MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 28th January 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, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.

Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.

01/09.

APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs R.J. Richardson, family commitment abroad and District Councillor Pope, prior engagement.

02/09.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.

Cllr. Porter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9a in that his wife is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment in respect of village cleaning. Also Agenda Item 9b in that his wife is referred to in the Minutes of the Finance Working Group in respect of payment for village cleaning.

Cllr. Mrs Gillard declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8d in that she has met the sender of the e-mail in which she is specifically mentioned.

03/09.

MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10th December 2008 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

04/09.

SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

Closure of A5209, Course Lane from 12th January 2009.

It was noted that the work is well under way with a likelihood of completion in advance of the planned date.

Access arrangements for residents and carers affected, have worked well.

The diversionary arrangements have not been policed effectively with large vehicles using Back Lane (Spencers Bridge) and Tabbys Nook as the mistaken means of avoiding the advertised closure. The result has been that some of the grass verges have been eroded and it was agreed to ask L.C.C. to reinstate these once the work has been completed.

Proposed closure of Spencers Bridge, 23rd – 27th February 2009.

Insufficient notice has been given of this proposal and this shortcoming was raised at the recent Lancashire Local Meeting. It is understood that residents have not yet been advised and a public notice has not been seen. L.C.C. will be contacted by the Clerk to establish the communication arrangements and if these prove to be unsatisfactory, the Parish Council will publish a Newsletter advising local residents of the closure and the alternative routes.

Carols on The Green, 11th December 2008.

This was a most successful event and it was RESOLVED to hold it again this year. A proposed date of 17th December will be checked for availability with Rev. Milford and the Coppull & Standish Brass Band.

Christmas tree and lights on The Green.

It was agreed to deal with this during the Values and Visions process.

Code of Practice, Publicity.

The Consultation document has little relevance to small Parish Councils and it was agreed to make no response.

Civic Service, 17th May 2009.

It was RESOLVED to hold the Civic Service on 17th May 2009 subject to confirmation by Rev. Milford.

The Chair asked Councillors to consider making a contribution to the arrangements for the buffet after the Service, either by providing some refreshments (cost to be re-imbursed) and/or helping with the setting up and clearing away duties.

WLDC Newspaper “Westlancslife”.

An offer has been made by WLDC to Parish Councils to include one item of general interest in the next edition of their newspaper. It was agreed to submit an article about the news item in the Evansville Courier & Press issued on

5th December 2008 about the Twinning relationship between Newburgh, USA and Newburgh, West Lancashire.

Annual Parish Meeting and Annual General Meeting.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on 19th May 2009 and will feature a Local Food presentation. A progress group has already been established and Cllr. Mrs O’Keefe agreed to join.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on 27th May 2009, which is the date already agreed in the programme of Parish Council Meetings.

05/09.

PARISH PLAN UPDATE.

New Play Area.

The Action Plan paper attached to the Agenda was NOTED. The Lease and Licence have been completed and also the Land Registry arrangements.

The Contract with Yates Playgrounds is ready for completion and a letter of acceptance of the quote is prepared and will soon be sent.

-973-

05/09 (continued).

New Play Area (continued).

A grant from Cory Environmental Trust of £1200 has now been approved and will cover the deficit. The results of two other applications are awaited – Lancashire Foundation and L.C.C. Parish Champion. Consideration is being given to ordering enhanced play panels, which will increase costs.

The Management Committee has now been established and a copy of the Minutes of their first Meeting is attached. Cllr. Porter and Dave McDowall are to be invited to join the Committee to oversee the construction of the Play Area. A copy of the Management Committee Terms of Reference is attached.

It was pleasing to note the interest of village representatives to help develop the project. The Chair expressed the appreciation of the Council to Cllr. Chris Moore for his commitment and enthusiasm in bringing the project to near fruition.

Website.

The Calendar of Events is the most frequently visited page and a list of results will be placed in circulation. It is time to review content for accuracy, names, contact details etc and Councillors were asked to carry out the check by

25th February 2009.

06/09.

VISIONS AND VALUES STATEMENT.

It was RESOLVED to adopt the final version of the Statement. The priorities for 2009 were examined and the responsibilities for progress agreed. These initiatives will now be summarised including timescales for completion. These, along with monitoring arrangements, will be discussed further by the Chair and the Clerk.

It was agreed to contact former Councillor Elaine Pratt to seek her view on how a risk assessment exercise can be applied to the identified priorities.

07/09.

ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to raise any issues.

Mrs Rosemary Lyon expressed her concern over the adverse effect that the road works are having on the business at the Post Office, Store and Tearoom. There was clear evidence that local residents are not continuing to support the businesses. 

Mrs Shirley Porter raised a number of subjects: -

• Due to the current road works, she has switched her cleaning emphasis to litter picking around the village.
• Back Lane pavements require sweeping to remove compacted leaves.
• The Footpath Map display case on the bus shelter near the Red Lion Hotel is leaking and the map is very wet.
• The cement around the flags on the War Memorial is becoming loose and needs attention.
• She complained about the damage to the grass verge on Cobbs Brow Lane (close to Ranleigh Drive) by vehicle run over.

The Meeting was re-convened.

08/09.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED.

The following were specifically noted: -

a) Standards Committee complaints response.

b) Review of the Registers of Common Land, Newburgh Village Green has been registered.

c) Letter from Lathom Park Trust regarding membership.   

d) E-mail from Kevin Hodge regarding future use of Hare Nursery land.

    The e-mail was noted and it was RESOLVED to respond by indicating that the Parish Council would be pleased to

     be involved in the development of the plans, as appropriate. It was agreed that Cllrs. Mrs Gillard and Mrs Turner

     would be the link.

08/09.

FINANCE.

a) Accounts for Payment.

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

b) Finance Working Group.

    The Notes of the Finance Working Group Meeting were NOTED. It was RESOLVED TO: -

• Agree the budget and precept for 2009/10 at £10045 an increase over the previous year of 2.6%.

c) Possible visit by residents of Newburgh, Indiana.

    It was RESOLVED that finance should not be provided from Parish Council financial resources but, if visitors do

    arrive, details will be discussed and agreed at that time.

d) North West Air Ambulance.

    It was RESOLVED to respond to the request for financial support by providing a donation of £20.

e) Parish Council Allowances Scheme.

    It was RESOLVED to continue with the current Scheme.

-974-