A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Resident,
I am pleased to present the Annual Report of Newburgh Parish Council for 2016-17.
During the year the Farm Shop site on Course Lane was sold. The Council was approached by the owner to discuss the best way of consulting residents about his proposed plans. A meeting was called for those residents living closest to the site and Councillors attended. A good number of people took part and had a very open discussion with the owner and his agent. The application was considered and passed in December by West Lancs Borough Council Planning Committee and we welcome the fact that the site will be developed in a way that will benefit our village.
As most of you will be aware, our longest serving Councillor and Vice-chair Reg Porter and his wife Shirley, our Village Assistant, left the area in January to move closer to their family. They will be sorely missed. Publicity about the Councillor vacancy was circulated and we have had an expression of interest. We hope to be able to appoint a successor to Reg in the near future and bring the Council back to full strength. We are in process of reviewing Shirley’s role and will inform residents of the measures we propose to take. Councillor Rebecca Richardson has taken over from Reg as Vice-chair.
I would like to take this opportunity to record my thanks to members of the Council and our Clerk Sandra for their support and assistance.
We are always pleased to receive comments from residents about any aspect of village life – we are here to serve our community and appreciate your input and involvement.
Kind Regards.
Jacky Citarella, Chairman.
Council Meetings
During the year, the Parish Council held eleven planned Council Meetings and one extraordinary Council meeting. Minutes of Meetings can be inspected at the Post Office, found on our website or obtained by request from our Parish Clerk.
Value for Money
The Parish Council budget for 2017/18 has been increased to £13,988. This has been unavoidable due to a reduction in grant received from the Borough Council and also due to the loss of our former Village Assistant. Mrs Porter not only did a great job but worked for minimal pay and also worked many hours for free. The Parish Council felt that it was unlikely that we would get another person willing to work in the same way, so the budget had to be drafted based on the going rate for the work to be carried out. A review is currently being undertaken into what will be required in the future and residents will be kept informed once a decision has been made. The increase will enable the Parish Council to keep services at the current level and afford the cost of additional grass cutting depending on the level of service we receive from Lancashire County Council during the year.
A financial summary for 2016/17 is provided later in this report. During the year, the Parish Council was successful in obtaining grants from both the Borough and County Councils to go towards the cost of new Christmas lights and providing disabled toilet and baby changing facilities at the 40th Anniversary of Newburgh Fair. The Parish Council gave a donation to the Church towards the upkeep of the Dell and also contributed towards the display in the Church during the Spring Festival weekend.
Engaging with Residents
The Council has an active programme of engagement by various modes such as the following:-
The noticeboard is located near the Post Office and displays information about the Council, local organisations and current local events. We are grateful to Councillors for delivering copies of Newburgh News to every household. Three editions were produced incorporating information about the Council, Church, School and other organisations. In addition, special editions were produced in connection with the new bus timetable, Annual Parish Meeting, County Council flooding leaflet and Parish Cllr vacancy. Parish Councillors also delivered the Parbold Christmas events brochure.
The website is regularly updated and can be accessed at www.newburghlancs.co.uk. The site continues to be valuable as an information tool and is currently under review as we consider how we can improve it.
Welcome Packs
New residents continue to receive a Welcome Pack, which is much appreciated by them.
Engagement with the Community through Projects
Civic Service 24 April 2016
The Annual Civic Service took place on 24 April at Christ Church, Newburgh and notable attendees were the Mayor of West Lancashire, Nikki Hennessey, County Cllr Cynthia Dereli and representatives from other Parishes and village organisations. Members of the congregation were invited to join the Parish Council and their guests at the School Hall to partake of refreshments after the service.
Remembrance Sunday, 13 November 2016
Councillors were present at the Memorial Service with the Council Chairman laying a wreath on the War Memorial on behalf of the community.
Carols on The Green, 16 December 2016
The Council and members of Christ Church Newburgh organised this popular event. A good number of residents attended with the singing being accompanied by the Coppull and Standish Brass Band.
Engagement with other Organisations
We are part of the Play Area Management Committee and the Councillors have a link with the School, Church, Sports Club and other Organisations. We also took part in outside events such as LALC meetings where issues such as flooding and local transport were discussed. The Clerk attended meetings at West Lancashire Borough Council and Society of Local Council Clerks. We also hold an annual meeting with the Street Scene team at West Lancashire Borough Council to ensure that tasks such as refuse collections and grass cutting on the village green occur to help the village look its best. The Parish Council also publicised the appeal by Arrow Whitemoss against the expansion of Whitemoss Landfill Site, which helped to raise approximately £700 from village donations.
Newburgh Fair
The Parish Council continues to help support the continuity of Newburgh Fair, by giving a donation towards the cost and publicising the events, both in editions of Newburgh News and also by distributing leaflets promoting the events during Fair Week to residents in the Parish. In addition, some of the Parish Councillors are on the Fair Committee, which has been successful in getting grants from organisations towards the cost of running the Fair. The events this year will be bigger than ever as this will be the 40th Anniversary of Newburgh Fair. There is still a lot to do and organise, so please do what you can to support the most important event in the village calendar.
Planning
Our Planning Working Group considered 19 applications in 2016/17. The Parish Council submitted comments on eight of the applications including the proposed development on the site of the Mushroom Farm, new agricultural building at Danes End, changes to the Farm Shop on Course Lane and change of use from holiday accommodation to residential dwelling at Forest View Holiday Park.
Footpaths
Newburgh Parish Council knows that residents value the footpaths around the village. We are fortunate to have a working group consisting of Parish Councillors and volunteers who work hard throughout the year inspecting the footpaths and carrying out basic clearance to help keep the paths as clear as possible. After many years, some progress has finally been made regarding the footpath claim relating to land near to Bluebell Wood. Interviews were held in the summer enabling witnesses to give evidence in support of the claim, which will enable Lancashire County Council to progress the claim.
Environmental Issues
A number of issues were raised with Lancashire County Council Highways and United Utilities during the year including: -
Summary of 2016/17 Finances
Balances from 1st April 2016 9,138
Receipts
Precept. 10,826
Council Tax Support Grant 364
Concurrent Grant (WLBC) 1,163
Parish Champion Grant 200
VAT refund. 657
Transparency Fund Grant 263
LCC Capital Grant 268
Rights of Way Scheme (LCC) 250
Miscellaneous 37
Total Receipts 14,028
Payments
Employee costs. 5,952
Gen Administration. 1,694
Borough Grant Projects 1,163
Activities inc Speed Device 3,669
VAT on payments. 629
Total Payments 13,108
Balances at 1st April 2017 10,058
Parish Councillors
Jacky Citarella, Chairman 01257 463621
Chris Moore 01257 463471
Jean O’ Keefe 01257 463630
Rebecca Richardson 01257 463942
Maureen Turner 01257 462970
Phil Atty 01257 463469
Hazel Flight 01257 463239
Clerk of the Council.
Sandra Jones 01704 892520
e-mail: newburgh.pc@btinternet.com
NEWBURGH
PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT
2016/17
Published by Newburgh Parish Council
May 2017