A meeting of the Parish Council was held in Read School, Straits Lane on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 7.35pm
1. Present: Mrs. D. Collinson (Chairman), Mrs. J. Forster, Mr. B. Jeffery, Mr. C. Law,
Mr. A. Mashiter, Mr. G. Nichols, Mr. C. Pollard and Mr. D. Waterhouse
District Councillors J. Waddington also attended the meeting
2. Election of Chairman:
Mrs. D. Collinson was appointed Chairman for the next 12 months. Mrs. Collinson signed the Chairman's Declaration of Office and took the chair.
3. Appointment of Allotments Chairman, Vice Chairman and Representatives:
Mr. C. Pollard was appointed Vice Chairman.
Mr. A. Mashiter was appointed Allotments Chairman
Other Representatives:
PC Liaison Committee - Mr. A. Mashiter and Mr. D. Waterhouse
Police Forum - Mrs. D. Collinson and Mr. Nichols
Lancashire Local Meetings - Mrs. D. Collinson, Mr. C. Pollard and Mr. B. Jeffery
Planning Committee:
Mrs. D. Collinson, Mr. C.Pollard and Mr. B. Jeffery
Senior Citizens' Party Committee:
Mrs. D. Collinson, Mr. A. Mashiter, Mrs. J. Forster and Mr. D. Waterhouse
Footpath Officer: Mr. C. Pollard and Mr. B. Jeffery
4. There were no declarations of interest
5. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
6. District Councillors' Reports:
a) We are continuing to press through the auspices of Lancashire Local for - the introduction of double white lines on the roads out of Read to discourage indiscriminate overtaking and for the speed limits to be reduced; to reposition the Dudley Hill speed signs following the extension of the 30mph speed limit; for the section of public footpath from Straits Lane towards the A671 Whalley Road alongside the former car showroom to be resurfaced and included in the County Council's 2008/2009 Highways budget allocation.
b) The latest statement from Lord Zetland on behalf the Racecourse Consortium advises that Voltigeurs funding arrangements were affected by the global economic problems of last year and therefore the timetable has slipped. However it appears that the Consortium is looking to submit a planning application at around the beginning of 2009.
c) Although within the Parish of Simonstone it does impact on Read and therefore we have arranged for Lancashire County Council to submit a report to the next meeting of the Local to be held at Whalley Abbey on Wednesday, the 4th June 2008 at 6.00 pm in order to review the traffic controls at the junction of Fountains Avenue with Whalley Road and the possibility of a safe crossing for children going to and from the new Store.
7. Straits Lane Traffic:
To ease traffic congestion it was agreed to request Lancs. County Council to consider implementing double yellow lines between Nowell Grove and Lovely Cottage. The school head to be requested to discuss possible parking at the church with the Vicar.
8. Footpath Obstruction:
a) The footpath between Read Hall and Read Old Bridge is extremely narrow, the farmer having erected a fence to contain hay bales. Martin Kersey, RVBC, to be requested to advise the minimum permitted width of paths and to arrange a site visit if necessary.
b) LCC has advised that parking on footways is obstruction of the highway and can only be enforced by the Police. PC Sherratt to be requested to take action.
9. Register of Assets Review:
The revised figure showing annual depreciation was approved. It was agreed to request the Cricket Club to take responsibility for one third of the replacement cost.
10. Change of Banking Arrangements:
The Council has been notified of NatWest's intention to introduce bank charges from 02 June 2008 and it was agreed to transfer banking arrangements to a Barclays Community Account for which included free banking and online transfer facilities.
11. NALC Local Council Review Subscription:
It was agreed to subscribe to the National Association of Local Councils quarterly magazine.
12. Representatives Report:
Lancashire Local Sub-committee - a meeting was held to discuss the system of obtaining grants from the Gateway fund for local organisations at which £1000 had been approved for Read Cricket and Bowling Club to purchased equipment for junior members.
13. Planning Applications & Decisions:
The following applications were received and approved
08/0169 - Conversion of existing double garage to kitchen and dining room with bedroom and bathroom over. New attached single garage at 2 Hammond Drive
08/0278 - Smoking shelter to rear of the premises at Read & Simonstone Constitutional Club, 43-45 Whalley Road
08/0278 - Convert part of car port to form a utility room and toilet at Westways, Straits Lane 08/0320 - First floor extension above existing garage, with dormer windows to front and rear elevations and with balcony to new room over garage at 30 Straits Lane
08/0133 - Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension at 2 Beaufort Close
08/0353 - Extend the curtilage at the front of the properties at 3 and 5 Buckingham Drive
Decisions:
The following planning applications have been approved:
08/0051 - 18 Buckingham Drive
07/1155 - 6 Hammond Drive
14. Statement of Accounts & Annual Governance Statement 2008:
The annual return and statement of assurance for the year ended 31 March 2008 were approved and signed by the Chairman on behalf of the Parish Council.
15. Finance & Accounts:
A payment was authorised prior to the meeting:
a) Ribble Valley Borough Council - printing - £18.00
Payments:
b) Lancs. County Council - use of room - £150.00
c) NALC - £17.00
Receipts:
Ribble Valley Borough Council - £7000.00
16. Recreation Ground:
a) The playground equipment is satisfactory.
b) The waste bin was recently set on fire, the police attended and have been given a copy of the CCTV recording of the incident.
c) PC Sherratt to be advised that there are further problems with juvenile drinking behind the bowling green. This had improved when there had been are regular police presence.
d) The new Cricket Club Lease was currently being prepared. A clause had been included for the rent to be revised at three yearly intervals.
17. Items for the next Agenda:
A. Straits Lane Traffic
B. Parking at Read Church
C. Footpath Obstruction
18. The date of the next meeting was arranged for Wednesday, 2 July 2008 at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 8.30pm.
| 