Development Control Words from tonight - no Rock Lyrics this time

The words of my speech to Development Control Committee earlier tonight. The application 14/00178/FULMAJ Pemberton House Farm, Park Hall Road, Charnock Richard, was refused planning permission on the grounds that it is inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

I was allowed 5 minutes, time of speech 4 minutes 54 seconds. No Rock Lyrics this time though I have got some Madonna Lyrics pencilled in for a future Full Council meeting!

"In 1970 a young John Rigby purchased Park Hall from a gentleman called George Few to develop into a restaurant and banqueting venue.

This venture proved rather successful for Mr Rigby and he decided that living close by would be a good thing to do. He bought an old farmhouse just across the road from his much loved Park Hall – Pemberton House Farm.

Over the years the small farmhouse and farm buildings have, as a result of many refused and permitted planning applications and appeals, evolved into the rambling, eccentric, bungalow that stands there today.

This proposal is to demolish all the existing buildings, along with their eccentricity, and replace them with a single large scale development. At the same time there would be a change of use from class C3 (dwelling house) to class C2 a residential institution which covers residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.

In this instance the use, as stated in paragraph 19 of the Design and Access Statement, is for a residential care home, initially concentrating on treating a range of mental health issues.

The decision before members today, is whether the significant scale of the development is appropriate in Chorley’s Green Belt and whether there are any Very Special Circumstances, associated with provision of healthcare, that outweigh the undoubted and significant harm that such a large, rambling, development would have on that Green Belt.

I thank the council officers for, as always, a well-produced and reasoned report. I refer to paragraph 36 of that report in which reference is made to Policy 23 of the Core Strategy, the aim of which is to integrate public health principles and planning to help reduce health inequalities. This aim of integrating planning and health is to be applauded.

The NHS have been consulted on this planning application in order to identify whether there are Very Special Circumstances, that outweigh harm to the Green Belt and to determine whether there is a need for THIS facility in THIS location. The NHS response does not really provide evidence whether there is demand, or not, in this location.

I can help…

…Under a freedom of information request, of the Greater Preston; and Chorley and South Ribble Clinical Commissioning Groups and NHS England it has been identified that a range of services already exist that cater for the conditions listed and a variety of specialised community teams are commissioned to deliver provision for people with the conditions referred to in the Design and Access Statement.

NHS England support the CCG approach of providing assertive outreach teams, community mental health teams and crisis teams, on a commissioning basis, to ensure these conditions are professionally and appropriately treated and that there are no waiting lists.

Additionally, data provided by NHS England, from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, Care Quality and Outcomes Framework shows that GP surgeries, local to THIS location achieve 100% in delivering quality care in the treatments proposed and specifically in the treatment of Mental Health.

No patient goes wanting.

Whilst the local NHS response was vague this information, from the CCGs and NHS England is clear, local provision exists and is delivered without failure or waiting. This is unambiguous – Very Special Circumstances, that outweigh harm to the Chorley Green Belt, caused by a development 304% larger than the existing rambling, eccentric bungalow, do not exist.

It is essential that we protect our Green Belt as it is this that, in this instance, safeguards the Chorley countryside from encroachment.

The Design and Access Statement, at Paragraph 17, states that the site is developed and not open now and that the context of the proposed building does not have a greater impact on the openness.

The officers’ report, at paragraph 31, states the proposal results in an increase in volume of 304%. This is a significant increase by any standards and must result in more encroachment that the existing rambling, eccentric bungalow.

Further rambling development, to include the area between the eccentric house, barn and stables will significantly reduce the openness and affect visual amenity not only from Park Hall Road but especially from the tranquil footpath network along Syd Brook and from there out towards and along Chisnall Lane.

For these reasons the development must be inappropriate in the Green Belt.

In Summary:

I urge the committee to accept the officers’ recommendation to refuse planning permission as the proposed change of use, from Dwelling House to Residential Institution, is not accompanied by Very Special Circumstances that outweigh the harm to the openness of the Chorley Green Belt that this extremely large scale, obtrusive, rambling development would cause."

Rush, The Trees

This is also on my Blog Page Chisnall Planning...

