ULNES WALTON PARISH COUNCILMINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 14 JUNE 2004In Attendance: Cllr D Ormerod (Chairman), Cllr Mrs D Todd (Vice Chairman), Cllr Mrs E Doran, Cllr J Ascroft and Cllr D Williams Also Present: Mrs L Rowett (Clerk) 79/04 Apologies Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr P Mortimer who was engaged on farming matters. Apologies were also given by Cllr Dickinson. 80/04 Minutes of the Last Meeting Minutes of a meeting held on 10 May 2004 were accepted and signed as a true record. Minutes of a meeting to discuss planning matter held on 17 May 2004 were accepted and signed as a true record. 81/04 Matters Arising on the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda) a) Letter from The Green Centre (Item 76/04) The Green Centre had requested that the meeting be differed until after their Annual Meeting. The Green Centre had succeeded in obtaining the cycle racks via the County Council and they would be installed at the Old School and the Prison Officers Club shortly. b) Finance Precept (Item 78/04) It was noted that there had only been a minimal increase in the precept and this was due to the knock on effect of a vacant property. 82/04 Prison Issues Briefing was given on the meeting between representatives of the Prison Authorities, Chorley Borough Council and the Parish Council on the 8 June 2004 to discuss planning issues. Discussion had taken place on the Green Travel Plan, the Parish Council had expressed concern that targets set were too low, similar comment had been made by the County Council. A screening programme had not been included with the new plans. Discussion took place about this and the Prison Authorities agreed to take the matter on board. The Prison Liaison Committee was to be reconstituted but confirmation of acceptance in principle to the new structure had not been given by the Governor of Wymott. The Prison Authorities agreed to report back to the Clerk. The concerns voiced by residents following the visit to the new block at HMP Wymott were considered. The Minister for Prisons Paul Goggins had replied to the Parish Council letter and suggested that the concerns be addressed as part of the new build. The Prison Authorities agreed to look at this further. Plans for the cycle track were progressing well but much more discussion was needed before a final route could be established. The Prison Authorities agreed to provide a plan showing the definitive boundaries of their land ownership. The Prison Authorities were pursuing the idea of opening a new station, it was felt there would be more gain by supporting the idea of reopening Midge Hall. 83/04 Parish Plan Action Members formally adopted the Parish Plan as a policy document. Cllr Ormerod presented a summary of the actions required by Parish Council. A standard item will appear on further agenda updating on progress of implementation. Action for Ulnes Walton now had a bank account so steps could be taken to formally establish the group. An invitation had been received for Ulnes Walton to participate in the Mersey Basin Week of activities. A grant was available and it was agreed this idea should be pursued further. 84/04 Multi User Track The Clerk had met with representatives from Lancashire County Council on the 14 June 2004. Letters had been received from two of the landowners concerned, agreeing that they had no objection to a track going over their land. However much discussion is still required. In view of the complication arising from the planned extensions to the prisons it had been agreed that the project be considered in three stages. The first phase would be on land currently managed by SITA and it was intended to meet with the operator, the Countryside Officer and the LCC land agent as soon as possible to discuss the project in more detail. 85/04 Parish Council Website The website has been running for several months, it was felt appropriate to consider the content and future development/maintenance. The forums are not being used and it was felt that perhaps some training was needed on the facilities available. Sponsorship could be considered and it was agreed an appeal should be made via the newsletter. It was agreed that a working group be established to consider the website in more detail and consider the requirements of Action for Ulnes Walton. The website currently meets the requirements for quality parish status so it was felt there was no immediate need for change. 86/04 Wildflower Project The Clerk had intended to discuss the project with the Countryside Officer on the14 June 2004, however time hadnt allowed. A volunteer had been identified to be involved with the project and Cllr Todd said she would also be interested. 87/04 Quality Parish Council Status (QPS) It was noted that the Clerk had submitted her portfolio for accreditation the six week period for notification of results had passed and despite having contacted NALC she had heard nothing. This situation was felt to be unacceptable and if nothing was heard in the next two weeks John Findlay the Chief Executive of NALC should be contacted. A letter has been received from Lancashire County Council seeking views on the type of Charter appropriate for Parish Councils with QPS, in association with the principle authorities. It was noted that District Partnership Officers had been appointed and a request was made for more information about their role. Members were in agreement that the idea of a Charter seemed reasonable but the letter contained insufficient information for a decision to be taken on the most appropriate, it was felt that more detail was needed and some indication of the commitment needed from parishes. It was noted that one of the requirements for QPS was that Members should hold surgeries, it was felt this was already covered by the Public Forum and the forum on the website, but it was agreed that future agendas should refer to a surgery rather than a forum. 88/04 Horse Issues A letter has been received from a resident, previously distributed, consideration was given to a reply. It was agreed that the resident be invited to write an article for the next newsletter, highlighting the problems faced by horse riders. It was clear there needed to be mutual understanding and it should be pointed out that the Parish Council were actively working to address the issue of facilities for horse users and suggest it might be appropriate for her to join Action for Ulnes Walton. It was suggested that Longton Riding Club be contacted to ascertain if there were any courses available locally to encourage safe riding. Consideration was be given to the problems associated with horses on the Wymott Estate, horses could not be restricted from the public highway and droppings were not considered to be a health hazard, so it appeared little could be done to alleviate the problem. It was agreed the situation be monitored. 89/04 Wymott Park Maintenance A letter had been received requesting support for improvements to the playing surface of Wymott Park. It was agreed that a copy of the letter be sent to Chorley Borough and Groundwork asking that action be taken. 90/04 Planning A letter had been received from the Head of Planning (Mr Croston) responding to Parish Council concerns, it was clear that issues were not being dealt with due to staff shortages. Whist there was sympathy for the situation it was felt this was a poor excuse however it was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Chief Executive supporting Mr Croston's argument for more staff. It was noted that permission had been granted for-
It was further noted that an extension to 132a Southport Road had been refused. 91/04 Planning Applications Members gave consideration to the way in which planning applications are dealt with. It was agreed that a planning committee be formed to meet as and when necessary but a proper constitution was needed. 92/04 Finance
Parish Plan Alan Otto consultancy £1895.00 production of Parish Plan. 93/04 Letter from the Queen Members noted the content of a letter from Buckingham Palace following receipt of a copy of the Parish Plan. It was agreed it should be mentioned in the next newsletter. 94/04 Matters Raised by Members a) Public Address System It was noted that public address systems at various sites in the parish were being used to play loud music. It was questioned what the regulations were regarding such usage. Cllr Iddon agreed to investigate. b) Rotary Club It was noted that the Rotary Club wished to become involved with more local communities and were considering a project in Ulnes Walton, possibly funding a visit by the Drug Awareness bus. This idea would be pursued further. c) Countryside Agency Photographer It was noted a photographer would be visiting to complete an article for the Agency about Ulnes Walton. d) The Old School It was noted that the heating was on in the School, comment was also passed about the neatness of the grass cutting. The Clerk was asked to write to Henry Mayor and remark on both issues. 95/04 Public Forum There were no matters arising. 96/04 Date and Time of Next Meeting It was agreed the next meeting should be convened for Monday 12 July 2004 at 7.30 pm.
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