Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received for Borough Councillors:  S Hore and J Alcock

Apologies were also received from the following Parish Representatives:

T Austin           Billington and Langho (COVID-19 self-isolating)

R Carr             Bowland Forest

J Turner           Dinckley

S Gee              Longridge

N Marsden      Mellor

J Hymas          Mellor

J Brown           Whalley

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillor K Horkin declared that he has business interests in the Ribble Valley.

There was no public participation.

K Barker, Balderstone parish councillor, asked if parishes would be willing to share details of lengthsman and/or contractors that do work for them and are able to undertake work for other Parish Councils within the Ribble Valley.

The rational for the request is that such a list would provide Parish Councils with a ready supply of workers who have knowledge of the type of work that can be carried out under certain grants schemes and are fully aware of the payment regimes that they need to work within.

Item brought forward by Salesbury Parish Council

The Head of Regeneration and Housing reminded members that a Dog Fouling Working Group had been set up and that the Head of Community Services was preparing a report which would examine the costs (capital and revenue) and practicalities, associated with providing and servicing up to 800 public litter bins throughout the Borough. 

Members requested that this report be ‘fast-tracked’.

Item brought forward by Salesbury Parish Council.

The Chairmen informed members that:

·         Councillor Marsden (Mellor) had asked him to express his thanks to the Council in pulling together the Dog Theft Awareness Campaign.

·         Leaflets and posters were available in the foyer for Parish Councils to take.

The Head of Cultural and Leisure Services (HoCLS) talked members through a presentation which set out the Ribble Valley’s participation in a Pilot scheme Together an Active Future(TaAF) that Sport England is undertaking in 12 areas of the country.  The presentation is attached to these minutes.

The HoCLS reminded members that TaAF had commenced pre-COVID, and that all Parish Clerks had been emailed details of the scheme at the time.  This presentation builds on that and provides updated information.

The HoCLS informed the committee that the main aims of TaAF are to:

·         Help shape the pilot going forwards, so it can make a significant and sustainable contribution to the activity of borough residents.

·         Explore the best ways to persuade the most inactive to become more active.

·         Increase awareness and benefits of physical activity.

The HoCLS stated that the Pilot’s target audience will predominantly be the inactive population, particularly those with or at risk of mental wellbeing challenges.  However, it will also look to have a direct impact on those who experience below average health and wellbeing and those who could benefit from increased levels of physical activity.

The Committee were very enthusiastic at the Council’s participation in the Pilot and the HoCLS answered several questions on the matter.

The HoCLS went on to say that he would like to engage with Parish Councils to:

·         Develop an understanding of the current physical activity offer in the borough.

·         Share collective ideas.

·         Create solutions to issues that are identified. 

·         Based on the engagement, create activities, or develop locally based activities which currently operate.

To facilitate the above, the HoCLS will ask the clerk to this committee to arrange meetings as required.

The Council’s Chief Executive updated members on two items.

Purchase of CCTV Equipment:

Parish representatives can now apply for 25% reimbursement towards the purchase and installation costs and ongoing revenue costs of installing standalone CCTV equipment.

It was noted that many smaller Parish Councils may not be able to afford the 75% upfront costs of CCTV equipment and asked if it would be possible for such councils to pool their resources towards a mobile CCTV unit which could be shared.

The Chief Executive remarked that this seemed a sensible solution for such councils

Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee:

The Chief Executive reminded members and parish council representatives that next year will be the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth will become the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years of service. 

The Chief Executive went on to say that the views of members and parish councillors are sought on how the Ribble Valley might mark this event.

The next meeting is scheduled for 11 November 2021.

The Chairman informed the committee that the next meeting would be on 11 November at 6.30pm.