MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 28 th June 2006 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs J. Citarella, Mrs C. Gillard, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
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APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. C.D. Moore, holiday abroad and Cllr. Mrs E.F. Pratt, family commitment.
65/06.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. Porter declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 8a in that the Schedule of Accounts for Payment includes an item in respect of his wife for village cleaning. In addition, there is re-imbursement for himself and his wife in connection with the purchase of refreshments for the Civic Service and the Website Launch event. It also contains a contribution to him towards entertaining his hosts on his visit to our twin town, Newburgh, Indiana.
66/06.
MINUTES of the Annual Council Meeting held on 17 th May 2006 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
67.06.
VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE.
Website Launch, 7 th June 2006.
An excellent, well-attended event took place and appreciation was expressed by the Council to Chris Moore and Tom Gerrard for their hard work and professionalism in developing the website. Many compliments have been received including one from our twin town, Newburgh, Indiana and Officers of the County Council.
New Play Area.
The draft response to the Archdeacon regarding the lease of land was approved, copy attached.
68/06.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Welcome Pack.
The updated statement is attached.
Round O Quarry.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow District Councillor Eddie Pope to provide an update on the District Council recommendations on the application for the development of an aggregates recycling facility. He indicated that no objections had been raised but some conditions were recommended.
The Meeting was re-convened and the position was NOTED.
It was RESOLVED to propose a meeting with the Quarry Management during week commencing 31 st July 2006.
Proposed withdrawal of Bus Service 307 Skelmersdale – Wrightington Hospital.
These proposals were viewed with concern. A meeting has been arranged with County Council representatives on 29 th June 2006 to discuss the issue and hopefully, find some way forward to retain these important amenities.
Christmas Tree Provision.
The donor of the Christmas tree has been contacted and it has been confirmed that the tree will be provided again this year. However, suitable trees are now in short supply and it is possible that in the following year or two, provision will not be possible. It was RESOLVED to finalise arrangements with the District Council so that the date of provision and the hiring of the cherry picker for the erection of the tree can be synchronised.
69/06.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to raise any issues.
District Councillor Eddie Pope drew attention to the decision made by the Planning Inspector for the Replacement West Lancashire Local Plan not to change the Green Belt boundaries at Spar Lane. (a copy of the Inspector’s Report has already been circulated to Councillors).
The Meeting was re-convened.
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CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence attached was NOTED. The following was discussed: -
i) Nomination of School Governors.
The letter from Lancashire County Council was NOTED. Parish Councils can no longer nominate a School Governor
for their local Primary School. However, there is now an opportunity to nominate School Governors for any school
at which there is a vacancy. Some reservations were expressed about this but the offer was NOTED.
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71/06.
FINANCE.
a) Schedule of Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) St. Joseph’s Hospice, seeking funding.
The appeal letter was NOTED.
A discussion ensued following which it was RESOLVED that it would be beneficial if the Council created a policy to
help consider appeals for funding. An outline discussion paper will be prepared for discussion at a future meeting.
c) Financial Statement to end of May 2006.
The Statement, copy attached, was NOTED.
d) Holiday Activity Scheme.
The detailed response from The Grove to our request for further information was NOTED.
It was RESOLVED to hold discussions with Newburgh Sports Club regarding the cost of hiring their premises for
the Holiday Scheme and a report will be provided at a Parish Council Meeting in the autumn. Following this, a
meeting will be arranged with The Grove to discuss plans for 2007.
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PLANNING.
New Application.
2006/0603. Bank Top, Cobbs Brow Lane, single storey side extension and detached double garage/store.
The Planning Working Group recommendation to raise no objection to the application was endorsed.
Update.
2006/0247. 4, Cobbs Brow Lane, replacement window and door at rear and new French doors and windows.
Granted W.L.D.C.
Planning Working Group remit.
It was RESOLVED to adopt the remit, copy attached.
73/06.
REPORTS.
Wigan WWTW Hoscar, Residents Liaison Meeting, 18 th May 2006.
This was a well-attended Meeting, the Minutes of which were included in the Agenda.
Parish Council Joint Liaison Committee, 15 th June 2006.
Cllr. Porter attended on behalf of the Parish Council, the main business on the Agenda being a report on the Parish and Town Council Charter. This was intended to be the final Joint Liaison Meeting but a further Meeting may be called in about six months time to review the working arrangements of the Charter.
74/06.
PARISH CHARTER.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council was committed to the Charter and that Cllr. Mrs Richardson would attend the Launch Event on 18 th July 2006 and sign the Charter on behalf of the Parish Council as the Chairman will not be available to attend as he will be in the U.S.A.
75/06.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
26 th July 2006 at 7.30pm.
District Councillor Eddie Pope was present for part of the Meeting.
Meeting finished at 9pm.
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