MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
RIBBY WITH WREA PARISH COUNCIL
Held At Wrea Green Institute
On 8th February 2017 at 19h30
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Apologies: Cllrs. Mrs. L.Shepherd and J.Maskell plus PCSO Pippa Mounsey
Present: Cllrs. Mrs. P. Naylor, N. Craine, S.Kenchington, Mrs. J.L.Wardell, Ms.H.Jones, Mrs.C.Wheatman, Clerk - D. Kirkham, Br. Cllr. F. Andrew and Cty. Cllr. P.Rigby
Congratulations were noted by the Parish Council on the birth of Cllr. Mrs.L.Shepherd’s newborn, Miss Lydia May Carolyn.
There were 5 members of the public in attendance
Declarations of Interest: None received.
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MINUTES
The minutes of the Parish Council meetings held 11th January 2017, which had previously been circulated to all councillors, were approved and signed by the Vice-Chairman.
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POLICE/CRIME and DISORDER
There was no police report provided. The clerk to include notification of a possibility of speed camera training within the forth-coming newsletter.
Clerk to request information relating to shot-gun licenses and what checks are carried out.
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FYLDE BOROUGH/LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCILS
a. Borough Cllr. F.Andrews reported the following:-
Forthcoming Mayor of Fylde named as Cllr. John Singleton with Mr. Ray Thomas as deputy.
Bryning with Warton have received confirmation of the Neighbourhood Development Plan being adopted.
Wrea Green Spar will be closing for refurbishment later in the month.
Br. Cllr. F. Andrews has been monitoring FBC correspondence with special attention to the definition of ‘sustainable’ when relating to property developments. The parish council will be informed when a definitive meaning is forthcoming.
Cllr. Mrs.C.Wheatman noted that she has written to Mark Menzies M.P. in relation to comments made, suggesting that elderly people downsize their property – the question is to ‘where’, when relating to Wrea Green. Awaiting a reply.
Member of public requested the definition of ‘sustainable’ be placed within the newsletter when confirmed by FBC.
b. County Councillor P.Rigby reported the following:-
The Environment Agency has cleared Wrea Brook as far as Cartmell Lane. This will have a positive effect on the flood plain. Cllr. Mrs.J.Wardell questioned if this would continue further but this is unknown as of yet. It has been 36 years since last cleared. Cllr. S.Kenchington asked if there would be on-going maintenance. Cty. Cllr. P.Rigby noted that this would indicate that the EA is accepting responsibility rather than the riparian owner.
Noted – Station Road closure in February.
Noted – the small strip of Ribby Road to be resurfaced – this has been scheduled.
Cllr.Mrs.J.Wardell reported that the pavements on the Fieldings are only partially acceptable and have been damaged by the contractors. Cty. Cllr. P.Rigby confirmed that these would be made good when all development has stopped on the estate. This looks imminent as surveyors recently visited the site.
Cllr. Mrs.C.Wheatman reported the unacceptable state of the footpaths on St.Nicholas Grove – Cty Cllr. P.Rigby to investigate.
Clerk to supply list of areas of concern to Cty Cllr P.Rigby, with regards to pavements.
Meeting closed at 20h00 for open discussion:-
Member of the public reported potholes on Bryning Lane. Cty. Cllr. P.Rigby to report matter to Highways.
Mr.J.Rowson questioned whether the gates are operational at the pumping station. Cty. Cllr. P.Rigby reported current issues with back-silting which is being addressed.
Meeting re-convened at 20H07.
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CAPOW
Mr.John Rowson presented the CAPOW report. (Appendix 2)
Additional:
Preston New Road site – reported that some suppliers have withdrawn their services to Cuadrilla due to the issues arising from protestors.
Housing White Paper – Mr. Rowson has replied to the 36 page report. Commented that the North West is ‘broken’ in the opposite way to the South. The NW has too many properties but the South has too few.
Mr.E.Murphy reported on Bryning Lane and the traffic / development issues. Initially there was little response from Highways, however, a second attempt to contact resulted in a positive response from Glen Robinson and Liam Kirby. The need for traffic calming measures was acknowledged by LCC. If new developments approved, there will be several access roads on Bryning Lane. It was noted that the highway is not wide enough for a bus stop for the approved new service. Visibility splays will need to be incorporated in planning by the developers. Traffic data will be required to formulate the spread of the splays.
Cllr. Mrs.C.Wheatman noted that the development of traffic calming measures may have a negative effect by encouraging development of an area. Cllr. N.Craine noted that the knock-on effect could also be a backlog of traffic in the village.
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PLANNING
6.1 Applications
16/1028 LAND ADJACENT 38 BRYNING LANE : WEST OF BRYNING LANE : NORTH OF BRYNING AVENUE, RIBBY WITH WREA - ERECTION OF 41 DWELLINGS WITH ACCESS FROM BRYNING LANE - It was noted that similar criteria apply to this proposal as with the recently refused application on Moss Side Lane. Additionally, the number of egresses is not viable. The required visibility splays will encroach too far along Bryning Lane to be functional and there is a wall obscuring sight. Drainage will also be a major concern. A general comment that there is far too much development within the parish already with houses of this type remaining unsold currently. The proposed development will also be visible from the Conservation Area. The issue of ‘sustainability’ was questioned - specifically with regards to a rural setting. The development would be outside of the criteria outlined within the Neighbourhood and Local Plans.
