MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday 28th September 2011 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, Mrs J. O’Keefe, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland, C.D. Moore, Mrs M. Turner, Mrs J. Citarella.
Cllr. Porter informed the meeting that Mr B. Howard was still unwell. It was RESOLVED that Cllr. J. Citarella would act as Clerk until the October Council meeting when the situation will be reviewed.
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APOLOGIES were received from Mr B. Howard, Clerk, illness and County Cllr D. Westley, prior engagement.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
Cllr Porter declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 7a in that his wife is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment in respect of village cleaning.
Cllr Sunderland declared a personal interest in item 8, 3 Spencer’s Bridge in that they are close neighbours.
Cllr O’Keefe declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 8, Former Mushroom Farm, in that her property backs on to the site.
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MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 27th July 2011 were agreed and signed as a true record. The amended schedule of Accounts for Payment for June was agreed, signed as a correct record and attached to the June minutes.
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SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
List of Properties For Sale/To Let.
The updated Statement is attached.
Welcome Pack Update
Details of how to become entered on the electoral register and a contact for waste disposal information may be useful to new residents. It was RESOLVED to include these on the Services section of the web site which forms part of the welcome pack.
Play Area, demolition.
The Acting Clerk had held a meeting Ian Yates and the Sports Club President to discuss the work required. A quote for £1980 had been received. £950 had been earmarked and a discussion ensued as to where the balance could be obtained. It was RESOLVED to go ahead with the work as soon as the question of access from the adjoining field had been answered, the balance of the quoted cost to be split between proceeds from the Open Gardens event and reserves. It was further RESOLVED to investigate the possibility of a contribution towards the overall cost of the project from West Lancs Borough Council.
Best Kept Gardens Presentation
The event will be held at the Sports Club on 17th October. Cllrs agreed their contributions to the buffet. It was RESOLVED that funding be agreed for the refreshments and engraving of the prize cups and shield. It was further RESOLVED to review the setting of criteria for the event with the judges before next year’s competition.
Repair of Notice Board
The lock has been replaced but no invoice has yet been received. The quote of £70 to renovate the Board was agreed as too expensive. It was RESOLVED that the Chair contact Mr Beswick to discuss the possibility of him helping with the renovation.
Damage to Grit Bin and Lamp post on the Village Green
Information had been received from County Cllr Westley that the bin will be replaced in the next few weeks. It was RESOLVED that the Acting Clerk follow up the lamp post replacement with LCC officers.
Visit to Farington Waste Facility
Details of the arrangements were discussed and it was RESOLVED that the Acting Clerk pursue a daytime booking for the 24th or 26th October.
Waste Collection Litter Problems
Complaints have been received about litter after collection day. It was RESOLVED to write to WLBC to express residents’ concerns, confirm that we will be featuring this in a future newsletter and asking if they wish to include any message.
Bulb Planting by Cubs
This will take place on 10th October. Appropriate sites which didn’t involve providing planters were agreed – the funding will come from the Open Gardens income. Cllrs Turner and Richardson will accompany the Cubs. It was RESOLVED to develop the Cubs involvement on an annual basis.
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Footpath Claim, update
Cllr Richardson confirmed that, as an objection had been received from the land owner, the matter will be referred to the relevant Secretary of State for judgement. As part of this process the County Council will consult local residents. It was RESOLVED not to re-instate the route on the website until the issue is finally decided.
Sight Problems at Sandy Lane / Course Lane Junction
Several complaints have been received about drivers’ sight problems caused by overgrown bushes on a resident’s property. Some progress has been made in negotiations with the resident and Cllr O’Keefe will continue this until an acceptable resolution is achieved.
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WORK PLAN UPDATE
Values and Visions Statement
Cllr Sunderland gave a verbal update. Cllrs agreed to consider the next update particularly with regard to allocation of tasks and the setting of time scales which will be agreed at the next meeting.
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ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No members of the public were present.
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FINANCE
a) Accounts for Payment
Cllr. Porter left the meeting at this point and handed Chairmanship to Cllr. Mrs Richardson. The Schedule was agreed with the addition of :-
Mr J. Horrobin – grass cutting Play Area September 2011 £30
Flexipress – printing of newsletter £40
Cllr. Porter returned to the meeting and resumed Chairmanship.
The application does not meet the Council’s criteria. However, the event was featured in the last newsletter.
The application meets the Council’s criteria. It was agreed to donate £20.
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CORRESPONDENCE
The Schedule of Correspondence attached to the Agenda was noted. It was agreed that :-
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PLANNING
New Applications
Cllr Sunderland withdrew from the meeting at this point.
2011/0908/FUL. 3 Spencer’s Bridge. No objection to the application.
Cllr Sunderland re-joined the meeting.
2011/0835/FUL Rosebank, Smithy Brow. No objection raised but the issues identified by the Planning Department were noted.
Updates
Round O Quarry Permissions
There are still no definitive permissions in place. Concerns were expressed about the length of time elapsed since the Planning Committee’s original decision. It was RESOLVED that the Chair would write to County Cllr David Westley asking him to investigate and bring pressure to bear in bringing about a decision.
The Former Mushroom Farm, Course Lane, Appeal
The appeal has been dismissed. It was agreed that the Planning Working Group will consider what possibilities there now are for the resolution of the problem of the derelict site.
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REPORTS
PACT Meeting, 5th September 2011
Control orders for dogs are to apply to Children’s play areas. Dogs must be on a lead in areas with a speed limit
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over 40mph. Dog fouling on canal pathways is the responsibility of British Waterways.
Next meetings are 3rd October in Dalton and 7th November in Newburgh.
Good Childhood Conversation, 13th July.
24 people attended a successful meeting. An analysis of primary school pupils showed that they were very happy with their lives and their school. Secondary age young people had not been involved and this will be the focus of the follow up meeting on 5th October.
Newburgh Visitors
A photo-journalist from our twin town’s local paper along with his fiancée visited the village on 16th and 17th August. They were entertained by the Chair. A Sunday-supplement like feature is planned.
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DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
26th September 2011 at 7.30pm.
Meeting finished at 9.50pm.
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Schedule of Correspondence
– Chairmanship Workshop 23rd November
- Autumn Conference 29th November
The following were put in circulation :-
Clerks and Councils Direct, September 2011.
Fieldwork, CPRE magazine, Summer 2011.
Countryside Voice, CPRE magazine, Summer 2011.
The Clerk magazine, July and September 2011.
LCR magazine, Autumn 2011.
LALC newsletter, September 2011.
West Lancashire CVS Directory.
Schedule of Accounts for Payment
Mr B. Howard, August salary, retrospective. £412.00
Mr B. Howard, September salary. £412.00
Mrs S. Porter, village cleaning, retrospective £ 60.00
Mrs S. Porter, village cleaning. £ 60.00
Mr J. Horrobin, grass cutting Play Area, August 2011. £ 30.00
Mr Cllr R. Richardson, re-imbursement GCC refreshments. £ 22.75
Cllr J. Citarella, re-imbursement printing. £ 4.50
Playsafety Ltd, Play Area inspection. £ 79.20
B. Howard, re-imbursement printer cartridges. £ 29.94
Engraving of Best Kept Garden cups. £ 24.85
Mr J. Horrobin, grass cutting Play Area, September 2011. £ 30.00
Flexipress, printing of Newsletter. £ 40.00
Donation to Cross Roads Care £ 20.00
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