2006 – 2007
Avilion, Hillock Lane, Dalton. WN8 7RJ.
Quality Parish Council
A message from the Chairman.
I am pleased to present to you the Annual Report of Newburgh Parish Council for 2006/07
Last year’s report recorded that our Parish Clerk had achieved Quality Status quickly followed by the Parish Council also being awarded the same status; both of them being the first in West Lancashire to gain this prestigious recognition.
I am pleased to report that following on from these successes, Newburgh was awarded the Best Kept Village, Champions Class 2006 and the Best Kept War Memorial 2006 in the whole of Lancashire.
Our popular annual events were again well received with, for the first time, an Open Gardens Day, which attracted many visitors, so much so that it will be held again in 2007.
We are making good progress with many facets of the Parish Plan but there are other aspects which are taking time because they fall outside our control.
Finally, I wish to extend my thanks to the Councillors and the Clerk for their support and assistance during the past year and to all those individual residents and those representing organisations who have helped this Council to meet our objectives.
.
Reg Porter, Chairman.
Your Parish Councillors.
Mr Reg Porter (Chairman), Mrs Rebecca Richardson (Vice-Chairman),
17, Woodrow Drive, Duttons Barn,
Newburgh. Back Lane,
WN8 7LB. Newburgh. WN8 7XB.
01257 462463 01257 463942
Mrs Jackie Citarella, Mrs Clare Gillard,
5, New Acres, 5, Fairhurst Drive,
Newburgh. Parbold.
WN8 7TU. WN8 7DJ.
01257 463621 01257 464533
Mr Chris Moore, Mrs Elaine Pratt,
Church View, Ivy Cottage,
Back Lane, Course Lane,
Newburgh. WN8 7XB. Newburgh. WN8 7UG.
01257 463471 07771 767062
Mr Alex Sunderland, Mrs Maureen Turner,
1, Spencer’s Bridge, 26, Course Lane,
Back Lane, Newburgh.
Newburgh. WN8 7UH. WN8 7LA.
01704 893116 01257 462970
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ANNUAL PARISH MEETING.
The Annual Parish Meeting was held on 17th May 2006 and we are pleased to report that about 60 people attended. In addition to receiving the Chairman’s Report, local organisations set up stalls, which provided information about their activities and successes. In total there were ten groups represented including Church, School and W.I.
This was followed by songs, poems and dancing by Sid and Liz Calderbank.
An excellent well-attended evening was enjoyed by all.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS.
Meetings were held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, excluding August, in the School, Back Lane commencing at 7.30pm. These meetings are open to the public who are most welcome to attend.
The Parish Council received regular updates on the progress being made on the many aspects of the Parish Plan. A number of obstacles have been overcome and much progress is being made. During the year, we received progress reports from PC Steve Hackney.
The important work of Councillors on the Planning Working Group, Finance Committee and the Values and Vision Group has again enabled the full Council to come to quick and effective decisions.
Councillors took part in the following during the year: -
West Lancashire Area Committee.
Lancashire Association AGM.
Parish Council Joint Liaison Committee with the District Council.
Lancashire Local – West Lancashire.
The Parish Council signed up to a Charter that incorporated plans for improving the working relationship with our District Council. The launch event was held in July 2006 during which the document was signed on behalf of the Parish Council by our Vice-Chairman.
The plans for the proposed new play area on Back Lane were available for public inspection on 6th December 2006. At the same Meeting, a Pedestrian Safety Forum was held during which a number of public observations were noted.
Councillors undertook training on Planning and Code of Conduct. The Parish Council has recently adopted a Disability Equality Scheme.
In 2006/07 we have been very active with the many challenges dealt with great success. The Parish Council has, therefore, entered a National Competition to be considered for Council of the Year. We are also very proud of the Newburgh website and have entered the Best Website Competition. We will keep residents informed of the results.
DONATIONS AND GRANTS.
The Council responds to requests for money from organisations that it considers has actual or potential benefit to residents. Donations were made to British Legion, Victim Support, West Lancashire Crossroads and Holiday Play Scheme. A budget has not been set for the 2007/08 financial year and donations will not be made until the awards criteria has been examined and a consistent policy adopted.
