5768 Minutes: of a meeting of the Arnside Parish Council held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 14th October 2002.

5769 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.(David) Willacy, Councillors P.E.(Ted) Casey, J.(Jean) Colwell, I.(Ian) Crossman, K.(Ken) Hargreaves, J.(John) Howell, T.(Terry) Keefe, R.(Richard) Rollins, D.(David) Scarisbrick, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart, District Councillor P.(Patricia) Himsworth and five members of the public.
5770 Apologies for Absence: Councillors R.(Ros) Hunt and E.(Ed) Mycock,.

5771 Minutes: The Minutes of the previous meeting held on the 9th September were amended at 5752 to indicate that Councillor Scarisbrick had also opposed the siting of the pumping main on the foreshore “on the grounds that the pipe would have a tendency to float and might eventually appear above ground”. The Minutes were then approved and signed by the Chairman.

5772 Report from County Councillor I. Stewart

Councillor Stewart asked that an updated list of outstanding highway issues be sent to him for attention.

Councillor Stewart had taken up the matter of the blocked drains at the junction of Ashleigh Road and The Promenade. He had been told that they are normally cleared twice a year, but, because of the reported problems, they would be cleared four times a year. He had stated that this was not good enough and was insisting that the cause of the problem be thoroughly investigated.

Council Tax payments in respect of Police funds vary according to the level of Government grants (which vary each year).

Councillor Stewart had engaged in a long conversation with Mr Peter Hunt of United Utilities, regarding the proposed route of the pumping main for the waste water treatment scheme. He had made observations about difficulties of access for traders, particularly where large delivery vehicles are involved. He had stated that he had reservations about the adequacy of the diversion route (Briery Bank, etc) and insisted that fully detailed proposals be submitted to the Cumbria County Council Highways Department. He also disassociated himself from the views (concerning the roadway route in Arnside) expressed by District Councillor Patricia Himsworth in her letter of 2nd October to Mr Richard Greenwood of South Lakeland District Council.

Matters raised by the Chairman, for Councillor Stewart to investigate, included (1) inoperative street lights between the fountain and Ashmeadow and the suggestion that this had involved the renewal of a redundant power cable by United Utilities, (2) observations on the County Council’s review of car parking and (3) details of SLDC Minute 279 relating to concessionary fares in the areas of Grange, Ulverston and Coniston, but without any application to Arnside.

County Councillor Stewart left the meeting after this item.

5773 Report from District Councillor P. Himsworth

Councillor Himsworth announced that she had been nominated to be the SLDC member of the AONB Executive Committee.

The Chairman asked Councillor Himsworth to explain the contents of her letter to Mr Richard Greenwood of SLDC, dated 2nd October, in which she expressed support for the proposals of United Utilities to lay a pumping main to Milnthorpe using roadways rather than the foreshore. Councillor Himsworth stated that she had formed her views on the basis of a site meeting with Mr John Ayling (Project Manager for United Utilities) and that she felt that having the pipeline in the roadway would make it safer for future access. Members expressed their incredulity that she should take this approach when there was overwhelming opposition to it from the Parish Council, the Village Society and all those who spoke at the public meeting. Councillor Himsworth stated that she had not been made aware of the Parish Council’s opinion and that there was a mixture of opinions at the public meeting. Members referred to Minute 5752, which stated: RESOLVED, by a majority vote of 9 to 1, that the Parish Council is strongly opposed to the proposal of United Utilities to lay the new pipeline along the roadways from Ashmeadow to Friarcote Bridge, as this will cause unnecessary disruption to traffic, residents, traders and visitors, the extent of which would be totally unacceptable. The Council will use all available means to persuade United Utilities to take the pipeline along the foreshore, under the pier, under the railway bridge, alongside the old railway embankment and through Friarcote Bridge. Members reminded Councillor Himsworth that a copy of the Minutes, together with a copy of the notes on the Public Meeting, had been posted to her on 14th September. As Councillor Himsworth did not deny receiving these documents, her claim that she was not aware of the Parish Council’s attitude to the scheme, at the time of writing her letter on 2nd October, was rejected by members.

On being asked “do you consider that it is your duty to represent the views of the electorate within the Arnside & Beetham Ward?”, she replied that she was entitled to express her own opinion. This comment was endorsed by Councillor Scarisbrick who produced a photocopy of the appendix to the National Code of Local Government Conduct which states: “Whilst you may be strongly influenced by the views of others, and of your party in particular, it is your responsibility alone to decide what view to take on any question which councillors have to decide.” In concluding the debate, members expressed their dismay that Councillor Himsworth should have used her position as a District Councillor to express an opinion that was clearly contrary to the overwhelming opinion of those she is elected to represent. Councillor Himsworth did not accept that she had acted inappropriately.

5774 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

(1) A conversation had been overheard in which representatives of Merewood Housing had apparently discussed the need for stopping-up of the narrow section of New Barns Road, in order to lay services into the site of the two houses, for which Planning Permission had been granted. Details of this matter were not known to the Council.

(2) Concern was expressed about the safety of pedestrians upon reaching the top of Pier Lane and emerging into Church Hill, without realising that vehicles are driven very close to the top of the Lane. As visibility is impaired by the wall of the adjacent property, it was suggested that some form of marking be applied to the road surface of Pier Lane to warn pedestrians of the imminent danger.

