Parish Council Decide – Meeting report

What suspense!

Approximately 30 local residents attended the Parish Council meeting last evening to hear the debate within the Council on acquiring the Cheshire East assets within the village, namely the Playing field, Children's play area, Tennis courts and Car Park.

Councillor Down was only able to join the meeting at 8.15pm so this debate was held over until she could be present. Meanwhile other Council business continued.

A brief public forum heard a strong appeal from Mr Ralph Warburton for the Council to take steps to acquire the assets and to consider a Charity Trust to manage the operations.

Supportive statements were made by Messrs. Plume, Cottrell, and Hall who particularly wanted to point out that the future is unpredictable and the assets would be much better in village control. However Peter Morgan urged caution until the requirements for liability insurance and financial comitments for the council and/or a Trust were fully understood.

When the Parish Council debate was underway, most councillors expressed support for acquisition, but were concerned to understand better the council liabilities and financial commitments.

Cheshire East councillor, Rachel Bailey, made important points:

• Cheshire East was formed by splitting Cheshire and amalgamating budgets from several borough councils. Obtaining detailed historical data was therefore, probably unrealistic.
• A decision to agree in Principle subject to further investigation has no implications until the bottom line is signed.
• closing the door at this stage would probably mean the opportunity would be lost since it would not be possible to reopen.

Councillor Johnson expressed the view that this was an excellent opportunity and there was a surge of interest from residents and that concerns should be fully considered but not prevent the council proceeding. Councillor Hill suggested setting up a Trust or sub Committee to propose a way forward in the areas of concern and that it had taken too long for the council to reach this position.

Councillor Geoff Seddon, however,expressed the view that the council should not proceed until more facts were available.

A vote was taken on the proposal:
"The Council agrees to the taking over of the assets in principle subject to further due diligence"
There was strong support in the vote with one abstention and one absentee.

No public discussion on a Management Charity Trust occurred

A report on the remaining business of the meeting will be available tomorrow

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