Apologies were given for this meeting from Cllr. K. Ellin and Cllr. C. Towers and the reasons accepted.

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

Mr. Stevenson is working with Wyre Housing Association and seconded to Wyre Borough Council as the Affordable Housing Officer. The position of Rural Housing Enabler no longer carries funding. The Members considered that there are issues to consider with Churchtown, these include a perceived affluent society, the expensive housing market and the conservation area.

Initially evidence of a local need must be provided and using a questionnaire in the Village would be a good start. The planning conditions are more lenient for affordable housing and look at plots of land that may never be granted planning permission but the market value would not be paid. The site includes a commuted sum to improve the Village by providing play areas, landscaping etc. The houses are subject to shared ownership and social rented schemes which mean the houses are always affordable. Wyre Housing Association applies a strict Rural Lettings Policy concentrating on the local area before offering the homes further afield. Mr. Stevenson will e-mail a sample questionnaire for the Councillors to discuss.

A request by a resident to continue to clear the footway on the A586 through to the Parish boundary has been received and photographs have been provided. Councillors considered using the Parish Lengthsman to continue the footway clearance in the knowledge that Lancashire County Council is to clear the footway on the A6.

Application forms for the Best Kept Village Competition run by Calor. Councillors decided that Churchtown is not to be entered. The Parish Council is holding a ‘Grow a Giant Sunflower Competition’ and has asked Barton Grange if they can donate seeds.

Residents have been approached about the Village Walk linking the Memorial Hall with the Church via the river bank. Only one resident has contacted the Parish Council and they are not willing to allow the walk to pass at the end on their garden. Another approach is to be made and information confirmed as to ownership by the Land Registry.

Cash Book and Balance to 28^th February, 2009, Bank Reconciliation and Internal scrutiny checks.

Payments received this month

*Repairs to the bus shelter

The committee is appealing for a donation towards this Village event. A donation of £100.00 was made last year but not sent until after the precept is received.

The following planning application has been granted;

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

Proposal: Alteration to application 07/00893/FUL, proposed extension to new building to provide blue cheese facility

Location: Dewlay, The Traditional Cheesemakers, Garstang By-Pass Road, Kirkland

Proposal: Erection of detached garage

Location: Holms View, The Avenue, Churchtown

Cllr. Sykes reported on a joint youth initiative with Catterall Parish Council, Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's Primary School and St. Helen’s Church. The Chairman asked that the members consider part funding the scheme initially but that it will stand on its own when it takes off. It is aimed at 10 – 13 year olds and to be organised by a youth worker, who will also source funding for the initiative.

The Committee has been successful in gaining a grant to replace the roof of the old hall. The grant should caver about 80% of the costs. The gate on the bin area has been damaged recently and is to be replaced. Wyre Borough Council has approached the Trustees about future grass cutting on the football pitch. They can continue maintenance but will need paying. The Trustees are looking at other tenders but would appreciate any donation from the Parish Council towards the costs that are about £1,500 per year.

There was one crime of damage to a vehicle reported in the past month and no anti-social behaviour incidents.

Pilling Parish Council who should be holding the next meeting this month have postponed the meeting until September. As it was felt there are no items of joint consideration to necessitate a meeting and this Parish Council agreed at the present.

Lancashire Locals - Wyre has recommended cutting back the undergrowth on the A6 from the Junction with the A586 to Kepple Lane and widening the footway around the tree roots raising the tarmac near Dewlay.