MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 26th March 2008 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella, Chair.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, R.E. Porter, Mrs R.J. Richardson and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
23/08.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs Pratt, business commitment and Cllr. Sunderland, holiday.
24/08.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. R.E. Porter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10a in that his wife is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment in respect of village cleaning.
25/08.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 27th February 2008 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
26/08.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
It was RESOLVED to discuss an urgent matter, the new closure threat to Newburgh Post Office although this item was not on the Agenda.
The background leading up to the advice that Newburgh Post Office would not close, subject to the six weeks consultation process, was given. However, Post Office Ltd. has now decided to grant a reprieve to one Post Office in the Lancashire area and keep it open. It has then identified Newburgh to replace the one reprieved. From 20th May there will be six weeks of consultation during which, the views of local people and interest groups will be sought.
It was RESOLVED to reiterate the Parish Council support for the Post Office and any campaign against closure. Also provide physical resources for leaflet delivery, etc.
An outline of actions to be undertaken was provided: -
The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to speak.
Irene Allen, Newburgh Postmistress, thanked the Parish Council for their support. She said there had been some misunderstanding by the Post Office Authorities regarding the provision of disabled access. In addition, she pointed out that for the sale of certain key products, she had been top branch in the north.
District Councillor Pope expressed his concern over the planned closure and promised his support at District Council level and he would also raise the issue at the next Lathom Parish Council Meeting, as many residents find Newburgh Post Office convenient and are customers there.
The Meeting was re-convened.
It was RESOLVED that in order to provide a consistent approach to enquiries, particularly from the media, these should be referred to the Chair, Cllr. Mrs Citarella.
In addition, it was RESOLVED to allocate £250 to support the costs of publicity material and other campaign activities.
Welcome Pack.
The distribution update is attached.
Civic Service, 18th May 2008.
This will be held in Christ Church at the 10.30am Service when the Chairman of the District Council and his Lady have agreed to attend. The hymns have been selected but the Lessons for the two Readers have still to be determined. The Brownies and Guides will be in attendance; news from the Scouts and Cubs is still awaited.
Parish Councillors were asked to support this annual event and it was RESOLVED to authorise the necessary expenditure for the provision of refreshments following the Service.
Annual Parish Meeting, 22nd May 2008.
Meeting will commence at 7pm or 7.30pm, the theme being “Local Living”. The Schoolchildren will make a presentation on their Green Initiatives and providers of local produce and environmental projects have agreed to attend. Other local growers are being contacted to demonstrate that they have not been forgotten and encouraged to participate.
The provision of refreshments is under investigation and funding opportunities, including the production of invitations, is being examined.
The W.I. will be looking at the preparation of a Directory of Local Producers and this will be launched on the night.
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26/08 continued.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES continued.
Danger to pedestrians crossing Course Lane.
A resident of Course Lane, who is less than mobile, has pointed out the great difficulty in trying to cross the busy and dangerous section of Course Lane in the area of the Strawberry Field. The alternative route is impossible to negotiate, for at the junction of Course Lane and Tears Lane, the pavement disappears and the zebra crossing near Woodrow Drive cannot be reached safely.
It was RESOLVED to contact L.C.C. pointing out the problem and asking them for a solution.
Footpaths Leaflet.
The amended version has now been prepared but it was RESOLVED to wait for the L.C.C. funding decision before proceeding.
Japanese Knotweed.
The leaflet specially prepared by RM Services Ltd, is very useful and will be sent to owners of land on which knotweed is located. It was agreed to write to RM Services Ltd. thanking them for their help.
School Bus Passes.
It was pleasing to note that residents have won their case for free travel to Burscough Priory School, the recognised walking route now being deemed unsafe. This means that children from Newburgh and along the route will be entitled to a free bus pass.
The Chair will determine from the residents concerned whether they wish an item to appear in the next Newsletter.
27/08.
PARISH PLAN UPDATE.
New Play Area.
A group of Councillors met to review the position including the financial arrangements and found these to be in order. However, the emerging financial difficulties were discussed and taking into account the Church Authorities legal costs in producing the lease (£1000 – £1200), their Agent fee (£250) and the Parish Council Solicitor’s Fee (£250), this amounted to around £700 in excess of available funds. An examination of the projected level of reserves at the end of this fiscal year indicated that this shortfall could be covered from this source.
It was RESOLVED to take the £700 shortfall from reserves.
In discussion with the Archdeacon, it was agreed by him that the £500, allegedly incurred by aborted work, would be waived.
The Agent for the Church Authorities has now examined the land on which the Play Area is to be constructed and he will now report on the viability of this so that the Charity Commission can set an appropriate rental for the use of the land.
SPID.
The amended agreement has been sent to Yates Playgrounds for completion with an expectation that the project will commence in early April.
Website.
The site is due for updating and Councillors were asked to examine their area of responsibility and advise details of any changes required.
Affordable Housing.
Cllrs. Mrs Gillard, C.D. Moore and the Clerk attended a well-prepared presentation by Jonathan Mitchell, W.L.D.C. Housing Strategy and Development Programme Manager, on 13th March 2008. A copy of this presentation has been placed in circulation but the following points were highlighted: -
The presentation was well-worth attending and raises the question as to whether at some stage, the Parish Council should try to identify the need by examining the demographics in the village.
28/08.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to speak.
PC Steve Hackney said that there was nothing special to report but thanked Councillors for supporting the PACT meetings held in Newburgh.
District Councillor Pope, in making reference to the discussion on affordable housing, said that the former Mushroom Farm on Course Lane could be a possible site.
The Enforcement Order on Mug House Stud has not yet been implemented. He explained that resource problems in the Planning Section means that there are certain delays particularly on enforcement issues.
He reported that, due to budget constraints, the District Council Assembly will not be held next year.
The Meeting was re-convened.
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29/08.
VALUES AND VISION STATEMENT.
Subject to certain amendments, it was agreed that the statement was acceptable but the priority categories would be given further consideration. The objectives contained in the Values and Vision document are the springboard for a detailed risk assessment and how this will be progressed will be subject to further discussion,
30/08.
NEWBURGH NEWS.
It was agreed to distribute the next edition during week commencing 5th May 2008 with input to the clerk by 26th April.
31/08.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED. The following was discussed: -
c) Nominations for three places on the District Council Standards Committee.
The names put forward were noted and it was RESOLVED not to submit a vote.
32/08.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Assets Register to end of March 2008.
The Register, copy attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
c) Repair/painting to street furniture.
The quote of £265 from Mikes Handyman services was approved.
District Councillor Pope left the Meeting at this point.
33/08.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
2008/0197. 7, Woodrow Drive, part two storey, part first floor side extension. Single storey front extension including replacement porch. It was agreed to raise no objections but to point out that a similar application was recently submitted in respect of a neighbouring property, which was granted only when an adjustment to the extension height was made.
2008/0108. Old Orchard, Back Lane, single storey rear extension with terrace above. It was agreed to raise no objection but to point out that the terrace (balcony) appears to overlook neighbouring properties.
34/08.
REPORTS.
Design Workshop, 10th March 2008.
Cllr. Porter attended this excellent event. A copy of the Presentation was placed in circulation, firstly to the members of the Planning Working Group.
L.C.C. Charter, Consultation Group Meeting, 19th March 2008.
This was a one-off meeting attended by Cllr. Mrs Richardson and representatives from three other Parish Councils in Lancashire. The results of the discussion will be fed into the Charter process and the launch event to be held on 12th April 2008.
35/08.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
23rd April 2008 at 7.30pm.
One member of the public, PC Hackney and District Councillor Pope were present for part of the Meeting.
Meeting finished at 9.15pm.
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