ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 13 DECEMBER 2004

In Attendance:

Cllr D Ormerod (Chairman), Cllr Mrs D Todd, Cllr Mrs E Doran, Cllr P Mortimer and Cllr D Williams

Also Present:

Mrs L Rowett – Clerk

169/04 Apologies

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr John Ascroft who was absent due to illness.

170/04 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.

171/04 Minutes of the Last Meeting 

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

172/04 Matters Arising on the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda)

a) Boundary Signs (Item 160/04a)

South Ribble Borough had responded and was in favour of the signs but there was some concern over safety aspects which it was hoped would be resolved early in the New Year.

Lancashire County Council had not replied despite a letter being sent to the Environment Directorate, it was agreed the matter should be referred to Cllr Anne Brown with a copy of the letter to Cllr Whittaker.

b) Quality Parish Status (Item 161/04)

Grateful thanks were expressed to Lancashire County Council for the reception held in celebration of achieving quality status.

c) Finance (Item 165/04)

A letter had been received from the ODPM concerning the high level of audit fees. It was agreed this should be copied to Lindsay Hoyle.

173/04 Quality Parish Council

Members were asked to give final consideration to the grant application to be submitted for funding from the QPS Investment Fund. A list of equipment and estimated costings was agreed with some minor amendments. The Chairman signed the application form. 

174/04 Prison Liaison Panel

It was resolved that as the matter was of a legal nature that it should be discussed confidentially with members of the public excluded.

175/04 Prison Issues

There are a number of issues relating to the prison sites which the Clerk has been pursuing through the prescribed channels on which no progress is being made these include the planting of screening and the multi user track. Members were asked to consider how best to resolve these matters and it was agreed that the Prison Minister be contacted.

It was noted that the dog waste bin promised to be located on Home Office land would be positioned early in the New Year.

176/04 New Lane Area

Members were asked to note the content of a letter received from the Royal Mail. It was agreed that there appeared to be no point pursuing further the idea of having the box relocated, however it was noted that the box was only small and was often full, the situation needed to be monitored.

The Clerk reported on a recent conversation with Mr Gilson in which she was invited to visit the garage to discuss the location of the notice board and he confirmed that a sign had been ordered requesting motorists not to park on the pavement.

177/04 Dog Nuisance

Members were asked to consider appropriate action to deal with the problems of dogs fouling on the Wymott estate as dog owners were failing to clean up after exercising their pets. 

It was agreed that a concerted effort was needed – a dog waste bin; enforcement by the dog warden and an item in the next newsletter.

178/04 Letter from Urswick Parish Council

Members were asked to note the content of a complimentary letter received from Urswick Parish council in Cumbria. It was agreed to send a favourable response with a Christmas card. 

179/04 Parish Plan Implementation

Members were asked to note progress made in implementing the actions from the Parish Plan, in particular the idea of ‘twinning’. The Danish Embassy had provided a contact address to request assistance in identifying a suitable community.

Further action noted was the need to draw attention to the problems identified in the Parish Plan associated with dental care. It was agreed a letter should be sent to the Dental Care Trust.

180/04 Planning 

The Minutes of a special meeting to discuss Planning Matters held on 29 November 2004 were signed as a true record.

A promising reply had been received from the Housing Department and it was agreed that a copy of the letter and appropriate Minutes be sent to the residents who attended the planning meeting.

It was further noted that notification had been received of a proposed development at Ash House Farm. The plans had been requested and the matter would be discussed at the next Full Council meeting in January.

181/04 Finance

• Consultation by Chorley Borough on Special Expenses. The Clerk reported on the Boroughs intention to address the issue of ‘double taxation’ and the implications for parish councils. 

• Clerk Remuneration. It was resolved that the matter was of a personal nature it be discussed under confidential business.

• Budget 2004/05. As the budget would be determined by the out come of the discussions on the Clerks remuneration this matter was deferred. 

• Approval of items of expenditure – L Rowett salary £69.84; Inland Revenue clerks element £47.78; petty cash £43.33. Green Partnership Award (Willow Weaving) £125.94

182/04 Blackburn Cathedral Invitation

An invitation had been received for the Chairman to attend the annual Epiphany Service on the 16 January 2005, it was agreed that Cllr Ormerod should attend.

183/04 Matters of Concern

a) Police Report

A paper was presented prepared by the Police Officer - Caroline Plumber. This was felt to be an excellent feature.

a) Letter from Resident

A letter had been received from a resident asking for advice on seeking planning permission. It was agreed this should appear on the next agenda.

b) Notice Board

It was noted that the notice board removed from Holker Lane had been missed. It was suggested that the QPS bid should include provision for a new board.

c) Sand Extraction

It was questioned what the position was regarding the proposed sand extraction in Euxton. The Clerk of Euxton Parish Council had been contacted and it was understood the suggested meeting between Tarmac and neighbouring Parish Councils would be going ahead.

d) Bus Service – Ulnes Walton Lane

It was questioned whether the service along Ulnes Walton Lane was a request stop or just at designated bus stops. The Clerk was asked to make some verbal enquires.

e) Fish Hatchery

It was suggested that at some stage a visit might be arranged to the fish hatchery on the Lostock.

f) Public Footpath

It was noted that there were still problems with the footpath along the Lostock and that the signs warning people of its closure had been removed.

184/04 Borough Councillors Report

Cllr Iddon drew attention to the fact that Dog Wardens will push leaflets through letter boxes in areas where dog fouling presented a problem.

Further she would be attending a Renewable Energy Seminar at Lancashire County Council in January and would collect some information for the Parish Council.

185/04 Date and Time of Next Meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting should be convened for Monday 10 January 2005 at 7.30 pm.

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