The Chair, Councillor Gordon France, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Decision: That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2019 be confirmed as a correct record.

Adele Hayes (Service Lead – Planning) will attend the meeting to give a short presentation on Planning issues and take any questions.

As requested at the last meeting, Adele Hayes, Service Lead for Planning Services, attended the meeting to discuss planning issues and take any questions.

Members of the Liaison were reminded that only material planning considerations could be referred to when determining planning applications, both at the Planning Committee and via delegated decisions. Development in the Greenbelt was strictly controlled and any unauthorised development could lead to enforcement.

Adele ran through the process for notifying Parish and Town councils of planning applications, both on the weekly list and those to be brought forward to committee. Those present were urged to direct any queries about specific planning applications to the relevant case officers. Members of the Liaison were reminded that there was a Planning in Practice session taking place in February 2020 and any topics could be requested for consideration.

Terry Dickenson, Wheelton, queried the protocols in place for an application to comply with the consent given in regards to a specific site in Wheelton. It was proposed that the Council would employ a structural engineer to look at the land drainage issues on the site.

Graham Ashworth, Heath Charnock, queried what was meant by the discharge of planning conditions and requested that this be included in the Planning in Practice session in the New Year.

The Group discussed the new Central Lancashire Local Plan, in particular, how sufficient it was in addressing the climate emergency, whether the new plan would commence in 2022 or 2026, and the effect this would have on housing scheduled to commence in 2026 in line with the expiry of the current Local Plan. Members were advised that any specific questions on the Local Plan were best directed to Zoe Whiteside (Service Lead for Spatial Planning).

Following discussion, Members of the Liaison were advised that the Issues and Options consultation would be going live on Monday, 18 November following approval by the Executive Cabinet at Preston, Chorley and South Ribble.

The Chair thanked Adele Hayes for attending the meeting.

1.    We appear to have an issue with Knotweed near to Anglezarke reservoir and car park.  Is there anything we can do about this?

Response from the Open Space Strategy Officer: The knotweed would be for the landowner to treat or the members of the parish council once they have the training with the permission of the landowner. Two people from Rivington PC are booked on the upcoming course.  

2.    Additionally, there is a big issue with anti-social behaviour, dangerous driving and apparent drink/drug taking at viewpoint. The residents living near to viewpoint have expressed particular concern over the speed of the drivers on the country road. Ideas suggested include: Could we put up CCTV & would this be sufficient evidence for prosecution? Could we request an occasional police presence to discourage them?

Response from Public Protection: The Councils’ powers are not appropriate for dangerous driving and drug taking, these are direct offences which the Police powers are more appropriate.

We do not have the power to identify offenders, we would reply on intel of partners such as the police or members of the public to identify in order for us to consider any appropriate action.

We can liaise with the Police and potentially use our ASB legislation and serve a community protection warning if we had evidence that behaviour is unreasonable, persistent and/or has a detrimental effect on those in the locality.

We can ask our police colleagues if they can pay certain areas passing attention resources allowing, however their patrols are prioritised on risk and threat to the public. In order to support this, those that are directly affected should report this to the police.

If CCTV was installed this could act as a deterrent and would support us obtaining evidence such a registration plates. 

1.    We appear to have an issue with Knotweed near to Anglezarke reservoir and car park. Is there anything we can do about this?

Chris Sinnott, Deputy Chief Executive advised Members of the Liaison Group that progress under a partnership approach was being made with regards to tackling Knotweed. As reiterated by the Open Space Strategy Officer on the agenda, the knotweed near to Anglezarke reservoir and car park was the responsibility of the landowner to treat. Alternatively, members of the parish council could remove this, with the permission of the landowner, once they had had training. Two people from Rivington Parish Council were booked onto an upcoming course.

Working in partnership, Chorley Council had paid for ten people to undertake the training in addition to providing support and the Parish Councils would have responsibility for purchasing the equipment.

The Chair thanked Chris Sinnott for the update.

2.    Additionally, there is a big issue with anti-social behaviour, dangerous driving and apparent drink/drug taking at viewpoint. The residents living near to viewpoint have expressed particular concern over the speed of the drivers on the country road. Ideas suggested include: Could we put up CCTV & would this be sufficient evidence for prosecution? Could we request an occasional police presence to discourage them?

Response from Public Protection: The Councils’ powers are not appropriate for dangerous driving and drug taking, these are direct offences which the Police powers are more appropriate.

We do not have the power to identify offenders, we would rely on intel of partners such as the police or members of the public to identify in order for us to consider any appropriate action.

We can liaise with the Police and potentially use our ASB legislation and serve a community protection warning if we had evidence that behaviour is unreasonable, persistent and/or has a detrimental effect on those in the locality.

We can ask our police colleagues if they can pay certain areas passing attention resources allowing, however their patrols are prioritised on risk and threat to the public. In order to support this, those that are directly affected should report this to the police.

If CCTV was installed this could act as a deterrent and would support us obtaining evidence such a registration plates.

1.    Concerns at the delay in introducing highway safety measures in Bretherton despite the information provided to the County Council.

A response will be provided at the meeting. 

