12th March 2007 
8865 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 12th March 2007. 

8866 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, P E (Ted) Casey, S E (Sandy) Felton, K (Ken) Hargreaves, R G (Glyn) Jones, T (Terry) Keefe, S R (Sue) Hewett, P A (Pete) McSweeney, the Clerk - P G (Peter) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart, District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins, PC Belinda Friend  and1 member of the public.

8867 Address from Mr Nigel Holt re Siting of Mailboxes

An address was given by Mr Nigel Holt of Carnforth Royal Mail Depot regarding the preferred siting of mailboxes where bulk mail is held prior to distribution to individual households.  Mr Holt informed Members that temporary measures have been implemented in the village (there is a red box on wheels situated on Church Hill).  SLDC require planning permission for the siting of pouch boxes and therefore this is a contentious issue, however, if the boxes are sited on APC or private property Royal Mail will pay £25.00 for this.  Mr Holt has discussed the sitings with postal delivery persons and suggested sites are Arnside National School, Millom Court, Lynslack Terrace, Station Road and the Cemetery.  Lawrence Drive was also suggested.  Mr Holt was questioned as to why the postal pouches were not Royal Mail standard procedure and he replied that they should be, and this will be looked into.  PC Friend enquired whether the boxes are vandal proof and Mr Holt replied that if they were to be damaged engineers would repair them within 24 hours and mail would not be left in the boxes overnight.  Mr Holt  will obtain definite details of box positions and will put this in writing to APC and Members agreed that if all was satisfactory then this scheme should be implemented.

8868 Apologies for Absence:  

Written apologies were received from Councillors S V (Sue) Gibson (family commitments) and R J (Ros) Lishman (work commitments).  Verbal apologies were received from Councillor J (Jack) Baker (holiday).

8869 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

It was NOTED that Cllr Hewitt has an interest in item12.c). SL/2007/0199 - 43 Silverdale Road and Cllr Casey has an interest in item 12.c). SL/2007/0121 - Woodlawn, 36 Church Hill.

8870 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

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

8871 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

It was NOTED that there were no matters arising.

8872 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

One member of the public advised Members that there is a tree badly hanging over on Black Dyke Road which is dangerous and asked who was responsible.  The wall opposite the station is still collapsing - Cllr Stewart advised that the owner had been contacted approximately six months ago about this matter.

8873 Police Report:

PC Friend attended the meeting and reported on the following:- (1) personal attack alarm activated at Averys, (2) air weapon fired on High Knott Road, (3) group of youths moved on from the Promenade, (4) domestic incident on Pier Lane, (5) calls from an elderly confused man on Briery Bank, (6) police attendance at Ashleigh Court regarding the welfare of residents, (7) two teenage boys left unsupervised but all was in order, (8) dogs left in a car for over an hour - the RSPCA were informed, (9) nuisance outside the Fighting Cocks, (10) drunk driver arrested, (11) youths playing football just outside the playing field, (12) suspicious vehicle parked on the Promenade, (13) old style volvo asking building sites if they want to sell any lead for fishing weights - car traced to Morecambe.  PC Friend was questioned as to why, when the cemetery chapel alarm was going off, a passing police car did not stop and the police officer investigate - PC Friend will enquire as to whom the office was.  PC Friend requested that a list of cemetery chapel keyholders be sent to police headquarters.

8874 Report on Police Meeting (Neighbourhood Forum):

The Chairman had attended the Police Meetings held on 26th and 28th February and reported on the following:-.  (1) there are to be more community police in Arnside within seven weeks, (2) police vehicles parked at Milnthorpe Station is no indication of either the police at the station or amount of officers on duty as this is used as a parking area for cars that are issued to Kendal Rural, (3) number to phone if problems arise is 0845 3300247, (4) crimes reported in the last six months to 22nd February are 11 criminal, 5 theft, 1 domestic and 1 public order, (5) members from Neighbourhood Watch and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership explained how their systems operated, (6) there are 12 Neighbourhood areas in the village, (7) a Youth Officer is to visit youth groups, (8) residents complained that no action on drivers parking on yellow lines had been taken and it was explained that this was a traffic warden problem, (9) no acknowledgement from the police in some cases that action had been taken following a complaint.  One Member pointed out that it was not obvious how to join the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and the Chairman will make enquiries regarding this.

