MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 24th June 2009 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, Mrs J.M. O’Keefe, C.D. Moore, Mrs R.J. Richardson and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
60/09.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs Citarella, prior engagement and Cllr. Sunderland, holiday.
61/09.
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 Turner declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8a in that an item of reimbursement to her is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment.
62/09.
MINUTES of the Annual Council meeting held on 22nd May 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
63/09.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Public Sector Duties, Quality and Human Rights.
The Chair has started to evaluate the implications of this consultation document and it was RESOLVED to receive her report at the next Parish Council Meeting.
Base of pump on the Village Green.
The Borough Council Heritage and Environment Manager has raised no objection to filling the base with stone chippings etc but has asked that these be sandstone and not limestone, due to the colour. However, there was some doubt expressed about sandstone chippings matching the rest of the area and before carrying out the work, the site will be examined and if appropriate, again raise the issue with the Heritage Manager.
Open Gardens update.
Cllr. Mrs Turner reported that all arrangements are in hand including the production of the programmes and posters. Publicity has been arranged with the local Press, Lancashire Life and Newburgh School Newsletter.
Housing Needs Survey, Meeting on 11th June 2009.
Cllrs. Porter and Mrs O’Keefe attended on behalf of the Parish Council and a copy of their report was attached.
Whilst not on the Agenda, a discussion took place on the land availability exercise carried out for the Borough Council.
Meeting was adjourned to allow Borough Councillor Pope to comment.
He indicated that this was a fact-finding exercise only and he was on a Sub-Committee of the Working Group examining the details. In due course, appropriate consultation would be held.
The Meeting was re-convened and Cllr. Porter said he would retain the data extracted from the website for future use, if necessary.
Clerk’s Contract of Employment.
The current Contract makes no reference to sick pay and in view of this, it was RESOLVED to re-examine the document in the autumn in conjunction with the already agreed review of hours of working.
It was agreed that the following item should be discussed now although not on the Agenda, in view of the timescale for submission.
Calor Village of the Year.
Cllr. Mrs Richardson has prepared a submission and it was RESOLVED to submit this application to LALC.
64/09.
WORK PLAN UPDATE.
Tree Warden.
Colin Dixon held a successful Tree Seminar on 4th June 2009 at his home. He now reports that five interested residents attended but none were sufficiently experienced to be a Tree Warden. However, he says that the seeds have been sown for the future. Mr Dixon was thanked for his initiative.
Speed Indicator Device.
Our Contractor, Ian Yates, has reported that the battery seems to be life expired. He cites a similar problem in Burscough who sent the device to the manufacturers for attention who in turn recommended installing a higher-powered battery. Observations are that there is now a noticeable improvement in the operating of their SPID.
In view of this, it was RESOLVED to send the Newburgh SPID to the manufacturer for similar treatment.
-1006-
64/09 continued.
WORK PLAN UPDATE (continued).
New Play Area.
The opening on 13th June 2009 was well attended and very successful. Subsequently, both individuals and Groups have extensively used the equipment.
The grass mowing routine has started at ten-day intervals and the submission of invoices has been arranged.
It was agreed to discuss with the Village Assistant, Mrs S. Porter, an inspection routine in conjunction with the Clerk. In addition, it was RESOLVED to ask Ian Yates to monitor the equipment in the next few days and also after a further three-month period.
Reports and submissions are being prepared for the main Funders but prior to forwarding these; a detailed examination of the financial position will be undertaken. Ian Yates has asked for an advance payment and it was RESOLVED to arrange this within the current limited finance available.
An extensive report has already been produced for the landlord and Ian Yates has been asked to provide the required warranties.
Website.
A slide show of Newburgh Fair is now included.
65/09.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow Borough Councillor Pope to raise any issues.
He asked what was happening with the Public Liaison Meetings with Hoscar WWTW, which had not been held for some considerable time.
He also offered congratulations on the provision of the new Play Area.
The Meeting was re-convened.
66/09.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED.
67/09.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those Accounts included in the Schedule attached.
68/09.
PLANNING.
New Application.
2009/0282. Shirleen, Ash Brow, erection of sun room to rear of existing garage.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the recommendation of the Planning Working Group to make no comment on this application.
69/07.
REPORT.
Power of Well-being, Workshop on 3rd June 2009.
Cllrs. Mrs Gillard and Mrs Richardson attended the Workshop and a copy of their report is attached. NALC has asked to be notified when the Council passes a resolution determining eligibility. It was RESOLVED not to respond at present but accept the comments of the attendees to give the matter further consideration.
70/09.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
22nd July 2009 at 7.30pm.
Borough Councillor Pope was present.
Meeting finished at 8.50pm.
-1007-
Schedule of Correspondence.
The following were placed in circulation: -
CPRE Fieldwork, June 2009.
Community Play Area brochure.
Schedule of Accounts for Payment.
Mrs S. Porter, village cleaning. £104.00
Mr B. Howard, June Salary & Expenses. £392.64
Mrs M. Turner, re-imbursement, Civic Service refreshments. £ 4.42
Mrs S. Porter, re-imbursement, Civic Service refreshments. £ 9.62
Professional Lawns Ltd, turf for new Play Area. £287.50 from Gift Account.
Professional Lawns Ltd, additional turf for new Play Area. £115.00 from Gift Account.
Mr B. Howard, re-imbursement, stationery. £ 9.68
BT Payment Services Ltd. Phone/IT. £ 96.29
Flexipress Ltd. Publicity, Local Food Promotion. £168.50 from Grant.
The Food Shop, refreshments, Local Food Promotion. £652.50 from Grant.
J. Webster & Son, refreshments, Local Food Promotion. £ 24.00 from Grant.
Petty Cash. £ 30.00
Receipts.
Local Food Grant. £831.50
-1009-