City Councillor John Boughton.
The Parish Council was greatly saddened to learn of the sudden death of City Cllr John Boughton. Cllr Boughton was elected as a Parish Councillor for Guilden Sutton in May 1979 and served until he resigned in October 1988 when he moved to Edinburgh. He was Chairman for 12 months from May 1983 and again for 12 months from May 1986. He became one of the two city councillors for Christleton ward, which includes Guilden Sutton, in May 1995. At its January meeting, the Council stood in appreciation of the work John had done as a City and Parish Councillor and as a mark of respect.

Parish Council budget.
Details of the Parish Council’s budget for 2007/08 appear inside. The precept, which is paid by council tax payers in Guilden Sutton, will rise by 5% from £12,000 to £12,600 after no increase in 2006/07. This is equivalent to about £1.65 a month for an average Band D property. The overall budget has been set at £17,619.

Parish Council Christmas Lights Competition.
The competition was hotly contested, with many excellent displays both on the main routes through and Oaklands and its cul-de-sacs particularly. Special mention should be made of Summerfield House, Messrs Gresty at Wood Farm and all previous winners for their continued brilliance.
A shortlist was drawn up including properties in Porters Croft and Orchard Croft and the independent person from outside the village chose 8 Orchard Croft in a very close run contest.
The lights certainly make the village pretty in the dark winter days, which is appreciated even more when you drive round other parts of Chester that don’t make the same effort. Well done to all with lights this year and better luck next year.

                                                                                                     Trish Paterson.

Membership of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils brings free legal advice, training opportunities and other services.

A City Council grant is obtained towards part of the costs of the lengthsman who carries out a weekly litter pick of areas such as the playing field on Guilden Sutton Lane, the dell,  the children’s play area and surrounds, the village hall and surrounds and the parish car park on Church Lane.

Provision has been made for increased costs of grounds maintenance, following a change in contractor and for increased lengthsman work due to the amount of litter being reported.

Training for councillors may be needed as the Council has three new councillors and elections are also due in May. The Clerk is working for a qualification which will be necessary if the Council is to seek Quality Status.

The Parish Council’s accounts are audited annually by the appointed auditors, UHY Hacker Young of St John’s Chambers, Love Street, Chester.

* Twice in recent years, the Council has obtained grants approaching or exceeding the value of the precept paid by council tax payers in the parish. *

What you pay for policing.
At the most recent Chester Police Forum, held in Mickle Trafford, the chairman of the Cheshire Police Authority, Peter Nurse, gave an interesting report on the budget available to the police. This said:

Have your say - Police Forums help the Authority seek your views on a wide range of issues and provide us with a chance to report to you on the important work of policing in Cheshire. 

Crime falling - Over the last year, crime in Cheshire has fallen by 6%, with significant reductions in burglary, car crime and violent crime.  The number of crimes being detected is also increasing, with over 26% of all crimes being detected.

Good value - Our budget is currently £150 million, which equates to just £3 per week per resident. Just over a quarter of our funding comes directly from you by way of your local Council Tax.  If you live in a Band D property, you currently pay £108 per year towards policing - that’s £2.08 a week. The average amount for forces defined by the Home Office to be most similar to Cheshire is £134.

This difference of £26 represents good value for Cheshire tax payers but means that the Force has about £9.5 million  less   funding  available  which clearly means we cannot do all we would like to meet the public need.

Government funding - The recent announcement that the grant from Government would increase by 3.6% was welcome as it will at least cover inflationary costs.  Unfortunately, it does not provide for any investment in improved services which we will have to find by making nearly £700,000 in savings. 

Workforce modernisation - We are now developing a strategy which will modernise our workforce.  We know you want to see a visible presence on your streets.  We know that you want to live in a safe environment, and we know that you want us to tackle local issues such as anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.  That is why we are now starting to develop a three year strategy that will enable us to put in place a more effective mix of police officers and police staff. 

More effective use of resources - Over the last 20 years the Authority has civilianised 296 police posts from a range of functions. This has provided a more appropriate mix of staff, bringing in specialised professionals to deal with business processes rather than police officers.  This enables us to make the most effective use of police officers directly on the front line tackling all levels of crime and anti-social behaviour and means we have low administrative overheads.  We have now identified a further 163 posts to civilianise, 39 of which will be in 2007/08, with a potential saving of over £2½m.  Over the coming years, we will be working with both you and the Government to see how best we can bring about these changes.

Committed to local policing - The Authority continues to be committed to neighbourhood policing and maintaining the level of officers allocated to those roles and we know you are too. Many parishes and partners have responded by offering to part fund a number of Police Community Support Officers.  By April, there will be 237 PCSOs patrolling the streets of Cheshire.

End to capping restrictions - We will be calling on the Government to relax the current Council Tax capping restrictions on how much can be raised through local taxation to try and address this funding gap.  We realise that increases in council tax are unpopular, but sometimes it is necessary if we are to maintain and improve policing services to the public.

How much will it be?  If we increase the council tax by 5%, the maximum amount allowed this year, as a Band D property dweller, you will pay 10p more per week per household for policing (see table below). This will still require us to make savings of £700,000, whilst still being one of the lowest locally funded forces in the country.

Continued improvements – A 5% increase will enable us to maintain the current service whilst avoiding significant cuts.  Last year, we took steps to strengthen policing in serious crime and terrorism, financing 29 officers from our budget reserves.  This year, these officers will be paid for from the budget, funded through the council tax and Government grant.

