Minutes from "April Parish Council Meeting" on 8 Apr 2008 - 7:15pm

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF CATON-WITH-LITTLEDALE PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE ON TUESDAY 8th April 2008

PRESENT:

Councillors J Pritchard, R Elvis, PM Quinton, J Jackson, J Parkinson, R Gibbons, P Marshall, V Williams, M Williams, CEC Kynch and Dr DB Coltman.

PC Ian Johnston attended by invitation.

08/142 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Councillor S Langhorn and County Councillor Mrs S Charles sent their apologies.

08/143 OPEN SESSION

Mr F McGlade came to discuss the Fell View redevelopment and the residents’ objections to a ‘teenage area’. The Parish Council explained the situation and agreed to distribute a letter to the residents.

Mr R Horricks asked about Allotments. The Parish Council explained that they had tried but were unable to provide Allotments. The Parish Council would take up the matter with the City Council and report back.

08/144 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 11th MARCH 2007

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 11th March were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

08/145 MATTERS ARISING

The Clerk reported the following :-

• 07/ - Library Site. Queen’s Square Medical Practice are awaiting details and valuation from County. They are committed to remaining in the village and are willing to discuss the future of the Village Car Park when more details are available. County have responded to our letter after last meeting saying neither submission mentioned splitting the site so therefore it couldn’t be considered. The Clerk was asked to write to County and express our dissatisfaction with the situation, to press for a meeting and an explanation of how the decision was arrived at. Could there be a condition imposed in the sale documentation?
• 07/ - Moor Platt. County and Progress Housing are fine tuning the Planning Application and transfer of ownership of the site.
• 08/ - Anti-sat nav. signs have only been approved by the Welsh Assembly and can not be used in England!

08/146 POLICE AND COMMUNITY TOGETHER (PACT).

There had been a number of thefts of slates, coping stones and gates from the Lune Valley area. A shed at Gresgarth Hall had been broken into and there had been a theft from a vehicle. The bus shelter and sign at Copy Lane had been damaged.

The damaged property on Leslie Avenue has been repossessed and the ‘owner’ is on bail.

PC Johnston explained that the rural Officers are being asked to work some shifts in Lancaster and this is causing problems with policing the village. The Parish Council agreed to write to the Police Authority to retain dedicated Rural Policing.

There was a discussion on an incident involving the use of a Shot gun adjacent to the Millennium Park but without further details the matter could not be followed up.

08/147 PLANNING

The Following Applications had been Received :-

• 08/00209/FUL - Construction of dormer to rear
  Mr MK Gray, 7 Chestnut Avenue, Brookhouse
  Question size, materials and the cladding
• 08/00230/FUL - Erection of a garden room
  Mr G Lightfoot, Winsterley, Caton Green Road, Brookhouse
  No Objections
• 08/00242/LB - Changes to window casements
  Church Hill House, 1 Caton Green Road, Brookhouse
  Historical relevance of window pane size, front door to be in keeping with age of building.
• 08/00296/FUL - Erection of rear kitchen extension
  Mr & Mrs Taylor, 169 Brookhouse Road, Caton
  No Objections

The Following Applications had been Granted :-

• 07/01420/FUL - Retrospective Application for garden excavation
  Mr & Mrs Bruce, 3 Hawthorn Close, Brookhouse
• 07/01775/FUL - Erection of Agricultural building
  Field 2357, Caton Green Road, Brookhouse
• 08/00091/PAM - Erection of replacement telegraph pole
  BT - 5 Langdale, Caton
• 08/00092/PAM - Erection of replacement telegraph pole
  BT - 9 Broadacre, Caton
• 08/00093/PAM - Erection of replacement telegraph pole
  BT - 13 Vicarage Avenue, Brookhouse

08/148 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS

Antisocial Behaviour Task Group meetings will be held around the district.

08/149 LENGTHSMAN, HIGHWAYS & FOOTPATHS

It was agreed to accept Heather Neesham’s costs for War Memorial Grounds etc. at £ 850 for this year. A competitive tender should be undertaken for next year.

