8th October 2007 

9032 Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting of the Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday, 8th October 2007.

9033 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M. (David) Willacy, Councillors P.E. (Ted) Casey, S. (Sharon) Clegg, R.P. (Rachel) Dutfield, S.E. (Sandy) Felton, S.R. (Sue) Hewett, R.G. (Glyn) Jones, T. (Terry) Keefe,  the Acting Deputy Clerk - S.D. (Sue) Hayward, PC1162 Belinda Friend, County Councillor I. (Ian) Stewart and 3 members of the public.

9034 Apologies for Absence

Written apologies were received from Councillor J. (Janet) Bolton (housebound following ankle operation), the Clerk - P G (Peter) Challenor and the Deputy Clerk - J.M. (Jayne) Beaumont.

9035 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda

None.

9036 Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 10th September were approved and then signed by the Chairman.

9037 Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings

Councillor Jones referred to item 8992 regarding the Clerk’s ‘attendance’ at meetings by video link, he explained that there had been a delay in receiving the hardware necessary to establish the link and that there had been a fault with the internet connection, he was hopeful that the system would be operational in time for the next meeting of this Council.

9038 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration

A resident from Church Hill expressed concern about some trees which are on parish council land and which overhang his and his neighbour’s property, the trees are very tall and it is felt that there is a danger of the trees falling down in strong winds and causing damage to property. The Chairman referred to item 8962 and explained that the tree cutting had been contracted out, RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the contractor and ask for the matter to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

9039 Police Report

PC Friend reported on the following: (1) a break in to the cashbox belonging to the payphone opposite the railway station, (2) an arrest for possession of controlled drugs as a result of a vehicle stop in Redhills Road, (3) damage to a car parked on Church Hill, (4) a road accident on the Promenade when a vehicle struck 2 stationary vehicles. Noone was hurt, (5) an arrest following suspected drink driving on Redhills Road, (6) a call regarding a disturbance on the playing field, however, all was correct when the police arrived, (7) a minor altercation at The Fighting Cocks involving 2 men, (8) a call regarding what was considered to be suspicious behaviour by two men purporting to be from United Utilities, Members noted, however, that United Utilities have been carrying out survey work in the village, (9) a seizure of cannabis plants grown and supplied from a property.

9040 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart

The Chairman raised the following issues with Councillor Stewart: (1) a letter he has received from Nick Raymond, Area Engineer for South Lakeland, regarding signing and yellow lines which are to be inspected, (2) the grass on Black Dyke Road which has not been cut, (3) railings on the Promenade which have been fitted recently, a gap has been left and the area has been taped off as a temporary safety measure, (4) works necessary to a fence post adjacent to a new hand rail which has been fitted alongside one of the ramps leading from the Promenade to the foreshore, (4) ongoing problems with leaks from the combined sewer on Silverdale Road during periods of heavy rain, (5) ivy growing on Cumbria County Council (CCC) property (opposite ‘Claremont Flats’, Silverdale Road), the ivy growth is stopping the road sweepers from being able to clean the edge of the road, (6) the grit bins are all in need of filling with grit, (7) the plastics recycling bank by the level crossing - this needs to be relocated (by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC)) as it is currently under high voltage wires.

RESOLVED that Councillor Stewart  try to arrange for a traffic mirror to be fitted on Black Dyke Road (opposite numbers 1 and 1A) to enable drivers to emerge more safely. It was noted that Councillor Stewart is also asking for a traffic mirror to be fitted at Far Close Drive.

9041 Report from District Councillor Pru Jupe:

Councillor Jupe was not present at the meeting and no report was available.

9042 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1.  SLDC - review of Licensing Policy - distributed.
2.  VAC - letter re Rural Amenities Under threat - no action.
3.  Cumbria CVS - Newsletter, September - scan of front page sent to Cllr Gibson.
4.  CCC - Newsletter re Integrated Youth Support Services - no action.
5.  Clerks & Councils Direct, September - no action.
6.  CALC - Circular, September - no action.
7.  CALC - Training Programme - distributed.
8.  Environment Agency - “Your Environment”, Aug to Oct - no action.
9.  Educational Institute - promotional leaflet - no action.
10.  PLANNING APPLICATION: SL/2007/1027 Tanglewood New Barns Close, Arnside. - Single storey extension - for meeting.
11.  PLANNING APPLICATION: SL/2007/1069 15B Plantation Avenue, Arnside. - Extension (amended scheme SL/2007/0425) - for meeting.
12.  CCC’s reply to Mr Boswell, regarding the retaining wall beside the bottom of Shady Bower footpath - reply sent to CCC, copy sent to Mr Boswell.
13.  Fieldwork, newsletter - September 2007 - no action.
14.  CALC request an update regarding which two members of the Council will be acting as Arnside’s representatives at their meetings - replied.
15.  CALC inform of the vacancy on SLDC’s Standards Committee and invite nominations by 30/10/07 - no action.
16.  SLDC acknowledge the vacancy for a Councillor on Arnside’s Parish Council - no action.
17.  RoSPA’s play area Safety Inspection Report - distributed.
18.  SLDC Mr & Mrs P Stephens, 49 Redhills Road -  Permit for rear conservatory - no action.
19.  SLDC Arnside Educational Institute - Permit for installation of roof mounted P.V. System - no action.
20.  SLDC Mr & Mrs D. S. Gee, Wood Edge, Beechwood Est - Permit  for First Floor extension - no action.
21.  Mobile CCTV Systems, advertising leaflet -  no action.
22.  Waymarker Newsletter for October, 07 - no action.

