MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting held in the School, Back Lane, Newburgh on Wednesday, 27th September 2006 commencing at 7.30pm.
PRESENT Cllr. R.E. Porter, Chairman.
Cllrs. Mrs C. Gillard, C.D. Moore, Mrs E.F. Pratt, Mrs R.J. Richardson, Mrs M.A. Turner.
Mr B. Howard, Clerk of the Council.
88/06.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Mrs Citarella, attending a national Conference and Cllr. Sunderland, holiday.
89/06.
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.
90/06.
MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 26th July 2006 were agreed and signed as a correct record.
91/06.
MATTERS ARISING FROM 26TH JULY MEETING, MINUTE 82/06.
It was RESOLVED to forward the following resolution to LAPTC. AGM for debate: -
“LAPTC calls upon National Association to ensure that, at a time when cuts are being made throughout the NHS, the cost of clinical staff on air ambulances should continue to be met”.
92/06.
SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ENVIRONMANTAL ISSUES.
Best Kept Village in Lancashire Competition 2006.
It was pleasing to note that Newburgh has been judged the Best Kept Village in the Champions Class and will receive the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society Rose Bowl, a Certificate, Commemorative Plaque, Garden Centre Vouchers and an original watercolour painting of the Village.
In addition, the War Memorial has been judged the Best Kept in Lancashire and has been awarded a Certificate and Trophy.
The Chairman paid tribute to all residents for the special effort made in order to achieve such success. Appreciation was also expressed for all the hard work undertaken by the village assistant, Shirley Porter, in keeping many parts of the village litter free.
The presentation will be held in the Village Hall at West Bradford on Saturday, 21st October 2006 but because of limited capacity we have been advised that only two representatives from the village in each category, have been invited to attend. It was RESOLVED that Cllr. Porter and his wife together with Mr B. Howard and his wife should attend on behalf of the Parish Council to receive the prizes.
A copy of the Judges Report has been received and the contents were noted.
The Chairman of the District Council has invited the Parish Council to attend a Civic Reception to mark the outstanding successes over the last few months. It was RESOLVED to accept the kind invitation and a suitable date and time will be agreed.
Welcome Pack.
The updated statement is attached.
Charter Monitoring Forms.
The process forms attached to the Agenda were agreed and will be presented to the Council for examination on a quarterly basis. It was RESOLVED to incorporate an analysis of what benefits accrue to the residents of Newburgh. It was also RESOLVED to identify, as time goes on, activities that may be suitable for devolving.
Open Gardens 2007.
It was RESOLVED to arrange an Open Gardens event in 2007, the proceeds again being placed towards development of community amenities for young people.
Best kept Garden Presentation Evening.
This will be held on Monday, 2nd October 2006 in the Sports Club commencing at 7.30pm. It was RESOLVED that the evening would also be a celebration of the Best Kept Village success and representatives of village organisations have been invited to attend. It would appear that about 60 people will attend and authority was given to purchase the necessary refreshments for our guests. The attendance of Councillors would be most welcome.
Round O Quarry.
The notes of the meeting with the Quarry Management held on 1st August 2006 were noted, as was the correspondence with Lancashire County Council. It was RESOLVED to contact Inglenorth asking for an informal meeting to discuss the ongoing problems of HGV movements through the village and agree a solution.
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93/06.
VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE.
Pedestrian Safety.
A response from L.C.C. is still awaited and they will be pressed for a reply. There is a need to update residents on the progress made on the issues identified and it is suggested that a presentation will be arranged for November or December. The Safe route to Parbold has again been discussed with a local landowner and there are some positive signals. Contact is being made with British Waterways to identify the land, which is in their ownership. The route is currently overgrown; L.C.C. has now taken up the maintenance responsibility and have been contacted and asked to improve the situation.
Play Area.
A group is actively reviewing the equipment requirements for the new play area after which new quotes will be needed. An official letter has been received from the Church Authority, agreeing in principle, to a ten-year lease. In the main, funding bodies are willing to provide financial support on a ten-year lease commitment. We are still awaiting advice from the District Council on the planning requirements.
