ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 14 JULY 2003

In Attendance:

Mrs E Doran, Mrs D Todd, Mr D Ormerod, Mr J Ascroft and Mr D Williams

Also Present:

Mrs L Rowett (Clerk)

80/03 Apologies

There were no apologies.

81/03 Minutes of the Last Meeting

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2003 were accepted and signed as a true record.

82/03 Matters Arising on the Minutes

a) Ordnance Survey Map (Item 69/03d)

A letter had been received from Lindsay Hoyle advising that he had written to Ordnance Survey. An article had also recently appeared in the Chorley Guardian.

b) Damaged Seat – Southport Road (Item 69/03e)

The seat appears to have been repaired.

c) Dumped Rubbish River Lostock (Item 69/03f)

It was not clear whether the rubbish had not been removed. The Clerk agreed to check with the Neighbourhood Warden.

d) Trees – Southport Road (Item 69/03g)

Andrew Suter had agreed that planting of thorn bushes was a good idea and would take this on board. It was noted that three buddleia still needed planting.

e) Wymott Park – Maintenance (Item 69/03h)

Mr Williams updated on progress. The situation would be monitored.

f) Community Beat Manager (Item 72/03)

A letter had been received informing that there was no intention to introduce a Community Beat Manager to the area at the moment but if further funds became available the matter would be given consideration.

g) Planning (Item 73/03)

The Borough Council had advised that the height of building was not necessarily considered an eyesore.

The contractors at Lostock Bridge had been advised to change the windows and other items that were in breach of planning requirements.

h) Correspondence (Item 76/03)

• A reply had been received from the Constabulary about the closure of Police Cells. It was not very encouraging.

•  It was noted that Mr Williams would be attending training on the 19 July. The Parish Council would pay for this.

83/03 The Old School – Possible Refurbishment

The Clerk had spoken with Lorraine Wilson from Community Futures who was a able to advise on Village Halls. It was necessary to check the constitution for the Trustees to see if there was any restriction on the building and also check the deeds. It may be possible, if the Trustee were not in a position to take the project forward, that a temporary lease could be arranged. Concern was expressed however that there was no mention on the Charity Commissions web site of the Trustees holding any property.

It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Henry Mayor outlining the position and request a meeting between him and a representative of the Parish Council to consider the documentation in detail and discuss a way forward.

In order to obtain funding for any refurbishment it was necessary to consider the matter as part of the Parish Plan. The future demand needed to be determined and the needs of the parish, if this out weighted what the Old School could offer it may be necessary to consider building a fresh. A working group needed to be established to consider the matter in detail.

In order to make either project viable it would be necessary to prepare a business plan.

84/03 Heritage Project

The Green Centre is now ready to commence work on the Heritage Project and have requested that a Steering Group be established of interested parties. It was agreed that the following people be approached with a view to becoming involved –

Chorley Young Archaeologist; Rodney Cottam; Rebecca Freear; Sue Taylor Green plus two other residents who were interested in Archaeology.

The Parish Council representative would be John Ascroft.

85/03 Bicycle Stands

The Green Centre has secured funding for two bicycle stands for Ulnes Walton. It was agreed that the Old School and the Prison Officers Club were the most suitable sites and approaches should be made accordingly. It was suggested that Alan Whittaker’s help be enlisted in relation to the second site.

86/03 Update on the Parish Plan

The next meeting of the Steering Committee was arranged for the 28 July 2003.

The Past Present and Future Day had been a great success and thanks were recorded to all those who took part in the event. Special thanks were offered to Mr Ormerod and Mrs Rowett for their efforts in organising the event.

It was agreed that lessons learnt should be recorded so they could be taken into account for future events. It was noted that if the Heritage Project went ahead it was probable there would be money available for a similar event next year.

87/03 Parish Council Notice Boards

Wymott Prison was willing to construct the notice boards. Designs would need to be submitted and they would advise what was necessary. Permission would need to be sought from land owners etc.

88/03 Storage Facilites for Parish Council

A number of items had been acquired through the parish plan monies for which storage facilities were need. It was agreed that if the Trustees were happy a secure cabinet be placed at the Old School.

89/03 Planning

There were no new items for consideration. It was noted that an item was included in the papers for the Development Control Committee recommending that the large signs at the Mill be removed.

90/03 Finance

The balance in the accounts was £4810.44.

Approval was given to the following expenditure –

L Rowett salary for June £111.58, ECET photocopying of newsletter £48.05, Neill Thompson painting of Old School, L Rowett expenses £66.01.

Parish Plan L Rowett expenses £123.47, L Rowett additional hours £553.84, ECET photocopying etc. £245.70, Allianz Cornhill Insurance £26.25, Alan Kennington expenses £21.71. Derek Ormerod display material £116.86.

It was agreed that as Mr Kennington expenses had been met the display material should be requested as it may be possible to use it for the Heritage Project.

The Audit for 2002/2003 had been completed by John Bigland. The Members declaration statement was read out by the Clerk and the Chairman signed the document.

91/03 Correspondence

- LCC. Draft School Organisation Plan for Lancashire. Noted.
- OPSTA. Midge Hall Station. Noted
- The Boundary Committee. Various Correspondence. It was noted that there was to be a referendum on Regional Government but the status of Parish Councils remained unchanged what ever the outcome.
- DEFRA. Quality Parish Council Status. Receipt of the document was noted. Members resolved that they were intent on pressing for QPS status.
- CBC. Borough/Parish Meeting 25 September 2003. Mr Williams to attend. It was requested that Planning be raised as an agenda item.
- NALC Conference 3-5 October 2003. Noted.

92/03 Issues Raised by Members

a) Pump House Lane

It was questioned who was responsible for the land and whether consideration could be given to turning it into a cycle way. It was suggested this could be considered as part of the Heritage Project.

b) Wymott Community Association

It was noted that a Variety Show had been held to raise fund for the Youth Group pantomime. It was suggested that the Parish Council might wish to offer some sponsorship. The Clerk agreed to check the position but also investigate some other sources of funding.

Mr Ascroft left the meeting at this point

c) Sweeping of Pavements

It was noted that the pavements along Southport Road were in need of sweeping.

d) Grass Cutting the Old School

It was noted that the grass in the lay by had not been cut. The Clerk was asked to draw this to the attention of Henry Mayor.

93/03 Public Forum

There were no matters raised.

94/03 Date and Time of Next Meeting

It was agreed that as the Clerk was away on holiday the next meeting be convened for Monday 8 September 2003 at 7.30 pm.

The meeting closed at 9.15 pm.








Signed…………………………………………………………………. Date…………………………