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PLANNING.
The Planning Working Group provided quality recommendations to the Parish Council who responded to 20 applications in the past year.
Contributions were made to the consultation process on the Lancashire Mineral and Waste Plan, North West Draft Regional Spatial Strategy and the West Lancashire Statement of Community Involvement.
COMMUNICATION.
We provided written observations on a wide variety of consultation topics including Fire and Rescue Services Plan, Lancashire Old People Strategy, West Lancashire Design Guide and Affordable Housing Review.
In conjunction with the Conservation Area Review, the Notice board on The Green was removed. The remaining Notice board, located near the Post Office, continues to carry information about the Parish Council, local Organisations and events. The Information Boards, located close to the Red Lion Hotel, display details of our footpaths and heritage. As reported last year, the Heritage Board had been damaged but this has now been repaired at a cost to the Parish Council.
Councillors delivered Newburgh News on a number of occasions during the year. In addition, special editions were distributed in connection with the election in May 2006, Parish Plan update, Best Kept Village Competition and the Love Your Post Office campaign material.
CIVIC SERVICE, SUNDAY 14TH MAY 2006.
This Service was held in Christ church commencing at 10.30am when Rev. David Towler officiated. The theme was again Celebrating Service and to reflect this, uniformed organisations presented their flags and banners. We were pleased to welcome to our Service the Chairman of the District Council, our M.P., County Councillor and other Civic representatives.
Refreshments were provided afterwards in the School.
CAROLS ON THE GREEN, 14TH DECEMBER 2006.
The Parish Council and Rev. David Towler again organised this popular event. The Coppull and Standish Brass Band accompanied the singing of carols. Unfortunately, due to very windy conditions, the Service was transferred to Christ Church for safety. The Red Lion Hotel generously provided teas and coffees after the Service.
TWINNING.
In April 2006 the Newburgh Indiana Town Council extended an invitation for the Parish Council to send a delegate to the 50th Sister Town Anniversary Convention to be held in Washington DC and to visit Newburgh, Indiana at their expense. The invitation was accepted and Councillor Porter attended as the delegate for Newburgh Parish Council.
In Newburgh, Indiana, the conversion of the old library to a Town Hall had progressed satisfactorily and the Town Council held their first meeting in the new Chambers in July 2006. Transfer of power from the “old” to the “new” Chambers was by public procession with our Chairman, Councillor Porter taking part as our representative.
On his return, Councillor Porter reported that, following the tornado in November 2005, most residential areas of damage were in satisfactory repair.
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BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION.
It was pleasing that Newburgh was judged to be the Best Kept Village in Lancashire, Champions Class, receiving the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society Rose Bowl, a Certificate, Commemorative Plaque, Garden Centre Voucher and an original watercolour painting of the village. In addition, the War Memorial was judged to be the Best Kept in Lancashire being awarded a Certificate and Trophy.
Our Chairman paid tribute to all residents and the Village Assistant for all the hard work undertaken to achieve these brilliant results. The Chairman and Clerk attended an Awards Presentation at the West Bradford Village Hall on 21st October 2006.
BEST KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION.
This continues to be a well-supported event. Main Winners in 2006 were: -
The Kermode Cup, Best Large Garden. Mr & Mrs R.M. Clayton, Augusta, Course Lane.
The Cartmel Trophy, Best Small Garden. Mr & Mrs R. Catterall, Lyndhurst, Course Lane.
The Red Lion Cup, Baskets/Tubs. Mr & Mrs N.J. Owen, 50, New Acres.
These trophies and a number of certificates were presented to the winners on 2nd October 2006 in Newburgh Sports Club. At this event, which was well attended, we also celebrated our success in the Best Kept Village Competition.
Thanks were expressed to our independent Judges, Mavis Woods and Teresa Malley for their enthusiastic participation and making difficult decisions. We again thank Cllr. Mrs Maureen Turner for managing this competition on behalf of the Parish Council.
OPEN GARDENS, 23RD JULY 2006.