The following is the presentation I gave tonight as the Borough Councillor for Chisnall Ward (Heskin, Charnock Richard and Coppull West) regarding a planning application (13/01226/TPO) to fell 18 trees (which after discussion and site visits became 17, then 13, then 8) protected by a Tree Preservation Order, at the site of the former Camelot Theme Park

Start by thanking Chair

May I start by thanking the officers for their time and efforts in working with the developer in reducing the number of trees that are the subject of this application from 17 to 8, however…

Reading through the officer's report I have the following comments:

Paragraph 11 States “The trees in question mainly comprise Leyland Cypress”, yet of those recommended for felling only 1 is a Leyland Cypress the other 7 being trees native to the UK.

Paragraph 19 makes a statement that mature trees are suppressing the younger ones and must therefore be removed to protect the younger smaller trees, this made me think of "The Trees" by the Canadian Rock Group, Rush and I never imagined getting the opportunity to recite rock lyrics in the Council Chamber, so I am going to use the opportunity…

There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade
                                                                                                Musical Interlude / guitar solo

There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream 'Oppression!'
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
'The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light'
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe and saw

Back to the officers’ report…

Paragraph 15 – States the electrical supply can be isolated from the former theme park whilst retaining power to the industrial units without felling any trees.

Felling of the trees is only required to remove redundant switchgear to prevent it from becoming a potential target for theft and vandalism – this implies that thieves can remove the switchgear without having to fell any trees

If this is not the case then it suggests, to me, that the trees themselves are preventing theft. If this is not the case then I suggest the thieves be gainfully employed to remove the redundant switchgear, as they can do so without felling any trees!

I remain in principle opposed to the felling of trees that have been afforded the protection of a TPO, for anything other than them being dead, diseased or dying however can accept that in the interests of good woodland management there is, on occasion, a time when trees need to be felled; however this application is not on the basis of ensuring good woodland management, it is for convenience, as stated in Paragraph 15 the electricity network to existing business can be maintained and the site can be made safe without the felling of any trees.

If the decision of this committee is to approve the felling of the 8 trees then can I request that the replacement tree planting referred to in condition 4, is entirely of native species and of no fewer than 8?

Under TPO law (1990 Town and Country Planning Act Section 106) replacement trees will automatically be covered by the TPO, if the replacement trees are removed by the landowner or die at any time after being planted, a duty applies on the landowner to plant another of appropriate size and species. Can an informative be added to the decision notice to make this clear and avoid doubt in the future?

Tree planting provides for the amenity of a site and its surroundings, now and into the future, TPOs protect this amenity. Any new planting required, if this decision is approved, should therefore take place exclusive of any other development that might take place in this area, is it possible for this to be included within the decision, to avoid the planting of these replacement trees being subsumed within what might be a larger scale development?

Thank the committee for listening

Lock It

Most people who know me will know I have regular meetings with the local Police and also keep contact, on a wider basis, to ensure there is some Police support for our local communities.

Concern has been expressed among the people I have been talking to, in Heskin, Charnock Richard and Coppull West, about the future funding of PCSOs as their presence is, in not only my opinion, becoming ever more valuable as the Police resource becomes increasingly stretched. I have, after expressing the importance of neighbourhood Policing and PCSOs and the need to ensure they are supported and maintained to our Police and Crime Commissioner, the following quote “...neighbourhood Policing is vital to Lancs residents and importance is recognised...”. I just hope this means they will continue to be funded as they are vital, especially in rural areas.

Operation Canon has been running in the local area and I know not everyone is happy to have a member of the Police Force walk through their door, better that than not knowing someone has been there.

Burglaries are a particular problem for the victims especially the theft of tools, as this prevents people from doing their daily work. Recently there has been an increase in thefts from and of vehicles where the owners have left their keys in the car. Please everyone keep your keys with you. Thefts from schools are particularly disturbing and I have mentioned two on Social Media recently, these are quoted below…

29/11/2013 Stolen from a Leyland School, 39 Black Toshiba, 6 Lenova Laptops, 20 red Gloss Toshiba Notebooks and 2 Silver Samsung Laptops ring 101 and quote 0183

Between 04/12/13-05/12/13 at Adlington Primary School a computer and 10 i-pads have been stolen. If anyone has any info please ring 101 & quote LC-20131205-0186

The Police have offered the following advice…

We would ask relevant staff at local schools to take appropriate crime prevention steps to avoid burglaries taking place. Some of the simplest things listed below may seem obvious but they are things that the Police do see when attending commercial burglaries in general.

