1588. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr. N. Harrison and the reason accepted. County Cllr. Wilson and P C Simon Jones sent apologies for the meeting.

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 Beacon Research, whose services the Parish Council had used.

There was no public present at this meeting.

The Chairman gave a report on the PACT meeting held prior to the Council meeting and attended by PCSO Craig Jones and PCSO Marti Long. There had been three crimes in the past month comparing favourably with last year’s figures of 4 for the same time. There was a theft of cigarettes from the Post Office on Cock Robin Lane that is undetected as yet, a detected assault and a stolen car from a house on Garstang Road, this has been recovered. Anti-social incidents have been one act of littering as compared to three for the same period last year.

There was a warning that burglaries were on the increase generally and members were warned to ensure security during the hot weather by not leaving doors and windows open and closing all accessible windows at night. Not to allow hedges to grow so high as to conceal the house/garage or so low to allow persons to step over. Lancashire has seen its lowest figures for burglary for 35 years.

Councillors were concerned at the traffic noise from motor bikes and cars being revved up or carrying faulty exhausts. They were advised to report these incidents to the Police when occurring.

A verbal complaint has been received regarding the damage to nearby property by balls being used on the Multi Use Games Area. The Councillors raised that the homes were built after the Playing Field was established and the location of the Multi Use Games Area would prevent many balls reaching the houses.

Wyre Borough Council confirms that they are willing to inspect the Multi Use Games Area and Skateramp at a cost of about £40. Each site is inspected differently and will be charged separately. Councillors considered and accepted these proposals.

Ashley Hackett, Community Sports Co-ordinator from Wyre Borough Council is requesting the use of Catterall Playing Field and the Multi Use Games Area over the summer holidays for children in Catterall. The sessions would be held on Tuesdays between 10 and 12 am for 6 weeks hopefully commencing 20^th July. Councillors considered this request.

Mike Thornton, in charge of Garstang Methodist Football Team requests the use of the Playing Field for matches from September through to March.

The following planning applications were granted:

Proposal: New vehicle access to property to include dropped kerb and hard standing. Removal of existing hedges to be replaced by brick wall.

Location: 112, Garstang Road, Catterall

Councillors were concerned about the report that the bus stop was to be moved to allow the access onto Garstang Road and are waiting to hear from Lancashire County Council as to the new location.

Proposal: Ground and first floor extension to rear of property

Location: The Firs, 17, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

The following planning application was presented to the planning committee, Wyre Borough Council, on 6^th July

Proposal: Variation of condition 4 on application 08/00676/FULMAJ

Location: Dewlay The traditional Cheesemakers, Garstang By Pass Road, Kirkland

The application was granted. The inspectors report made no specific reference to the noise levels, but this will be closely monitored once built.

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

There has been no needs survey, not be served by public transport, emergency vehicles access and inadequate parking for the number of staff and visitors. Pressure on sewage system, is well within the flood plain, contaminated land and would challenge the certificate under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, carry out a FULL study. No shops within 650 metres and room sizes do not appear to meet the current standard. Should the application be granted the Councillors would ask that the property is conditioned to C Class use only?

Proposal: Advertising consent for signage mounted on free-standing stone wall

Location: Catterall Coach House, Garstang Bypass Road, Catterall

On size, when Wyre Borough Council has previously refused many temporary signs of this size in this area. It is out of character and appearance, will cause distraction and between two junctions. The entrance to the private road insufficient width for two cars to pass, traffic will be held up and could back on to the A6.

Proposal: Rear dormer and conservatory

Location: 24, Joe Lane, Catterall

Councillors commented on the following planning applications:

Proposal: Two storey extension (resubmission of 08/01012)

Location: Calder Brook Barn, Stones Lane, Catterall

Cllr. Sharples reported on the latest car parking review by Wyre Borough Council and left the report for Councillors to read. There was concern that the disabled parking on Booths car park would be well away from the High Street and wondered how Garstang Town Councillors felt.

The meeting will be adjourned to allow a report from the County Councillor

Following the change in political stance the Conservatives will be honouring their pledge to freeze Council tax.

Re-furbishment is taking place in the Hall. The trustees have been approached by the Environment Agency to shore up the river bank as it is being washed away.

Cllr. G. Wilson was returned as Chairman for the coming year, but was still disappointed at the slow and sometimes none existent progress of the work being undertaken by Lancashire County Council. There seems to be no monitoring system in place for completion of jobs/orders. The bollards on Catterall Gates Lane were raised and are to be installed, now that the way on the bridleway was completed. There was a request for the Golden River on Catterall Gates Lane to monitor speeds and the application for the Coach House plan was discussed.

Cllr. N. Harrison was waiting for Frances Walton. He had spoken to Karen Price, head teacher, Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's Primary School about he school partnership with the High School and to the Chairman of Kirkland Parish Council.

* A service was carried out on the pavement sweeper; the first in three years as the Parish Lengthsman has completed advised checks, however, it needed specialist work. Also a number of new belts were needed and a front flap.

BT £ 23.25

Orange Home £ 9.78

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

HM Revenue and Customs have asked the Parish Council to make a company tax return. Following contact with HMRC this does not apply to this Parish Council.

The re-alignment of public footpath number to Collinsons is taking place and it may be advisable to suggest to Wyre Borough Council that a dog bin is provided at the junction with the bridleway for dog walkers.

Plans for the renovation of the Play Area have just been received and will be discussed by the Green Spaces Committee.

Following some unexpected decisions by the Planning Department at Wyre Borough Council Councillors considered that a training session for the benefit of Councillors would be advantageous.