1481. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from County Cllr. V. Wilson.

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.

The meeting was adjourned.

The Chairman reported on the PACT meeting held prior to this meeting. PCSO Craig Jones reported three crimes in the past month, including theft of wine from the Pickerings Hotel, which has been detected, a burglary on Joe Lane and the discovery of a controlled substance during a personal search in Catterall. The crime figures are down by 50% on last year.

There have been six anti-social reports including youths drinking on the Playing field, when alcohol was seized and a motor bike riding off road. PCSO Jones added that any vehicle with an engine must carry insurance.

The PCSO’s have attended a youth council meeting at Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's Primary School when intimidation by older children was raised. The Police visit the High School and include discussions on this attitude towards younger children. The Police were informed that any littering / rubbish are cleared by the Parish Lengthsman. There is confusion with the Youth Bus as to its attendance on the Playing Field.

The meeting was resumed

The installer of out CCTV has negotiated with the manufacturer as to the replacement of the camera rather than repairing the existing one as this would cost £495 before any work is carried out. A new camera has been received at a cost of £300, which will be taken off the maintenance contract. The replacement will be carried out this week.

Resolved: That the Parish Council agreed to the cost coming from the maintenance contract.

After further investigation with the bank the cost of storing the deeds with Lloyds TSB will be £25 per year paid in installations of £12.50 for as long as the deeds are kept with them. Other banks charge a similar amount.

Councillors considered the future structure of the Lancashire Locals from a proposal by Lancashire County Council. There is to be devolution of powers for funding.

Unfortunately there is no mention of voting rights for the Parish Council representative, but this would involve a change in the constitution. It was raised that with reference to the Parish Charter Lancashire County Council could allow voting to show they wish to work closer with Parish Councils.

The Road Policing Unit has requested locations within Catterall that have seen speeding problems in order to use the mobile speed camera.

Having spoken to Malcolm Reece, Health and Safety Officer for Wyre Borough Council, Cllr. D. Sharples reports that a risk assessment can be carried out by any sensible person in that they do not need to be trained. The possibility of danger by the river bank is there and the Parish Council need to deal with this, attention should be drawn to the bank to warn persons using the playing field. However, in the case of an accident the person must prove negligence on the bank for the claim to be upheld. It was agreed that to have signage demonstrates due diligence to the public as it is prudent to draw the public’s attention to the river bank.

Wyre Borough Council is asking for comments on introducing a Designated Public Places Order on parts of Garstang to prohibit the drinking of alcohol in streets and public places where there is a history of nuisance and /or disorder associated with the consumption of alcohol. The Councillors were confused as to why Catterall has been asked to comment and has Barnacre also been informed.

The following planning applications have been granted;

Proposal: Outline application for residential development with new access from Hamers Wood Drive and Cock Robin Lane

Location: 40, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

08/00633/OUTMAJ

Proposal: Outline application for the erection of business units (Class B1, Light Industrial/Office, Class B2, General Industrial and Class B8 storage) and the relocation of Knackers Yard

Location: Collinsons Ltd., Riverside Industrial Park, Tan Yard Road, Catterall

The original proposal was to move the Knackers Yard the plan was resubmitted with B8 removed. The Yard is still included because it is an established use but for the proposal to develop the Yard must go.

08/00677/FUL

Proposal: Erection of dwelling

Location: Land adjacent 44, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

08/00704/FUL

Proposal: Single storey rear extension

Location: 4, Old Lancaster Road, Catterall

08/00863/FUL

Proposal: Two storey side extension

Location: 25, Meadowcroft Avenue, Catterall

08/00784/FUL

Proposal: New agricultural workshop to provide secure storage and modification of curtilage boundary to site area enclosing farm buildings

Location: Ripon Hall Farm, Catterall Lane, Catterall

The following permission has been refused;

Proposal: Erection of one wind turbine, foundation, access track and ancillary equipment

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

The following sign has been removed;

Nature of complaint: Erection of advertising sign to gable

Location: 118, Garstang Road, Catterall

Proposal: Single storey side extension with attached garage

Location: 25, Cock Robin Lane, Catterall

Cllr. D. Sharples reported that the planning department have received a highway report on Highfield, Stones Lane. Lancashire County Council is offering no objections to the proposal.

The AGM will be held shortly. The event held to raise funds for the refurbishment of the Play Area raised £800.

Having met on 12th September to distribute the £306k allocated for additional highway funding Catterall will see the resurfacing of the junction of Garstang Road and Cock Robin Lane at a cost of £12,000. Should funds not be spent on the allocated schemes then there is a chance of resurfacing Joe Lane at a cost of £40,700. The School Travel Plans were discussed, by 2010 all schools must have a plan and money has been allocated to support these. There will be discretionary funding of £40,000 next year allocated to highway problems submitted by the Parish Councils. The Clerk reported that the allocation for a hard standing opposite the bus shelter on the A6 may have been completed on the same side as the shelter.

The report was accepted by Councillors.

Thanks have been received from the committee for the donation.

Notification of the precept amount by 16^th January, 2009, has been received from Wyre Borough Council. A draft budget has been prepared for consideration by the Finance Committee.

BDO has audited the accounts of the Parish Council and has raised a number of matters;

These matters will be considered by the Finance Committee for a report next month.

The inspection of the skateramp and Multi Use Games Area will be passed to the Green Spaces for consideration and recommendations.

The trees at the Pickerings are in the process of being pruned. The owner is working with the Arborialist David Pickup from Wyre Borough Council as there are a number of TPO’s on the trees. There was concern that the screening at the old entrance has been removed and the side of the building is visible. There is believed to be a planning condition that the screening must be retained and it is suggested that neighbours approach the owner to discuss this.

It was raise that the new bus timetable has removed the 9.31am from Catterall. With the introduction of the NOW card many senior citizens are taking advantage of free travel available after 9.30am. With the removal of this service many can not access the connections to other routes.