The meeting was adjourned.

The Chairman reported on the PACT meeting held before the Parish Council meeting attended by P C Simon Jones, PCSO’s Craig Jones and Geoff Mole. They reported on six crimes in the past month including a burnt out moped at the rear of the Village Hall, theft of garden ornaments on Duckworth Drive, criminal damage to a vehicle, damage to the Playgroup fence and a youth assault. Enquiries were continuing on a burglary on Boyes Avenue and persons are being questioned. There were seven crimes in the same period last year.

Seven anti-social incidents involving rowdy or inconsiderate youths were reported. Other incidents included speeding and vehicle parking. There was a slight rise on last year’s figures. It was reported that the local PCSOs are concentrating on Catterall in the coming weeks to stop the anti-social behaviour now that the nights are getting lighter. The Police are to request the Youth Bus from Wyre Borough Council for one night per week on Catterall Playing Field.

A member of the public asked about the underage drinking in the Youth Shelter and what are the Police doing about it? The Police and especially the PCSOs are patrolling the Playing Field and regularly confiscate the alcohol from underage drinkers they see, but the source is usually unknown.

The meeting was resumed

A vacancy has arisen on Catterall Parish Council due to Cllr. D. Thompson re-locating out of the Parish.

The Environment Agency was not able to assist with the drainage of the dyke at the rear of Meadowcroft Avenue. The Councillors considered using the in house staff to drain the dyke through to the sluice and to put in land drains at the far end of the Playing Field to ease the flooding problem when using the Whitewell Close access.

The Taylor Woodrow site included a green open space and the area has been cleared recently in readiness. The ‘grass’ has been cut and a number of trees planted. The open space land locks the part of the potato field between the open space and Catterall Playing Field. Councillors considered the possibility of allotments for Catterall on this ground.

The Clerk has discovered that Catterall Playing Field is not registered and has visited the Land Registry to get the appropriate forms. However, a solicitor is needed before registration as steps must be taken to establish the correct terminology as to the owners. It was noted that the Parish Council has the deeds and that the land need not be registered, but the Councillors were concerned adding that once registered the deeds are not as crucial.

The Clerk has discovered that Wyre Borough Council carry out an annual inspection of the Play Area on Catterall Playing Field and this includes the Multi Use Games Area and the skate ramp. Councillors considered seeking further information from Wyre Borough Council to carry out this inspection as an alternative to RoSPA

Garstang Free Methodist Church is requesting the use of Catterall Playing Field to hold a Sports Reach Soccer School between 27^th and 29^th May, 2009. The last date coincides with the setting up of the Gala but they have spoken to the committee to work together. Councillors considered this request?

Brockholes Arms FC wishes to use the football pitch on Thursday evenings for the summer league. The team won the league last year and would like to base their home games in Catterall. There will also be a number of Tuesday evening training games. Councillors considered this request.

Church Inn Football Club wishes to use the football pitch on Thursday evenings, not those for the Brockholes Arms, starting on the last Thursday in April. Councillors considered this request.

Resolved: To allow use of the football pitch on Thursday evenings at a cost of £22.00 per match. But for both clubs to work together to avoid conflict of games.

The following planning applications were granted:

Proposal: Alterations to previously approved application 08/00863 to include chimney to side elevation of 2 storey side extension

Location: 25 Meadowcroft Avenue, Catterall, Preston, PR3 1ZH

Proposal: First storey extension to existing garage

Location: 24, Stone Cross Gardens, Catterall

Planning applications were considered for comment:

Proposal: Erection of detached double garage

Location: 4, Roe Barn, Catterall Lane, Catterall

Proposal: New vehicle access to property to include dropped kerb and hard standing. Removal of existing hedges to be replaced by brick wall

Location: 112, Garstang Road, Catterall

Wyre Borough Councillor D. Sharples reported on a recent Standards Committee adjudication resulting in a Wyre Borough Councillor’s suspension of 2 months.

County Councillor Val Wilson reported that matters at Lancashire County Council are slowing down in preparation for the up coming elections.

The local Gateway Grants have been oversubscribed for last and this year and are referred to a working party for approval, the Lancashire Climate Change Fund granted Pilling Memorial Hall £8,516 for insulation and a new boiler, the Highways budget is concentrating on Footways and there is a carbon reduction being applied to street lighting. The speed limit on all ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads has concluded that the A6 should regularise a 50MPH limit between Forton and Claughton. The A586 will see a reduction to 50MPH either side of St. Michaels. No recommendations were made for Copp Lane, great Eccleston, Catterall suspension bridge is to be painted and over £3,000 still remain under spent for grants to young people.

Cllr. Harrison reported on a meeting with Francis Walton from Open Access. Progress has been made and it is hope to set up a service agreement to utilise the Garstang youth leader, when in place, costs to be shared. Registration is to be made as soon as possible to be eligible for grants. The initiative will be run by the leader with volunteers from the community. The bank account is to be set up and the Parish Champion has granted £1,000. The project is looking to start on 23^rd June then by-monthly aimed at 10 – 13 year olds. A questionnaire will be used through the Parish Newsletters in each Parish to ascertain the demand.

Made up of;

Precept for 2009 – 2010 £27,200.00

Rural Parish Grant £ 3,118.00

*H M Revenue and Customs details submitted on-line, which attracted a £100.00 incentive for last year and £75.00 in this financial year.

BT £ 27.51

Orange Home £ 9.78

As the new financial year begins in April; Councillors resolved the increase in the Clerk’s salary by one point, in line with the Contract of Employment?

The statement was accepted by the members.

Information was supplied to the Councillors showing the cost to date of the CCTV at the Pickerings, but there are a number of invoices received this month.

New terms of reference for employing the internal auditor and the methods of audit have been written by the Clerk for consideration and were tailored to the wishes of the Parish Council.

Further information was distributed to members on the new prescription system at Kepple Lane Surgery.

The County Councillor was asked about the adoption of the roads on the development, she is still chasing the County Council for confirmation.

The stones have been ‘re-arranged’ to form a ramp and bicycle users have been riding across. There was much concern for the safety of those using the stones. The matter will be dealt with shortly.

Councillors suggested that as the CCTV is in the grounds of an individual and therefore the Parish Council does not own the land the pole stands on there should be an agreement for ownership necessary if the property changes hands. This will be referred to the Planning Committee at the next meeting.

A number of local Parish Councils have been contacted looking for interest in grouping together to offer a larger base for a grass cutting contract. Of those contacted most are about to discuss it, although one is not interested.

The Lancashire Locals funding for the hard standing opposite the bus stop on the A6, near to Dean House has again been lost as the work was not completed in the financial year. However, the Clerk has assurances from Lancashire County Council that it will be completed and funded out of the present budget.