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Blackrod Town Council
Minutes of a Meeting of the Blackrod Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Blackrod Library/Council Services on Monday 5th December 2011.
Present:- Councillor Mrs Pat Senior (Chairman)
Cllrs: Mrs A Cunliffe G Farrington M Hollick S Laycock
Mrs B Monaghan C Senior and Mrs M Winward
Also Mrs C Pearson (Clerk) and 8 members of public & press.
220. Prayers
The Chairman’s Chaplain, Father Kevin Foulkes, opened the meeting with Prayers.
221. Apologies
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Mrs LP Barrow and the reasons for absence accepted. Apologies were also received from Councillor S Pickup, Ward Councillor.
222. Notice convening the Meeting
Resolved:- that the notice convening the Meeting be taken as read.
223. Minutes of Pre Budget Meeting – Monday 7th November 2011
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Monaghan seconded by Councillor Mrs Cunliffe and
Resolved:- that the Minutes of the Pre Budget Meeting held on Monday 7th November 2011 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
224. Minutes of Meeting – Monday 7th November 2011
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Monaghan seconded by Councillor Mrs Cunliffe and
Resolved:- that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held on Monday 7th November be received and signed as a correct record subject to the following addition:-
Minute No 197 – ‘that the Council request that the small pedestrian gate to the Blackrod Cemetery be also locked at night along with the double gates’.
225. Matters arising from the Minutes
196 – Provision of Litter Bins – A6 Blackrod By Pass – that it be noted that the lay-bys had not as yet been cleared of rubbish and the Town Clerk be requested to contact Bolton Council again about this.
199 – Boleisha Beacon – that it be noted that the Boleisha Beacon on New Street had still not been repaired and the Clerk again report this to Bolton.
213. Damaged Mail Box on wall at Ridgeway Arms Station Road had still not been repaired.
It was also noted that the overgrowth covering the 30 mph sign at the junction of the A6 Blackrod By Pass and Manchester Road had still not been cut back and Bolton Council should again be contacted as Councillors felt that this is now a Health and Safety issue.
There were no declarations of interest in any item to be discussed.
226. Planning Applications
Resolved:- that the following Planning Applications, details of which had been previously circulated to Members, be now considered for Councillors’ comments:-
87073/11
Lawful Development Certificate (Section 192) for the proposed additional use of dwelling for Community Support at Brown Fold Farm Copperas Lane.
In this case, the Town Council deferred making any comments on the application until more information was sought from the Planning Department.
87086/11
Installation of 5 internally illuminated fascia signs and one totem pole sign at Ramada Bolton Manchester Road
No comments were made on this application other than to note that this was a retrospective application as the signs and totem pole sign had already been erected.
87143/11
Erection of first floor extension at side and rear at No 7 Meadow Way
No comment was made on this application it being noted that again difficulty had been experienced in accessing Bolton Council Planning Search site.
227. Application No 86800/11 –Formation of vehicle access at Scot Lane End CE School
The Clerk read a letter from the Development Officer confirming that the approved spaces (two drop off and one disabled) remain in the above scheme and it was expected they will be created. The letter further stated that a condition on the approval had requested several items of work be completed which will ensure the access is firstly functional, ensure pedestrian safety and to put down waiting restrictions so vehicles do not block up the entrance.
Resolved:- that the letter and information contained therein be received and noted however Councillors felt that the ‘School Keep Clear’ Markings should be retained in order to alleviate problems of parking on Manchester Road. The Clerk was asked to confirm with Bolton Council what waiting restrictions would be put down.
228. Application 80569/08 – Demolition of Industrial Buildings etc at Markland Farm
The Clerk informed Councillors that information should have been obtained in connection with Planning Application No 49622/96 and not 80569/08. Unfortunately this informatio9n was not available for this meeting but would be made available for the next Town Council Meeting.
Resolved:- that the information be received and the matter be placed on the Agenda for the next Meeting.
229. Various Planning matters
The Clerk read a further letter from the Development Officer at Bolton in connection with various planning matters. These included various signs on Scot Lane which had not received planning permission and also the new Nursery at Scot Lane End CE School, Blackrod Interchange which was currently being investigated by the Enforcement Officer and the storage of caravans at Leigh Tenement Farm approval of which had been given solely for storage inside existing buildings and not openly across the site which the Town Council had reported.
