NEWBURGH PARISH COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT

2009 - 2010

Published by Brian Howard, Clerk of the Council

Avilion, Hillock Lane, Dalton. WN8 7RJ. Tel: 01257 462423

e-mail: newburghpc@btopenworld.com

website: www.newburghlancs.co.uk

Q

Quality Parish Council

A message from the Chair.

I am pleased to present to you the Annual Report of Newburgh Parish Council for 2009/10.

The following two exciting events were held during the year.

At the Annual Parish Meeting held in May 2009 we launched the Local Food Initiative with presentations from local producers followed by a buffet, all of which was made possible by a Lottery Grant.

This process culminated just before Christmas with the production and distribution of a Local Food Directory to all households. We trust that residents have found the booklet useful.

In June 2009 we held the official opening of the new Play Area on Back Lane in conjunction with Newburgh Fair. This project has involved an enormous amount of work over a period of years and it was wonderful to bring it to completion. Thanks to Chris Moore for leading the project and also the numerous sources who gave Grants to enable it to happen.

The receipt of two major planning applications provided the Council with a number of challenges.

The Farm Shop, Course Lane development proposals and the Round O Quarry proposal to extend workings for a further ten years involved the Parish Council in employing effective communications with residents and the Planning Authorities. The Farm Shop proposal is now under Appeal and the Round O Quarry application is ongoing and we are currently preparing a presentation to Lancashire County Council.

Finally, I want to thank my fellow Councillors and our Clerk for their support and hard work throughout the year. Thanks also to residents who have been involved in any way – we are here to serve you as a community and always appreciate your support and input.

Kind regards,

Jacky Citarella, Chair.

Your Parish Councillors.

Mrs Jacky Citarella, Chair. Mrs Clare Gillard,

5, New Acres, 5, Fairhurst Drive,

Newburgh. Parbold.

WN8 7TU. WN8 7DJ.

01257 463621 01257 464533

Mr Reg Porter, Vice-Chairman Mrs Rebecca Richardson

17, Woodrow Drive, Duttons Barn,

Newburgh. Back Lane,

WN8 7LB. Newburgh. WN8 7XB.

01257 462463 01257 463942

Mr Chris Moore, Mrs Jean O’Keefe,

Church View, Quarry View,

Back Lane, Course Lane,

Newburgh. WN8 7XB. Newburgh. WN8 7UB.

01257 463471 01257 463630.

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 2009 and we are pleased to report that over ninety people attended. The Chair provided her Annual Report following which presentations were made by local food producers. A number of questions were asked and residents were invited to discuss matters further by visiting the display stands.

An excellent buffet was provided consisting of locally sourced food and drink, courtesy of a Lottery Grant. A Local Food Directory was subsequently produced and given a widespread distribution.

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 as now presented under the Values and Visions initiative.

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. District and Parish Council Civic Services.

Lancashire Association AGM. District Face to Face event.

Lancashire Local – West Lancashire. District Council Charter celebrations.

PACT Meetings. Health and Well-being events.

Remembrance Sunday Service. Traffic Meetings.

W.L. Strategic Partnership Annual Conference.

The District Council Charter designed to develop working relationships, is now working well and we became actively involved in progressing a similar scheme with Lancashire County Council.

Councillors undertook training on Code of Conduct, Community Engagement Workshop, Power of Well-being Workshop, Planning Workshop, Freedom of Information and Data Protection Workshop.

COMMUNICATION.

The Notice Board, located near the Post Office, continues to carry information about the Parish Council, local organisations and current events. The Information Boards, located close to the Red Lion Hotel, display details of our footpaths and heritage.

Councillors delivered Newburgh News on a number of occasions during the year. In addition, special editions were distributed several times including new Play Area, Farm Shop Planning and Round O Quarry Planning.

We welcomed three residents from our twin town, Newburgh, Indiana, in July 2009 who were on their way to the Sister City Conference in Belfast.

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PLANNING.

The Planning Working Group provided quality recommendations to the Parish Council who responded to 17 planning applications in the past year. Contributions were made to the consultation process on a number of issues including the Joint Lancashire Mineral and Waste Development Framework and the Housing Needs Survey.

Subsequent to the closure of the Farm Shop on Course Lane, an application was submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council for a variety of changes of use.

We submitted an objection relating to the potential for increase of traffic using the site and gave a presentation to the Borough Council Planning Committee who then made a site visit.

The application was ultimately refused by the Borough Council and is now subject to an Appeal by the applicant.

Round O Quarry submitted an application to Lancashire County Council for the extension of the re-cycling facility until 2020. The Parish Council objected to this on the basis of the continuation of the detrimental effect on the village, particularly the number of heavy vehicles using Cobbs Brow Lane.

We made a presentation to West Lancashire Borough Council who also submitted an objection.

We were in the process of preparing a presentation to the County Council when a second application – to extend the infill activity – was received. The two applications will be dealt with together by the County Council and we understand that their Development Committee will be making a site visit.

CIVIC SERVICE, SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2009.

This Service was held in Christ Church commencing at 10.30am when Rev. Graham Milford 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, 17TH DECEMBER 2009.

The Parish Council and Rev. Graham Milford organised this popular event. The Coppull and Standish Brass Band accompanied the singing of carols. The Red Lion Hotel generously provided teas and coffees after the Service.

BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION.

Newburgh was entered in the above Competition but success again eluded us.

The Parish Council thanked those residents who made the effort to impress the Judges and again a special mention to our Village Assistant for her excellent work in ensuring that the bus shelters and the War Memorial were kept in good condition and litter removed on a regular basis.