Improving the service – Investments will also be made in a number of important areas such as witness and victim care and improved customer service. We will work towards achieving a more effective mix of skills in our 4,000 staff which will continue to give good value, lead to further improved performance, whilst delivering increasingly effective local and accessible policing, supported by a modern infrastructure. 

Thank you for your support - In the longer term your support for more investment in policing backed by clear evidence of where it would be invested is likely to be needed to meet growing challenges and expectations for a secure and safe community.

What neighbouring authorities charge local tax payers for policing. (Based on Band D properties)

Cheshire £108, Derbyshire £135 (+ £27), Gtr Manchester £111 (+ £3), Merseyside£121 (+ £13), North Wales £167 (+ £59), Staffordshire £153 (+ £45), West Mercia £150 (+ £42)

Peter Nurse, Chairman, Cheshire Police Authority
 

PC Mal Baker.
PC Baker says he would welcome an opportunity to speak to any members of the community about issues which concern them. He can be contacted through 0845 458 6394 or people can call in at Mickle Trafford Police Station next to the primary school.

Speed matters.
Parish councillors were disappointed to learn that an analysis of the information provided by the City Council following sessions in the village with the `Smiley Sid’ speed indicator device showed that 54% of the 1,300 movements recorded exceeded the speed limit and that 11% exceeded 40 mph.  The maximum speed recorded was 55 mph.   The information recorded by the equipment has been forwarded to the police and to the highway authority.   The Council has asked that it should be taken into account in the review of the speed limit on Guilden Sutton Lane which is in progress.

 A number of councillors have received training in the use of radar speed equipment which has been successfully deployed on the A56 in Mickle Trafford. This can trigger police action if an offending vehicle, the registration details of which have been noted, is found by the police to be exceeding a speed limit on future occasions.

 A41/Guilden Sutton Lane junction
As a result of the Parish Council’s representations to the highways and transportation local joint committee, comprising county councillors, including our own Cllr John Burke, and city councillors, on hazards at the Guilden Sutton Lane junction with the A41, particularly those caused when a second vehicle attempts to join one already waiting in the central reservation, officers have been instructed to investigate.
The Parish Council has called for a 50mph limit on the A41 to reduce the hazards, the replacement of the former `SLOW’ markings at the approach from Green Lane, traffic signals to prevent tailgating across to the central reservation and for the street lighting to be extended from Hoole roundabout.

Green Lane.
As regular readers will know, parish councillors objected to a proposal by the County Council to redesignate the status of the green lane, as did a number of residents. The Council subsequently presented arguments against the County Council’s case at a public inquiry.
An order has finally been confirmed, designating the route as a restricted byway on which no mechanically propelled vehicles will be permitted, other than those used by adjoining landowners who may wish to use the path to reach their land.
The new status of the path is in line with the Council’s aspirations for the route. The County Council’s countryside access manager has previously given an assurance that in the event of any change, the minimum amount of work would be carried out to make the route suitable for those entitled to use it with the aim of retaining its rural character.

Mobile phone mast
The 37.5m high T Mobile mast on land at Tile Farm, Wicker Lane was intended to clear nearby trees by no more than was necessary. Following the erection of the mast, it became apparent that the height of the trees had been significantly over estimated and the actual height did not correspond with the application which had been approved by the planning authority which is Chester City Council.
Agreement has now been reached that the height will be reduced by five metres but the Parish Council, which objected to the application on Green Belt grounds, understands more antennas may be fitted. Councillors have asked to be kept informed whether or not a new application is required.

Unroadworthy vehicles.
If you have an un-roadworthy vehicle you want to dispose of safely, ring 01244 402477. Some restrictions apply and proof of ownership may be required.

Abandoned vehicles.
To get abandoned vehicles removed ring 01244 402477 or email callcentre@chester.gov.uk

Free home fire safety checks. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service reminds us that free home fire safety checks, smoke alarms and special vibrating and illuminated smoke alarms for people who are hearing impaired are available by calling the free phone number 0800 389 0053.

Special collections.
Every household in Chester District is entitled to one free special collection of rubbish a year.  To get rid of large unwanted items, such as furniture etc. that can get dumped and cause a hazard, ring 01244 402477.

Anti social behaviour.
The City Council's number for reporting anti social behaviour such a rubbish dumping and graffiti is 01244 402477.

Vehicle fires.
If you have any information about vehicle fires or any other crime, ring community safety officers on 01244 616183 or make a free, confidential call to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Street light out?
Phone the Guilden Sutton highways depot on 01244 603475 with the road name and column number.

 Information.  The Council's e mail address is info@guildensutton.org.uk and its web site is at www.guildensutton.org.uk
 

Future meetings:  Future meetings of the Council are due to be held in the Village Hall on Mondays 5 March, 16 April, 14 May, 18 June, 23 July, 3 September, 1 October, 12 November and 17 December, 2007.
All meetings are preceded by public speaking time and residents are welcome to attend and address the Council.

Contact Councillors Bob Armitage 300528, Ron Bayton 301286, Imogen Brown 300812, Cathy Carter 303101, Danny Fisher 301398, Derek Hughes 300185, Bill Moulton 348473, Trisha Paterson 300307 or the Clerk, David Norbury,

1 Orchard Croft, Guilden Sutton, CHESTER, CH3 7SL, 300783.
Pat Astbury 318276 is the Local Bus User Contact and Brian Lewin 301501 is the Parish Paths Warden. The Parish Tree Wardens are Cllr Ron Bayton 301286 and Mr Alan Young 301558. Cllr Cathy Carter 303101 is the parish recycling champion.