1. Make sure that all doors and windows are fully locked and secure, not left on latches or open.

2. If skeleton staffing is in place, do not leave doors and windows open if you are not going to be present in that particular area of the building.

3. Do not leave cash on the premises - even in locked safes or cash boxes. These can be and are often removed during burglaries and broken into at a later time once away from the crime scene.

4. Ensure that any fitted CCTV is fully functional and recording successfully.

5. Keep access gates locked where possible to make entry and exit routes more difficult for any potential criminals.

6. Consider the implementation of the Smartwater property marking system or similar. Speak to a member of your Neighbourhood Policing Team for further details on this.

7. Ensure that contact details for the Police are readily available to any staff who may be on site over the Christmas period.

In emergencies call 999
For general Police enquiries call 101 

You do nowt

Whilst visiting a local school recently I was asked by a confident young lad, who I think must have been about 7 or 8years old, “ere mister, you’re a councillor, what do you do, my Dad says you do nowt?”

 

I really enjoy children asking questions and this one made me think as, for the most part, it probably appears as though we “do nowt” because, in general, people get on with their lives without having to ask for our support.

 

My answer went something like this.

 

Well, I am married with two children and I have another full time job which involves making aeroplanes. I am a Scuba Diving Instructor, Chairman of the Local Pre-School and a Governor of the local High School and of course I have the garden and house to maintain, so I am not just a councillor.

 

“Oh”

 

We have meetings in the Town Hall, but the most important bit as a councillor is to represent the views and opinions of the people in my area. I meet people who contact me and try to help with whatever it is they want help with.

 

“Such as”

 

Have you ever stood in Dog poo, noticed there is litter on the street, do you play on the playground? Have any buildings been built near to you, is there a pub or restaurant, have you ever been in a Taxi, or walked along a public footpath? Are there any big trees where you live and have you noticed that sometimes hedgerows and verges become overgrown, roads need repairing or that street lights are always lit? Do people park in daft places and do they sometimes go too fast along the road?

 

I could have gone on but could see he was getting bored. So I let him ask “but what’s that got to do with you?”

 

Well, if anyone wants anything doing, such as these, then I can help. I have reported dozens of street problems, have hadroads and a roundabout resurfaced and have been involved in having speed limits on roads reduced.

 

I have helped people with planning issues, both objecting to other people wanting to build and helping supporting planning applications. I keep telling the planning people that we need shops, schools, Doctors and play areas not just houses. Taxis and pubs need to have a licence and I have been involved in helping people object to late opening and complaints about taxi drivers.

 

I have cut hedges so they do not scratch people when they walk past and I have had hedges cut so people don’t have to walk in the road. I have helped with problems with big trees,am currently trying to get Network Rail to paint the bridge inCharnock Richard and Electricity Northwest to tidy up the substation on Chorley Lane (both of which are proving almost impossible). I worked with United Utilities when they were digging big holes to hold water and people didn’t like not being able to park, having dirty roads and bits falling from the waggons.

 

I have a monthly meeting with the Police in which we talk about local issues such as speeding, people stealing things and being dishonest and help the Police decide what to do over the next month.

 

I am a Health Champion for Chorley and help to promote health and wellbeing all over Chorley. Dog Poo is a problem everywhere and I help with campaigns to make people aware of why they must clean up after their dog. I have been involved with the planting of thousands of trees in a woodland project to improve an area and helped to have the school woodland garden renovated.

 

 

One of his mates came over and listened for a while then they went off to play football “thanks mister”.

 

While he was running off I asked him what it was his Dad wanted doing, his reply “oh, nowt he’s happy, but I’ll tell him you do some stuff”.

 

If there is any “stuff” I can help with then please ask

My telephone number is 01257 795559, please leave a message and your contact details, I do respond to every message.

Or e-Mail paul.leadbetter@chorley.gov.uk

Survey - Not as it first Appears

You may be one of 12,000 households in Chorley Borough who have received a letter and housing survey booklet. It has been sent out by Arc4 consultants who are undertaking the survey on behalf of Gladman - part of the developer Fox Land and Property Developments.

