MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 28th February 2007 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs J. Citarella, Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, Mrs E.F. Pratt, Mrs R.J. Richardson and A. Sunderland.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
15/07.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs M.A. Turner, holiday and District Councillor, E. Pope.
16/07.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. Porter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9a in that the Schedule of Accounts for Payment includes an item in respect of his wife for village cleaning. Also Agenda Item 8L, Nomination of Chairman to attend Buckingham Palace Garden Party if chosen, as he is the current Chairman of the Parish Council.
Cllr. Moore declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9a in that the Schedule of Accounts for Payment includes an item of reimbursement to himself.
Cllr. Sunderland declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4, Consultation on Proposals for Engaging with Neighbourhoods in Lancashire, in that he is employed as an Officer for Lancashire County Council.
17/07.
MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 24th January 2007 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
18/07.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Welcome Pack.
The updated statement is attached.
Round O Quarry Updates.
A Newburgh News Special has been distributed to residents recommending to them who they should contact with any environmental concerns they may have.
Advice has been received that approval has been given for the development of an aggregate recycling facility within the curtilage of the Quarry.
L.C.C. has expressed the view that the 2010 date for completion of operations will depend upon the amount of waste material that the operator is able to attract to the site within the restriction of vehicle numbers imposed by the planning permission condition.
Inglenorth has agreed to attend a Liaison Meeting on 15th March 2007 in the Red Lion Hotel commencing at 1.30pm. It was RESOLVED to send representatives, those concerned to meet in advance to discuss the detailed issues to be raised, a Parish Councillor to chair the meeting, the Parish Council to influence the Agenda and County Councillor Shepherd and District Councillor Pope be invited to attend.
Disability Discrimination Act.
The NALC Legal Briefing L12/06 advises that Parish Councils are not required to issue a Disability Equality Scheme. However, it was RESOLVED that an examination should be undertaken of Parish Council activities and how they relate to the Discrimination Act.
Police Support Officer and Provision of Transport.
The Meeting held on 7th February 2007 was attended by Sgt. David Lea and representatives from Parbold, Dalton and Newburgh Parish Councils. Whilst the appointment of a Police Community Support Officer for this area was welcomed, there was general concern as to why a vehicle had not been provided by the Police Authority for the use of the new Support Officer.
Unfortunately, Wrightington, Hilldale and Bispham Councils were not present, therefore, a decision even in principle, was not possible for although provision of a car would benefit all communities it would need to be funded from all Parish Councils.
The point was made that Councils have now set their precept for 2007/08 therefore, finance was not currently available in any case.
In the light of the positive nature of the Meeting, it was resolved to: -
This report on the Meeting held on 7th February was NOTED but it was RESOLVED to write to Sgt. Lea on the question of the mobility of the Support Officer, particularly in respect of the apparent lack of any rules, which allow for the re-imbursement of costs for private car usage.
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18/07 (continued).
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (continued).
Proposals for Engaging with Neighbourhoods in Lancashire.
The consultation document was NOTED and a number of inadequacies were highlighted. It was RESOLVED to: -
Best Kept Village Competition 2007.
It was RESOLVED to enter this Competition for 2007.
Calor Village of the Year Competition.
The Quick Tick Questionnaire is an excellent document for identifying possible gaps in service and facility provision in the village. However, it was RESOLVED that the timescale is too tight to enter the competition this year but the questionnaire could be a prompt for the development of action, so as to enter the 2008 competition with confidence.
It was agreed that Councillors should complete the questionnaire from their own knowledge, these to be collated and the shortcomings thereby identified.
Annual Parish Meeting Format.
The report of the Meeting last year, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED. It was agreed that the “Market Place” idea had been successful but that a change of focus from “Village Group Activity” to “Village Service Provision” should be made.
In addition, some form of entertainment is important in order to attract public attendance. It was RESOLVED to contact the School to ascertain availability of children to sing, on the basis of that provided by them for the Senior Citizens Lunch. Also, to contact Mark Dowding to see if he will perform some folk singing.
The Annual Report by the Chairman of the Parish Council will be a key item on the Agenda but in addition, the new Values and Vision Statements would be presented with some form of explanation.
An important factor for the success of the evening is for Parish Councillors to mingle with members of the public after the Parish Meeting whilst they are taking refreshments. This being the case, a separate date to hold the Annual General Meeting will have to be arranged.
19/07.
VILLAGE PLAN.
Updates.
Play Area.
Cory Environmental Fund has declined our bid for £10,000 due to their limited funds and our distance from their point of operation. Whilst the application could be re-submitted for the next round of decision-making, it was agreed to first await the outcome of our bids for funding from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, expected in April and the District Council Capital Fund, expected March/April. Once these decisions are known, we will be in a better position to calculate the level of funding shortfall.
