Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence from the meeting were received from Councillors R Bennett and D Berryman.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 February were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests.

There was no public participation.

Lancashire County Councillor R Swarbrick spoke on the issue of implementing 20mph speed limits for villages in the Ribble Valley.

He reminded the meeting about the service that Rennie Pinder provides with regards to the SPID Scheme and how this helps the police to know where to go to target their activity.  However, he noted difficulties encountered with the police in terms of the costs to them for issuing fines to speeding drivers and in getting them to enforce certain speed limits.  He was of the view that speed limit signs may encourage drivers to slow down but believed that enforcement of speed limits is the best deterrent.

County Councillor Swarbrick advised that unfortunately, at present there aren’t the funds available to implement 20mph speed limits. 

Parish Councillors provided their input and put forward their concerns to Councillor Swarbrick.

County Councillor Swarbrick urged members of the Parish Council Liaison meeting to write to him setting out the case for 20mph speed limits and encouraging Lancashire County Council to implement schemes. 

It was noted that a Parish Council Liaison Working Group has been set up and the first meeting is to take place the following week.

The Chief Executive advised the meeting as to the arrangements for the King’s Coronation, which are as follows:

·         the Council has arranged for two large screens on Clitheroe bandstand where the Coronation will be televised live.  The Rotary Club has agreed to provide stewards for the occasion.

·         a Coronation grant of £500 will be paid to each Parish/Town Council on application.  It was noted that the grant will be paid to the Parish/Town Councils but this money can then be passed on to any voluntary groups at their discretion. 

·         the Council has agreed to make litter picking equipment available to Parishes to support the Big Help Out on Monday 8 May.  If any Parishes have any further ideas for the Big Help Out then they should let the Council know.

·         the Council are encouraging residents to have street parties for the Coronation and will do all the legal paperwork for free.  The Ribble Valley Mayor and Mayoress will also visit street parties if invited.

·         Clitheroe Castle will be lit up red, white and blue.

The Head of Strategic Planning and Housing advised that members of Planning and Development Committee were minded to approve both HARP applications subject to a legal agreement and numerous conditions. Both applications are now with the Secretary of State to consider whether he wishes to call in the applications.  No decision can be made until he determines how he would like the applications to progress.

The representative from Newton in Bowland read a statement setting out the views of a local resident.

There were no matters brought forward by Parish Councils

The next meeting will take place on 22 June 2023 at 6:30pm.