MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 22nd April 2009 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella, Chair.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, Mrs J.M. O’Keefe, R.E. Porter, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland and
Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
36/09.
APOLOGIES were received from District Councillor, E. Pope, prior commitment.
37/09.
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.
38/09.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25th March 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment to Minute 30/09, May target date: -
Delete on second line “obtain a replacement Warden” and replace with “identify a potential future replacement Warden”.
39/09.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Welcome Pack Distribution Update.
The updated statement is attached.
Nomination for membership of the Standards Committee.
Two views were expressed.
There was insufficient information about the candidates and there is no personal knowledge of them or their attributes. However, this position is no different than any other election and as the successful candidate will represent all Councillors, it was appropriate to register a vote.
Following a show of hands, the majority decided not to register a vote on behalf of the Parish Council.
Digital TV Switchover Help Scheme.
The information pack received from digitaluk was noted. It was RESOLVED to include details of the help scheme in the next edition of Newburgh News.
Litter Picking Event, 16th May 2009.
Councillors were asked to meet at the Red Lion Hotel at 10am. A Press Release will be sent to local newspapers suggesting they cover the event with a photographer to highlight our support for the CPRE Stop the Drop campaign.
A meeting has been arranged with the Street Scene Management Team at 10am on 1st May in the upstairs meeting room of the Red Lion Hotel. Cllrs. Mrs Citarella, Mrs Gillard, R.E. Porter and the Village Assistant said that they would attend.
Civic Service, 17th May 2009.
Councillors were asked to support the Civic Service, which will commence at 10.30am at Christ Church, Back Lane. It was RESOLVED to authorise expenditure on refreshments and the sharing of provisions was agreed. Councillors will also help to set up the tables, etc from 9.30am and help clear up after the event.
Annual Parish Meeting, 21st May 2009.
All arrangements are now in hand including the provision of food from Cedar Farm. Invitations have now been distributed and response so far amounts to 34 persons. Posters will shortly be available and together with a Press Release will give awareness a further boost. Councillors were asked to attend School prior to the event to help set up tables, chairs, etc.
Round O Quarry Visit and Meeting, 12th May 2009.
The Agenda has already been issued by LCC and it was agreed that the 11am visit to the Quarry and the 2pm meeting in the upstairs meeting room of the Red Lion Hotel, should go ahead. Cllrs. Mrs O’Keefe, Mrs Gillard.
Mrs Turner and R.E. Porter said they would attend.
40/09.
WORK PLAN UPDATE.
Values and Visions, Ongoing Initiatives.
It was agreed to separately record actions, which have been completed.
Values and Visions, Progress on 2009 Initiatives.
The changes agreed are incorporated in the revised action plan attached.
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40/09 (continued).
WORK PLAN UPDATE (continued).
New Play Area.
The project is scheduled for completion by mid May with the area turfed afterwards (subject to weather conditions). Archdeacon Bradley who has been helpful in progressing the matter with the Church Authorities will conduct the opening ceremony. The event will be held on the day of Newburgh Fair, Saturday, 13th June 2009 and to broaden the appeal, the Rose Queen and her entourage will also help with the opening of the new Play Area.
Finance remains satisfactory with the additional cost of turfing being covered by the contingency fund.
The next initiatives are to prepare an invitation list, issue a Press release and prepare a Newsletter incorporating the opening arrangements.
The content of the two sign, copy attached, were agreed.
Dave McDowall has been working with Cllr. Porter to ensure that the work is proceeding satisfactorily. Cllr. Porter reported that they were pleased with the progress and the quality of the work. There has been no incident from a health and safety point of view and the record of activity is being maintained, can be inspected at any time and on completion of the project, a copy will be sent to the landlord for information.
41/09.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow issues to be raised.
Mr M. Hope, a resident of Ash Brow, complained about the dangers from traffic speed, size and volume on Ash Brow. The Authorities had declined the provision of a mirror; this would have enabled a safer exit on to Ash Brow (details will be provided). PC Hackney has undertaken speed checks on Ash Brow but only a couple of speeding incidents were recorded but prosecutions were not made. Due to the contours on Ash Brow, it had proved difficult to operate a speed check effectively. Whilst appreciating the provision of a SPID on Ash Brow, the problems of maintaining the battery charge were understood.
