MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the upstairs meeting room, Red Lion Hotel, Ash Brow, Newburgh on Wednesday, 12th December 2007 commencing at 7.40pm.

 

PRESENT: Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella, Chair.

Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.

Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.

 

121/07.

APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs. R.E. Porter and Mrs E.F. Pratt, unavailable and District Councillor, E. Pope who had a prior engagement.

 

122/07.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.

No declarations were made.

 

123/07.

MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 28th November 2007 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

 

124/07.

PARISH PLAN.

SPID.

There has been no further response from the Police regarding handling the equipment and at present, the Fire and Rescue Service has not been contacted. L.C.C. has arranged training dates and Ian Yates, Yates Playgrounds has intimated his interest in attending. As he already handles the SPID for Burscough Parish Council, their Clerk has been contacted and advised of the discussion we have had with Mr Yates and our interest in employing him.

It was RESOLVED to wait for some feedback from Mr Yates following his training. If this has been successful, the Parish Council will then need to review the public liability issue for this type of activity and then obtain a quote from

Mr Yates for the contract.

Play Area.

The School Governing Body has convened a special meeting on 14th January 2008 to discuss the use of the land between the School and the Vicarage for the new Play Area. The Church Warden has been advised of this so that she can ensure that the Church Authorities are progressing the leasing arrangements.

Businesses.

There is no news yet about the future of Newburgh Post Office.

Website.

Details of the visit to the Newburgh website, copy attached, were noted.

 

125/07.

FINANCE.

a) Accounts for Payment.

    It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those Accounts included in the Schedule attached.

b) Christmas tree 2006 invoice.

    The file of papers has been examined by most of the Councillors and although there were many process

    shortcomings, it was RESOLVED to accept the District Council compromise and pay £1000 including VAT.

    It was also agreed to seek a meeting with Bill Taylor, W.L.D.C. Chief Executive to discuss the problems to ensure

    these do not occur again to ourselves or other Parish Councils.

    The opportunity was taken to discuss the Christmas tree/lights for this season. Whilst the tree and lights were

    erected satisfactorily, the lights themselves subsequently failed. However, W.L.D.C. has, through the Contractor,

    put in place a contingency plan, which will ensure that there is no failure for the Carols on The Green event to be

    held on 13th December 2007.

c) Finance Committee.

    It was RESOLVED to re-convene the Finance Committee on Monday, 7th January 2008 in the School at 7.30pm to

    discuss the 2008/09 budget and precept.

d) Capital Funding 2008/09.

    It was RESOLVED to submit a proposal for a replacement fence between the Sports Field and the privately owned

    adjacent field.

 

126/07.

DATES OF 2008 MEETINGS.

The dates attached were AGREED.

 

No members of the public were present.

 

Meeting finished at 8.35pm.

 

The cheques were signed following comparison with the vouchers and supporting papers.

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