Parish Council – 12th August 2026

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting, Wednesday 12 August 2026

Astbury Village Hall, 7.30 pm

Present:

• Councillor J Critchlow
• Councillor N Plant
• Councillor P Critchlow
• Councillor B Jelf
• Councillor I Parry
• Councillor C Pear
• Councillor A Banks
• Councillor T Potts
• Councillor C Sutton

Part 1 – Public and press Forum

No members of the public were present.

 

098/26 – Declarations of Interest

Cllr Parry concerning planning application 26/2383/VOC (neighbour). Cllr Parry remained in the room but did not vote.

 

099/26 – Apologies for Absence

The Council resolved to receive and accept apologies from:

·      Cllr S Harrop (prior engagement)

·      Cllr M Bailey (prior engagement)

 

100/26 Minutes

The Council resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 08 July 2026 are a true and accurate record.

 

101/26 – Accounts

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

102/26 – Ward Councillor report

Cllr Wardlaw informed the meeting that an abandoned caravan on Dodds Lane had been removed, as had caravans on Yew Tree Lane and on Mow Lane. The damaged bridge over the canal had been fixed by the Canal River Trust. Cllr Wardlaw will continue to push CE Council to deal with the fly-tipping on The Flash, though there seems to be a disagreement about responsibility for doing so. She has not yet had a reply to her emails about a possible safety campaign on the A34, and is continuing her discussions with Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Moorlands Council, as well as Cheshire East Council, about the extensive fly-tipping in the laybys along the Congleton Road, Mow Cop.

103/26 – Planning Applications

26/2383/VOC

Variation of condition 2 on approval 25/2964/FUL: Extension and conversion of barns to create 1no. residential dwelling. Condition to be varied to vary proposed boundary treatment.

The Council resolved to make no further representations.

26/2480/FUL

Proposed replacement dwelling and associated works

FIELDHOUSE FARM Sandbach Road, Wall Hill,

The Council resolved to raise no objection.

104/26 – Business Plan

The Council will return to this subject at its next meeting after further discussions between the Clerk and Cllr Plant.

105/26 – Tree Survey

The Council discussed the arboriculturist report on the Village Green sycamore which had made several safety recommendations . The Council asked the Clerk to obtain estimates and the Council will publicise the works locally when they are scheduled.

106/26 – Highways

Cllrs Plant and Parry will install the SID on Peel Lane as soon as convenient. Cllr Pear has had one quote of £60 per meter to replace and fit sections of Cheshire Railing across the parishes that are in need of repair, and is waiting for a second. Given some uncertainty around ownership – private individuals or Cheshire East Highways – the Council will return to this subject at a later date. Meanwhile Cllr Sutton will contact local community groups to see if they could do the works if they go ahead.

107/26 – Defibrillator

Cllr Pear and the Clerk have been researching costs of a cabinet for the replacement defib unit. Cllr Pear will bring more information to the next meeting and the Council resolved to purchase a cabinet that is compatible with the defib that the Council has already purchased – in the region of £400 plus VAT – and to set aside £350 for connection to the power supply, but will review this if necessary.

108/26 – Cheshire East Local Plan

The Council discussed the consultation on the new Local Plan and decided that Councillors should respond individually if they want to, rather than reporting with a Council position.

109/26 – Common Land

Chair J Critchlow reported on the recent site visit with the Congleton Town Council Ranger and Streetscape. It was a productive meeting and the Ranger, Andy Stubbs was impressed by the diversity of wildlife. More needs to be done of course such as removing nettle roots and removing comfrey from the paths. The beech tree will be relocated and the sycamore removed as the trees are becoming a little crowded. Streetscape will provide some costings for a mix of bulbs and additional works such as strimming and topping the hedge etc., as well as some costings for a longer term maintenance plan. Once received, the Council will approach local organisations that may be able to support the works with grants.

110/26 – Chairman and Members’ reports

Cllr Pear had investigated the cost of purchasing more daffodil bulbs, receiving a quote for a 20kg sack at £55.99, and will seek additional estimates. Cllr P Critchlow suggested a daffodil planting session in October, the precise date to be decided at the next meeting. Cllr Sutton reported that she had had a stretch of the verges on the A34 mown. Cllr Plant reported that the planning application for a cattery by the Brownlow Crossroads, which the Council had objected to, had been refused.

111/26 – Clerk’s Report

The Clerk has been in touch with Cheshire East Council about refilling the grit bin by the Church steps. The Council discussed alternative arrangements for printing and distributing the Newsletter and resolved to ask The Leaflet Company to go ahead on the basis of their quote. While the printing costs between the three companies approached were similar, the other two companies could not undertake the distribution.

The meeting ended at 2035 hrs.

Annex 1 – Accounts

Bank Balance as of 01 August 2026: £17,546.11

Of which:

·      £976.06 – unspent NCIL from April 2025

Received since 01 July:

·      £Nil

Payments to approve:

·      £None

Payments to note since 01 July

·      £69.12 – TCS Management, payroll services

·      £43.45 – NEST, Clerk Pension

·      £572.31 – HMRC, PAYE

·      £497.48 – Clerk Salary