web analytics

Draft Minutes AGM and Meeting May 2025

Draft Minutes AGM and Meeting May 2025

May 22nd, 2025

Please note:  these minutes are published in DRAFT formation and will not be approved until the next Council meeting on 19th June at which time amendments or corrections may be made

 

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting and AGM held on:  Thursday 15th May 2025 at YIPs Centre, Inskip

 

Present:

Cllr Carol Berry (CB) Chair

Cllr Samantha Readyhough (SR) Vice Chair

Cllr Geoff Carter

Cllr Nick Danby (ND)

Cllr Dean Faria (DF)

Cllr Phil James (PJ) 

Clerk:  Susan Gilbert (SG)

Members of the Public:               

9

Apologies:

none

Cc:

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

 

Meeting opened:            19:00

Meeting closed:             21.15

 

Minutes of the AGM – Inskip with Sowerby Parish Council

 

  1. Minutes of the AGM held 16th May, 2024. 7pm
  2. Chairman’s report :

 

INSKIP-WITH-SOWERBY PARISH COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025

 

The past 12 months have certainly been busy, as usual for the parish council.

I am extremely proud of what we have achieved. I am grateful to every member of the parish council for the time and effort they contribute on behalf of our residents.

I would like to highlight some of the things we have achieved this year:

Communications with residents – Newsletter circulation, FB page updates, early publishing of draft minutes, noticeboard kept updated and a community event is planned for the autumn.

Community support – Support for new groups starting up at YIPs continues to be available and this has helped groups to ‘give it a try’. The PC is pleased to work with residents to enhance facilities in the village. Examples of some great work are: the bowling club striving to introduce junior bowling for the local children, the church organising a coffee morning on the first Friday of the month and YIPs organising the take-away on the last Saturday of the month, which really brings residents together!

Resident support – Planning issues, flooding around Woods Lane, dog fowling and hedge trimming are routinely addressed. The defibrillators in the village are checked and maintained monthly by the Councillors and ‘The Circuit’ national database is updated by the clerk.

Highways – Following lengthy disruption from the work of Energetics we are still pushing for reinstatement of the damaged verges. Speed and road markings are still an issue. Some pot holes have been repaired.

Carrs Green & Village Footpaths (PROW) – The Maintenance calendar has had a positive effect on keeping the footpaths accessible. There has been some improvements to some of our village footpaths but some remain impassible. Work is ongoing to create a footpath booklet which will help residents to use the footpaths, reinforce the country code and encourage walkers to report issues. There has been a decrease in fly tipping incidents following the opening up of the corner on Wood Lane (fingers crossed). Wyre Rangers carried out a cut back and pollard on Carrs Green

In Bloom – The In Bloom committee have worked hard to ensure the beds through the village are always in bloom with perennials, wildflowers and bulbs. They were awarded Silver by WIB which is a great achievement for the first year! I am sure that the addition of the community garden will be a great addition to their portfolio. The PC have replaced some of the flower tubs and supplied hi viz vests to the team and the lengthsmen, as well as a warning sign, to keep them safer on the roads.

Lengthsmen – Plans have been agreed for ‘No Mow May’ that ensure the village is kept tidy and some areas are left natural to support wildlife. The PC is to supply a water carrier to the lengthsmen so they can water the beds and tubs.

PC admin – Reminders have been created in the calendar for regular newsletters and annual events.

Looking forward to the next 12 months, there are some things that I believe we should focus on:

Neighbourhood Plan – The parish council has agreed to invest in a formal neighbourhood plan. This will give us a clear vision of how we want our village to look and feel in the future. The plan will assist us with things like:

  • New housing development – we are in an ever changing political landscape but if we have a view on new development, we can put our view forward and it has to be considered. If we do not have a plan our views cannot be considered
  • Traffic calming – we need to explore the options as this will help with other issues, such as Dead Dam Bridge and obviously safety for our vulnerable road users
  • New bus shelter – we need to get funding and create something in keeping with the village
  • Improved flood warning on Woods Lane
  • School parking
  • Gateways / Welcome signs

We also need to continue with the other actions, such as pushing for action from the Flood Committees, a plaque on the Common commemorating the work of Mike Ainsworth and the introduction of Young Inskip Parish Council.

All of these things, and everything else that crops up, take up a lot of volunteered time from our Councillors and I am very grateful for that. Having had time off for ill health recently, I am appreciative of the additional workload they have taken up.

