CLAYTON AND ALTHAM AREA COUNCIL
Wednesday, 14th November 2007
Present:
Councillor Storey (in the Chair), Councillors Collingridge and Parkinson
Co-optees:
R. Henks, P. Quirke, Inspector C. Saville
Officers:
R. Grigorjevs, L. Middlehurst, U. Reilly, L. Williams
Residents:
T. Braithwaite, H. Foster, A. Hargreaves, A. Haworth, W. Hill, I. Leaver, J. Liddle,
M. Pickup, J. Turner, P. Worswick,
Others:
C. Hart, Neighbourhood Management
Press:
S. Thacker, Accrington Observer
Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Susan Baxendale, Elsie Hallworth, Altham
Parish Councillor Rennie Pinder, Arthur Smith, Paul Stanners and Yvonne Wilson.
Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting held on 25th July 2007 were submitted.
Resolved
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That the minutes be approved as a correct record.
Open Forum and what’s happening about…
Award Nominations
The Chair advised that residents who wished to nominate somebody for the Area Council Award
should submit the candidate’s details with a description of their achievements to the Area
Council office. Any person selected to receive an award may have their picture published in the
Accrington Observer.
Clayton and Altham Caretaker
The Area Council Co-ordinator updated the meeting on work recently carried out by the
caretaker, as follows:
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Painting bollards and fencing.
Litter picking in the woodlands, canal path, Lower Barnes Street estate,
A678 Burnley Road, Altham, the Ash Pad and the area near the lights at
Whalley Road and Blackburn Road.
Tidying up the shrub bed.
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Ensuring the watercourse that ran through the woodlands was clear.
Clayton Civic Hall
The Area Council Co-ordinator advised that work had been carried out to Clayton Civic Hall to
conform with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which included a disabled toilet, new
automatic doors, new handrails on the ramps, edging to the steps, tactile paving, a lowered
counter in the kitchen and a wider hatch to enable access to the kitchen.
Bell Lane
Councillor Parkinson provided the meeting with an update on the upgrading of Bell Lane to a
bridleway. He explained the process required to upgrade, but advised that the landowner was
unwilling to upgrade the Lane and as such further advice was to be sought from Lancashire
County Council.
Road speed signs
Councillor Parkinson reported that mobile speed indicator signs would be up and running in the
New Year.
Altham Parish Council
Councillor Parkinson provided a brief update on activities in Altham in the absence of Parish
Councillor Pinder, as follows:
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Altham in Bloom 2008 was currently underway
The Christmas lights switch would take place on 12th December 2007
The clean up of Moorfield Industrial Estate was ongoing
The Parish Council continued to observe proceedings surrounding the
racecourse along with various organisations including Blackburn with Darwen
Council.
Canal Bridge
Councillor Parkinson advised the meeting of the response received from Lancashire County
Council in connection with the bridge as follows. Hyndburn Borough Council was responsible
for the construction of the scheme and, in order for the works to be adopted by Lancashire
County Council they had to be satisfied with all aspects of future maintenance, including access
arrangements.
Councillor Parkinson reported that to date design work had been undertaken to produce a draft
scheme, bridge the canal and link the cycleway/footpath to the canal towpath. Site
investigations had been carried out after the clearance of Japanese Knotweed and meetings
had taken place between Blackburn with Darwen Council and Hyndburn Borough Council’s
planning department. Comments had been made on the draft drawing by Hyndburn Borough
Council and Lancashire County Council’s Cycling Officer felt it would be desirable to link the
cycleway/footway to Whalley Road as well as to the towpath.
Councillor Parkinson outlined the factors in designing the link and reported that scheme
preparation was at the stage of gathering information to give consideration to those factors, in
order that a planning drawing, including a link to Whalley Road was produced.
