4600
PENWORTHAM TOWN COUNCIL
Meeting of the Council held at the Penwortham Community Centre, Kingsfold Drive, Penwortham at 7.00pm on Tuesday 5 January 2016.
Present: The Mayor, Councillor D Howarth (in the chair)
Councillors D Bretherton, G Crewe, H Hancock, Mrs M Hancock,
K Martin, J Patten, AE Pimblett, S Prynn, D Shaw, R Taylor, A Turner,
I Watkinson, Mrs C Wooldridge, D Wooldridge and T Young.
Members of the public: 10
In attendance: Steve Caswell - Town Manager
Marie Dardis - Democratic Services Officer
101. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Bennett and A Best.
102. Minutes of the Last Meeting
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
103. Declarations of Interest
Councillor D Howarth and Councillor S Prynn declared a non personal and prejudicial interest in the Lancashire County Council Boundary Commission Review item (minute no. 105), as elected members of Lancashire County Council, they had both taken part in discussions and voting on the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) electoral review of Lancashire County Council; but were able, under the Members’ Code of Conduct, to remain in the meeting and take part in the discussion and voting.
104. Communications by the Town Mayor
The Town Council and members of the public observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Town Councillor Gerry Bryce, who recently passed away.
The Mayor reported on the following events:
i) Kingsfold Shops Christmas Window Competition – Thursday 8 December 2015.
ii) Penwortham Town Council Christmas Lunch - Friday 11 December 2015.
ii) CinderEddie Pantomime Performance at Priory Youth Centre on Monday 14 December 2015.
iv) Liverpool Road Christmas Market on Wednesday 16 December 2015.
v) Leyland Brass Band evening at St. Mary’s Church, Leyland on Sunday 20 December 2015.
105. Lancashire County Council Boundary Commission Review
The Town Manager presented a report (further to minute no. 91 of the meeting on 1 December 2015) on the Lancashire County Council Boundary Commission Review.
The Town Manager reported on the proposed parish electoral arrangements for Penwortham and advised that the Town Council had until Monday 11 January 2016 to make representation on the matter.
Councillor Patten suggested that the Middleforth South ward boundary represented the Kingsfold area and proposed that the ward should be renamed to Kingsfold.
Councillor Howarth referred to the proposed numbers of returning members for each of the five wards and questioned why the numbers had changed for Broad Oak, Middleforth North and Middleforth South. Following a short discussion, the Council agreed to write to the Boundary Commission on the matter and that individual groups could make their own representations to the Boundary Commission prior to the deadline.
RESOLVED: i) that the Town Council write to the Boundary Commission for England to suggest that Middleforth South ward be renamed to Kingsfold; and
ii) that clarification be sought on the figures used by the Boundary Commission to calculate the proposed number of returning members for each ward.
106. Town Manager’s Report
i) CEMETERY & WAR MEMORIAL
As the wetter weather approaches greater consideration is being given to the footpaths at the cemetery, keeping them clear of leaves and debris in an attempt to remove the slip hazard. Signs have also been placed in wet areas warning people of the danger of slipping and asking them to take extra care.
Elsewhere the cemetery is still busy with trees and benches still proving very popular.
ii) COMMUNITY CENTRE
As from the beginning of January the youth clubs at Penwortham Community Centre will start again. The two youth clubs will be on Tuesday and Friday evenings and will cater for primary school children on Tuesdays and senior school children on Fridays.
Following the closure of the youth clubs in November 2015 the new start will also include visits to the schools in Penwortham to inform them of the re-launch of the clubs, the day the clubs are open and the age groups.
The regular art groups, keep fit classes, dog training classes, luncheon clubs, job clubs, mother and toddler groups, Alzheimer’s society and the slimming group will resume again in the New Year.
iii) LENGTHS’PERSON’ SCHEME
Penwortham Town Council employs a Town Lengthsman whose role it is to improve the visual impact of the town. This may be simply by litter picking an area or helping an established group within the town to complete an environmental project.
The Town Lengthsman also carries out works on Public Rights of Way, usually as work ordered through Lancashire County Council and thus paid for by LCC too.
Any elected members or members of the public should contact Penwortham Town Council officers in the first instance should they feel works needed could be carried out by the town’s Lengthsman.
The role of the Lengthsman is to carry out works over and above the statutory obligations of the borough and county councils.
Examples of recent works carried out by the Town Lengthsman;
· Valley Road BW 15 – clear fencing and tidy hedge
· Valley Road BW 15 – clear fallen tree and trim back remaining
· Clive Road FP 12 – clear overgrowth
· Penwortham Way FP 52 – clear footpath through to Millbrook
· Braid Close – Clear gulley
· Abbott Meadow – Clear gulley
iv) POLICE “In the Know” updates
To register for “in the know” updates to receive regular information via email please go to the address below and complete the on line form.
https://member-registration.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/137/Join
There has been a recent series of incidents whereby fraudsters either phone or attend the home address of elderly members of the public, claiming to be police officers.
The fake officer/s will claim that they are investigating a fraud which they believe the elderly person to be a victim of. The fake officer/s will then request the bank cards and personal identification numbers (PIN) of the victim and claim these are needed for investigation purposes. If the first contact was made by a phone call, the fake officer/s will tell the victim that someone will be over to collect the evidence. In one case the victim was instructed to attend their local bank and withdraw all of the money from their account. The suspect was left alone in the victim’s house whilst the victim carried out the instructions.
