CHARNOCK RICHARD PARISH COUNCIL



CHARNOCK RICHARD PARISH COUNCIL



The Minutes of the Meeting of Charnock Richard Parish Council held on Tuesday 8th June 2021 at

7:30 pm, in the Scout Hut, Charter Lane, Charnock Richard.

(TO COMPLY WITH COVID-19 REGULATIONS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, NUMBERS ALLOWED IN THE SCOUT HUT WERE LIMITED TO 19 AT ANY ONE TIME (including Parish Councillors, the Clerk, and members of the Public). A ONE-WAY SYSTEM IN & OUT OF THE BUILDING WAS IN OPERATION. ATTENDEES MUST SCAN THE TRACK & TRACE QR CODE DISPLAYED OR LEAVE NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS IN THE BOOK PROVIDED. 2 METRE SOCIAL DISTANCING WAS OBSERVED. MASKS OR VISORS WERE WORN INSIDE THE BUILDING. HAND SANITISER WAS USED ON ENTRY TO THE BUILDING. IDEALLY ONLY 1 PERSON FROM EACH HOUSEHOLD WILL BE ADMITTED)

Present: Councillors Mrs A Bishop (Acting Chairman), J Hill, L Cheetham, A Cornwell and H Heaton. Also present Borough Councillor Whittaker.

REPORTS, COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS OF THE PUBLIC, PARISH, BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS PRESENT

(At this point in the Meeting members of the public present can report, ask questions, raise issues and make observations on parish matters or items appearing on the Agenda. Reports, Complaints and Concerns will also be received from Parish, Borough and County Councillors if attending – Once closed the Chairman will only suspend standing orders to allow further participation if it will aid discussions)

Borough Councillor Whittaker – gave an update from Mark Bray, Enforcement Officer, Chorley Council, on the enforcement notice being prepared for removal of development and reinstatement of the land off Croston Lane used as a motocross site. The permitted development rights for 14 events per year will remain in place. However, all the event days have now been used this year and will begin again in 2022. With regard to the public rights of way, hedge and tree removal, all this, and the site will need to be reinstated to what it was before the latest developments took place from 2020 onwards. BC Whittaker reported that the proposals for development off Charter Lane will be discussed at the July Planning Committee Meeting at Chorley Council and the proposals are still under assessment at Chorley Council. BC Heaton reported that the current criteria for development in Charnock Richard remains as it was when previous applications have been submitted for this site, i.e.: small developments and infill. BC Whittaker reported that this site is not safeguarded land but that the applicant will have to justify the proposals. BC Whittaker reported that the Planning Committee Meeting will be a socially distanced Meeting, which members of the public can attend and speak at, but with limited space, in the Lancastrian Room at the Town Hall. Previous applications have been refused using the Policy that small developments or infill will only be acceptable in Charnock Richard, however, there has been a shift recently as today’s Government are suggesting that Local Councils should be building more homes.

Members of the public present – reported disturbances being caused by the residents of the 2 children’s homes on Town Lane. The Police have attended 3 times over the weekend but the problems are ongoing. The nuisance caused to the residents by shouting, screaming, foul and abusive language, smoking and drinking, needs to stop. Parked vehicles at, or visiting the homes, are once again a major issue and vehicles are being parked in front of residents’ homes, some on the pavement and narrowing what is already a narrow access to Town Lane, which could prevent access for emergency vehicles if required. The residents reported that the homes were opened without their knowledge. Residents have been to the homes, and staff have apologised, but the nuisance continues on an almost daily basis. It was reported that the residents are regularly seen walking around the area but no carers are visible. A request for double yellow lines at the junction of Town Lane up to where it widens will be submitted. The Police will be asked if they have any plans going forward to assist with this. Next Stage will be contacted by the Parish Council outlining the nuisance issues and loss of amenity caused to the residents by this ongoing anti-social behaviour. BC Whittaker sympathised with the residents and said the issue may be that these homes are not in the right place.

A resident present gave additional information in relation to the application to convert a garage on Cherry Tree Close to an office. The homeowner, his wife and family are all now working from home. The existing garage cannot fit a modern car in it and they will be parking both their cars off road, 1 on the driveway and the other on the grass (photographs were shown to the Parish Council). BC Heaton reported that he did not think it would be an issue getting planning approval.

