ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 13 OCTOBER 2003
In Attendance:
Mrs E Doran (Chairman), Mr D Ormerod, Mr J Ascroft, Mr P Mortimer and Mr D Williams
Also Present:
Mrs L Rowett (Clerk)
The Chairman began by congratulating Mrs Rowett on being awarded the title of National Clerk of the Year.
111/03 Apologies
Apologies were received and accepted from Mrs D Todd who is out of the country.
112/03 Public Forum
The Public Forum was brought forward to allow Mrs Topping from the Wymott and Garth Prison Officers Club to speak to the meeting.
Mrs Topping explained that the regulations covering the serving of alcohol on Home Office premises are to change and as a result the Club may have to close, this would be a real blow to the community as so many different groups use the facilities. There Parish Council was asked to lobby the Home Office with a view to allowing the club to remain open but not serve alcohol to the Prison Officers. This was agreed.
113/03 Minutes of the Last Meeting
Minutes of a meeting held on 8 September 2003 were accepted and signed as a true record.
114/03 Matters Arising on the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda)
a) Dumped Rubbish River Lostock (Item 98/03a)
It was still not clear who was responsible for removing the rubbish, it was possible it could be the land owner. The Environment Agency would be investigating further.
b) Trees Southport Road (Item 98/03b)
It was noted that the hedge appeared to have been cut sensitively to allow the ash trees to thrive. It was agreed that a thank you letter be sent to Mr
Elston.
c) Parish Council Notice Boards (Item 103/03)
Approval had been given for the sitting of all new boards. Steps could now be taken to arrange for supply.
d) Road Safety (Item 104/03)
The criteria used by the County Council for considering traffic calming etc. are statistics for road accidents. Accidents reported that do not involve a casualty or road blockage are not recorded, therefore figures do not give true reflection of what is actually happening.
The Clerk had mentioned this matter to Cllr Iddon who in turn has written to the Chief Constable asking that a log be kept of minor incidents. It was agreed that the Parish Council should also write in similar fashion.
e) Wymott Park (Item 109/03)
The Clerk had written to the Police but there had been no reply.
f) Prison Building (Item 109/03)
A letter had been sent to Hilary Benn but there had been no reply. A copy had been sent to Lindsay Hoyle who had replied saying he would pass on the comments to Paul Goggins the new MP responsible for prisons.
g) Ulnes Walton Calendar
It was unlikely that the Elderberries would receive funding in time to meet the printers deadlines. An item would go before the Parish Plan Steering Group suggesting that a one page version be produced.
115/03 The Mill Signs
Max Pierce from The Mill had intended to discuss the signage at the front of the premises. However, he had received notification that the appeal had been rejected and the signs would have to be removed and be replaced with a more suitable frontage. It was his intention to consult the Parish Council once the new plans had been drawn up.
Mr Ormerod tabled a document for inclusion in the Parish Plan covering road side advertising.
116/03 Update on the Parish Plan
The consultation was now nearing an end; the forums had gone well with many new ideas coming forth. The youth meeting had been disappointing but Mrs Topping was hoping to be able to provide some information.
Local businesses were to be contacted in a general nature asking for comments.
The next meeting of the Steering Group was scheduled for the 22 October 2003.
Mr Ormerod had attended a meeting with Planning Officers from Chorley Borough and it appeared they were willing to enter in to dialogue. It was suggested that a similar meeting take place with Lancashire County Council
117/03 The Old School Refurbishment and Related Matters
A letter received from Henry Mayor had been circulated. Discussion took place on its content.
The bicycle stands had been ordered with a Viking logo.
Additional information had been requested about the role of a Trustee.
Before acquiring a safe storage unit it was suggested that advise be sought from the Crime Prevention Officer.
The future of the Old School was unclear, it was agreed that Mr Harrison be contacted with a view to inspecting the necessary documents.
It was agreed that if possible a feasibility study and business plan be prepared for the Old School with consideration taken of the role of the Wymott and Garth Club.
