MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 28th October 2009 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. Mrs J. Citarella, Chair.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, Mrs J.M. O’Keefe, C.D. Moore, R.E. Porter, A. Sunderland and Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
In opening the Meeting, the Chair welcomed members of the public and introduced County Councillor David Westley and Borough Councillor Eddie Pope.
95/09.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs Richardson, prior engagement.
96/09.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Cllr. Porter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9a in that his wife is included in the Schedule of Accounts for Payment in respect of village cleaning.
Cllr. Mrs O’Keefe declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4, Planning, in that she resides opposite the Farm Shop, Course Lane.
97/09.
MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 23rd September 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
98/09.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
2009/1121. Red Apple Nursery, Cobbs Brow Lane, erection of training building and provision of 3 polytunnels.
The Parish Council supports this business and its philosophy. The training building and polytunnels are not obtrusive, therefore, the recommendation is to support the development.
2009/1026. 1, Acrefield, conservatory at rear.
No comment.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the above recommendations of the Planning Working Group.
The Tree Work planned for the grounds of Christ Church were NOTED.
2009/0701. Farm Shop, Course Lane, proposed development.
It is understood that this application will be discussed at the West Lancashire Borough Council Planning Committee Meeting on 12th November 2009 although the Agenda has not yet been received.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would be represented at the Meeting and speak in support of their written submission.
08/09/1141. Round O Quarry, variation of Condition 3 of Permission 08/06/0336 to allow aggregate recycling to continue.
The Chair adjourned the Meeting to allow members of the public to raise any comments and at the same time, she acknowledged receipt of a copy of representations to the Planning Authorities submitted by two residents.
In response to a question raised, the Chair provided an explanation of the current application i.e.
Residents then made a number of points including: -
The Chair thanked residents for their comments and encouraged them to make their own representation to both the County and Borough Planning Authorities.
The Meeting was re-convened.
It was RESOLVED to submit an objection to Lancashire County Council and West Lancashire Borough Council based on the draft attached to the Agenda but suitably amended to reflect the strong views of residents.
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99/09.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Open Gardens Project.
It was RESOLVED to hold this event every two years, the next event therefore, being 2011.
Local Food Project.
The arrangements for the production of the Food Directory are well in hand. It was RESOLVED to target production for the end of November 2009 with distribution along with the next edition of Newburgh News.
Code of Conduct Workshop, 26th November 2009.
Councillors were reminded about the importance of this subject and encouraged them to send in their response to W.L.B.C.
Remembrance Sunday, 8th November 2009.
Councillors were asked to support the Service, which will commence at 10.30am. The wreath has now arrived and will be laid on the War Memorial by the Chair, Cllr. Mrs Citarella.
Future of Play Area, off Cobbs Brow Lane.
The paper, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED. It was RESOLVED to form a small group of Councillors to examine the options and report their recommendations at a future Parish Council Meeting. The group will consist of Cllrs. Mrs Citarella, Mrs O’ Keefe and C.D. Moore.
Play Area off Cobbs Brow Lane, Inspection Report.
The RoSPA Report was NOTED and it was RESOLVED to obtain a quote from Yates Playgrounds for the priority work identified.
Christmas tree and decorations 2009.
The specification was generally satisfactory but, before accepting the arrangements, it was Important that we are aware of the costs quoted by the successful contractor. It was RESOLVED that if the quote matched the budgeted amount for the project, the Chair be authorised to agree the arrangements, in view of the tight timescale involved.
The specification does not include the removal of the tree and it was RESOLVED to write to WLBC requesting they arrange removal, thus confirming an agreement already arranged by telephone.
The Chair will contact the Donor of the tree to ensure they are again agreeable to do so.
Traffic Speed Limits in Newburgh.
It was NOTED that, at the request of a resident, County Councillor Westley is seeking agreement for the introduction of speed restrictions, signage or other measures on Back Lane. LCC Highways will examine the request with the subject being brought back to a future Lancashire Local Meeting.
The Clerk reported on a Meeting held in Dalton about the possibility of introducing speed restrictions based on a successful strategy adopted for a scheme in Bispham. There may be potential for examining the reduction of speed levels on entry roads such as Deans Lane. It was RESOLVED to add this issue to the 2010 priority work programme.
Newburgh News.
It was agreed to issue the next edition by the end of November with input to the Clerk by 23rd November 2009.
100/09.
WORK PLAN UPDATE,
Value and Visions Statement.
The updated statements are attached.
Village Directory.
It was RESOLVED to reissue the paper version of the Directory. The date when this will happen to be determined at the budget meeting in January 2010.
New Play Area, Back Lane.
The Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting held on 19th October 2009 and the assessment of responsibilities paper, both attached to the Agenda, were NOTED.
Arrangements are in hand to replace the climbing rope to a colour to meet the original specifications.
The Clerk inspected the Play Area and equipment on 26th October 2009 and found everything satisfactory.
101/09.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
The Meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to raise issues of concern.
Mrs Houghton, New Acres reported that the lights on Sandy Lane was starting to be obscured by the growth of the boundary hedge.
Mr Williams, Cobbs Brow Lane, advised that the landowner had improved footpath 45, 43 and 42 along the canal and suggested that the farmer be thanked for his efforts.
The Meeting was re-convened.
102/09.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence, copy attached, was NOTED.
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103/09.
FINANCE.
a) Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Budget/Expenditure Statement to end of September 2009.
The Statement, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
104/09.
REPORTS.
5th October 2009, Meeting with PSO Benson.
The notes of the Meeting, attached to the Agenda, were NOTED.
There was concern over the long-term absence from duty of CBO Steve Hackney due to injury and that PSO Benson is the only main cover for an extensive geographical area. It was RESOLVED to raise the issue with Chief Inspector Dean Holden.
12th October 2009, Neighbourhood Watch Re-launch Meeting.
Cllr. Mrs O’ Keefe attended due to their being a vacancy for a Village Co-ordinator. Her verbal report was NOTED.
12th October 2009, Area Committee Meeting.
The Report, attached to the Agenda, was NOTED.
105/09.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
25th November 2009 at 7.30pm.
Eleven members of the public, County Councillor Westley and Borough Councillor Pope were present.
Meeting finished at 9.30pm.
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