Forton Parish Council

 Minutes of the meeting of Forton Parish Council held on

 Monday 13th February 2012 at 7pm at the Pavilion, School Lane.

 

Present: Councillors Worrall, Helme, Grant, Riley, Huddart, Humphreys, Dunderdale,Young,

Cllr Wilson, PC Simon Jones, J Speak (Clerk), 1 member of the public.

 1. Apologies for absence: none received.

 

2. Declarations of Interest: Regarding item 15, Committee Reports: Cllr Grant declared a personal interest as LALC representative; Cllr Riley declared a personal interest as Britain in Bloom representative.

Cllr Helme declared a personal interest in discussions regarding the pond.

 3. The minutes of the meeting held on 9th January 2012 were approved by the meeting and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

 4. Adjournment:

a. A resident expressed concerns about the proposed closure of Garstang Leisure Centre and asked the Council to oppose the closure.

b. Cllr Wilson advised that she had written to the relevant LCC Cabinet member with concerns about the plans to close the leisure centre. The consultation exercise had been extended and a meeting called at Wyre Council for Town and Parish Councils to attend and express their views. A full Council meeting in March would confirm no increase in Council Tax again for next year.

Cllr Wilson gave details of a free collection facility of recyclable goods within a 20 mile radius of Preston, being offered by the local Emmaus charity. There were reports of a recent oil spill into the River Wyre at Scorton. Cllr Wilson still had grant funds available for relevant projects.

c. PC Jones discussed the latest crime report for the area. Cllr Huddart suggested that the ‘In the Know’ newsletter could be circulated more widely and issues put in the Post Office in Forton.

 5. Wyre Leisure Review:

It was resolved that Cllrs Young and Helme would attend the forthcoming meeting at Poulton in support of keeping the leisure centre open, and a letter would also be sent to Wyre Council.

 

6. Resignation of Clerk:

This item was brought forward from no. 14 on the agenda. Two letters from the Clerk were read to the meeting by the Chairman. It was resolved that an advertisement for the vacancy would be put in the Garstang Courier with a closing date of 14/3/12.

 7. Village Hall:

a. The response to the user group questionnaire was completed and would be delivered by Cllr Huddart.

b. It was resolved that Cllr Young would prepare a formal statement confirming the legal position between the Village Hall and Recreation Ground Committee and the Parish Council regarding any proposed sale. This would be signed by the Chairman and delivered to Steve Physick.

c. It was resolved that development of the Village Hall into sheltered accommodation would be preferable, with the external façade of the building to remain intact as far as possible.

 8. Annual Parish Meeting:

It was resolved that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held on Monday 23rd April 2012, in the pavilion if possible.

 9. Litter Pick:

It was resolved that a litter pick would be arranged by Cllr Riley for Thursday 22nd March at 10am at the Village Hall. John Bettle from Wyre Council would provide equipment and take away the rubbish collected.

 10. Highways:

a. – d. Cllr Wilson confirmed that she would take forward problems regarding large vehicles and tractors with Sim Lane-Dixon at Highways Dept.

e. It was resolved that the proposed waiting restrictions on School Lane were fully supported by the Council.

 11. Parish Lengthsman:

a. The revised timesheet as provided by the Contract Administrator would be trialled.

b. Correspondence from a resident concerning litter problems was considered. It was resolved that the Chairman would telephone in reply to discuss the issues raised.

c. It was resolved that the following task would be added to the lengthsman’s duties for the coming month;

Litter picking in all areas.

 

12. Planning:

The following planning application was considered:

12/00020/FUL Side conservatory following demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement private stables following demolition of existing, Cross Hill, 4A Cockerham Road, Forton, LA2 0HG.

It was resolved that the Council had no objections to this application.

 

13. Jubilee Bench:

It was resolved that the quote from HMP Kirkham was acceptable. Cllr Huddart would arrange for the bench to be ordered, with delivery and invoicing after 1/4/12, as the bench was to be purchased from the 2012/13 budget.

 

14. Review of Risk Assessments:

Reviews of risk assessments completed by Cllrs Worrall and Huddart were approved by the meeting and the registers were signed by the Chairman.

 

15. Committee Reports:

LALC  –  Sgt Bailey had attended the recent meeting to discuss the closure of the enquiry desk at Garstang Police Station. LALC was committed to support keeping Garstang Leisure Centre open.

Britain in Bloom – The annual grant was being raised from £560 for 2012/13, but the revised figure was not yet known. Cllr Riley had attended a recent Lancashire Nature Partnership Conference. Snowdrops had been planted on Hollins Lane and the village apple trees were to be pruned.

Forton Village Hall and Recreation Ground – a meeting would be held soon to process the Village Hall questionnaires.

 

16. Finance:

a. Payments approved: £17.00 F Riley (Wyre in Bloom), £130.26 J Speak (Jan salary), £32.40 HMRC

b. Receipts approved: £20.00 (photocopying at Post Office), £24.00 Ian Dugdale (V V advert),

£560.00 Wyre Council (Wyre in Bloom grant payment).

 

17. Urgent Business:

Cllr Huddart requested and received confirmation that private adverts were not to be placed in the Parish Council Noticeboard and that the floral boat display on Hollins Lane did not need to be considered in the Risk Assessments. Cllr Helme had received comment from a resident that the access for dogs at the gate from the pond into the adjoining field had been blocked off by the farmer. No action was considered as this was no doubt to protect livestock.

 

18. Items for information and/or for next agenda: The issue of litter/dog bins would be considered at the next meeting.

 

19 The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 12th March 2012.

 

 

 

 

Chairman   ………………………………………..             Date   ……………………………….