This event held for the first time in 2006 was very successful. Ten gardens were open to the public and thanks were expressed to the owners for the quality of their gardens and for taking part in the scheme. Just over £1000 was raised, which is a most welcome contribution to the funding of our new Play Area. Thanks again to Cllr. Mrs Maureen Turner for her hard work in organising this event.
LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS.
Round O Quarry.
The problem of heavy vehicular movement to and from the Quarry continued in 2006. Observations revealed the movement in convoy, speeding, lack of sheeting and dangerous conditions caused by deposits of mud on Cobbs Brow Lane. We have held meetings with Lancashire County Council and the Quarry Management in August 2006 and March 2007 in order to address these issues. Movement of vehicles out of the Quarry, turning left through the village, is now authorised by planning conditions despite protestations by the Parish Council. Unfortunately, the depot of the Quarry operator is located in Standish and, therefore, we see many vehicles taking the direct route through Newburgh.
However, we exerted considerable pressure to improve the mud on the road situation. It would appear that with the help of two sweepers, some improvements have been made in this respect.
Hoscar Waste Water Treatment Works.
Council representation was present at regular Liaison Meetings held at Hoscar. The main issues discussed being the control of unpleasant odours, speeding traffic and the effect of the large construction project.
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NEWBURGH PARISH PLAN.
In 2003 Newburgh Parish Council sponsored production of a Village Plan, funded by the Countryside Agency and the Parish Council. The Plan has been adopted by the Parish Council, who now oversees actions from it. The Steering Group of Parish Councillors and residents continues to review the Plan.
Main areas of progress in 2006 were: -
Built Environment.
Natural Environment.
Occasional guided walks were organised.
Pedestrian Safety.
Whilst it is now understood that some proposals relating to traffic through the village are unlikely to be supported – largely because they do not meet criteria based on accident statistics – it was concluded that progress on other proposals could still be made through the efforts of the village itself. In particular, in an attempt to control traffic speed, a Speed Indicating Device (SPID) will be purchased and used in key sites around the village.
The Parish Council also continues to await further responses form Lancashire County Council on pedestrian priority funding in the context of providing a safer route to Parbold; on quiet lanes; on 20mph speed limits outside schools and on Community Speedwatch trials.
Efforts to improve the path to Parbold are in abeyance, owing to concerns expressed by landowners.
Newburgh Website.
Welcome Pack.
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NEWBURGH PARISH PLA N (continued).
Young People.
With the support of the Parish Council, the Parochial Church Council, Newburgh CE School Governing Body and a Play Area Action Group, a site was selected in Back Lane and agreement reached in principle with Liverpool Diocese to grant a ten year lease on the land to the Parish Council. West Lancashire District Council granted planning permission for the Play Area.
The Action Group selected a range of equipment for the Play Area. Following a tendering process, a local supplier, Yates Playgrounds, was chosen to supply and install the equipment.
Total funding required is in the region of £30,000. By the end of April 2007, the amount raised totalled £25,000, including a major grant from the Lancashire Environmental Fund (£15,000), a Capital Grant from West Lancashire District Council (£5,000), a grant from Newburgh Fair Committee (£3,500), the proceeds of the 2006 Open Gardens Day (£1,000) and donations from Newburgh Sports Club and Hare Nurseries.
Fund-raising efforts continue.
The preparation of a lease is underway.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
A number of environmental issues were discussed and progressed including: -
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FINANCIAL REPORT.
The Parish Council Accounts for year ending 31st March 2006 were audited and received an unqualified approval.
Balance Sheet at 31st March 2006. Receipts £. Payments £.
Brought forward 1st April 2005. 5073 Salaries. 4122
Precept. 6430 Other. 12963
Other receipts. 12542
Total. 24045 17085
Summary.
Receipts 24045
Payments. 17085
Balance 6960
The Precept for 2006/07 was set at £6590 with spending plans summarised as follows: -
Administration. 5713
Associations. 281
Activities. 536
Donations. 60
Total 6590
£1638 funding was provided by the District Council towards the cost of undertaking village cleaning, maintenance and repairs.
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