There is also support from residents who take an active interest in our community, whether that is suggesting ideas, reporting issues or getting involved and making sure things get done. A great example of this was the community garden – a real example of community spirit, well done, and thank you! One thing that I would like is more attendance at the monthly meetings. After a warm start in 2023, we now average around 6 to 8 people and I would like to maintain this or increase it. We need to reiterate the message to residents that this is their parish council and their meeting!

I would like to thank the In Bloom committee for all of their efforts. I would like to thank our lengthsmen Lucy Berry and Scott Forbes for their commitment to support our needs.

And last, but not least, none of this would be possible without the work of our Parish Clerk, Sue Gilbert and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her efforts.

Thank you

 

Carol Berry

Chairman, Inskip-with-Sowerby Parish Council. May 2025.

 

  1. Election of Chairperson.

Cllr Carter nominated by Cllr James, seconded by Cllr Danby.   Cllr Carter accepted the role.

Election of Vice Chairperson

Cllr James nominated by Cllr Carter, seconded by Cllr Faria.   Cllr James accepted the role.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Agenda

  1. Open Forum
  2. Minutes of the last meeting held 17th April, 2025.
  3. Footpaths report – Mr Brian Dearnaley
  4. Wyre in Bloom – Claire Nash
  5. Neighbourhood Plan
  6. Matters Arising from last meeting
  7. Highways
  8. Planning
  9. Carrs Green
  10. Defib check confirmation
  11. AOB
  12. Parish Admin

 

Next meeting Scheduled for:  Thursday 19th June, 2025

Status:  DRAFT 

Chair: Cllr Geoff Carter

Date: (date of approval to be inserted here) 

 

  1. Open Forum

1.1 A resident reported that he has reported two overgrown hedges on Derby Crescent repeatedly since January.  LCC have attended and reported that they have been cut back. Cllr Salter advised that LoveCleanStreets App is the first port of call and he could chase up any non-action as he will do with this case.

1.2 Cllr Salter asked whether parish council has any more information on creating a Junior Parish Council.  He advised inviting them to the first part of the next meeting. Cllr Readyhough agreed to action this.

1.3 A resident said he was disappointed that work had been done on the grass verges in Woodplumpton area before the verges in Inskip although the work has been outstanding in Inskip far longer.  Clerk to forward the email trail to Cllr Salter to follow up.

1.4 A resident stated that he considered the work done on potholes was shoddy and cited the pothole that had been repaired at Crossmoor.  Cllr Salter agreed to investigate and follow up. See 7.7.1

1.5 Cllr Salter stated that LCC had again investigated the gullies around Woods Lane and Catforth Road and they are still blocking up with silt.  He agreed to follow up.

 

  1. Minutes of the last meeting – held Thursday 17th April, 2025.

Agreed as read. 

  1. Footpaths Report

Mr Dearnaley stated that footpath 10 (Higham Side Road) still has not been attended to. Also footpath 28 (Moss Lane) has not been cleared.  Clerk to forward latest confirmation received regarding fp 10 from LCC to Cllr Salter to chase. 

  1. Wyre in Bloom

4.1 The lengthsmen have requested a plastic water tank for the purpose of watering the flower bed. The cost is £48 for 50L/£90 for 100L. Council agreed to purchase the larger of the two. Clerk to action.

4.2 Claire Nash advised that plants will be purchased, collected and planted next week.

4.3 Claire also advised that a new member has joined the team and is responsible for the flower bed at Hornby Lane. 

  1. Neighbourhood Plan

5.1 Parish Council attended a meeting on 12th May with Wyre Council.  The purpose of the meeting was for Wyre to determine whether the Committee of the Inskip Neighbourhood Plan, recently approved by Wyre, proposes to be able select the specific parcels of land put forward for future development or would prefer for Wyre to be in control of this.  Council unanimously agreed that parish council should be able to select appropriate locations in the future, if and when housing extension demands occur, and instructed clerk to put this decision in writing to Wyre.  

  1. Matters arising from last meeting

6.1 Council has received a letter from DPS informing that the drivers will be reminded of the necessity to keep speeds low through the village.

6.2 Wyre informed Council that it was not within their schedule to cut the grass without mulching but would try to keep to the 2-3 weeks schedule. Cllr James stated that he had noticed that the job done in Fleetwood is much better, clerk to write to Wyre to ask why the standards differ.

