MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 23rd April 2008 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, Mrs E.F. Pratt, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
36/08.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs Citarella, holiday.
37/08.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. Porter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8a in that his wife is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment in respect of village cleaning.
38/08.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 26th March 2008 were agreed and signed as a correct record, subject to the final paragraph on page 926 being amended to read: -
“The W.I. will be asked if they would prepare a Directory of Local Producers to be launched on the night.”
39/08.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Meeting with Street Scene Managers.
This will be held on 1st May 2008 in the Red Lion Hotel commencing at 10am. Cllrs. Porter, Mrs Turner,
Mrs Richardson and A. Sunderland indicated their availability to attend. A number of ideas for discussion were put forward by Councillors.
Litter Picking Event, Saturday, 10th May 2008.
Councillors were reminded that those who could participate should meet at 10am outside the Red Lion Hotel. Support from local residents should be encouraged.
Civic Service, 18th May 2008.
All arrangements are now complete and invitations will be sent out shortly.
Newburgh Post Office Campaign and arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting.
Currently, we are responding to the threat of closure and mobilising support from village residents and elsewhere.
170 residents attended the Public Meeting in Christ Church on 17th April 2008 and about 100 letters have been sent to our MP. Although the Access Report was not yet available it was important to express concerns to Post Office Limited.
A petition is running and this will be sent to Post Office Limited in due course, copy to our MP.
The best way to use the website in support of the campaign is under consideration.
Banners, placards, Press Releases and leaflets have all been used and political actions are being pursued. Discussions have taken place with Rosie Cooper, MP. and she attended the Public Meeting.
A motion supporting the campaign has been adopted by W.L.D.C. providing the Executive with the necessary authority to take appropriate action. Response from County Councillors is awaited. Newburgh Parish Councillors, Lathom and Dalton Parish Councils have all given their full support including the distribution of leaflets.
Our Twin City, Newburgh, Indiana, has been asked to express their support and it is understood that an acknowledgement has been received from Post Office Limited to an objection they have lodged.
A Fighting Fund is in place with collection boxes at the Post Office and the Red Lion Hotel. £151.82p has been obtained from the first opening of the Post Office collection box and this has been banked but ring fenced “Post Office Fighting Fund”.
An examination will be made of successful campaigning elsewhere. The six week consultation period commences on 20th May 2008 and the next step in preparing for further pressure is to produce a timed action plan giving details of tasks to be undertaken, examples being: -
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39/08 continued.
Newburgh Post Office Campaign and arrangements of Annual Parish Meeting (continued).
Other actions: -
It was RESOLVED to spend the Fighting Fund before using the Parish Council financial resources already agreed
at £250.
It was RESOLVED to thank Douglas Valley Lions, PC Steve Hackney, Christ Church members and Tim Cornall for their considerable help at the Public Meeting held on 17th April 2008.
It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting theme of celebrating local produce be postponed in the light of the current emphasis of saving our local Post Office. However, it was agreed to consider holding such an event in the autumn and to submit the bid for financial support to Awards for All. The Annual Parish Meeting was set to take place on 22nd May 2008, which would focus on further mobilising the Post Office campaign. However, as the Access Report was not expected until 20th May 2008, this did not allow sufficient time for preparation. Alternative dates were discussed but a decision was held in abeyance for further consideration.
40/08.
PARISH PLAN UPDATE.
SPID.
The Agreement has been signed by Yates Playgrounds, a copy being sent to L.C.C. for information. The SPID is now in operation and the payment arrangement with the Contractor has been agreed.
New Play Area.
Allied Surveyors plc have now submitted their report to the Vicar and Church Warden regarding the suitability of the land for the purpose of a new Play Area and this presents a positive view of the proposal. The conditions included in the report will be incorporated into the Lease being prepared by the Church Authorities.
Website.
Councillors were reminded to submit updates for their designated area on the site, as appropriate.
41/08.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to raise any issues.
Mrs Porter, Woodrow Drive, complimented the Parish Council on their initiatives in opposing the closure of the Post Office. She also made reference to litter in the village and dog faeces problems particularly the misuse of waste bins on the Sports Field.
Mrs Porter was thanked for her kind comments and the Meeting was re-convened.
42/08.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED.
43/08.
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 2008.
The Statement, copy attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
The variations from Budget, details below, were NOTED: -
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43/08 (continued).
FINANCE (continued).
c) Capital Funding 2008/09.
It was NOTED that the bid for the replacement boundary fence between the Playing Field and the privately owned
Adjacent field has not been successful.
44/08.
PLANNING.
An update was provided on Enforcement Issues in connection with the Kite Shop and the former McKentie Factory, Back Lane.
45/08.
DATE AND TIME OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
This will be held on Wednesday, 21st May 2008 commencing at 7.30pm (subject to confirmation).
One member of the public was present.
Meeting finished at 9.20pm.
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Schedule of Correspondence.
The following were placed in circulation: -
Countryside Voice, Spring 2008.
L.C.C. Project 2007.
Lancashire Police Authority Newsletter, March 2008 (copy to each Councillor).
The Beacon, April 2008.
Wicksteed, Playscapes.
Sutcliffe Play, Spring 2008.
Schedule of Accounts for Payment.
Allied Surveyors, Agents Play Area Report. £293.75 retrospective Gift Account.
Mrs S. Porter, village cleaning. £ 50.00
Mr B. Howard April Salary & Expenses. £384.59
Mr B. Howard, reimbursement, replacement printer & cartridges £ 76.98
Mr B. Howard, reimbursement, photocopies. £ 9.45
LALC subscriptions £185.73
Petty cash. £ 50.00
Lancashire County Council, School Hire. £ 29.25
Mrs J. Citarella, reimbursement, stationery for Post Office campaign. £ 38.45 from reserves.
Mr B. Howard, reimbursement, USB computer/printer cable. £ 9.99
Yates Playgrounds, Play Equipment Maintenance. £303.15
Mr T. Gerard, website management, re-imbursement. £ 63.38
Receipts.
W.L.D.C. Part Precept. £7500.00
Lancashire County Council Grant, Walks leaflet. £ 140.00
Post Office Fighting Fund contributions. £ 151.82
W.L.D.C. First half Concurrent. £ 883.00
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