RIBCHESTER PARISH COUNCIL

Ribchester Parish Council

Minutes of the Council Meeting held at 7.30 pm on Monday 10 April 2006 at SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Centre, Ribchester, Lancashire.

PRESENT Cllrs. J D Jardine (in the chair)

Mrs J M Berry (7.45pm)

Dr A M Brown

E Law - Riding

G W Rollinson

D Royle.

131. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Were received from Councillor B M Collis.

132. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

133. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on the 20 March 2006 be confirmed as a true record.

134. MATTERS ARISING

Letters had been forwarded to Lancashire County Council about the Parish partnership and to James Hall & Co. about the condition of the empty shop next to Spar (Mins 124a & 124c).

135. PLANNING

Chairman reported on recent decisions of the Planning Committee of RVBC, including those applications delegated to the Chief Executive.

(b) Three applications are currently in circulation for return to RVBC by 14 April.

136. LAPTC SUBSCRIPTION

At the April meeting Council had decided to withdraw from membership of LAPTC. Since that meeting, LAPTC had insisted that the rules of Association required twelve month’s notice of resignation. While Council were still minded to withdraw from the Association, after further discussion:-

RESOLVED: That Council renew membership of the Association for the coming year and that the payment of the annual subscription of £263.50 be authorised. A final decision on membership would be taken by July 2006 with a view to giving notice of withdrawal by September 2006.

137. ACCOUNTS

(a) Clerk reported receipt of the following:

Mr Magerison: annual lease of land at Grimshaw Quarry. £500.00

(b) RESOLVED: That the following payments be made: -

Clerk: clerical duties £256.35

Reimbursement of imprest £7.44

Expenses for q/e March 2006 £31.10 £300.52

Clerk: re C Holden £19.00

J F Slater: Lengthsman duties March £108.12

SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Centre: Meeting Fee £15.00

138. MATTERS RELATING TO PRINCIPAL COUNCILS

(a) BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT: Clerk gave a brief resume of matters discussed at the Parish Council’s Liaison Committee meeting held on 23 March; mentioning the Parish & Town Council Charter and the issue of the burgeoning cost of insurance for small councils.

(b) OUTSTANDING ISSUES: The Clerk gave an update of current issues within the parish boundary. While the lighting on Pope Croft car park had now been repaired, other issues in relation to the car park remained outstanding. It was agreed that a further letter be sent to the Borough Council about the lack of progress with the promised work. Council was dismayed at the condition of the roads in the parish and it was agreed to write to the County Councillor for the area about the issue.

139. VILLAGE POLICING

PC Treacy had written to the Council about neighbourhood policing. His letter would be incorporated in the spring issue of the Council Newsletter for issue after Easter.

140. LENGTHSMAN DUTIES

Were set. A number of issues within the village were highlighted for reporting to the appropriate authority.

141. ANNUAL PARISH SPRING CLEAN

The Chairman reported on this years’ event. The turn out had been good and it was pleasing to report a positive outcome. Generally, despite the increase in levels of dog fouling, the village looked clean and tidy. The Council was grateful to those taking part and to the Ribble Valley litter pickers for their efforts throughout the year. Council agreed to write to the Borough Council to thank them for their efforts.

142. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Arrangements were agreed for the annual Parish Meeting to be held at SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Centre on Monday 8 May at 8.00pm. The Community Network Officer for the Patient and Public Involvement Forum would be the guest speaker.

143. THE PARISH NEWSLETTER

The draft of the Spring issue prepared by the Clerk was agreed for publication. Distribution would be arranged during the last week in April.

144. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE

Post Office: confirmation of the re-opening of the sub Post Office.

LCC: Corporate Strategy. Document available to Councillors.

145. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS

Agreed that these would be held at SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Centre on Monday 22 May 2006 and at the Knowle Green Village Hall on Monday 19 June 2006.

THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AND EXCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT 8.55pm TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEM 16

146. GRIMSHAW QUARRY

RESOLVED: That the current lessee (Mr. A Margerison) be offered a further six-year lease from 1 April 2006. The lease to be subject to review during April 2009, based on the movement of the index of retail prices.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.20pm.