City Council quote for weekly Cleaning Bus Shelters and Fell View Play Area increase to £18/month – accepted.

Co-op Planters will be repaired and planted up.

A meeting regarding the Signs will be held on Thursday.

The Glen open space initial ideas will be forwarded to County for consideration. The City Council have agreed to remove the asbestos and tidy up the area.

There are potholes on Station Road which require attention; the Co-op will be approached as it is their wagons doing the damage.

The Gate Stoop for Caton/Brookhouse is in John Taylor’s yard. A stone carver will consider the job.

08/150 BIRDS OF BOWLAND BOOKLET

Funding of £ 1,000 has been secured from the Green Partnership Awards and the Bowland Environmental Fund. Printing costs are about £ 2,000. Further funding will be sought to cover this cost.

08/151 FELL VIEW

The bid for funding has been lodged, although the closing date had been brought forward.

Helen Smith is leaving Ground works and Rob Maddox will take over this project. Consideration will be given to a Lottery bid and provision of facilities at the Police House.

One set of Football posts will be installed in the grassed area ( up to max £ 1,000 ).

As previously agreed the Parish Council will write to Fell View residents explaining the position.

08/152 AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS

The Clerk reported that a draft copy of accounts will be available and will be presented at the Parish Meeting.

The Audit date has been set for 20^th June 2008. Mrs P Cresswell has agreed to continue as Internal Auditor.

08/153 FINANCE

Proposed Cllr V Wiliams, seconded Cllr D Coltman and resolved that the following payments be made:-

08/154 REPORTS OF MEMBERS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Twinning – The Charter between the two communities was signed at a Ceremony on Saturday 12^th April. There were thirty-one visitors from Socx and the weekend was judged a great success.

It was resolved that the Parish Council purchase a French and Union Flag for the events.

Victoria Institute – A survey on the building heating and energy is being undertaken as part of the next stage of improvements.

Leisure Club – Celebrates its Twenty-five years with a Luncheon on Monday. Fifty plus people are expected to attend.

Youth Centre – There was a good discussion at the recent Public meeting. It was concluded that there was probably enough provision elsewhere and the decision to sell of the building would have to be made by the Trustees. Proceeds would probably go into a Trust and the Parish Council was committed to remaining involved.

Web-site – A proposal to transfer ownership of the ‘domain’ was agreed. There may be a small cost to the Parish Council but we would have control, through Steve Smithson ( web master )

08/155 COMMUNITY AWARDS

There were two nomination for the same person and it was agreed to present this year’s  Lifetime Award to Aileen Newby for her work with the Cubs.

It was agreed that we need to discuss how to get more nominations for next year’s awards.

08/156 LAPTC AND CORRESPONDANCE

The last LAPTC Meeting heard about the District Charter and County Council web-site developments. There were also to be parking by-laws on zigzag lines by Schools.

A lorries only Parking Area has been introduced at Denny Beck Lay By

There was a proposal that drunken Youth were to be returned to parents.

A new Course for Parish Council Chairmen was planned and Standards Committee members were sought.

The Local Strategic Partnership Constitution has been proposed, but there is no Parish Council representation on the Board or possibly the Management Group. The Parishes are included with Stake Holders and the Working Groups, who will deliver in their specific areas.

It was agreed that Councillor Mrs Quinton contact our Area Secretary and national Association to press for Parish Council representation at the highest level.

####   Please request from Clerk if interested   ####

• Antisocial Behaviour Task Group Meeting Wed 9^th April, Carnforth Railway Station 7.00pm
• Rights of Way Improvement Plan, Funding Opportunities
• http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/countryside/forum/index.asp
• Communities Act 2007, consultation on draft regulations.
• Police Dialogue magazine

08/157 ITEMS / DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 13th May 2008. Agenda closes 8th May 2008

Fell View, Course reports.

PARISH MEETING THURSDAY 1ST MAY 7.30 pm VICTORIA INSTITUTE

The meeting closed at 9.45pm.