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/ Longridge Town Council
Council Offices, The Station Building
Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3JP
Telephone: 01772 782461
email:
website: www.longridge-tc.gov.uk

Mission Statement

Endeavour, through foresight and leadership, to enhance quality of life for Longridge residents and visitors. Working to enrich facilities and nurture opportunity,

to protect and improve the built and natural environment, and promote community pride.

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Proceedings at a meeting held on 22 November 2017.

Present: Cllrs P Byrne (Chairman and Deputy Mayor), S Ashcroft, D Moon, G Priest, A Odix, S Rainford, R Adamson, R Beacham

Min No / Action
2260 / Cllr Byrne welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2261 / Apologies for absence.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs M Everett, J Rogerson, S Tyrer
2262 / Declarations of interests & written requests for disclosable pecuniary interest dispensations
None
2263 / Andy Winter - Local Policing Inspector – Pendle and Ribble Valley
Cllr Byrne introduced Andy Winter the local policing inspector and Chief Inspector Jameel Murtza to the meeting.
Insp Winter told the meeting that both he and Chief Insp Murtza had listened to the concerns and hopefully would be able to address some of the issues. If some issues couldn't be addressed this evening then they would take away and get to the Council.
The priority was anti social behaviour for Longridge.
Across Ribble Valley there were 12 Community Beat officers, 9 PCSOs and 1 early action officer. Assigned to Longridge were 2 sergeants and 2 PCSOs working from Longridge Police Station, although the front desk was closed. One of the PCSOs would be leaving shortly but a new PCSO has been posted to Longridge.
Anti Social behaviour weekends had been carried out in recently in Longridge and would be repeated.
Rural crime was another priority for the police and operations would be carried out on a regular basis.
Presently support for local officers came from Colne but there were moves to change that to Greenbank in Blackburn. It was felt that this would result in some improvements in Longridge.
Some issues had been brought to the Inspector's attention already: issues such as intimidation, criminal damage, drugs. This is a not just a police problem - it is a community problem and work was needed through partnerships Police/other agencies/Council/Parents.
An anti social behaviour patrol on top of the normal policing team would be put in place.
It was important to acknowledge that police can't tackle the problem alone other solutions CCTV/lighting solutions were also needed.
Cllr Rainford said that she missed the meetings with the police although we wished to work as a community because the meetings don't happen how can we work with you?
Insp Winter replied that there is alot of worth for police officers to attend meetings like this to understand what the issues are.
Cllr Ashcroft asked how many Crime Behaviour Orders had been issues in the last few years?
The Inspector would report back to LTC.
Cllrs brought other issues to the Police's attention:
Drugs - this would be tackled through anti-social behaviour patrols.
Speeding - most enforcement was through LCC and complaints could be lodged on their website.
101 number - waiting 25 mins for an answer - the Inspector agreed that the public had lost confidence in reporting to this number. Money was being invested to ensure contact room is fully staffed.
Last night shopping could there be a police presence as incidents had taken place on other late night shopping evenings in the past?
Cllr Rainford asked if the Inspectors would return in 6 months to update the Council of progress.
The meeting was closed at 7.45 for Public Participation
2264 / Public Participation
Questions for the police were taken first-
It was understood that man power had been cut but crime and nuisance is growing. How often are policing policies reviewed?
Insp Winter said that there was a review on the way, they were aware of the Longridge growth.
Instruments for breaking windows etc had been found in the gardens near to the building which were handed over to the police.
Traffic/Parking on Chapel Hill difficult to walk down it when buses were parked and motorists are doing 70/80mph.This was made worse by the building works going on. Cars were also double parked. No parking facilities at St Cecilias for Netball tournament. It was acknowledged that complaints had been made but suggested that a written complaint was submitted in order to get a response. Parking was the subject of numerous complaints to LCC but the Council were struggling to get a response, although this was still been pursued.
People in Sheltered housing are suffering the effects of anti social behaviour and don't feel secure. The Community Beat Officer used to come to the luncheon club and they felt supported but now it has been stopped they feel a bit abandoned. When they ring up they don't get anywhere. Is the CCTV monitored live? The Inspector said he would check.
Chief Insp Murtza said that there was a piece of work called Early Intervention - this included agencies getting together as partners to understand the issues.
Cllr Rainford said that this is why the PACT meetings are so good and would like to see them return she thanked Inspectors Winter and Chief Insp Murtza on behalf of LTC for attending the meeting.
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Barbara Singleton - informed the Council of traffic gridlock and traffic backed up onto Chipping Road and Inglewhite Road - it had been like it for weeks. The pavement was non and the road was a mud bath.
The Council would inform the Enforcement Officers at RVBC
Angeline Humphries representing Dilworth Community Voice. re re proposed development at 46 Higher Road Longridge. Mrs Humphries attended the Council meeting in August and expressed reasons whey this should be refused:
Open aspect - the inspector at the appeal lodged to a previous application commented that the Open aspect should remain and it would be detrimental to the area....
The matter was heard again at the Council meeting, when the applicant attended, 2 months after it was objected to by the Council. The Council then decided to raise no objection.
Mrs Humphries reminded the council of 131 objections to the development.
Cllr Byrne explained that it seemed that alot of what the Council objected to had been taken out however the Council still had concerns about the impact on Club Row and this was brought to the attention of the planning officer in the Council's response to the 2nd consultation on this application. LTC still try to protect the area and had acted on information given to it.
