MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 24th October 2007 commencing at 7.30pm..
PRESENT Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella, Chair.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
96/07.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. R.E. Porter, holiday, Cllr. Mrs E.F. Pratt, holiday, Cllr. Mrs R.J. Richardson, holiday and District Councillor E. Pope, unavailable.
97/07.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
No declarations were made.
98/07.
MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held on 26th September 2007 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
99.07.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Welcome Pack Distribution.
The updated statement is attached.
Remembrance Sunday, 11th November 2007.
The wreath has now arrived and will be placed by Cllr. Mrs Citarella on the War Memorial following the 10.30am Service at Christ Church. Councillors were asked to support the event if possible.
Protection of village amenities.
The two members of the Working Group examining the closure threat to the Post Office provided a verbal report. A number of organisations have been contacted to seek advice on the process and the Post Mistress has welcomed the interest of the Parish Council. We are now aware of the decision making criteria and whilst the formal consultation will not commence until January 2008 and then last for a six week period, it is important to start thinking ahead so to gather public support.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would act as the catalyst for public reaction to any closure proposal and allocate an initial budget of £50 towards any costs which may occur. Councillors were asked to make themselves available for the delivery of leaflets etc. when required.
Lancashire Police Authority, seeking views on community meetings.
It was agreed to respond to the effect that our experience is that we have found issues contained in the Village Plan and raised directly with the Police to have been the most effective. However, we would welcome the opportunity to comment on any proposals arising from the consultation process.
Councillors had not attended any of the local PACT Meetings, which are held in Newburgh Tea Rooms but it was agreed to find out future dates and if possible, provide representation.
Improvements to Bus Services.
New, more frequent bus services are to be introduced from 29th October 2007. Timetable 303, showing services in the area, will be available in Post Offices, Information Centres and Libraries. A specific route timetable is being prepared and will be available for house-to-house distribution in Newburgh. It was agreed to review the Public Transport Section of the website to ensure this reflects the new arrangements including an alteration to the website link to the more appropriate www.transportforlancashire.com
It is important that public awareness is raised, as from a position of possibly losing the services, by skilful timetabling, a similar level of resources has enabled an hourly service to be introduced to both Skelmersdale and Ormskirk.
RoSPA Inspection of Play Area.
The RoSPA report was examined and it was RESOLVED to obtain estimates for the items requiring attention. The routine maintenance costs will be separated from those connected with the access path and the adjacent wire fence so that the latter can be referred elsewhere for a possible cost sharing arrangement.
100/07.
PARISH PLAN.
SPID.
We have been advised that the clips for fixing the back plates are now available and these should be erected shortly. There has been no further information from the Police about them handling the equipment. It is understood that Burscough Parish Council has found a local contractor who will handle the equipment and further details will be obtained.
Play Area.
A document has been located in School, which indicates that in 1920, Lord Derby sold the land to the Vicar and Wardens for educational purposes for the Newburgh schoolchildren. We are now waiting the result of the discussions of the School Governors and the Church Authorities.
Ibstock Cory Environmental Fund has been advised of the circumstances and has agreed to delay payment to us.
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100/07 (continued).
PARISH PLAN (continued).
Website.
Councillors were reminded to examine their allocated sections of the website and update details including contacts, as appropriate.
101/07.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
No members of the public were present.
102/07.
VALUES AND VISION STATEMENT.
Responses to the consultation have now been received and will be collated. Some of these were specific issues and these will also be retained. The Audit of Current Activities, enclosed with the Agenda, was noted. It was agreed that Councillors should examine the document with a view to ensuring that no activity is missed but also framing the issues to reflect outcomes, where appropriate.
It was RESOLVED that following the completion of the Audit of Current Activities, the Action Plans would be prepared.
103/07.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
104/07.
NEWBURGH NEWS.
It was agreed that the next edition would concentrate on Christmas activities on the following schedule: -
105/07.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Financial statement to date.
The Statement, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
c) Finance Committee.
It was RESOLVED to re-convene the Finance Committee, date to be agreed, to discuss risk assessments and
insurance cover.
106/07.
PLANNING.
New Applications.
2007/0909. Derby House, Ash Brow, Listed Building, replacement windows on front elevation.
2007/1190. Red Lion Hotel, Ash Brow, provision of patio area at rear, erection of two jumbrellas.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the recommendations of the Planning Working Group to make no comment on the above applications.
It was RESOLVED to refer the new applications received to the Planning Working Group i.e. 2007/1201 & 2007/1214.
Updates.
2007/0755. Cedars, Tears Lane, single storey side extension, refused WLDC.
2007/1102. Snape Farm, Back Lane, single storey side extension, granted WLDC.
At this point, PC Steve Hackney arrived and the Meeting was adjourned to allow Steve to provide an update on the level of crime in the area. He also explained the drop in nature of the local PACT Meetings and said that dates for 2008 were currently being arranged and he would advise details of these when available.
The Meeting was re-convened.
107/07.
REPORTS.
Clerks Meeting and Charter Celebration, 12th October 2007.
The Report, attached to the Agenda was noted.
Best Kept Garden Presentation Evening, 15th October 2007.
A successful event was held in the Sports Club and Councillors were thanked for attending and giving their support. Thanks were also expressed to Maureen Turner and Marjorie Howard for their hard work and providing an excellent buffet. Mrs Mavis Woods has agreed to again judge the gardens next year together with a friend who has an interest in gardens.
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107/07 (continued).
REPORTS (continued).
Hoscar WWTW Residents Liaison Meeting, 24th October 2007.
A copy of a report of the Meeting is attached. It was RESOLVED: -
108/07.
DATE AND TIME OF MEETINGS.
The next Meeting will be held on 28th November 2007 and the date of the December Meeting has yet to be confirmed due to other demands on the School Meeting Rooms.
Meeting finished at 9.20pm.
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