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New Christmas crib and figures and tree lights at Hare and Hounds
Councillor Collingridge informed the meeting that the new Christmas crib had been made and
measured 5ft x 3ft and was currently in storage at the Council building on Willows Lane. New
figures had been made to complement the crib and a backdrop was being prepared.
Councillor Collingridge advised the meeting that the tree lights at the Hare and Hounds were
low emission and would be hung on the trees in the surrounding area.
Presentations
Benefits Take-up Campaign
Hyndburn Borough Council’s, Customer Services Manager gave a presentation on housing and
council tax benefit, as follows:
 The aim of the presentation was to raise awareness, encourage benefit take up, provide
an overview of housing benefit and council tax benefit and dispel any myths associated
with claiming benefits.
 Provided a brief overview of what housing and council tax benefit were.
 Informed the meeting of Second Adult Rebate, which provided help towards council tax if
another adult resided in the house, although it was not normally paid if a partner was
living in the house.
 Referred to the fictional/factual beliefs behind claiming benefits and the different ways
they could be claimed.
 Informed the meeting that a decision was generally made within 14 days and that
Hyndburn Borough Council’s Customer Services and Benefits section was currently
classed as ‘excellent’ by the Department of Work and Pensions Performance Standards
for dealing with benefit claims.
 Advised that residents could be eligible for full rent costs, although there were
restrictions for private properties and people under the age of 25 and that up to the full
amount of council tax benefit could be paid or 25% for Second Adult Rebate.
 Suggested that any residents who felt they may be entitled to further benefits could visit
the following organisations for help and advice. The pension service held fortnightly
surgeries at Accrington Town Hall for advice in relation to pensions and residents could
also visit the Community Advice Centre.
 The meeting was informed that residents in receipt of housing and council tax benefit
were entitled to concessionary leisure cards and help with veterinary fees, via the PDSA.
Councillor Myles queried whether a house could actually be rented at a cost of £45.00 per
week. The Customer Services Manager advised that independent rent valuers set the rent
figure and that £45.00 was the maximum benefit that was provided to those living in privately
rented accommodation. The Customer Services Manager reported that the Council did offer a
discretionary housing scheme to help top up rent payments for people in financial hardship, but
it was only for a limited period and the house had to be privately rented.
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Floral Town
A representative from the Hyndburn Borough Council Parks Department distributed a proposed
garden scheme to be implemented on Tarn Avenue with the junction of Whalley Road. The
scheme would cost £3,700 and would offer the impression of a meadow from spring through to
autumn and include wildflower and spring bulb planting and spring flowering trees.
The Chair asked if the cost proposed would cover everything, including maintenance. The Parks
Representative advised that bulbs, trees, installation and maintenance were included but very
little maintenance was required as grass cutting would remove the wildflowers.
Councillor Parkinson suggested that the area was the gateway to Clayton-le-Moors and would
add to the work already carried out by voluntary groups in the area.
A resident queried the percentage of ox-eye daisy proposed in the scheme and asked if the
proposed wildflower mix could be altered. The Parks Representative suggested that the
proposed flower mix could be altered. The Chair suggested that Area Council would consider
the scheme subject to changes in the wildflower mix.
Your Town in 2018
The Head of Policy, Partnerships and Performance from Hyndburn Borough Council gave a
presentation on the Sustainable Community Strategy in Hyndburn, as follows:
 Explained that the Sustainable Community Strategy was the Borough’s most important
strategy and that all public and voluntary sector organisations registered to help achieve
the Strategy’s aims. The Strategy would last for 10 years and fit in with the Borough’s
new Local Development Framework.
 The draft vision’s aim were to:
 create a strong and balanced housing market
 a place where it would be good to learn, work and do business
 a health and safe community with pride, confidence and high aspirations
 a collection of floral market towns
 a place for everyone, which values and embraces diversity
 Advised the meeting of the suggestions that partner organisations had made such as the
need for health to be included as a priority in its own right, that the Strategy should link
into regional initiatives and that transport should be included.
