Singleton Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held via Zoom
on Tuesday 20 April 2021 at 7.15 pm
Present: – Cllrs Gallagher (Chair), Bailey (Vice Chair), Ibbotson and Lee, and the Parish Clerk, Verena Henderson, who took the Minutes.
| 1. | Apologies for Absence Cllr R Cholmondeley. |
| 2. | Police Matters Crime figures received from Lancashire Constabulary showed that in March there were 2 recorded cases of Anti-Social Behaviour (1 of Covid breach and 1 of dangerous driving) and 2 cases of Theft and handling (1 of driving off from petrol station and 1 of theft of an outdoor camera). |
| 3. | Open Forum – None |
| 4. | Minutes of Previous Meeting and any Matters Arising The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 March 2021, having been previously circulated, were agreed as a true and correct record. There were no matters arising. |
| 5. | Declaration of Interests – None |
| 6. | Planning Matters and Decisions 21/0366 – Fairview, 71 Mains Lane, Singleton FY6 7LD – Alterations and extensions to dwelling including two storey side extension, single storey rear extension, removal of rear dormer and erection of first floor rear extension and construction of replacement front dormer. The Parish Council had no specific observations to make on the proposal. Planning Decisions 21/0028 – 142 Mains Lane Singleton FY6 7LB – first floor and two storey extension – Refused. 21/0153 – Linden Lea, 37 Mains Lane, Singleton FY6 7LJ – Single storey extensions to dwelling – Granted. |
| 7. | Traffic and Highway Issues A disappointing response had been received from Highways England in regards to the problem of cycling on the footpath at Mains Lane. The Parish Council had referred this to Highways England because it had become increasingly concerned about the number of near accidents caused by cyclists going at speed along sections of Mains Lane that were not intended to be cycling lanes. Problems had been caused to pedestrians, dog walkers and also by cars reversing out of driveways. Despite an officer from Highways England attending a previous meeting and offering to help overcome this danger, they say that after liaising with LCC they are unable to make any further physical changes at this location without compromising accessibility for other non-motorised users, such as people with prams or those using mobility scooters or wheelchairs. They feel that the use of bollards and an amended route along the carriageway would be likely to be ignored and have suggested referring the matter to the local police. An item in regard to this would be put on the Parish Council’s website. |
| 8. | New By-Pass A newsletter had been widely circulated by Highways England updating on progress so far and introducing the Customer Liaison Officer from Keir. Concern was again expressed about the number of trees being cut down in areas surrounding the roadworks. |
| 9. | Correspondence Email received from the Singleton Gala Committee notifying the Parish Council that they would have to cancel this year’s Gala once again because of the Covid restrictions not being expected to have been lifted sufficiently for it to take place. Instead, they are planning a larger event on Saturday 11 September which will entail erecting a large marquee on the site to house activities for all the family, extending into the evening with some form of entertainment. They wondered if the Parish Council would be willing to make a donation towards this. This was discussed at length as a Government grant for community use had been mentioned at a previous meeting. However, there was some uncertainty about when the Parish Council would be receiving this one-off grant from the Government, which was for all parishes to celebrate the “end of Covid”. Covid could still be here for some time yet and no dates had been given for this payment. It was proposed by Cllr Gallagher that £200 be granted from the Parish Council’s funds (£100 for 2020 and £100 for 2021). This was seconded by Cllr Ibbotson and Agreed. Any future payments would be reviewed if and when more funds were received. |
| 10. | Update from Fylde Borough Council Fylde’s submission to the Boundary Commission had gone through as expected but this carried the same weight as the proposal by the Independents. Weeton had supported the case put by Singleton and Greenhalgh for the three rural parishes to merge, as these parishes had the same rural issues and problems with traffic. The majority of parish councils have supported the Independent proposal rather than the one from Fylde which would mean Singleton merging with Staining, a more urban area. From 6 May it is proposed to remove the temporary ability to vote remotely in meetings. There is some consultation going on at the moment trying to get this more permanent. The Parish Council has been unable to meet at the Village Hall so far this year and if voting is not going to be allowed after 6 May, then we may need to look for another venue if the Hall is still not going to be available. The Clerk will check the availability for May. |
| 11. | Defibrillator. The new casing for the defibrillator was ordered and has now arrived and Cllr Gallagher hopes to fit it this week. Cllr Lee offered to assist. As regards training, both North West Ambulance and the Red Cross are more than willing to run a training session but this all depends on the availability of the Village Hall. |
| 12. | Accounts and Invoices to Pay S Butcher – Litter-picker – £127.20. Proposed Cllr Bailey, Seconded Cllr Gallagher. Agreed.Information Commissioner – Annual fee for Data Protection Certificate – £40.00. Proposed Cllr Gallagher, Seconded Cllr Bailey. Agreed.Singleton Gala Committee – £200 donation. Proposed Cllr Gallagher, Seconded Cllr Ibbotson. Agreed.Clerk, Salary and Expenses for March/April – £246.03. Proposed Cllr Gallagher, Seconded Cllr Bailey. Agreed.Clerk, Reimbursement of fee for new keypad lock and light for defibrillator – £571.20. Proposed Cllr Bailey, Seconded Cllr Gallagher. Agreed. |
| 13. | Any Other Business The Clerk had completed a return for Fylde BC in regard to the New Homes Bonus Grant for 2020/21 which amounted to £1,207 and had been earmarked for use on the Children’s Playground. The appropriate officer from Fylde was happy to meet with the Chairman in regard to works needed on the Children’s playground and the Clerk will forward his details to the Chairman so that a suitable date for a meeting can be arranged.Nothing further had happened with regard to the Village Green. It was mentioned that Kier may be able to offer with earth moving equipment.The grasscutting contractor had complained about deep ridges being made by heavy vehicles at the end of Pool Foot lane, which was making mowing impossible. Apparently farmers had been using tractors to cut the hedges, which was one possible cause. |
| 14. | Date and Time of next meeting This was agreed for Thursday 27 May at 7.15 and it is hoped to have this at the Village Hall. As there was no further business, the meeting closed at 8.00pm. |
Signed …………………………………………… Dated ………………………………………
Verena Henderson
Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01995 670455