MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BILLINGTON AND LANGHO PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
Monday, May 27th 2024 at 7.15pm AT THE COMMUNITY HALL
PRESENT
Parish Councillors. Brian Haworth, Martin Hincks, Katie Swingewood, John Aspden, Tony Austin, Steve Farmer.
No members of public attended the meeting.
In attendance –R Greenwood clerk
ITEM 1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Dennis Johnson, Michael Collins and Eva McPrice
ITEM 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
- Register of Interests – Councillors were reminded of the need to update their register of interests.
- Two members disclosed a personal or prejudicial interests in any matter to be discussed at the meeting, Brian Haworth and Katie Swingewood in Langho in Bloom and Ribble Valley Rail.
ITEM 3 ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
3.1 Minutes of the meeting held April 2024 were accepted and signed as a true record.
ITEM 4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4.1 No members of the public attended the meeting.
ITEM 5 PLAYGROUNDS
- 1 The clerk was asked to liaise with Harrisons Engineering regarding the Rospa report repairs.
ITEM 6 ACCOUNTS
6.1 The following cheques were presented for payment.
| Cheque 202563 | Defib shop for pads | £92.94 |
| Cheque 202264 | Void | |
| Cheque 202265 | Post Office | £17.00 |
| Cheque 202266 | Nurture Landscapes for Old Langho Church | £187.87 |
| Cheque 202567 | Travel | £25.46 |
| Cheque 202568 | HMRC | £98.80 |
| Cheque 202569 | Clerk | £398.20 |
| Cheque 202570 | Peak and Northern Subscription | £15.00 |
| Cheque 202571 | Railway Planter – paid with LCC Bio Diversity Grant | £100.00 |
| Cheque 202572 | Langho in Bloom – paid with LCC Bio Diversity Grant | £200.00 |
6.2 The following income was received.
| LCC | £300.00 | Bio Diversity Grant |
| LCC | £500.00 | Footpath Grant for gates along the Jubilee Way |
6.3 Application for grants from Langho in Bloom and Ribble Valley Rail for station planters. Cllrs Haworth and Swingewood left the room for the discussion. Cheques were raised from the LCC Bio Diversity Grant for both applications.
6.4 Questions were asked if the Parish Council needed to pay the yearly subscription to LALC as the Parish Council Liaison provided much the same information. After discussion it was resolved to continue to pay LALC subscription as this gives the Parish Council membership of NALC (the National Association of Local Councils) who provide frameworks for policies, pay scales, problem resolution and information.
6.5 The AGAR was signed off to go to audit, the notice of Public Rights will be displayed on the notice boards.
ITEM 7 PLANNING
7.1 The following planning applications were considered: –
| 3/2024/0274 | Langho Sports Club No Objections and supported. |
| 3/2024/0355 | Spring Barn Old Nab Road Langho BB6 8DY |
7.2 There was discussion regarding pending planning issues
7.3 Land at York is once again being offered for sale intermating it is suitable for building on. This is not the case, as the land is in the Green Belt, on which only agricultural or forestry uses are permitted.’. The Parish Council urges anyone interested in the land to liaise with Ribble Valley Planning and be aware of the restrictions of land use.
ITEM 8 HIGHWAY
8.1 There is to be a temporary Road closure on Moor Lane, Billington, on 06/06/24 to allow overhead structure works to take place.
8.2 A59 Langho carriageway defects, the road surface just prior to the Northcote roundabout heading in a westerly direction from Clitheroe is in a terrible state despite being patched up what can’t be much more than 6 months ago. County Councillor Alan Schofield has reported this.
8.3 County Councillor Alan Schofield requested information regarding the temporary speed reduction on the Whalley-Clitheroe Bypass’ The response from LCC was that “We have agreed to introduce this temporary speed reduction for six months to allow contractors to safely work on site, and access it with HGVs during the course of the works. The contractors need to install significant drainage infrastructure for a new development in the area. Given the size of the project, this will unfortunately take some time to complete. We have had to introduce a lengthy speed reduction to cover the entirety of the works, and to allow sufficient space for the operatives to work safely. We acknowledge that this may prove disruptive, but site safety must remain paramount.”
8.4 Footpath Neddy Lane – the developers, Redrow, have temporarily re rooted the footpath whilst building work takes place. Concerns were raised regarding the restoring of the footpath through the site after all development has been completed.
ITEM 9 OFFICERS REPORT
9.1 Borough Councillor Tony Austin attended the 75th Anniversary at Hackings Caravans.
9.2 The fly tipping of builders waste has been removed from Moor Lane.
9.3 Cllr Austin is campaigning for the Polling Station to be moved back to the centre of Langho Village rather than at Mitton Fold.
9.4 Cllr Austin attended the Community Hall AGM to represent the Parish Council.
9.5 There has been a meeting of the W+B Flood Action Group. There has been no movement from the Environmental Agency. Questions were asked as to why Harrisons Engineering are not included in the proposed ‘Billington flood defence. There has been a sharp increase in the cost of the scheme which now stands at £3 million.
ITEM 10 CORRESPONDENCE.
10.1 Old Langho Church- a report has been received that weedkiller is being used round the graves at Old Langho Church. Cllr’s Haworth and Hincks have requested a site meeting to discuss. The Clerk is to write to Nurture (who currently hold the contract) and ask for a price for strimming the Church grounds rather than using weedkiller.
10.2 Giant Redwood Tree’s are available via RVBC’s David Hewitt. The Parish Council are to apply for one of these to be planted in the woodland at the Community Centre.
ITEM 11 DATES OF NEXT MEETING. All at 7.15pm.
24th June 2024
29th July 2024
30th September 2024
28th October 2024
25th November 2024
