1670. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr. I. Brayshaw 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.

PC Simon Jones and PCSO Geoff Mole reported on the one crimes inn Catterall over the past six weeks, this was a domestic assault and has been detected. Last year at this time there were 3 reported crimes. Six anti-social behaviour incidents were logged including sheep on the A6, a dog trapped in a house, rowdy behaviour, youths gathering outside the Post Office, others throwing snow balls and a New Year's party that got out of hand. There were two reported last year.

The landowner over which public footpath number 13 passes has been trying unsuccessfully for dog bins to be installed to encourage dog owners to deposit dog waste in a responsible fashion, rather than leaving it, or bagging it and hanging it on hedges and fences. The Parish Council will need to establish responsibility for emptying and ownership.

The last day to request an election was Monday 21^st December, taking into consideration the exclusion days. No request was made, the Parish Council is now required to fill the vacancy by co-option as soon as practicable. The Councillors discussed the two prospective candidates.

The post master passed away recently and the Post Office services have remained closed since 23^rd November. The matter was reported to Post Office Counters Customer Care Services by the Parish Council to be informed that as the Post Office was within a shop they must respect the family’s wishes not to make contact before 14^th December. Post Office Counters has offered a number of procedures and is waiting for the family to confirm their wishes.

The new computer has finally arrived, since the old one crashed it was necessary to borrow a laptop to continue the work of the Parish Council and Councillors wished to sincerely thank those who provided vital assistance during this period.

The present strimmer will require in excess of £200 to repair. Councillors accepted that it would need replacing and put £300 in this year's budget to cover this eventuality. Councillors considered whether to repair or buy new.

Resolved: Further prices will be sought before the decision is made.

The following planning applications have been granted:

Proposal: Two storey side and single storey rear extension

Location: 20, The Parklands, Catterall

Proposal: Erection of an agricultural livestock building

Location: Ripon Hall Farm, Catterall Lane, Catterall

Proposal: Single storey side extension and provision of railings to eastern boundary wall

Location: 9 Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall

The following planning application was refused:

Proposal: Two storey rear extension

Location: 43 The Parklands, Catterall

Councillors commented on the following planning applications:

Proposal: Single storey side and rear extension

Location: The Old Print Works, Stones Lane, Catterall

Cllr. V. Wilson reported on the situation with the Lancashire Locals - Wyre and that Lancashire County Council is to disband them. The leader has stated that Parish Councils will be able to work through the Parish Charter to the same ends, but this does not function in the same way as Lancashire Locals do. The Councillors were concerned at what is to replace Lancashire Locals for the benefit of the Parish Councils. There are grave misgivings to the demise when the Wyre branch works so well. Lancashire County Council is not to increase their part of the Council Tax bill.

The meeting was resumed.

The Trustees are looking to recruit members and executives to serve on the Committee. A flyer in the next Parish Newsletter was suggested.

The replacement cost of the old boiler has increased, but a generous donation by Kirkland Parish Council will ensure the grounds maintained next year.

There were a number of guests attended including Jo Turton, Environment Director, Lancashire County Council and Jim Robson, Highways Manager North, Lancashire County Council, who discussed the Winter maintenance. Lancashire County Council is working with the NFU to use local farmers for gritting during severe weather. The demise of Lancashire Locals was of concern to many Parishes.

Wyre Borough Council is to carry out a Housing Needs Survey and have employed a consultancy firm, Kirstine Riding gave a presentation of the process involved and stressed the onion skin effect for eligible tenants.

As yet there is no youth worker available to work in Catterall. The committee are to give a verbal presentation to Wyre Strategic Partnership, who gave a grant, and report progress.

Held on 11^th January this meeting recommended the precept, which was agreed by members. It was also resolved to purchase Microsoft Office for the new computer and a basic colour printer for the presentation of the Quality Parish Council Portfolio.

1. Pilling Parish Council £ 21.29
2. Pilling Parish Council £245.18
3. Pilling Parish Council £ 22.33

1. Clerk’s salary and expenses* £434.54
2. Parish Lengthsman’s wages and expenses* £650.27

   *Please bear in mind that during the absence of the computer no payments could be claimed or settled and these figures represent three months.

3. Lancashire County Council Pension £205.48
4. HM Revenue and Customs £1,523.78
5. Houghton’s Filling Station £ 27.45
6. Sue White Secretarial Services £ 9.50
7. R R Kippax and Son £145.47
8. Dave Duperouzel £ 60.00 Web site hosting
9. Chairman's Allowance £ 60.00
10. C and C Supplies £ 2.00
11. Armstrongs GM Ltd £ 75.21
12. Sue White Secretarial Services £120.45
13. Lancashire Training Partnership £ 25.00
14. Garstang Timber £ 40.19
15. Houghton's Filling Station £ 22.00
16. Printer and Microsoft Office £128.93
17. C and C Supplies £ 69.80

BT £ 29.63
Orange Home £ 19.99

North West Air Ambulance thanks the Parish Council for their donation.

The bank reconciliation for October, November and December, 2009 were accepted by the members.

Wyre Borough Council is notifying the Parish Council that the precept amount needs to be submitted before 15^th January, 2010. The Parish Council held a finance committee meeting to recommend the precept which was agreed by the majority of the Councillors and submitted to Wyre Borough Council. It was noted that additional costs included the Grounds Maintenance for Catterall Playing Field and part costs towards mole draining the field, this will be earmarked and added to in year two for the work to take place.