RIBCHESTER PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Council Meeting held at 7.30 pm on Monday 21 November 2005 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
G W Rollinson
74. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Were received from Cllrs B M Collis and D Royle.
75. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
76. MINUTES
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on the 17 October 2005 be confirmed as a true record.
77. MATTERS ARISING
BUS SERVICE TIMETABLE: The County Council had confirmed that, to coincide with the new timetable from 5 October, Lakeland service 210 would no longer run through to Preston but terminate at Longridge. As a result, there would no longer be a direct route from Ribchester to the Royle Preston Hospital. Councillors expressed dismay that the County Council had not referred to this important change in recent correspondence about the timetable. It was agreed that the County Council should be made aware of the Councils displeasure at this discourtesy.
78. PLANNING
(a) Chairman reported on recent decisions of the Planning Committee of RVBC, including those applications delegated to the Chief Executive.
(b) Chairman reported on the decision of the Borough’s Licensing Committee on the application by the Black Bull for an extension to the hours of opening.
(c) In the interval between meetings the following comments had been sent to RVBC in respect of planning applications:
Recommend Approval
05/0828 13 Glen Ave. Knowle Green Erection of garage and retrospective permission to
extend curtilage.
05/0833 Kitchen Green Farm, Preston Rd. Two-storey extension to existing.
05/0843 12 Stoneygate Lane Demolish existing outbuildings. Erect lean to/flat roof garage and workshop with stonewall surround.
05/0913 10 Church St. Rear conservatory.
79. ACCOUNTS
(a) Clerk reported receipt of:
Allotment rents for year 2005/2006 £139.01
(b) RESOLVED: That the following payments be made: -
Clerk: clerical duties £256.35
Reimbursement of imprest £12.81 £269.16
B M Collis: re C Holden £ 19.00
J F Slater: Lengthsman duties October £139.92
SS Peter & Paul’s Parish centre: Meeting Fee £ 15.00
80. BUDGET & PRECEPT 2006/2007
Councillors considered a Report, prepared by the Clerk, on the recommendations of the Budget Committee for a Budget and Precept for the financial year 2006/2007.
RESOLVED That:
(a) A net Budget of £6941 be set and a Precept of £6890 be levied for the year.
81. MATTERS RELATING TO PRINCIPAL COUNCILS
(a) OUTSTANDING ISSUES: The Clerk gave an update of issues within the parish boundary. In the absence of an agreement by the Borough Council to replace the entrance gate and posts on the Allotment site Councillors agreed to replace the broken padlock and chain. The cost to be met from the Allotment reserve fund. Issues in relation to the Pope Croft car park and toilet block would be considered under the Agenda item for local policing.
(b) CONSULTATIONS: Chairman reported on two consultations, the papers for which had been circulated in advance of the Meeting:-
ELECTORAL COMMISSION; PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW: The consultation addressed a wide range of electoral issues, but only a limited number of them had any impact on the parish. Of those of direct interest, the Parish Council was content with the views expressed by the Commission, particularly in relation to electoral boundaries in parishes.
LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL; LOCAL DEMOCRATIC DECISION MAKING: This consultation dealt with proposals to strengthen local democratic decision making. The concept of a new local committee, called ‘Lancashire Locals’, was introduced with the intention that it should act as a County wide vehicle for involving county councillors and district councillors in the design and delivery of local government services.
Councillors gave the proposals limited support. While it was noted that the specific functions on which decisions could be made by the new forum was very restricted there was, nevertheless, concerns that the forum would inevitable become a taking shop. In formulating a response, Councillors also considered the views of the Borough Council to the proposed initiative. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the County Council supporting the views put forward by the Borough Council and the Parish Council’s Liaison Committee.
82. VILLAGE POLICING
(a) Councillors discussed issues in relation to the Pope Croft car park and toilet block following the recent exchange of correspondence with the Borough Council. Councillors took the view that the car park should not be seen as an extension of the playing field. Appropriate measures were required to change the character and appearance of the car park so that it would be a less attractive place in which to play. Councillors were pleased to note that the Borough Council had become more receptive to complaints raised by the Parish Council and residents and appeared prepared to finance the necessary work.
(b) FORCE RE-ORGANISATION: The Police Authority is currently considering government proposals for the restructuring of police forces in England and Wales. This would see the number of forces reduced from 43 to 12. For Lancashire, the Government proposes two options for consideration. The first is a merger of Lancashire with Cumbria, with the addition of Merseyside as the second alternative. While there is to be no public debate or formal consultation about the proposals the Police Authority has said that it would welcome limited comment about the options from interested organisations and individuals. Councillors expressed frustration about the lack of information about the proposed re-organisation. There was a danger that the changes would lead to the police moving further away from the community they policed. It was agreed to write to the Authority to explain that while the Council would welcome the opportunity to comment, further information was required in order to do so. The Council believes that Lancashire is a high performing force and while not enamoured with either of the two options would reluctantly support the proposal to merge with Cumbria.
83. LENGTHSMAN DUTIES
Were set.
84. DONATION REQUESTS
RESOLVED: That in pursuance of the power conferred by Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 the following donations be made.
1st Ribchester Brownie Group £75
Ribble Valley Citizens Advice Bureau £50
North West Air Ambulance £50
Childline North West £25
Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team £25
85. VILLAGE CHRISTMAS TREE & CRIB
Arrangements for the Village tree and Crib were discussed. Both would be erected on the morning of 17 December and arrangements were in hand for the traditional blessing ceremony to follow the Christingle service on 18 December. The Clerk was authorised to purchase posts and wood to provide a picket fence around the site to satisfy Insurance and Health and Safety requirements.
86. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE
- Telephone Kiosk; Clitheroe Road: BT had confirmed that the kiosk would be retained for the time being.
- Lancashire Economic Partnership: The Partnership would be invited to address the annual Parish Meeting in May 2006 on the work of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum of the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust.
87. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Agreed that there would be no meeting in December. A date for the January meeting would be decided later.
88. DECEMBER SALARIES
RESOLVED: That the payment of salaries and wages to be authorised in December in the absence of a meeting.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the Meeting at 09.15pm