ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 12 JANUARY 2004
In Attendance:
Mrs D Todd (Vice Chairman) Mr D Ormerod, Mr J Ascroft, Mr P Mortimer and Mr D Williams
Also Present:
Mrs L Rowett (Clerk)
01/04 Apologies
Apologies were received and accepted from Mrs E Doran who was absent due to illness.
In the absence of Mrs Doran, Mrs Todd acted as Chairman.
02/04 Local Government Reorganisation
County Councillor Whittaker was in attendance to discuss the Boundary Committee document covering the reorganisation of local government. The recommendation was for a two tier system over seen by a regional assembly. The assembly would have 30 elected representatives plus 10 others appointed by proportional representation. Below would be another tier of unitary authorities. The Parish system would not be affected other than the possibility that more powers would be devolved. The County Councils position is status quo. If regional assembly is approved the options would be for a county wide unitary authority or a Central Lancashire Authority covering Preston, South Ribble and Chorley.
In making a decision three questions needed to be asked
Will services be improved?
Will there be greater accountability?
What are the cost implications?
Cllr Whittaker was thanked for his attendance.
03/04 Minutes of the Last Meeting
Minutes of a meeting held on 8 December 2003 were accepted and signed as a true record.
04/04 Matters Arising on the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda)
a) Dumped Rubbish River Lostock (Item 144/03a)
There had been no response from the Environment Agency.
b) New Lane Resident Survey (Item 144/03d)
Mr Hayton had confirmed that the problems at New Lane would be put forward for consideration for inclusion in the business plan and had offered to attend a future Parish Council meeting to discuss other problems. It was agreed that he be requested to attend after the parish Plan had been published in the spring.
A further letter had been received regarding the signage at Moss Lane asking if this should be put forward for the business plan. It was agreed that this should be the case but to change the request to state that the general signage at the junction be improved.
c) Wymott and Garth Prison Officers Club (Item 147/03)
There was little change. A draft lease had not yet been produced.
There was a meeting later in the week and a response was expected regarding a Member of the Parish Council joining the Committee
d) Bus Service 112 (Item 152/03)
A letter has been sent to the County Council but there had been no reply.
e) Web Site (Item 156/03a)
A number of updates had been made including a diary facility that could be accessed directly by the Clerk. There was an email facility that could be enabled and Members were asked to contact Mr Williams if required.
f) South Penwortham By Pass (Item 157/03b)
A letter had been sent to Lindsay Hoyle but there had been no reply.
g) Fly Tipping (Item 157/03c)
John Lechmere had contacted the Clerk advising that the landowners were to be requested to remove the rubbish along Pump House Lane and Ridley Lane, it was then intended to gate off Ridley Lane so that vehicle access was restricted.
05/04 Prison Issues
a) Meeting with Representatives of the Prison Service
Arrangements had been made for a meeting on the 16 January 2004 between Prison Authority representatives; officers from Chorley Borough and the Parish Council to discuss the proposed extensions. The points the Parish Council wished to raise for discussion were noted as
Traffic
- there needs to be better road marking and signage
- measures to control the speed of vehicles along Ulnes Walton Lane
Noise
- disturbance caused by prisoners shouting etc especially in hot weather
Security
- concerns about house break-ins etc resulting due to number of visitors to area
Access
- road infrastructure is insufficient to cope with the volume of traffic, alternative access needs to be considered to relieve pressure on Ulnes Walton Lane
Cycle Routes
- The Prisons Green Travel Plan encourages use of cycles but it is acknowledged that the local roads are not considered safe for cyclist. Need to consider construction of cycle/bridle routes that could link in with other projects on landfill site.
Future Development
- What plans are there for future development on the site.
Prison Liaison Committee
- It is felt the role of the committee should be enhanced and a regular pattern of meetings be established with the make up being more representative of the immediate community.
Planning Gain
- It is acknowledge that the Prisons are part of the community and there will be detrimental effect. Is the Home Office prepared to contribute anything to the community as compensation? e.g. play equipment, contribution to projects, cycle routes etc.
b) Screening
A request had been received from an Officer at HMP Wymott for a number of Parish Councillors to meet with him to discuss the issue of screening. It was agreed the representatives should be Mr Ascroft, Mrs Todd, Mr Williams and Mr Mortimer. A date to be agreed with the Prison.
c) Visit to Garth by Parish Council
It was agreed the visit would be most convenient on the first weekend in February. The Clerk would liaise with the Governor accordingly.
d) Residents Visit to Wymott
10 visitors could be accommodated. It was agreed the party should consist of
1 representative from the Parish Council
2 residents from Ulnes Walton Lane
8 from the Wymott Estate
A letter will be circulated to appropriate residents with preference being given to those most directly affected.
06/04 Boundary Signs
Possible designs were considered for the signs. It was agreed that Rebecca Freear be asked for a design that incorporated the Parish Council symbol. The finished item should be approx. 18 by 24. A cardboard cut out would be helpful in deciding the final design.
It was agreed as progress with the Green Centre was slow alternative sources of funding should be considered, possibly sponsorship.
07/04 Update on the Parish Plan
Final document was progressing well; it would be discussed with the printer on the 22 January 2004. The Countryside Agency had agreed to extend the period for submission due to the printer being closed for three weeks.
08/04 Action for Ulnes Walton
Three sources of funding had been identified that would assist with the start up costs of the group. The Clerk was attending training on the 21 January 2004 to assist with the establishment of the group.
09/04 Finance
a) Budget 2004/05.
Members considered the draft budget.
A proposal was tabled that the precept be increased by £150 to further the aims of the Parish Plan. There was no
seconder.
A proposal was tabled and seconded that the precept remains static at £2500. A vote taken by show of hands. 3 in favour 2 against. It was resolved that the precept be fixed at £2500.
A second resolution was tabled and seconded that reserves be used to fund Parish Plan projects as necessary. A vote was taken by show of hands 3 in favour, 1 abstention.
It was further agreed that the precept be reviewed in 12 months when the full impact of the Parish Plan was known.
b) Monitoring Statement. A monitoring statement was presented and content noted.
c) The following expenditure was given approval L Rowett salary Dec. £111.58, L Rowett expenses £40.11.
10/04 The Old School
Members approved the advertisement for the vacancies on the Board of Trustees. Once cleared with Mr Harrison and Mr Mayor it would be placed in a newsletter.
11/04 Planning
One new planning issue was considered. Erection of single storey extension to Ridley House Ridley Lane. There were no comments.
It was noted that construction work had begun on a new car park at HMP Wymott, it was questioned why this was happening when planning approval had not been given.
12/04 Matters Raised by Members
a) Overgrown Hedge
It was noted that the overgrown hedge opposite Nixons Lane had still not been cut.
b) Dangerous Kerb
It was noted that a kerb stone near Calverts Farm was loose and dangerous.
c) Bollards
It was noted that the bollards on Ulnes Walton Bridge had not been replaced.
13/03 Date and Time of Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting be convened for Monday 9 February 2004.
It was further agreed that the April meeting be brought forward to the 5 April 2004 so as to avoid Easter Monday and the August meeting be cancelled unless there was urgent business.
Signed
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