ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 8 MARCH 2004

In Attendance:

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

Also Present:

Mrs L Rowett (Clerk)

33/04 Apologies

There were no apologies as all members were present.

34/04 Minutes of the Last Meeting

Minutes of a meeting held on 9 February 2004 were accepted and signed as a true record subject to the following amendment Para 24/04 to read ‘A bulletin board had been introduced to allow advertising of events, discussion and simple surveys’.

35/04 Matters Arising on the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda)

a) New Lane Residents Survey (Item 16/04b)

The County Council had confirmed that New Lane and the signage at the junction of Moss Lane/Ulnes Walton Lane would be put forward for inclusion in the business plan.

b) Bus Service 112 (Item 16/04d)

Mr Williams had contacted the resident concerned. It was apparent that the timetables were out of date and did not clearly show which busses picked up on the estate, this would be drawn to the County Councils attention.

c) Overgrown Hedge (Item 16/04h)

A map had been forwarded so that the authority responsible could be identified.

d) Road Side Advertising/Illuminated Signs

Following contact by the Borough Councillors the Officer concerned had given a verbal message that a visit would be made. It was felt that these matters had been ignored by the Borough for too long and it was necessary to alert a Senior Officer to the situation.

e) Finance Consultation on Budget by CBC (Item 28/04)

Acknowledgment had been received for the comments made.

f) Car Boot Sale (Item 30/04a)

The matter had been reported.

g) Accident Statistics (Item 31/04b)

An item now appeared on the website and in the newsletter. Cllr Iddon was thanked for her contribution.

Mr Williams was thanked for his efforts in preparing the newsletter.

36/04 Complaints Procedure

The Parish Council is required to have a procedure in place for dealing with complaints about the administration of its affairs. A draft document was presented and it was agreed this should be adopted.

37/04 Update on the Parish Plan

The document was with the printer and a copy for proof reading was expected imminently.

The Countryside Agency had viewed a copy of the draft and was very pleased with it content.

38/04 Cycle Racks

The Green Centre had managed to persuade the funders to extend the grant period, however priority was being given to a school and because of the design chosen that full grant would be used up; the estimated cost of this one rack was £3400. Members felt this situation was unreasonable and that efforts should have been made to spread the funding around the villages resulting in greater benefit to the wider community.

A scheme operated by the County Council aided the provision of cycle stands and the Green Centre had asked to be given consideration. It was agreed to accept the stands offered but that the 10% contribution towards the cost would not be funded by the Parish Council as the original scheme did not require match funding.

39/04 Ulnes Walton Multi-User Track

All the plans had been submitted to those concerned and the Clerk was waiting to meet with the land agent for Worden Estates.

40/04 Use of Facilities at the Prison Officers Club

The Clerk has recently met with the Club Committee to discuss the possibility of storage facilities. Space had been offered in a locked office that would accommodate a four drawer filing cabinet; the flip chart and other items. It was agreed this option should be taken.

Additionally the Committee had offered the use of the Community Room for Parish Council meetings and it was agreed this should be considered further.

41/04 Dog Refuse Bin – Wymott Estate

A request has been made for a refuse bin to be placed on the grass verge opposite the Club, the annual cost to the Parish Council would be £67. It was agreed to take up the offer of a three month free trial before a decision was taken.

42/04 Appointment of Old School Trustees

There had been no response yet to the advertisement.

43/04 Notice Boards

A quote had been obtained of £45 per board from a training centre in Skelmersdale, this did not include the fixing. It was agreed that this option be taken.

44/04 Boundary Signs

A new design had been prepared by Rebecca Freear. Members were in favour and it was agreed that another approach be made to the prison workshops, Mr Mortimer offered to help.

A small grant for the project would be available from the County Council 

45/04 Prison Issues

Two dates had been offered for the inspection of the new house block, but neither were suitable as they were on week days, an alternative date was awaited.

There was no further news on the other issues.

46/04 Finance

  • Financial Regulations. The Parish Council previously adopted a model set of regulations these have now been customised and the final document was circulated and confirmed as being the official document.

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

  • Approval of items of expenditure. The following items were approved –

Ulnes Walton Charitable Fund room hire £66, L Rowett salary Feb £111.58
Parish Plan – L Rowett expenses £149.16
ECET photocopying £7.48
R Freear cover design £30
L Rowett £143.76 salary Dec, £180.24 salary for Jan, £107.28 salary for Feb
Ulnes Walton Charitable Fund room hire £78
D Ormerod expenses £31.76

47/04 Planning

Notification had been received that approval had been given to

  • The creation of horse breeding enterprise on land south of Garstangs Farm.

  • Relocation of existing stable block erection of new agricultural storage building and replacement paddock at Lowe Farm Cottage Leyland Lane

The Borough Council had also provided a number of letters from the agent dealing with the proposed development at Lostock Bridge Farm. It was felt that some of the comments made were misleading.

It was agreed that the new building was disproportionate to the others on site and it was questioned what criteria was used in determining the size of the barn.

The development would set precedence for other developments not only in Ulnes Walton but across the Borough.

It was noted that other areas have a set of guidelines relating to farm developments and it was agreed that it should be suggested to the Borough that they adopt a similar policy.

A draft documents from Chorley Borough covering Design Guidance was given to Mr Ormerod for consideration.

48/04 Matters Raised by Members

a) Overgrown Hedge

The hedge near Nursery Cottage was overhanging the road and causing an obstruction.

b) Stannings Folly

It was noted that shooting rights had recently been issued and this could have implications for the suggested footpaths.

c) Lostock Bridge Barn Conversion

The property was still not being advertised in accordance with the planning requirements. The Clerk was asked to report this to the Senior Planning Officer.

d) Storage of Commercial Vehicles

It was noted that a house on Southport Road had a number of commercial vehicles stored on the frontage. It was felt this was setting precedence.

e) Tree Planting Southport Road

The farmer had been very supportive of the tree planting project and Mr Ormerod offered to liaise regarding protection of the trees in the hedge.

49/04 Public Forum

Penwortham By Pass

Cllr Iddon reported that the proposals to develop the by pass were low on the priority list, but is felt important to press for its further consideration.

It was agreed that letters should be sent to the relevant MP’s; the Department of Transport and the County Council.

50/04 Date and Time of Next Meeting.

It was agreed the next meeting should be convened for Monday 5 April 2004 at 7.30pm.

Suggestions were also put forward for speakers at the Parish Assembly.





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