 Referred to the Council’s new newspaper, the Beacon, which had recently been
distributed across the Borough by the Council’s recycling teams and advised that the
newspaper provided further information on the Strategy and the chance to comment on
the document.
 Residents were informed if they had any suggestions on the Strategy they could provide
them to the Council via email, text, in writing or in person at the Council offices.
 Explained the timetable of events and that the document would be in place by midJanuary 2008.
A resident asked if the feedback forms regularly completed by Area Councils had been used for
input into the Strategy. The Head of Policy, Partnership and Performance indicated that the
results of those questionnaires were part of the Citizens Panel and information from that Panel
had been used for the document.
Anti-social behaviour
The Chair advised residents that questionnaires were available with the agenda pack and that
they were used for Housing Market Renewal who was carrying out a survey. The information
provided on those questionnaires would enable them to consider patterns and trends in relation
to the ‘Respect Agenda’ which aimed to investigate anti-social behaviour.
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Open Forum
Susan Baxendale submitted the following comments prior to the meeting:
Q.
At the last meeting it was requested the bench on Blackburn Road be repaired and the
undergrowth and hedges cutback to provide access to the footpath. The work had since
been carried out and would like to forward thanks to the people/departments concerned.
Elsie Hallworth submitted the following comment prior to the meeting:
Q.
Congratulations on the beautiful floral displays throughout the area.
R.
The Chair responded that both residents’ comments had been forwarded to the
Council’s Parks and Opens Spaces Manager who had advised he would pass on those
comments to the operations staff involved, it was good for staff to receive praise from
members of the public for their hard work.
Local Reports
Neighbourhood Management Board
Clive Hart from the Neighbourhood Management Board gave an update on recent
activities/initiatives as follows:
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Clayton Park Rangers had entered two teams into local leagues at under 11s. A
fundraiser was organised on 2nd September which had helped raise over £500. The
police reported that there was a noticeable improvement in the behaviour of the
youngsters involved. Over 90 local youngsters were registered with the football club and
the Chairman hoped to enter a five-a-side league for under 16s in the near future.
Fitness 4 Boxing had recently taken young fighters to Copenhagen to compete in a
competition, which had resulted in silverware. The club had also recently held a ‘team
building’ day in conjunction with the army, which had provided much enjoyment.
Clayton Jamming Sessions, a rock music project for young people had opened for
business during the summer and those children that had learnt to play instruments were
performing their first gig in Clayton on 16th November. Section 5, the band’s name were
supporting the Snowbyrds at the Neighbourhood Management youth consultation
‘Clayton Rocks’.
The Cinema Club had been resurrected after a slow start and had begun to attract the
over 55s for an afternoon out The December film would be ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at
1.30pm on 20th December, subject to the completion of building work at the Arthur Wilson
centre. The centre had received funding from the Area Council for flooring, tiling and a
new cooker to compliment the units that had been donated. Once work to the roof was
completed the Neighbourhood Management Committee would assemble to finalise the
specifications.
The ‘No cold calling’ zone was now in operation at Willow Close.
Discussions had taken place in relation to the possibility of a ‘no alcohol zone’ in Clayton,
as a result of numerous drink related anti-social behavioural incidents during the summer
months. The Local Authority (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places)
Regulations 2001 advised that permission had to be sought from the Chief Inspector of
the police in consultation with relevant parties and that licence holders would need to
offer their approval. The proposal would provide the police with the power to dispose of
alcohol and the ability to arrest those that refused. Attention was drawn to a map of the
proposed no drink zone within Clayton and residents were asked to indicate with a show
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of hands if they were in favour of the no alcohol zone. The majority of residents indicated
they were in favour of the proposal.
A resident asked if other measures could be introduced to combat drink related anti-social
behaviour. Clive Hart advised residents to contact him with any suggestions they had.
Lancashire Constabulary
Inspector Saville provided the meeting with an update on policing issues in the Clayton and
Altham area as follows:
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Crime figures continued to improve with all crime down 14½ %.
