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

The minutes of the last meeting held, Wednesday 21 July 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

Sally Green, Climate Change Programme Officer will deliver a short presentation and take questions.

Sally Green (Climate Change Program Officer) delivered a presentation which sought to brief members on the Council’s strategic themes, commitments and achievements, ongoing work and the progress with electric vehicle charging points.

The Chair thanked Sally for her attendance and presentation.

This item has been requested by Heath Charnock Parish Council for discussion.

Background

The Parish Council’s concern is that County Councillor Keith Iddon former Executive Member for Highways and Transport did give a commitment that the incursion of the race route through Heath Charnock Parish would be restricted. The September 21 race route shows this has beginning to be overlooked. The Parish Council has a proposed route that would keep the race entirely out of the Chorley district given that it is Bolton’s Ironman UK race.

Graham Ashworth (Heath Charnock) introduced this item and explained that the impact on the Parish was worse now there are two ironmen events a year. Roads are being closed for at least 10 hours, with Heath Charnock being closed first at 6 or 7 AM and not re-opening until 4pm in the afternoon. It was explained that this causes issues for residents who have carers.

The Parish Council had provided alternative routes for the Ironman Race, which would prevent the race from entering the borough of Chorley.

County Councillor Snape explained that the previous Cabinet Member at Lancashire County Council (LCC) for Highways did get the route altered. In summer Ironman stuck to the original route, which came through Anderton on the periphery of Lancashire. However, in September a week’s notice was given that there would be a supplementary route which would cut off half of Heath Charnock. Councillor Snape provided that contact would need to be made with the new LCC Cabinet Member for Highways to ensure that the route did not continue to come within the borough.

Councillor Bradley requested that a letter be sent to County Councillor Edwards to remind him of LCC’s commitment to keeping the Ironman Race out of Chorley.

This item has been requested by the Chair following a service request.

More information on dropped kerbs can also be found on Lancashire County Council’s website by clicking here.

The Chair introduced this item as a service request had been received, it was provided that a response had not yet been received from LCC. An update would be provided at the next meeting.

Alan Cornwell (Charnock Richard) explained that LCC had now been out and put black markings down on the pavement where the kerb needed to be dropped.

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.

Several questions were received from members of the liaison:

·         Concern about clumps of Japanese Knotweed appearing in Anglezarke, County Councillor Snape would report this issue.

·         Colin Evans (Whittle-le-Woods) requested an update on the CCTV at Whittle. Councillor Bradley provided that the CCTV was being contributed too by the Parish and there was an idea to tie it back into the wider system. An update would be provided outside of the meeting.

·         Colin Evans (Whittle-le-Woods) asked for an update on weeding and hedge trimming. It was explained that the area was overgrown, particularly in Union Street where the Village Hall is. The Chair provided that Officers would request Streetscene to look.

·         Alan Platt (Ulnes Walton) explained the Parish concern for the potential new prison which could be built in Ulnes Walton and asked for any support members of the liaison could give in objecting to the application. County Councillor Snape explained that individual parishes could take the application back and ask their families and friends to raise awareness. However, it is a planning application and there is unsurety as to when it will be heard. Councillor Bradley provided that the authority had expressed concern at the application in relation to highways and the impact on Southport Road. The authority would want to see significant highways enhancements.

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

Graham Ashworth (Heath Charnock) mentioned about the weekly planning list and asked about the possibility of breaking it down further. Councillor Bradley confirmed that this was being looked into by ICT and an update would be provided outside the meeting.

None.