Apologies were given for this meeting from Cllr. A. Sykes and the reason accepted.

Councillors disclosed any personal or prejudicial interest in matters to be discussed at this meeting.

The member of the public raised the rough state of the nameplates in the Village. The paint on the black surrounds are peeling, the Parish Lengthsman had repainted them last Summer.

The Churchtown Society feels that the hedge at Owd Will’s, adjacent to the A586, needs filling in as a number of plants have died since planting. They are appealing to the Parish Council to replenish with young hawthorns to fill the gaps? The Councillors considered that the hedge should be filled in to provide protection from the traffic on the A586. The work will be carried out by the Parish Lengthsman and hawthorn canes will be sought.

Under the Freedom of Information Act it is the duty of every public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme which requires production and publication of the method by which the specific information covered will be available and easily identified by members of the public. The Information Commissioner’s Office has now produced a generic model which was adopted on 1^st January 2009 otherwise the local council would have been in breach of the Act. The generic model and guide to information were discussed and adopted.

Wyre Borough Council is reviewing the control of dogs on all public land within the Borough and is developing a schedule detailing any land where restrictions on numbers, dog bans, dogs on leads, and dog fouling will be applicable. Councillors considered the schedule proposing the use of scoops and dogs on leads for the following areas in Kirkland: Memorial Hall Field, with a total ban on the Play Area.

The document was considered by the Councillors and will be answered.

The Parish Council has been in negotiations with the trustees of Kirkland and Catterall Memorial Hall and is looking to refurbish the play area on the Playing Filed. Lancashire County Council Community Design is asking that the Parish Council resolves to support the re-furbishment of the Memorial Hall Play Area and detail the public support from the community. The Parish Council will then be eligible to apply for a grant to provide a proper plan (blueprint) for the works.

Cash Book and Balance to 31^st December, 2008, Bank Reconciliation and Internal scrutiny checks.

*Wood to repair the bus shelter

Wyre Borough Council has asked that the Parish Council’s precept figure is received by 16^th January, 2009. The draft budget was considered by the Councillors. This included the expenses and income projected for next year and the proposed precept figure.

Nat West had not paid the standing order to Catterall Parish Council for the Parish Lengthsman contract. Therefore the November payment was paid on 10^th December. The situation has been rectified and future payments to March 2009 have been confirmed.

The Parochial Church Council thanks the Parish Council for the donation towards the upkeep of the churchyard.

The following planning application has been granted;

Proposal: Advertisement consent for externally illuminated ‘v’ shaped free standing sign

Location: Dewlay The Traditional Cheesemakers, Garstang By Pass Road

This included the following planning application

Proposal: Demolition of existing farmhouse, replacement farmhouse and garage and change of use of part of field to extend curtilage

Location: Humblescough Farm, Humblescough Lane, Nateby

The following previously refused planning application is to appeal:

Proposal: Erection of one wind turbine, foundation, access track and ancillary equipment

Location: Dewlay The Traditional Cheesemakers, Garstang By Pass Road

There had been one crime in the past month, a burglary on 5^th January when a laptop was stolen. There were two reported incidents but none included ant-social behaviour or rowdy behaviour over Christmas.

The meeting was adjourned to allow a Report of the Churchtown Society

At the beginning of December the Parish Council and the Churchtown Society joined Wyre Borough Council’s Conservation Officer to walk around the Village and suggest improvements. A questionnaire was provided and these had been distributed to the Parish Councillors and members to complete by 24^th December. This date has been extended and the Society is to leaflet residents who may also like to add their comments.