ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 8 NOVEMBER 2004

In Attendance:

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

In Attendance:

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

Also Present:

Mrs L Rowett (Clerk)

157/04 Apologies

There were no apologies from Members.

Apologies were received from Borough Cllr Mrs D Dickinson 

The Chairman welcomed PC Caroline Plummer the new police officer for the Parish.

158/04 Declaration of Interest

Members were asked to consider any personal/prejudicial interests they may have to disclose in respect of any matters under consideration at the meeting. There were no disclosures.

159/04 Minutes of the Last Meeting 

Minutes of a meeting held on 11 October 2004 were accepted and signed as a true record.

160/04 Matters Arising on the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda)

a) Boundary Signs (Item 144/04)

A letter had been sent to South Ribble Borough but there had been no reply.

b) Road Safety Issues – Southport Road (Item 145/04)

Letters had been sent to Mr Gilson and Royal Mail but there had been no reply.

c) Prison Liaison Committee (Item 148/04)

A letter had been sent to Chorley Borough but there had been no reply.

d) Vehicles Over Weight Limit (item 154/04a)

Information concerning a vehicle contravening the weigh restriction had been passed to the Police.

161/04 Quality Parish Council

Members were asked to note the content of a letter received from Chorley Borough Council congratulating on achieving Quality Status.

Members were asked to note the arrangements for the presentation on the 25 November 2004 at County Hall. It was pleasing that the Parish Council had been able to invite a number of community guests.

It was agreed that a small celebration should be held at the next meeting and residents be invited to attend.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is proposing to allow Councils with QPS to access funding of up to £15,000 to assist with the new found status. Members gave the matter consideration and suggested items to be included in the bid for Ulnes Walton.

162/04 Road Safety Issues – Southport Road

Representative of the Parish Council had recently met with officers from Lancashire County Council and representatives from the Police force.

It had been a very worth while informative meeting and the proposals were discussed in detail. Some of the suggestions put forward to ease the problems were unacceptable due to the lack for space for example a round-about at the junction of New Lane. Other options being considered included interactive signs and better road markings around New Lane.

A request had been made by the Police for another site to be found to locate the mobile speed camera.

Final proposals would be drawn up by the Traffic and Road Safety Section which would then be put for public consultation.

163/04 Parish Plan Action

Members were asked to consider what action is necessary to implement proposals contained in the Parish Plan regarding ‘Twinning’. It was agreed that the Norwegian and Danish embassy be contacted to establish if they could offer any help.

164/04 Planning Applications

a) Pre Planning Consultation by Chorley Borough on the Proposal to Build Low Cost Housing on Glover Close. 

It was generally felt that anyone allocated such houses would need to have transport due to a lack of facilities in the area in particular for families and it was felt that the location was inappropriate for the type of resident at which the housing was directed.

Before making formal comment the Clerk was requested to ascertain 

• What evidence there was to support that there was demand for such housing in the parish

• The rationale behind the location and what other areas had been considered.

• The criteria used to select families to occupy the accommodation.

b) Planning Enforcement

A letter had been received from the Chief Executive of Chorley Borough confirming that planning enforcement was not being dealt with due to staff shortages. It was felt that this situation was unacceptable and the Clerk was requested to ascertain if it was possible to refer the situation to the Ombudsman.

165/04 Finance

• A monitoring statement was circulated for information

• Budget 2004/05. Members were asked to give consideration to items to be included in the budget for the coming financial year, it was noted that some expenditure would be necessary to re register the website.

• The following items of expenditure were given approval – L Rowett £91.73 salary October; Inland Revenue tax element of Clerks salary £25.87; £10.00 OPSTA subscription; £17.50 CPRE subscription.

Further, following receipt of a disappointing letter from the external auditors regarding the charging policy, it was agreed that the matter be taken up with Lindsay Hoyle MP

166/04 Matters of Concern

a) Screening of Prison

Concern was expressed at the lack of response and effort on the part of the Prison Authorities to commence the agreed planting of trees.

b) Wild Flower Project

It was requested that consideration be taken as part of the wild flower project, of the fact that a wild flower area had already been planted on Wymott Park.

167/04 Borough Councillors Report

Cllr Iddon reported that there had been some changes to the Licensing Laws which meant that in rural areas if a public event was being organised the only objectors could be the Police.

168/04 Date and Time of Next Meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting be convened for Monday 13 December 2004 at 7.30 pm.

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