6.3 Wyre informed Council that an area could not be granted a PSPO (Public space protected order) until it came up for review which was roughly every three years.  At that time, parish council should be asked for comment.

6.4 Wyre have agreed to plant a new cherry tree on the banking on School Lane to replace the one taken down due to disease.  The planting season for this is around November.

6.5 Cllr Salter provided an update on the repainting of the roads.   Whilst the lettering has been painted the white lines would likely take much longer to be agreed to be done. Cllr Salter has looked at the white lining, taken photographs and is following up. He suggested residents also report on the LoveCleanStreets App, stating the more reports the better.

6.6 The Caravan and building materials on the verge on Sowerby Road is deemed by LCC to be on private land and they are therefore unable to intervene.

6.7 A newsletter has been distributed to all residents. 

  1. Highways

7.1 The road repair on Preston Road, Crossmoor is again sinking.  Cllr Salter agreed to investigate. 

  1. Planning

8.1 The following Planning applications have been submitted to Wyre Council

Application Number: 25/00405/FUL

Proposal: Proposed single storey side and rear extension to existing dwelling, erection of porch to front elevation and erection of detached single storey summer house and storage building to rear of property

Location: 12 Nelson Gardens Inskip with Sowerby Preston Lancashire PR4 0TR

 

Application Number: 25/00343/FUL

Proposal: Erection of stable building and extension to existing covered area, new sand paddock and turn out pen, attenuation pond and internal access tracks associated with private equine use

Location: Green Nook Farm Carrs Green Inskip-with-Sowerby Preston

 

Ref. No: 25/00395/COUQ

Proposal: Prior Notification under Class Q of the GDPO for the conversion of the first floor of an existing agricultural building to create living accommodation (C3), the ground floor will remain in agricultural use

Location: Pinfold Permaculture Farm Moss Lane Inskip with Sowerby Preston Lancashire

8.2 Pad End Barn, Pinfold Lane has received a demolition order. An appeal was rejected therefore the demolition order stands. 

  1. Carrs Green

9.1 The information board will be repaired and replaced in the near future. Thanks goes to Jonathan Newbold for agreeing to do this. 

  1. Defib check

10.1 Two replacement batteries have been purchased for defibs.

10.2 Defib checks have been carried out – all OK

10.3 The unit at the Derby still needs to be relocated, Cllr James agreed to speak to landlord again.

10.3 Information lodged with The Circuit   

  1. AOB

11.1 A resident complained that a guard dog and handler currently guarding 15 Manor Road was constantly barking when people walked past and becoming a nuisance. Council unable to intervene.

11.2 A resident on Carrs Green asked for permission to access her rear garden via the common for essential work that needed to be carried out. Councillors agreed.

11.3 A resident offered to remove a dead deer from Woods Lane. Council expressed their thanks.

11.4 A piece of play equipment on the park has been broken.  Clerk reported to Wyre who speedily removed it and agreed to replace/fix.

11.5 The organiser of Elswick and Inskip Junior Football Club has made an enquiry whether Inskip has any parish land that could be used as a football pitch. Councillors agreed there was no parish land suitable but suggested asking the Mike Hardman, Blackpool and Fylde Dog Club for use of the show field. 

  1. Parish Admin

12.1 Cheques presented for signature:

Chq 1487 – Eyecatchers, printing.

Chq 1489 –  Wel Medical 2 x Defib batteries

Chq 1488 –  Zurich Municipal – Annual Insurance Premium

Chq 1490 – Open Spaces annual subscription

Chq 1491 –  S Gilbert, Clerks Wages

Chq 1492 –  LV Berry- lenthsmen expenses

12.2 A Financial Risk assessment has been created and signed off by the Chairman for the current year.

12.3  Further to 12 12.1 April 2025 minutes, minor amendments have been identified by the internal audit and as such, the AGAR returns were re-signed and re-dated by the Chairman. They will be published on the website in the near future.  All councillors in agreement.

  1. Outstanding Issues

13.1 Heras fencing, Pinfold Lane

13.2 Footpath maintenance, FPs 10.41.11.28

13.3 Information sign, Woods Lane

13.4 Road repainting

13.5 Bowling club car park signs.

13.6 Grass verge repair by Energetics.