14th May 2007 

8909 Minutes: of the Annual Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 14th May 2007. 

8910 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, R P (Rachel) Dutfield, S E (Sandy) Felton, S V (Sue) Gibson, S R (Sue) Hewett, R G (Glyn) Jones, T (Terry) Keefe, the Clerk - P G (Peter) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, PC Alan Salter and 1 member of the public.

8911 Police Report: 

As this item was not on the agenda for the Annual Meeting PC Salter gave the report prior to the commencement of the meeting, and reported on the following: (1) plant dug up and stolen from a Church Hill garden, (2) handbag stolen from house in Swinnate Road, (3) clothing stolen from a washing line and wine taken from outhouse on Silverdale Road, (4) fence and noticeboard damaged at the Methodist Church, (5) man assaulted in Fighting Cocks, (6) domestic incident in Queens Drive, (7) damage to a lamp post in Silverdale Road, (8) telephone in kiosk on Silverdale Road/Kings Close damaged, (9) damage to climbing frame on the playing fields, (10) damage to a menu board at Heron Café, (11) disturbance on the Promenade involving youths blowing air horns, (12) Silverdale man arrested for drink driving in Arnside, (13) youths playing football in the street outside the playing fields, (14) youths playing loud music on the playing fields and revving car engines, (15) suspicious male tried to buy lead from a local builder which, when checked out, was wanted for fishing weights, (16) unconscious female treated on Arnside Knott by a local GP and taken to RLI, (17) sudden death of an elderly lady at Millom Court, (18) damage only road accident in Church Hill involving a car and a tractor, (19) green Rover car continually sounding it’s horn near to the playing fields, (20) fireworks being let off in the garden of a house in New Barns Road, (21) youths making excessive noise in the grounds of Ashmeadow, (22) youth arrested on the playing fields for being drunk and disorderly, (23) road accident involving two cycles at Far Arnside, (24) motorcycles on the beach at White Creek, (25) PCSO Margaret Cahill had her first shift of foot patrol in Arnside and unfortunately was bitten by a dog whilst on the playing fields, (26) youths making a noise in the grounds of Arnside National School, (27) domestic harassment in Briery Bank, (28) pellets heard to be hitting a window in Orchard Crescent and fireworks let off in the vicinity, (29) domestic verbal altercation in Silverdale Road.

8912 The Chairman  welcomed Cllr Rachel Dutfield as a new Councillor of Arnside Parish Council.

8913 Election of Chairman of the Council:

Cllr Keefe proposed Cllr Willacy for Chairman of the Council and this was seconded by Cllr Felton.  It was RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr Willacy be elected as Chairman of the Council and his Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed and received by the Clerk to the Council.

8914 Election of Vice Chairman of the Council:

Cllr Hewett proposed Cllr Casey for Vice Chairman of the Council and this was seconded by Cllr Gibson.  It was RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr Casey be elected as Vice Chairman of the Council.

8915 Receipt of Declarations of Acceptance of Office:

Declarations of Acceptance of Office have been duly received from Cllrs Willacy, Casey, Dutfield, Felton, Gibson, Hewett, Jones and Keefe.

8916 Co-opting onto the Council:

After discussion it was RESOLVED that advertisements be placed around the village and in the broadsheet in an attempt to co-opt persons onto the Council.  Nominations are to be received by 10th June 2007
8917 Apologies for Absence:  

Written apologies were received from Councillor P E (Ted) Casey (holiday).

8918 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:
There were no Members’ interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda.

8919 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

An addition was made to minute number 8899 stating that a key for the playing field toilets will also be given to Arnies After School Club.  The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 12th April 2007 were then approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8920 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

Cllr Keefe volunteered to represent APC at the Beetham Exhibition Trust and Cllr Felton will represent APC at the Burton-in-Kendal Education Foundation.

8921 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

A member of the public pointed out that highways maintenance work required in the village has still not been carried out and the Chairman informed the meeting that Ian Stewart has contacted the head of Capita regarding this.

8922 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/2007/0399 - Rose Cottage, Far Arnside - erection of two agricultural buildings and demolition of existing building.
SL/2007/0254 - 43 Black Dyke Road - erection of greenhouse.
b). It was RESOLVED that the following comments were offered for the following applications:
SL/2007/0490 - Gowan Lea, 1a Briery Bank - extension and alterations: - NO OBJECTIONS.
c). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting.
SL/2007/0254 - 43 Black Dyke Road - erection of greenhouse: GRANTED.
SL/2007/0191 - 59 Plantation Avenue - replacement front porch: GRANTED.
SL/2007/0267 - 16 Inglemere Close - rear conservatory: GRANTED.
SL/2007/0247 - Old Orchard, Orchard Road - conservatory: GRANTED.
SL/2007/0253 - 43 Black Dyke Road - erection of tool shed: GRANTED.
SL/2007/0041 - Flat 1, 50 The Laurels, The Promenade - replacement windows and patio door: REFUSED.

8923 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that:
1.  Permission has been granted for Arnside Cricket and Football Clubs to hold Car Boot Sales on the playing field on the Public Holiday Mondays during May and August 2007,
2.  A donation was received from the Albion Community Fund to cover the cost of the online booking system for the Cemetery Chapel - cheque 000763 made payable to Mrs J Schofield, as initial payment for the system.

