Parish council: It was encouraging to hear a resident wanted to join the council, but there are still vacancies. It was decided to monitor the excessive amount of water gushing down Bull Field, which is a public footpath. Parking problems at Lane Ends, Park Road, Springwell Close and Cock Hall were brought up again and the new parish boundaries were considered. Sixteen dwellings previously in Sutton are now in Cowling and 16 Cowling dwellings are now on Lothersdale’s village map. Cowling’s ancient hedgerows and the Dick Lane planning appeal were mentioned. The district councillor has been informed about rubbish strewn around the Green Syke area right up to the Lancashire border. The dangerous state of the entrance to the Lane Ends Footbridge and public footpath to Wainman’s Bottoms has been reported to the county council, along with blocked drains around New Hall and on Gill Lane at Middleton bottom. County Coun Patrick Mulligan gave his report and was informed about Airedale Hospital cancelling operations and appointments. The removal of some bus subsidies will soon take place and more details are available on the council website. The possibility of planting wild poppies on waste land and suitable areas as part of the Flanders poppy project to commemorate the centenary of World War One was mentioned, along with history about the ash tree planted in 1938 in memory of Viscount Philip Snowden of Ickornshaw. Also discussed were plans for updating the conservation area and a survey of all trees on parish council land. The non-attendance, since April 2013, of district councillor Ady Green was noted. The next meeting – which will be the annual parish meeting – will be held at St Andrew’s Methodist Church on Monday, April 7, at 6.30pm and will be followed at 7pm by the usual meeting. The county and district councillors and the police will be invited to attend.