Resolved:- that the letter and information contained therein be received and noted and the Town Council await further investigations into these matters.
230. Planning Decisions
It was moved by Councillor Monaghan seconded by Councillor Farrington and
Resolved:- that the list of Planning Decisions made by Bolton Council copies of which had been previously circulated to Members be received and noted.
231. Public participation
Resolved:- that the meeting be adjourned for 15 minutes to allow for public participation.
Planning Application No 856833/11 – Erection of 2 twin bladed 30 metre high wind turbines at Douglas Valley Golf Club. A resident of Blackrod and members of the Blackrod & Horwich Environmental Action Group again expressed concerns at the above Planning Application which had been considered at a previous meeting of the Town Council and the Town Council’s comments forwarded to Bolton. These comments had now been included on Bolton Councils Planning Web Site. The Town Council agreed to request that the Members of the Bolton Planning Committee who were due to visit the application on Thursday 8th December be also asked to visit No 38 Nightingale Road in order to get the full impact of the views from this and other properties on Nightingale Road if the turbines went ahead.
232. Consultation on reforms to Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations
Members considered a letter from Planning Strategy at Bolton copies of which had been circulated to Members which outlined a new levy, The Community Infrastructure Levy, that local authorities can choose to charge on new developments and would allow authorities to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their area ie new or safer road schemes, park improvements or a new health centre. The letter further stated that where there is a locally elected council for the area ie town/parish Council, a proportion of this levy must be passed to them to spend as they seem fit. The matter was still under consideration by Bolton Council.
Resolved:- that the letter and information contained therein be received and noted and the matter be placed on a future Agenda for further consideration when Bolton’s decision was known.
233. Bolton’s Allocation Plan
Resolved:- that this matter be placed be placed on the next Agenda for further consideration.
234. Dogs in Blackrod Cemetery
The Clerk read a letter from the Senior Environmental Officer in connection with a request for him to visit the Blackrod Cemetery at 6.00 am when it had been alleged that a resident regularly takes his dog into the Cemetery and lets it off the lead. The letter stated this request was out of normal working hours (7am).
Resolved:-
1. that the letter and information contained therein be received and noted and it was hoped that requesting that the pedestrian gates be locked along with the double gates would act as a deterrent to the resident going into the Cemetery at 6am.
2. that Bolton’s attention be brought to the unlit lights on Manchester Road outside Blackrod Cemetery and other lights on Manchester Road.
235. Meeting with Chief Executive
The Clerk read a letter from the Director of Environmental Services regarding the Meeting which had recently taken place with himself, the Chief Executive at Bolton and members of the Town Council. The letter stated that the parking issue did present the greatest challenge but Bolton would concentrate on the various ideas/options and map out a way forward for discussion with the Town Council. The letter further stated that other issues raised would be progressed to the best of Bolton’s ability subject to current funding constraints.
Resolved:- that the letter and information contained therein be received and noted.
236. Request for Donation
The Clerk submitted a letter from Girl Guiding in Blackrod requesting the Council to once again consider making a donation to them towards the cost of renting premises for Brownies and Rainbows costing approximately £630 – 00 per annum.
It was moved by Councillor Laycock seconded by Councillor Senior and
Resolved:- that a donation of £300 – 00 be made to Girl Guiding Blackrod to help towards yearly rental charges.
237. Greater Manchester Minerals Plan – Notification of Submission
Resolved:-
1. that the information that the above Minerals Plan along with other Documents had been submitted to the Secretary of State in November 2011 be received and noted.
2. that the Clerk check what reference had been made about Blackrod in the submission documents.
238. Boundary Commission for England
Resolved:- that the acknowledgement of the Council’s response to the consultation on the Review of Parliamentary Constituencies in England, be received.
239. Remembrance Sunday Parade 2012
The Clerk informed Council that the Greenfield Band had once again been booked for the Remembrance Sunday Parade in 2012. It was noted however that the charge for the Band would increase to £250 – 00.
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Cunliffe seconded by Councillor Mrs Winward
Resolved:- that the information be received and the Town Council approve the increase to £250 – 00.
