Parish Council – 11th February 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.
DRAFT Minutes of the Parish Council meeting, Wednesday 11 February 2026
Astbury Village Hall, 7.30 pm
Present:
- Councillor J Critchlow
- Councillor T Potts
- Councillor N Plant
- Councillor P Critchlow
- Councillor B Jelf
- Councillor M Bailey
- Councillor C Pear
- Councillor P Cliff
- Councillor A Banks
- Councillor C Sutton
- Councillor I Parry
- Ward Councillor L Wardlaw
- Mr C Evans (Clerk)
Part 1 – Public and press Forum
No members of the public were present.
011/26 – Declarations of Interest
None.
012/26 – Apologies for Absence
The Council received and resolved to accept apologies from:
- Cllr S Harrop (prior engagement)
013/26 Minutes
The Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2026 are a true and accurate record.
014/26 – Ward Councillor report
Cllr Wardlaw reported on several issues. Multi-agency meetings about the laybys at Mow Cop continue despite a lack of clarity over ownership/responsibility. Implementation of a Section 59 order (under the Police Reform Act 2002) rather than a PSPO is also being pursued. A disappointingly short stretch of the footpath along the A34 had been sided out, Cllr Wardlaw will try to clarify whether Cheshire East Council believe the task is finished. Mounting posts for the proposed SID should be installed some time in April.
015/26 – Accounts
The Council discussed and resolved to approve the accounts (see Annex 1 for details).
016/26 – Internal Audit for FY 2025-2026
The Council resolved to ask Mr Gary Roberts to undertake the 25/26 Internal Audit.
017/26 – Annual Meeting of the Parishes (8 April)
Unlike previous annual meetings, the Council resolved not to invite an external speaker and not to provide refreshments.
018/26 – Planning Applications
25/4862/HOUS Householder
Great Moreton Hall New Road, Moreton, CW12 4RY
Construction of an extension to form a private leisure facility in the kitchen garden, alterations to adjoining outbuildings and repair of outbuildings, garden walls and adjoining stable building and associated works.
The Council resolved to raise no objection
25/4863/LBC Listed Building Consent
Great Moreton Hall New Road, Moreton, CW12 4RY
Listed building consent for construction of an extension to form a private leisure facility in the kitchen garden etc.
The Council resolved to raise no objection
26/0282/HOUS Householder
Gorse Farm, Gorse Lane, Astbury, CW12 3NR
Construction of a two storey side extension in lieu of existing extensions.
The Council resolved to raise no objection
25/4874/CLPUD Certificate of Lawful Use
Gorse Farm, Gorse Lane, Astbury, Congleton, CW12 3NR
Construction of a single storey outbuilding, associated hardstanding and new access drive.
The Council resolved to object to this application, noting that it would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, cross and cut off a parcel of agricultural land for domestic purposes, while the existing access is perfectly adequate for the intended use.
25/2500/OUT revised planning application with all matters reserved except for access, for residential development of up to 120 dwellings with public open space, associated landscaping and the formation of new access off Sandbach Road
The Council resolved to object to this application, noting that little had changed in this revision other than the entrance and, if approved, the Council will seek significant developer contributions for additional local infrastructure to mitigate the detrimental impact of the proposal.
019/26 – Highways and SID installation
The Clerk reported that he had sought price estimates for a SID from three companies but only one had responded to his request. Two models would be suitable, one with a SIM card for remote data gathering, one with Bluetooth only. The Council resolved to purchase the data SIM model.
Cllr Bailey noted that some stone work on the canal bridge at Dodds Lane had been hit (presumably by a vehicle) and was close to falling into the Canal. Cllr Wardlaw will follow this up with the Canal and River Trust.
Cllr Parry had contacted CE Highways about yet another accident at the Village Green but had not received a response.
020/26 – Common Land
Cllr J Critchlow reported on a productive meeting with Streetscape who had sent a costed maintenance plan. The Council resolved to engage Streetscape for the work as described and Cllr J Critchlow will develop some additional needs for a longer term maintenance plan.
021/26 – Collaboration with Congleton Town Council and others
The Clerk informed the Council that he will attend a meeting that Congleton Town Council had proposed with neighbouring parishes about the provision of services, especially if Cheshire East Council issues a section 114 notice and ceases providing anything more than essential services themselves.
022/26 – Chairman and Members’ reports
Cllr Jelf had looked into the Peak Cluster CCS proposals and confirmed that they would not impact Astbury and so no further action is necessary. Cllr P Critchlow is still investigating the purchase and placement of additional boundary signs and noted with some disappointment that the assistance from Sibelco for further siding out along the A34 had been delayed again. Cllr Parry will clean the kiosk at Ackers Crossing in preparation for the replacement.
023/26 – Clerk’s Report
Councillors noted that the Clerk will not be able to attend the 8 July meeting and will make alternative arrangements for taking the minutes etc.
The Meeting closed at 2105 hrs
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Annex 1 – AccountsÂ
| Bank Balance as of 01 February 2026: £20,057.62
Of which: ·      £1,273.87 unspent CIL from July 2023 ·      £2,625.23 unspent CIL from April 2025
Received since 01 January 2026: ·      £nil Payments approved: ·      none Payments noted since 01 January 2026: ·      £54.30 – NEST, Clerk Pension ·      £69.12 – TCS Payroll Management ·      £47.00 – Information Commissioner’s Office fee ·      £626.77 – PAYE ·      £30.49 – Clerk’s Office 365 subscription for 2026, shared with Somerford ·      £49.69 – Reimbursement to clerk for Office 365 subscription in 2025 ·      £615.40 – Clerk Salary |
Documents
| Document | File Size | File Type |
|---|---|---|
| Astbury PC Meeting Minutes 11 February 2026 | 100.06 KB | |
| Agenda | 397.53 KB |