Cllr. S.Kenchington proposed refusal. Seconded by Cllr. Mrs.C.Wheatman and carried unanimously.
17/0005 LAND (ADJACENT 53), BRYNING LANE, RIBBY WITH WREA - ERECTION OF 20 DWELLINGS WITH ASSOCIATED ACCESS FROM BRYNING LANE AND LANDSCAPING – The same objections raised in application 16/1028 were noted and applied to this application. Additionally, there has been NO provision made for affordable homes.
Cllr. Mrs.J.Wardell proposed refusal. Seconded by Cllr. Mrs.C.Wheatman and carried unanimously.
6.2 Decisions:- Decisions were noted.
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RECREATION GROUNDS and OPEN SPACES
WREA CRESCENT TREE MANAGEMENT – trees were inspected by several councillors and no evidence of disease as reported by resident. Clerk to contact Mr.Alan Wallbank regarding TPO. Clerk to study land agreement with regards to ownership of the area. If Progress Housing have ownership, clerk to request it be signed over as it is maintained by the parish council. The trees will be pruned as and when required but not by request of residents specifically – advice to be sought.
VILLAGE CLOCKS – clerk informed the council that the village Green clock is awaiting inspection from specialist. Matter deferred.
Request from the village school to contribute to the maintenance funding of clock sited at the school. After discussion of ownership and use of parish funds appropriately, a proposal by Cllr. Mrs.J.Wardell that the school trustees be approached rather than the PC regarding part funding of repairs. Seconded by Cllr. Mrs. C.Wheatman and carried with one abstention.
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VILLAGE ACTIVITIES/HIGHWAYS
NWIB – application approved.
LBKVC – application approved. It was noted that comments received from the public regarding the excellent facilities provided by the parish council at the Wray Crescent play area.
BATTLE’S OVER – to be included within the newsletter. Acknowledgement of interest to be forwarded to organisers.
ABANDONED VEHICLE – Noted.
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FINANCIAL AND STANDING ORDER MATTERS
a. All payments and receipts were outlined within the clerk’s report (appendix 1). These were explained in detail by the clerk and approved by the council.
b. The clerk confirmed the recipients of the 2017/18 grants as previously approved. The W.I. to organise the seniors event. Place within the newsletter.
c. CILCA training confirmed by the clerk.
Consideration to addition to Standing Orders – approved. ‘In exceptional circumstances where the degree of councillors declaring an interest in matters to be debated by the parish council is excessive and, therefore, does not allow a quorum to be formed, the clerk can authorise special dispensation to vote to the exempted councillors, having initially declared the aforementioned interest and also applied for said dispensation prior to discussing the matter in question. This dispensation shall be reviewed annually.’
d. GRANT GIVING – The Wrea Green Institute – all councillors had requested special dispensation, in writing, from the clerk. This dispensation was approved by the clerk for a term of one year and is included within the Standing Orders of the parish. A request was forthcoming regarding a donation to cost of re-surfacing the car park. Car park is open to various members of public as overflow parking. Consideration was given to the proposal. The general consensus was that the councillors would like to assist however, The Institute is a private members’ club; it is private land and the PC must consider that funding comes from tax-payers money from the whole parish. Therefore, as this will only benefit a small proportion of the residents, it is not a viable option to make a donation. Cllr. S.Kenchington to inform Mr. Sweeney as no formal request was received.
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PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS
Clerk attended the District Parish Liaison meeting – appendix 3. Parish Council to support the implementation of a per capita election funding scheme by FBC.
Several councillors and the clerk attended the Oil and Gas Industry expo at the Wrea Green Institute. Cllr. S.Kenchington noted the excellent systems in place for regulation of the Preston New Road site. Staffing will increase at the EA, in relation to the site as further funding is received. It was noted that this is standard practise.
PENSION SCHEME – the clerk confirmed that all areas of the scheme are up-to-date.
LCC PROPOSED BUDGET – Cllr. N.Craine noted that several services will become non-essential in order to reduce expenditure as LCC cannot maintain itself under the current structure.
PARISH CHARTER – (appendix 4) Noted.
CAB – Cllr.C.Wheatman requested assistance in attending CAB meetings when unavailable. Cllr. Mrs.J.Wardell will attend next meeting.
NEWSLETTER – deadline noted as 3rd March 2017
Next parish council meeting 8th March 2017
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CLERK’S REPORT (Appendix 1)
The Clerk’s report, which was circulated to all members before the meeting was approved and signed by the Chairman.
The Meeting Closed at 22.02 hours
Cllr. Mr. J.Maskell 8th March 2017
Chairman