Anti-social behaviour from some residents of the social housing on Cherry Tree Close was reported. Some residents’ behaviour is unacceptable, the car park is now untidy and used as a social area. A No Ball Games sign will be requested for the car park to try to stop the ball nuisance. The tenants have been contacted in the past about this and the nuisance stopped for a few weeks but has started again. The Parish Council will follow this up with Adactus.

19. Apologies - Were received and accepted from Councillors A J Shaw, Mrs Butcher, Mrs Watson,

G Brennand, Ms C Jackson and P Leadbetter.

20. Declarations of Interest – Members were asked to consider any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have to declare in relation to matters on this Agenda in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, Parish Council Standing Orders and the Code of Conduct currently in force – Councillor Heaton declared an interest in Planning by virtue of his office at Chorley Council as a Borough Councillor. No further declarations were made at this point however Councillors will declare them should they arise in the Meeting.

21. To Accept the draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and the draft Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on 18th May 2021 - The Draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and the Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 18th May 2021 had been circulated in advance, and it was Resolved: The Draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting (which will be held on file) and the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council were accepted as correct records and were signed by the Chairman.

22. Update on Matters Arising from previous Meetings for note by the Council: Report 1 (page 4) – Agreed.

23. Correspondence and Information items requiring discussion or action:

a) Request for consideration that the start time of the Meetings be brought forward – The Clerk reported views submitted by Councillors who could not attend this evenings meeting. It was suggested that any revised start time must allow for Trustees Meeting which take place prior to Parish Council Meetings. It was suggested that the Planning item on the Agenda could be brought forward to assist Councillors in taking part in important decisions before they may have to leave. Following full discussions it was Resolved – Parish Council Meetings will commence at 7pm going forward and Planning will be brought forward on the Agenda. These arrangements will commence from July 2021.

b) Request from the homeowner of 23 Cherry Tree Close for reconsideration by the Parish Council of the application for conversion of the garage into an office – Following receipt of further information from the householder on this matter and discussions in the public part of the Meeting it was Resolved – The Parish Council will withdraw their objections.

c) Update with tree works on the Mosses Footpath – The Clerk reported the felling of a number of Ash Trees which had taken place over the past couple of weeks. It was confirmed that the existing blanket TPO is on trees on the Cherry Tree Close side of the Mosses footpath. The Ash Trees recently felled were on the opposite site of the path at the rear of gardens on Buttermere Gardens, which are not TPO’d. However, it is understood that Chorley Council have applied to have the remaining trees along the Buttermere Gardens side of the footpath TPO’d. The Clerk questioned the removal of the word “mainly” from the 1991 TPO on Chorley Council website. Removing this word changes the context of the TPO to referring to specific species of trees, whereas, the original wording whilst not mentioning Ash Trees does not specifically exclude them. Removal of the word “mainly” could legalise what has been allowed to happen already on this route. Borough Councillor Heaton agreed to take this matter up with the Tree Officer at Chorley Council. He will arrange a site meeting with Councillors Shaw, Heaton and the Tree Officer to discuss the matter in more detail. It is very important that more weight is given to comments submitted by the Parish Council when tree officers discuss applications for work to TPO’d trees.

d) Request for observations on the Preston & Chorley Housing Need and Demand Study Questionnaire – The Clerk reported Councillor Butchers comments which will be submitted as a response – that housing applications put forward over intensify the village and are not supported by adequate infrastructure. Affordable housing is non-existent as, the type of houses proposed, are large to ensure profitability. Affordable housing included in development does not need to be built in the village which is a flaw in the process as sometimes when land is then sold to another developer, amendments to the application, including house type and size, are approved. Village infrastructure such as highways, drainage, schools and the provision of amenities such as a dentist, a doctors surgery and shops need to be improved to support any development in the Parish. It was reported that the demand for social housing in Charnock Richard is not excessive, nor is it required. It was agreed that whilst some development of the site off Charter Lane is expected, the site must be developed in the right way.

e) Info. from LALC – Details of Dog Theft info. a worrying problem which is on the increase in the North West + LALC Area Committee Update re: the Queen’s Green Canopy/Environment Agency/Membership Drive/Community Payback – It was suggested that community payback funding could be useful for Orchard Gardens.

