RIBCHESTER PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Council Meeting held at 7.30 pm on Monday 20 March 2006 at SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Centre, Ribchester, Lancashire.
PRESENT Cllrs. J D Jardine (in the chair)
Mrs J M Berry
Dr A M Brown
E Law - Riding
G W Rollinson
115. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Were received from Councillors B M Collis and D Royle.
116. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
117. MINUTES
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on the 20 February 2006 be confirmed as a true record.
118. MATTERS ARISING
There were no Matters Arising.
119. INSPECTOR JENNY COULSTON
The Chairman introduced Inspector Coulston, geographic Inspector in command of the Clitheroe/Longridge sub-district, to the Meeting. Inspector Coulston explained the background to policing policy in the Ribble Valley and its impact on the village of Ribchester and surrounding area. Inspector Coulston said that she was committed to a quality service with the aim of ensuring that village public were served at the local level. Questions were raised about speeding in the village and incidents of anti-social behaviour. The Chairman explained that the Parish Council’s Business Plan included a number of initiatives for speed reduction for discussion with the County Council.
Following the question and answer session, the Chairman thanked Inspector Coulston for addressing the meeting and returned to the remainder of the Agenda.
120. VILLAGE POLICING
This item was considered earlier in the Agenda to follow on from the previous item. PC Treacy outlined ongoing police issues within the village including those related to neighbourhood policing. It was felt that a further attempt should be made to reactivate a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the village It was also agreed that time should be allocated at future Parish Council meetings to review issues under the PACT (Police & Community Together) scheme and that these should be at three monthly intervals.
121. PLANNING
Chairman reported on recent decisions of the Planning Committee of RVBC, including those applications delegated to the Chief Executive.
(b) In the interval between meetings the following comments had been sent to RVBC in respect of planning applications:
06/0088 Cherry Dene, Ribchester Road Single storey extension.
06/0106 Lynwood, Stoneygate Lane Demolition of dwelling and replacement with new house.
06/0117 38 Church St. Extensions & alterations to existing dwelling.
06/0128 Land at Stoneygate Lane Change of use of agricultural land and building. Construction of single storey rear extension and alterations to access to facilitate relocation of existing bakery.
06/0129 Halls Arms Public House Storage cellar to replacement extension.
(c) RESOLVED: That RVBC be informed of the following comments in respect of planning applications:-
06/0110 Pinfold Farm, Preston Rd. Proposed new garage, stable & potting shed.
06/0166 41 Blackburn Rd Change of use from commercial to residential use of front lounge.
Recommend Approval
122. LAPTC SUBSCRIPTION
The Chairman sought Council’s views on the renewal of membership of the Association. The subscription for 2006/2007 would be £263.50, a reduction of some £30 from the previous year. While this reduction was welcome, nevertheless the amount charged was still a large sum and at the February meeting of the Council it had been argued that little seemed to be received in return for the cost involved. The Chairman commented that a number of parish councils had been contacted for their views. Larger councils such as Clitheroe and Whalley had indicated that they intended to remain members of the Association but a number of smaller and middle range councils had confirmed that they were no longer members.
RESOLVED: That Council withdraw from membership of LAPTC. This decision to be reviewed during 2007/2008.
123. ACCOUNTS
(a) RESOLVED: That the action of the Chairman in approving the following payments between meetings be endorsed:
Dell care: three year warranty Dell computer £116.33
Chancery division: fee for claim to money lodged in Court £100.00
(b) RESOLVED: That the following payments be made: -
Clerk: clerical duties £256.35
Reimbursement of imprest £7.48
Chain for allotment gate £17.98 £281.81
Clerk: re C Holden £19.00
J F Slater: Lengthsman duties February £108.12
SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Centre: Meeting Fee £15.00
124. MATTERS RELATING TO PRINCIPAL COUNCILS
(a) OUTSTANDING ISSUES: The Clerk gave an update of current issues within the parish boundary. The lighting on Pope Croft car park had been reported to the Borough Council on a number of occasions. Action has now been promised which will be monitored during the next week or so. Council agreed that a letter should be sent to James Hall & Co about the deplorable condition of the vacant shop on Church Street. Minutes of March meeting 2006
(b) CONSULTATIONS: NEW PRIMARY CARE TRUST ARRANGEMENTS FOR CUMBRIA & LANCASHIRE STRATEGIC HEALTH AUTHORITY
The Chairman asked Council to consider and comment on this consultation document (circulated in advance of the meeting). He commented that the Secretary of State had consulted on three options. Of these, Option 3 favoured a configuration of Primary care trusts in Lancashire on the following lines:
East Lancashire PCT based on the boundaries of Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn, and Ribble Valley Borough Councils.
Central Lancashire PCT based on the boundaries of Preston City Council, South Ribble, West Lancashire, and Chorley Borough Councils.
North Lancashire PCT based on the boundaries of Lancaster City Council, Wyre and Fylde Borough Councils.
The Chief Executive of Ribble Valley Borough Council had now confirmed that part of the Ribble Valley was covered within Blackburn & Darwen PCT and part within Preston PCT and this would remain the same under any new arrangement.
RESOLVED: That, on the understanding that Longridge and Ribchester areas would remain within the Preston PCT, Council support the view that Option 3 be the chosen option for the reconfiguration of Primary care trusts for Lancashire.
(c) LCC: PARISH PARTNERSHIP: The Chairman commented that this matter had been considered by Council at its meeting in February, following which the County Council had confirmed that the initiative remained an important element in the dialogue with parishes. In submitting a new Business Plan for 2006/2007 the Council had the opportunity to press again for traffic control measures that had long been considered important.
RESOLVED: That the following four issues (in order of importance) be put forward as the Parish Council’s Business Plan for 2006/2007:
(a) The inclusion of that section of B6245 (Preston Road) from the Police Station to the deristriction sign in the list of Community concern sites and for effective enforcement action to be taken.
(b) To request a 20mph speed limit zone on Water Street and Church Street.
(c) The inclusion of that section of Stoneygate lane between Boyces Bridge and Chesterbrook on the list of community concern sites.
(d) To request a 40mph speed limit on the stretch of B6243 (Clitheroe Road) linking the existing speed limit zones at Knowle Green and Dovecote corner.
125. LENGTHSMAN DUTIES
Were set.
126. ANNUAL PARISH SPRING CLEAN
127. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Agreed that this would 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.
128. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE
Childline: Request for a donation to be considered at the May meeting.
129. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Agreed that this would be held at SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Centre on Monday 10 April 2006.
THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AND EXCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT 9.50pm TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEM 15
130. STAFF SALARIES
RESOLVED: That staff salaries for the financial year 2006/2007 be set as per the agreed Budget.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the Meeting at 10.00pm.