1599. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr. D. Croston and Cllr. E. Thomas and the reason accepted.

Councillors disclosed personal or prejudicial interest in matters to be discussed at this meeting.

Cllr. D. Sharples declared a personal interest as a member of Wyre Borough Council’s planning committee.

Cllr. G. Wilson declared a personal interest in Stone Cross Gardens Play Area as a neighbour.

Cllr. I. Brayshaw declared a personal interest in Stone Cross Gardens Play Area as his family are neighbours.

Cllr. D. Harvey declared a personal interest in the planning application 09/00539/OUT as a neighbour.

The public present did not raise any matters at this meeting.

The Chairman gave a report on the PACT meeting held prior to the Council meeting and attended by P C Simon Jones and PCSO Geoff Mole. There had been three crimes in the past month as compared to six for the same period last year. A domestic argument was reported, criminal damage to a dwelling when a window was broken and damage to a car windscreen. Only one anti-social incident was reported, that of children playing football as compared to three last year.

An anti-social incident was raised to the Police that occurred last night on Stones Lane between 11.00 and 11.45pm, when youths were seen drinking and smoking around a car. They became very noisy and disturbed the neighbours, before going to the bus shelter.

There were further reports of speeding traffic on Catterall Gates Lane, coming from the new housing developments. There are no traffic calming measures installed and the access roads are perceived as a continuation of Catterall Gates Lane.

Cllr. N. Harrison has completed the service agreement with Youth Services and will liaise with the Police as to the youth initiative. A resident’s letter concerning damage to fencing panels and garden objects was passed to the Police for investigation. The Police asked that such incidents are reported at the time and not to wait.

A member of the public raised the anti-social behaviour of youths on Cock Robin Lane and that of the speeding cars and bikes. The Police are to receive a hand held speed gun to record such incidents, but in the meantime will report this to the Road Policing Department. The problem of vehicles obstructing the pavement for pedestrians using Joe Lane was raised. The Police are able to issue warning letters on vehicles and asked that offending vehicles registration numbers were noted.

Councillors are invited to attend the AGM of Lancashire Association of Local Councils

On 7^th November, 2009 at County Hall.

The Lancashire County Training Partnership is running the following courses for Councillors to attend:

Community Engagement with Case Studies – Workshop

23^rd September, 7.00 – 9.00pm

New Councillors and Clerks Training

3^rd and 17^th October, 9.15am – 12.15pm.

Chairmanship Training

21^st October, 7 – 9pm.

To be held at Howick House, Penwortham.

Councillors considered painting the bus shelters in Catterall. The shelters in question are at the junction of Catterall Gates Lane and Garstang Road, outside the Pickerings and Cock Robin Lane opposite Calder Drive and are the responsibility of Wyre Borough Council.

Councillors considered the speed of traffic on Nightingale Way this matter has been raised with the Police and at the Road Safety Committee meeting, where the Golden River was requested. The original planning permission for the residential development on the Brierley’s site included a mini roundabout at the junction of Garstang Road and Catterall Gates Lane and other traffic calming measures. A meeting was held with County Cllr. Tony Martin and Glenn Robinson in 2005 the outcome being that following the completion and 80% occupancy of the development for the twelve months that follows the traffic will be monitored and the roundabout will then be reconsidered again. It was raised that other traffic calming measures in the planning permission have not be installed to date.

Part of the planning permission included re-location of the bus stop on Garstang Road and with the recent dwelling access this is set to continue, however, no definite location has been stated.

The meeting was adjourned to allow County Cllr. V. Wilson to speak.

She is meeting with Keith Young, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport on Thursday in Garstang and will try to visit Catterall to enlighten the member.

The meeting was resumed.

Councillors considered the state of several of the houses on Cock Robin Lane and what action may be taken. There are three properties causing concern from residents, some are attracting anti-social behaviour.

It is reported that the noise emanating from Franklaw has increased. Following remedial work by United Utilities; Wyre Borough Council has stopped monitoring the levels. Whilst it seems that the noise had quietened down for some time but recently it has reached screaming level and this is annoying the neighbours.

