Westminster Park Residents Association

WESTMINSTER PARK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Committee meeting held on 14th April 2021 on Zoom

MINUTES

Present: Jennifer Crew, Colin Dollimore, Sue Britton, Penny White, Brian Westcott, Olwen Bellis, Richard Short, Pauline Brown

Apologies: Dave Craggs, Susan Eva, Annemarie Macfadyen, Tracey Casey, Karen Liddle, Tim Freeman-Dean.

Carina Edwards has left the committee.

1. Minutes: the minutes of the last meeting held on 3 February 2021 were agreed as a true record by those who attended.

2. Treasurer’s Report: Sue had circulated a report on expenditure Jan-Mar 2021 and discussed possible future expenditure.

3. Membership: Colin reported that we now have 437 members of WPRA but there are still people who could join/pay. There are new members on Lache Lane as well as Lache Park Avenue and Kings Moat, both new areas. We will continue to encourage residents to become members.

4. Events: AGM – to be held on Zoom.

5. Kings Moat: Brian has contacted Ian Jones and had some answers to outstanding questions:
There is no change at present with build rate, this depends on rate houses are sold.
Progress on foul drainage is continuing to complete this summer though Welsh Water is not being co-operative.
Surface water – 2 tanks will be installed this summer.
Highway connections – Heronsway North complete soon. Kings School completed this summer. The Park and Ride roundabout will commence this summer with completion in 2022.
Site works are now starting at 7.30am and not 8am.
Some residents have been concerned that a fenced off area at the back of Rowcliffe Avenue/Five Ashes Road would be used as a footpath, but Brian explained that this is newt fencing and that gardens will eventually back on to gardens.

Clifford Drive, Blacon housing plans on a flood plain have been approved. This has implications for Decoy Farm/Donkey Sanctuary land part of which is also a flood plain.

6. Winkwell Drive: Our objections have gone in to CWAC and been acknowledged.
Lots of comments relate to the fact that it is a Local wildlife site and should not be built on. There are differences of opinion about access. The builders’ investigations are continuing.

7. CRAG: There is a lot going on in the city. There are 17 residents’ associations involved with CRAG, 15 of which are paying members. There are city wide concerns from WP that can be pursued through CRAG, eg the litter problem and bins not being emptied.
The committee agreed that we will pay the £25 annual fee which will need to be ratified at the AGM.

8. Newsletter/media: We have 1200 members on our FB page. Newsletter copy date mid May.

9. Evergreen: still suspended.

10. Gardening Club: also still suspended, however plant swap area is now open.

11. AOB: 2021 Great British Spring Clean 28 May – 13 June, shall we coordinate with that? We can ask Coop Community champion Linda Hesketh. CWAC Love Your Streets is due to be relaunched needing a Your Streets champion, should we advertise for someone to take up this role? Some pathways and roads have a lot of weeds in them. Litter bins need emptying more frequently. People can look after their own streets; many individuals and Chester Wombles are already doing a great job. We can promote this generally and raise at AGM, but maybe it doesn’t need to be ‘organised’.
Sherbourne Avenue play area was left in appalling state after the roads were surfaced and has been raised with Councillors.
There was talk of obtaining a red telephone box for £1 and using it as a book swap and home for another defibrillator. The defibrillator in the Community Centre is available 7.00-23.00 for emergency use and out of these hours anyone would call 999. We could offer to share the maintenance costs with the Community Association. Theirs has not been used once. We do not plan to take this any further.
There is no reason we should get involved in changes at 65 Lache Lane.

These proposed changes to the Constitution will be discussed at the AGM tonight on Zoom. To receive the link to take part in the AGM please email sec@wp-ra.org.uk

Proposed Changes to constitution 28.4.21
Existing item 2:
2. AREA OF BENEFIT
The area of benefit for the Residents Association is that area known as Westminster Park in the local government district of the City of Chester, being defined as follows:
All of that area bounded by Green Lane (from Lache Lane to Circular Drive), Circular Drive, Lache Lane, Wrexham Road and a line drawn from the southernmost Herons Way roundabout on the Wrexham Road back to the junction of Green Lane and Lache Lane.

