Notes of Wigglesworth Parish Meeting 21st January 2009

 

Meeting opened at 7.35pm

 

Present: Anne Raper, Phil Raper, Shirley Wales, Sue Shepherd, Brian Newhouse, Simon Rushton, David Clarke, Anne Clarke.

 

Apologies received from Mike Dean, Diane Dean Adrian Shepherd

 

1.  Introduction to the meeting given by David Clarke.

 

2. Anne Clarke agreed to act as the Clerk and took notes for the meeting.

 

3. Minutes of last meeting, 28th April,2008  read and discussed               

 

4. Matters arising: There were no matters arising not already on the agenda.

 

5. Possible separation of the current joint Parish Council. Report of the meeting held with Colin Iveson (Head of Democratic Services at CDC) - David Clarke explained what would be required if parish councils  want to  change from the joint council to individual ones in Rathmell and Wigglesworth.  The advice from C. Iveson was that  the villages are probably better staying together as a joint Parish Council.  There is a notice on the village board with details of the issues raised at the meting with C. Iveson..

 

6. Ribblebanks Parish Council Precept.

The precept (reduced) had been agreed at the Parish Council Meeting on 6th January 2009.  The funds previously held by Wigglesworth Parish Meeting are to be  transferred to the Parish Council. The money will be ring fenced so that the village can still apply for the usual funding, such as grass cutting or servicing of the mower, but the money is no longer held by the Parish Meeting.  Estimates for things such as servicing the lawn mower or ay other project or activity considered important locally will need to be sent the parish council then they will normally pay the regular and routine costs for tings such as grass cutting. Larger requests for funding will be considered by the full council. There is approximately £700 of parish meeting funds available at present.

 

7) Social group activities have been relatively infrequent but the group intend to resume activity in support of the old school and aims try to get more people involved.

 

8) Progress on the funding for the Clark’s Old School redevelopment and refurbishment project:

Various grants have been applied for but there is still much more to do.  An update was provided to villagers on fundraising.  The 100 Club and quiz nights at the Plough have raised £700.  David Clarke suggested £5000 raised by the village in then next 6-9 months would go a long way to proving to the charities we are  approaching for grants that the villagers care about the school building and want to keep it safe and in use.  

 

9) Planned Fundraising events for the Old School project:

Information on the progress of the fundraising activities for the Old School and also on planned fundraising events has been sent to every household in the village. Specific fundraising events are listed at the end of these notes include

 

10) Appointment of a new Trustee to Clark’s Old School Foundation

Sadly, Mike Dean will be resigning from being a trustee and the treasurer to Clark’s Old School Foundation in the near future and someone will be needed to take on his role. The Parish Meeting is responsible for receiving and approving nominations for this role. If anyone is interested in the role please contact David Clarke on 01729 840794.

 

11)  Village Projects:

 i) The lay by at Jack Bridge.  Those present felt that tidying it up  and landscaping the lay by would be a good idea, but did consider that travellers may use the area especially on their way to and from Appleby Fair.  The consensus was that the opportunity to redevelop the lay by outweighed the possibility that the lay by may be used occasionally by travellers.  The County Council have indicated that they would clear the mounds of grit to re open the lay by, subject to a site visit.  We villagers would do the rest with some financial support from former parish meeting funds held by the Parish Council.

 

ii) The screen to hide the recycling bins; no progress had been made on this issue – David Clarke to talk again to Steve Amphlett to ask him to a quote and for the work. Some of the cost for this work could be met from former parish meeting funds.

 

12) Highways and road safety issues:

There is a view that a convex mirror at Town End would improve safety for all road users– For some reason it hadn’t been thought appropriate by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) when last brought up but everyone present agreed this issues should be revisited.  We are awaiting a site meeting with NYCC, councillor Barbara Houghton will be invited to meet with NYCC and this and other matters will be brought to the highways officers’ attention.

 

Phil Raper also asked about the possibility of having lines painted as the road narrows on the approach to the village at Town End. Again this will be brought to the attention of the Council when they do their visit.

 

There is some hedge work needed on the Rathmell to Wigglesworth road and at Jack Bridge, where there is also a ditch in the side of the road that needs work doing to. Mr Weston of Cappleside who, owns some of the land on which the hedges are overgrown wants to meet with NYCC and the Parish Council to sort out his area for cutting back and which is NYCC’s responsibility.

 

There are problems with road drains overflowing at Mount Pleasant and outside the new Ribblesdale Cottages (former Plough Inn Barn).  Apparently the drains near the Plough have collapsed and should be included in the schedule of works from NYCC.  Ribblebanks Parish Council will endeavour to ensure the works are done.  The drains at Mount Pleasant have been reported to be clear by NYCC officers despite some recent problems with over flowing.

 

There was further discussion about the possibility of the Parish Council employing a lengthsman. There is some doubt that lengthsman would be insured to complete roadside activities such as clearing debris and cutting back hedges.  David Clarke will ask what duties are carried out by the lengthsman employed at Long Preston.

 

 

13) Dates of Ribble Banks Parish Council Meetings 24th March (Rathmell) and the AGM 19th May (Wigglesworth).

 

The Parish Council is advertising for a new Clerk to the Council. An advert went in the Craven Herald last week, there has been some interest expressed.

 

 

14 Any other business:

At present Mike Dean maintains the village web site.  He is willing to show someone how it’s done before he leaves the village.  If anyone is interested, please contact Mike Dean on 01729 840839.

 

The meeting closed at 2105

 

 Planned events to raise money for Clark’s Old School

 

 ‘Village Lunch Saturday 7th Feb 1.00-4.00pm (Postponed due to an interruption in the electricity  supply- a new date will be announced)

 

Quiz nights at the Plough on the second and fourth Thursday, from 12th  February at  8.00pm

 

Village Walk visiting the Long Preston Wetlands Project-soup and a sandwich  at the Old School afterwards. Sunday 8th March meet at the Plough at 11.00am

 

Talk on The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska! mid  March –date to be confirmed

 

Great Yorkshire/Lancashire tales told by John Wallis and buffet supper Saturday 18th April 7.30pm Tickets £6.00 from David Clarke on 01729 840794

 

Beetle Drive, Friday 1st May 7.30pm

 

Hosted Cheese and Wine Tasting evening late May date to be confirmed

 

Village Show date provisionally 13th June 2008.