The meeting was reopened at 8.35pm
2265 / Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2017 and any updates of items not on this agenda
The minutes were proposed as a true record with the following amendment - add Cllr Moon to the list of present councillors.
Proposed: Cllr S Ashcroft Seconded: Cllr R Beacham
2266 / Action list
Election
·  Notice of Election posted on RVBC website/LTC website notice board and window - 2 nominations received Election 14 December 2018
Towneley Gardens
·  RVBC have said re setting the flags in centre is a big job and asked for LTC opinion on changing to tarmac? - LTC - no the flags are part of the heritage of Longridge as Longridge stone
·  flags are programmed in for the week commencing 27th November
Remembrance Events
·  Band Safety - email from band member re the police not stopping the traffic during the march and allowing it to come down the opposite side to march
2267 / Streamlining the Action List - this had been done
2268 / Vacancy - An election would be held on 14 December 2017.
2269 / Consideration of planning & Licence applications
Planning Application No: 3/2017/1005 erection of one two-storey building comprising six B1 workshop/office space units with associated parking facilities. (Resubmission of withdrawn application 3/2017/0844) at Chapel Hill Trading Estate, Chapel Hill, Longridge.
LTC: In principle no objection but would remind officer of the traffic issues on Chapel Hill.
2270 / Accounts approved for payment
Initial Technologies Ltd October £38.23 invoice number 55512
Alert Fire & Security Ltd Annual service cover and monitoring cover for the intruder alarm - £504.00 period 01/11/17 - 31/10/18
Terry Lewis October £180.00
Dublcheck invoice 553329 November Cleaning £487.02
The Longridge Band £600.00 marching with the procession on Armistice Day
Proposed Cllr S Rainford Seconded Cllr S Ashcroft
2271 / Receive Reports of meeting attended by Councillors.
None
2272 / Receive Reports from Principal Councils
None
2273 / To receive Reports from Councillors on issues raised by residents and discuss Council response
Cllr Byrne Top Berry Lane car parking across footpath
Cllr Adamson - dogs are being taken onto the skatepark - need signs no dogs allowed Clerk to contact RVBC / Clerk to contact RVBC
2274 / Reports from Working Groups
15.1 Neighbourhood Plan - clerk to complain to consultant about length of time it is taking to be submitted
15.2 Longridge Loop – next meeting to be arranged in new year
15.3 Longridge Vision Group- no results as yet
15.4 The Recreational Field Memorial Working Group - £50 donation from Mr Swarbrick received. Cllr Moon asked if Jane could attend again and allot one hours per week to the group.
15.5 - Towneley Gardens – RVBC will be repairing the flags at Towneley Gardens w/c 27/11/17 unless unforeseeable breakdowns occur. However the Council had been approached for a view on having tarmac instead of relaying the flags. Cllr Byrne proposed LTC do not want tarmac the stone flags should be kept as a feature of the area and tarmac would destroy what it is hoped to be achieved. Seconded Cllr Ashcroft
2275 / Items for the Website
2276 / Remembrance Events - there had been a good turn out on Sunday for the March. However the Band had highlighted the road safety issue when traffic was let down one side of the road - the Clerk had sent the email to the Policing Inspector, Andy Winter
2277 / Longridge in Bloom - the first meeting would take place on Tuesday 28 November / Cllr Adamson
2278 / Precept - budget working group report Cllr Adamson reported that the group had considered the bank reconciliation to 30 October, looked at the budgets for 2017/18 and looked at proposed budgets for 2018/19. They looked at projections of 3, 4, 5% on the 17/18 band D charge and proposed to the Council a 3% increase which would give a precept of £70492.
Cllr Ashcroft said that the Council were not in a position to set budgets but was happy to set the precept at a 3% increase for 2018/19.
Cllr Byrne thanked the budget working group.
3% increase proposed: Cllr G Priest Seconded: Cllr S Ashcroft
A vote was taken - unanimous for 3% increase / Cllr Adamson
2279 / Grant Applications - recommendations Budget Working Group
The Parish of St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge - request for £500 (but the parish would be grateful for any amount)2018 will mark the 150th Anniversary of Longridge becoming an Ecclesiastical Parish.The Vicar of Longridge, Revd. Mike Barton is keen for the group to explore ways in which the church family, the school and the wider community can be engaged under the banner of 'Celebrating the past and looking to the future'. The planning group are looking at ways in which this milestone can be celebrated, including not only linking the two church buildings but also our previous mother church at Ribchester. It is hoped to put on exhibitions and concerts, a street party, competitions etc all of which will benefit the town. Also appropriately mark 100th anniversary of WW1.
Budget working group recommended that more information with regards to the inclusion of the whole of the community to the events and proposal from Churches together before further consideration.
Longridge Cricket Club- Longridge Cricket Club is a not for profit organisation - constitution and accounts submitted with grant request - request £1500.00 Replacement sightscreens - quotations are between £1987 and £2,200
Budget working group recommended approval of the £1500 grant
The recommendations were accepted by the Council
2280 / War Memorial Cllr Moon reported that he had put this item on the agenda to establish the principle of working together to get the recreation ground designated as a war memorial RVBC were will to work with LTC and the group to get the land sorted out.
Cllr Moon proposed that LTC notify the group and RVBC that it is happy to work together in respect of the land at Kestor Lane
Seconded Cllr Adamson
Cllr Ashcroft said that if RVBC wants us to work with them re war memorial than this would be a separate peice of work to put covenants on the land
Email to Cllr Hind, Marshal Scott, John Heap, Cllr Rogerson
2281 / Housing and Economic Development DPD Examination in Public - appointed Inspector Mr Richard McCoy will open the Examination on 23 January 2018. Guidance note enclosed. If anyone proposed to attend any of the Hearing sessions an appearance form must be submitted no later than 29 November 2017. The evidence library can be viewed online (https://www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/info/200364/planning_policy/1674/housing_and_economic_development_dpd_hed_dpd/10)