LITTLE ECCLESTON WITH LARBRECK PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Thursday 9th March 2023, 7.00pm at Elswick Village Hall, Roseacre Road, Elswick.
PRESENT: Cllr P Bull (Chair), Cllr G Stead (Vice Chair), Cllr J Coleman, Cllr Sandra Milton, Cllr A M Bull, Cllr Steve Milton, Cllr N Smith
IN ATTENDANCE: Jane Lingings (Clerk)
FBC Cllr P Hayhurst
LCC Cllr J Singleton (Agenda Items 6 – 9 only)
Public Participation
No members of the public attended.
1023/23 1. Apologies for Absence
1024/23 2. Declaration of Interests and Dispensations
Cllr Sandra Milton, Cllr Steve Milton Agenda item 5 (pecuniary)
Cllr Sandra Milton, Cllr Steve Milton Agenda item 8 (pecuniary)
Cllr Anne Marie Bull, Cllr Peter Bull Agenda item 7 (non-pecuniary)
1025/23 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting 9th February 2023 as an accurate record and were signed by the Chair.
1026/23 4. Action Tracker
The action tracker of previous decisions of the council was noted and updated.
1027/23 5. Finance
- It was resolved to approve the monthly bank reconciliation.
- It was resolved to approve the cumulative budget report.
- It was resolved to approve payments as below:
Payee Details Net VAT Gross
Salaries/PAYE Staff costs 455.29 0 455.29
J Lingings Admin Reimburse 40.00 0 40.00
J Lingings Admin (22 23) 127.58 15.04 142.62
Mr S Milton Amenity Cleansing 331.43 0 331.43
Aon UK Ltd In Bloom Insurance 90.00 0 90.00
WoodbloX Planter 340.17 68.03 408.20
C&C Supplies Collinson Ltd Grit box refills 183.26 36.65 219.91
Mr J Coleman Planter installation materials 33.64 6.74 40.38
HSBC Bank Charges 10.00 0 10.00
Income: Nil
1028/23 6. Monthly Health and Safety Risk Assessment
Cllr Stead noted that the defibrillator is now registered on The Circuit – the national defibrillator network which connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK. Cllr Stead will upload visual maintenance checks onto this system. It was resolved that Cllr Stead will provide a news item for the inFocus regarding the defibrillator.
Drains – although blocked drains are being reported by Councillors and the Clerk, these do not appear to be actioned in a timely manner by LCC. It was resolved that the Clerk will send the details of outstanding reports to Cllr J Singleton.
Meagles Lane – Cllr J Singleton will make enquiries with LCC with regard to the road condition on this lane, which in areas is totally unacceptable.
1029/23 7. Planning and Licensing
Cllrs AM Bull & P Bull left the room.
Cllr G Stead took the role of Chair.
The following application was discussed and considered:
22/01043/FULMAJ
Valiants Farm Lancaster Road Out Rawcliffe Lancashire PR3 6BL
Change to use of buildings (B8) and land to allow for Event Space (Sui Generis) for up to 5,000 people (43 events per year) including car parking areas.
It was noted that the Parish Council is not a formal consultee of Wyre Borough Council, as Little Eccleston is settled within the boundary for Fylde Borough Council, and therefore was unaware of this application until the consultation periods were drawing to a close; however, the clerk had successfully sought agreement from Wyre Borough Council to submit a response after the deadline dates, in order to allow the Parish Council time to consider the application.
The application was debated at length, and it was resolved that the Council object to the proposal and will submit a response to Wyre Borough Council.
Out Rawcliffe Parish Council had used the services of a planning consultancy to assist with this application and a joint submission on behalf of the Out Rawcliffe, St Michaels and Little Eccleston with Larbreck Parish Councils was submitted from the planning consultant. It was resolved that the Parish Council will contribute £75.00 towards to the cost of this service.
Cllrs A M Bull & Cllr P Bull re-joined the meeting.
Cllr Bull took the role of Chair.
The planning action tracker was noted.
1030/23 8. Amenities/Maintenance/Environment
Cllr Steve Milton and Cllr Sandra Milton left the meeting.
Watering Options 2023 – despite this service being advertised across a variety of media, there had been no enquiries to date. Mr Milton, who holds the Amenity Cleansing Contract, had made a proposal to the Council for discussion, to undertake watering for this year, using the parish water bowser until an alternative solution can be arranged. The watering would be twice weekly, monitoring how dry the beds are but at their discretion/availability if extra watering is required. It was noted that, under these arrangements, to be at a cost of £1,000.
The Councillors discussed this option and agreed that this would be a workable solution for the time being but would continue to ask for community support to ensure that the beds receive adequate water particularly throughout the dry months. It was noted that the contract value had been advertised at £2,000, but with much more detailed service specification, so this proposal would seem to be a fair solution for 2023. It was resolved that the watering proposal from Mr Milton would be accepted and noted that as this service will be paid for (under additional duties within the amenity cleansing contract), public liability insurance is in place, which would be a requirement for an invoiced service.
Cllr Steve Milton and Cllr Sandra Milton rejoined the meeting and were informed of the outcome as detailed above.
Water Bowser: it was resolved that the Parish Council will invest in an appropriate water pump for the bowser with a shower head which would speed up the watering process. Budget allocation maximum £1000.00. Cllr Steve Milton & Cllr P Bull will liaise and investigate options.
Coronation of His Majesty the King: The Parish Council had not been approached by residents in relation to potential community activities or village decorations. It was resolved therefore that no action was required at this time.
In Bloom Community Group: Cllr Bull noted that the group will be meeting this Sunday 12th March to agree discuss ideas and agree plans for more sustainable planting.
Administration: it was resolved that the Clerk will arrange the annual insurance.
1031/23 9. County & Borough Council
Local Elections Thursday 4 May 2023: Local Elections will be held in Fylde on Thursday 4 May 2023. Details are on the Parish Council website and notice boards. It was resolved that the Parish Council would distribute an information leaflet for parishioners who may be interested in the role of Parish Councillor.
FBC: Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTAA) – Wyre Council on behalf of the Fylde Coast Authorities (Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Councils) has commissioned consultants to undertake a GTAA. The assessment is required to provide evidence to inform the review of each of the three authorities Local Plans. This is a requirement is set out in the government’s National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.
The Parish Council as a stakeholder in the engagement process will be asked to complete a questionnaire survey. It was resolved that if the questionnaire is received in-between meetings, the Clerk will coordinate a response from the Councillors and submit using delegated powers.
1032/23 10. Annual Governance Statement
It was resolved to approve the annual governance statement prepared and presented by the Clerk, which will be part of the information presented to the internal auditors information.
1033/23 11. Dispensation Procedure and Application
It was resolved to approve the formal process, prepared by the Clerk.
1034/23 12. Sunnydale Gardens
It was noted that the pedestrian access appeared to have been fenced off. Cllr J Singleton has been informed by FBC that the makeshift barrier and attachments will be removed in the next week and tarmac will be applied to the pedestrian area where appropriate.
1035/23 13. Items for the Next Agenda – to be submitted to the Clerk by: 4.4.23
1036/23 14. Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 13th April 2023