MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 25th October 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, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
101/06.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs R.J. Richardson, holiday/family visit to Australia.
102/06.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. Sunderland declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4, British Waterways, in that he resides alongside the Leeds – Liverpool Canal and owns a canal boat, which is moored on the banks of the canal.
Cllr. Porter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8a, in that the Schedule of Accounts for Payment includes an item in respect of his wife for village cleaning.
103/06.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 27th September 2006 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
104/06.
SERVICES, AMENTIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Welcome Pack.
The updated statement is attached.
RoSPA Play Area Safety Inspection Report.
The Report was NOTED and it was RESOLVED that the Chairman and Clerk should inspect the Play Area, particularly the items related to the cover/removal of the old concrete foundation of the timber play unit and the raised flags issue.
Remembrance Day Service, Sunday, 12th November 2006.
Councillors were asked to be at Christ Church by 10.15am. The wreath has been received and will be placed on the War Memorial by the Chairman of the Parish Council.
British Waterways cuts in maintenance grants.
The paper attached to the Agenda was NOTED. It was RESOLVED to make our concerns known to DEFRA and ask Rosie Cooper MP to take the matter up on behalf of the Parish Council with the respective Ministers for the Environment and for the Waterways.
It was also RESOLVED to express the Parish Council’s support for British Waterways and monitor any adverse effects resulting from any reduction in maintenance. An item will be included in the next Newsletter asking residents who use the towpath/footpaths, to report any problems they find.
Round O Quarry.
It was observed that the quarry operators are in the process of improving the left turn exit from the quarry in accordance with their planning consent conditions. This will facilitate the movement of HGVs through Newburgh, which is the main concern of the Parish Council and those who live on the route. There appears to be little sympathy by the operator towards the environmental effects of this and no response has been received to our suggestion for an informal meeting to take place to try and resolve the problem to our mutual satisfaction.
The recent publication “Lancashire Minerals & Waste, Framework Update” indicates that work will commence shortly on examining Site Specific Development Control Policies. It was RESOLVED to ask LCC to urgently examine the arrangements for Round O Quarry with a view to amending these to restrict or bar left turns out of the quarry and thus be totally compatible to the recently approved condition for recycling at the quarry.
105/06.
VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE.
Website.
The site has now received 3500 hits. Councillors were reminded to visit the areas on the website identified as their responsibility and check for any changes or updates required.
Play Area.
The local group has now identified their preferred equipment and two estimates are being sought on this basis. Full planning permission is necessary but prior to submission to the District Council, a pre-planning submission is required by the County Highways Department to obtain views on any issues concerning them. It is anticipated that the full planning application will be ready by early December following which, assuming it is approved, applications for grants can then be submitted.
A public exhibition will be held on the December Parish Council Meeting date. Local residents will be invited to inspect the proposals and it will provide them with the opportunity to make their comments.
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105/06 (continued).
VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE (continued).
Pedestrian Safety.
The paper attached to the Agenda was NOTED. It was RESOLVED to issue this paper, which explains the objectives of Future Newburgh and indicates the current position as presented by LCC in response. An invitation will be made to residents to come to the December Parish Council Meeting in order to discuss the report.
The question of the purchase of a Speed Indication Device (SPID) was explained. These devices were piloted in East Lancashire and observations indicate they have had a beneficial effect on reducing speed. There are six units available in this area, one of which is shared by local communities and is periodically seen on Cobbs Brow Lane, again positive results are perceived. The plan would be to purchase a SPID for the sole use of Newburgh at a cost of £2495 excluding VAT plus the cost of say five fixing plates at £40 each. This is for a “simple” device, which will have no data capture facility and would be a one off cost through the precept, which would mean an average cost to each household of £6.