f) Details of late items of correspondence received – i) Confirmation notice of the Parish Council vacancy has been posted on the Notice Boards - Co-option onto the Parish Council will take place in due course. ii) Notification that the website and webhosting is due for renewal – Resolved – Councillor Butcher is instructed to go ahead with renewal. iii) Request to see if anyone knows an organist or pianist who may be willing to play for a new Gospel Choir starting in Coppull – 2 names were given and contact details will be forwarded to the Clerk. iv) A request for details of a new mum and baby group starting at the Scout Hut to be displayed on the Community Facebook page – This was agreed and details will be forwarded to Councillor Butcher. v) The question of whether Buttermere Gardens is an adopted road, who is responsible for cutting the grass at the side of the roadway, who is responsible for maintaining the grassed areas, tree planting and other planting around the site, were raised – The Council will try to find answers to these questions.

24. Reports, Complaints, Concerns from Councillors - not addressed at the beginning of the Meeting

1) Calendar of amenity grass cutting will be obtained.

2) Councillor Heaton reported that picnic benches in the memorial garden have been removed as they are beyond repair. He suggested that the Parish Council could give the Parish Rooms Committee a grant towards the purchase of new, more robust ones, maybe recycled plastic ones or another material? Councillor Heaton agreed to request a donation on behalf of the Parish Rooms Committee however, it was stressed that if the Parish Council does choose to donate towards this, the replacement picnic benches must be better maintained this time.

3) It was reported that fallen trees have been cleared on the factory path bridleway. Concern remains about the safety of trees on the land adjacent to the public footpath/bridleway on this route. Although not on the public rights of way this land has some dangerous trees which require attention by the landowner. LCC have been informed who the landowner is.

4) Complaints have been received about mud and debris on the road, and the number of vehicles using the site, at The Laurels. Councillor Heaton confirmed that there have been incidences of mud on the road and the landowner has cleaned the road when he has been asked to. A wheel wash has been installed on site however, not all vehicles can go through it. Councillor Heaton confirmed that the landowner is trying to mitigate this.

5) It was reported that work looks to be starting at Pemberton House Farm, Park Hall Road. It appears that they are digging and clearing the site. It was confirmed that outline permission for 6 dwellings has been granted for the site.

6) Councillor Bishop reported that more trees, plants and tools have been donated for use at Orchard Gardens. Councillor Bishop asked for Parish Council permission to advertise on social media for more volunteers to help with the work required at Orchard Gardens which was approved.

25. Reports from Committees and Representatives on Outside Bodies – Confirmation Councillor Watson is interested in becoming the Parish Council representative on the Almshouse Trustees – The Clerk will inform the Almshouse Trustees of the change in representative. Nothing more to report.

26. Best Kept Village Competition and Best Kept Garden Competition – Action required for both competitions. Letters will be distributed to Councillors for nominations for the competition in July. The Lengthsman will be asked to replace with hardwood and stain slats on the bench on the Football Club car park.

27. Planning – The Council will be required to make observations on the following application/s:

1) 21/00649/FUL – Installation of horse walker. Stables 30m North West of 210 Chorley Lane, Charnock Richard - Resolved – No Objections.

28. Accounts

Accounts for Payment:

Parish & Town Training Lancs. Chairmanship Workshop (Councillor Bishop) £25.00

Mrs C A Cross Salary – (Net) £692.44

HM Revenue & Customs Tax & NI due by Clerk £120.06

NI due by Parish Council £10.42 £130.48

Resolved: That the aforementioned Accounts are approved payments.

29. Lengthsman’s Payment - Work undertaken this 5 week month totals 152 Hours (including additional hours for planting and watering) @ £9.00 per hour = £1368.00 Resolved: Total Paid £1368.00.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 6th July 2021 at 7:00 pm at the Scout Hut, Charter Lane.

Members of the Public and Press are Welcome to Attend

Meeting Closed: 8.55 pm

Chairman: Date:

REPORT 1

Matters Arising from the Minutes to be noted by the Parish Council:

a) Notification that a certificate of lawfulness has been granted for a proposed single detached garage. 4 Buttermere Gardens, Charnock Richard.

b) Notification that permission has been granted for single storey rear extension (following demolition of existing single storey rear extension). Rose Lea, Preston Road, Charnock Richard.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST:

If the interest to be declared arises only as a result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council, then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak. If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. You should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision of the matter.

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