MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 22nd July 2009 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, Mrs J.M. O’Keefe, Mrs R.J. Richardson, Mrs M.A. Turner and A. Sunderland.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
71/09.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs Citarella, unwell and C.D. Moore, prior engagement. Also Borough Councillor E. Pope, attending Lancashire Local.
72/09.
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.
Cllr. Mrs O’Keefe declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9 in that she resides opposite the site of planning application 2009/0701.
The Members Personal Interests Statements were examined by Councillors at the end of the Meeting.
73/09.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 24th June 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
In view of the number of residents present at the Meeting, it was RESOLVED to bring forward for discussion Agenda Item 12 Planning Application 2009/0701 and Agenda Item 6 Issues Raised by Members of the Public.
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PLANNING.
Application No 2009/0701. Farm Shop, Course Lane, change of use to Retail, Business, Storage and
Non-Residential.
The Chairman explained the issues connected with this application including the necessity to focus on material considerations relating to the Farm Shop.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to raise their own points of view.
A number of residents raised issues but it was decided that the best way forward was to address each paragraph of the Draft Parish Council submission, a copy of which was handed to those present.
Mr Richardson, Back Lane, said that the village had no control over possible development on the site and suggested the initiative should be taken regarding the future of the site by having discussions with Planning Officers to determine what could be developed, which would be of advantage to the village community.
The Chairman re-convened the Meeting by encouraging residents to submit their own concerns direct to West Lancashire Borough Council.
Consideration was given to the points made by residents to the Draft Submission and these will be incorporated in the final document to be sent to the Borough Council (copy of the final document attached).
The suggestion made by Mr Richardson was NOTED and it was RESOLVED to arrange for an informal discussion with Planning Officers to obtain their views
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ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
No further issues were raised.
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SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Public Sector Duties, Equality and Human Rights.
The document is still in the hands of Cllr. Mrs Citarella but, in view of her absence, the matter was deferred until the September Meeting.
Trough under the Pump on the Village Green.
The Heritage and Environment Manager has indicated that he still considers the trough to be of buff coloured
grit-stone but says that he is happy for the decision to be a Parish matter.
It was RESOLVED to fill the trough with limestone chippings and Cllrs. Mrs O’Keefe and A. Sunderland agreed to undertake this task with material already available.
Open Gardens, 12th July 2009.
A successful event was held raising £1259.90, which is an invaluable contribution to funding of the new Play Area. Thanks were expressed to Cllr. Mrs Turner for her hard work and commitment to this project and also appreciation to all those who opened their gardens.
There was now a question of whether or not to hold an Open Gardens event in 2010 and it was RESOLVED to discuss this at the next Parish Council Meeting.
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76/09 continued.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (continued).
Housing Needs and Demand Survey – Parish Council Input.
The submission date for the Parish Council input is end of August 2009 and a number of Councillors agreed to look at the Survey Document, then submit response direct to W.L.B.C.
Dog Control Orders.
The Dog Control Orders, copy attached to the Agenda, were NOTED but a question was raised as to whether the Borough Council has sufficient resources available to police the new arrangements.
It was RESOLVED to ask the Borough Council to include the new enclosed Play Area on Back Lane at an appropriate opportunity.
LALC. AGM, 7th November 2009.
Cllr. Porter agreed to attend as the Parish Council voting representative. There were no proposals forthcoming in connection with the submission of resolutions but, if Councillors have any ideas, these should be sent to the Clerk during the August recess as the deadline date for submission is 7th September 2009.
Visit by residents from Twin Town, Newburgh, Indiana, USA.
Councilwoman Anne Rust Aurand and two other residents will be arriving in the village on 25th July 2009 for a few days and they intend to host a get-together at the Red Lion Hotel to renew old acquaintances and meet new Councillors. There is a small sum in reserves obtained through the sale of village prints and it was RESOLVED to use some of this money, if necessary, to provide some hospitality for our visitors.