The most effective use is obtained by moving the SPID around the village on a regular basis. In fact, it would require charging every four/five days and whether the battery only can be removed for charging is not clear but this will be checked. Site selection is important and the Police have offered their advice. However, LCC will have to give their approval so as to ensure that the sites chosen are suitable and the supports strong enough to hold the device. It was RESOLVED to examine suitable sites and seek endorsement for these from the Police and LCC.
The SPID is quite heavy, will require lifting on to the slots on the plates and is, therefore, an immediate resource challenge.
It was RESOLVED to recommend to residents, the purchase of a SPID, ensure they are aware of the cost and the issues involved and invite them to discuss the matter and offer any help they can at the December Parish Council Meeting.
The Chairman has received a letter from Class 1 of Newburgh CE School reporting their concerns over the volume of traffic on Back Lane. They are making posters and a display to encourage children to walk or cycle to school and propose the organisation of a “Park and Stride” scheme. Their communication has been acknowledged and they have been told that the Parish Council will discuss the matter. It was RESOLVED to now reply that we appreciate their ideas, which match our own, we would like to meet them to see their display and offer any help we can.
106/06.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
No members of the public were present.
107/06.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence attached was NOTED. The following was discussed: -
c) District Council Assembly, 31st January 2007.
It was agreed that Cllr. Porter would represent the Parish Council at the Assembly.
108/06.
FINANCE.
a) Schedule of Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Capital Schemes 2007/08.
It was RESOLVED to submit an application to the District Council for financial support for the proposed new
Play Area. The deadline date for submission is by 8th December 2006 by which time, we will have the estimates and
plans available.
c) Quote for supply and installation of one bollard and reinstatement of grass on The Green.
It was RESOLVED to accept the quote of £480 plus VAT from the original contractor who undertook the major
improvement work on The Green, Ken Linford, Gardencare/Treecare Limited. This cost will be met from the residual
District Council Conservation Area Improvements Grant.
d) Financial Statement to end of September 2006.
The Statement attached to the Agenda, showing the level of expenditure against budget, was NOTED.
e) Criteria for assessing Grants and Donations.
The paper and the Strategy Statement attached to the Agenda were NOTED. It was RESOLVED to: -
· Develop an eligibility criteria and process for managing requests for donations based on “Future Newburgh” and the Strategy Statement.
· Review the Strategy Statement to ensure that it supports the aspirations of the Council and population and aligns with “Future Newburgh”.
It was RESOLVED that Cllr. Sunderland would prepare an initial paper for circulation and consideration.
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109/06.
PLANNING.
New Applications.
2006/1122 Ivydene, Course Lane, replacement of the porch at the rear of the property.
2006/1146 Newburgh Sports Club, variation to the original permission to extend opening hours until 12.30am daily.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the Planning Working Group recommendations to raise no objections to the above.
Updates.
2006/0868 The Croft, Back Lane, new PVC door and windows to front elevation.
2006/0910 13, New Acres, part two-storey/part first floor side extension.
Applications granted by WLDC in both cases.
110/06.
REPORTS.
Best Kept Garden Presentation.
This took place on 2nd October 2006 in the Sports Club. It was a most successful evening with close on 70 residents attending. One of our independent judges is retiring but Mavis Woods and a friend agreed to continue in 2007.
Clerks Meeting, 6th October 2006.
This was held at the District Council Offices and was attended by 12 Clerks representing sixteen out of the twenty Local Councils. Presentations were made by the District Council Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council. The next Meeting will be held in February/March next year with subjects to be discussed agreed nearer the time.
West Lancashire Area Committee.
This was held on 19th October 2006 and a written report is attached.
Best Kept Village Presentation.
This was held on 21st October 2006 in the Village Hall at West Bradford. The Chairman and his wife collected the Rose Bowl, Village Watercolour etc. for the success as Champion Village of Lancashire. The Clerk and his wife accepted the Trophy and Certificate for the Best Kept War Memorial in Lancashire.
111/06.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
22nd November 2006 at 7.30pm.
Meeting finished at 9.30pm.
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