14th January 2008 

10002 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 14th January 2008. 

10003 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, J (Janet) Bolton, R P (Rachel) Dutfield, S E (Sandy) Felton, T (Terry) Keefe, S R (Sue) Hewett, the Clerk - P (Peter) G Challenor via webcam, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart and 3 members of the public.

10004 Apologies for Absence:  

Written apologies were received from Councillors P E (Ted) Casey (operation), S (Sharon) Clegg and District Councillor P (Pru) Jupe (illness).

10005 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

There were no declarations of Members’ interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

10006 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 10th December 2007 were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

10007 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

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

10008 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

A member of the public pointed out that Leighton Beck Bridge road still has not been included in the gritting run for the winter - Cllr Stewart advised that he will keep pushing for this to happen.  There have been various complaints about the removal of the recycling bins and a large quantity of rubbish has been dumped at the side of the recycling bins.

10009 Police Report:

No police officer attended the meeting therefore there was no report.  However, the Chairman reported that: (1) seats have recently been stolen from the pier and promenade adjacent to the fountain - this has been reported to the police and a crime investigation number given.

10010 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart reported on the following: (1) CCC have prepared a draft budget for consultation which will be available online and in leaflet format - there is to be a 3.9% increase in council tax with the same in benefits and pensions, (2) Cllr Stewart will attend a local committee meeting tomorrow where issues such as road safety and increasing the opening hours of the tips will be discussed, (3) in the quarterly road safety report it was noted that Arnside National School has had cycling and practical pedestrian training and the school is currently participating in the WOW scheme (Walk on Wednesday), (4) numbers seriously injured and killed on the roads during 2007 was down on anticipated, (5) there have been approximately 1,130 responses to the recent 20mph traffic survey with the results as follows - a leaflet will be prepared and distributed to houses in Arnside:
Non-drivers -  34 no to blanket 20mph
  122 yes to 20mph
Drivers  474 no to blanket 20mph
  490 yes to 20mph
(6) the recent removal of the recycling bins is a trial run to be assessed at a later date - the Chairman gave feedback that householders’ blue recycling boxes were becoming full too quickly and no additional boxes had been provided and a number of other complaints had been received.  The Chairman reported on the following:- (1) due to a resident having an eye damaged from overhanging shrubbery on Silverdale Road, the owner of the shrubs has agreed to prune them back, (2) Silverdale Road is awaiting sweeping by SLDC and CCC need to clear the drains after this happens, (3) the salt bins in the village require replenishment, (4) United Utilities work on the underwater tank in Station Field is imminent and cars will not be able to park along Station Road whilst this is in progress, (4) as a result of the public safety meeting the onus is on APC to pass specific issues requiring attention to CCC.

10011 Report from District Councillor Pru Jupe:

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

10012 Correspondence:

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

1. Silverdale Parish Council write to express enjoyment of joint training days, give thanks for the use of the room but ask whether the Council would also consider donating a proportion of the £380 training fee - £100 suggested.
It was RESOLVED that £100 be donated to Silverdale Parish Council.
2. Various Highways issues, Arnside.  Includes programme of works and News.
3. Waymarker Newsletter.
4. CCC Annual Report, 2006-7.
5. Link up Magazine, Issue 3, 2007.
6. VAC Community Action Plans and information, Winter 2007.
7. CALC Circular, December - January, 2008.
8. Thompsons Solicitors write regarding the lighting on High Knott Road.
9. Highways Help you to plan your Road Journeys for the North West.
10. Flag Newsletter and subscription reminder (£10).

10013 Planning Matters:
a). It was NOTED that no planning applications had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25 since the last meeting.
b). It was NOTED that the following application was considered:
SL/2007/1374 - 35 Promenade - change of use to café.
Members are concerned that this could turn into a restaurant resulting in noise late in the evening and also that cooking will impact on the flats above.
c). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting.
SL/20071203 - 53 Plantation Avenue- extension to existing roof dormer: GRANTED.
SL/2007/1219 - 2-4 Pier Lane - change of use to ironing and domestic laundry service: GRANTED.
SL/2007/1205 - 10 Far Close Drive - garden store (retrospective): GRANTED.
SL/2007/1291 - Station Road - removal of flat roof and replacement with pitched: GRANTED.

10014 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that the following action had been taken under the provisions of Standing Order 25:-

Cheque to Powergen for £1,045.29 (electricity for Cemetery Chapel).

10015 Consideration of an Increase in Cemetery Fees:

It was RESOLVED that increases be made in cemetery fees.

10016 Nomination of a Member of the Council to lead the Working Group for the Children’s Playground:

After nomination, it was RESOLVED that Cllr Dutfield lead the Working Group for the Children’s Playground.  APC would like to record it’s gratitude to the Albion Community Fund for the kind donation of £170 in payment of the printing of the APPT questionnaires.

10017 Approval of Tender Document to be used for post of Parish Contractor:

It was RESOLVED that the Tender Document be approved for the work of the Parish Contractor and the letting contract approved for three years commencing April 2008.

10018 Finance:
(1) The Financial Summary for December was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
P Challenor - quarterly expenses       £420.31 (813)
J Beaumont - quarterly expenses        £55.05 (814)
AONB - donation          £900.00 (815)
Mrs S Gardner - return of donation for CCTV       £350.00 (816)

10019 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Allotments
Cllr Jones reported that: (1) there are currently 11 people on the waiting list, (2) there is to be no increase in rent, (3) there is to be a meeting of allotment holders before April.

b).  Cemetery
Cllr Felton reported that: (1) there had been one burial before Christmas and another one imminently, (2) four graves have been sold recently, (3) the database is now completed including the ashes plots.

c).  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Cllr Hewett reported that: (1) the next meeting will be Thursday 24th January, (2) Cllr Keefe was thanked for bringing the Landscape Trust to the chapel, (3) any bookings for hiring the chapel are to be made through Cllr Hewitt.

d).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that: (1) Leighton Beck has now been cleared out and the flooded land drained, (2) there have been instances of vandalism at station gardens.

e).  Highways
The Chairman reported that: (1) sewerage work adjacent to 20 Silverdale Road will not be done until the next financial year, (2) the drains are not taking water and require remedial works.

f).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Dutfield had nothing to report.
g).  Playground Working Committee
Cllr Dutfield had nothing to report.

h) Any other Committee
Cllr Dutfield reported on: (1) Fair Trade Committee - it is hopeful that Fair Trade status will be granted by the end of December 2008, (2) several events are being planned for fundraising, including a fashion show on 10th June at the EI with the assistance of the guides.

10020 Items for Information:

There were no items for information.

10021 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 11th February 2008 at 7.15pm  Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 1st February 2008 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 4th February 2008.
Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council