The Parish Council entered Newburgh in the Calor Village of the Year Competition and in the North West Section was awarded third place, receiving a Certificate and £100, which was a welcome addition to the new Play Area Fund.

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BEST KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION.

This continues to be a well-supported event. Main Winners in 2009 were: -

The Kermode Cup, Best Large Garden. Mr & Mrs E.J. Roberts, 32, Doe Meadow.

The Cartmel Trophy, Best Small Garden. Mr & Mrs R.D.J. Lawrence, 28, Woodrow Drive.

The Red Lion Cup, Baskets/Tubs. M.C. Harvey & J.C. Locke, 22, Cobbs Brow Lane.

These trophies and a number of certificates were presented to the winners on 23rd November 2009 in Newburgh Sports Club.

Thanks were expressed to our independent Judges, Mavis Woods and colleague 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.

LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS.

Round O Quarry.

During the year we have seen improvement in the control of the deposit of mud on the road. One Meeting has been held with the Quarry Management, which included a site visit.

Hoscar Waste Water Treatment Works.

Council representation was present at 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.

However, as problems reported by residents were at a minimal level, a proposal made by the Works Management Team that the Liaison Meetings be discontinued, was reluctantly agreed. Methods for the public to report problems emanating from the Works are available with details regularly included in Newburgh News.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

A number of environmental issues were discussed and progressed as appropriate including: -

· Maintenance work on the play equipment, Cobbs Brow Lane.
· RoSPA undertook their annual play equipment examination.
· Lancashire County Council were asked to fill in a number of potholes
· Obtained advice on the control of Japanese Knotweed.
· Involved in a bus service review and pressed for bus service improvements, which have now been introduced.

We delivered throughout the village, a motivational/informational Bus Service leaflet produced and financed by Lancashire County Council.

· Damage occurred on two occasions to the window of the bus shelter on Ash Brow. In view of this reoccurrence, a decision was made not to replace the Perspex window.
· Three public seats were damaged during the course of the year and had to be repaired.

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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. However, it was agreed that the action items should form part of our Values and Visions project, details later in this Report.

Main areas of progress in 2009 were: -

Built Environment.

Continuation of the Best Kept Gardens Competition, entering the Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition and holding a Gardens Open Day.

Natural Environment.

Footpaths continue to be monitored and there is regular liaison with the County.

Occasional guided walks were organised.

A section of footpath, near the Bluebell Wood, has been fenced off by the landowner and, due to considerable concern expressed by residents and other footpath users, the Parish Council submitted a claim to include in the Definitive Map, the footpath from Public Footpath No 33 & 40 to Public Footpath No 39 & 34.

22 Evidence Forms completed by long time footpath users, were submitted and Lancashire County Council has reported that they have accepted our claim based on the evidence submitted and they can now move to the next stages of making a Definitive Map Order, which will be advertised to the public and if there are objections, the Order will have to be sent to The Secretary of State for a decision.

We thank those who supported our claim and will keep everyone advised of the decision once known.

Pedestrian Safety.

The Speed Indicator Device is now in operation. There is considerable work involved in moving the equipment around the various sites in the village on a regular basis. We have, therefore, employed an appropriately trained Contractor to handle this. There is a question about the effectiveness of the device, as the battery appears to drain after a very short period of time. This matter has been investigated on a number of occasions including returning the device to the manufacturer for attention. We continue to monitor the situation.

Newburgh Website.

A Parish Council sponsored website www.newburghlancs.co.uk designed to appeal both to residents and visitors, continues to be successful. Since the launch, the site has had over 20,000 hits. Parish Councillors are responsible for updating the site at regular intervals.

Welcome Pack.

A Welcome Pack continues to be delivered by Parish Councillors to all new residents in the village and the newcomers have appreciated these.

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VISIONS AND VALUES.

The Parish Council has adopted the Visions and Values Statement and below is a summary of our Visions: -

Promote a safe and healthy environment for all residents to enjoy.

Protect our heritage, landscape and environment.

Promote the heritage and cultural strength of Newburgh, recognising our sense of identity and the local pride of our residents.

Ensure effective interaction with residents and provide opportunities for them to make known their views and raise issues of local concern.

Work with partners to identify opportunities and actions to improve the quality of life in the neighbourhood.

Work with organisations and statutory bodies to influence the development and delivery of services and amenities, which are accessible and of consistently good quality, with an emphasis on their effective and efficient delivery and on value for money.

Support local organisations in achieving their objectives in meeting the needs of Newburgh.

Develop a positive relationship with employers and businesses.

WORK PLAN.

The Parish Council agreed to combine the action items from the Values and Visions project with the Parish Plan actions detailed on the previous page. A copy of the resultant Ongoing Workload statement and 2009 Priority Action Statement is enclosed as at April 2010.

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FINANCIAL REPORT.

The Parish Council Accounts for year ending 31st March 2009 were audited and received an unqualified approval.

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2010. Receipts £. Payments £.

Brought forward 1st April 2009. 12373 Salaries. 4755

Precept. 10045 Other. 46088

Other receipts. 34547

Total. 56965 50843

Summary.

Receipts 56965

Payments 50843

Balance 6122

The Precept for 2010/11 remained at £10045 with spending plans summarised as follows: -

Administration. 7578

Associations 279

Activities. 821

Speed Indicator Device. 1664

Total 10342

The difference between the Precept and the spending plans will be covered by balances/reserves.

£1845 funding was provided by the District Council towards the cost of undertaking village cleaning, maintenance and repairs.

Grants were received as follows;-

Lottery, Local Food Project. £ 2140

Various, for new play area. £21660

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