Temporary Road Closure of part B5240, Hall Lane, Lathom and use of Cobbs Brow Lane as an alternative diversionary route between 17th – 29th August 2009.
The advice received from L.C.C. Highways was NOTED.
The Chairman raised an additional item, not on the Agenda.
Cobbs Brow Lane littered with plastic plant pots.
These have been seen today and are presumably from the Red Apple Nursery, Cobbs Brow Lane.
77/09.
WORK PLAN UPDATE.
An updated copy of the Values and Visions Statement is attached incorporating progress made since the last Meeting was held. Two key items were the need to press United Utilities for a further meeting at Hoscar WWTW and to make arrangements for a meeting with the Community Beat Officer to clarify a number of communication issues.
A written update on the new Play Area, SPID and the website is attached for information. In respect of the new Play Area it was reported that an inspection regime is now in place. The Village Assistant looks for any evidence of problems with equipment and surrounds on a weekly basis and the Clerk undertakes a further inspection on a monthly basis, immediately prior to a Parish Council Meeting. It was NOTED that inspections during the last month have found nothing to report.
Two items contained in the written report require attention and it was RESOLVED to: -
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CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED. The following were discussed: -
d) Reinstatement of the railway line between Skipton and Colne.
It was RESOLVED not to provide a written statement of support.
e) Introduction from new County Councillor David Westley.
Noted.
f) Introduction from new District Partnership Officer, Tracey Jardine.
Noted.
g) Help Direct – attendance at a future Parish Council Meeting.
There was no objection to this but firstly, Help Direct will be asked to supply details of their function.
79/09.
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 June 2009.
The Statement, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
c) Criteria for assessing applications for Donations.
The paper circulated prior to the Meeting was agreed in principle but it was RESOLVED to make minor
amendments to the detail and present the final document for adoption at the September Parish Council Meeting.
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79/09 (continued).
FINANCE (continued)
d) Request for financial support.
e) Internal Audit.
The Report from the Internal Auditor, Michelle Rigby, was NOTED.
f) Insurance of Play Area boundary wall on Back Lane.
The Insurer has reported that the whole length of the wall will have to be insured against impact from animals and
vehicles and, therefore, a value will have to be established.
After considering the likelihood of an impact occurring, it was RESOLVED not to insure the boundary wall.
g) Repair of three damaged public seats.
It was RESOLVED to accept a verbal estimate provided by Yates Playgrounds of £58 per seat.
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REPORTS.
Prior to receiving the Reports, two Councillors were presented with their Certificates for attending the Power of Well-being Workshop on 3rd June 2009: -
Planning Workshop, 25th June 2009.
Cllr. Porter attended and provided a verbal report. He suggested that papers issued at the Workshop should be considered by members of the Planning Working Group.
Burscough Sustainable Group Meeting, 25th June 2009.
Cllr. Mrs Gillard attended and her report, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED. A number of issues have potential relevance to Newburgh and Councillors were asked to consider the contents of the report and be prepared to discuss implications at the September Parish Council Meeting.
West Lancashire Local Strategic Partnership, Annual Conference, 26th June 2009.
A copy of the report from Cllrs. Mrs Gillard and Mrs O’Keefe is attached.
Freedom of Information and Data Protection Workshop, 1st July 2009.
Cllr. Mrs O’Keefe attended and a copy of her report is attached.
West Lancashire Area Committee AGM, 16th July 2009.
Cllrs. Mrs Gillard and Mrs Richardson attended and a copy of their report is attached. In view of the continuing disappointing performance of the Committee, it was agreed to discuss our involvement in the future at the September Parish Council Meeting.
81/09.
FUTURE MEETINGS.
a) August Recess.
It was RESOLVED to authorise the Chair to approve Accounts for Payment and deal with any matters of urgency.
b) Meeting Dates 2009.
It was agreed to hold Parish Council meetings on the following dates: -
Nineteen members of the public were present, mostly for part of the Meeting only
Meeting finished at 10pm.
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