Proposed amended item 2:
2. AREA OF BENEFIT
The area of benefit for the Residents Association is that area known as Westminster Park in the local government district of the City of Chester, being defined as follows:
All of that area bounded by Green Lane (from Lache Lane to Circular Drive), Circular Drive, Lache Lane, Cranford Court, Lache Park Avenue and surrounding streets, Wrexham Road and a line drawn from the southernmost Herons Way roundabout on the Wrexham Road back to the junction of Green Lane and Lache Lane.

Existing item 7a:
7. GENERAL MEETINGS OF THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
a. Annual General Meetings
Once in each calendar year an Annual General Meeting of the Residents Association shall be held at such time and place as the General Committee shall determine, being not more than fifteen calendar months after the adoption of this constitution and thereafter not more than fifteen calendar months after the holding of the previous Annual. General Meeting. At least 21 clear days’ notice shall be posted in conspicuous places in the area of benefit and advertised by any other means that the General Committee may deem appropriate.
Proposed amended item 7a:
7. GENERAL MEETINGS OF THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
a. Annual General Meetings
Once in each calendar year an Annual General Meeting of the Residents Association shall be held at such time and place as the General Committee shall determine (including digitally), being not more than fifteen calendar months after the adoption of this constitution and thereafter not more than fifteen calendar months after the holding of the previous Annual. General Meeting. At least 21 clear days’ notice shall be posted in conspicuous places in the area of benefit and advertised by any other means that the General Committee may deem appropriate.

All members of Westminster Park Residents’ Association are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 28 April 2021 at 8pm on Zoom.

The AGM is to be held to report on the Association’s activities in the past year and elect Committee Officers and members.

To ensure social distancing, our AGM will be held on Zoom again this year. In order to allow as many members as possible to participate, we are providing a couple of ways to join in:

• Members can submit questions in advance of the meeting.
• Members can use the Chat facility on Zoom to ask questions during the meeting.
• Members can vote by a show of hands

Please contact Penny White, Hon Secretary by email: sec@wp-ra.org.uk or in writing, c/o S J Bebbington, Butcher, 53 Five Ashes Road in advance so that we can send you the Zoom link.

Please also send a note to Penny of matters for discussion or questions any time up until the meeting.

This meeting will use the free Zoom conferencing system which can be downloaded from https://zoom.us/

Now in our Centenary Year people still ask us ‘What is a Soroptimist?’

We are members of a global organisation who work to improve the lives of women and girls, both at home and abroad.

If you would like to enjoy fun and friendship, whilst addressing some of these issues then why not come and meet members of the Chester Club at our forthcoming Open Evening on Monday, 17th May at 7.30pm?  The meeting will be held via Zoom and for details please email us at: SoroptimistsinChester@gmail.com

Not able to make it on the 17^th May?   Then come along to any of our regular meetings held at 7.30pm on the second Monday of every month – excluding April as this is our AGM.

We look forward to hearing from you.

This April Chester city centre welcomes you with outside dining, retail openings, free family fun and much more

Whether you’re patiently waiting to hit the shops, trim your locks and dine outside on 12th April, or you’re trying to figure out how to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays, Chester city centre has something for everyone.

Easter is nearly upon us but it’s not too late to order in and avoid cooking this weekend. The brilliant restaurants of Chester have once again put together delicious menus to suit all tastes.

Use our handy Food & Drink To Go list to place orders ASAP. Selected restaurants have also done special Easter offerings including Old Dukes, Joseph Benjamin, Covino (last orders 5pm tonight!) and Exotic Booze Club but act fast to avoid disappointment!

Free, Outdoor, Contactless family friendly fun with Mr. Finniebaker’s Easter Factory Trail…
Join us for a super family day out in Chester city centre this Easter!

10 of the Easter Bunny’s woodland co-workers have been spotted in these parts and it’s your job to find them! Families in Chester are invited to take part in this fantastic, free trail. Learn the names and stories of all 10 characters and then create your own, free e-book with the selfies you’ve taken along the way creating part of the story. Learn more…


Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre 2021

Pop the prosecco and celebrate coming together in Chester with an extra-long summer of joyful theatre from Storyhouse. 🎭 Members Priority Booking is open now! 🎟️🎟️🎟️ until Easter Monday (5 April) 🐣 Learn more…

Chester BID launches a week-long spring clean effort in anticipation of city’s re-opening

‘Chester city centre is being spruced up prior to re-opening thanks to the efforts of the city’s Business Improvement District, Chester BID who are set to clean hundreds of metres of the city. Read more here…

Updated list of where you can eat and meet in Chester city centre from 12th April

The journey along the road map to lockdown restrictions easing can be confusing. To help you navigate how you can meet to eat in Chester city centre’s hospitality establishments, we’ve put together a list of where you can book a table for your first sit down shenanigans. Read more here…

DON’T FORGET!

