10th September 2007 

9005 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 10th September 2007. 

9006 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, J (Janet) Bolton, P E (Ted) Casey, S (Sharon) Clegg, S E (Sandy) Felton, S V (Sue) Gibson, T (Terry) Keefe, S R (Sue) Hewett, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart, PC Louise Wilcock, PCSO Margaret Cahill and 4 members of the public.

9007 a).  The Chairman confirmed the co-option onto the Council of Ms Sharon Clegg.
b).  It was NOTED that Ms Clegg will not be entitled to discharge any of the functions of a Parish Councillor until she has signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was duly signed at the meeting.

9008 Apologies for Absence:  

Written apologies were received from Councillor R P (Rachel) Dutfield (holiday), the Clerk, P G (Peter) Challenor and District Councillor P (Pru) Jupe.

9009 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

Cllr Gibson declared her interest in item 13.c). due to her being an employee of Arnside Educational Institute.

9010 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 13th August 2007 were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

9011 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

There were no matters arising from the minutes of previous meetings.

9012 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

There were no matters raised by members of the public.

9013 Police Report:

PC Louise Wilcock attended the meeting and reported on the following:- (1) a 5 gallon container of pva glue was stolen from an address in Silverdale Road, (2) a parked vehicle in Red Hills Road was walked over causing damage, (3) the landlord of the Albion and a customer were assaulted - a local man is suspected and is being dealt with, (4) damage caused to the Promenade toilets with full details of the extent of the damage awaited from SLDC, (5) damage caused to an aeriel of a car parked in Swinnate Road, (6) youths causing nuisance and anti-social behaviour on Red Hills Road when pva glue was poured over a car, manhole covers removed and leaflets set alight, (7) audible burglar alarm at an address in Mount Pleasant, (8) domestic disagreement in Queens Drive, (9) youth arrested for being drunk and disorderly after causing problems in both pubs, (10) missing 16 year old from an address in Meadow Bank, (11) civil disputes at the butchers, (12) reports of small motor cycle being abandoned on New Barns beach, (13) elderly confused man at an address in Briery Bank who regularly makes false calls, (14) barrier surrounding road works was moved in Parkside Drive causing danger to road users, (15) landlady of Fighting Cocks verbally abused, (16) fight in Red Hill Road, (17) domestic dispute in Orchard Crescent, (18) two vehicle damage only road accident in Briery Bank, (19) mini moto type motor cycle being used on the embankment footpath between Arnside and Sandside, (20) domestic dispute in Briery Bank, (21) verbal altercation between landlady of Fighting Cocks and local man, (22) youths making a noise on the playing fields.
PCSO Cahill outlined the duties of PCS Officers which is to tackle low level crime and anti-social behaviour.  The area covered is Arnside, Milnthorpe, Burton, Holme, Beetham and Storth.  Currently the PCSOs are attempting to gain sponsorship for a police car.

9014 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart reported on the following:- (1) the delay in hedge cutting has been caused by ensuring best value for money when the contracts are put out to tender, however, contracts have now been let and hedge cutting has commenced, (2) there are to be changes in numbers at the cabinet with a reduction from 10 to 8 members (6 conservatives and 2 liberals) - Cllr Stewart’s position is confirmed, (3) there is to be a road safety meeting in Penrith on Thursday 13th September with the emphasis being on parents of young drivers and highlighting the work of the fire and rescue service, (4) Cllr Stewart sends his apologies for the Remembrance Day service at Arnside due to a prior commitment, (5) the siren is now up and running, (6) members were asked to identify a piece of land in Arnside which would be appropriate for affordable housing, (7) a parking review has been instigated nationwide with SLDC using a consultant to undertake the review.  The Chairman reported on the following:- (1) visability is poor when leaving the disabled parking along the B5282 towards Milnthorpe, (2) Cllr Stewart was thanked for his efforts with the tide siren, (3) there is concern that the double yellow lines in Arnside are not legal.

