10th December 2007 

9078 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 10th December 2007. 

9079 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, J (Janet) Bolton, S (Sharon) Clegg, R P (Rachel) Dutfield, S E (Sandy) Felton, T (Terry) Keefe, S R (Sue) Hewett, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart, District Councillor P (Pru) Jupe, PC Ben Woodburn and 7 members of the public.

9080 Apologies for Absence:  

Written apologies were received from Councillors P E (Ted) Casey (holiday), R G (Glyn) Jones (holiday) and the Clerk, P G (Peter) Challenor..

9081 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

Cllr Keefe declared his interest in item 17 relating to the request from the Landscape Trust to rent the cemetery chapel, being that he is a member of the Landscape Trust.

9082 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 12th November 2007 were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

9083 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

There were no matters arising from the minutes of previous meetings.  Members of the public were politely reminded that they are only permitted to speak during item 5, ‘matters raised by members of the public for future consideration, and not anywhere else during the meeting’, unless invited by the Chairman to do so.

9084 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

Mr Adrian Hughes spoke on behalf of Arnside Youth Group in relation to the proposed multi-wheel park and his recent letter expressing disappointment at APC’s handling of the project.  He requested that APC reconsider the decision not to insure the park and for continued support.  Members pointed out that no information had been forwarded with regard to specific maintenance costs or a detailed plan and it would be beneficial for a business plan to be put together for APC’s consideration.  Members also confirmed that APC fully supports the multi- wheel park project, however, maintenance is a major concern and is likely to be extremely costly.  It was further felt that a specific meeting would be of benefit to both parties.
9085 Police Report:

PC Ben Woodburn attended the meeting and reported on the following:- (1) car had window broken whilst parked on top road from Arnside to Silverdale, (2) malicious damage being caused to a wall in Lindale Close, (3) BMW car stolen from the Promenade and was found burnt out in Lancashire, (4) suspicious male confronted in a garden in Red Hills Road by the householder, (5) rowdy behaviour by youths in Church Hill, (6) police attendance to an address in Swinnate Road and entry gained for ambulance to tend an elderly man, (7) woman arrested to prevent a further breach of the peace after police attendance to a domestic in Kings Close, (8) false personal attack alarm at Averys, (9) sudden death of male resident of Westmorland Court, (10) sudden death of female resident of Silverdale Road, (11) four youths believed to be from Liverpool acting suspiciously in Averys and in Red Hills Road.  The Chairman asked for information regarding an abandoned child’s pushchair and toys on the bridlepath, as previously requested. 

9086 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart reported on the following:- (1) MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) to be opened later this week at Hallgarth, Kendal and a further one at Levens, (2) letters regarding the 20mph speed limit have gone out to householders in Arnside, (3) Street Safe in Kendal - the majority of people are happy with the level of police support at nighttime, (4) the cans/bottles and paper recycling at Black Dyke Road will be removed as from 17th December - any householders requiring further blue boxes should contact SLDC, (5) Trading Standards have identified a postal scam involving cards posted through letter boxes advising of non-delivery of a parcel- do not phone the number given as large charges will be incurred, (6) Morecambe Bay Bridge - a consultation of the possibility of this and how it would affect Arnside will take place, (7) there are to be no wind farms in Arnside.  The Chairman reported on the following:- (1) leaves on the roads not removed despite a request two weeks ago, (2) drains cleared by CCC but some are now full again due to the roads not being swept, (3) the Response Team have cleaned the road signs but there is no evidence of any other work carried out.

9087 Report from District Councillor Pru Jupe:

Cllr Jupe reported on the following:- (1) the new concessionary bus travel scheme will take effect from 1st April 2008 and cards will be issued to all eligible people to enable them to be able to travel anywhere in the country, (2) Draft Corporate Plan for SLDC will be available for consultation in due course - there is little reference to meeting the needs of the disabled, (3) there is nothing SLDC can do about the proposed closure of the toilets at Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands and it is suggested that charitable organisations organise portaloos, (5) Cllr Jupe offered her assistance and support to Arnside Youth Group in relation to the multi-wheel park.

9088 Correspondence:

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

1. CCC write to acknowledge clerk’s letter regarding the retaining wall by Arnside footpath.
2. NHS Foundation Trust - Public Consultation Document.
3. CCC Introduction of 1APP - A Standardised National Planning Application Form.
4. Schedule of Polling Districts, Places and Stations as at 3/9/07.
5. Cumbria Rural Housing Trust - update-November 2007.
6. CALC Circular - Nov 07.
7. Letter expressing frustrations and disappointment at the Parish Council’s decision not to insure the proposed Multi-Wheel Park at Arnside Memorial Playing Fields.
8. CCC write to explain their plans regarding the transformation of Passenger Transport.
9. Tim Farron acknowledges the letter from the Council regarding the initiative of the Post Office with the police and supplies helpful information.
10. Amanda McCleery from CALC write to introduce herself as Stan Simpson’s replacement.
11. Strategy Booklet entitled Continuous Professional Development.
12. Your Environment Extra - Issue 17.
13. TYM & PARTNERS invite the Council to a meeting of housing Stakeholders on 12/12/07, 9.00am.
14. AONB request continued financial support (agenda item).
15. FELLS write about the spread of Windfarms and request support.
16. SLDC supply the Tree Preservation order no 206 2007 for 2 Kingswood, Arnside.
17. PEK Land Agency write to request that the gaps in the boundary wall between the Memorial field and the field adjoining be repaired.
18. Cumbria CVS Newsletter Nov/Dec 07.
19. Thompsons Solicitors write to inform that they intend to claim off the Council’s insurance because their client was injured due to no lighting to show damage to the road surface on High Knott Road in December 2006.
Following a discussion concerning this item it was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Thompsons Solicitors to inform them that the lighting and road surface are the responsibility of CCC and not APC.
20. Tim Farron acknowledges letter of concern about the lack of regular footpath maintenance but is unsure whether his intervention is required.

