1312. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr. I. Brayshaw and N. Thompson the reasons accepted.

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.

The meeting was suspended to allow those present to speak. A number of residents were concerned about Catterall Village Hall and the impact the lack of committee members is having on those hiring the Hall. The Chairman resigned recently and the treasurer and secretary are also looking to retire. The hirers are concerned at the lack of support when items break down or run out.

It was noted that Cllr. N. Thompson, as the Parish Council’s representative on the Village Hall Committee is arranging a meeting, but this has not taken place yet. An appeal in the Garstang Courier for new members was suggested and ordering of goods to continue with the running of the Hall will be sorted out. Cllr. J. Houghton would obtain the constitution for next months meeting and the boiler repair will be chased up.

The meeting was resumed.

A report was given on the PACT meeting held prior to this meeting. Over the past month there have been six crimes in Catterall, four of which have been detected. Two windows have been smashed on separate occasions at the Village Hall and some one has been charged with one incident and the Police have intelligence on the other. A youth was apprehended in the Youth Shelter with cannabis, a mirror was pulled from a vehicle in Thornbank Drive and a domestic violence offender has been arrested and convicted.

There have been five incidents reported including broken greenhouse glass and a noisy party in Baylton Court.

Councillors discussed the enclosing of the Memorial Garden using wrought iron railings. Unfortunately estimates from local contractors have been withdrawn and Cllr. J. Houghton believes that the costs could be £10,000 to enclose the whole area. The removal of the seat was also raised, but the situation may change with the introduction of the CCTV at the Pickerings.

Wyre Borough Council is planning walks in Wyre and would like suggestions from Councillors. This was to be raised at the next Wyre Area LAPTC.

The meeting was suspended to hear a presentation.

Crime Prevention Officer Ian Lonsdale presented the Cold Calling Scheme which could be rolled out in Catterall. The scheme has proved to lower doorstep crime, promote the use of door chains and encourage residents to check the identity of those persons being let into there homes. It will raise awareness and educate residents supported by the use of signs and window and door stickers. It is aimed at trying to stop the bogus callers.

The Councillors were concerned at the wording of the proposed sign, but this can be tailored to the Parish Council’s wishes. Lancashire County Council has a number of training packages to support this initiative and United Utilities may be approached for funding. The Councillors were supportive of the scheme and Ian Lonsdale would pursue further information.

The meeting was resumed.

The following planning application has been refused:

07/00877/FUL
Proposal: Advertising consent for free standing non-illuminating sign
Location: Land at the junction of Cock Robin Lane and A6 Garstang Road, Catterall

The following planning applications have been granted:

07/00794/FUL
Proposal: Retrospective application for 1 dwelling (modification to Plot 1 app: 03/01471)
Location: 122, Garstang Road, Catterall

07/00911/FUL
Proposal: Roof lift to create first floor extension and rear single storey extension
Location: 8, Boyes Avenue, Catterall
 

07/01044/FUL
Proposal: Addition of 900mm railing to top of existing boundary fence wall to an overall maximum height of 2.1m (re-submission of 07/00691/FUL)
Location: Old Trees, Stones Lane, Catterall
Resolved: The Parish Council supports this application and requests neighbourhood notification.

07/01077/FUL
Proposal: side conservatory
Location: 18, Catterall Gates Lane, Catterall
Resolved:  The Parish Council supports this application and requests neighbourhood notification.

Cllr. D. Sharples reported that Wyre Borough Council has carried out the Polling Station review and Catterall and Kirkland will remain at the same venue. Wyre Borough Council has published the employment land study on their web site. The planning application for the travelling caravan site on Kepple Lane is to be discussed and officers are looking for approval.

The meeting was suspended to allow County Cllr. V. Wilson to speak. She was concerned at the possible approval having attended many of the public meetings and noted the depth of feelings against the site and the increase in the activities on Kepple Lane recently.

The meeting was suspended to allow County Cllr. V. Wilson to speak.

The Fare Access to Care is going to full council next week after the cabinet decision on 26^th September. Cllr. G. Wilson and County Cllr. V. Wilson are members of a task group at Lancashire Locals – Wyre looking at highway maintenance programmes. The road surface at the junction of the A6 and Joe Lane has recently been repaired after almost 12 months and the access opposite the bus shelter at Old Lancaster Road has been approved at a cost of £1,000.

The Lancashire County Councillor Grant is still available to community groups looking to provide improvement beneficial to residents, although this is not accessible by a Parish Council. It was raised that Lancashire County Council is to drop the 20 MPH speed restrictions outside schools as there has been no proven benefit.

The meeting was resumed.

The next meeting is tomorrow night. Cllr. D. Sharples reported that the Chair of Governors, Mr. John Meadows, has tended his resignation with immediate effect. Councillors felt that Mr. Meadows had served the School well over his many years as Chair of Governors. There will now be a vacancy to be filled with a Church representative.

*The RoSPA will be passed to the Green Spaces Committee to consider the findings.

Cllr. N. Harrison had recently attended a new Councillors training course, he was really impressed with the standard of teaching and wished to thank the trainers.