MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 27th June 2007 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella, Chair.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, R.E. Porter, Mrs E.F. Pratt, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland & Mrs M.A. Turner
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
61/07.
APOLOGIES were received from District Councillor E. Pope, previous engagement.
62/07.
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.
He also declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9c in that this relates to a subject concerning himself.
Cllrs. C.D. Moore, Mrs Richardson and Mrs Turner declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10, Planning Applications, in that the owners of Hatherlow, Back Lane are personal friends of theirs.
63/07.
MINUTES of the Annual Council Meeting held on 30th May 2007 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
64/07.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Welcome Pack.
The updated statement is attached.
Meeting with Street Scene Management, 14th May 2007.
The Minutes of the Meeting were NOTED. It was RESOLVED to progress the following: -
Litter bin on Cobbs Brow Lane – check whether it is in good repair.
Gummed envelopes, non-recyclable – include a reminder in the next Newsletter.
Collection calendars – remind Street Scene Manager to supply quantity for Welcome Packs.
White plastic sacks – seek a supply for the use of the Village Assistant.
Hedges near School on Back Lane – contact School to see if there are any concerns regarding this.
Devolving powers from District Council to Parish Council level.
A number of Clerks are meeting Kim Webber to try to determine which activities could be considered for future devolving to Parish Councils. A list of the principle powers and duties of Local Councils was attached to the Agenda. This was noted but it was RESOLVED to fully consider this subject following the end of the consultation period of the Values and Vision Statement.
Dog Control Orders.
It was RESOLVED to respond to the District Council by saying that we recognise the problems highlighted and support the concept of the Dog Control Orders and in addition, raise the question of what measures are agreed to implement the orders. Also what resources are available to undertake the task.
Yates Playgrounds, Member of the Register of Play Inspectors.
The Company has advised us that they are now Members of the above. They are usually called upon to maintain the Play Area off Cobbs Brow Lane and they have also won the contract to provide the equipment for the new Play Area on Back Lane. In view of this, it was RESOLVED that as a conflict of interest could arise if Yates Playgrounds were to maintain/install and also inspect the same equipment, RoSPA will continue to be contracted to undertake the Annual Playground equipment inspection.
Christmas tree update.
A meeting has been held with Steve Scott and Garry Peter from which it would seem that the invoice in dispute is currently being discussed with the District Council Accountant. It was accepted that the handling of the 25ft tree had created difficulties but there had been no advice given by the District Council as to the extent of the additional cost of dealing with the unexpected large tree.
It was RESOLVED that an accurate cost would be obtained from the District Council for the provision of services in handling a smaller tree and lights for Christmas 2007.
Open Gardens Event, 8th July 2007.
Programmes are now being sold and Press Releases will be issued shortly. A meeting will be held on 2nd July 2007 with the garden owners to discuss outstanding issues and visit the gardens that will be open to the public.
Thanks were expressed to Cllr. Mrs Turner for her work in organising this event.
Retirement of Rev. David Towler, Vicar, Christ Church.
It was RESOLVED to send a letter to the Vicar thanking him for his Ministry to the community over a number of years and his support for Parish Council initiatives.
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65/07.
PARISH PLAN UPDATE.
SPID.
An order has now been issued to install the back plates on identified lampposts. Some of the plates may need experimental siting to ensure they can be seen by oncoming traffic. A number of trees/bushes may require trimming back to increase visibility.
The basic SPID will cost £2559 plus VAT but the enhanced version will cost £3059 plus VAT and this model will collect data including time and speed of traffic. The enhanced version is, however, heavier to handle but should provide valuable intelligence hopefully to be used to justify future requests for additional traffic calming measures an help as a deterrent. The Parish Council has sufficient financial resources to purchase and it was, therefore, RESOLVED to buy the enhanced SPID at a cost of £3059 plus VAT. In addition, 5 further back plates are to be obtained at a total cost of £200 plus VAT.
Play Area.
It has only just been revealed that the proposal for the lease of land now requires submission to the Church Commissioners. In the light of this, a realistic timescale for the work to commence is September/October 2007.
The School has been consulted on the project timescale and details of the plans. They are keen to be involved and fully support the project. A decision from a prospective major funder is expected mid July and it was noted that Mrs Moore is organising a coffee morning to obtain further funds. Newburgh, Indiana has been contacted with an informal request for some financial support. It was agreed that Newburgh School would again be approached to see if they are willing to hold a fundraising event.
