MINUTES of the Annual Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 27th May 2009 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella, Chair.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, Mrs J.M. O’Keefe, R.E. Porter, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
47/09.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN 2009/10.
Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella was unanimously re-elected Chair for 2009/10 and duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
48/09.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. C.D. Moore, holiday and Cllr. Mrs R.J. Richardson, holiday.
49/09.
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN 2009/10.
Cllr. R.E. Porter was unanimously re-elected Vice-Chairman for 2009/10.
49/09.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. Porter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11a in that his wife is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment in respect of village cleaning.
50/09.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 22nd April 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
51/09.
APPOINTMENTS.
Planning Working Group.
Cllrs. R.E. Porter, C.D. Moore and Mrs R.J. Richardson with Cllr. A. Sunderland as substitute.
Finance Committee.
Cllrs. Mrs J. Citarella, Mrs C. Gillard and C.D. Moore.
West Lancashire Area Committee.
Representation to be discussed further.
Lancashire Local.
Cllrs. R.E. Porter and Mrs J.M. O’Keefe.
Hoscar WWTW Liaison.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard and R.E. Porter.
52/09.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Public Sector Duties, Quality and Human Rights.
The document will be examined to determine any implications and future action.
The base of the pump regularly fills up with rubbish, leaves etc and becomes unsightly. A suggestion was put forward that the best course of action might be to fill the base with stone chippings. Before any action is taken it was RESOLVED to seek advice from the Heritage and Environmental Manager at the Borough Council.
Village Tour and Meeting with Street Scene Management.
The notes attached to the Agenda was NOTED and it was RESOLVED to monitor progress and report back to Council
Annual Parish Meeting, 21st May 2009.
This was a very successful evening with the theme being Local Living and Local Food promotion with the aid from a Lottery Grant. Some 90 people were present and in addition to hearing presentations, they enjoyed a buffet of locally sourced food and drink.
Representation at Forthcoming Events.
The following were RESOLVED: -
Visit by residents of Newburgh, Indiana.
It was confirmed that a private visit to us would take place from 25th July to 28th July 2009 by 3 residents from Indiana prior to their attendance at the Sister City Conference in Belfast. Anne Aurand has indicated that she would like to meet new Parish Councillors and if some entertainment for our visitors is necessary, £132 is held in Reserve under the heading “Twinning”, which can be used for this purpose. The money has been allocated from the sale of village prints.
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52/09 (continued).
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (continued).
Open Gardens, 12th July 2009.
The notes of the meeting held on 7th May 2009, attached to the Agenda were noted.
Sustainable Communities Act.
The Borough Council has asked for proposals to be considered for subsequent submission to Central Government.
Response times were tight but it was RESOLVED to submit a proposal connected with ensuring that Local Councils receive a prompt response to communications with Borough and County Councils.
West Lancashire Borough Council, Civic Service, 21st June 2009.
Cllr. Mrs Citarella indicated that she would attend.
53/09.
WORK PLAN UPDATE.
The Values and Visions Workload Statements were updated.
The Criteria for Assessing Applications for Donations was NOTED but it was RESOLVED to place the Statement on the Agenda of the July Parish Council Meeting updated to include any comment received from Councillors.
Mrs Elaine Pratt has agreed to carry out a risk assessment on our Values and Visions, date to be arranged.
The new Play Area is progressing well towards opening on 13th June 2009. Whilst some concern was expressed about the possible adverse effect on the forecast warm weather on the newly laid turf, it was RESOLVED to press ahead with plans to formally open the Play Area in conjunction with Newburgh Fair. It was also agreed to now issue the invitations and print the Newsletter.
54/09.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
No members of the public were present.
55/09.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED including the success of Lathom Park Trust with their lottery application.
56/09.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Reserves/Balances year ending 31st March 2009.
The Statement attached to the Agenda was NOTED.
c) Annual Return year ending 31st March 2009.
It was RESOLVED to approve the Statement of Accounts.
It was RESOLVED to approve the Statement of Assurance.
d) Insurance Cover 2009/10.
It was RESOLVED to accept the inclusion of the new play area equipment and the increased premium, which is
within budget. However, the stone wall on Back Lane that forms the fourth boundary of the Play Area has not been
included as no value of this asset is available. It was RESOLVED to seek the cost of cover of £1000, which should
meet the cost of any vehicle impact.
57/09.
PLANNING.
Updates.
2009/0105. Single storey extension to front, 39, Cobbs Brow Lane. Refused by WLBC but an appeal has been lodged by the applicant.
2009/0171. The Retreat, 4, Cobbs Brow Lane, replacement hard wood double-glazed windows etc. Granted WLBC.
2009/0267. The Beeches, Tabbys Nook, single storey side extension and pitched roof to replace flat roof.
Granted WLBC.
2009/0254. Bank Top, Cobbs Brow Lane, replacement dwelling. Granted WLBC.
Affordable Housing.
It was RESOLVED that, as there has been no further development locally, the paper presented at the 22nd April 2009 Parish Council meeting should be NOTED only at this stage.
WLBC has advised that they have commissioned Fordham Research to undertake a new Housing Need and Demand Survey for the Borough and also to assist in the development of affordable housing policy. A meeting to discuss the parish context has been arranged for 11th June 2009 and Cllrs. R.E. Porter and Mrs J.O’Keefe agreed to attend.
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58/09.
REPORTS.
28th April 2009, CVS Health and Well-being Meeting.
A Report produced by Cllr. Sunderland was handed out at the Parish Council meeting and noted.
12th May 2009, Round O Quarry Visit and Meeting.
A copy of the Report produced by those who attended is attached.
16th May 2009, Litter Picking Event.
This was successful with a good quantity of litter collected.
Councillors were asked to remain vigilant and keep a close watch for litter in their residential area.
17th May 2009, Civic Service.
This was again a very successful occasion. All involved were thanked for their help with the provision of refreshments and handling the tables and chairs in the School Hall both before and after the Civic Service.
59/09.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
24th June 2009 at 7.30pm.
Meeting finished at 9.30pm.
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