The report of the Green Spaces Committee which considered the Wyre Borough Council improvements to Stone Cross Gardens was accepted. Wyre Borough Council suggests removing the tarmac, filling with soil and grassing the area. The neighbourhood has been leafleted and responses were considered. No one was in favour of providing a seat as this may attract anti-social behaviour in the evening. There was concern of the trees being allowed to grow to maturity. County Cllr. V. Wilson had received a letter from local children regarding reinstating the play equipment. The area floods and the grass could become a mud bath so it would be better to leave the hard standing.

Councillors considered the proposed diversion. The temporary path is in use and is screened for pedestrian safety. The brambles have been removed from the river bank and there is a perceived danger as the public footpath is so near the edge.

The following planning applications were granted:

Proposal: Erection of a residential nursing home (use Class C2) incorporating 40 bedrooms with associated parking and landscaping

Location: Land off Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall

Proposal: Change of use of domestic garden to display site for timber garden buildings (revision of 08/00217)

Location: Catterall Coach House Garstang Bypass Road Catterall

Proposal: Variation of condition 4 on application 08/00676/FULMAJ to alter noise limit levels

Location: Dewlay, The Traditional Cheesemakers, Garstang By Pass Road

09/00402/FUL

Proposal: Single storey rear extension, 2 front bay windows, stone to front elevation, render to side and rear elevations and provision of room in roof space

Location: Lunesdale 19, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

Proposal: Rear dormer and conservatory

Location: 24, Joe Lane, Catterall

Councillors commented on the following planning applications:

Proposal: Outline application for residential development

Location: Pickering Hotel Garstang Road Catterall

It is a brownfield site so preferred for development. However, this is one of only two communal gathering locations in the Village. It is a focal point concern at potential loss of amenity/business. Access onto Garstang Road is retained as the only access. Protection of trees carrying TPO’s. From an emotive point the Pickerings is one of the oldest and most impressive buildings in Catterall and its charm and character must be preserved. Any detailed plan includes measures to contain the odours which emit from an agricultural concern.

Proposal: Erection of a 24m high wind turbine

Location: Riverside Industrial Park Catterall Gates Lane Catterall

Proposal: Erection of dwelling (resubmission of 08/00677)

Location: 44, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

The loss of off street parking has not been addressed, the parking places are too small and many turn around in the junction of Hamers Wood Drive. The development is over intense, greater impact on the bungalows on Hamers Wood Drive, impact on the street scene to construct at this junction and so near the highway. Top water must go into drainage pipes and not add to the flooding problems. The rights of access are not a planning matter, but feel that it should be noted that the residents enjoy an access at present the alternative being offered is believed to be unsatisfactory at this time and will remove an amenity that the residents have enjoyed for years that will severely impact on their lives.

Proposal: Proposed modification to Planning permission 09/00402/FUL for a single-storey rear extension, 2 front bay windows, stone to front elevation, render to outside and rear elevations and provision of room in roof space, to include the provision of a side dormer

Location: Lunesdale 19 Cock Robin Lane Catterall

The meeting was adjourned to allow County Cllr. V. Wilson to speak

Cllr. V. Wilson reported on the new cabinet members at County Hall, they are:

Pat Case  - Children and Schools

Mark Perks  - Young People

Keith Young  - Highways and Transport

Tim Ashton  - Environment and Planning

Mike Calvert  - Adult and Community Services

The meeting was resumed.

The Chairman has written to Jim Robson about lack of progress on the many issues raised at the Road Safety Meetings. He is waiting for a reply.

Guest speaker Phillipa Davis, Wyre Borough Council is the Finance Director and spoke on budgetary constraints. It was noted that Wyre Borough Council had under-spending in some areas and that these resources are transferred to balance the overspending. Ms Jo Turton, Environment Director will be attending the next meeting which will be the AGM.

Cllr. N. Harrison reported that a service agreement has been completed with Francis Wilson. The cost is looking at £3,000 for the first year, although the service can not be sustained and further funding will be needed. Kirkland Parish Council is to carry out a needs survey before making a decision on funding.

Cllr. G. Wilson reported that County Cllr. Bob Mutch is the new Chairman and the meeting was considering priorities for 2010 – 2011. The County Councillor grants are now available to voluntary organisations in the area.

BT £ 25.52

Orange Home £ 9.78

Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue is requesting a donation towards the replacement of search lights and radios to deploy to the volunteers during overnight searches.

The bank reconciliation as at 15^th July, 2009, having been previously distributed, was accepted.

The Councillors thanked the residents for attending this meeting and respect the support that the members receive from all the residents.