.

Mrs L Ancliff raised questions about the deployment of a defibrillator as
described in the presentation on Community First Responders to the Parish Council on 9th November 2009.

Chairman’s Statement & welcome
The Chairman informed the meeting of the current deadlines with the publication of the MT & DP Highways & Byways newsletter, submission of material is the Friday prior to the Parish Council bi-monthly Meeting.

Pre-school Project Update
Mr R Brace addressed the meeting and stated that the proposal outlined is the culmination of more than 12 years work to provide suitable accommodation for the Preschool. The need has increased with time and can no longer be ignored. Mr R Brace accepts that there is now an additional or alternative proposal involving Hoole Tennis Club on a location adjacent to the Scout Hut, stating that these schemes are not mutually exclusive.

The Parish Council has previously given support for a Community Centre and has set aside funds of £10,000. This promise encouraged those working on the project over the past 2 years. Mr R Brace proposed the motion that the Parish Council meets the costs of demolishing the Scout Hut and preparing the site, conditional on Planning Permission being granted and the Lease obtained.

Community Centre Update (Combined Hoole LTC proposal)
Mr B Ancliff addressed the meeting and commends the diligence by the Pre-school Committee. Mr B Ancliff opposes the proposal and offers a counter resolution that there should be a combined community project. He raised three points:
The Community Centre project is likely to get planning consent.
It is unlikely that separate projects would obtain funding from Wren.
The Pre-school project requires exclusive accommodation.

Mr J Taylor addressed the meeting and advised that the dilapidated building needs to be knocked down regardless of proposals by Community Centre Project and Preschool project. It became clear from the variety of questions that Councillors were generally inadequately briefed about the details and relative merits of the competing projects.

Mr D K Rowlands suggested that a working group is set up to thrash out questions/answers in order to arrive at a recommendation as to which proposal to back. The working group comprises Mr B Ancliff, Mr R Brace, Mr D K Rowlands, Mr J Jackson, Mr R E Parkin, and Mrs M Parker.

Minutes of Parish Council Meetings.
Councillors noted and approved the circulated minutes of the various meet-ings that took place in the last two months specifically those of the Planning Committee, the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Village Design Committee, the Springfield Park Committee and the Gowy Liaison meeting. The financial accounts were also approved. All minutes can be read in full on the Mickle Trafford website. www.mickletrafford.org.uk

Unauthorised encampments.
Mr J Taylor reminded the meeting that the Parish Council had previously agreed to support the Unauthorised Encampment Working Group. Mr J Jackson advised that the Unauthorised Encampment Working Group set a target of £20,000 for legal representation; £9,000 would come from the precept budget and the remaining £11,000 from donations. Pledges of money to fund legal representation:
£1795.00 had been received from individuals £500.00 has been pledged by Councillor Eleanor Johnson from CWaC budget

Total Pledges = £2295 (with further pledges which are to be collected by the Parish Clerk and Councillors)

Mr J Walsh noted that he had prepared an update for Highways and Byways giving feedback on the outcome of Plemstall Lane Site appeal hearing and the current status of The Street Site Public Inquiry. He wished the minutes to record the Parish Council’s thanks to those who made written representations on the appeals and those who made the effort to attend the Plemstall Lane appeal on 8 December.

Approval of 2010 Precept Budget – increased from £20000 to £29000.
Mrs W Faulkner addressed the meeting to raise her concern regarding the increase of the precept budget due to the current financial climate and that a promise was previously made to reduce the precept in forthcoming years.

The Chairman responded that the increase of £9000 was a contribution
towards the fighting fund and expenditure would be approved accordingly. Mrs B Harrison felt the proposed budget should be reduced by £9,000 but this was not generally supported and the original recommendation of a £29,000 precept was approved.

Mrs M Parker suggested that a Public Meeting would be beneficial to inform residents the reasons why the Parish Council had agreed the increase of precept, and that residents’ full support is needed to oppose any subsequent planning appeals.

Trafford Mill Update
See Mickle Trafford Website
Defibrillator

Mr J Taylor responded to questions raised in the open forum. He has arranged for a presentation by North West Ambulance Service at the meeting on the 8th of March to provide information regarding Community First Responders (defibrillator). He thought that it was a marvellous idea and would benefit the community enormously and offered his services as a volunteer.

Paths/Road Gritting
Mr T L Bartley advised that he was concerned with the state of the paths at the pensioner bungalows in the village. A suggestion was made that a grit bin be located near the pensioners’ housing. Other village pathways such as that adjacent to Wells Close (bus stop) have been very slippery. Councillors will seek advice at forthcoming CHaLC and CWaC meetings. If grit were provided, the Street Orderly might be asked to spread it when necessary.

Parish Surgeries: !0:00am outside the Post Office Saturday 30th January 2010 & Saturday 27th February 2010

Date and time of Next Meeting – Monday 8th March 2010 at 7:00pm at the School.