MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 25th April 2007 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. Mrs R.J. Richardson, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs J. Citarella, Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, Mrs E.F. Pratt, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
39/07.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. R.E. Porter, holiday.
40/07.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
None were declared.
41/07.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 28th March 2007 were agreed and signed as a correct record, subject to an amendment to the detail of the List of Properties for Sale.
42/07.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Welcome Pack.
The updated statement is attached.
The point was made that the Village Directory contains some out of date information and a decision needs to be made shortly whether to update, reprint or rely on the data included on the website.
Calor Village of the Year, Tick Questionnaire.
Councillors concerned were reminded to complete the questionnaire and return this to the Clerk. The intention is to evaluate the responses and place the item on the Agenda of a future Meeting to discuss any identified shortcomings.
Open Gardens Project, 8th July 2007.
The arrangements enclosed with the Agenda were NOTED. The responsibilities for producing the posters, press releases, programmes and sales outlets were agreed. The one change of participants was noted. The inclusion of a Health and Safety disclaimer in the programme in respect of the private properties will be further investigated.
Best Kept Village Competition and fixing the 2007 Winners Plaque.
Judging will commence at the end of May and Councillors were asked to keep a watching brief over their immediate area to ensure that this is kept litter free.
A problem has arisen regarding the placing of the 2006 Winners Plaque on the front of the Post Office along with previous awards. An alternative site at the Red Lion Hotel seems a possible alternative but it was RESOLVED to again discuss the matter with the owner of the Post Office to ensure that this preferred site is still not available.
Village Environment.
A litter picking morning has been arranged for Saturday, 19th May 2007, meeting at 9.30am in front of the Red Lion Hotel, litter pickers will be provided. Residents have been invited to join in and support from Councillors is vital.
Our annual meeting with the Street Scene Manager has been arranged for Monday, 14th May 2007 at 9.30am in the upstairs meeting room of the Red Lion Hotel. All Councillors are invited to attend.
It was NOTED that a youth, Tom De Susa, 4, Sandy Close, is helping Shirley Porter, our Village Assistant, with cleaning duties as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Any other activities, suitable for this exercise, will be considered.
Civic Service, 10.30am on 13th May 2007 at Christ Church.
The Chairman of the District Council has accepted the invitation to attend and Councillors are most welcome. An invitation has been sent to Youth Organisations asking their intentions regarding the presentation of flags. It was RESOLVED to authorise expenditure on the purchase of refreshments for our guests at the Reception afterwards in the School Hall.
Review of Christmas tree arrangements.
It was RESOLVED to defer this item until the next Parish Council Meeting.
Annual insurance, Risk Assessment.
It was RESOLVED that the Risk Assessment, attached to the Agenda, be approved.
43/07.
PARISH PLAN.
New Play Area.
In addition to the District Council Capital Funding of £5000, approval has now been given by the Lancashire Environmental Fund to award a grant of £15000, on the condition of the preparation of the lease and some tree planting involving the community, the award being subject to the approval of the controlling body ENTRUST. Advice has been given by District Council Officers who have questioned the sense of tree planting around play equipment, particularly from a security and safety view. In the light of this and the fact that there are already a number of trees in the immediate vicinity, this requirement will now be clarified with the funder.
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43/07 (continued).
New Play Area (continued).
The Rainford Trust has also approved a grant of £500; therefore, in total we now have financial resources of around £25000 available for this project, which leaves a shortfall of some £5000. There are still a number of grant providers who have yet to make a decision about our proposals but in view of the shortfall, it was RESOLVED to informally approach the Headteacher to see if she would support a School project, which would not only result in a valuable financial contribution but would involve the children in the project.
Pedestrian Safety.
It was RESOLVED to progress the offer by Cllr. Pope to take up our cause with L.C.C. to break the communication logjam in connection with a number of outstanding issues.
Police Inspector Jane Dodding has assured us, by telephone, that the Police will handle the movement of the SPID from one site to another. L.C.C. has advised that the lampposts on Back Lane are not suitable for holding the SPID and the only option is to erect additional posts. They also made reference to a scheme to erect Conservation Area enhanced lampposts on Back Lane, which will also be unsuitable. It was RESOLVED to continue to progress this issue with L.C.C. and as the production of the recommended SPID is from one source, now purchase this equipment and back plates from this manufacturer.
Improvement of Footpath between Newburgh and Parbold.
A meeting had been held with L.C.C. and the footpath concerned was walked. The difficulty with the landowner was explained and it had been agreed to leave this project in abeyance. Any problems with the footpaths in the village should be reported direct to L.C.C.
The Bluebell Woods area is now under new ownership but L.C.C. has apparently established a good relationship with them. Some changes have been made to the route, which will be of benefit to all parties. Councillors were reminded of the planned Bluebell Woods Walk and were encouraged to attend. Posters have been placed around the village and an item has been included in Newburgh News.
Website.
The update process is well under way. The site will be entered into the LCR Best Website Competition. There have now been 11000 hits.
44/07.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
No members of the public were present but the following were raised on behalf of residents: -
45/07.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence attached was NOTED. The following were discussed: -
b) NOTED, the War Memorial has been added to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural/Historical Interest.
d) W.L.D.C. Community Engagement Strategy.
It was RESOLVED to respond by the completion of the questionnaire provided.
46/07.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Budget/Expenditure Statement year ending 31st March 2007.
The Statement attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
c) L.C.C. Grant of £1000 towards the cost of a SPID.
It was RESOLVED to submit the Agreement and the documentation was duly signed.
d) Play Area Funding.
The following funding towards the cost of the new Play Area was NOTED: -
£5000, WLDC Capital Scheme. £15000 with conditions, Lancashire Environmental Fund and £500 Rainford Trust.
47/07.
PLANNING
Update.
2007/0137 Bramblecote, Tabbys Nook, conservatory at rear. Granted WLDC.
48/07.
REPORTS.
Code of Conduct Workshop, 29th March 2007. This was regarded as a useful session.
British Waterways Meeting, 17th April 2007. Attended by Cllr. Sunderland whose written report was noted.
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49/07.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETINGS.
Annual Parish Meeting.
23rd May 2007.
In view of the young age of students at Newburgh School, it was felt that it was not possible for them to provide entertainment at the Annual Parish Meeting. Therefore, the starting time will revert to the usual 7.30pm.
The amended programme is: -
Annual General Meeting.
To be held on 30th May 2007 at 7.30pm.
No members of the public were present.
Meeting finished at 9.30pm
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