9043 Planning

a)  It was NOTED that no planning applications have been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25, since the last meeting:

b)  It was NOTED that no planning applications are now out of time.

c)  The following planning applications were considered and comments made as indicated:
  SL/2007/1027  -  Tanglewood, New Barns Close  -  single storey extension:  NO OBJECTIONS.
  SL/2007/1069  -  15b Plantation Avenue  -  extension (Amended scheme SL/2007/042rres5): NO OBJECTIONS.
d)  It was noted that the following decisions had been taken by SLDC since the last meeting:
  SL/2007/0816  -  The Bakehouse, 40 The Promenade - replacement ground floor window to form kiosk window:  GRANTED.
  SL/2007/0876  -  Woodlands, 54 Silverdale Road - two storey extension:  GRANTED.
  SL/2007/0733  -  139 Silverdale Road - conservatory (delegated):  GRANTED.

9044 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:
None.

9045 Highway Matters

It was NOTED that no correspondence had been received from the Chief Executive of CCC regarding the lack of implementation of agreed highway matters. RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the Chief Executive again.

 

9046 Police Staffing

It was noted that over the last 18 months there has been a reduction in the level of staffing at Milnthorpe Police Station where this is currently an Inspector, 2 sergeants and 9 active police constables (3 are on long term sick). RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the Chief Constable to express this Council’s concern.

9047 Multi-wheeled Park

Members discussed various issues concerning the proposed multi-wheeled park including the maintenance and insurance of the park. Members felt that the possibility of a general recreational facility on the field for young people should perhaps be looked at. Members voted on whether or not this Council should fund the insurance of a multi-wheeled park and RESOLVED (with one abstention) that:
1.  it is not able to make funds available in the 2008/ 9 budget for this
2.  it is highly unlikely that it will be able to fund its insurance in subsequent years.
 
9048 Parish Contractor

Members RESOLVED that the following change be made to Schedule 1 of the tender for the new contract for the Parish Contractor- the Railway Bridge gardens and Jubilee gardens should be deleted, the tender should otherwise remain unchanged.

9049 Finance

(1)  The Financial Summary for September was received and approved.
(2)  The following cheques were authorised and signed:
 U.U.  -  drainage for chapel       £37.22 (796)
 Terry Allen  -  electrics at chapel             £121.83 (797)
 D. Willacy  - misc expenses       £31.93 (798)
 J. Beaumont  -  quarterly expenses             £100.59 (799)
 P. Challenor  -  quarterly expenses             £380.49 (800)

9050 Reports from the Following Committees and/or Meetings:
 
(a)  Allotments
Councillor Jones reported that he is in the process of drafting the articles of association.

(b)  Cemetery
Councillor Felton reported that there has been one internment of ashes and no burials this month. One plot space has been sold.

(c)  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Councillor Hewett reported that the Committee had met on 27th September.  The ‘Arnside Archive’ event over the weekend of 29th/ 30th September had been very successful with about 200 people attending. Councillor Hewett wished to record her thanks to Mr Dennis Bradbury for organising the event and for donating all proceeds to the Cemetery Chapel Development Fund.

Councillor Keefe commented that, apparently, on two occasions the AONB has had problems with not being able to again access to the chapel at the booked time. RESOLVED that the Chairman visit the AONB and apologise in person on behalf of this Council. It was NOTED that there is a need for clear arrangements for hiring the chapel (including opening the building). Members should advise Councillor Hewett of all bookings.

(d)  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that Network Rail had met with him to look at the viaduct, they will be carrying out a survey in November with a view to starting work on the viaduct in 2009. The Chairman also advised that he will expedite the repairs necessary to the emergency gate.

(e)  Highways
The Chairman had covered his report on Highways under agenda item 7.

(f)  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Councillor Dutfield reported that a meeting will be planned, hopefully, within the month.

(g)  Playground Working Group
Nothing to report.

(h)  Any other Committee
Councillor Felton reported that she and Councillor Keefe had attended a joint meeting of the parish council and the Arnside Parish Plan Trust (APPT) at which they had discussed the parish plan review and had agreed that a survey should be carried out to look at the achievements of the plan, any problems and ‘new’ projects.

9051 Items for Information

It was noted that the public meeting on road safety will take place on 24th October and that the Clerk will contact CCC to ask who will be attending.

9052 Date of the Next Meeting

It was NOTED that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday ,12th November 2007 at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 2nd November and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 5th November.

Sue D. Hayward
Acting Deputy Clerk to the Council