8875 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart’s report covered the following:- (1) the community police officers (PCSO’s) will come to Arnside possibly once a week rather than daily, (2) SLDC failed to collect any recycling on Thursday due to a new team operating the round, (3) the hours for Arnside Library will be cut by 2.5 hours to 15 per week, (4) Arnside will benefit from the footway budget with £57,000 allocated for Red Hills Road and £15,000 for Station Road, (5) a decision on the unitary bid will possibly be made next week (6) Cllr Stewart is confident that Arnside Post Office will not be closed.  The Chairman advised Cllr Stewart that a letter received from a resident regarding the waste recycling centre on Black Dyke Road has been passed to Tim Farron, MP.  The Chairman also advised Cllr Stewart that works promised to be carried out had not yet been done, which are as follows:- (1) cul-de-sac signs on Church Hill, (2) disabled road markings adjacent to the Pier, (3) reinstatement of yellow lines, (4) steps onto the foreshore by Herons Reach, (5) filling of some salt bins.  The Chairman further advised of other works required, being:- (1) tarmac entrance to Back Lane and Ashmeadow Road (width of footpath on Silverdale Road), (2) filling in of potholes at entrance to Church Hill, (3) pot holes appearing in the recently refurbished Silverdale Road surface, (4) no yellow markings by the fire station causing parking difficulty for the fire engine, (5) shrubs, etc on the station trimmed but not along Station Road or Station Bridge which is where required.

8876 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins’ report covered the following:- (1) there is to be a Nat West mobile branch in Arnside on Fridays - for further details contact David Sykes at SLDC 07768 182536, (2) a circular was distributed to Members explaining the process concerning recyclable materials, (3) the issue of concessionary fares is currently being considered by the cabinet and details of the 2008 travel scheme will be advised when they are known.  The Chairman reported that a representative from SLDC had recently visited Mr Brian Stoney regarding the operation of the tide siren but as yet no contract has been drawn up - commencement of the siren should take place at the end of March.  Cllr Rollins will take this matter up again with SLDC.  As this is Cllr Rollins’ last report as District Councillor he thanked all Members of APC for their contributions.

8877 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1.  APPT - survey results for pre-school care.
2. NALC et al - review of Quality Town and Parish scheme.
3. Cllrs Felton, Baker and Casey - notice of special proposal (agenda item).
4. Tim Farron, MP - correspondence about boxed for mail pouches (agenda item).
5. Cumbria CC - consultation for preferred options relating to Minerals and Waste Development Framework (see www.cumbriacc.gov.uk).
6. Mr R Dewhurst - letter asking questions about the toilets on the Playing Field (answered).

7. Morecambe Bay Partnership - donation request to buy beach cleaning equipment.
It was RESOLVED that a donation of £100 would be given.
8. AONB - “Waymarker”, February.
9. AONB - “Waymarker”, March.
10. Mr Adamson - objections to Hollins Lane as site for Affordable Housing (answered).
11. NALC - LCR, March.
12. Communities and Local Government - consultation on amendments to Model Code of Conduct.
13. Enjoy England - invitation to publicise celebration of St George’s Day.
14. Environment Agency - Your Environment, February to April.

8878 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/2007/0221 - Mews Cottage, Mount Pleasant - rear conservatory: NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS (delegated).
b). It was NOTED that the following application is now out of time:
SL/2007/0099 - Far Oakfield, Red Hills Road - single storey extension.
c). It was RESOLVED that the following comments were offered for the following applications:
SL/2007/0121 - Woodlawn, 36 Church Hill - alterations and conversion of garage to playroom with study over (revised scheme to SL/2004/1244): NO OBJECTIONS.
SL/2007/0199 - 43 Silverdale Road - conversion of existing shop unit to flat and demolition of redundant shop to form associated parking and new entrance to existing first floor maisonette: NO OBJECTION although it should be NOTED that Members pointed out that this is a further loss of a business premises in the village.
SL/2007/0041 - Flat 1, The Laurels, 50 The Promenade - replacement windows and patio door: NO OBJECTION.
d). It was NOTED that no decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting.

