CHARNOCK RICHARD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 4 August 2014 at 7.30 pm in the Parish Rooms, Charter Lane, Charnock Richard.
Present: Councillors A J Shaw, M Almond, A Cornwell, Mrs J Ogden, Mrs C Pilling, J Hill, H Heaton,
J Taylor and Mrs A Bishop. Also present Borough Councillors Leadbetter & Whittaker.
REPORTS, COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT
Chairman – The Chairman asked those present to stand and hold a one minute silence as a tribute to those who lost their lives in World War 1.
Borough Councillor Whittaker – Reported his involvement in issues raised on public footpath 18. Regarding the Story Homes planning application for development of the Camelot site – no officers’ recommendation has been published to date despite the fact the meeting to determine a decision is tomorrow. There is a 100 page report and it is incredible that after 6 months no recommendation has been made. Regarding the Wigan Athletic planning application for development of a training facility on the golf course – It is likely this will go to the September Development Control Meeting. Councillor Whittaker has advised residents to submit their observations to Chorley Council. Councillor Whittaker reported that the Neighbourhood Meeting Minutes are incorrect and that the Parish Council will need to apply for any planning permissions at Orchard Gardens. (The Parish Council confirmed that they are already aware of this) Councillor Whittaker reported his appointment as Rural Champion, he will address Parish Councils on this issue. Councillor Whittaker confirmed he will not be speaking on the Story Homes application at the Development Control Meeting, Borough Councillor Leadbetter will be speaking. In answer to the question “As Rural Champion does that mean money will be spent in rural areas rather than the Town Centre?” Councillor Whittaker confirmed that he hoped this would be the case. It was suggested that some of this money could be used to improve poor footways in the Parish eg: Charter Lane, this is also something being pursued by County Councillor Holgate. He agreed to liaise with Councillor Holgate and raise thisand the issue of drop kerbs on Charter Lane and Town Lane. It was confirmed that this year’s programmes are now fixed and issues are now being looked at for 2015/16
Members of the Public – Thanked Councillor Whittaker for assisting with hedge cutting requests on Park Hall Road. It was reported that when the lake at Park Hall floods this water goes through the wood and towards Woodcock Lane, flooding the footpaths. Concern was expressed that if more water is put into this system from proposals at the Golf Course this problem will be much worse. It is thought that, even though the additional information from Wigan Athletic planning consultants does not specifically state, with the use of irrigation systemsthe water will be stored in holding tanks and will be released at the same rate as it is currently. It was suggested that LCC’s proposals that Woodcock Lane be given a tarmac surface allowing access to places of work on foot or on bicycle, is ridiculous. It was further reported that United Utilities report advises that surface water from the football pitches will be directed onto land adjacent to Yew Tree Villas rather than Park Hall Road with water from the remainder of the site directed towards Park Hall.
Borough Councillor Leadbetter – Reported that the road gullies on Park Hall Road are blocked and the substations at Meadowlands and Chorley Lane are untidy – both items have been reported.
- Apologies - Were received and accepted from Councillors G Brennand and L Cheetham (holidays) and County Councillor Holgate.
- Declarations of Interest – Members were asked to consider any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have to declare in relation to matters on this Agenda in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, Parish Council Standing Orders and the Code of Conduct currently in force – Councillor Heaton declared a non-pecuniary interest in planning application 14/00641/FUL.
- To Accept the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on 7 July 2014 - The Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 7 July 2014 had been circulated in advance of the Meeting. Resolved: The Minutes were accepted as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.
- Update on Matters Arising from previous Meetings for note by the Council: Report 1 (page 5) – ACCEPTED. It was suggested that Reports, Complaints & Concerns from Parish Councillors be moved to the beginning of the Agenda, at the same time that Reports, Complaints & Concerns of the Public Present are made, thereby allowing items requiring attention or support from Borough & County Councillors to be raised by Parish Councillors before Borough/County Councillors leave – Resolved: The move will take effect from the September Parish Council Meeting.
Report 1(e) – Councillor Heaton confirmed that he will be attending the planning committee meeting and speaking on this application, strongly reflecting the Parish Council views. Councillor Heaton confirmed that under normal circumstances Major planning applications take approx. 4 months to determine however, due to the complications with this application and outstanding reports, it was agreed the application would go to the August Meeting. He further confirmed that there may not be an Officers Recommendation and that the decision may be left to the Planning Committee
Report 1(f) – Councillor Taylor has requested that LCC do a final check to ensure the gullies are emptied and the road swept etc.
