ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCILMINUTES OF A MEETING HELD 10 NOVEMBER 2003In Attendance: Mrs E Doran (Chairman), Mr D Ormerod, Mrs D Todd and Mr D Williams Also Present: Mrs L Rowett (Clerk) 128/03 Apologies Apologies were received and accepted from Mr Ascroft who was absent due to family commitments and Mr P Mortimer due to work commitments 129/03 Minutes of the Last Meeting Minutes of a meeting held on 13 October 2003 were accepted and signed as a true record. a) Dumped Rubbish River Lostock (Item 114/03a)
b) Parish Council Notice Boards (Item 114/03c)
c) Road Safety (Item 114/03d)
d) Ulnes Walton Calendar (Item 114/03g)
e) Parish Council Website (Item 117/03)
f) Meeting Between the Borough Council and Parish Councils
g) Car Sales (item 124/03a)
h) Planning HMP Wymott (Item 124/03b)
i) Direction Signs (Item 125/03a)
j) Rubbish Bin (Item 125/03b)
131/03 New Lane Residents Survey The Clerk briefed on the results of the consultation of the residents of New Lane regarding the congestion around the junction. The majority were not in favour of bollards and a preference was expressed for yellow lines. Members felt perhaps a combination would be acceptable. It was agreed that based on the evidence collected a representative from the Traffic and Road Safety Section be invited to a Parish Council meeting to discuss proposals further and the matter be put forward for inclusion in the County Councils business plan. It was agreed that the Chairman of Eccleston Parish Council should be invited to the meeting. 132/03 Community Car Scheme/Red Rose Runner It had been previously reported that the County Council were introducing a bus service similar to the Community Car scheme to take residents to hospital appointments, doctors etc. The scheme came into operation in August and a map showing the area covered and fares was circulated. It was noted that the service was supposed to be subsidised but a typical return fare to Chorley from Ulnes Walton is £5. It was felt there may be a possibility of providing a community bus for Croston Bretherton and Ulnes Walton but it was agreed this should be considered at a future time in light of experience. Mr Ormerod had attended a meeting following an approach made by the Eccleston Community Car scheme to extend into Ulnes Walton. It appeared that funding was available and all that was needed were the volunteers to use their cars. A number of residents had indicated on the Parish Plan survey that they would be interested in volunteering. It was agreed that the Community Car scheme organisers be advised that there was agreement in principle to have the arrangement for Ulnes Walton provided the volunteers could be contacted. 133/03 Community Facilities An update was given on progress regarding the Wymott and Garth Prison Officers Club. It appeared that two proposals had been put forward a buy out or a lease agreement and be Committee run. A decision was awaited from the Home Office. It was clear there was no structure in place for the management of the club and a business plan would be needed. It was felt that a moratorium was needed to allow time for the effects of the Parish Plan to establish and a business plan be prepared for the general community facilities. It was questioned how the Home Office could override the licensing laws which are determined locally by a magistrate. It was agreed this should be raised with Lindsay Hoyle. It was agreed that a further letter be sent to the MP responsible for the prison Paul Goggins outlining the feelings of the Parish Council. A copy letter and petition had been received from a resident. It was agreed this should be acknowledged and give assurances that other avenues were being pursued. The Clerk had arranged to meet with Mr Harrison and Rebecca Lawlor on the 24 November to consider the content of the Old School constitution and deeds. Initial indications are that few restrictions were imposed except that the faηade should not be altered. 134/03 Update on the Parish Plan It was hoped that the draft document would be completed by the 15 December 2003 when an opportunity would be given for residents to view and comment. Local businesses had been contacted for their views but with little response apart from SITA the landfill site operators who were keen to comment and work with the Steering Group. 135/03 Heritage Project The first public meeting to discuss proposals for the Heritage Project had been very well attended with more new ideas being put forward. It had now developed so much that it would have to be done over two years and a grant of £50,000 would be required. In order for the funds to be secured the Parish Plan Steering Group would have to evolve into the Ulnes Walton Parish Plan Working Group and a constitution would be required. The group would be affiliated to the Parish Council. The bridleways/cycle paths would be dealt with as a separate project as it had wider implications for the other parishes. The gateway signs would be a separate project linked in with the other villages and includes interpretation boards. It was agreed that the Art Group be approached for the purpose of designing the signs. Phase I would encompass
Phase 2
The Clerk would be responsible for the administration of the project and her job description would need amending accordingly. It was agreed that the project should proceed. 136/03 Finance a) Draft Budget 2004/05 a list had been circulated itemising expenditure to be included in next years budget. This was for information only with amendments to be considered at the next meeting. It was felt that consideration should be given to setting funds aside for future project. The Clerk agreed to prepare figures that would show the implications for each £500 increase in the precept. b) A monitoring statement was circulated showing the current position. c) Approval was given to the following expenditure CPRE £17.50 subscription; L Rowett £111.58 salary October; Lancs and Merseyside CTP £37.50 for L Rowett to attend training day in January. Confirmation was given that a cheque to Chorley Borough for the bus shelter approved at the last meeting had been signed - the amount was £1385.99 d) Visit by Inland Revenue Inspector. The Parish Council had been required to register as an employer and would need to maintain the necessary tax returns. As an encouragement to do the returns online a cash incentive was being offered of £850 over a number of years. It was agreed the Parish Council should take advantage and register. 137/03 Planning a) Consideration was given to one new application relocation of existing stable block and erection of a new agricultural storage building at Lowe Farm Cottage. There were no objections but it was felt that screening would be appropriate. b) It was noted that Chorley Borough had objected to the proposal to further extend the prisons on the grounds that the road infrastructure was insufficient to cope with the additional traffic. c) The following applications had been given approval-
138/03 Matters Raised by Members a) Barn Conversion
b) Newtown Cottages
c) MPs Surgery
d) Visit by MP
e) Advertising Signs
f) Local Government Reorganisation.
139/03 Items of Interest Blackburn Cathedral Epiphany Service invitation. Noted. 140/03 Public Forum A barn owl had gone missing. It was agreed this should be noted on the website. 141/03 Date and Time of Next Meeting The next meeting was convened for Monday 8 December 2003 at 7.30 pm. With mulled wine and mince pies. |