1. PRESENT: Cllr. S. Close Cllr. G. Hodgson Cllr. J. E Lawson Cllr. R. Mackereth Cllr. E. Pelter PC. Paul Winder Inspector Jill Townley APOLOGIES: ECSO D. Gwilliam ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN: Cllr Eric Pelter was elected as chairman for the coming year and accepted this office. Cllr. Stuart Close was elected to serve as Vice Chairman. MINUTES of the meeting held on 2nd March were agreed and signed. POLICE REPORT: PC. Winder reported a reduction in the number of crimes in the parish, compared with last year, from 9 to 5. Last year's figures included 6 burglaries, this year's only one, most crimes being concerned with motor vehicles. Traffic accidents remained level at 6 per year although this year saw a fatality at Newton. Signs and 'centre line hazard markings' have been put in place as a result of this. The road surface has yet to be replaced. Clerk will contact Highways Dept. to ask whether a date has been agreed for this. Carnforth Police Station is open for guided visits during May and June, by arrangement. Up to 10 people can visit at 6 or 7pm on 2Oth May, 2nd, 11th, 12th and 13th June or at 1pm on 7th or 8th June. PC Winder reported that traveling with the Library van has proved successful and will continue. It is a good way for him to meet people on his patch and he can answer queries and give advice if needed. He will be on the van again on 151h June. Inspector Townley then introduced herself as the new Geographical Inspector. She assured Cllrs. that she is not planning to cut back on policing in Whittington. She is re-introducing the volunteer system and has appointed a sergeant to co-ordinate the volunteers in the area. Volunteers work alongside the police for a few hours a week preparing newsletters perhaps. A civilian volunteer enables Carnforth Police Station to open on Wednesdays. It is also open from 1 aam to 6pm on Fridays. Inspector Townley mentioned the Special Constables. These have training and assist in policing. Inspector sees this as a good way to discover if the Police Force is a career for them. MATTERS ARISING: A plan to show the position of the Time Capsule will be placed with the minutes. Judging for the Best Kept Village competition takes place from the beginning of June to 14th July. There will be a 'Tidy Up' morning on Saturday 51h June. The Annual Floral Competition will be judged in late July or early August. Kirkby Lonsdale PC has been asked to consider the placement of a pointer at the Cumbrian end of the footpath from Sellett Mill. Clerk still enquiring after litter picking equipment. A gate has replaced the stile at the Long Footpath exit to B6254. Cllrs. expressed gratitude to Whittington Hall Estates. CORRESPONDENCE: Various items of correspondence had been received and were accepted. Village Land Use Survey. A draft copy of this has been received from Lancaster City Council. This records the use made of properties and open spaces in the village e.g. shop, dwelling, churchyard, play area. PC asked to make corrections where necessary. Clerk noted errors and will contact LCC for more information about the purpose of this plan. Cllrs. accepted the conditions and quote to renew the Insurance policy. A reply to Rural Transport Initiatives had been made indicating possible interest in the free provision of a bus shelter. End of page 25. Cllrs. noted new information on the Code of Conduct. Action to be taken where necessary. Parish Cllr. Allowances. Under new regulations Cllrs. may be reimbursed at a basic level for travel and subsistence in the course of their duties. It is intended that such payments would be made only if considerable expense had to be incurred, e.g. several days attendance in Preston. not a single meeting in Lancaster. FINANCES: The clerk presented the Annual Statement of Accounts which were agreed by Cllrs. and signed by the Chair. Current Acc. stands at £389.73 Payments since the last meeting: Ch. No.000250 £150 -NW Air Ambulance. Ch. No. 000249.£200 -Wagtail. Ch. No.000251 £10 -Best Kept Village Comp. Ch. No.000252 £250 -Clerk's salary. Ch. No.000253 £184 -Ian Ridding (repair to seat) PLANNING: One application received: Application No. 04/0038/FUL Grid Ref: 760660.000 601214.000 Proposal: Erection of extension to the front and alterations. For: Whittington Village Hall Site Address: Village Hall, Main Street, Whittington. Lancashire. Planning Permission granted: Application No.04/00108/FUL Applicant: Mr and Mrs N. Whiteley Site Address: Windy Howe, Hutton Roof, Whittington. Lancs., LA6 2PG Proposal: Erection of a two storey side extension Application No. 04/0038/FUL Grid Ref: 760660.000 601214.000 Proposal: Erection of extension to the front and alterations. For: Whittington Village Hall Site Address: Village Hall, Main Street, Whittington. Lancashire. Notification of application and permission granted to carry out works to trees at Nos. 1 and 2 Rectory Gardens received. OTHER MATTERS: Supports to the notice board at Newton need replacing. Clerk directed to contact Ian Ridding to do this. Clerk to request that sods overgrowing the footway near Laundry Cottages in Newton be cleared. Cllr. Hodgson to be allowed to plant daffodils at the signs at either end of the village. MEETINGS FOR 2004/2005: Tuesday: 6th July 2004 Tuesday: 7th September Tuesday: 2nd November Tuesday: 4th January 2005 Tuesday: lst March Tuesday: 3rd May Parish Assembly 26th April All meetings begin at 8pm

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