Present;                                                                                       A. Sykes, Chairman

The Chairman welcomed Cllr. Keith Ellin as a new member of the Parish Council and hoped that his term in office would enjoyable.

Apologies were given for this meeting from Cllr. C. Towers and the reason accepted.

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

There were no members of the public present.

Information from Lancashire County Council that they keep the statutory registers of common lane and Parish greens, but have not needed to update these registers. In bringing these registers up to date Lancashire County Council is looking for any changes. Application before September 2009 will be free; failure to notify may result in extinguishment of rights.

It is many years since Wyre had an officer in this post and the information included will allow Councillors to discuss the implications. Councillors considered the work of the RHE.

THE MAKING AND ENFORCEMENT OF BY LAWS
Resolved: That the Parish Council still remains powerless to enforce by laws.

Following the Wyre Area Lancashire Association of Local Councils meeting Councillors are asked to provide a representative to feed onto Stalmine Parish Council about the River Wyre in their Parish.

Wyre Borough Council is asking for comments on introducing a Designated Public Places Order in parts of Garstang to restrict the drinking of alcohol in streets and public places where there is a history of nuisance and /or disorder associated with the consumption of alcohol.

As the date of the Parish Council meetings have changed this has been written into the Standing Orders.

Resolved: The Parish Council accepted the updated Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

Lancashire County Council is asking for highway schemes in the Parish to be considered for funding by the Lancashire Locals.

309. FINANCE

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

Payments paid to the Parish Council

Society of Local Council Clerks subscriptions

The wreath will be laid in St. Helens Church and the Parish Council normally send a donation.

The Clerk requests the new pages needed to update the Clerk’s manual in line with the latest legislation. The cost is £17.00, being a member of Society of Local Council Clerks plus £2.00 postage.

The Parochial Church Council is asking for a donation towards the upkeep of the churchyard.

Notification of the precept amount by 16^th January, 2009, has been received from Wyre Borough Council. The draft budget presented was discussed. Wyre Borough Council have received notification from Local Government Employers that the substantive April 2008 pay award is in line with the final offer of 2.45% and that the Clerk’s salary grant will be increased to £1.92 per elector for 2009/2010. The Councillors will consider the play area at the Memorial Hall when considering the precept and to confirm Wyre Borough Council’s responsibilities to the play area.

Payments for the employment of the Parish Lengthsman will be made on 10^th November.

The following planning application has been refused;

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

Location: Dewlay The Traditional Cheesemakers Garstang By Pass Road Garstang PR3 0PR

The position for the Head Teacher is being advertised. The school has received a ‘good’ in their recent Ofsted report. The staff has contributed a great deal of time and effort towards this result.

The recent AGM discussed the Play Area and are to set up a separate account with the money raised at the recent disco, this should be about £900. There are drainage problems in the Hall with the internal pipes. Grants are being sourced for replacing the roof of the main hall. The treasurer reported that costs were less than last year but the revenue is down as the Nursery has relocated and the Dance School is no longer running.

There has been a theft of diesel from Dewlay, the fuel was siphoned out of vehicles and the crime has been detected. It was reported that a road traffic accident had occurred at the Toll Bar, last Monday at 6.00 am, with the car turning over in the verge.

The report submitted was accepted by the Councillors and included the AGM and election of officers. Wyre Borough Council will be offering free swimming to those under 16 or over 60; the Clerk’s salary grant will now be a Rural Area Grant and is not specified to pay towards the Clerk’s salary and the consultation on the enforcement of by laws. The Police reported on the Clean Sweep Operation, the increase in the crime figures and the Bright Sparks Initiative concerning fireworks. The Parish Charter was discussed considering it is over complicated and no indication of how it is to work. Lancashire Locals have approved a number of highway improvement schemes and will be looking to the Parish Councils for footway improvements for next year’s budget.

Lancashire County Council has commissioned a detailed survey and inspection regarding the trees on the Avenue. Once available consultations will take place with interested parties. In the meantime the arboriculturist has identified one Sycamore so badly diseased that it will be removed without delay.