The problems with vehicles going to and from Round O Quarry at speed were referred to as was the dangers from two large vehicles passing each other on Ash Brow, which necessitates mounting the pavement.
The possibility of organising a group of residents to operate a speed check scheme was mentioned.
The traffic signs on Course Lane were also referred to, particularly those on the approach to the mini roundabouts.
The Meeting was re-convened.
42/09.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED. The following were discussed: -
e) Well-being Workshop, 3rd June 2009.
Cllrs. Mrs Gillard and Mrs Richardson agreed to attend.
f) VAT Workshop, January 2010.
It was agreed that there was no benefit in attending this Workshop as the Parish Council has limited involvement
with VAT.
g) Help Direct Co-ordinator.
The e-mail attached to the Agenda was noted. It was agreed to place an item in the next edition of Newburgh News.
43/09.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Budget/Expenditure Statement to end of March 2009.
The Statement attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
The under spend has been created by two main factors: -
c) Request from Victim Support for financial help.
There is no longer a local group and in view of this, no statistical evidence has been provided on the level of help to
residents of Newburgh. Until a new policy on financial support has been adopted, it was RESOLVED not to give
financial help in this case.
d) Website Organiser.
It was recognised that Mr Tom Gerard provides a vital role in the operation and maintenance of the Newburgh
website. However, there is no statutory authority available to allow the Parish Council to use finances to reward an
individual.
e) WLDC Capital Scheme.
The grant of £500 towards the purchase of new IT equipment was NOTED. The provision of best value will be
investigated and a proposal presented to the Parish Council for approval in due course.
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43/09 (continued)
FINANCE (continued).
f) New Play Area Insurance Cover 2009/10.
The Paper attached to the Agenda was NOTED. It was RESOLVED to: -
44/09.
PLANNING.
New Applications.
2009/0254 Replacement dwelling, Bank Top, Cobbs Brow Lane. No objections made but drew attention to our concerns over the increased size of the development.
2009/0267 The Beeches, Tabbys Nook, single storey side extension, pitched roof to replace flat roof to other side and rear elevations. No comments made.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the above recommendations of the Planning Working Group.
Updates.
2008/1255 & 1345 Boundary Farm, Ash Brow, conversion of barn to dwelling (amendment to 2007/0089 & 0090).
Granted WLDC.
2009/0179. 36, New Acres, first floor side extension and pitched roof to replace flat roof on existing front porch.
Granted WLDC.
2009/0105. 39, Cobbs Brow Lane, single storey extension to front. Refused WLDC.
Affordable Housing Strategy.
The Chair, Vice-Chairman and the Clerk met Jonathan Mitchell from WLDC and found the visit useful. A paper representing the outcome of the meeting was distributed to Councillors. It was RESOLVED to discuss this at the next Parish Council Meeting and determine what next to do with the information in view of the fact that no planning application has yet emerged for the development of the Strawberry Field.
45/09.
REPORTS.
WLDC At Home Event, 12th March 2009.
Cllr. Porter attended with the Village Assistant and he provided a brief verbal report.
Minerals & Waste Development Framework, Consultation Event, 31st March 2009.
Cllrs. Mrs Gillard and R.E. Porter attended and a copy of their report attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
The supporting document was placed in circulation.
Area Committee, 16th April 2009.
The Parish Council was not represented bu apologies were tendered.
West Lancashire Integrated Transport Review, 20th April 2009.
The Clerk attended as the representative of all the Parish Councils in West Lancashire, this being agreed at a meeting of Council Clerks. The meeting did not deal with the much needed publicity boost required to sustain the present level of bus services but did discuss accessibility issues, the current network of services and closer working with Health Service Transport provision.
46/09.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
27th May 2009 at 7.30pm, this being the Annual General Meeting.
Three members of the public were present for part of the time.
Meeting finished at 9.35pm.
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