Website.
An excellent photograph of Newburgh Fair, taken from the air, was examined and will be entered on the website. The copyright has been given to the Fair Committee and can be used for publicity purposes for future Fairs.
900 hits were made during the Fair week, which brings the total to over 15,000.
66/07.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
No members of the public were present.
67/07.
REVIEW OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 23RD MAY 2007.
Public attendance was disappointing. However, a meeting separate from the Annual Council Meeting worked well but the clash with a major sporting event may well have had an adverse effect on attendance figures. Points made were that there is a need to be flexible with the meeting date and so avoid other attractions. It would also be useful to obtain some feedback from local people about what would attract them to attend. In addition, it would be interesting to find out what other Parish Councils do to stimulate attendance.
It was RESOLVED to form a working group to examine the matter, this to consist of Cllrs. Mrs Citarella, Mrs Pratt,
Mrs Gillard, Mrs Richardson and A. Sunderland.
68/07.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence attached was NOTED. The following were discussed: -
b) Tewkesbury B.C. motion, food parcels sent to British Forces. The motion was NOTED.
c) L.A.P.T.C. AGM. 3rd November 2007. Cllr. Porter agreed to attend.
j) Japanese Knotweed.
There is evidence of this in the village and it was RESOLVED to remind the Street Scene Manager to send us a
quantity of the advice leaflets, which can be included in our Welcome Pack. Also to ascertain the status of the
Japanese Knotweed Working Group and if it is now functioning, invite a member to the July Council Meeting.
The e-mail received from local resident, Simon Berry, appears to demonstrate a level of expertise on this subject.
It was agreed to contact him to see if he is prepared to offer some specific advice to the Parish Council.
It is understood that L.C.C. have some responsibility for the maintenance of the grass verges and they will be
contacted with a view to obtaining their policy on the control of this weed.
k) Affordable Housing Strategy 2007/12.
The document will be examined in detail to ascertain any implications on Newburgh. In view of the tight response
deadline, an interim letter will be sent to the District Council and will include an invitation for a Housing Officer to
attend a future Parish Council Meeting to discuss this issue.
69/07.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Financial Statement, end of May 2007.
The Statement, copy attached, was NOTED.
c) Chain of Office.
It was RESOLVED to incur expenditure on entering the name of past Chairman, Cllr. Porter, on the Chain of
Office.
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69/07 (continued).
FINANCE (continued).
d) Grants and Donations Policy.
It was RESOLVED to prepare and consider an interim policy in advance of a final document, which will be an
outcome of the Values and Vision Statement Consultation.
e) Bank Mandate.
It was RESOLVED to submit a new Mandate incorporating the details of the new Chair, Cllr. Mrs Citarella.
f) Casual Car Users Allowance.
It was RESOLVED to adopt the new level of allowance, which has been raised from 52.7p per mile to 55.8p in
accordance with the National Joint Council for Local Government Services Agreement.
g) West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride Association.
The request for financial support to promote the Association was NOTED. However, despite no policy being yet
agreed, it was RESOLVED to contact Dial-a-Ride requesting a level of usage by Newburgh residents so that any
possible financial contribution can be judged against the benefits to the community.
70/07.
PLANNING.
New Applications.
2007/0624. The New Orchard, Back Lane, single storey side extension.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the recommendations of the Planning Working Group to raise no objections.
2007/0666. Hatherlow, Back Lane, retention of windows to side elevation.
This application was deferred for examination by the Planning Working Group.
Updates.
2007/0504. 56, Cobbs Brow Lane, new bow window and porch to front, dormer extension to side. Granted WLDC.
E/2007/0009. Hughes Mushroom Farm, Course Lane, use of land for the siting of a residential caravan.
Mr K. Hughes has appealed against the Enforcement Order.
Land at Round O Quarry, alleged Breach of Planning Control.
L.C.C. has issued an Enforcement Order about the non-introduction of the approved wheel cleaning measures. Inglenorth has submitted an appeal and it was RESOLVED to submit evidence to the Planning Inspectorate.
71/07.
REPORTS.
Parish Charter for Lancashire, Road Show, 22nd June 2007.
Cllrs. Mrs Gillard and Mrs Richardson attended on behalf of the Parish Council and a copy of their report was distributed to Councillors.
72/07.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
25th July 2007 at 7.30pm.
No members of the public were present.
Meeting finished at 9.30pm.
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