Update - November 2007

Proposed Closure of Little Leigh Post Office.

The Parish Council is sending a letter to the Royal Mail, copied to George Osborne MP and VRBC, challenging the reasons given for the closure of the Post Office. The Royal Mail's assessment can be viewed here (pdf doc), and LLPC believes it contains a number of inaccuracies.

If you have any comments you'd like to make, please email the council at

The closing date for comments is December 17th, but it would help if you could get your comments in as soon as possible.

Update - October 2007

Parish Council Contact Details
The main contact for Little Leigh Parish Council is now:
Ann Brazier
Parish Clerk, Little Leigh Parish Council
Woodlands
Hole House Lane
Little Leigh
Northwich
CW8 4RY

The Parish Council can be emailed at

Statement regarding approval of LLPC 2006/07 Annual Return
In accordance with Regulation 10(6) of the 2006 amendments to the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003, LLPC makes a statement regarding its approval of the 2006/07 Annual Return. The statement is available here (PDF format).

Update - September 2007

Parish Council Meetings
There will be a full meeting of Little Leigh Parish Council on 2nd October 2007 @ 7pm in Little Leigh Village Hall. The agenda is available here.

Kissing Gates
Little Leigh has been allocated up to 5 kissing gates by Cheshire County Council. Discussions with landowners are currently taking place, and expect to see them installed on footpaths in the village soon.

Village Hall Lead Theft
In order to claim on the Parish Council insurance, 2 estimates are needed for the work required to replace the lead. We urgently need a quote from a roofer for the work required.

Although the chimneys and ridgeboxes have been sheeted in polythene as a temporary measure, there is still risk of rain getting in. Please contact Matthew on 891541 if you are able to provide an estimate for the work.

Litter Picking Equipment
The village now has its own litter picking sticks, sacks and gloves etc. If anyone would like to borrow these, either for their walk along the lanes, or for a longer term loan, please contact Bob Screen on 891441.

Roads, Traffic & Village Environment update
Trying to arrange a meeting with Richard Flood of CCC Highways and Norman Wright has been more difficult that you'd ever believe! The good news is that councillors are meeting with Barnton PC to discuss the A533 speed limit and that a public meeting with Norman will be arranged soon.

Village Design Statement
For more info, see the latest edition of Grapevine (PDF format - 160kb)

Roads, Traffic & the Village Environment
The Parish Council have written to VRBC and CCC setting out the priorities for road, traffic, pavements etc with the parish. A full copy of the letter can be downloaded here. (Adobe pdf format)

Little Leigh Village Vacancies.
There are a variety of opportunities to get involved with events and projects within Little Leigh for people with a wide range of skills.

Parish Councillors:
Following the local elections in May, there are vacancies for Parish Councillors.  You don't need any specific qualifications, only to be at least 21 years old and either be on the electoral register for the parish, live within 3 miles of the parish boundary or have your principle place of work within the parish.  Anyone who can bring enthusiasm and a positive attitude in wanting to assist the council in continuing its recent progress will be welcomed.

Parish Clerk:
Little Leigh Parish Council is also inviting applications for Parish Clerk.  This is a salaried position and is to provide part-time administrative support, co-ordination of meetings, distribution of information & financial book-keeping on behalf of Little Leigh Parish Council.  The position is in accordance with the National Agreement for Local Council Clerks, as set out by National Association of Local Councils and Society of Local Council Clerks.  Salary will be dependent on experience, but will be typical for a local council administrative role and pro-rated on the basis of a core hours 2 hours per week. Additional hours will be payable when required, dependent on seasonal fluctuations in workload, and the hours will be reviewed after 6months.

Closing date for applications is 31st July 2007.

Village Assistant:
To keep the village environment tidy, and for simple routine maintenance  there is an opportunity for a Village Assistant.  Tasks will include routine maintenance around village such as tidying verges, and village hall gardening and simple repairs.  2 hours per week, £7.50 per hour.

For more information on any of the above vacancies, or to apply in writing, please contact Cllr Bob Screen,  HR Sub-committee, Little Leigh Parish Council, c/o The Old Parsonage, Church Road, Little Leigh, Northwich CW8 4RR.  01606 891441

Update - May 2007

Little Leigh Parish Council AGM
Notice is given of the Little Leigh Parish Council AGM.

This will be held at Little Leigh Village Hall on Tuesday 15th May at 7pm.

An agenda can be found here

Events and Activities
Last year, in addition to the Big Lottery Fund Awards 4 All grant funding for the major Potato Fest event, many smaller and just as successful events, such as village walks, wine tastings and gardening clubs were held.  For more information on some suggested events and dates, see this link.

Council Tax and the Parish Precept
In setting its precept, the amount included in council tax bills for use by Parish Councils, Little Leigh Parish Council has increased the proportion available for Village grants and support to local groups for such events and activities.

With the number of events and groups asking for the Parish Council's support last year, it made sense to increase this part of the budget.  Although the precept has increased very slightly overall, we've been able to reduce the proportion spent on administration costs.  This means that a greater
proportion of the precept will go towards support for local groups and equipment. 

Local Elections
Local elections for all Parish and Local Councils in Cheshire will be held on May 3rd. It's therefore an good opportunity to consider standing as a Parish Councillor and contributing to the community of Little Leigh.

Many people fear that it brings with it a significant commitment of time, but in reality, other than formal meetings on average every month or so to catch up on progress, a lot is down to how much or little you want to put in.

If you would like to discuss standing as a Parish Councillor, please get in touch with either the Chairman, or any of the other councillors. Nominations need to be in by 4th April, and notices will be on village noticeboards by 27th March.

It's not really like the Vicar of Dibley, really!

More updates soon
Covering progress by the Village Hall Management Committee, the Village Design Statement and Environment sub-commitee, and updates from presentations given at the Annual Parish Meeting.

Little Leigh Parish Council meets on a regular basis throughout the year. Confirmed meetings of the full Parish Council for 2007 are confirmed are:

Other meetings of the Environment, Planning and Festivals sub-committees will occur in addition to these dates.

Little Leigh Parish Councillors are:

The Parish Council can also be contact via email:

Parish Council Information Point
A 'Parish Council Community Information point' has been located in Little Leigh Village Hall by the Parish Council Offices. It provides community application forms, leaflets and information. For example, this poster with information about transport, is located on the noticeboards and in the Village
Hall Post Office foyer.

Little Leigh Parish Council have contributed towards the costs of hosting this website and publish the 'Parish Council Noticeboard' newsletter.

As part of a 'Local Pilot' scheme, Mid-Cheshire News Groups are providing
* Copies of the weekly Northwich Chronicle
* Copies of the Northwich Mail
* Buy/Sell

Parish Council Job Bulletin
There are currently vacancies for several positions in the village. These include Village Warden, Village Hall Cleaner as well as Village Hall Trustees and Parish Councillor positions.

For more details, please contact the Chairman, Matthew Veasey,
on 01606 891541, or email the council