1324. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr. E. Thomas and Cllr. N. Thompson the reasons accepted. Also apologies were received from County Cllr. V. Wilson.

Councillors disclosed personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be discussed at this meeting.

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

A mistake was corrected from the minutes to read that Mr. Meadows had tendered his resignation from the School Governors.

The meeting was suspended to allow those present to speak.

The resident raised the proposed CCTV to monitor the area around the Memorial Garden at the junction of Garstang Road and Cock Robin Lane. As a close resident he was fearful of intrusion of his privacy. The Councillors explained that the site for this camera was initiated by residents in the Village Surveys who wanted to prevent anti-social behaviour. The CCTV would protect local residents and reduce criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, much of which happens at his junction. The resident was understanding of the reasons for the location but was still concerned as to his own privacy.

The meeting was resumed.

A report was given on the PACT meeting held prior to this meeting. Attended by P C Simon Jones and PCSO Richard Dent, they reported only one crime for Catterall in the past month. This being the shot from an air rifle piercing a window on Baylton Court. There had been 10 incidents reported, mostly egg or soil throwing at homes, especially on Duckworth Close. Some one had run through a garden on Baylton Drive and there had been 2 confiscations of alcohol on the Playing Field. The Police had carried out a number of test purchases for alcohol at off licences in the Wyre area.

Information from Ian Lonsdale, Crime Prevention Officer at Garstang Police Station, had clarified that the scheme could take up to 12 months to implement in Catterall and the Councillors will be informed of progress.

The funding raised at last month’s meeting that Bilsborrow Parish Council received for the erection of their war memorial railings was part of a far bigger project which looked at those residents killed serving their country, the production of a book, the inclusion of the school children and two church services. The funding body to which they applied no longer exists.

Following the success of the switch-on last year Councillors considered the switch-on on Sunday 2^nd December, Advent Sunday, initially in Catterall at the Memorial Garden then a walk to Churchtown for their switch-on. Pilling Junior Band is to be approached to accompany the singing.

United Utilities is asking for details of the times for the Christmas trees lights for 2007. A licence for seasonal decorations is being applied for from Lancashire County Council.

The Authority is reviewing how they use various meeting formats with the public.

The following planning applications have been granted:

07/00723/FUL
Proposal: Demolition of existing garage and erection of two storey side extension
Location: 17, Meadowcroft Avenue, Catterall

07/01077/FUL
Proposal: Side conservatory
Location: 18 Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall, PR3 1YH

07/01149/FUL
Proposal: Proposed removal of condition 09 of planning approval 07/0002/FULMAJ – allowing the replacement of a 3m acoustic fence with a 1.8m close boarded fence along the western site boundary
Location: Land at Catterall Gates Lane Catterall PR3 1XP

The Parish Council supports this application, understanding that it was made as a planning condition to provide protection to the new residents against the then working Knackers Yard. Now that the adjacent land has been granted planning permission for residential development the 3 metre fence would be rendered unnecessary. However, the Councillors recommend that the 3 metre fence is not removed until the development on the adjacent land is started to continue that protection should the appeal for the maggot farm be successful or the Knackers Yard commences work again.

07/01144/FUL
Proposal: Replacement dwelling
Location: Highbank 14 Old Lancaster Road Catterall PR3 0HN

The Parish Council still objects to this application and feels the proposed dwelling will be detrimental to the character of the street scene and impact on neighbouring and residential amenities. The Councillors would be mindful to ask that the new soak away is adequate to cope with the increase in this larger proposed dwelling.

07/01203/FUL
Proposal: Amendments to previously approved application 07/00175/FUL for 4 dwellings, the demolition of the existing dwelling and erection of a further 4 dwellings - 8 dwellings in total
Location: 40 Cock Robin Lane Catterall PR3 1YL

The Parish Council objects to this application and requests neighbourhood notification to include Hamers Wood Drive.

Cllr. D. Sharples had attended the Garstang CCTV launch this afternoon. During discussions with the supplier it was raised that Catterall Parish Council were also looking to install a camera and, as the Catterall site was in with the original funding bid, there is an estimate as to costs. Also it could be possible that this camera could be linked into the Garstang system in the future. Cllr. D. Sharples and the Clerk will pursue this estimate.

From 5th December, Wyre Borough Council is introducing public speaking at planning committee meetings. Each person will be allowed 3 minutes and Parish Councillors will also be allowed to speak on applications in their Parish.

It was reported that the AGM will be held on 19^th November, 2007.

BT, Telephone calls £22.60

Broadband £17.99

In May it was resolved that the Memorial Garden was to be replanted using holly bushes in place of the cordylines, one of which has outgrown the site and the other had been damaged previously.

Included:

Internal auditor’s report recommends that payments from Kirkland Parish Council regarding the Parish Lengthsman contract should be minuted.

The second quarter’s accounts were successfully audited.

Risk assessment is in place

That the Parish Lengthsman wage is increased with a petrol allowance.

That Pilling Parish Council is to pay Catterall Parish Council for the hours worked in Pilling during the extended illness of their Parish Lengthsman

The Parish Council has considered and agreed to make a Chairman’s allowance of £100.00 per year to be used at his discretion. Under the Local Government Act 1972 section 15 (5)

The provisional budget was presented for discussion at this meeting. This will be updated prior to submission in January. Councillors were asked for any schemes they wished to pursue in the next financial year these will need costing for consideration.

That a reserve account is opened after reviewing the final balance on 31^st March, 2007.

Councillors were concerned at the lack of progress on re-instating the play area. However, the tenders are still being considered by Wyre Borough Council prior to work commencing.