- Correspondence and Information items requiring discussion or action:
a)Copy of complaint sent following the Ironman event, for your information and action prior to next year’sevent – Noted. Councillor Taylor agreed with the contents of the email and thinks the Council should oppose the suggestion the event is held in this area. Others do not think the inconvenience of the event for 1 day per year, together with the advance notification of the event, is sufficient to request that the event is held elsewhere. It was agreed that it was disappointing that the red tape used and the litter left was not removed after the event. It was reported that the residents and Councillors in Rivington were disappointed with access issues. It was confirmed that when notified of the route next year a response will be compiled and it may be beneficial to liaise with the organisers regarding improved training for Marshalls and to address litter issues after the event.
b)Copy of a residents email to the Chronicle and the suggestion that the Chronicle be used to increase awareness of the planning applications at Camelot and by Wigan Athletic – Councillors are not sure the Chronical is designed to promote individuals views. It was confirmed that this matter has, and is still, featured in the Chronicle in well reported editorial from Borough Councillor Leadbetter.
c)Current situation with amenity grass cutting and wild flower planting by CBC – Noted. It was reported that wild flower planting in the memorial garden adjacent to the Parish Rooms has been successful. Councillor Taylor has exchanged several emails since February on this subject and, pointed out at the initial stages of the suggestion that concrete would be found around much of the street furniture and street lighting. It was also reported that the grass on Meadowlands is in a poor condition. Resolved: Councillor Taylor will continue to pursue the amenity grass cutting issues and will confirm with Chorley Council that the Parish Council agree to wild flower planting in the Parish again next year.
d)Response to the report of an incident at 97 Chorley Lane and confirmation that cyclical external painting is due to be completed by the end of October 2014 – Noted.
e)Confirmation form Planning Consultant that a more detailed drainage strategy/updated flood risk assessment have been submitted to CBC and a comparison with other training facilities – Noted.
f)Confirmation of membership of the new Chorley 3 Tier Liaison meeting and request that Agenda Items for the next Meeting on Wednesday 17 September be submitted by 29 August – Noted. Reported that the only question on the last Agenda was the one tabled by Charnock Richard PC. Following discussion it was Resolved: That the following question will be forwarded for the September Agenda: “Are Chorley Council or LCC providing any, or budgeting for, or hoping to restore, any funding for the refurbishment of Village Halls or Community Buildings, especially in deprived rural areas in the 2015/16 financial year?”
g)Info. from LALC – Nothing to Report.
h)Details of late items of correspondence received – i) Reply from Network Rail confirming painting of the railway bridge in the Parish is scheduled for 2014/15 however, no specific dates have been set – Noted. ii) A copy of LCC’s Highway Maintenance Plan, provided to say how Japanese Knotweed issues are handled by LCC – Councillor Taylor has read this and determined that the information is not specific. iii) Minutes of the Neighbourhood Area Meeting – Noted.
- Reports, Complaintsand Concerns from Parish Councillors
1) The Spid sign on Dob Brow is still not working.
2) Pot-holes on Charter Lane, approx. 20m from the Church Lane junction, still require attention.
3) Pot-holes on Church Lane, between 81 and the Leeson Avenue junction, require attention.
4) Hedges from the School are overgrowing the footway on Church Lane.
5) Councillor Shaw agreed to make enquiries following a report of activity on land at the end of
Neargates and accusations of land acquisition.
6) Reports of suspicious activity in the village will be reported at the PACT meeting.
7) Councillor Shaw will pursue reprinting of “No Motorcycle” signs for Freemans Lane.
8) A litter bin has been provided at Pole Green Nurseries to reduce litter on Church Lane.
9) The Council will thank Mr Purtill for cutting his hedges.
10)Lengthsman will be asked to cut back hedges in front of the proposed car park on Church Lane.
11)Wigan Athletic will be asked to arrange for overgrown hedges on the A49, opposite Yew Tree
Villas, to be cut back.
12) Councillor Almond will ensure Parish Council details in the Chronicle are corrected.
13) It was confirmed that underground services details have been obtained by Councillor Taylor to
assist Councillors Shaw, Heaton & Hill in unearthing the Milestone on Chorley Lane.
14) There is a particularly deep pot-hole on the bend on Church Lane and the pot-holes at the
junction of Meadowlands and Church Lane still require attention.
15) Borough Councillor Leadbetter will report parked vehicles on the bend on Church Lane at the
PACT Meeting. County Councillor Holgate will be asked to support this.
16) Mr Prescott will be asked to cut back overgrown hedges and brambles.
17) Concern was expressed about the living conditions some people have to live in.
18) Reports of vandalism and an attempted break-in at the Football Club the week prior to their Beer
Festival were made.
19) Reports were received of travellers on farmland on Bradley Lane, Eccleston.
20) The book of war memorials donated to the Parish Council is now in Church. It was
suggested, and agreed, that the book will remain in Church permanently.
21) Compliments were given to all those who have volunteered, and worked hard, on the memorial
garden and the old school house on Charter Lane. The creation of the garden has been very
effective and has received a very positive response and is a great achievement.
- Reports from Committees and Representatives on Outside Bodies – 3 Tier Liaison Meeting – attended by Councillor Taylor who reported that County Councillor Holgate is the Chairman. This was an interesting meeting with discussions on Japanese Knotweed, fly-tipping enforcement and railways issues. A LCC report detailed non-Policing of events. The report was criticised but there was no LCC representative present to explain/defend the report. LCC reported that Japanese Knotweed is dealt with in the Highway Maintenance Programme. Explanations were vague and it appears that there is no offence committed by having it on your land but it is an offence (a civil matter) if the landowner promotes its growth or allows it to encroach onto your land. If land ownership details adjacent to Sharratts Path are obtained they will be forwarded to LCC. Community Centre Trust Meeting – A request was made for a sign saying “Charnock Richard Memorial Gardens” and possibly the inclusion of some litter bins. Resolved: Councillor Mrs Burton will design the sign and Councillor Shaw will arrange to have it made.