You can still see all the ways you can access the city in person or remotely for Food, Drink, Shopping, Essentials and Everything Else on our website here: https://experiencechester.co.uk/chestertogether/

JOIN the #ChesterTogether Facebook Group to show your support for our high street and SHARE with your friends to spread the word using #ChesterTogether.

Stay updated and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

New collection points for COVID-19 home testing kits
Home COVID-19 testing kits are available to collect at sites across Cheshire West and Chester.

Kits can be picked up from Cheshire West and Chester Council no-symptoms testing centres and a number of libraries across the borough.

The home testing kits are currently available for people who live with or share a bubble with children or staff who attend nursery, school or college.

The new Community Collect points include:

COVID-19 no symptoms testing centre at Stanney Oaks Leisure Centre, in Ellesmere Port, from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays
COVID-19 no symptoms testing centre at Winsford Lifestyle Centre, in Winsford, from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays
COVID-19 no symptoms testing centre at Chester Cathedral, (once opened from 7 April) 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays
Northwich Library, in Witton Street, from 10am to 1pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Neston Library, in Parkgate Road, from 10am to 1pm on Mondays and Saturdays and from 2pm to 5pm on Thursdays
Frodsham Library, in Princeway, from 2pm to 5pm on Mondays and from 10am to 1pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Residents can also collect home testing kits from the Mobile Library Van in the following locations:

Tarporley Community Centre, from 2pm to 4pm on Mondays
Malpas – Bishop Heber High School car park from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesdays
Tattenhall Barbour Institute from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesdays
Tarvin Community Centre, from 2pm to 4pm on Thursdays
Currently, home test kits are still available at the existing collection points at the borough’s five Local Testing Sites, including:

Little Roodee Testing Centre, in Chester
Queensway Testing Centre, in Winsford
Sealand Road Park and Ride Testing Centre, in Chester
The Old Depot Testing Centre, in Northwich
Wellington Road Testing Centre, in Ellesmere Port.
At present, the Local Testing Sites are open from 2.30pm to 8pm to pick up tests, but this is subject to change. To check the opening times of the Local Testing Sites visit: find-covid-19-rapid-test-sites.maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk.

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “One in three people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms and could be spreading the virus without knowing it.

“As restrictions gradually start to ease it becomes even more important for us all to take advantage of these free home testing kits so that we can test ourselves regularly for peace of mind and stop the spread of Coronavirus.”

If you receive a positive result from a home testing kit you will need to book a confirmatory test at one of the five Local Testing Sites by visiting: nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling: 119. You only need to self-isolate if you test positive with the confirmatory test.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, including a cough that will not stop, a high temperature or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste you must self-isolate immediately and book a test by visiting: nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling: 119.

The Council also advises residents to book a test as a precaution if you have other symptoms that may be related to COVID-19.

These can include shortness of breath, muscle or body aches, fatigue, sore throat, headache, nasal congestion or runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting. However, it is important to remember that these are very common symptoms, and most people who have these symptoms will not have COVID-19.

Book a test by visiting: nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling: 119. When booking choose the option that the local council has asked you to get a test. If you only have these wider symptoms, you do not need to self-isolate unless you test positive for COVID-19.

For more information visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on COVID-19 testing.

WPRA has submitted objections to the plans lodged with the Council for a development on the field – a Local Wildlife Site – at the back of Winkwell Drive, Lower Field Road and Lache Lane.

This site, which is designated by the Council as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS), is a precious area of green space which acts as a wildlife corridor running through our estate and as such should not be built on.  The plans submitted by Blueoak Estates have many flaws and raise further worries about flooding if this soak away area is built on.

The plans can be viewed on the Council’s website – application number 20/04861/FUL – and comments can still be submitted up until the plans come before the Council’s Planning Committee meeting.

