An Opinion
| Jul 2010 Comments on the goings-on at the Parish Council... SAD LACK OF CONSTERNATION AS SMALL ASTEROID LANDS ON COUNCIL TABLE It’ s unusual to have the draft of last month’ s meeting called into question. But it seems the name of one of our local Dist. Cllrs was missed from the list of ’ those attending’ the May meeting. One would have expected this to be a minor matter. Not, however, to the Dist. Cllr concerned. An incandescent ball of fire landed on the table close to An Opinion. Indeed, had any acetylene cylinders been stored in the Memorial Hall that evening the whole area would surely have had to be evacuated for fear of explosion (see Fire Station Mgr’ s report below.) It seemed the Dist. Cllr’ s presence had been overlooked as he had not been in full attendance at the last meeting. Alas! He sprang into action too late. The Minutes had already been signed. The asteroid seethed to itself, slowly cooling to resemble a hot rice pudding, ’ til propriety was restored, together with the Chairman’ s apology and a footnote to the Minutes. One hopes that the Dist. Cllr gets as worked up with matters that concern us all. Public Forum Police Report - PCSO Rachel Thomas sent in her report: No Leads Some lead flashing had been reported stolen from Morewood School roof. (PCllrs understood lead had also been taken from the BMH roof, and from other buildings in surrounding areas.) The public were asked to report if they had seen anything suspicious. Fire Manager’ s Report 1. Station Mgr. C. Graham reported the fire service had been called to a garage fire in Burton where welding had been done to a car the previous day. He pointed out that had acetylene cylinders been stored in the garage, the whole area would have had to be evacuated. 2. The fire service was also called to Burton Services, where a light fitting had overheated. Traffic objection A member of the public expressed strong concern about the Police traffic plans for Sept. 9 (Westmorland Show), where M6 traffic from the south attending the show will be directed through Burton. She felt that the narrowness of Main Street and the clash with school opening hours would raise the possibility of accidents and create serious congestion. She was advised to write to Police Sgt. Sizer about the matter. The PC Meeting continues: Burtlands A planning application for land south of Burtlands Farm was received. This is for erection of a warehouse, formation of vehicle access, parking, and a septic tank. PCllrs were concerned about the new Burtlands access onto Moss Lane, at what is already a tricky junction. It was suggested that a recommendation should be made that the Burton continuation of the lane should be given right of way. Or the Holme arm of the lane. But whatever decision was made should be clear to drivers at what is virtually a blind corner. Budget Working Party The working party to decide on next year’ s PC budget was agreed: P. Smith (Council Clerk), F. Mason-Hornby (Chairman), P. Rogers (Vice Chair), and R. Boddy. Quality Status Once again this came under discussion. One PCllr opined that only one PC (Ravenstonedale) in the area appeared to speak positively about this brainchild, Quality Status. Most PCs weren’ t renewing their membership. However Burton PCllrs voted 4-2 (one abstention) in favour of keeping the status. (Most of this reported last month in BN, but these things drag on for ages.) ’ Q’ membership lasts 4 years. Speed Limits Through the Village It was agreed as unpractical to introduce a 20mph limit on Main Street, as connecting roads would remain 30mph. An inspired suggestion was that the flashing warning lights at the school should carry a 20mph warning which might slow drivers, particularly when coming from the north on the A6070. during school arrival and departure times. Signage regarding the 40mph approach and the change to 30mph, possibly just north of Clawthorpe Hall was also considered as acceptable. Leadership Arrangements A typical council memoir, this time from SLDC. It appears to hinge on the choice of (a) whether to have an elected mayor, or (b) to keep everything as it is (i.e. Leader + Cabinet.) PCllrs were asked whether they wished to make a collective decision. They didn’ t. A.O. is left wondering: are these changes in arrangements mere jugglings for power, or are they really serious attempts to benefit us all? Would the addition of a mayoral chain (hopefully re-cycled from blue box lager cans) add to the possibility of upgraded ambulance services, youth opportunities, sports fields, and so on? Other Matters 1. A PCllr reported that repairs to Vicarage Lane and Dalton Lane are now complete except for top dressing. Re-surfacing of Main Street will happen later in the summer. Drainage has been improved opposite Burton Lodge (Dalton Lane), and new reflectors have been put in place. 2. A PCllr expressed his intention to try to get funding for Diamond Jubilee mugs for Burton, to celebrate the occasion. 3. The re-cycling depot at Carnforth has been reprieved. 4. Dist. Cllr. Bingham informed the PC that Queen Elizabeth Grammar School is seeking Academy status. More or less at this juncture the meeting came to a close, and A.O. hurried home to ponder the serious question: should she remove the England flags from her car, now that the England team threatens to fall flat on its face? Or should flag-fliers stick it out till the team flies home, triumphant or not? Replies on a football of your own design. A.S. |