Ibstock Environmental Fund, nearest operation is in Skelmersdale/UpHolland could then be approached for funding, deadline for receipt of application is June 2007. The Big Lottery could be a source of funding with the District Council handling the distribution in respect of West Lancashire. An initial expression of interest has already been submitted to the District Council but it was agreed, in the light of the Big Lottery timescales, to remind the District Council of our requirements.
Pedestrian Safety.
Communication has passed between the Parish Council, Lancashire County Council and the Police with some progress being made in establishing suitability of lamp-posts for the erection of the back plates and the Speed Indicator Device (SPID).
The handling of the SPID has yet to be settled but positive reaction is now being received from both LCC and the Police.
Website.
The “What’s On” page is filling up well. A general check will soon be required to ensure that all contents are up to date and this process will be triggered off at the appropriate time.
Applications from other sites are being received asking to be linked with the Newburgh website. It was RESOLVED not to allow a link with commercial sites other than those based locally.
The Local Council Review has indicated that they are again holding a competition for the best Council website. When details are available, it is the intention to enter the Newburgh site.
Due to copyright constraints, it was RESOLVED not to place the Newburgh website data into the wikipedia site.
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19/07 (continued).
VILLAGE PLAN (continued).
CVS Workshops.
Cllr. Mrs Richardson attended the Workshop on 26th February 2007, the theme being Environment and Conservation. She submitted a written report indicating that the Workshop was well supported and worth attending. Four more workshops are planned and Cllrs. Moore and Porter will attend on 7th March, the theme being Traffic and Road Safety. Mr Howard agreed to attend on 21st March on the theme Public Transport. A representative may be available for the 14th March Youth and Youth Activities Workshop but no-one was available for the 28th March, Community, Recreation and Sport event.
20/07.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
There were no members of the public present.
21/07.
VALUES AND VISION STATEMENTS.
It was RESOLVED to adopt the revised statements, copy attached, subject to consultation and observations we may receive from residents. On completion of this process, a wide distribution of our Values and Vision will be made. The next phase is to enhance the statements to include “What we do” and “What we can do” action plans.
22/07.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence attached was NOTED. The following were discussed: -
j) Code of Conduct Seminar/Workshop, 29th March 2007.
Councillors were reminded of the importance of this event in view of the changes to be introduced. The response
form should be submitted to the District Council as soon as possible.
l) Buckingham Palace Garden Party, 17th July 2007.
It was RESOLVED to submit the name of the Chairman, Cllr. Porter to be placed in the ballot to attend the event.
23/07.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those Accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Financial Statement to end of January 2007.
The Statement attached to the Agenda was NOTED.
c) Internal Audit.
It was RESOLVED to again appoint Michelle Rigby to audit the Accounts for 2006/07.
d) Assets Register.
The updated Register, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
e) Lancashire Local Grants Scheme.
It was pleasing to note that a £1000 Grant has been awarded towards the cost of the provision of a SPID. Thanks to
County Councillor Shepherd for his sponsorship of the application. The paper work is required to be submitted to
LCC by 6th May 2007, which places some pressure on finding a solution to the SPID handling issue.
f) West Lancashire Area Committee.
The Agenda of the next Area Committee Meeting on 22nd March 2007 includes an item on the Honorarium for the
Secretary. It was RESOLVED that the budgeted £30 Honorarium can be confirmed and that the monies held by the
Committee is used by agreement made at the Area Committee Meeting.
g)Travelling and Subsistence Allowances Scheme.
It was RESOLVED to continue with this Scheme.
24/07.
PLANNING.
New Applications.
2007/0089/0090. Listed Building, Boundary Farm, Ash Brow, conversion of barn to dwelling.
No objection raised but concern was expressed about the adverse effect of additional vehicular movements at this dangerous junction.
2007/0100. Land at Back Lane, provision of Children’s Play Area.
This application was noted as the Parish Council had submitted it.
2007/0137. Bramblecote, Tabbys Nook, conservatory at rear. No objection raised.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the above recommendations of the Planning Working Group.
Updates.
2006/1239. Siting of a mobile home and stable block, Mug House Stables. Refused W.L.D.C.
2006/1403. Part two-storey/part first floor extension and conservatory at rear, 5, Clovelly Drive. Refused W.L.D.C.
2006/1445. First floor extension, Sunnyfield, Course Lane. Granted W.L.D.C.
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24/07 (continued).
PLANNING (continued).
Planning Training, 20th February 2007.
Cllr. Mrs Citarella attended and provided a positive verbal report.
West Lancashire Design Awards 2007.
There were no nominations for consideration under this Scheme.
25/07.
REPORTS.
District Council as an Assembly, 31st January 2007.
Cllr. Porter attended and provided a verbal report.
Clerks Meeting, 9th February 2007.
The Clerk attended this well-supported Meeting and provided a verbal report.
A copy of the Charter document, incorporating the signatures of those committed to the project, was distributed to Councillors.
26/07.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
28th March 2007 at 7.30pm.
No members of the public were present.
Meeting finished at 9.50pm.
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