2.    Concerns at the Constabulary blocking highway safety measures in Bretherton.

A response has been received from Chief Inspector Gary Crowe, Lancashire Constabulary

I have spoken to the local Traffic Management Officer (the member of Police staff who does the liaison with LCC Highways for the Chorley and South Ribble area) and he has explained that we have not ‘blocked the highway safety measures in Bretherton’, however we have not supported the specific measures proposed by the Parish Council in their current format. We have based this upon examination of recorded collision data and visits to the location where we have observed the use of the road. Based upon this we have suggested amending the location of the start of the speed limit change and explained our reasoning as part of the wider LCC Highways consultation process.

To be clear though, the Constabulary has not blocked highway safety measures, we have just not fully supported the Parish Council proposals in their current format.

1.    Concerns at the delay in introducing highway safety measures in Bretherton despite the information provided to the County Council.

It was agreed that the Chair of the Liaison write to County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet Member for Highways at LCC in regards to road safety measures and invite him to the next meeting.

2.    Concerns at the Constabulary blocking highway safety measures in Bretherton.

A response had been received from Chief Inspector Gary Crowe, Lancashire Constabulary:

‘I have spoken to the local Traffic Management Officer (the member of Police staff who does the liaison with LCC Highways for the Chorley and South Ribble area) and he has explained that we have not ‘blocked the highway safety measures in Bretherton’, however we have not supported the specific measures proposed by the Parish Council in their current format. We have based this upon examination of recorded collision data and visits to the location where we have observed the use of the road. Based upon this we have suggested amending the location of the start of the speed limit change and explained our reasoning as part of the wider LCC Highways consultation process.

To be clear though, the Constabulary has not blocked highway safety measures, we have just not fully supported the Parish Council proposals in their current format.’

Karen Wait, Bretherton advised that Gary Crowe had undertaken to organise a meeting with the Parish Council.

Following information on the Rural Community Energy Fund received via Chorley Council a suggestion to install a solar farm on a reservoir in the Heapey parish was put forward.

As a project of this nature is way beyond the resources of a small parish council, the Parish Council wonders whether there is a possibility of Chorley Council leading on a project of this nature which might also involve other rural parishes?

Response: The Council is currently undertaking an Overview and Scrutiny Inquiry into “Developing the Council's Green Agenda”.  Members of the Liaison may wish to contribute a written submission of steps Parish Councils are taking to address climate change and how they think the council can help them.

Following information on the Rural Community Energy Fund received via Chorley Council, a suggestion to install a solar farm on a reservoir in the Heapey Parish was put forward by the Parish Council. The representative from Heapey Parish was unable to attend the meeting at short notice and it was therefore agreed that this would be discussed at the next meeting in January.

Members of the Liaison were advised that the Council was undertaking an Overview and Scrutiny Inquiry into “Developing the Council’s Green Agenda”. The Task Group were keen to recognise the steps Parish Councils were taking to address climate change and to understand how the council could help them. Any contributions via written submission were welcomed.

Cllr Steve Holgate, Chair of the Task Group, who was present at the meeting reminded everyone of the importance of the Task Group and that the Parish Council’s be consulted as part of the inquiry. It was agreed that the Parish/Town Councils would be written out to regarding this.

Transport provision to enable young rural residents to access the Inspire Youth Zone.

A response from Janine Blythe at Inspire Youth Zone is enclosed.

Eccleston Parish Council requested a transport provision to enable young rural residents to access the Inspire Youth Zone. Janine Blythe, Chief Executive – Chorley Inspire Youth Zone provided a response which highlighted how this was being addressed as part of a wider outreach project over the next 12 months which had 2 main aims:

1)    To consult with young people and partners in identified areas (including understanding and addressing issues of access or any other barriers to membership or attendance).

2)    To deliver detached youth work and engagement activities in identified areas (including to encourage and increase membership and attendance).

Members of the Liaison discussed the lack of access to the Youth Service in rural areas and how this can be addressed. Julia Berry, Chorley South Division - LCC recognised that Lancashire County Council needed to be on board with the Transport Strategy to help fill any gaps and as County Councillor was happy to meet with parish councils to help understand their problems and feed this back.

Laura Lennox, Astley Village advised that following the new subsidised bus service in Astley Village, incorrect signage had been put up at some bus stops around the village. It was agreed that this would be looked into.

In order to allow members of the Liaison and members of the public to raise issues of local concern, a period of 20 minutes has been set aside.

A member of the public may speak for no more than 3 minutes.  Members of the public are not required to give notice of the issue they intend to raise, although it is expected in the case of service issues that the appropriate mechanisms for resolving the issue have been explored. 

Where a question is raised which cannot be answered at the meeting, a record will be kept by officers supporting the meeting and it will be responded to via the appropriate mechanism.

Julia Berry, Chorley South Division – LCC, highlighted the significant flooding issues within the borough and proposed that an event be held at the Town Hall to encourage resilience building. The multi-agency event would include LCC, Chorley Council, parish councils, and a network of relevant external agencies such as United Utilities and the Environment Agency. It was agreed that this would be looked into.

Terry Dickenson requested that information on what constitutes environmental/ecological impact with regards to proposed developments be addressed at the next Planning in Practice session.

A schedule setting out deadlines for items to be requested on the agenda for the Chorley Liaison and dates for future meetings is enclosed. 

The agenda management timetable and suggested future items were noted.

Items were requested at future meetings relating to:

·         Public transport access issues

·         Air pollution