EN21/035 PRESENT
Councillors McCulloch, Abel, Beswick, Power and Robertson.
A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
EN21/036 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs Dalzell, Houghton and Gardiner (personal business)
EN21/037 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Power declared a personal interest in EN21/042 as a member of the British Beekeepers Association. Cllr McCulloch declared a personal interest in EN21/042 as a member of Friends of the Heath.
EN21/038 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to speak.
EN21/039 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15th November 2021.
EN21/040 REVIEW OF YEAR-TO-DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
The year-to-date income and expenditure was noted.
EN21/041 NATURE ACTION PLAN
The Town Clerk provided an overview of progress in delivery of the plan since the previous meeting noting in particular the recent whip planting at Ashworth Park, Manor Crescent and Dog Wood.
Cllr Robertson arrived.
The idea of a tree nursery or community tree swap was raised.
EN21/042 MEMORIAL FOR FORMER COUNCILLOR BARBARA HAMILTON COAN
It was RESOLVED to instal a memorial bench in the Library Gardens in memory of former councillor and Town Mayor Cllr Barbara Hamilton Coan.
EN21/043 COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT 2021
It was RESOLVED to undertake a trial of no herbicide spraying in 2022 across the whole town and that this be under continual review by the committee.
Cllr Power left the meeting.
It was RESOLVED to approve the committee’s action plan subject to the amendment regarding herbicide use.
EN21/044 LOCAL HIGHWAYS ISSUES
It was agreed to write to Cheshire East Council concerning the poor condition of pavements on Legh Road.
It was agreed to request that Cheshire East ward members consider parking restrictions on Mereheath Park being implemented using their local ward budget.
It was noted that the cars parking on Manchester Road were not in contravention of any parking regulations but that the Police could take action if on an occasion it constitutes obstruction.
EN21/045 MAINTENANCE LOG
The log was noted.
EN21/046 OUSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted.
EN21/047 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk responded to questions advising that the cutting back of shrubbery in the Library Garden had been raised with Cheshire East Council; that costs had been obtained for removing stumps on Mereheath Lane; that the renovation of benches on the Moor may be progressed through the CEC Welcome Back funding and that the memorial bench in the council office grounds could be relocated and that he would speak with Cllr Nicholson concerning this.
The suggestion of removing or relocating the fir tree at the council offices was raised with the majority of members present considering it should remain in situ.
EN21/048 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 4th April 2022 at 7:30pm