- Best Kept Village Competition and Best Kept Garden Competition– Action required for both competitions. The Lengthsman will be asked to plant the hanging basket near the junction of Preston Road/German Lane with evergreens as there is no sunlight to these baskets. The Lengthsman will be asked to spade back the overgrowth on the footway from Town Lane to Whalleys Farm. The substations on Chorley Lane (414277) and Meadowlands (415802 – Church Hamlet) and the one on the A49 all require clearing, cutting back and tidying. The date proposed for the Parish Council Best Kept Garden Competition Presentation Evening is 30 October, this will be confirmed.
- Annual Donations – Resolved: The final date for applications was set at 31 August.
- Telephone Box – Chorley Lane, update – The Clerk reported the cost to install an electricity supply to the telephone box is £969.80+£193.96VAT=£1163.76. The quotation for painting the telephone box is approx. £90.00. The joiner will be asked to quote for the work required to install the defibrillator. Resolved: The Council will proceed with the installation of an electricity supply.
- MUGA Mossie Close Play Area – To discuss consultation details. The Clerk read aloud possible details for inclusion in the Chronicle. It was agreed that the word document will be forwarded to Councillor Mrs Bishop for inclusion in the Oct/Nov Chronicle with a request for responses by 30 November 2014. It may be deemed necessary to produce a leaflet depending upon the response rate.
- Planning – The Council will be required to make observations on the following applications:
1)14/00641/FUL – Development of a new football training facility for academy and professionals including the erection of a new detached building to accommodate the junior academy and indoor pitch, erection of a new building for the professionals (linked to the existing club house by a covered walkway), part change of use of (restaurant within) golf clubhouse to Class D2, car parking, artificial pitch, floodlighting of two pitches, fencing and use of land as football training centre. Charnock Richard Golf Club, Preston Road, Charnock Richard – Councillor Heaton declared an interest. Including discussion during the public part of the Meeting and further discussions on fencing, the irrigation system required for the site, and the fact that it would appear that detailed work on a drainage mitigation system is still required. It was confirmed that sport and recreational use can be an exception to development in the Green Belt if it is for an appropriate use in the Green Belt, which this would be. Some Councillors have no objections provided the proposals meet all relevant criteria for development in the Green Belt (the Proposal), whilst others have no objections to the proposals but feel that the building is too big to constitute appropriate development in the Green Belt (the Amendment). Following a vote on the Amendment first, followed by the Proposal, it was Resolved: That the Parish Council has no objections provided the proposals meet all relevant criteria for development in the Green Belt.
2)14/00699/FUL – Erection of a detached outbuilding with garage/cycle accommodation at ground floor and office/storage accommodation at first floor. 30 Church Lane, Charnock Richard. Resolved: No Objections.
3)14/00787/FUL – Proposed upgrading of existing base station comprising replacement of existing 20m high mast with a new 21m high lattice tower incorporating 4 antennas (top of antennas 24m above ground level), 2 no. 0.3m dishes, relocation of 3 no. 0.3m dishes from existing mat and 2 no. new enclosure cabinets. Vodafone Telecommunication Mast 37651, Delph Lane, Charnock Richard. Resolved: No Objections.
- Accounts
Accounts for Payment:
Collins & DarwellNewsletter Printing costs £75.00
North West ToolsHi VI Waistcoats for the Lengthsman £31.20
Royal British LegionWreath and Crosses to commemorate WW1 £45.00
Mrs StewartHonorarium for conducting Internal Audit £25.00
Mrs C A CrossReimburse 50% cost of new printer & inks (£132.94) £66.47
Mrs C A CrossSalary – (Net) £479.67
HM Revenue & CustomsTax due by Clerk £62.00
Pole Green NurseriesPlants used by the Lengthsman £58.91
Resolved: That the aforementioned Accounts are approved payments.
- Lengthsman’s Payment - 106hours @ £7.50 per hour = £795.00. Resolved: Total Paid £795.00. Following the Lengthsman’s suggestion the Parish Council agreed that removal of dead weeds sprayed by Chorley Council should be completed in the centre of the village only as it would be too onerous to undertake this in the whole Parish.
Next Meeting:Monday 1 September 2014
Members of the Public and Press are Welcome to Attend
Meeting Closed: 9:55 pm
REPORT 1
Matters arising from the Minutes to be noted by the Parish Council:
a)Notification permission has been GRANTED for outline application for erection of 2 detached houses, 94 Chorley Lane.
b)Notification and appeal against the Chorley BC decision has been WITHDRAWNfor retention of static caravan for use as an office, Lancaster House Farm, Preston Road.
c)Notification permission has been GRANTED for erection of a single storey garden room extension, Cross End House, BackLane.
d)Notification permission has been GRANTEDto undertake works to protected trees to clear vegetation from overhead high voltage power line covered by TPO 2 (Park Hall) 1974. Former Camelot Theme Park, Park Hall Road.