MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 22^nd November 2006 commencing at 7.30pm.

 

PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.

Cllrs. Mrs J. Citarella, Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, Mrs E.F. Pratt, Mrs R.J. Richardson, A. Sunderland and

Mrs M.A. Turner.

Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.

 

112/06.

APOLOGIES were received from District Councillor, E. Pope.

 

113/06.

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, re-imbursement to his wife for Best Kept Garden Presentation refreshments and re-imbursement of train fares for himself.

Cllr. Sunderland declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11, Lancashire Local Meeting in that Lancashire County Council employs him.

 

114/06.

MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25^th October 2006 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

 

115/06.

PC. STEVE HACKNEY REPORT.

There is little crime in Newburgh but since September there has been four incidents, which were vehicle crimes on public house car parks. He also highlighted the problem of large groups of young people congregating in front of the shops at Parbold thus intimidating other shoppers. A number of matters relating to this have been discussed locally but a solution has been difficult to identify. It would appear that some of our Newburgh youths may be involved and the Parish Council offered any help that might improve the situation.

 

PACT meetings have been held in Newburgh but the dates for 2007 are not yet available.

 

There have been two armed robberies in a neighbouring village and Steve outlined a new crime prevention initiative “raid control”, which may help in these circumstances.

Ringmaster provides certain advice to those registered, however, it was agreed that general advice rather than specific information, could be included in the quarterly Newburgh News. Whilst crime instances are small in number, the fear of crime is quite high; therefore, Steve is reluctant to provide details to the community.

 

116/06.

SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

Welcome Pack.

The updated statement is attached.

Draft Vision and Values Papers.

The papers attached to the Agenda were NOTED and the various observations received will be taken account of when these are updated. It was RESOLVED that a further examination should be made with a view to constructing an action plan relating to the Vision and Value items identified. A further report will be submitted for consideration at the January 2007 Parish Council Meeting for finalising the matter.

Footpaths.

A complaint has been received about the poor state of the footpath between Newburgh and Parbold. This was reported to Lynda Horrocks, Lancashire County Council who arranged for the Network Officer to inspect. This Officer walked the paths on 4^th October 2006 and reported back that they were satisfactory. However, there is still a problem and it would appear that the definitive route along the canal bank was not the one the Officer walked and therefore, it was RESOLVED to contact LCC again, point out the particular route and request a re-examination.

 

117/06.

PARISH PLAN.

Website.

The exercise to update the website is now complete and has been valuable as there were a number of amendments necessary. There has now been 4200 website hits.

New Play Area.

Progress is being made and two financial quotes are being sought. Drawings of the proposed new play area are due and when available, will form part of the planning application and submissions for funding.

Residents are to be invited to view the proposals from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday, 6^th December 2006 in the School Hall.

 

 

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117/06 (continued).

PARISH PLAN (continued).

Pedestrian Safety.

The report to residents is in production and will invite them to discuss elements of the report at 7pm on 6^th December 2006 in the School Hall, prior to the standard Parish Council Meeting Agenda items.

The Police have discussed the siting of a SPID in the village and this has now been agreed. The next step is for Lancashire County Council to confirm the suitability of the identified lamp standards.

Residents are being asked to finance the purchase of a SPID but there is still a resource difficulty in respect of physically handling this device. The community tax implication is a one off cost of about 50p per household per month but there will be some minor ongoing costs commitments. However, County Councillor R. Shepherd has agreed to financially support the project by committing his £1000 Lancashire Local Budget to it and this will reduce the precept burden on our residents.

It was RESOLVED to support these proposals.

 

118/06.

ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

There were no members of the public present but on behalf of a complainant, it was reported that the road surface under the canal on Deans Lane had considerably deteriorated. This is the responsibility of British Waterways and they will again be approached to undertake repairs.

 

119/06.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Schedule of Correspondence attached was NOTED. The following was discussed: -

a) Love Your Post Office communication from the Countryside Alliance.   

    It was RESOLVED to distribute the Love Your Post Office leaflet throughout Newburgh and support the campaign

    by writing to Jim Fitzpatrick, the MP responsible for postal services.

 

The Chairman added a further communication matter for information only. The Christmas tree is to be delivered to The Green on 30^th November 2006 and the electrical work is well in hand.

 

120/06.

FINANCE.

a) Schedule of Accounts for Payment.

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

 

121/06.

PLANNING.

New Applications.

2006/1194 & 1195 Listed Building, Lowes Farm, Lowes Lane, conversion of barn into two dwellings. No objection.

2006/1239 Mughouse Stables, Lowes Lane, application for temporary siting of a mobile home and stable block comprising five stables in connection with the Stud Farm. Retention of hardstanding and replacement septic tank.

There was a lack of information to enable a decision to be made but it was agreed to submit a number of comments.

It was RESOLVED to endorse the recommendations of the Planning Working Group.

Updates.

2006/0868, The Croft, Back Lane, new PVC door and windows to front elevation. Granted WLDC.

2006/0910, 13, New Acres, part two storey, part first floor side extension. Granted WLDC.

 

Cllr. Mrs Pratt left the Meeting at this point.

 

Locally Important Buildings.

The additional buildings to be included in this list were NOTED.

 

122/06.

REPORTS.

LAPTC. AGM, 4^th November 2006.

The report, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.

Lancashire Local, 15^th November 2006.

Cllr. Porter attended and provided a verbal report. One concern is that Parish Council representatives are treated the same way as any member of the public. The only opportunity to make a contribution to the Meeting is the 30 minutes allowed at the beginning of the proceedings.

An interesting item was the allocation of £17,800 for Highways work, £6,400 being for the purchase of SPIDs. This project was at a very early stage as no consultation or research had been undertaken.

The fear is that as anticipated, the Lancashire Local Meetings are a talking shop only for County Councillors and District Councillors with no real involvement of Parish Councils.

This led to our Parish Council having a brief discussion on the implications on Lancashire Local Meetings as a result of the publication of the White Paper.

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