PRESENT:
Cllrs. S. Close
G. Hodgson
J.E. Lawson
R. Mackereth E. Pelter

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN: Cllr. Eric Pelter was proposed and elected to serve as chair for 2008/9. Cllr. Pelter accepted office.

Cllr. Stuart Close was proposed to serve as Vice Chair; he accepted office and was elected.

THE MINUTES of the last meeting were agreed and signed.

MATTERS ARISING: Dog fouling - the situation has improved; one dog owner has been spoken to.

Highways - some work has been done but there are large pot holes on Docker Lane and the edges of B6254 still need attention.

Gullies need sucking out at Docker and Newton.

Acknowledgment of Whittington's entry into Lancashire best Kept Village competition was received. Judging begins on 1st June until mid July.

CORRESPONDENCE: Various items received and noted. Mr Graham Williams had written expressing concern about the Parish Precept; the rise proposed by the parish Council of 10% on last year and the rise of 14% imposed by Lancaster City Council under that heading. Mr Williams offered several proposals to the council which were discussed. Clerk to reply to Mr Williams' letter.

FINANCES: The clerk presented the Annual Accounts which were considered and adopted by the council.

On March 31st 2008 the current account stood at £615.15 with £340.33 represented by unpresented cheques. The maintenance account stood at £1,024.51

Payments agreed at the meeting: Donation to Arkholme & District WI £100.00 (Ch. No. 000330, Allianz Ins.plc (Annual premium) £305.15 (Ch. No.0003331). Payments made since the last meeting: Ch. No.000328 £59.58 to The North Family Trust for the erection of the notice board on Docker Lane, Ch. No.000329 £250.00 - Clerk's salary.

Papers for completion of the Annual Audit have arrived, Clerk to proceed with this.

one application received;

Application No. 08/00305/FUL
For; Mr and Mrs S. Morgan
For; Erection of a two storey granny annex.
At; Newton Green Barn, Newton Road, Newton, Carnforth. LA6 2PA
Application Refused

PLANNING contd.: From South Lakeland District Council - notification of an amendment to permission already granted for work at Irving's sawmill. This amendment concerns buildings on the site and has no effect on traffic through Whittington so the council had no comment.
Details of planning applications and decisions are now available on line. Decisions are no longer posted out.

OTHER MATTERS:
The Parish Assembly was attended by one parishioner. The discrepancy between the Parish Council's 10% increase in the precept and the district council's tax demand for a 14% increase was raised.
* (Clerk later confirmed that this is due to the method of collection; Whittington has the equivalent of 5 fewer D band households paying tax this year).

The council was asked to look into the possibility of a footway beside the B6254 between Whittington and Kirkby Lonsdale. Clerk to contact District and County councillors for advice.

The Police have followed up reports of unauthorised parking and activity around the garages at the bottom of Hosticle Lane.

The councillors expressed their appreciation of regular walkers and other parishioners who pick up litter and help to keep the parish tidy.

Clerk asked to source some more robust backing for the notice board in the bus shelter which has worn out.

MEETINGS FOR 2008/9
TUESDAY :1ST July, 2nd September, 4th November, 6th January 2009, 3rd March, 5th May - AGM
PARISH ASSEMBLY 28th April

ALL MEETINGS AT 8PM IN WHITTINGTON VILLAGE HALL
Parishioners are welcome to observe any meeting and to participate in the Annual Village Assembly