Longton Parish Council

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HUTTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THEPARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN HUTTON VILLAGE HALLON10th OCTOBER 2011

PRESENT:

CouncillorsParkes, Gilbert,Barton, Mitchell and Hastewell

4members of the public were present together with 2 invited representatives from United Utilities

70/11 APOLOGIES

Cllrs Hesketh and Martin

71/11 MINUTES

It was resolved that theminutes of the meeting on the 15th August 2011 having been circulated previously be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

72/11 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

73/11 ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION

The meeting was adjourned for a period of public discussion.

Representatives from United Utilities provided an update to the Ribble Estuary and Coastal Waters Environment Improvement Scheme. They reported that they had now overcome the issues concerning ground ingress into the main shafts and had had to look at a different approach to the tunneling under the estuary as a result of the tunneling machine having become stuck in the ground. The ground ingress issue had been resolved by additional works to stabalise the land area around the shafts and this had been done successfully. Several options had been considered with regard to the main tunneling under the estuary and it was now almost decided that a new innovative technique would be used known as the Herrenknecht Direct Pipe process. This would however now require two pipes being laid rather than one tunnel and work would take place from the south side rather than the north side of the estuary. It was confirmed that the tunneling machine that was stuck underground would not be recovered due to cost and would remain where it was for posterity. It was expected that the new process would allow the laying of the pipes to be completed by March 2012. Spoil from the operation would also need to be removed from the site. It was confirmed that as a result of these changes to the operation significantly more vehicle movements would be seen in the Hutton area later this year and early next year as the equipment was brought to site, equipment erected and spoil removed. It was unclear at this stage as to exactly how many vehicle movements would be needed. United Utilities confirmed that they would leaflet affected residents including those on Liverpool Road. Assurance was given that movements would not take place before 8.00am or later than 6.00pm on Monday to Friday and that Ratten Lane remained a ‘no go’ area as far as access was concerned.

It was agreed that UU would attend the January PC meeting so as to provide a further update given the increased impact on the Hutton area. In the mean time any queries, concerns or issues should be submitted via the UU help line so that they can be logged. They will then be dealt with by the Improvement Scheme team.

A resident mentioned the ongoing issues with regard to Orchard Farm and planning regulation breaches. It was stated that a recent application for the retention of two caravans for agricultural use and a separate utility portacabin was still under discussion. Seemingly the land agent had stated that both caravans were not necessary and the owner had said that he would withdraw the application however this had not happened. A further meeting was to take place with SRBC enforcement officer shortly. It had also been identified that a horse riding paddock had been created. This too needed planning permission.

Mention was made of the new SRBC ‘My Neighbourhood Forums’ which will replace the old Area Committee System.

Views were expressed as to how these might work. The Clerk advised that there had been no release from SRBC on the exact format and that as soon as information was received members would be notified. It was understood that SRBC intended to undertake a major communication exercise with residents. The first meeting has apparently been set for the 7th November 2011.

Mention was made that the South Ribble Old Peoples Partnership Board had been changed and concern raised that local elderly people might no longer be part of the body itself thus reducing their ability to make representation. The Clerk is to seek clarification.

The meeting was then re-convened.

74/11 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

The adverse affect on neighbour amenity due tothe garish nature of the signs and their design.

1. That alogical reason given for the signs is to 'attract passing custom' however the signs are not visible from the road or pavement coming from the Preston direction until you can see the shop itself and do not therefore achieve their objective
2. The attraction of passing road traffic user might create additional road hazards at a blind corner by causing vehicles to suddenly decide to stop.
3. The signs are out of keeping with the character of the area since no other similar signs exist on Liverpool Rd from Hutton roundabout through Hutton and indeed into Longton.
4. This isrural area which would be blemished by these signs and it would set an unwelcome precedent for the future.
5. Theretail outlet has established a small coloured flashing sign inside the window of the premises which does not appear to have been covered by the planning application.

1. The adverse affect on neighbour amenity due tothe garish nature of the signs and their design.
2. That alogical reason given for the signs is to 'attract passing custom' however the signs are not visible from the road or pavement coming from the Preston direction until you can see the shop itself and do not therefore achieve their objective
3. The attraction of passing road traffic user might create additional road hazards at a blind corner by causing vehicles to suddenly decide to stop.
4. The signs are out of keeping with the character of the area since no other similar signs exist on Liverpool Rd from Hutton roundabout through Hutton and indeed into Longton.
5. This isrural area which would be blemished by these signs and it would set an unwelcome precedent for the future.
6. Theretail outlet has established a small coloured flashing sign inside the window of the premises which does not appear to have been covered by the planning application.

It was resolved that the above accounts should be approved for payment.

75/11 ANNUAL RETURN 31ST MARCH 2011

It was resolved that the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2011 should be approved and accepted.

76/11 LALC AUTUMN CONFERNCE 2011

It was resolved that Cllrs Hastewell and Mitchell should attend the above Conference at a cost of £35.00 each

77/11 MY NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUMS

Members had been asked to consider submitting suggested items to be included on a list of potential improvements to local services as part of the creation of the new ‘My Neighbourhood Area’ forums which had been introduced by SRBC in replacement of the Area Committees. The Council was also asked to nominate a representative to attend the first ‘forum’ meeting provisionally scheduled for the 7th November 2011.

It was resolved that the submission of a list of potential improvements to local services should be deferred until such time as clear guidance had been received with regard to the structure and operation of the new forums.

It was however also resolved that Cllr Hastewell should attend the first meeting of the forum on the 7th November 2011 as the ‘official’ representative of this Council.

78/11 PARKING NOTICES

Members had been asked to consider the erection of ‘polite notices’ on the island footway in front of the local shops at an estimated cost of £120.00 as per a report circulated with the agenda.

It was resolved that notices as set out in the report referred to above should be purchased and erected by this Council at an estimated cost of £120.00.

79/11 NEXT MEETING

The next meeting date was confirmed as the5th December 2011

The meeting ended at 8.55pm

CHAIRMAN