118/03 Parish Council Website
Mr Williams made a presentation on the proposed website. It would be necessary to purchase some equipment to allow the site to be properly set up and maintained. The estimated cost was in the region of £125. It was agreed that Mr Williams order the necessary items and reclaim the expenditure from the Council. It was probable that funding had been set aside in the Parish Plan to cover expenses associated with a web site.
The arrangements for maintaining the website would need to be reviewed in six months.
119/03 Meeting Between the Borough Council and Parish Councils
Mr Williams reported on the discussions at the recent meeting and circulated notes.
It was noted that the Borough were producing a new quarterly publication and it was intended there would be a column available for Parish Councils, however when the Clerk had checked with the Editor this was found not to be the case. It was agreed that clarification be sought.
120/03 Ordnance Survey Map
With the assistance of Cllr Iddon, Ordnance Survey had finally agreed to include Ulnes Walton on the maps. The first map would appear around Christmas time.
121/03 Heritage Project
It was hoped to arrange meeting shortly for those interested in taking part in the project, with a view to submitting a grant application before the end of the year.
122/03 Street Furniture
Chorley Borough has increased its budget allocation for the provision and repair of street furniture, it had been requested that any items needing repair be identified and also potential sites for new furniture.
It was noted that the railing at the junction of Ulnes Walton Lane with Holker Lane and also the railings near Ulnes Walton Bridge needed repairing.
Additionally it was felt that a possible solution to the parking on the pavement near to Oakdene could be resolved by placing bollards on the pavement. It was agreed that the residents should be consulted and if they were agreeable seek support from Eccleston Parish Council and Alan Whittaker. The views of Mr Gilson and the County Council would also need to be sought.
It was noted that Oakdene had become the Wine Retailer of the Year and a letter of congratulations should be sent.
123/03 Finance
Audit of Accounts for 2002/03. The Clerk reported on the closure procedures, there were no matters arising from the External Auditors Report.
A monitoring statement will be presented showing the current position.
Anchor Housing had requested a donation, this was not felt appropriate.
Approval was given to the following expenditure L Rowett expenses £42.05, extra hours bus shelter £30 and salary Sept £111.58, HLBV Audit - fees £141.00.
Parish Plan. L Rowett extra hours £193.12 and expenses £54.98, WVCF room hire £12.
124/03 Planning
a) Car Sales Southport Road.
A report has been received from the Planning Inspectorate outlining the reason for the appeal being rejected. This is for information only.
It was noted that car sales were still occurring elsewhere in the parish and the Planning Inspectorate had now set an important precedence. The Clerk was asked to take the matter up with the Borough.
b) New Applications consideration was given to the following
Two storey and single side extension rear/side and detached garage Ridley House, Ridley Lane. There were no comments.
Extension to gymnasium workshop and education facilities and additional staff car parking at HMP Wymott. It was felt that the continual developments on the site were an intrusion to the people living in the area. There was sufficient green space around the prison to allow more screening to be planted. The additional car parking was an acknowledgment that there was to be an increase in traffic.
There had been no response to previous correspondence regarding developments on the site. It was felt there was a need to write again as it appeared that the CCTV cameras on the complex could also view the Wymott estate and that prisoners will have direct site into houses. It was agreed that the Governor, Lindsay Hoyle and Paul Goggins should all be lobbied and ask that the views of local people be taken into consideration. It appeared there was little support from the Borough or the County Council for local views.
c) Approval had been given to the erection of a conservatory at the rear of Four Oaks Ulnes Walton Lane.
125/03 Matters Raised by Members
a) Direction Signs
It was noted that visitors to the prison were often confused when leaving the site and ended up on the estate. It was requested that a sign be placed on Moss Lane pointing the direction to the main road.
b) Rubbish Bin
A request was made for a rubbish bin to be placed near the bus shelter on Willow Road.
c) Hedge
The hedge on Ulnes Walton Lane near to Nixons Lane was in need of cutting as it was causing on obstruction to pedestrians crossing.
126/03 Items of Interest
LAPTC Chorley Area Committee meeting 30 October 2003. Noted.
127/03 Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting was convened for Monday 10 November 2003 at 7.30 pm.
Signed
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