INFORMATION

RIBBLE VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

REPORT TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE

meeting date:	29 MARCH 2022

title:	QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

submitted by:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE

principal author:	MARSHAL SCOTT

1	PURPOSE

1.1	To report progress with the selection of appropriate projects to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

2	BACKGROUND

2.1	At the last meeting Committee considered various options to celebrate and commemorate the Platinum Jubilee.

2.2	It was agreed to:

have a Beacon Lighting Ceremony at Clitheroe Castle;

agree to give grants of £500 to parish councils to help them commemorate the Jubilee;

set up a Task and Finish Group to consider in more detail further options to commemorate the Jubilee.

3	TASK AND FINISH GROUP

3.1	The Task and Finish Group has met (minutes attached). They considered a number of projects and now make recommendations to this Committee for the projects to be chosen.

4	RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK AND FINISH GROUP

4.1	The following schemes are suggested for approval:-

The creation of a Ribble Valley Trail including appropriate Way Marking;

Planting 70 Trees across the Ribble Valley on Council owned land;

A commemorative stone to be placed in the Centre of the Kingdom (Dunsop Bridge)

5	RISK ASSESSMENT

Resources – the cost of Parish Grants is estimated at £20,000 which has now been included in this committees revised budget. A sum of £10,000 has been included in next year’s draft budget. The schemes recommended are estimated to cost in the region of £20,000 so the budget will need to be increased.

Technical, Environmental and Legal - None

Political - None

Reputation – the Council should provide a lead for the Community in commemorating this important event.

Equality & Diversity – None

6	RECOMMENDED THAT COMMITTEE / CONCLUSION

6.1	Consider the Task and Finish Group’s recommendations.

Marshal Scott

DIRECTOR OF / CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Appendix 1

Minutes of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Working Group

Meeting Date:	Thursday, 27 January 2022, started at 10.00 am

Present:	Councillor S Atkinson (Chair)

Councillors:

J Clark S Fletcher

In attendance:

Chief Executive, Director of Economic Development and Planning and the Director of Community Services.

1. Apologies for absence:

Cllr R Thompson sent his apologies.

2. PURCHASE OF LAND

The Chief Executive reminded members that at the recent Policy & Finance committee, delegation had been given to him in consultation with the working group to progress the purchase of a piece of land for a woodland at an auction due to take place on 31 January 2022.

A legal pack had been obtained that contained limited information. Investigation had taken place into past ownership of the land and its history of sales, which had flagged up some concerns.

After some discussion it was agreed by the working group not to proceed to bid for the land at the auction.

3. JUBILEE GARDENS

The Chief Executive informed the working group that informal discussions were on-going about proposed Jubilee Gardens on the triangular piece of land near Sainsburys, Clitheroe. The highway currently belongs to LCC and is a well-used road. The proposal was being pursued by the Clitheroe County Councillor, Sue Hind.

The Director of Economic Development and Planning had made some preliminary inquiries into what would be required to ‘close’ the road. This would be a lengthy and costly exercise.

The Chief Executive informed members that a formal proposition would have to made by LCC before any decisions could be made on this proposal. He would keep the working group informed.

4. JUBILEE TRAIL

The Chief Executive informed the working group that work on this was progressing with Cllr R Thompson and the Mayor Elect.

SUMMARY of ACTIONS

Not to proceed with bid to purchase piece of land

Await formal proposition from LCC about highway for Jubilee Gardens

Note progress being made with Jubilee Trail

Date and time of the next meeting

The aim is to have a further meeting in time to prepare a report for submission to the Policy and Finance Committee on 29 March 2022.

Meeting closed at 10.22am

Appendix 2

Minutes of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Working Group

Meeting Date:	Wednesday 16 March, started at 2.00pm

Present:	Councillor S Atkinson (Chair)

Councillors:

J Clark S Fletcher	R Thompson

In attendance: Chief Executive, Director of Economic Development and Planning and the Director of Community Services.

Apologies for absence:

None received.

The Chief Executive reminded members of the events / actions so far

Freedom March – 24 May 2022

Beacon Lighting – 2 June 2022

Jubilee Trail – Mayor Elect and RT

£500 grant given to parishes

We are also aware of several street parties that will be taking place in the Borough

TREE PLANTING

The Director of Economic Development and Planning had circulated a suggestion of planting 70 trees across the Borough on Council-owned land. 81 locations had been identified but still needed a proper assessment carrying out. The plan included 20 native Aspens in Brungerley Park, Clitheroe and 2 in Towneley Gardens, Longridge (these trees have a safe useful life expectancy of approximately 70 years) as well as single/double trees throughout the Borough. In the few areas where the Council does not own sufficient land, it was suggested we work with the Parish Council.

JUBILEE GARDENS

The Chief Executive informed the working group that he had met with officers from LCC, the Clitheroe County Councillor and 2 Borough councillors and reached the conclusion that this was a non-starter on this piece of land. However, he suggested that a large engraved commemorative rock might work instead. Members discussed this option and decided that they liked the idea of the rock but that it should be placed in Dunsop Bridge.

OTHER IDEAS

The Director of Community Services was asked to investigate if cycle routes could be included in the Jubilee walking trails and labelled similarly.

SUMMARY of ACTIONS RECOMMENDED TO POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE

Proceed with tree planting scheme throughout the Borough

Proceed with commemorative rock in Dunsop Bridge

Ask the DCS to investigate the cycle trails

The Chief Executive would prepare a report for Policy & Finance committee on 29 March 2022.

Meeting closed at 2.15pm