Despite referring on the front cover of the survey to Chorley Borough, this is not a Council survey and has nothing to do with the Council.

The Council can do nothing to prevent such surveys but residents have been contacting the Council about it, expressing concern about the level of personal details requested.

The survey has nothing to do with the Council and completion of the survey is entirely optional.

I will try to add the documents, if I can figure out how to include .pdf files in the blog

Burn (or hopefully not)

Many thanks to everyone who has contacted me over recent weeks, primarily regarding Dog Fouling and Speeding, each of which are a problem along the roads and footpaths in the village. More about these later. Each year Chorley Council host a Democracy Day involving year 5 and 6 pupils, last year it was the turn of Charnock Richard School and, as one of the Chorley Health Champions I fielded questions on Being Healthy, this year Internet Safety became my topic.

Democracy Day

Always a great event held at the Town Hall involving year 5 / 6 pupils. This year pupils from St Georges in Chorley, St Oswalds in Coppull and Withnell and Wheelton Primary School were the fortunate students to ask questions of subject experts and a councillor. Subjects included, Fire Safety (more of which later!); Internet Safety; What the Council Does for You; Water Safety, Planning, Meet the Mayor; Community Working; Transitioning to High School; Neighbourhood Working; there were others.

I was fortunate enough to be with a real expert on Internet Safety, Graham Lowe from LCC. The children showed great knowledge of being safe online and were aware of potential dangers as well as the benefits of using the internet in general and social networking in particular.

I learned about CEOPS (the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) http://ceop.police.uk/ a video called Jigsaw  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o8auwnJtqE and Hector the Protector. Hector the Protector is a free download that installs a safety button on your computer. The idea is that if a child (or anyone for that matter) sees something inappropriate, they can click the button and seek advice which, in the case of children, would be from a responsible adult.

The Fire Safety table was where I thought I would be but a last minute change meant that I wasn’t. I walked across to that table during the break and was asked “Do you have a smoke alarm”, well we don’t. It turns out that of all the people in the room (and there were a good few hundred) ours was the only house without a smoke alarm! I have now requested that Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service come to our house to do a fire risk assessment, which is free and something we should have done months, if not years, ago.

To request such an assessment contact the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 1691125 or

http://www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/fire-safety-check/

Lent

When walking through Chorley, after participating in the Democracy Day, I noticed a sign “Ask the Vicar”, there he was, Father Timothy, wrapped up sat on a plastic chair talking to anyone who chose to sit in the chair alongside him. During Lent, people try to give things up and Timothy is offering his time for the benefit of others, this he did last year and is repeating it again this year.

I stopped for a brief chat and discovered that he was regularly supplied with a brew from one of the market stalls and even pies from passing shoppers. Part of (Matthew 6:26-33) The Sermon on the Mount came to mind and made me smile as, sat in the middle of Chorley, Father Timothy was being provided for.

CCH

Chorley Lane Cottages

Work to demolish the three cottages on Chorley Lane has begun, with much scaffolding, as the party wall needs to be maintained to prevent demolition of one more property than is planned. I maintain my opinion that it is a loss that these could not be renovated to an adequate standard as, as I have found, there are a good few in the village who have fond memories of these cottages including one gentleman whose family were born in them going back 3 generations (his mother, her father and his father). However these three cottages will eventually be replaced by two new properties.

Leeson Avenue Garages

Planning permission has been granted to demolish the garages on Leeson Avenue and replace them with a single building comprising four properties. The garages were under-utilised, although those using them have a different opinion! What cannot be questioned is that there were more empty garages than there were garages being used. The plans include parking provision for the properties and for other users. The work should be starting soon and I will keep a watchful eye as to what effect this has on parking in this area.

I have requested that CCH perform a walkabout and will, if I am advised of dates and times, ensure everyone is made aware when this will be.

Dog Fouling

Many thanks to those who have contacted me regarding Dog Fouling throughout the village, the main areas being, as expected along Charter Lane, Church Lane, Leeson Avenue and Chorley Lane. I am under no illusion and do not expect that the problem will go away overnight, but with some effort we should be able to gradually reduce it.