Download (PDF, 1.77MB)

Download (PDF, 918KB)

What, where, when and how can I meet and eat in Chester city centre?
With four weeks to go until the hopefully definitely maybe physical reopening of our hospitality establishments on 12th April, we’ve been getting lots of enquiries from you eager beavers as per where you can book a table for your first sit down shenanigans.

The journey along the road map to lockdown restrictions easing can be confusing. To help you navigate how you can meet to eat in Chester city centre’s hospitality establishments, we’ve put together a list of where you can book a table for your first sit down shenanigans.

ACCEPTING WALK-INS FROM APRIL 12

Commonhall Social – both Commonhall street location and the finishing post at Chester Racecourse
Church Bar & Restaurant open 12-12 including new terrace bar
Off the Wall
BOOKING ADVISED

Restaurant 1539
The White Horse
Ristorante Sergio’s
Bollinici
Opera Grill
The Coach House
Pied Bull
Architect
CONFIRMED OPENING, BUT NOT YET TAKING BOOKINGS

Ye Olde Custom House
Beer Heroes
FRIDAY 16th APRIL

Oddfellows
TAKING BOOKINGS FOR MAY 17th ONWARDS

The Chester Grosvenor Hotel
Palm Cocktail Bar & Eatery
The Botanist
Chez Jules
It goes without saying that this a preliminary list, subject to change, that we look forward to regularly updating once the whole gang are back together.

BOOKMARK THIS PAGE https://experiencechester.co.uk/the-countdown-is-on/ and follow our @ChesterBID socials on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to make sure you don’t miss any updates or tips on how to book.

Free PPE for extra resident unpaid carers in Cheshire
Unpaid carers across Cheshire, who do not live with the person they care for, can now get free personal protective equipment (PPE).
Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in partnership with Cheshire West Carers Support Service, Vivo Carers Choices, and Cheshire Carers Hub are providing free PPE for all unpaid carers, who do not live in the same household as the person they are caring for.
An unpaid carer can be anyone, of any age, who cares, unpaid for a friend or family member, who due to a condition, illness, disability or addiction, cannot cope without their support.
To facilitate the distribution PPE hubs have been established in Northwich, Winsford, Ellesmere Port, Winsford and various contact points within Cheshire East.
Hubs will operate on an order and collect service, which will mean that extra resident carers are able to contact Cheshire West Carers Support Service, and Cheshire Carers Hub if you live in Cheshire East, by telephone or email to arrange to pick up a preprepared PPE pack containing masks, gloves, aprons and hand sanitiser.
For those living in Cheshire West and Chester collection from Cheshire West Carers Trust is available from the following hubs:
• Northwich – Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust office, 146 London Rd CW9 5HH Monday to Thursday 10.00 – 16.00
• Chester – Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust office, The Bluecoat building, CH1 4EE Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10.00 – 14.00
Starting 15 March 2021 the following hubs will be also be open for collection and distribution:
• Ellesmere Port – Coronation Centre, Coronation Road, CH65 9AB, days and times to be confirmed
• Winsford – Meadow Bank Lodge 12 Green Lane, CW7 2BP, days and times to be confirmed
Contact Cheshire West Carers Support to arrange a collection:
• 0300 102 0008
• advice@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org
For those living in Cheshire East can be arranged via Cheshire Carers Hub, who will direct carers to their nearest collection point:
• 0300 123 5035
All collections are via prebooked appointments only and all social distancing guidelines must be followed.
For those carers who are unable to physically travel to any of the distribution hubs a limited delivery service will also operate.
Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “It is great news that our unpaid extra resident carers are being offered this additional layer of protection free of charge to keep both themselves, and the people they provide such vital services for, safe.
“Our unpaid carers continue to do an amazing job of providing vital care services in the face of very real challenges brought on by this pandemic.”
Councillor Laura Jeuda, Cheshire East Council’s portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health said: “This is very welcome news and will help to keep extra-resident carers safe whilst they undertake such a commendable role.
“This will also protect the residents themselves, many of whom are extremely vulnerable so need all the levels of defence possible from the deadly COVID-19 virus.”
It is not currently recommended that you wear PPE when caring for someone you live with unless advised to by a healthcare professional.