Protect Yourself
· Before letting anyone into your home who claims to be from any law enforcement agency, ask to see their identity card and check it by calling 101.
· Ask if they can attend at a pre-arranged time when a family member or friend can also be present.
· If you receive a phone call from a police officer, ask for their name and force and tell them you will call them back. Wait a few minutes and then use 101 to call them back through their force’s switchboard and verify their identity.
· The Police will never ask for your PIN or passwords. Do not give this information to anyone.
· The Police will never request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them.
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.
v) Further Updates;
Penwortham Neighbourhood Development Plan
The Penwortham NDP is now being consulted upon by SRBC for six weeks beginning at the start of January 2016. Once the consultation is complete the Town Council and Penwortham NDP Steering group will have to consider their response to and comments resulting from the consultation.
Once the responses and any necessary amendments have been completed the NDP will be passed to a government planning inspector. When the inspection has finished and any resulting amendments made the Penwortham Neighbourhood Development Plan will then be submitted for a public referendum. Should the plan be accepted by the residents of Penwortham the next stage is a formal adoption by the planning authority, SRBC. The plan would then be a supplementary planning document used when considering all planning applications within the boundaries of Penwortham.
Penwortham Christmas Markets
Both Christmas Markets enjoyed good weather this year which resulted in excellent attendance at both events. Nearly all of the shops opened at both markets and we had more traders at both events too.
As the markets get busier and their reputation grows the demand for space and stalls grows too. For the 2016 markets further space will have to sought to accommodate the extra demand. Consideration will also have to be given to pitches being booked and traders not using them.
vi) Upcoming Events;
Regular Penwortham Events for 2016;
Penwortham Gala – 11th and 12th June 2016
Paint Penwortham Pink – October 2016
Penwortham Firework Display – Saturday 5th November 2016
Penwortham Remembrance Day Parade – Sunday 6th November 2016
Kingsfold Christmas Market – 1st December 2016
Liverpool Road Christmas Market – 14th December 2016
The Town Manager informed members of the council of a forthcoming training course on planning development within greenbelt land and asked if anyone was interested to let him know.
Councillor D Wooldridge asked the Town Manager for an update following the recent flooding in Penwortham. Councillor Wooldridge suggested that the Town Council write to Central Government and the Lancashire Association of Local Clerks (LALC) to show the Town Council’s support to those communities in the UK affected by severe flooding during the last month, and to urge the government to further support those communities against future floods.
Councillor Pimblett suggested writing to the Environment Agency to ask why the rivers were not being dredged to help alleviate the risks of flooding.
Councillor Prynn raised concern for the public safety of residents that lived in close proximity to the rising water levels in Penwortham and suggested that the Town Council write to the MEP for Preston in relation to this.
A local resident expressed concern in relation to the ditches along Moss Lane and Bee Lane that were full of water. The Town Manager confirmed that this would be reported to South Ribble Borough Council to investigate further.
Councillor Mrs Hancock reported an issue of dog fouling along Millbrook Way and made a request for dog fouling bins.
In response to a question from Councillor D Wooldridge, the Town Manager confirmed that he had received no further correspondence in relation to the 12a Bus Service.
RESOLVED: i) that the Town Council write to central government and LALC in support of the recent flooding victims;
ii) that the Town Council write to the Environment Agency to seek clarification on dredging the rivers to help reduce flood risk;
iii) that the Town Council write to the North West MEP to raise awareness of the recent flooding in Penwortham;
iv) that the concerns raised in relation to the ditches along Moss Lane and Bee Lane and the request for dog bins on Millbrook Way be conveyed to the Borough Council.
107. Questions to the Police
Due to operational priorities the police were unable to be present to respond to questions at the meeting. No issues were raised.
108. Issues raised by Members of the Public (Non-Police Issues)
The Town Council responded to questions regarding:
i) A local resident raised serious concern regarding floating sky lanterns and asked the Town Council to support a ban to release them in the UK. It was confirmed that the matter would be discussed at the Strategy and Finance Committee due to be held on Monday 18 January 2016.
ii) A member of the public raised concern at the potential loss of the 13a bus service in Penwortham. Councillor Howarth confirmed that no decision had yet been made regarding the future of the bus service and that the Town Council would write to Preston Bus to make further enquiries.
iii) A local resident raised the forthcoming centenary of the Battle of the Somme in 2016 and suggested holding a service to mark the event. It was agreed that the matter would be discussed at the Cemetery Committee on Monday 18th January 2016.
iv) A member of the public raised concern regarding the unkempt appearance of 42A Liverpool Road. The Town Manager confirmed that this would be reported to South Ribble Borough Council to investigate further.
109. Development Control – Plans List
A member of the public raised concern over the recent change of use application for 244 Cop Lane and asked the Council to support his objection to the application. Councillor D Wooldridge proposed that due to its location within the Kingsfold Local Centre, the Town Council should not refuse the application as it would contradict the Local Plan and in turn the Penwortham Neighbourhood Development Plan.
It was suggested that if the application was approved that double yellow lines should be extended to neighbouring properties; adequate toilets facilities made available and a protective barrier installed to prevent vehicles from parking on the grass verges.