Parish Council – 10th June 2026

The Parish Council meets at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of every month at Astbury Village Hall, Peel Lane, CW12 4RQ, though we sometimes don’t hold a meeting in December.

 

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting, Wednesday 10 June 2026

Astbury Village Hall, 7.30 pm

Present:

• Councillor J Critchlow
• Councillor N Plant
• Councillor P Critchlow
• Councillor B Jelf
• Councillor I Parry
• Councillor M Bailey
• Councillor C Pear
• Councillor A Banks
• Councillor S Harrop
• Councillor T Potts
• Mr C Evans (Clerk)

Part 1 – Public and press Forum

One member of the public was present who spoke about potentially dangerous construction/delivery vehicles in the Village while pupils were arriving at Astbury School, and the school speed sign by Glebe Farm.

067/26 – Declarations of Interest

Cllr Pear for planning applications 26/1890/LBC and 26/1699/FUL. Cllr Pear left the room for the discussion of both.

068/26 – Apologies for Absence

The Council resolved to receive and accept apologies from:

• Cllr C Sutton (prior engagement)

069/26 Minutes

The Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2026 are a true and accurate record.

 

070/26 – Ward Councillor report

Cllr Wardlaw informed the meeting that no date had been fixed for further consideration of traffic safety at the A34/Village junction. Ofsted had made suggestions to Cheshire East Council about improvements to how they support ‘looked after’ children. CE Council had started work on a new Local Plan Strategy (CELPS), and the long awaited move from a Committee to a Cabinet based system of governance had started. The provision of leisure services is being reviewed and CE Councillors have suggested removing their power to set their own allowances.

 

071/26 – Accounts

The Council discussed and resolved to approve the accounts (see Annex 1 for details).

 

072/26 – Internal Audit

The Council received and noted the Internal Auditor report for 2025/2026

 

073/26 – Annual Governance Statement

The Council considered, approved and the Chair and Clerk signed the Annual Governance Statement for 2025/2026

 

074/26 – Annual Accounting Statements

The Council considered, approved and the Clerk and Chair signed the Annual Accounting Statements for 2025/2026

 

075/26 – Bank Reconciliation

The Council considered, approved and the Chair and Clerk signed the Annual Bank Reconciliation for 2025/2026

 

076/26 – Explanation of Variances

The Council considered, approved and the Chair and Clerk signed the Annual Explanation of Variances for 2025/2026

 

077/26 – Notice of Public Rights

The Council noted the planned period for the exercise of public rights in relation to the inspection of the Council’s accounts.

 

078/26 – Planning Applications

 26/1890/LBC

CISS GREEN FARM Watery Lane, Astbury, Congleton, Cheshire East, CW12 4RS

Listed Building Consent for Proposed Partial Demolition of Existing Dwelling and Erection of New extension to dwelling. Conversion of Existing Brick Barn to a dwelling with proposed extension. Proposed demolition of existing buildings. Erection of new garages. Retention of existing brick Pig Styes and change of Use to storage. Ancillary landscaping.

The Council resolved to raise no objection to this application.

 

26/1699/FUL

CISS GREEN FARM Watery Lane, Astbury, Congleton, Cheshire East, CW12 4RS

Proposed Partial Demolition of Existing Dwelling and Erection of New extension to dwelling. Conversion of Existing Brick Barn to a dwelling with proposed extension. Proposed demolition of existing buildings. Erection of new garages. Retention of existing brick Pig Styes and change of Use to storage. Ancillary landscaping.

 The Council resolved to raise no objection to this application.

Cllr Pear rejoined the meeting at this point.

 

26/1735/HOUS

Annex at Gorse Cottage, Gorse Lane

Extension to new independent dwelling

 The Council resolved to raise no objection to this application

 

079/26 – Policies to review

The Council resolved to approve the Health and Safety Policy without amendment.

 

080/26 – Business Plan

The Council discussed again the potential projects that it had previously identified and would still like to pursue as part of a revised Business Plan. Cllrs also looked at the list of councillor responsibilities and Cllr Plant will return to the Council with the outline of a three year rolling Business Plan. The Plan will include initial budgets for each activity area, and suggestions for which Councillors should be responsible for driving progress, all with appropriate support from the Clerk. Councillors also agreed that any unallocated monies could be used for siding out along the A34.

 

081/26 – Highways

Cllrs noted that after some concerns had been expressed, Lawson Motors had taken steps to ensure that transporters would no longer be delivering cars to their site from the A34.   Cllr Wardlaw will investigate when CE Highways will reinstate the white road markings on the A34 by the Bent Lane junction.

 

082/26 – Common Land

Chair J Critchlow reported on the works Streetscape had done on site and the need for continued attention to control the nettles in particular.

 

083/26 – Chairman and Members’ reports

The Council noted that after almost 20 years, Cllr Pete Cliff had resigned his position on the Council. The Council wanted to record their sincere thanks to Pete for his service to the community and extended their best wishes to him and his family.

Cllr Critchlow reminded the Council that it would need to plan soon for any additional autumn daffodil planting, and Cllr Harrop reported that Sally Brightwell will be stepping down as Astbury Village Hall Manager this year. The Council extended their thanks to Sally also for her support over the years.

 

084/26 – Clerk’s Report

The Clerk asked about advertising the current Councillor vacancy and urged Cllrs to seek out potential candidates. As a start an advert will be placed in the next Newsletter. His discussions with the Community Heartbeat Trust and Scottish Power about the power source and replacement defibrillator at Ackers Crossing are continuing.

 

The meeting ended at 2130 hrs.