The removal of some of the dog waste bins has been brought to my attention (Charter Lane and close to the Play Area). Please remember that dog waste can now be placed in any bin and some effort is being expended in increasing the number of these especially in the centre of the village.

School Woodland Garden

Work continues, with the trees being made safe and some planting to take place during the year. A successful Green Partnerships Award, in addition to the original funding from Chorley Council, means that most, if not all, of the planned work can take place.

There have been reports of some recent vandalism in the garden, so I ask that people please treat this area with respect as it is a resource for the school children and needs to be maintained, such that it is safe for them to use.

Speeding

The controversial 20mph zones have now been introduced in Charnock Richard and, as many predicted, are having no immediate impact on the speed of vehicles through the village, especially along Church Lane, Charter Lane and Chorley Lane.

The Parish Council regularly have a Speed Indicator Device (SPID) in place at areas where people are known to speed and where extra care should be taken. These move about and are also shared with Heskin to minimise costs and to ensure they are noticed when in place.

Following a conversation with Parish Councillor Anne Bishop I will be trying to have some additional signage installed, warning of people crossing the road close to the Chorley Lane Bungalows, as that is a particular area where often less agile people cross the road. Please be patient, this signage will not happen within the next few weeks or even months, as I have found, it takes a good while to get anything done.

There are a few determined individuals but it is generally difficult for cars to overtake in Charnock Richard so, if you are driving at a safe speed, within the limit, then those immediately behind you will be doing the same.

Joining Jack

My mistake as I omitted to thank Ian and all the staff at the Football Club, for their efforts in selling the wrist bands in aid of Joining Jack. Your contribution is appreciated, thank you.

Just as a reminder my contact details are:

Telephone: 01257 795559, please leave a message, I will respond to it

e-mail: paul.leadbetter@chorley.gov.uk

Little Donkey

Nativity

I must remember to get to places on time, as I found out on Christmas Eve. Now, I wasn’t late at Church, just on the last minute, which happened to coincide with the realisation that there was no-one to play the part of Joseph. I became a willing volunteer. I just hope people realised the situation, otherwise they will be wondering how many babies I am fathering, as I played the role of Joseph, with Gill as Mary and Frank as Jesus, last year!

I struggle with the formality and reading out of a book format of Church services, as there feels, to me, to be little sincerity about them, but Christmas Eve is far moread hoc and I enjoy it. Each year there is a real donkey and based on recent figures over half of the time it results in a pile on the church floor, this year was no exception.

Speaking of the real donkey, whilst standing ready to make my grand entrance I looked to my right and there it was. Gareth began playing; the congregation began singing, “Little Donkey, Little Donkey on the dusty road…” I went to get said Donkey and it had disappeared! A quick look around the church yard and it was nowhere to be seen. Eventually it was found, not that far off a dusty road! With help it was guided to the Church door and became reluctant to enter Church, I got the job of pushing it from behind, which considering what happened later was probably a close call.

Church on Christmas Eve is always followed by the Children’s Christmas Party at the Football Club, well attended as ever. I’m not sure that my help in the musical chairs really helped, but we muddled on through.

Bouncing

Harry Newbold Cozens is a promising Trampolinist and he lives in Charnock Richard. I had the good fortune to talk with his father, Bryan, recently and quickly began to realise the personal dedication required from parents of talented young sports people. Team events, it seems, attract more attention than individual sports making securing funding support and sponsorship difficult. I will try to point Harry in the direction of funding opportunities and have discussed with the relevant people at Chorley Council, who are going to do whatever they can.

Neighbourhood Meeting

The most recent neighbourhood meeting was interesting as it was the first to be run under the new format, involving Parish Council representatives and the County Councillor. The intent is to encourage wider participation and involvement in the various projects. The intent is there, I just hope the meetings become a little more lively and involving, which is difficult as there are only two a year.

Astley Hall Coach House Gallery

Very rarely is it that I have reason to question the way in which a decision is made. I often question decisions, but generally can appreciate that if it has been made in the correct manner then it has been made with the best intentions.

The Coach House Gallery in Astley Park was the subject of an Executive Decision which, having read the supporting report, appeared to have missed out a large proportion of the users of the gallery when making a decision to house a semi-permanent display, leaving other users with nowhere to exhibit.

