MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 25th March 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, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland and

Mrs M.A. Turner.

Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.

 

25/09.

APOLOGIES. None were received, all Parish Councillors being present.

 

26/09.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.

Cllr. Mrs O’Keefe declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4, Development of the Strawberry Field in that she resides opposite the land in question.

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.

 

27/09.

MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25th February 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

 

28/09.

SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

Best Kept Garden Competition 2009.

It was RESOLVED to continue with this popular event. Our Judges have again agreed to officiate and a meeting will be held with them in June to discuss details. The dates for judging the gardens have yet to be agreed and the Chair has signified her interest in joining the Judges on their tour of the village.

Calor Village of the Year 2009.

The criteria for entry has been examined and whilst there may be some shortcomings in the sections relating to Young and Older People, Newburgh is in a strong position over all to submit an application. It was agreed to make a final decision in May, which is still in good time to meet the deadline date.

Clerk’s Hours of Work and Salary Scale.

The analysis undertaken by the Clerk, copy with the Agenda, was NOTED. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should undertake a further analysis in the autumn to verify the findings.

Street Scene Management.

It was agreed to arrange a meeting with the District Council Street Scene Management Team, date to be arranged.

Litter Picking Event.

It was RESOLVED to hold this on Saturday, 16th May 2009, Councillors and volunteers to meet at the Red Lion Hotel at 10am.

Consultation on the future of the Strawberry Field, Course Lane.

The meeting held by Planning Consultants, Cockwill & Company Limited on 7th March 2009 was well attended with many residents expressing their views. The Parish Council has subsequently received a number of communications from residents expressing their opinion.

The Planning Consultant has been contacted and Chris Cockwill has indicated that he has now analysed the responses from the public and is in the process of formulating recommendations to his clients. However, firstly he is trying to arrange a meeting with the District Council to try to understand more fully their position regarding the development of affordable housing. The impression was given that, in view of the current economic climate, there was no urgency in pressing forward with any major initiatives.

Parish Council representatives had attended an Affordable Housing Presentation and found the subject quite complex. However, the District Council representative has indicated his willingness to meet Parish Councillors to clarify matters.

 

In the light of members of the public being present particularly for this subject, it was RESOLVED to bring forward the public open forum to the next item on the Agenda.

 

29/09.

ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

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

A number of points were raised relating to the Consultation Event on 7th March 2009 in connection with the Strawberry Farm, Course Lane including: -

• ·         The stated complexity of affordable housing was questioned and it was suggested that any discussion with the District Council should be open to the public.
• ·         The arrangements for Neighbour Notification in case of a planning application were clarified.
• ·         Concern was expressed about the effect of the Declaration of Interests on the representation of residents’ views. In the light of this, it was agreed to seek clarification from the District Council Solicitor.
• ·         The owners of the land have not been contacted to seek their aspirations for development. District Councillor Pope agreed to follow this up and speak to them.

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29/09 (continued)

ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (continued).

Mr Hughes asked who was responsible for cutting the grass in front of the trees on the west boundary of Sandy Lane.

District Councillor Pope advised that there would be an exhibition of the Lathom Parish Plan in the Scouts Hut, Hall Lane, Lathom on 28th March 2009 between 1pm and 4pm.

 

The Meeting was re-convened.

 

30/09.

WORK PLAN UPDATE.

Values and Visions, monitoring ongoing initiatives.

The statement attached to the Agenda was NOTED.

It was agreed to add “Attendance at PCT Consultation Event”.

Values and Visions, 2009 priorities.

Immediate action.

It has not been possible to get United Utilities to hold a meeting at Hoscar Works but they continue to be pressed to do so.

May target date.

Colin Dixon, the Tree Warden, has surveyed about half the number of trees. He is holding a seminar for people interested in trees at his home in June and hopes to obtain a replacement Warden at this event. He has already received four replies.

It was agreed to place an item regarding trees in the next edition of Newburgh News.

The Historic Buildings leaflet does not require any alteration and, as supplies are still available, it was agreed to deliver these with the next distribution of Newburgh News.

September target date.

The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is dormant at present and the Village Co-ordinator is considering whether or not to continue in this role. There are a number of Police issues to be discussed and it was agreed to arrange a meeting with the Community Beat Officer.

New Play Area.

The groundwork commences on 6th April 2009 with a plan to complete the work by the end of May 2009.

Dave McDowall is responsible for monitoring the Construction Regulations including obtaining a more detailed method statement and liaising with School on handling the equipment on the site.

Reg Porter is responsible for the day-to-day working arrangements and preparing a file for the landlord.

Douglas Valley Lions has now provided the promised grant of £1000 but due to administrative problems with the Lancashire Foundation, the Grant Application with them will now be withdrawn.

Attached is the final financial statement for the project and as already agreed by the Parish Council, any deficit will be covered from Council Reserves.

A Newburgh News Special has now been produced outlining the progress of the project and will be delivered to residents prior to the 6th April 2009 start date. There will be Press Releases later but the opening event is still at the planning stage.

Website.

There have been many updates and it was noted that this could not have been achieved without the considerable help of Tom Gerard It was RESOLVED to place an item on the Agenda of the next Meeting to discuss the most appropriate way to recognise this.

 

31/09.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED.

The following was particularly noted: -

b) Play Area Licence and Lease.

    The Licence and Lease of the new Play Area on Back Lane is held by the Clerk for permanent retention.

 

32/09.

FINANCE.

a) Accounts for Payment.

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

b) Internal check of Accounts.

    Cllr. Mrs Turner reported that she had undertaken an audit trail of accounts authorised at the Council Meeting held

    In September 2008 and also examined the Petty Cash records and found both these to be satisfactory.

c) Appointment of Internal Auditor for 2008/09 Accounts.

    Michelle Rigby has carried out the Internal Audit for a number of years and the following review was undertaken: -

• Michelle has no personal relationship with the Clerk or Councillors.
• She resides in St. Helens and is employed in the Finance Department of a Greater Manchester Council.
• A sample of her Report and Audit Schedule, as illustrated in Minute pages numbered 915 to 918, are both comprehensive and meet our requirements.

    It was RESOLVED to ask Michelle to continue with auditing the Accounts.

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33/09.

PLANNING.

New Applications.

2009/0171. The Retreat, 4, Cobbs Brow Lane, replacement hardwood double glazed windows to first floor elevation and side elevation including enlargement of first floor windows.

2009/0179. 36, New Acres, first floor side extension and pitched roof to replace flat roof on existing front porch.

It was RESOLVED to endorse the recommendations of the Planning Working Group to make no comment on the above proposals.

Planning Updates.

2008/1145. 1, pine Close, two-storey rear extension.

2009/0003. Vicarage Farmhouse, Course Lane, retention of driveway, wall, gates and gateposts to front.

W.L.D.C. has refused planning permission for the above.

 

34/09.

REPORTS.

Help and Wellbeing Network, 26th February 2009.

The report from Cllr. Sunderland, copy attached, was circulated prior to the Meeting and noted.

Lancashire Local, 11th March 2009.

Cllr. Porter provided a verbal report, copy of this attached.

Face the People Event, 18th March 2009.

Cllr. Mrs O’Keefe attended and a copy of her report is attached.

NHS Primary Care Trust, Improving Health and Wellbeing, 23rd March 2009.

Cllr. Sunderland attended and provided a verbal report. He indicated that this event was worth attending.

 

35/09.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.

22nd April 2009 commencing at 7.30pm.

 

 

Seven members of the public were present.

District Councillor E. Pope was present.

 

 

Meeting finished at 9.20pm.

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