WHALLEY PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 20th October 2011 at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church Hall, Whalley.

 

Present:                 Councillor M Highton (Chair)

Councillor S Barker

                             Councillor E Ronnan

                             Councillor M Diack MBE

                             Councillor J Brown        

                             Councillor M Fallon

                             Councillor S Earnshaw

Apologies:             Councillor J Taylor                  

                                                          

In attendance:        Fred Holland         Clerk to the Parish Council

                                               

Members of the public – 4

 

362/11 to receive declaration of interests

 

No declaration of interests were received

 

363/11 to approve as correct the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th September 2011

 

It was resolved that the minutes of the parish council meeting held on 15th September 2011 be approved as a correct record of the meeting

 

364/11 to receive minutes of other Committees

The Planning Meeting minutes of the 15th September 2011 and the Whalley and Wiswell Joint Burial Committee minutes of the 5th August 2011 were presented to the meeting.

365/11 to receive reports of Councillors from other committees (information only)

Cllr Earnshaw reported that the Joint Burial Committee had met at which discussion took place on: dedicated e-mail address; removal of a memorial kerbstone and the difficulty in contacting relatives; quotations for the flagged area; fencing; land drain; issues raised by the external audit; planning permission for the board and change of name.

Cllr Fallon stated that the clear up day at the church yard was cancelled due to appalling weather and that the quotation has not been received from Brent Stevenson and Piercy has yet to remove the damaged trees.

Cllr Ronnan stated that the parish council will pay for the materials used by the lengthsman at the burial ground. The Governors of the Adult Centre will write to the leaseholder confirming responsibilities. He met with a LCC representative who will in turn write to the council reporting on the condition of the wall. The Grounds and Gardens committee meeting due to be held on 1st December will provisionally take place on 24th November.

Cllrs Ronnan, Barker and Highton attended the CPRE Forum and applauded Mr Walker on his presentation regarding the effects of future development on the village. A decision to join CPRE will be on the agenda of the next parish council meeting.

Cllrs Highton and Barker met with Cllr Atkinson and LCC officers regarding the consequences of further development in Whalley. The meeting was inconclusive; the clerk was asked to contact Mr Eagle to provide the evidence base used in making statements.

Cllr Highton attended the RVBC Parish Liaison meeting which had presentations by: CAB; Police and Chatburn Youth Forum. He commended Class 5 at Whalley Primary School for their mural at the railway station.

366/11 to receive the external audit for the year ended 31 March 2011 and to approve and accept the report

It was resolved to approve and accept the external auditors report that “on the basis of our review, in our opinion the information in the annual return is in accordance with proper practices and no matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met”. The notice of completion of the audit will be displayed in the parish council notice board for a period of 14 days.

367/11 to authorise the accounts for payments, receipts and balances for September 2011

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payments and receipts presented for September 2011

368/11 to receive a report on improving recreational facilities for Whalley youngsters

A series of meetings are to be arranged

369/11 to receive the Clerks Report (information only)

It was noted that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held on Thursday May 3rd. Additional items added to the circulation folder were: Ribble Valley News; Ribble Valley Railnews and a application update from Taylor Wimpey.

370/11 to receive Borough Councillors Report (information only)

 

Cllr Hill outlined the roles and responsibilities of RVBC planning officers; the possibility of a Mitton Rd woodland entrance for disabled users was considered not feasible; RVBC were considering taking over Whalley Arms car park; the enforcement officer was to visit the taxi office at the back of King St; tree inspections at Proctors Field revealed no problems; Cllr Ranson wished to speed up the Core Strategy process.

371/11 to consider and approve the date of the next meeting as Thursday 17th November 2011

 

It was resolved that the next meeting of the parish council will be held on Thursday 17th November at 7.30pm at Whalley Methodist Hall.  

 

The meeting closed at 9.39 pm

 

 

Signed: ________________________________     Date: __________

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AT COUNCIL MEETING

 

Mr Walker reported on the meeting with LCC regarding congestion in Whalley and the problems affecting the education of youngsters in the immediate area. The problems may be complex but there seemed little recognition of the concerns expressed i.e. there is no congestion.

Cllr Hill provided clarity on when 106 payments by developers should be paid and stated that the MP had expressed concern that the proposals by developers will result in the loss of the identity of the Ribble Valley.

Mr Hardman considered that further pointing was required at the War Memorial. It was agreed that he would meet with Cllrs Diack and Ronnan on site.

Cllr Diack reported problems with standing water on the cobbled area between The Dog Inn and Athertons. The clerk will contact RVBC