9089 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/2007/1289 - Woodside, Far Close Drive - conservatory: NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS (delegated).
b). It was NOTED that the following application is now out of time:
SL/2007/1219 - 2-4 Pier Lane - change of use to ironing and domestic laundry service.
SL/2007/1205 - 10 Far Close Drive - garden store (retrospective).
c). The following application was considered:
SL/2007/1291 -Station Road - removal of flat roof and replacement with pitched: NO OBJECTIONS.
d). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting.
SL/2007/1111 - rear of Holmleigh and Ellerhow, Silverdale Road - variation to allow window in south-east elevation to be partially openable: GRANTED.
e). It was NOTED that an appeal has been lodged against the decision of the Planning Authority in the following application:
SL/2007/0694 - Beachwood Lodge, Red Hill Road - detached garage.  The Chairman feels that it is important that APC appeals.

9090 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that no action (other than consideration of Planning Applications) had been taken under the provisions of Standing Order 25.

9091 No Response from Chief Executive of CCC regarding Highways Matters:

It was NOTED that there has still not been a response from the Chief Executive of CCC concerning this Council’s complaint relating to Highways matters, other than to state that he has called for a report.  It was unanimously RESOLVED that this matter should now be passed to Tim Farron for further investigation.

9092 Further Consideration to providing CCTV within the main Shopping Area of the Village:

The Chairman reported to members that no response had been received from shop owners within the main shopping area of the village in relation to possible installation of a CCTV camera and it was therefore RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Mrs Sandra Gardner of the Post Office and offer back her kind donation previously received. 

9093 Authorisation of Tender Document to be used for post of Parish Contractor:

It was RESOLVED that the Clerk circulate this document by email and members would agree under Standing Order 25.

9094 Computer Allowances payable to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk:

It was RESOLVED that computer allowances payable to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk be increased to £2 a week as recommended by the Inland Revenue for home workers for the use of private computers.

9095 Consideration of the Draft Questionnaire for the update of the Parish Plan:

After consideration of the draft document and discussions regarding the questions in particular relating to recreational facilities in the village it was RESOLVED that a recommendation be made to APPT to remove question 14 - “Do you think that additional youth facilities should be provided in Arnside?” as this question had been addressed in the previous Parish Plan review.  The cost of printing the questionnaire will be approximately £170 split between APC and APPT and it was RESOLVED that APC pay £85.

9096 Consideration of the request of the Landscape Trust to rent the Cemetery Chapel:

It was RESOLVED that the Landscape Trust are to rent the cemetery chapel for a period of five years with the provision that any storage cupboards required would be of a design and specification acceptable to the Chairman of APC.
9097 Consideration of a Donation to AONB:

It was RESOLVED that a donation of £900 be made to the AONB in accordance with the provisions of s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

9098 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for November was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
Sue Hewett - lamps for chapel       £39.98   (806)
J Beaumont - reimbursement for UU payment (chapel water)   £22.19   (807)
Smith of Derby - service for prom clock      £175.08   (808)
NW Air Ambulance - donation       £100.00   (809)
Terry Keefe - reimbursement for donation to Morecambe Bay Partnership  £10.00   (810)
Silverdale Parish Council - breakages refund     £25.00   (811)

9099 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Allotments
Cllr Jones did not attend the meeting therefore there was no report.

b).  Cemetery
Cllr Felton reported that: (1) she is currently working through the unconsecrated section of the graveyard for the computer database.

c).  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Cllr Hewett reported on: (1) her full support for the Landscape Trust to rent the cemetery chapel, (2) the chapel cleaner, Mr Graham Fell has handed in his notice to terminate his employed with APC and a replacement cleaner has been found.

d).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that: (1) Natural England are to start work on Leighton Beck on Monday 17th December when the tides will be low.

e).  Highways
The Chairman reported that: (1) two posts have snapped on the railing adjacent to the fountain on the promenade and an order has been placed for replacements, (2) all street lights on Red Hills Road are inoperable and United Utilities have been advised, (3) all previous Highways matters have been mentioned during Cllr Stewart’s report.

f).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Dutfield reported that: (1) the next meeting of the Playing Field Advisory Committee will be in May.

g).  Playground Working Committee
Cllr Dutfield reported that: (1) Mr Ged Pinder will speak to Ms Sue Gibson in relation to progress on grant applications.

h) Any other Committee
There were no other committees.

10000 Items for Information:

The information signs at the station are now working but not correctly.

10001 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 14th January 2008 at 7.15pm  Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 4th January 2008 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 7th January 2008.

 
Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council