Borough Councillor’s Report - Cllr Houlbrook 16.01.23
Gamekeeper Planning Approval
It’s great to start 2023 with some good news and that is the approval of the planning application for the old Gamekeeper site on Newhall Road. It has been a long haul and our community has been extremely patient over the years despite the mess and at times the dangerous state of the site. I’m sure we all look forward to the eco friendly apartments. However I have been made aware that there are questions from some residents about the 106 money contributions. I have asked the case officer for a full explanation of how the allocations were decided.
Policing - have your say
There is still time for Upton residents to have their say on policing in Upton area. Residents can provide feedback by filling in a short survey which can be found on :
https://orlo.uk/A36kq
Countess Planning Application
There has been another revised planning application for the Countess Of Chester Hospital. I have been informed that the application is due to be decided at planning on 8th February but that was before the latest outline application was issued. For anyone wanting to make a comment this is the reference 22/03028/OUT
Road Surface Issues
The recent and continuing wet weather and cold spells are playing havoc with the road surfaces and the number of potholes and areas affected by flooding are increasing. I do report them as soon as I see them and I do encourage our community members to do the same. Reporting is easy using either the CWaC website, follow ‘report it’ or the App which can be quickly downloaded to a mobile phone. In particular there are deep holes on Upton Drive, A41 and Wealstone Lane. I have asked that these are attended to quickly and the highways engineer has assured me the contractors have been advised they are urgent.
As there are so many flooded areas I have asked highways to let me have the 2023 schedule for clearing gullies and drains in Upton and I will share this once its been received.
It was gratifying to see the leaves being cleared from along Upton Lane. However the surface of the carriageway is in a shocking state and I noticed the number 1 bus has to pull out over the central white line to avoid the overgrowth on the bank opposite Demage Lane.
The bank is privately owned but have reported both these concerns.
Bus Routes Restored
I am pleased to report that following pressure from residents and councillors Stagecoach has reviewed their changes to the No 51 and 53 buses and restored the previous routes. However it was disappointing that neither CWaC nor Stagecoach chose to inform me at the same time as other councillors received the information. I really should not need to find out such important news from social media.
Waste Bin Feedback
Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about the waste service bins. I passed comments and ideas on to the CWaC team. I received the reply below and I encourage residents to keep information coming.
‘CWR should return containers to from where they have been collected. If presented at the curtilage, they will be returned to that point. We do ask residents to present at the curtilage/front of property unless on assisted service where the crews will return containers within the grounds where they have been collected from.
It would help to have better knowledge such are streets and if containers are being left out longer than the day after collection is made.
Please let me know if you do gain more information and we can check too.’
Old Youth Club
The old youth club building is still a blight on our landscape. The community meeting will go ahead, the delay is simply finding a suitable mutually agreeable date when the pavilion is free. Darren has been working hard drumming up more business so more evenings are now booked out.
Speed Watch Group
A representative of the community speed watch group and I had a meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner last week. We also attended a site meeting at the Bache. Both were useful and productive and Councillor Jenkins has shared details with the community.
Kind regards
Jill
