1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were sent from Cllr. H. Kenyon and Cllr. E. Thomas and the reasons accepted.

The Chairman remarked on the standing water on Cock Robin Lane and the lack of any action by Lancashire County Council.

It was raised that due to many set backs and the number of restraints imposed on the use of the Smiley SID the devise was still not in place.

The state of Catterall Lane’s grass verges continues to worsen and despite planning applications no improvements have been incorporated. A site visit with Lancashire County Council was suggested.

I am now reaching the end of my third year in office and I am pleased to report that we have safely negotiated another successful year.

Levels of crime in the Parish continue to be very low, although we do suffer too many incidents of anti-social behaviour, littering and dog-fouling, which, together, contribute to a less than satisfactory feeling of safety amongst our residents, particularly at night. The appointment of an additional PCSO and the installation of an additional CCTV camera at The Pickerings will hopefully address these problems.

Because of a delay in the receipt of a grant towards the CCTV, your council was obliged to raise the precept for 2008/2009 by £5,000 in order to ensure that the project was not delayed. When the grant is received, the monies can be used for other environmental projects.

Nevertheless, I believe that the Parish Council continues to offer very good value for money to residents, with a parish room, a permanent parish clerk and a very good lengthsman. We are very aware of the need to use Council Tax monies carefully and not be wasteful or self-indulgent. We continue to work closely with Wyre Borough Council on a wide range of issues.

The Multi Use Games Area continues to be very popular and Wyre Borough Council has almost completed the refurbishment of the play area, which was long over due.

Can I take this opportunity to congratulate the Parish Clerk in recently achieving the certificate in Local Government Administration. Providing that we now publish a further three Parish Newsletters during the next twelve months, there is no reason why Catterall should not achieve ‘Quality Parish Council’ status, a fact which will ultimately have significant benefits to the Council and its residents.

You will no doubt be aware that a planning application has been submitted for an anemometer mast alongside the A6. This, and the possibility of a wind turbine on the site, has caused a great deal of concern to local residents in this and neighbouring parishes. As a result, your Council and other members of their partnership (Kirkland and Pilling) are currently developing a policy with regard to renewable energy and, in particular, wind generated power. In principle, your Council is likely to be in favour of renewable energy projects, it does however need to consider the scale of such projects and their impact on our local environment.

I would also like to thank my Deputy Chairman, Parish Councillors, the Parish Clerk and our Village Lengthsman for all their hard work and continued support throughout the year.

It is with sadness that we note the loss of two long-standing Councillors during the year Councillor Neil Thompson, of this Council and Councillor Steve Gaunt from our partnership council. Both were extremely hard working councillors and will be sorely missed. We are pleased, however, to welcome Mrs Debbie Croston as the new Catterall Parish Councillor, effective from this meeting.

The report was accepted.

The Responsible Financial Officer presented the unconfirmed end of year accounts. The amount gained in grants for the CCTV was questioned. The accounts show three years figures and over this time grants were received for the CCTV on the Village Hall and advance grants of the CCTV to be located at the top of Cock Robin Lane.

A member of the public raised the amount reportedly spent by Lancashire County Council on bottled water in County Hall and asked if the same is true in Wyre Borough Council. Cllr. D. Sharples is to investigate and report back to the resident.

County Cllr. V. Wilson reported that Lancashire County Council workers were now paying for parking at County Hall. The state of the grass verge on Catterall Lane and the general deterioration of roads and pavements was raised. Unfortunately, due to budget restraints, there is little chance of repair

Cllr. D. Croston reported that the Hall is ticking over nicely with regular bookings from the Playschool, Brownies and Line Dancing. The finances are healthy but the electricity bills have increased. A new front door is planned and a new heating system for the main hall. Playschool has recently installed awnings over the outside play area and small toilets off the main hall. There has been little damage to the building over the past year.

Cllr. D. Harvey reported the hall was ticking over but raised the high maintenance costs.

Report of the LAPTC Representative

The Committee does a good job at representing the views of the Parish Councils and in the past has extended pressure on both Wyre Borough Council and Lancashire County Council to action problems. Through the Committee a representative is elected onto the Lancashire Locals. Parish representatives feel they can get something done. There has been talk of the joint working between Wyre Borough Council and Fylde Borough Council and it was suggested that the Wyre Area LAPTC should also join. In discussions with the secretaries the similarities of problems was noted.

The Chairman reported that there have been achievements but there are many delays, due to lack of information coming from Lancashire County Council.

The residents present did not raise any matters.