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

Geraldine Smith MP and Mr. Richard Martin were in attendance by invitation.
APOLOGIES received from P.C. J. Humphrey. City Cllr. P. Williamson is unable to attend meetings on Tuesdays.

THE MINUTES of the last meeting were agreed and signed.

POLICE REPORT: PCSO Hoover reported no crimes in the parish since the last meeting.

MATTERS ARISING: Members decided that they could not pursue the idea of a foot/cycleway to Kirkby Lonsdale any farther. The cost of land, legal fees and the subsequent upkeep of the path are beyond the Parish Council's means.

The improvement of the notice board in the bus shelter is in hand.

CORRESPONDENCE: Various items received and circulated. The clerk was instructed to complete the questionnaire on the introduction of dog control orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.

Two consultation documents, 'The Making and Enforcement of Byelaws' and 'Codes of Conduct for local Authority Members and Employees' were circulated.

FINANCIAL MATTERS: Current Acc. £385.44; Bonus savings Acc. £2052.51.

Authorised since the last meeting;
Ch.No. 000342: £40.00 to Royal British Legion; donation and payment for Poppy Wreath.
Councillors agreed a donation of £150.00 to Wagtail Playgroup and toddlers. Ch. No.000343.
Having further considered the figures presented at the last meeting the council decided to let the precept for 2009/10 remain unchanged at £3,300.00.

Correspondence from Lancaster City Council informs of the abolition of Special Expenses Households in parished areas will pay approximately £10.45 more to the City Council per annum. This means that everybody will now pay the same basic City Council tax rate.

OTHER MATTERS:The lack of salt and grit and subsequent dangerous state of footways and Church Street was raised. The clerk has been in touch with Highways Dept., which has refilled the bins. They cannot grit Church St. but offered extra grit piles where requested.

Outside the business of the meeting Councillors were able to bring several matters to the notice of Geraldine Smith MP. These included waste water collection charges, local hospital provision and the increase in agencies involved in local government.