8924 Report from the Chairman regarding the Test Sounding of the new Tide Siren:

The Chairman reported that a test system was set up in the grounds of Ashmeadow House and tested at approx 10.45am on Wednesday 9th May and it was stressed that the new system would be three times louder than that tested, the new system being yet to be manufactured (approximately one month).   The site of the existing siren was visited along with the Coastguard Station and the new equipment will be stored in the station with the speakers attached to a mast fixed to the station in the least intrusive position.  Two operating controls will be installed, one in the station with a microphone to be used to alert persons on the sands, and the other on the outside of the station for use by the siren operator.  The system is electronic with a single phase supply and volume of 121 decibels.  As planning permission is required there is concern that there will be further delay, however, as public safety is paramount it is thought that the planning process could be shortened.  The Chairman thanked Crosscrake Parish Council for the loan of their siren in the meantime.

8925 Approval of Statement of Accounts:

It was RESOLVED that the following figures be approved for insertion on the external Audit Form.
       31.3.06   31.3.07
Balances brought forward    £64,324   £42,211
Annual Precept      £27,328   £28,056
Total other Receipts     £26,183   £18,382
Staff Costs      £10,314   £23,620
Loan interest/capital repayments    NIL    NIL
Total other Payments     £65,310   £39,012
Balances carried Forward    £42,211   £26,079
Total cash and investments    £39,411   £20,318
Total fixed assets and long term investments  £493,775   £493,775
Total borrowings     NIL    NIL

8926 Annual Governance Statement:

It was RESOLVED that the Chairman and Clerk enter “yes” in answer to all questions, and to sign, the Annual Governance Statement (previously known as the Statement of Assurance) contained in the Annual Audit Return.

8927 Future of the Children’s Playground:

Cllr Gibson reported on the state of the playground and pointed out that the slide, climbing frame and see-saw all require replacement and the option of removing these items was discussed.  The Chairman will speak to contacts regarding the possibility of  removal and will also repair the poles on the climbing frame.  Cllr Gibson will prepare information regarding the playground for distribution in school book bags to ensure that residents are aware of the situation.

8928 Review of 20mph Speed Limits:

After discussion it was RESOLVED that a survey be carried out in order to ascertain which areas would be most beneficial from a 20 mph speed limit and clarification will be sought as to what the position is with this speed limit within the village of Arnside.

8929 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for April was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
Swinton Group Ltd - tractor insurance   £301.70  (761)
Swinton Business - property insurance   £1,896.61 (764)
Cumbria Playing Fields Association   £20.00  (765)
Powergen - chapel     £53.31  (766)
Powergen - store     £29.16  (767)
Playdale - cradle seats     £343.85  (768)
Primal Printing - newsletters    £65.43  (769)
G Bland & Sons - diesel for tractor   £167.40  (770)
Mr David Mervin - oil and petrol for mower and strimmer (gardens on Promenade)
       £17.47  (771)
Mr Paul Hardman - trees at Beechwood   £30.00  (772)
UKHost4U - annual fee for web page   £64.59  (773)
8930 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Allotments
Cllr Jones reported that: (1) all allotment holders have now paid their annual fees except for Plot 10 which has been given rent free due to the condition it was left in by the previous holder, (2) interest has been shown in the half plot offered and confirmation from the existing holder is awaited, (3) initial allotment holders meeting to be held in May/June.

b).  Cemetery
Cllr Felton reported that: (1) she has been given a list of graves from Cllr Casey (2) there are to be 2 burials on Thursday 17th May, (3) estimates have been received for repairs of the headstones with Parker and Jackson of Kendal being the cheapest at £135.12 and permission was granted for Cllr Felton to instruct this company to go ahead with the repairs.

c).  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Cllr Hewett reported that: (1) the next meeting will be Wednesday 23rd May at 6.30pm, (2) an Art for Beginners workshop is to be held on 13th June with 20 places maximum, 1 - 4pm, details have been put in the broadsheet.

d).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that: (1) Network Rail and Murphys are running to schedule and the night work should be finished by this weekend, (2) Network Rail have damaged a gate but they will replace this, (3) dogs on the foreshore have recently killed a total of 19 ducklings, (4) the amount of dog fouling on the foreshore is terrible and it was pointed out that  this is a fineable offence.

e).  Highways
The Chairman reported that: (1) Ian Stewart has spoken to the head of Capita regarding the road repairs required in the village, (2) thanks to Milnthorpe Police for putting out and removing cones along Station Road in respect of the hedge cutting.

f).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
There was no report.

g).  Playground Working Committee
Cllr Gibson reported that: (1) details and plans of the three new playground quotes were discussed at length, (2) it was felt that the timber design from Playdale would fit in with the environment better, rather than the coloured steel alternatives, (3) questionnaires are to be given to children to ascertain what they would like in a playground, ie, aerial slide, (4) APPT are sympathetic to assisting with funding, (5) there could possibly be some initiative through Open Spaces and Playgrounds at SLDC, (6) preliminary letters will be sent out to organisations requesting funding donations, (7) it was RESOLVED that the design from Playdale be accepted.

h) Any other Committee
There were no other committee reports.

8931 To receive items for information:

SLDC have refused permission for the Nat West mobile bank to park on the Promenade and as residents are unhappy about walking up the hill to use this, the Chairman will pursue this matter with SLDC in the hope that this decision may be recinded.

8932 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 11th June 2007 at 7.15pm  Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 1st June 2007 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 4th June 2007.
Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council