Tatham Parish Council

Present: District Councillor Stuart Langhorn, Parish Councillors Melanie Winstanley, Bill Deller and Jim Harrison, the clerk and member of the public John Holt.

PUBLIC TIME: Mr Holt told of his experience with various Councils.

1. Apologies: Cllr Dawson who is ill, Cllr Mason who is attending another meeting and Cllrs Taylor and Murray who are helping with and attending the end of term entertainment at Lowgill School.

2. Minutes: of 15/05/07 have been circulated; they were signed as a true and correct record, proposed by Cllr Deller seconded by Cllr Harrison.

3. Police & Community Together: No report.

4. Tree Warden: Cllr Winstanley read a report from Tree Warden Lyn Hitch on the Rowan tree which has fallen across Croasdale beck near the footbridge at Tatham Fells Old School. Ownership of the tree is to be established.

5. Finance: The receipts & payments book was open for inspection.

(a) Thank you letters have been received from NW Air Ambulance, Wray Institute Committee, St James the Less Church, The Good shepherd Church, Tatham Fells School and Tatham Fells Old School.

(b) Audit Form – This was checked, approved and signed (Notice of Audit is on the notice board)

6. Plans:

Granted – Change of use for temporary caravan – to be removed 25/5/09 of on occupation of Southmire Barn, whichever comes sooner for Mr & Mrs A Holland.

New 07/00672/OUT – redevelopment of Lancaster Canal Corridor, North.

New 07/00646/LB & 07/00644/CU – conversion of barn to give additional living accommodation, Station Farm Cottage, Wennington for Mr Harrison.

New, County – 01/07/0882 infill extension to main entrance for new accessible W C and secure entrance to Tatham Fells School.

7. Highways: Reply from Mr Robson. Matters raised -

1) The Lengthsman has channelled water off the road near Low Tatham Church and worked on Park Lane.

2) Mr George Taylor at White Lund Depot is to be contacted re leaves on the road as they are now setting out their sweeping schedule.

3) Reports have been received re hedges encroaching on to the road in the Lowgill area; the owners are to be informed.

4) Water running onto the road near Lowgill School and an untidy opening, the owner is to be informed.

5) The wild flower verge at Lowgill Road End has been mown, the County Council is to be informed.

6) It has been reported that deer crossing the road between Fairheath Head and Mill Bridge are causing a hazard, warning signs had been requested. It was decided not to request warning signs.

7) Several letters were read concerning an additional street light which has been erected in Lowgill village, a letter is to be sent to Mr Fell.

8) Road closures – Lowgill Lane is to be closed from July 20 for bridge strengthening at Mill Bridge. The road between Ivah and Botton is to be closed from July 30 for construction of a highway retaining wall. These will last a month or until they are finished. A notice has been put on the notice board.

A letter has been received re this; replies are to be sent to several letters.

9) Footpath Diversion – It is proposed to close parts of footpaths near Parkside Barn in lower Tatham and put in a new path. On the map provided this closes the footpath from east to west. The Parish Council have no objection to the proposed closure but a request is to be made for a new footpath from east to west, north of the one proposed to be closed.

8. City Council: (a) The chairman does not whish to be on the City Council database. (b) The Parish Council does not wish to send its code of conduct to Lancaster Town Hall; it can be inspected at Parish Council meetings or by appointment with the clerk. (c) The City Council has lost its bid for unitary status.

9. County Council: (a) The chairman reported on the Charter Consultation Road Show which she had attended. (b) Lancashire Local- Lancaster District Minutes of June and Agenda for July, Cllr Taylor and District Cllr Langhorn had attended the June meeting; the proposed Academy for Lancaster was discussed, and voted against. The proposed Lune valley cycleway was approved but will probably be too expensive. (c) All Highway maintenance has been taken over by the County Council.

10. LAPTC: Lancaster Area – Minutes March & May, Agenda May & July. A letter of congratulations is to be sent to Pat Quinton who has been made an honorary Alderman of Lancaster City.

County – Newsletter & information re AGM on Nov. 3.

National –magazines, & information re minimum wage £5.52ph, petrol allowance 32p per mile.

11. Community Futures: Cllr Deller gave a progress report on the Parish Plan; Mike Winstanley is compiling a Questionnaire.

12. Correspondence: (a) Fire & Rescue Service performance update

(b) Standards Board – a Code of Conduct book and pocket guide for every member.

13. Next Meeting: September 18, at 7.30pm in the Old School, Tatham Fells.

Pictures kindly donated by Mike Winstanley and ICTMatrix Project
Parish Information provided by Mary Taylor - Clerk to the Parish Council