The Chairman welcomed new Councillor Amy M^cCabe to the Parish Council.

1681. 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.

PCSO Geoff Mole reported on the one crime in Catterall over the past six weeks, a theft from a vehicle on Baylton Drive. There had been seven for the same period last year. He added that the whole of the Garstang area seems quiet, but it may be the inclement weather. There have been two incidents of anti-social behaviour involving litter and misbehaving children, last year there were six incidents. The Police had received a complaint of speeding on Cock Robin Lane.

The Parish Council had received a reply from the Traffic Commissioner concerning the services 140, 141 and 142. The Commissioner has no powers to require the operator to provide a particular route and no control over the state of the vehicles used.

The Post Office opened on 4^th February, but the shop closed the day afterwards and is now for sale there was concern at the loss of the main retail facility in the Village. The Councillors are unaware if the Royal Mail is looking at alternative locations in Catterall.

The meeting was resumed.

Lancashire County Council is consulting on introducing:

1. 40MPH speed restriction on the A6 from St. Michaels Road to New Lane, Bilsborrow.
2. 50MPH speed restriction on the A6 from New Lane, Bilsborrow to Salford Road, Galgate

Held over from January a number of prices have been sourced for the replacement strimmer. Councillors considered the usage of the strimmer and therefore its durability and to repair or buy new. The present strimmer is ten years old and repair would be false economy.

The new refuse collection system to be introduced in August whereby food disposal will be accepted in the grey bins was discussed. There was concern over the lack of accessible paper to wrap food, the bins not being odour proof and the smell attracting rodents. A complaints' monitoring system was suggested run by the Parish Council as it is believed it will be a health hazard.

Lancashire County Council is running a briefing on Bus Services and Concessionary Travel on Monday 29th March, at County Hall, between 1.00 – 2.00pm.

Diversion of part of Public Footpath number 13 Catterall, Wyre Borough

The creation of the alternative route becomes operative on 3rd February, 2010.

The following planning applications have been granted:

Proposal: Single storey side and rear extension

Location: The Old Print Works, Stones Lane, Catterall

09/00882/FULMAJ

Proposal: Proposed new building for office/general industrial/storage or distribution (resubmission of 09/00114/FULMAJ)

Location: Riverside Industrial Park, Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall,

09/00936/FULMAJ

Proposal: Variation of condition 2 on application 08/00676/FULMAJ to allow the windturbine to operate for 25years (as opposed to 20 years)

Location: Dewlay The Traditional Cheesemakers, Garstang By-Pass Road, Churchtown

The report of the Planning Committee on 2^nd February was accepted.

Proposal: 9 three bedroomed houses and 4 two bedroomed apartments with associated works. (re-submission of application 09/00131)

Location: Land adjacent to Beech House, Garstang Road, Claughton-on-Brock

Councillors commented on the following planning applications:

Proposal: Rear dormer

Location: 7, Newhaven Drive, Catterall

Proposal: Erection of a detached garage and workshop with link roof to existing garden room

Location: The Old Print Works Stones Lane Catterall

Cllr. D. Sharples reported that Wyre Borough Council is looking to increase their portion of the Council Tax by 2½%.

A report was presented to the Parish Council, as Lancashire County Council will not be increased their portion of the Council Tax there will be a cut in services and these include a review of the household recycling centres. There are 23 centres in Lancashire and this is to be cut to 18. The local centre at Claughton will be part of the review and this brought much concern from the Councillors who wised to seek reassurances from Jo Turton about the viability of Claughton’s centre.

There has been little progress following the resignation of the Lancashire County Council youth worker, but the cabinet member is to seek action. No further grants from Catterall or Kirkland Parish Councils will be needed next year as the present funding has not been spent. Cllr. D. Croston and Cllr. A. McCabe agreed to be part of the Initiative.

The replacement of the old boiler is completed.

The Finance Committee Report was accepted by the members and included the internal scrutiny of the third quarter accounts.

The report of the meeting was accepted by the members and included monitoring of the noise emanating from the Treatment Plant.

The report of the meeting between Kirkland and Catterall St. Helens C of E Primary School, Catterall and Kirkland Parish Councils regarding updating the school travel plan was accepted by the members. There are a number of matters to review with Lancashire County Council including investigations to reducing the speed on the A586 and to carry out speed enforcement , the speed indicator sign not working correctly and the trees are still overhanging obstructing the sight line for the car park.

1. Kirkland Parish Council £580.00
2. Pilling Parish Council £ 59.12
3. Pilling Parish Council £ 23.58
4. Garstang Free Methodist FC £ 66.00
5. VAT Refund £1,932.06

The following invoices were received between meetings and have been paid

1. Clerk’s Salary and expenses £159.36
2. Parish Lengthsman wages and expenses £145.16
3. Garstang Timber £ 28.33
4. Sthil saw hire £ 24.55
5. Digger hire, four days plus delivery £245.45 net £203
6. Lancashire County Council Pensions £205.48

1. Digger hire for two days, plus delivery £153.92 net £131
2. Clerk’s salary and expenses £154.94
3. Parish Lengthsman’s wages and expenses £147.92
4. Lancashire County Council Pension £205.48
5. Jon Cuff Electrical £ 58.75 Christmas Tree lights.
6. Pilling Parish Council* £ 67.26
7. C and C supplies £413.61 net £350
8. Houghtons Filling Station £ 22.00
9. Houghton’s Filling Station £ 68.11
10. E-On Energy £ 9.28 Christmas Tree lights

*Pilling Parish Lengthsman assisted during the dyke clearing and drainage work on Catterall Playing Field, during the snow!!

Direct Debits

January, BT £ 32.42

Orange Home £ 19.99

February, BT £ 27.92

Orange Home £ 19.99

Bank reconciliation for January and February, 2010 and the financial statement until 15^th February were accepted by members.