8879 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.

8880 Consideration of the use of £1,000 Landscape Trust Grant:

Cllr Keefe advised Members that the way marking from the village to the Knott is poor for walkers and therefore additional signs both to and on the Knott could be purchased together with an information board/mountain indicator.  Disabled access on the Knott is currently under review.  The Landscape Trust would require some sort of recognition that the donation of £1,000 has come from them.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr Keefe advise the Landscape Trust to go ahead with the signs and information board.

8881 Online Booking System for Cemetery Chapel:

A special motion (submitted by three Members ) that this Council should delay, sine die, adoption of the electronic booking system for the Cemetery Chapel was discussed at length and subsequently withdrawn by the Members concerned.  It was suggested that the WI may also be interested in the Online Booking System and the Clerk will contact their Chairman to enquire.

8882 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for February was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
D Willacy (paint, etc)        £208.75  (748)
P M Hardman (work in cemetery)       £520.00  (749)
G Jones ( plugs, etc for heaters)      £21.96  (750)
UU (allotments 1.11.06 - 26.1.07)      £15.02  (751)
UU (chapel 1.4.07 - 31.3.08)       £37.22  (752)
UU (chapel 1.11.06 - 31.1.07)       £10.84  (753)
Transfer to CCDF (VAT return)       £1821.49 (754)
8883 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Allotments
Cllr Jones reported that: (1) there are 12 people currently on the waiting list, one allotment holder having recently relinquished his plot, (2) rent invoices are due to be sent out shortly.  The Chairman advised that two tractor loads of manure are due.

b).  Cemetery
Cllr Casey reported that: (1) the bottom track has now been made good and the Chairman was thanked for his work, (2) two trees were blown down in the recent storms with damage being done to five headstones for which Cllr Casey will obtain two quotes to repair.

c).  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Cllr Hewett reported on: (1) the recent workshop on Saturday 10th March had been well attended and a great success - thanks were given to Cllr Felton and Rachel Dutfield, (2) the next event is to be a Fair Trade coffee morning on Saturday 14th April with the focus being on ethnic minorities and with younger groups in the village and the AONB to be asked if they would like to be involved, (3) one of the new heaters in the chapel is faulty, (4) the next C & CCAC meeting is Thursday 22nd March.

d).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that: (1) he will obtain copies of the cross bay walks itinery for the coming season.

e).  Highways
The Chairman had previously mentioned all highways matters during Cllr Stewart’s report.

f).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Baker did not attend the meeting therefore there was no report.

g).  Playground Working Committee
Cllr Gibson did not attend the meeting therefore there was no report.

h) Any other Committee
Cllr Keefe had attended the AONB Executive Meeting in January and reported on: (1) with the AONB office lease up for renewal soon there is a possibility that the office may move to Slackwood Farm, however, this Project is expected to take a long time to complete, (2) the Limestone Heritiage Project finishes at the end of March to be replaced by the 3 Towers Project, however, as funding for this Project has been turned down by the Lottery Fund the commencement is not imminent.
Cllr Hewitt had attended the CALC meeting on 1st March and reported on: (1) a summary of the Housing Market Assessments were given with details on the SLDC website, (2) there was a presentation given by Guy Richardson regarding the unitary council and organisations structure, (3) speed cameras are operating 24 hours in Kirkby Lonsdale, (4) lengthsmen are now employed in three parishes.

8884 To receive items for information:

Cllr Keefe advised Members that as Network Rail have approached the AONB office in connection with disabled access at the station, there is a possibility of further developments regarding this.

8885 Date of the next Meeting:

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

 

Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council