Metal prices had risen in recent months which had led to metal being stolen from
churches.
Police were trying to address the issue of underage drinking by marking alcohol bottles in
off licences with ultraviolet pens to enable the police to locate the origin of the alcohol, if
seized. Although the police accepted it did not provide a full solution as it was apparent
that adults were purchasing alcohol for juveniles.
Lancashire County Council
County Councillor Parkinson reported that the refurbishment of the children’s centre on Warwick
Avenue was nearly complete and that a planning application was expected shortly that would
prevent heavy goods vehicles from using Whalley Road.
Grants and Budgets
The Chair referred the meeting to paper D that contained details of the budget for 2007/08.
Referring to Mount Pleasant School’s request for road signs, the Chair reported that signs for
individual establishments could be provided but only from the nearest main road and at the cost
of the establishment. A double sided sign with a simple message would cost in the region of
£120 and if Mount Pleasant school wished to continue with the scheme, Area Council would
liaise with them in terms of specific requirements and costings.
Councillor Parkinson referred residents to the back of the meeting room where the two designs
that won the school completion were situated. Councillor Parkinson advised that the Council’s
graphic designer would re-produce for erection on Whalley Road and Burnley Road.
The Chair advised that Altham Parish Council had been quoted £65 per basket for the supply of
plants, planting, installation and maintenance, but Altham Parish Councillor Pinder felt that was
too costly and as such a quote should be obtained from Hyndburn Borough Council’s Parks
Department.
The Chair reported that Area Council had considered the suggestion to tarmac, or provide
another suitable surface to the grass verge on Grange Street, but advice received from Parks
and Open Spaces and Lancashire County Council had led to the abandonment of the scheme.
The money set aside of £3,900 would go back into the Area Council budget. The Chair
informed the meeting that the following capital schemes were determined under emergency
powers; Christmas lights, new Christmas crib and crib figures.
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The Chair reported the following grant applications had been received:
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Bench for Hope Garden, Altham
£ 300
Erection of a storage shed - St. Mary’s RC School PTFA £1,000
Altham Parish Council Christmas event (revenue)
£ 200
Estate at bottom of Stanley Park – disco and quiz (revenue)£ 50
The Chair advised that the following schemes were proposed:
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Repairs to unadopted roads – Winkley Road
Harrington Street
New lamp post Haworth Street
£ 891
£ 870
£ 950
The Chair informed the meeting of suggested schemes for further consideration as follows:
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Further repairs to unadopted roads (2 sites)
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Installation of floodlights for Church at top of Grange Street £5,000
Resolved
(1)
(2)
That Area Council noted the report;
That Area Council approved the following grant applications:
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Bench - Hope Garden - £300
Concrete storage shed - £1,000
Christmas event – Altham Parish Council - £200
Estate at bottom of Stanley Park – disco and quiz - £50
(3)
That Area Council approved the following proposed schemes:
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Repairs to unadopted roads –
Winkley Road - £891 and Harrington Street - £870
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New lamp post – Haworth Street - £950
(4)
That Area Council approved further consideration of the following
suggested schemes:
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Further repairs to unadopted roads (2 sites)
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Floodlights to church - £5,000
Date and time of next meeting
A resident referred to the bonfire held on Chequers on bonfire night and that the fire was situated in a
dangerous position and those attending partied until 3am. It was suggested that it should be a PACT
priority for next year that the bonfire did not go ahead. The PCSO advised that residents were warned
not to proceed with the bonfire but they felt it was a traditional event and continued with the fire. The
fire was monitored by the police and fire service, which raised no concerns. It was recommended that
next year a bonfire was organised by either the Area Council or the Neighbourhood Management
Board.
The Chair thanked residents for attending the meeting and advised that the next meeting of Clayton
and Altham Area Council would take place on Thursday, 6th March 2007.
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