ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 5 APRIL 2004

In Attendance:

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

Also Present:

Mrs L Rowett (Clerk)

51/04 Apologies

There were no apologies.

52/04 Minutes of the Last Meeting

Minutes of a meeting held on 8 March 2004 were accepted and signed as a true record.

53/04 Matters Arising on the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda)

a) Bus Service 112 (Item 35/04b)

The County Council had agreed to provide new time tables.

b) Overgrown Hedge (Item 35/04c)

South Ribble Borough had been requested to cut the hedge.

c) Road Side Advertising/Illuminated Signs (Item 35/04d)

Lostock Bridge Barn Conversion (Item 48/04)

A letter had been sent to the Borough and an email reply received advising that the Officer dealing with the matters had a backlog of work and as such the matters had not been dealt with. The Clerk was advised to refer the matter to the Chief Executive.

d) Car Boot Sale (Item 35/04f)

An Officer from the Borough had visited and the situation would be monitored.

c) Cycle Racks (Item 38/04)

No progress to report. There had been no reply regarding the use of the grant.

MR MORTIMER JOINED THE MEETING AT THIS POINT

d) Dog Refuse Bin – Wymott Estate (Item 41/04)

The bin had been ordered. The Clerk was asked to clarify where the bin was to be located as it appeared it was going on Pump House Lane and not near the Club.

e) Notice Boards (Item 43/04)

The new notice boards had been ordered. The board at the Old School had been damaged by the high winds; emergency repairs had been arranged by the Clerk.

f) Boundary Signs (Item 44/04)

The design had been sent to the Prison but the person responsible was on long term sick.

g) Overgrown Hedge – Nursery Cottage (Item 48/04a)

A letter had been received advising that the owners had arranged to cut the hedge but had been prevented from doing so due to the recent road works.

54/04 Prison Issues

a) Visit to HMP Wymott – New House Block

Notes covering the recent visit by Parish Councillors and residents had been circulated. It was agreed that they be used as a basis for a letter voicing concerns about the sight lines to be sent to the Governor and Lindsay Hoyle MP.

b) Prison Liaison Committee

Following the meeting with the Prison Authorities in January it was agreed that the Borough be approached with a view to changing the make up of the Committee to make it more representative of local views. The Borough have agreed to give this consideration and requested that a list be produced suggesting the possible representatives. The make up of the group was agreed with proviso that at this stage the numbers is limited until the group is firmly established then membership can be given further consideration to included representatives from Community Groups.

Consideration also needs to be given as to who will co-ordinate the committee and it was agreed the Prisons should be approached to provide secretariat.

55/04 Appointment of Trustees to the Old School

Two applications have been received for the vacancies but due to the confidential nature of the business it was resolved that this item be disused with the public excluded.

56/04 Parish Council Website

In recent weeks there has been a considerable increase in the number of queries and correspondence received in the form of email by the Clerk. It is apparent that a clear policy is needed as to how mail received in this format is dealt with.

It was agreed that were the correspondence is of a general nature or the Parish Council already has an agreed policy the Clerk could reply direct and there was no need to report to Council. If the matter relates to a specific issue or has not previously been discussed the originator of the correspondence will be asked to put the matter in writing with a clear signature.

Confidentiality clause on emails; privacy and copyright policy, it was agreed these should be introduced but it was important to check the wording with the LAPTC.

The website is currently registered in the name of a Parish Councillor and it was agreed that the domain name be transferred to the Parish Council at a cost of £35.25.

57/04 Traffic Issues

There have been a number of incidents recently whereby vehicles parked on the forecourt at Oakdene have rolled away causing damage to neighbouring property. The Clerk was asked to write to the owner and ask if signs could be placed warning drivers to ensure that brakes are properly engaged before leaving the vehicle.

Additionally plans had been provided by the County Council for proposal to reduce speed along Southport Road and around Oakdene. It was not clear whether the Parish Council was being asked to comment, but it was felt that the proposals were rather tame considering the particular problems at New Lane. 
Members noted an Incident Report Form that was being used in another area. It was agreed that this could be included in a newsletter but it should first be cleared with PC Whittaker and support sought for a supply of the forms.

58/04 Wildflower Project

It was agreed that consideration be given to a wildflower planting project in the grass verge along Southport Road. It was agreed that a resident who had an interest in wildflowers be approached and application made for a Green Partnership Award. Burbris bushes should also be planted in readiness for further tree planting.

Agreement will be needed with Chorley Borough about the cutting schedule and it was felt the wildflower bed on Wymott Park should be included.

59/04 Arrangements for the Parish Assembly.

The draft Annual Report had been circulated and the content was agreed.

A speaker DaY Valley project had been arranged. There was no charge.

It was agreed that refreshments be provided. A newsletter will be required.

60/04 Update on the Parish Plan

The final draft will be with the printer shortly. It was hoped to have the final document published ready for the Parish Assembly.

61/04 Correspondence from Resident

A letter has been received from a resident but due to the confidential nature of the business it was resolved that this item be disused with the public excluded.

62/04 Finance

• It was agreed that a filing cabinet be purchased from Office World.

• Monitoring Statement. A statement was circulated showing the current financial position.

• Approval of expenditure L Rowett salary March £111.58 and expenses to March £114.62

63/04 Planning

Planning Approvals –
Erection of single storey extensions and detached garage at Ridley House, Ridley Lane.
Erection of new cattle barn at Lostock Bridge Farm.

New Applications –
Erection of Conservatory to the rear of 4 The Maples, Ulnes Walton Lane. No comment.
Two storey front extension to 132a Southport Road. Mr Ormerod declared an interest. No comments.
Permanent retention of two residential park homes for occupation by employees at the Royal Umpire Caravan Park. No comments.

64/04 Matters Raised by Members

a) Road Sign

It was noted that the sign for Ulnes Walton Lane had become detached from the board.

b) Road Accident

It was noted that another accident had occurred on Leyland Lane.

c) Stray Dogs

There appeared to be a problem with stray dogs on the Wymott estate, the Clerk was asked to bring this to the attention of the dog warden.

d) NHS Document

It was agreed that a newsletter item be included to draw attention to the proposed NHS changes affecting the area.

e) Donation to Air Ambulance.

It was suggested that a donation similar to last year be made. It was agreed this should appear on the agenda for the next meeting.

f) Fly Tipping

It was noted that the situation on Pump House Lane was worse than prior to the clean up. The promised gate had not materialised.

g) Multi User Track

There appears to be a misconception about the usage of the track, access to the fields and the care and attention etc., there was a call for a statement to be made outlining the proposals.

Additionally there was a problem with horses being ridden around the Wymott Estate and the mess that was being left behind.

h) Fight Path

It was noted that Ulnes Walton appeared to have become part of a flight path for low flying air craft. The Clerk was asked to try and determine the reason.

65/04 Public Forum

Two residents were present who wished for clarification on the bridle track. They were under the impression that agreement had been reached and the project was going ahead.

It was pointed out that agreement had not been reached, discussions were at a very early stage and intention of the track was for it primarily to be a cycle track. Access rights had not been agreed and other than a proposed route nothing was in place.

If agreement was reached there would be some form of public consultation before the project went ahead and comments of all interested parties would be taken into account.

Further the problem of the horses on the estate was noted. The Clerk was asked to clarify what the legal position was regarding the use of the highway by horses.

It was suggested that a polite letter be sent to the riding centres etc asking that riders do not go on the pavements.

66/04 Date and Time of Next Meeting.

It was agreed the next meeting should be convened for Monday 10 May 2004 at 7.45 pm.

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