240. Blackrod Boxing and Fitness Club
Resolved:- that the information regarding the monies raised by the Blackrod Boxing and Fitness ABA Club be received. An amount of £1,000 – 00 had been raised by the Club and donated to Cancer Research UK.
241. Himalyan Balsam
Resolved:- that consideration of this matter again be deferred until a future meeting.
242. Provision of Skate Park
Resolved:- that consideration of this matter again be deferred awaiting further information from Bolton Council.
243. Provision of Grit Bin – Junction Green Barn Way/Vicarage Road
Members expressed concern at problems occurring at the above junction during inclement weather when motorists were having difficulty existing Green Barn Way on to Vicarage Road owing to the icy condition of the road.
Resolved:-
1. that as a matter of urgency Bolton Council be asked to provide a Grit Bin at this junction.
2. that in the event of this junction not meeting the criteria for provision of a grit bin the Clerk obtain costings from for this to be provided by this Council.
244. Toilet – Blackrod Library
Resolved:- that the Clerk’s report that the matter had been satisfactorily resolved, be noted.
245. Parking in Blackrod
Members considered a report received from the Blackrod & Horwich Environmental Action Group copies of which had been previously circulated to Members in connection with parking problems in Blackrod. Suggestions contained in the report had already been brought to the attention to the Chief Executive of Bolton and the Director of Environmental Services at a previous meeting with the Town Council.
Resolved:-
that the Blackrod & Horwich Environmental Action Group be thanked for this Report and their interest in this matter and a copy of the report be forwarded to the Direction of Environmental Services for his attention and comments.
246. Provision of Christmas Tree and Lighting
The Clerk informed members that a Christmas Tree had now been obtained and planted in the agreed location on one of the grassed areas on Blackhorse Street. The cost of collecting, planting etc had amounted to £1,575 – 00. The tree lighting would take place on Monday 12th December 2011 at 6.30 pm.
Resolved:-
1. that the information be received and the Council approve the payment of £1,575 – 00 for the supply of the tree etc.
2. that the details regarding the tree lighting be noted.
247. Condition of Roads & Footpaths including Public Footpaths
Resolved:- that the following matters be reported to Bolton Council for attention :-
Flooding on PF No 29 (Whitehall Lane); condition of road near junction Station Road/Hillside Avenue; Manchester Road near Play Area road sunk; flooding on A6 near Woodsbarn Farm; rubbish on Lay-bys on A6 particularly the lay by opposite Chorley Road junction and White Lining on Station Road (Tanners Brow).
248. Finance
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Monaghan seconded by Councillor Farrington and
Resolved:-
1. that the Chairman Clerk and two Members sign an Authorisation amounting to £4,487 – 33 (four thousand four hundred and eighty-seven pounds 33p) and dated 5th December 2011.
2. that the Chairman Clerk and two members sign a Transfer from Deposit Account to Main Account amounting to £6,000 – 00 dated 5th December 2011.
3. that the Council authorise the payment of cheques as listed.
249. Site Visit
Resolved:- that no site visit be arranged however Councillors were advised of the Site meeting by Bolton Planning Committee to Douglas Valley Golf Club Which would take place by Bolton Planning Committee on Thursday 8th December.
250. List of outstanding correspondence
Members considered the list of correspondence sent from the last meeting and still outstanding from previous meetings.
Resolved:- that the list of outstanding correspondence be received and in future items on the list should include the up-to-date position regarding the correspondence.
251. Reports from Ward Councillors
Resolved:- that in the absence of all 3 Ward Councillors, they be asked for future Meetings if none were available to attend the Town Council Meeting, could written reports be submitted for the attention of the Town Council.
252. Appointment of Part Time Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Monaghan seconded by Councillor Farrington and
Resolved:- that Mrs Stella Lowis of Horwich be now appointed to the position of Part Time Town Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer on the terms and conditions as set out in the Contract of Employment to be given to Mrs Lowis. The appointment would commence on 4th January 2012, the present Town Clerk terminating her employment on 31st December 2011.
Signed
Clerk
Please note that a printer friendly version can be found as a pdf file on the Minutes Archive page
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