web analytics

Parish Council Meeting Minutes October 2021

Parish Council Meeting Minutes October 2021

November 18th, 2021

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on:  Thursday 21st October 2021 at the Baptist Chapel Hall, Preston Road, Inskip

Present:
Cllr Phil James (PJ – Chair)
Cllr Carol Berry (CB)
Cllr Martin Delaney (MD)
Cllr Alan Lingard (AL)

Clerk:  Mike Ainsworth (MA)

Members of the Public:   Mr. Mike Farrow; Mr. Brian Dearnaley; Mrs. Eileen Dearnaley

Apologies:  Cllr Geoff Carter (GC); Cllr Chris Houghton (CH)

Cc:
Parish Councillors; Joanne Porter (Wyre Council); Wyre Cllr Susan Catterall; Wyre Cllr Peter Cartridge; LCC Cllr. Matthew Salter

Meeting opened:   19:00
Meeting closed:   20:42

Agenda

  1. Open Forum for the general public
  2. Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 16th September 2021
  3. Matters arising from the last meeting
  4. Planning
  5. Carrs Green
  6. Financial matters
  7. Any other business

Next meeting Scheduled for:  Thursday 18th November 2021 at 7pm

Status: APPROVED

Chair: Cllr. Phil James
Date: 18th November 2021


  1. Open Forum
  • Farrow (MF) provided an update on the resident who appeared to be operating a vehicle repair business from his domestic address and asked for assistance from the Parish Council. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk write to the Wyre Chief Executive asking for an update with regards to the resident complaint. It was suggested that MF write also. New Action 10.21/1
  • The Parish Clerk reported that the Environment Agency provides a public website detailing all their waste licence Absence of a record was not definitive however as the licence might have been registered at a different address. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk should write directly to the Environment Agency reporting residents’ concerns that waste materials might have been disposed of incorrectly. Action 9.21/1 – carried forward
  • Parish Councillors thanked Mr. Dearnaley for providing the Health and Safety Executive “Advice for farmers, landowners and other livestock keeper”, which describes their responsibility for protecting members of the public on public footpaths and other open access land. It was agreed that the proposed Information Panels describing the “green stroll” across farmland towards Carrs Green should include text warning of the potential risks in crossing cow meadows.
  1. Minutes of Last Meeting – approved as read.
  1. Matters Arising
  • Updates on outstanding actions and ongoing issues are provided at the end of the minutes.
  • With regards to parking on Preston Road LCC Cllr. Matthew Salter had advised that there was little that could be done at this location as parking here did not constitute a constraint on free passage of vehicles on the main road and that LCC could not take action. He advised that it might be best for the Parish Council to advise residents of the impact of parking here. Parking on the pavement would be a matter for the police but there was little confidence of any action being taken. It was noted that parking of the pavement was rife in Inskip as elsewhere. It was felt that it would be worth including a section on this is any future parish newsletter.
  • With regards to rumble strips the Parish Clerk reported that LCC Highways have confirmed that rumble strips were suitable for Inskip and detailing potential costs for their installation. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk would again ask LCC to re-instate rumble strips at Inskip. Action 7.19/2 – carried forward
  • Traffic calming signage was also discussed. It was agreed that residents should be asked for advice in a future parish newsletter as to what forms of traffic calming signage might be most appropriate at Inskip.
  1. Planning – James asked for an update on the proposed revision of the Local Plan. The Parish Clerk said that other than asking for confirmation of Planning Ambassador nominee that no further progress had been signaled.
  1. Carrs Green
  • The Parish Clerk highlighted that ponds had been scraped out and that Footpath No. 15 had been upgraded adjacent to the boardwalk in the north-west corner of the Common. It was agreed that fencing was not required for the ponds as reeds and other vegetation will surround them in due course. The Parish Council discussed whether life preservers should be provided or warning signage. Cllr. Berry felt that providing life preservers would be relatively cheap and Cllr. Delaney suggested that a professional risk assessment might be carried out. The Parish Clerk suggested that warning signs might be more sensible than life preservers and reminded Councillors that Wyre Council had been consulted back in 2015 who saw no problems with a proposal for a graduated pond surrounded by reeds and other vegetation.
  • With regards to Footpath No. 15 Parish Councillors felt that the aggregate needed to be extended some further 5-10m. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk would ask the contractor to carry out this additional work for which a quote had previously been received. Also for the contractor to make good a problem where the track appears to sink to one side at one place and to apply some aggregate within the kissing gate. New Action 10.21/2
  • The Parish Clerk highlighted actions identified at the site meeting with local ecology professionals for Autumn / Winter 2021. Parish Councillors agreed that the Wyre Rivers Trust be asked when they would pollard willows adjacent to main road by Tank Trap and prune or coppice willows encroaching into lower course of Tank Trap into an arch-like structure. New Action 10.21/3
  • Parish Councillors agreed to now commission the selected contractor to clear the section of Tank Trap by willows towards downstream end of Tank Trap in a sympathetic manner under advice from the Wyre Rivers Trust. Actions 10.21/2 and 10.21/3 refer
  • A sycamore tree on the south side of the main road adjacent to the Tank Trap had been highlighted for removal and the Parish Council confirmed that the selected contractor should now be commissioned to carry this out. Action 10.21/2 refers
  • It was also agreed that the Parish Clerk would liaise with Wyre countryside volunteers about the proposed removal of willow saplings from old pond and saplings across the Common focusing on removing non-native specimen such as sycamore but leaving native species such as oak when practical. Removed saplings to be made available for replanting elsewhere. New Action 10.21/4
  • Parish Councillors discussed the proposed Information Panels. It was agreed that in addition to highlighting the potential risks in crossing cow meadows the Information Panel in the centre of the village should also mention the war graves at St. Peters Church and include the Parish Church walk on the map included on the Information Panels. It was agreed that the one remaining stock image be replaced and Cllr. James agreed to supply some additional images for inclusion. New Action 10.21/5
  • It was proposed that the quantity of text be reduced and that a narrative be constructed giving a different aspect of the story on each panel. The Parish Clerk agreed to prepare revised the Information Panel texts for final sign off at the next meeting. New Action 10.21/6
  1. Financial Matters
  • A financial statement was prepared by the Clerk and distributed to members by email in advance of the meeting, which was noted and approved by Parish Councillors.
  • The annual Risk Register was also circulated ahead of the meeting, which was also noted and approved by Parish Councillors.
  • Payments approved at the meeting: Clerk Salary; PAYE; Clerks Expenses; Lengthsman’s fees; Wyre-in-Bloom costs; Carrs Green development costs (3 items); Room Rental (Baptist Hall).
  1. Any Other Business
  • Berry raised the subject of the location of additional defibrillators subject to funds being raised for them. Two potential locations were proposed: The Stables in Sowerby Road; and Throstle Nest Farm in Hornby Lane. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk should write to the owners seeking their permission. New Action 10.21/7
  • With regards to the relocation of the defibrillator at the Derby Arms, the Parish Clerk reminded Councillors that he was awaiting a quote from an electrician. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk should follow this up. New Action 10.21/8
  • Lingard reported that the Lengthsman was having to use his own permit to use the household recycling centre and asked whether it was not possible for him to receive a Lengthsmans’ exemption for use when attending at the household recycling centre on Parish Council business. It was agreed that the Parish Clerk would investigate this. New Action 10.21/9
  • The Parish Clerk also noted the proposed closure of part of Woods Lane scheduled for February next. Cllr. James stated that Cllr. Delaney had suggested that it would be helpful if LCC were able to improve the layby near the foot of the lane at the same time. New Action 10.21/10