Present:                                                       Councillors; G. Wilson, Chairman,

                                                                   D. Thompson, Vice-Chairman

1190. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were sent by Cllr. P. Hall and Cllr. D. Harvey and the reason accepted.

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

The meeting was adjourned.

P C Simon Jones and PCSO Richard Dent reported that there had been a drunken incident on Catterall Gates Lane which resulted in cars being damaged. The person was apprehended soon afterwards. A vehicle was stolen from Hamers Wood Drive and the Youth Shelter saw persons with firelighters attempting to set fire to it. Anti-social crime consisted of a couple of dodgy telephone calls.

P C Jones alerted Councillors to a spate of distraction burglaries in the Garstang and Over Wyre area. These persons are targeting elderly homeowners posing as officials to gain entry while they are distracting the owner another person is ransacking the house.

Councillors reported football games being played across Cock Robin Lane on Friday nights. The players are waiting for the traffic before causing problems and therefore endangering life. A number of children have been seen on Cock Robin Lane on bicycles in the dark without lights. A resident reported a person with a dog walking down Nightingale Way late at night and trying the door handles of the show homes.

Residents had attended to view the planning applications for the Taylor Woodrow site and the adjacent Brierley’s site. They highlighted the lack of light to their homes that exists and how it will worsen with the proposals.

The meeting was resumed.

Elections of Parish Councillors will be held on 3^rd May all present members will retire and newly elected Councillors will take office on Tuesday 8^th May. A Parish Council meeting must be held on the day Councillors take office or within 14 days.

Lancashire County Council is developing a Corporate Framework for Engagement with people giving them the opportunity to shape and influence Lancashire County Council activity. Councillors were in principle happy looking it as a way forward, providing it meets its objectives.

Councillors considered raising the level of the path at the Whitewell entrance, which is often under water and impassable? At times of heavy rain the flagged path can stand in 2 inches of water therefore preventing its use.

Resolved; To refer to the Green Spaces Committee.

Councillors reviewed the provision and installation of the Christmas Tree and the lights. Costs were obtained from Houghton’s at £5.00 per foot delivered and this will be pursued in November.

Councillors considered the installation of two paths on the Playing Field from the car park to the Multi Use Games Area. These paths were not installed when the Multi Use Games Area was built due to the cost; it is proposed that concrete flags are used.

Councillors were concerned that due to the Multi Use Games Area and the new play area the larger rides used at the Gala would impede on the facilities and this could result in the use of the football pitches.

Both the Partnership and Wyre Borough Council are having difficulties with authorities taking responsibilities for the re-charging and moving of the speed signs. It is at present with Lancashire County Council who is looking into the legal side of the Parish Lengthsman being made Police Volunteers whose duty will be to move and re-charge the signs. Councillors were concerned at the problems encountered but considered that the sign must be ordered as soon as possible to prevent loss of funding.

Another residents’ letter has been received, and this has been acknowledged. There has been no reply from Lancashire County Council.

The following applications were granted;

Proposal; First floor side extension, provision of dormers, garden Shed and summer house

Location; Catterall Coach House, Garstang By-Pass Road, Catterall

The following recommendations were made by the Planning Committee.

Proposal; Reserved matters application for 55 dwellings, roads and sewers (14 detached houses, 7 townhouses and 34 apartments)

Location; Land off Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Front and rear dormers

Location; 22, Joe Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Substitution of house type on Plots 18–25, 43–56 and additional dwellings at Plots 99 – 104

Location; Land at Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Rear conservatory

Location; 30, Old Lancaster Road, Catterall

The Chairman wishes the Councillors to consider holding planning committee meetings in the week prior to the main meeting to ensure that fuller comments can be presented and to save on time in the Parish Council meeting. All decisions would be presented to the full council for ratification.

Cllr. D. Sharples reported that Wyre Borough Council had commented on the formation of the NHS Trust. Wyre Borough Council has produced material reasons for objecting to planning applications. These are to be distributed to Parish Councils.

County Cllr. Wilson sent a report. Garstang High School is to change their uniform, including blazers and she had attended a Holocaust Day with Wyre Borough Council. Lancashire County Council’s budget has been set at an increase of 4.95% charging a band D £1,046.20

Cllr. J. Wrathall reported that the AGM will be held on Thursday 22^nd February, at 8.00pm. This is an open meeting and everyone is welcome.

The recent fundraising event raised over £1,000.

There is to be a governors meeting tomorrow.

The recent Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act was raised with no advice for Parish Councils. Wyre Borough Council has just launching Street Scene as their way of acting with in this Act. Wyre Borough Council will report back to the Committee on progress.

Parish Plans were discussed and the way Wyre Borough Council can help and implement the recommendations of the residents. The Police are running a ‘Pub Watch’ scheme in

Garstang aimed at barring individuals showing anti-social behaviour and violence through the licensees to reduce this menace. Paul Rigby, United Utilities, attended and stated that problems had been experienced in Stalmine and Pilling. Also that the Environment Agency regulate treatment works as to outfall. He was unaware of the problems in Churchtown.

The representative on the Lancashire Locals has been elected from the Wyre Area LAPTC and it is Gurth Wilson, Catterall Parish Council. He reported that Parish Council still have no voting rights although Lancashire Locals are considering a review. Lancashire County Council will be producing a consultation document called engaging with neighbourhoods to be circulated shortly.

Mr. B. Parsonage, Wyre Borough Council, reported that Wyre were in their third year of a comprehensive spending review and could be capped at 5% by the Government. The Cabinet meets on 19^th February to set the budget. In 2004 Wyre Borough Council was given a poor in their CPA but they are building a better base, including self-assessment. There will be a mock inspection in Marsh with a full one in Autumn.

Wyre Borough Council has carried out a household survey in Wyre. The recent White Paper from the Government, which the Parish Councils have not seen, encourages the development of a multi area agreement where services are shared with other authorities. Wyre Borough Council supports a two tier structure and not a unitary authority.

There is to be a special meeting on Tuesday 20^th February, to discuss the formation of rural forums and the road safety survey for rural schools. This meeting is open to all parishes regardless of membership.

Following a peer assessment certain changes are to be introduced including the disappearance of thematic groups such as the Town and Parish Councils steering group. Instead it is envisaged that the rural forums will be employed.

Cllr. D. Sharples reported that the revised Model Code has been issued for consultation. With regard to planning applications Wyre Borough Councillors are permitted to ask for a delegated application to be presented to the planning committee for decision with out needing to state a reason. Wyre Borough Council is to ask for valid planning reasons to be used and has produced those that are acceptable. Garry Payne is to hold training sessions for Clerks and Councillors in material planning reasons.

It was resolved that the following accounts were approved for payment;

BT, Telephone calls £26.95

Broadband £17.99

Data Protection £35.00

To renew the registered entry for the Data Protection Act 1998 (CCTV)

The Clerk requested councillors to consider a training course on 3^rd and 4^th March. The full cost will be £190.00 + VAT. This would be proportioned between the Partnership and results in Catterall costs being £88.35. The course is being held by Society of Local Council Clerks and includes workshops on planning observations, risk management, budget preparation and would be of great benefit to the Parish Council.

A vote was taken which resulted in;

For 6 Councillors

Against 1 Councillor

Date ………………………. Chairman …………………………