Christmas Eve in the Town Hall and the call-in papers were handed in, questioning whether sufficient effective consultation had taken place. Not that long after Christmas and people began to telephone me, Chorley Photographic Society, Friends of Astley Park, The Lodge Artists Society, Chorley Paintbox, Chorley Historical Society, Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society to name but a few all contacted me wanting to know what was happening. A meeting was held, in a local hostelry, which was well attended and I advised those attending what the call-in process meant and what was going on. Those present agreed on an extremely able spokesperson, in the form of Glynn Davies of Chorley Photographic Society, to present their case and I had several discussions with him between then and the Overview and Scrutiny meeting at which the call-in would be discussed.

The Council Chamber was packed, which clearly displayed the amount of concern amongst the groups that had displayed in the Coach House Gallery. A round of applause followed mine and Glynn’s speeches (to be honest it was after Glynn’s speech, which just happened to follow mine!). The leader of the council accepted that the consultation could have been better, but maintained it was adequate. It was pointed out that telling someone that the facility is no longer available and having them accept an alternative (or have nothing) is not consultation (another round of applause).

The result was as expected and the decision was held as having been made in the correct manner – I disagree and remain dissatisfied that I was not allowed to answer a question that was put to me, whilst the leader was and that some misleading (not entirely false, but not entirely true) information was presented. The decision may well be the correct decision but the way it was made remains, in my opinion, wrong.

Overall it was a great experience and a privilege to meet people that I would otherwise probably never have met. Chorley truly is a great place with great people.

Fortunately there has been a positive outcome in that representation of users of Astley Hall and Park, on the Astley Advisory Group, is likely to involve more local groups. Additionally the various projects, to provide alternative exhibition space, are being promised to be brought forwards. Thanks to everyone who was involved.

The words of my speech:

“The way in which the executive decision is at question not the decision itself and this is not a criticism of the Chorley Remembers project. I, along with (as far as I am aware) all members of the Council, am fully supportive of the aims of the Chorley Remembers project in ensuring that all those from the town and Borough who fought and died in the service of their country will never be forgotten by current and future generations.

The objection is that the report does not address whether the proposed exclusive use of the gallery, to a sole organisation, meets the original Heritage Funding requirements or whether the gallery is for wider varied community use. Neither does the report identify, that consultation and engagement with the wider community, has taken place.

The report does not address users concerns relating to lack of disabled access in Astley Hall.

The report removes the widely accepted principle that the gallery is for all user groups and an integrated impact assessment does not appear to have taken place.

An integrated impact assessment would have ensured that this decision had considered any positive or negative impacts for Chorley residents with regards to equalities, health and sustainability. It would also have considered reputational impact of the Council. If undertaken an Integrated Impact Assessment would result in an action plan providing some transparency to the decision making process, a process which, in this instance, is opaque at best.

It is, therefore, requested that an integrated impact assessment is undertaken.

The intent of the (£2,479,000) Heritage Lottery Funding for the (Chorley Council) Renovation of the Coach House and Walled Garden was to engage more people and a wider range of people and therefore was intended for all community groups.

The Heritage Lottery Funding (£323,000) for the (Chorley PALS Memorial) Chorley Remembers project was for Conservation of the Memorial Arch, Enhancements to the PALS memorial statue and the creation of a NEW exhibition and interpretation space in Astley Hall.

It is, therefore, requested and that the existing exhibition space in the Coach House Gallery remains the accepted venue for all user groups rather than being for a fixed exhibition.

This council executive is keen to explain how emphasis is being placed on getting things done for local people. By changing the way things are done they say they can act on what local people are saying so they can make a real difference allowing people to contribute to their community. This decision regarding use of the Coach House Gallery has not been transparent and, as acknowledged by the executive member for Resources, Policy and Performance (Peter Wilson, week commencing 3 September 2012), there has been no council led consultation with all interested parties.

This council tells us how it wants to do a lot more and be a lot more ambitious for the Borough, yet the ambition to provide fully inclusive exhibition spaces for all local groups appears to be thwarted by nothing more than electrics and IT provision.

The vision of this council, or so we are led to believe, is to be “An ambitious council that achieves more by listening to the whole community and exceeding their needs” Priorities of this council rightly include: “Involving residents by improving their local area and equality of access for all” and “striving to be an ambitious council, doing more to meet the needs of the residents and local area”.