9015 Report from District Councillor Pru Jupe:

Cllr Jupe did not attend the meeting therefore there was no report.

9016 Report from Internal Audit Working Group:

Cllrs Felton, Hewitt and Keefe had inspected relevant audit figures and found everything to be in order.

9017 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:

1. Cumbria Constabulary reply to the query about the proximity of shooting parties to residential areas.
2. Arnside/Silverdale AONB annual Review 2006/07.
3. Local Transport Plan - Update report.
4. VAC - New Grant programme.
5. CancerCare cross Bay Walk - 2/9/07.
6. A resident writes to voice his opposition to the proposed blanket 20mph speed limit proposed for Arnside.
7. Flat Newsletter no 68.
8. Waymarker Newsletter - September.
9. SLDC’s Boundary Committee - Summary of final recommendations.
10. Police Authority Annual Report.
11. Cumbria CVS Newsletter - August.  Invites application for grants from the Frieda Scott Trust.
12. Glasson Saling Club protest about the restrictions placed on the public who wish to use the foreshore slipways to launch boats and urge the Council to reinstate an unrestricted public access.
13. David Mervin writes to ask the Council to consider employing a professional gardener to guide the pruning and removal if necessary of the bushes in the Promenade Gardens.
14. Cumbria Community Foundation announce a £200,000 windfall for county youngsters.

9018 Consideration of the continued use of the Correspondence File:

Members discussed the continued use of the Correspondence File and whether it should be replaced with an electronic system and it was felt that this issue is a very complex matter.  The feeling is that reading the correspondence file in the chapel is difficult for most members and therefore an electronic system may be a more beneficial option.  Members felt that it would be useful to receive a weekly email with a list of all correspondence, numbered and categorised, circulated via email to ensure that each member had a chance to comment on items where action is required.  It was RESOLVED that correspondence be sent out electronically for a trial period to be reviewed in January.  The correspondence will continue to be listed on the agenda.

9019 Planning Matters:

a). It was NOTED that the following planning application has been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25 since the last meeting:
SL/2007/0882 - 49 Red Hills Road - rear conservatory: NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS (delegated).
SL/2007/0996 - 5 Swinnate Road - rear conservatory : NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS (delegated).
b). It was NOTED that the following application is now out of time:
None.
c). The following applications were considered:
SL/2007/0880 - Arnside Educational Institute - installation of roof-mounted PV system to supply sustainable electricity: NO OBJECTIONS.
SL/2007/0954 - Wood Edge, Beachwood Estate - First Floor Extension: NO OBJECTIONS.
d). To note that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting.
SL/2007/0678 - 1 & 2 Station Road - conversion of dwelling to form two apartments (retrospective)(re-submission of SL/2006/1208): GRANTED.
SL/2007/0839 - Croft House, Church Hill - replacement front porch: GRANTED.
SL/2007/0545 - Flat 2, 55 Silverdale Road - replacement windows: GRANTED.
SL/2007/0694 - Beachwood Lodge - detached garage (retrospective - revised scheme): REFUSED.

9020 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that the following action (other than consideration of Planning Applications) had been taken under the provisions of Standing Order 25.
1. Cheque No 790 made out to Parkin & Jackson (headstone repairs) for £135.13.
2. Cheque No 791 made out to Mr Tony Woodburn for £300 (Station Gardens).
3. Group advert for Code of Conduct, requested from CALC (£15).

9021 Appointments to Committees and Outside Organisations:

Finance Committee - Clls Dutfield, Felton and Jones.
Internal Audit Committee - all members excluding those on the finance committee, ie, Cllrs Dutfield, Felton and Jones.
Foreshore Committee - Cllrs Willacy, Dutfield, Felton and Keefe.
Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee - position of Secretary remains vacant.
Playing Fields Advisory Committee - Chairman Cllr Dutfield, Secretary remains vacant.
Footpaths - Cllr Hewett.
CALC - Cllr Hewett.
Fair Trade Steering Group - Cllr Dutfield.
It was RESOLVED that the appointments be taken en bloc.

