July Parish Council Meeting UPDATE

Oh to have been watching the football rather than sitting through the July Meeting of the Parish Council in what were quite unprecedented temperatures!

That said, a 'brief' update is reported below, albeit that the Draft Minutes will appear on the Parish Council Website very shortly.

From the Public Forum

• A Tattenhall resident of 12 years reported that a syndicate of local individuals intends to submit a planning application to develop a small boutique hotel/bar/restaurant in the 'Bear and Ragged Staff' property which is currently for sale on the High Street. The resident is mindful that this property is situated in the nucleus of the village and equally mindful that there is a commitment to maintain and sustain the vibrancy of the village centre (as readers will know, this is emphasised in the Neighbourhood Plan). Ward Councillor Mike Jones advised of the 'right to buy scheme' (a complex process but one with which the PC can assist). Another planning application to convert the property to apartments and dwellings was listed as Agenda item No 7 but it was agreed that discussion concerning this be deferred to an extra-ordinary meeting to be held on 16 July at 7.30pm (at which would also be discussed the Variation of Condition 1 at the Retirement Village and the Appeal of up to 30 dwellings at the land to the rear of Greenlands). The community will be advised separately of this extraordinary meeting.

The police were present at the meeting and confirmed that:

• The next drop-in to collect the Operation SHIELD free kits, is (TOMORROW) Wednesday 4 July between 5-8pm outside of the Barbour Institute.
• There are inadequacies in the use of the 101 system for reporting crime (caused by an increase in the incidence of recorded crimes). This matter has been raised previously at PC Meetings. PC Gigg advised individuals to dial 999 (if they could not reasonably make contact through the use of '101') and it was requested that the PC write to the Police Authorities to emphasise the inadequacies of the current 101 system.
• The anti-social behaviour in the area of Keysbrook was again raised – the police have attended the scene. Anonymity is protected and all residents affected by this ASB should contact the police. It was questioned whether the youths should be encouraged to use the POD.
• Overgrown hedges are blocking the public footpaths in a number of locations but PC Gigg expressed caution to residents in employing only recognised and reputable hedge-cutters to deal with these problems.

Matthew Morris, Estate Manager, Bolesworth reported that:

• Bolesworth Estate has applied for consent to fell the cypress tree in the front garden at Mercury House (approved by the PC). This is to open up the front of the recently redecorated building and improve the aesthetic of this part of the High Street.
• The whole Shropshire Union Canal was designated as a Conservation Area in January 2018. The conservation area boundary unusually includes Tattenhall Marina, Canalside Industrial Estate and TG Builders Merchants. This has only recently come to light as neither the landowners or the Parish Council were consulted. A meeting with the Conservation Officer has taken place at Canalside regarding the Conservation Area since multiple businesses are affected by this classification. It was recognised at that meeting that the area at Canalside was of no 'architectural merit'. Matthew reported that the lack of consultation and adherence to due process was troubling but he (and others) are working toward a solution, a process which is supported by the Parish Council.

From the Agenda

• Cllr Weaver raised concerns that there was a degree of negativity in the roll out of Operation SHIELD. The PC had been promised full consultation/involvement during this process but it was felt that this had not been the outcome.
• The application to fell the Cypress tree at 1A Mercury House was supported.
• Various resolutions were supported in the re-designation of the Neighbourhood Plan boundary and its alignment with the Parish Council boundary. It was also raised that the process to effect this statutory change provided an opportunity to partially update the made Neighbourhood Plan. Cllr Weaver would lead on this (together with a Steering Group) and emphasised that this was only to update the Neighbourhood Plan document and not to change the policies contained therein (the latter would require a referendum).
• The Tree Survey at the Spinney had taken place and the immediate remedial work was approved.
• It was reported that the Tattenhall Park Primary School is using the 'Community Room' and yet a meeting with the PC regarding 'Community Use' has still to be arranged. The conditions of S106 monies were raised in this respect, the school being in possible violation of those conditions.
• Other matters related to outstanding quotations, updating of the Resilience Plan and planning permission for the Bus Shelter on Tattenhall Road (the design having been approved).