Outcomes from the vision and priorities include: “A wide range of quality recreational activities”; “a council that consults and engages with residents”; “an ambitious council that continually strives to improve”.

The only consultation on this matter appears to have been with the Astley Advisory Group, representatives of which have expressed concern over a lack of wider consultation.

Consultation did take place on the Corporate Strategy, to which I have just referred. 97% of those who responded agreed that it is important for the council to consult and engage with residents. In this instance, however, it appears that the vision and words of the corporate strategy are without meaning, there has been, at best, ineffective limited council led consultation and engagement and the opinion of that 97% is being ignored.

I ask that this council strives to improve, ensure their vision and priorities have substance and are not just rhetoric. You must do what the people of Chorley say is important to them and undertake effective consultation and genuine engagement with the residents of Chorley on this matter.”

And the words of Glyn Davies:

“Mr Chairman, I speak on behalf of three hundred members of six local voluntary organisations, and four thousand members of one regional body, who have made use of the Coach House Gallery in the recent past and would do so in the future had the opportunity to do so not been removed by the decision to hand it over to the exclusive use of a single organisation. They, together with regional artists, have now been denied the opportunity to show their work in Chorley’s only purpose built public gallery – “the perfect setting (of which) has made it a well sought after space for artists from around the North West” (Minutes of this Committee 2011):

• None of the following comments implies any criticism of "Chorley Remembers", but are directed entirely at the actions of the Council, in particular the lack of a proper, inclusive consultative process from the outset, the failure to consider alternative options, and the failure to canvass the opinions of users of the Coach House Gallery. Discussion has thus been stifled.
• The Report indicates that the only alternative option initially considered was to accommodate “Chorley Remembers” in the Townley Parker Room at Astley Hall. Why did the Council fail to consider using some of the funding on offer to upgrade existing under used accommodation on the ground floor of the Coach House? Using one of the Coach House’s general purpose rooms would provide an improved facility as an additional and lasting legacy, while retaining the Gallery in its existing form, thus adding to facilities, not detracting from them. Why is there no evidence of this suggestion, made by several individuals and organisations, having been considered?
• What is the Council’s fallback plan against inevitably waning interest in, and declining visitor numbers to, the permanent exhibition? Will it be left in a few years’ time to gather dust like the existing, shabby Memorial Room? There has been a failure to investigate alternative options.
• Consultation initiated by the Council was restricted to the Astley Advisory Group – all other contacts having been subsequently initiated by local groups who heard of the plan only via the “grapevine”. Ensuing proposals for replacement accommodation have been universally deemed inadequate by all the groups in question.
• The Coach House was refurbished with 80% Heritage Lottery funding – in the order of £2.5M. During the Lottery Funding process it was proven that there is “inadequate provision of exhibition space for public use in the Chorley Area”. Ceding the provided facility to a single organisation is not only a clear change of use but also denies its use to the majority of the town's organisations and returns Chorley to the former woeful state which was deprecated by the Heritage Lottery. I ask if the Heritage Lottery Fund has been properly consulted about this change of use? Have they been made aware of the inevitable unwelcome outcomes?
• I ask what consideration has been given to the negative impact on people with disabilities who wish to attend exhibitions. There is no alternative exhibition space in Chorley with comparable disabled access. I understand that there is a statutory duty to carry out an Equalities Impact Assessment for all council decisions to assess their impact on disabilities groups. What was the outcome of the mandatory consultation with the Equalities Forum and if no such consultation took place, why not?
• The decision to hand over the Gallery was an Executive Member Decision – not a decision taken at, or debated by, a Council Committee. Why was this conducted in what seems to have been “stealth mode”? Was it to avoid any possible challenge by Councillors?

As there has been a failure to consult all concerned parties and to consider all options, I ask this Committee to recommend that the decision making process be revisited and conducted with probity, transparency and the thoroughness and inclusivity that the people of this Borough have a right to expect from their elected representatives, and that have been woefully lacking so far.”

Summaries of planning applications and delegated decisions related to Chisnall Ward are covered in my blog Chisnall Planning www.chisnallplanning.blogspot.com