Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors M Lowe and
P Malpas.

Members of the Committee are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the Council Chamber and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest by any Members in any of the meeting’s agenda items.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 8 March 2006

RESOLVED  - That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 8 March 2006 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Executive Leader.

Report of Deputy Director of Legal Services (enclosed)

The Deputy Director of Legal Services submitted a report on a proposal presented to the Lancashire County Council to divert a length of Public Footpath No 6 which links Old Lane and Back Lane, Mawdesley.

The existing route of the footpath travelled through the site of Cedar House Farm, which was to be developed into a craft centre.  An application had been lodged, therefore, for the diversion of the footpath onto a route that would skirt around the southern and western boundaries of the site.

The report contended that, as the Council did not possess any direct information on either the public use of the footpath or land ownerships in the area, it would be unreasonable to raise objection to the proposal.

RESOLVED - That no objection be raised to the making of a Public Path Diversion Order by the Lancashire County Council under Section 199 of the Highways /Act 1980 for the purpose of diverting a 203 metre length of Public Footpath No 6 at Mawdesley, as indicated on the map attached to the submitted report, as it runs north-westwards from Old Lane through the middle of the Cedar Farm Craft Centre onto a new line running parallel to the existing route, but along a line that skirts the southern and western boundaries of the site.

Report of Deputy Director of Legal Services (enclosed)

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Director of Legal Services on a claim submitted to Lancashire County Council for the status of public footpath to be conferred on a path at Limbrick, Heath Charnock running from Dark Lane along the north bank of the River Yarrow through to Long Lane.

Several evidence of use forms alleging a long-standing and durable public usage of the footpath that had been lodged with the County Council.

The report confirmed that the Borough Council did not possess any evidence to refute the claim and a member of the Committee referred to significant anecdotal evidence to support the claimed public usage of the route.

RESOLVED - That no objection be raised to the claim for the grant of public right of way status on the footpath running westwards from Back Lane along the north side of the River Yarrow through to Long Lane at Limbrick, Heath Charnock

Report of Deputy Director of Legal Services (enclosed)

The Deputy Director of Legal Services presented a report on a claim lodged with Lancashire County Council for the status of public footpath to be conferred on a small path running along the southern side of the reservoir to the east of the M61 motorway in the vicinity of the former Healey Works which linked the eastern section of Public Footpath No 16 to the western section of the public foothpath.

A number of evidence of use forms had been lodged with the County Council claiming a long-standing public usage of the route between the two public footpaths.

In addition, a further claim had been lodged for the conferral of public right of way status on a ‘spur’ path leading from the claimed path along the western and northern sides of the reservoir to reflect the alleged long-standing public usage of the scenic route.

The Council possessed no evidence to refute the claim.

A member of the Committee drew attention to the fact that a section of the footpath was being closed by a local fishing club for part of the day and requested the Officers to examine the situation.

RESOLVED - That no objection be raised either to the claim for the grant of public right of way status on the footpath linking Public Footpath No 16 (West) and Public Footpath 16 (East), Chorley or to the claim for the grant of public right of way status on the ‘spur’ path leading north from the aforementioned path along the western and northern sides of the eastern reservoir.

Report of Director of Human Resources (enclosed)

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Human Resources recommending the establishment of four new Principal Officer salary grades from PO15 to PO18 to reflect the available NJC pay scales up to spinal column point 55.

The creation of the four new Principal Officer grades would allow a greater degree of flexibility in the appointment of Principal Officers and support the recruitment and retention of high calibre staff.  The new grades would be awarded to appropriate Principal Officers whose responsibilities warranted the higher salaries without assimilating the posts on Chief Officers grades, whose maximum salaries would be greater than spinal column point 55, thus creating a long term financial saving.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the introduction of Principal Officer grades PO15, PO16, PO17 and PO18 rising to a maximum of spinal column point 55.