MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 27th October 2010 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs J. Citarella, C.D. Moore, Mrs J.M. O’ Keefe, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
99/10.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs C. Gillard, family commitment and County Councillor, D. Westley.
100/10
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. Sunderland declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 5, Erection of bollards on the canal bank, Spencers Bridge, in that he resides in that specific area.
Cllr. Porter declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 8a in that his wife is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment in respect of village cleaning.
Cllr. Mrs O’ Keefe declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10, Planning, in that she resides close to the Mushroom Farm, Course Lane.
101/10.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 22nd September 2010 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
102/10.
MINUTES of the Special Parish Council Meeting held on 4th October 2010 were agreed and signed as a correct record
103/10.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
List of Properties For Sale/Letting.
The updated statement is attached.
Licensing Act 2003.
The Chairman outlined his views on the consultation document following which, it was RESOLVED to submit a supportive response to W.L.B.C.
Remembrance Sunday, 14th November 2010.
It was agreed that the Chairman would lay the wreath on the War Memorial on behalf of the community.
Councillors were encouraged to attend the 10.30am Service at Christ Church.
Procedure for dealing with a request for a public procession/parade.
It was RESOLVED to note the procedure arrangements, copy attached. These details have been sent to the Church and the Fair Committee for their information regarding future events.
RoSPA Play Area Inspection Report.
Despite requesting RoSPA to inspect the new Play Area, Back Lane, instead of the one off Cobbs Brow Lane, they have in error continued to inspect the latter.
Whilst the Inspector’s Report on the Cobbs Brow Lane site is useful in determining the work required to make the equipment safe in the short term, the Invoice for £83 plus VAT has been cancelled by RoSPA.
RoSPA have agreed to now specially inspect the Back Lane Play Area in the next week or two at the original rate of £83 plus VAT.
Erection of bollards on the canal bank, Spencers Bridge.
A number of communications have been received from residents over this matter and in view of the tone of some of the comments made, a meeting has been arranged with the Borough Council Solicitor to seek her advice.
The Chairman ruled that discussions on this subject be suspended until advice has been received.
104/10.
WORK PLAN UPDATE.
It was RESOLVED that the review of the Values and Visions Statement would be discussed at the 24th November 2010 Parish Council Meeting. Special consideration will be given to the policy on Donations/Grants in view of the difficulties that the current arrangements have created in some cases, leading to the refusal of some worthy causes.
An update was provided on the improvements to the Welcome Pack including the provision of a new wallet and a revised introduction letter. The contents of the pack was also discussed particularly the inclusion of support for local businesses.
It was RESOLVED that an example of the new pack would be presented to the Council at the November Meeting for their approval.
Councillors were asked to check that the contents of the website for which they have a responsibility are accurate or brought up to date, where necessary.
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104/10 (continued).
WORK PLAN UPDATE (continued).
An update on the future of the Play Area off Cobbs Brow Lane was discussed. Cook & Talbot, Solicitors, have undertaken a lot of work on behalf of the Parish Council in determining responsibilities for the boundary fence, flagged path and the Play Area itself. Mrs Cook has been thanked for her help and it was RESOLVED to settle the Invoice and advise her that no further help is required in this connection.
The unsolicited R0SPA Inspector’s Report indicates that some issues require consideration. It was, therefore, RESOLVED to consider the removal of the barbed wire on the back fence, remove the swing seats and make the safety surfacing acceptable. It was also RESOLVED to meet Steve Kent, W.L.B.C. to discuss whether they have any interest in accepting responsibility for the fence and the flag path and them acquiring the adjacent privately owned field.
105/10.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to raise any issues.
Cllr. Pope raised three issues: -
The Meeting was re-convened.
106/10.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
The Chairman, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest left the Chamber at this point, the item being
handed over to the Vice-Chairman, Cllr. Mrs Citarella.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those Accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Request from The Grove for financial support for their Young Peoples Activities Programme 2011.
Cllr. Porter resumed the Chairmanship.
This request does not meet the criteria set in our current policy for Donations/Grants, also there is, at present,
considerable pressure on the financial resources of the Parish Council.
The Activity Programme provided by The Grove attracts young people from the village and, therefore, has the
support of the Council, in principle. It was RESOLVED to advise The Grove of the position and indicate that the
Parish Council would be reviewing their position in due course.
It was RESOLVED that our help in promoting their activities would be followed up at the appropriate time.
c) Annual Return year ending 31st March 2010.
There were no matters which came to the attention of the Auditors that required the issuing of a separate additional
Issues Arising Report. The Audit opinion has now been given and it was RESOLVED to approve and accept the
Annual Return.
d) Japanese Knotweed.
The Borough Council has advised that they have no objection to the Parish Council engaging RM Services to deal
with Japanese Knotweed located on Course Lane. However, there was no offer of a financial contribution and in
view of the current financial constraints and that treating these weeds was not primarily the responsibility of the
Parish Council, it was RESOLVED not to proceed with the treatment at this time.
107/10.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED.
108/10.
PLANNING.
New Application.
8/2010/0908/COU. Land south of Back Lane, retention of change of use of land as equestrian use, timber stable block and paddock.
It has been confirmed that the use of the site is for private not commercial purposes. Concern has been expressed about roadside parking of large vehicles on this minor road, which is used regularly by walkers and runners.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the above comments, which have already been submitted to WLBC due to time constraints.
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108/10 (continued).
PLANNING (continued).
Updates.
Round O Quarry, extension of the period of operation.
A Meeting has been held with the LCC Planning officer in order to clarify the process for input of the latest traffic survey. The applicants have submitted a 70 page Technical Note and our Consultants, England & Lyle, have prepared an excellent response, which has been submitted to LCC.
A Special Edition of Newburgh News has been delivered throughout the village updating residents on the date that LCC will be dealing with the applications and informing them that a Consultant has been engaged to help with the preparation of the Parish Council objections to the proposals.
It was RESOLVED that the following actions should now be progressed: -
It is understood that the site visit will take place on 10th November 2010 and it was RESOLVED to consider how best to provide each member of the Development Control Committee with a summary of the Parish Council objections.
Mushroom Farm, Course Lane, erection of four detached dwellings.
This application has been refused by WLBC.
Chris Cockwill, Consultant acting on behalf of the applicant, has noted that the Parish Council did not object to the application and has expressed a wish to discuss the matter further with us.
It was RESOLVED to arrange a meeting with Mr Cockwill but first, to discuss the provision of housing in Newburgh with a Planning Officer from WLBC.
109/10.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
24th November 2010 at 7.30pm.
It was RESOLVED to invite Tom Canavan, General Manager, Red Apple Community Trust to update the Council on development at the Cobbs Brow Lane site.
Borough Councillor Pope was present.
Meeting finished at 9.10pm.
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