MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BILLINGTON AND LANGHO PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
Monday, 24th February 2025 at 7.15pm
AT THE COMMUNITY HALL
PRESENT
Parish Councillors. Brian Haworth (chair), Martin Hincks, Eva McPrice, Michael Collins, John Aspden, Dennis Johnson Cllr Steve Farmer, Cllr Tony Austin, C Cllr Alan Schofield.
In attendance –R Greenwood clerk
ITEM 1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence were received and accepted from Katie Swingewood
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 Both Eva McPrice and Michael Collins declared an interest in the flood lighting at Blackburn Rovers as it impacts on their homes.
ITEM 3 ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING
3.1 Minutes of the meeting held January 27th 2024 were accepted and signed as a true record.
ITEM 4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4.1 No members of the public attended.
ITEM 5 PLAYGROUNDS
5.1 No report was received from the Lengthsman.
ITEM 6 ACCOUNTS
6.1 The following cheques were presented for payment.
| Cheque 202625 | RVBC | £2400.16 |
| Cheque 202626 | C Walton | £262.29 |
| Cheque 202627 | Travel | £25.46 |
| Cheque 202628 | HMRC | £7.00 |
| Cheque 202629 | Clerk Salary | £532.50 |
ITEM 7 PLANNING
7.1 3/2025/0027 Colliers Farm, objections were raised and will be submitted to RVBC.
7.2 Planning Complaint 584133966 – Blackburn Rovers are not going to do anything to reduce the lighting splay from the floodlights, the increase in the lighting has been caused by the use of LED light bulbs. Cllr Austin has been in touch with the Chief Executive of RVBC and Andrew Dent regarding making a complaint under Statutory Nuisance. If any members of the public wish to evidence to the Statutory Nuisance then in the first instance can they contact the Clerk to the Parish Council or Cllr Tony Austin
7.3 Concerns were raised regarding the acoustic boards round Keepers Cottage, this has now gone to planning who have requested more appropriate acoustic boards be used.
7.4 3/2024/0635 appeal against the refusal of planning permission for Brockhall Village Hall, this is for a Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed 1m high fencing and new entrance gates at vehicular access
ITEM 8 HIGHWAY
8.1 Longsight Road Bus Stop, C. Cllr Alan Schofield has requested to relocate the bus stops on Longsight Road (A59) nearer to The Rydings junction. LCC have responded that they have investigated and concluded that “without significant junction improvements at the Rydings estate turn off, the bus stops are to remain in their current positions as they are in the safest location. The double white centre line is the major issue in relation to placing these bus stops closer, in either the westerly or easterly direction of the Rydings junction”.
8.2 Board Signs at Old Langho. an advertising board placed on the grass verge near to the Black Bull public house, Old Langho Road. LCC Highways have replied with “the grass verge does not form part of the public highway. It is privately owned and maintained. This means that we cannot prevent any structures from being placed on the verge”. However it was noted that as this is an advert sign placed in the vicinity of a grade one listed building it should have been subject to planning permission.
8.3. SpiDs there have been two SpiDs in the area, the first near St Augustine School and the second near Billington Playground. The Parish Council have asked that the result are sent to PCSO Pemberton and that she attends the sites at specific times (indicated by the SpiDs results) with the speed gun.
8.4 Questions were asked why the Petre Arms bus stop is called Longsight Road stop – Cllr Alan Schofield is to look into this.
8.5 The Cenotaph at Billington – the parish council is to ask Richard Davis to undertake a tree study for the Oak tree’s impact on the Cenotaph and for guidance for what can be done.
8.6 A request for better road signage at Pashmire Brow. There have been two accidents in the last 8 weeks resulting in road closures. Cllr Alan Schofield is to look into this. Suggestions included have a Priority Gateway Sign.
8.7 There has been a complaint regarding the amount of dog fouling on main road through Billington in particular Pasturelands Estate Billington, the clerk to ask RVBC for more signage and for the dog warden to attend.
8.8 The dog poo bin on Langho station needs a new lid, the clerk to write to request.
ITEM 9 OFFICERS REPORT
9.1 There were no officers report.
ITEM 10 CORRESPONDENCE.
10.1 The first quote has been received for repair of the Cenotaph. Two more are required. The clerk is to meet the second contractor onsite this week.
10.2 All correspondence has been forwarded by email.
ITEM 11 DATES OF NEXT MEETING. All at 7.15pm.
31st March 2025
28th April 2025
26th May 2025
30th June 2025
28th July 2025
29th September 2025
27th October 2025
24th November 2025
The meeting closed at 20.15 hrs