There may be a need to commission the preparation of a lease at a fee of approximately £1000. There could be an urgent need to commence the preparation of a lease so as to minimise delay. It was RESOLVED that if the plan is deemed to be permitted development then once this is known, the preparation of the lease can be authorised. However, if the submission of a planning application is required, then the preparation of the lease must be delayed until a planning decision is received from the District Council.
Welcome Pack – Village Directory.
An addendum has been prepared, which shows amendments to the Village Directory.
Newburgh Website.
The success of the site continues and attached are some statistics illustrating this. The next improvement being worked on is a calendar of village events.
General.
Community Futures have asked Cllr. Moore to prepare an article on the experiences of developing a local website.
94/06.
ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
Mrs Porter expressed concern over the dangerous and inconsiderate parking of vehicles on Woodrow Drive. She also drew attention to the overgrown hedges and nettles on Ash Brow, which are causing problems for pedestrians.
95/06.
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Schedule of Correspondence attached was NOTED. The following were discussed: -
a) Lancashire Local – Parish and Town Council Protocol.
It was RESOLVED to accept the Protocol subject to questioning the apparent inadequate communication timescale
l) Fire and Rescue Service Plan.
The Consultation Document will be examined by the Clerk.
n) Lancashire Old People Strategy.
Cllr. Mrs Gillard will examine the Consultation Document.
96/06.
FINANCE.
a) Schedule of Accounts for Payment.
It was RESOLVED to pass for payment those accounts included in the Schedule attached.
b) Standing Orders.
It was RESOLVED to adopt the Draft revised Standing Orders, attached to the Agenda, subject to minor
amendments.
c) Annual Return year ended 31st March 2006.
The External Auditors have voiced their opinion that no matters have come to their attention, which could cause
them any concern. A notice of Conclusion of the Audit has been exhibited in the Notice board for the prescribed
minimum 14 days. It was RESOLVED to approve and accept the Annual Return.
d) Audit Matters Arising.
Attention has been drawn to the need for more information to be contained in the Asset Register. It was
RESOLVED to include this data and the contents of the Register were updated to reflect the current position.
97/06.
PLANNING.
New Applications.
2006/0907. Hoscar WWTW construction of controlled kiosk and building.
2006/0868. The Croft, Back Lane, new PVC door and windows to front elevation.
2006/0910. 13, New Acres, part two storey/part fist floor side extension.
It was RESOLVED to endorse the Planning Working Group recommendations to raise no objection to these applications.
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97/06 (continued).
PLANNING (continued).
Updates.
2006/0603. Bank Top, Cobbs Brow Lane, single storey side extension, detached double garage/store. Refused.
2006/0767. 2, Pine Close, single storey extension to front and side. Granted W.L.D.C.
2006/0780. 28, New Acres, part two-storey, part first floor extension to side. Granted W.L.D.C.
Felldale Stud, Mug House Stables, Cobbs Brow Lane, Enforcement Order issued by W.L.D.C.
War Memorial.
English Heritage has received an application to List the War Memorial. Enquiries reveal that the Memorial is in the ownership of the District Council, therefore, the correspondence has been passed to them for comment direct to English Heritage
98/06.
NEWBURGH NEWS.
Councillors were asked to submit input to the Clerk by 2nd October 2006 with a view to distribution week commencing 9th October 2006.
99/06.
REPORTS.
Local Bus Services.
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22nd August 2006 between L.C.C. and Local Parish Councils were noted. As a result of these discussions, a questionnaire has been distributed throughout the village seeking views from residents on their transport needs.
Hoscar WWTW Liaison Meeting.
Cllr. Mrs Pratt attended the Meeting on 7th September 2006 on behalf of the Parish Council. She reported that about 20 residents attended. The Works Management is trying different approaches to combat the odour problems, a subject which they take very seriously. Construction work is going well and road signs are in place to ensure that vehicles take the appropriate route to and from the Works.
100/06.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS.
The following meeting dates were approved: -
25th October 2006.
22nd November 2006.
6th December 2006.
24th January 2007.
28th February 2007.
28th March 2007.
25th April 2007.
23rd May 2007.
27th June 2007.
25th July 2007.
One member of the public was present and District Councillor, E. Pope was present for part of the Meeting.
Meeting finished at 10.10pm.
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