Catterall Parish

1176. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were sent by Cllr. J. Wrathall and the reason accepted.

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

It was resolved that the minutes of the last meeting, held on 4^th December, 2006, having been circulated were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

PCSO Richard Dent reported that there had been no crimes on anti-social behaviour reported over Christmas and New Year. Councillors were concerned that whilst they were aware of incidents it looks like they are not being reported to the Police. There have been problems at the Post Office made worse as the house is not occupied overnight.

The speeding in the Village is being tackled by use of the Police Morris Minor Panda car. It is fitted with a safety camera and its presence is often sufficient to slow traffic. The car has been deployed successfully on Cock Robin Lane on a number of occasions. PCSO Dent reported that a further PSCO is to begin work in the area shortly.

The member of the public raised the state of Catterall Lane with the increasing volumes and weights of traffic using the lane. The matter has been passed to the Wyre Area Road Safety Committee and Lancashire County Council. It was noted that on each planning application concerning Catterall Lane the Parish Council has always asked for passing places to alleviate the problems caused by the lack of road width.

Some time ago Wyre Borough Council sold Marsh Mill and part of this money was made available to the rural Parishes (£35,000). A scheme put forward by Wyre Villa was supported by all Parishes for this money however; this will not be ready before the end of the fiscal year. Therefore the money is again available. The Parish Council was considering biding for part of this funding for CCTV at the Pickerings, however, the money has been allocated to the Police to provide smiley SID’s in the Wyre rural Parishes.

Contractors have been approached to prepare tenders for a wired system at the Pickerings and the final decision will be made by the Finance Committee. The cost of the scheme will be borne by the Parish Council for the reassurance of residents.

Councillors considered the ideas for the new Play Area equipment to be located on the Playing Field. A questionnaire from Wyre Borough Council was completed and will be returned. Consultation will take place with Playgroup and Brownies parents for their comments.

Flooding has been reported on Garstang Road at junction with Catterall Gates Lane and Cock Robin Lane. The flooding at the junction of Catterall Gates Lane has been dealt with by Lancashire County Council who has instated a manhole in order to keep the drains clear. Lancashire County Council will be investigating the road drains on Garstang Road to ensure they are running freely.

The flooding on Cock Robin Lane was raised at the Wyre Area Road Safety Committee. The road is particularly bad at the junction with Stone Cross Garden and Calder Drive. This will be pursued through the Road Safety Committee.

A letter from residents of Catterall Lane highlights the Parish Council to concerns at the volume and weight of traffic using the Lane and the related damage to the grass verges. Vehicles are leaving mud on the road and this should be reported to the Police for action. The size of vehicles means that when they meet many are pulling into the narrow grass verges and damaging the edge of the road, although the damage is escalated by winter weather. The Parish Council had requested passing places during the consultation period for planning applications on Catterall Lane to no avail. Wyre Borough Councillor D. Sharples has recommended it is raised at the next Wyre Area Road Safety Committee. It was suggested that bollards or ‘soft verge’ signs could be used.

Resolved; To offer written support for a Safe Rambling Programme to work from Garstang.

The following applications were granted;

Proposal; Change of use of land to provide ménage and retention of grass banking

Location; Land to the North of Higher Silcock Barn 1, Catterall Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Change of use from a Health Farm to Day Care Centre and Nursing Home for the elderly

Location; Brooklands Health Farm, Calder House Lane, Bowgreave

Proposal; New access to field

Location; Land off Catterall Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Conversion of children’s Nursery into 1 no. dwelling including single storey rear extension, rear dormer and single storey detached double garage and utility to rear

Location; 26, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Rear conservatory

Location; 15, Thornbank Drive, Catterall

Proposal; Conversion of building to form 3 no. maisonettes and office space with new pitched roofs

Location; Units 1 and 2 Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall

It was noted that the site is very untidy despite of appeals to Wyre Borough Council. Wyre Borough Councillor D. Sharples will pursue this at Wyre.

Proposal; Rear/side conservatory

Location; 21, Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Single storey rear extension

Location; 32, Meadowcroft Avenue, Catterall

Resolved; The Parish Council has no objections to this application, but requests neighbourhood notification.

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

Cllr. D. Sharples reported that the maintenance of the Public Conveniences in Wyre and Fylde have been awarded to Donfold UK for 15years 2 months.

The meeting was adjourned

County Cllr. Wilson reported that she had written to the Environment Agency and British Waterways concerning the problems faced by Mr. Richardson at Sturzaker Farm. The banking has now collapsed and taken one of the hawthorn trees with it. British Waterways state that the aqueduct is their responsibility, but not the river. But due to British Waterways altering the level of the upper weir, to allow more water to feed the canal, this has alter the path of the river and caused the erosion.

The meeting was resumed.

A fundraising event is to be held soon.

A planning application has been submitted by the School to extend the sports field.

The kerb on the cycle lane on the A6 opposite Rogers Garage, the junction of the A6 and A586 were raised. Also the Flag junction which, despite the initial outcry, has slowed the traffic and there have been no accidents.

Cllr. G. Wilson reported that he attended his first meeting after being chosen as the Wyre Area representative. Voting rights for Parish Council representatives are still being considered. Jim Robson, Lancashire County Council had prepared a report in answer to the Wyre Strategic Partnership Safety around Rural Schools Survey. There are limited budgets to spend on these improvements and Lancashire County Council would prefer to work with the Schools directly for safety measures. It was suggested that Wyre Strategic Partnership may consider funding some improvements, although Lancashire County Council will not be supporting the use of barriers.

Lancashire County Council’s budget for 2007/2008, should present levels be maintained, would see an 8% increase. The Government cap Councils above 5% therefore cuts to services have been proposed these involve closing information centres, making better use of libraries and closing some household waste centres.

Wyre Borough Council is about to conduct a health check and is running a standards training day.

Payments received this month;

Please note there is no income from Garstang Football Club as the pre paid but postponed matches equals those for January.

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

Telephone calls £31.92

Broadband £17.99

The Committee met on Wednesday 3^rd January to finalise the budget and recommend the precept.

The revised draft budget having been circulated was agreed by members.

The Finance Committee also recommended that the Parish Council should enter the Lancashire County Council pension scheme for its employees.

Through the Chairman the Parish Lengthsman, Clerk and Pilling‘s Parish Lengthsman were thanked for work behind the Village Christmas Tree.

Date ………………………. Chairman …………………………

(C) Catterall Parish Council 2006