9022 Basic Parish Allowance for 2007/08:

It was NOTED that all elected Members have declined to accept, for themselves, payment of the Basic Parish Allowance for 2007/08, except that special instructions will be as follows:
Cllr Casey (transfer to advert payment to CALC)
Cllr Felton (transfer to advert payment to CALC)
Cllr Hewett -(transfer to CCDF)
Cllr Keefe (transfer to CCDF)

9023 Parish Plan:

APPT wish to know what APC are expected to do in relation to the drawing up of the Parish Plan.  It was suggested that Members attend the next APPT meeting as observers.  It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Keefe and Hewett attend.

9024 Insurance Cover for the Proposed Multi-Wheel Park:

The Deputy Clerk gave details of a quote obtained from Zurich Insurance for approximately £945 based on four skateboard ramps.  There was a discussion regarding maintenance and the annual cost of this.  Mr Colin Blain informed the meeting that maintenance costs would be low as the surface of the park is to be constructed from concrete with rails and bars to be galvanised steel.  When asked about the timescale of the building Mr Blain expected that the park would be constructed by March 2009 and the reason that funding had not yet been sought was due to the non-settlement of the insurance.  It was RESOLVED that the Deputy Clerk would obtain further quotes and report back to members in two weeks time.

9025 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for August was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
BT          £53.38   (792)
Formula Leys - weedkiller      £35.25   (793)
D Mervin - Jubilee garden supplies     £22.09   (794)
Trans to CCDF       £2.00   (795)
Transfer from CCDF to current account    £1,000   (017)
(Basic Parish Allowance waived by Cllrs Hewett and Keefe)

9026 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Allotments
Cllr Jones reported that there are now no spare plots and there are 11 people on the waiting list.

b).  Cemetery
Cllr Felton reported that: (1) there have been no burials this month.

c).  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Cllr Hewett reported on: (1) a successful patchwork workshop and thanked the Chairman for fixing the halogen lights - the electrician has indicated that it would be very expensive to lower the light fitting, (2) residents of The Grange booked the chapel for a meeting, (3) help is needed for the Arnside Archive event which is to be held on 29th and 30th September (10 - 4 and 12 - 4), a brochure advertising the chapel is almost completed, (4) the next C and CCAC meeting is to be held on Thursday 27th September, (5) the Chairman advised members that the alarm is not to be set at present due to problems with the alarm being activated.

d).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that: (1) 4 fishermen were seen foul hooking in the estuary, (2) at the recent RNLI cross bay walk, walkers were incorrectly sent to use the toilets in the Albion’s private accommodation, due to the SLDC toilets being locked as a result of vandalism.

e).  Highways
The Chairman reported that: (1) no reply has yet been received from the Chief Executive of CCC regarding the numerous highways issues which are urgently required.

f).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
There was nothing to report.

g).  Playground Working Committee
Cllr Gibson reported that: (1) a stall on the car boot sale had raised approximately £70, (2) at the recent Playground Working Group meeting Cllr Dutfield reported on observations taken on the playground which indicated a good spread of age range of children, (3) various fund raising events are planned for the coming months, (4) Cllr Gibson is in the process of completing grant application forms.

h) Any other Committee
There were no other committees.

9027 In was RESOLVED that ‘In view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable, in the public interest, that the public be excluded and they are instructed to withdraw’, in accordance with Standing Order 28.

9028 Review of Work Undertaken by the Parish Contractor:

It was RESOLVED that members look at the existing contract for the Parish Contractor, making amendments as necessary, and new tenders be sought.

9029 Items for Information:

There were no items for information.

9030 Finance Committee Meeting:

It was NOTED that there will be a meeting of the Finance Committee at 7.15pm in the Cemetery Chapel on Wednesday 3rd October.  The purpose of the meeting is to determine a budget for 2008/09 for recommendation to the full Council.  All Councillors are invited to attend.

9031 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 8h October 2007 at 7.15pm  Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 28th September 2007 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 1st October 2007.

 
Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council