I would like to state what a privilege and an honour it has been to serve as Kirkland Parish Council Chairman these past twelve months and thank my fellow Councillors for their support and energy. Thankfully, we have not lost anymore members and I am hopeful we will have some new blood to serve the parish in the very near future.

A couple of ground breaking changes everyone has been talking about have occurred:

First the installation of one of the UK’s largest wind turbines at Dewlay and secondly the PANDA road safety initiative formulated by Will Hull and deployed by the children of Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's C of E Primary School. I’m sure were all aware of the one which has had the most benefit to our community?

I hope you’ll all agree the Village was brightened up again with your competitive participation in growing the tallest sunflowers and also at Christmas with the illuminated tree on The Green in front of the Horns Inn. We anticipate improving this further by planting daffodils along The Avenue for Spring next year.

On behalf of us all, I would like to thank Gillian our Parish Clerk for her continued endeavour and commitment to the Parish Council and also to Tim our Parish Lengthsman and his role in maintaining and tending the Parish amenities.

Keith Ellin

Chairman of Kirkland Parish Council

The Parish Council is responsible for the proper accounting records, safeguarding the assets and taking steps to prevent fraud and other irregularities. There are accounting policies and procedures in place to mitigate exposure to major risk, which are reviewed annually. The Councillors believe they make reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates. The accounts are a matter of public information and can be viewed at any time.

This financial statement is scheduled for auditing in May, 2011

The over spend will be made up from reserves and the precept has NOT been increased in the coming financial year.

The bank interest was disappointing during the past year. Catterall Parish Council has donated half the costs of the PANDA road safety signs erected on The Avenue. Lancashire County Council has yet to pay for the Amenity Grass Cutting Contract.

The staff costs remained static. The Grounds Maintenance Contract costs have increased due to the extra work towards the Amenity Grass Cutting Contract from Lancashire County Council. An increase in the Parish Maintenance is due to the purchase of salt grit for the benefit of residents in the Village over the Christmas period. The donations/section 137 does not yet include the second payment for the grounds maintenance at Kirkland Memorial Hall. The cost for the Christmas Tree includes the installation of the electrics and the base hole and cover, which is a one off payment. The rest covers the cost of the tree and fitting the lights, which were kindly donated and very well received.

The Environmental Project is the PANDA road safety signs on The Avenue. These were designed by the pupils at Kirkland and Catterall St. Helen's C of E Primary School as part of their road safety school work and the pupils also record the speeds of traffic on the Avenue to show the differences due to the signs.

The Clerk has an office in Catterall Village Hall. Residents are welcome to view planning applications in Kirkland or to discuss issues to be raised with the Councillors about concerns in the Parish.

Clerk to Kirkland Parish Council

Gillian Benson

C/o 57, Hamers Wood Drive,

Catterall,

Garstang, PR3 1YN Tel; 600689