Present:                                                       Councillors; G. Wilson, Chairman,

                                                                   D. Thompson, Vice-Chairman

1206. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

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 one attempted burglary at Ripon Hall Farm, Catterall Lane and a mobile phone was stolen from a car in Catterall Gates Lane. P C Jones also reported a number of petty incidents at Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's Primary School including super glue in the door locks and an attempted entry at the rear of the building. One anti-social nuisance report was made at Vickers Garage, Catterall Gates Lane and under age youths were reported to be drinking on Cock Robin Lane.

There were no members of the public present tonight.

The meeting was resumed.

Information has been distributed from NALC on a review of the Quality Status which was discussed by the Councillors. The Clerk’s Portfolio of Evidence has been submitted to the mentor for the final assessment.

Councillors discussed the questions posed by Wyre Borough Council on the equipment and location of the refurbished Play Area on Catterall Playing Field. Relocation was debated as many Councillors felt that if moved nearer to the Village Hall it would be used more frequently and be under the ‘protection’ of the CCTV. However to move it nearer the river was of overwhelming concern to other Councillors.

A proposal was made that the Play Area stays where it is and a vote was taken.

For: 5

Against: 4

Councillors discussed the circulated information and resolved to become involved in the inquiry. It was noted that Councillors carry out these duties as a matter of course but would need further funding to carry out the increased responsibility expected by the Government.

Wyre Borough Council is working in partnership with Fylde Borough Council and Blackpool Council to provide guidance to applicants. Report noted.

The following applications were granted;

Proposal; Single storey rear extension

Location; 32, Meadowcroft Avenue, Catterall

Proposal; Erection of agricultural building for machinery/storage (fronting Catterall Lane)

Location; Ripon Hall Farm, Catterall Lane, Catterall

Proposal; Single storey extension to provide reception area and infill of existing loading bay

Location; Riverside Industrial Park, Tan Yard Road, Catterall

Proposal; Reserved matters application for four detached dwellings

Location; 40, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

Cllr. D. Sharples reported on the Post Office consultation being carried out by Wyre Borough Council and the Lancashire Locals. 2,500 Post Offices are scheduled for closure and the Government is withdrawing services making many Post Offices unviable. Community ownership was discussed and there are many workable schemes run by volunteers or paid staff.

Cllr. J. Wrathall reported on the recent AGM. Further committee members are being sought, an article is to appear in the Focus Magazine and a meeting will be held on 23^rd April at the Pickerings Hotel. Committee members are concerned at the cost of electricity to maintain the Hall. There has been an increase of £200 over the same quarter last year. The Clerk will contact the solicitors about the lease and look into PAT testing electrical items in the Parish Office. Cllr. H. Kenyon offered to calculate the cost of running the Parish Office.

An interim meeting was held to introduce Rural Forums, to be managed by Wyre Borough Council but led by residents who attend the meetings. Councillors were sceptical about the success of such forums in the rural areas as there is already representation through the Parish Councils.

Also discussed was the Lancashire County Council answer to the Wyre Strategic Partnership report on Road Safety at rural schools. Councillors were concerned at the attitude taken by Lancashire County Council on children’s safety. Wyre Strategic Partnership is looking to prioritise those schools in greatest need and hopefully fund some improvements themselves. Many of the Parish Councils representatives were prepared to contribute to improvements.

Wyre Strategic Partnership has produced information on ‘A Vision for Wyre’. This will be duplicated and distributed to Councillors for discussion at the next meeting.

Cllr. G. Wilson reported that the Wyre Area LAPTC representative still has no voting rights but this is to be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Lancashire Locals have responded to the re-organisation of the Post Offices. Lancashire County Council is carrying out a speed management, which will be reported at the next meeting. Of the small improvements to be completed by highway maintenance only two in Fleetwood will definitely be carried out others, in the rural areas, may not see completion this year.

Cllr. D. Sharples reported that the planning reasons, needed to take an application to committee, reported at last months meeting were not supported and have been referred back. At the last meeting the revised Code of Conduct was discussed and accepted.

Payments received this month;

*Grant towards the purchase of a Smiley SID

Final instalment for the Multi Use Games Area £2,900.55

**Purchase of Smiley SID

***Repair to the floodlighting on the Playing Field.

BT, Telephone calls £ 31.48

Broadband £ 17.99

The Audit Commission has extended the appointment of BDO Stoy Hayward as the external auditors for 2006/07. New fees have been approved for the next five years

Advance notification of next years subscriptions of £420.72. Councillors were looking to reduce this amount.

It was reported that there are still on-going problems with flooding at Daniel Fold Lane. The local farmer considered that the situation has been exacerbated by the filling in of the dykes which once crossed the residential development on Daniel Fold Lane. He has reported this to Wyre Borough Council for response.

Date ………………………. Chairman …………………………