Present:                                                       Councillors; G. Wilson, Chairman,

1362. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr. I. Brayshaw and Cllr. D. Thompson and the reasons 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.

The meeting was adjourned to allow the public to speak.

The Chairman reported on the PACT meeting held prior to this meeting. P C Simon Jones reported that PCSO Richard Dent had resigned and was to be replaced by PCSO Geoff Mole, who was patrolling Catterall today. In the past month two crimes were reported, a theft of veterinary drugs from Ripon Hall Farm and criminal damage to fencing panels on Duckworth Close/Thornbank Drive. Three anti-social incidents were logged, under age drinking on Cock Robin Lane, cattle escaped onto Daniel Fold and a neighbourhood dispute on Boyes Avenue.

Many residents had complained to Councillors about an unacceptable smells that were traced to Ripon Hall Farm. The farmer is stock piling sewage sludge cake and although following the regulations this has not prevented the stench in the Village. The work was due for completion last Thursday when the pile is capped with soil. However, deliveries were recorded until Saturday.

The Councillors considered that the Environmental Health Officer should be aware of this, the amount of waste farming plastic being stored on site and that the run off from the buildings is building up and ponding.

The DEFRA Code of Practice is mainly concerned with the use of sewage sludge for agricultural use i. e. distributing it on suitable fields, rather than stock piling for future use. It would be advisable to include Ben Wallace MP to try and legislate such stock piling is not carried out in close proximity to urban conurbations.

Alison Jenkinson informed the Councillors on future work for the Village Hall, including a new heating system. The Committee is looking at renewable energy to help off set costs. As part of the preparation work an energy audit is needed this will cost £350. The Committee is appealing for a donation towards this audit. Cllr. N. Harrison offered a possible route for a free audit and will keep the Committee informed.

Cllr. H. Kenyon raised the possible litigation problems with the signs warning of the dangers on river bank. This will be clarified with the insurers before any action is taken.

The meeting was resumed

The closing date for a request for an election is 8^th February; there has been no request to date.

Councillors considered a representative on the Standards Committee at Wyre Borough Council, but there were no suitable volunteers.

Councillors were asked to provide articles for consideration in the Parish Newsletter. As this is part of the Quality Parish criteria an editor was appointed to co-ordinate the articles. The Clerk will compile the newsletter and produce the draft.

The Wyre in Bloom Steering Group invite all currently non-participating Parishes to consider joining in the successes within the North West in Bloom Initiative.

The following planning applications have been granted:

Proposal: Erection of agricultural workers dwelling

Location: Myerscough House Farm, Stanzaker Hall Drive, Catterall

Proposal: Replacement dwelling

Location: Highbank, 14, Old Lancaster Road, Catterall

Councillors made comments on the following planning applications;

Proposal: Extension for additional storage area including signage and balcony

Location: Riverside Industrial Park, Tan Yard Road, Catterall

Proposal: Retention of portacabins for farm office, secure container for farm workshop and animal feed bin

Location: Ripon Hall Farm, Catterall Lane, Catterall

Proposal: Erection of 4.5m pole mounted CCTV camera

Location: Pickerings Park Country House, Garstang Road, Catterall

Proposal: Erection of agricultural storage building

Location: Rylstone House, Catterall Lane, Catterall

Cllr. D. Sharples and Cllr. N. Harrison declared a personal interest in the following planning application as governors at Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's Primary School

Proposal: Erection of canopy at rear of school

Location: Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's Primary School, The Green, Churchtown

Wyre Borough Cllr. D. Sharples reported on the closure of local Post Offices. Churchtown is to be closed and Bowgreave closed on a temporary basis. It was also reported that Calder Vale is faced with closure.

The meeting was adjourned to allow the County Councillor to speak

County Cllr. Wilson reported there have been two budget meetings to set the Council Tax, which will show a 2.95% increase over last year. It was reported that FACS, Fair Access to Care Services, was not in danger now. Funding has been found due to an increase in the amount the Government is giving Lancashire County Council.

The meeting was resumed.

Report of the representative on Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's Primary School

There is to be a full governors meeting next week.

The recent meeting was attended by Russell Forsyth, leader of Wyre Borough Council he spoke on getting the rural forums started. Also Wyre Borough Council is working on a draft Charter to work in partnership with Parish Councils.

Report of the representative on the Lancashire County Transport Liaison Committee

Cllr. J. Houghton reported on the recent, well attended, meeting held in Lancaster Town Hall. There is to be an increase in the cost of bus fares due mainly to the increase in fuel and the lower subsidy levels from the Government. Under used routes are to be investigated as to economical use.

BT, Telephone calls £25.90

Broadband £17.99

Information Commissioners Office £35.00

(Data Protection registration for the CCTV)

The Audit Commission has appointed BDO Stoy Hayward LLP as auditor to Catterall Parish Council for the next five years.

The next Partnership Meeting for Catterall, Kirkland and Pilling Parish Councils will be held on Monday 18^th February at the Pickerings Hotel at 7.30pm.

The next Wyre Lancashire Local meeting is on 13 February and will take place at Christ Church Parish Hall, Thornton Cleveleys, at 7pm. .