5775 Finance

a. The Financial Summary for September 2002 was received and approved.

b. The current budget contains an allowance for a contribution of £900 to the AONB Countryside Management Service and the Treasurer asked whether he should make the payment. After discussion about the representation of parish councils on the Executive of the AONB, it was agreed that payment would be deferred until January, at which time the matter would be reviewed.

c. Details of the new pay scales recommended by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services were presented. RESOLVED that the salaries for the Clerk and the Treasurer be increased accordingly.

d. Preliminary budget proposals were distributed. It was agreed that the matter would be discussed in detail at the November meeting, after members had been given opportunity to study the proposals in greater detail.

e. The Treasurer gave details of his use of his own computer for Parish Council purposes and the Clerk indicated that his use of his own computer was on a similar percentage basis. RESOLVED that a quarterly allowance of £16.78 be made to both the Clerk and the Treasurer for their use of their private computers on Parish Council business, but both being subject to cancellation if, and when, Parish Council computers are provided. It was also RESOLVED that the Treasurer be paid a monthly telephone allowance of £3.

5776 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

nothing to report

b. Highways

The Chairman reported that he had received complaints about the ‘bump’ on Sandside Road and also the undulating road surface at the bridge near Black Dyke crossing. These would be referred to County Councillor Stewart.

The Chairman had also been informed that Sandside Road, from ‘Hudsons’ to Carr Bank, will be resurfaced in the coming year. Comment was made that this should be deferred until after United Utilities have laid their pumping main from Arnside to Sandside.

c. Playing Field Advisory Committee

Councillor Colwell produced two items which she proposed to submit for inclusion in the Broadsheet. One item refers to the possible demolition of the former Scout Hut and the other refers to the need to make progress with the skateboard park, rather than lose the grant. Councillor Scarisbrick questioned the wisdom of demolishing the Scout Hut and he was therefore asked to attend the next meeting of the Committee in order to explain his concerns.

d. Cemetery

nothing to report

e. Vital Villages - Parish Plan

Councillor Keefe reported that a photocopier had been purchased and was now in use. A Web Site had been commissioned and was now under development.

A further approach had been made to the Broadsheet, in the hope that the organisers would agree to an additional page, which would be entirely funded by the Parish Plan. This request had again been refused.

Attempts were continuing to obtain maps suitable for use in the Parish Plan project.

Councillors Mycock and Crossman had developed a presentation on the Parish Plan project and would now be available to attend meetings of local organisations.

A “Parish Plan Open Day” will be held in the Educational Institute on Saturday November 16th.

A survey questionnaire will be sent to every household at the beginning of next year.

Councillor Rollins asked whether it would be permissible to make application for a Community Transport Grant, of up to £10,000, without awaiting completion of the Parish Plan. The answer given was to the effect that this was quite permissible, but it would be better deferred until completion of the Parish Plan, so that any community observations can be used to support the application.

f. AONB Joint Parish Committee

Councillor Keefe had attended the meeting held on 10th October.

The Chairman of the JPC had asked constituent parishes to make a donation of £20, as the funds of the committee are now almost exhausted.

It had been reported that the next meeting of the AONB Executive Committee was to be held on 16th October and that parishes had been invited to make comment on the draft constitution.

Several parish councils were under way with Parish Plan schemes and the Carnforth Market Town Initiative was developing in a similar manner.

The AONB were preparing a management plan and Miss Rowena Lord had asked that facilities be made available for her to co-ordinate this work with that of the various Parish Plans.

Concern had been expressed about a former business site, in Warton, being classed as a “Brown Field Site” and subsequently being approved for housing development. Warton Parish Council had opposed this on the basis that there was a need to retain employment sites, but the objection had been overruled.

The representative of Beetham Parish Council had announced that the Council was registering objections to the current proposals of United Utilities for the pumping main from Arnside to Sandside.

5777 Planning Matters:

a. It was noted that the following application was dealt with, under Standing Order 34:

5/02/2485 - Horton House, 16 Silverdale Road, Arnside - change of use from police office back to residential in keeping with surrounding area: NO OBJECTIONS

b. The following applications were considered:

5/02/2491 - Knott House, High Knott Road, Arnside - demolish front garage of tandem double garage. Replace front garage with side to side double garage: NO OBJECTIONS

5/02/2584 - Saltcotes Hall, Arnside - conversion of remaining portion of Barn 1 and Barn 2 into 3 dwellings: NO OBJECTIONS

5/02/2632 - Saltcotes Hall, Arnside - pair of semi-detached houses to be built as affordable for locals: NO OBJECTIONS, SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH SLDC CONDITIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Members also wished to thank the applicants for their gesture in trying to address the problem of providing affordable housing for local residents.

5/02/2634 - Saltcotes Hall, Arnside - extension of cottage into Barn 1 and log store to provide larger domestic unit: NO OBJECTIONS.

Note: a comment will be made that the access to the Saltcotes Hall site warrants improvement to visibility for vehicles entering and leaving the site, especially as the number of vehicles involved will probably increase if the developments are approved.

c. The following decisions of the District Council were noted:

5/02/2113 - 10 Plantation Avenue, Arnside - front dormer and rear balcony:

REFUSED.

5/02/2177 - Unit 7, Nelson Court, Ashleigh Road, Arnside - concrete decking to rear

of Unit 7: GRANTED.

5/02/2244 - Holly Bank - alterations to existing sun lounge and replacement windows:

GRANTED

5/02/2247 - Black Dyke Crossing Cottage, Arnside - single storey extension:

GRANTED.

5778. Correspondence:

a. 51 items of correspondence received since the last meeting were tabled for the information of members.

Members were pleased to note that a letter had been received from SLDC, in response to this Council’s enquiry, stating that “I can confirm there is no intention either to close the separate unisex disabled facility or the ladies and gents public conveniences [in Arnside] provided and operated by South Lakeland District Council”

b. Action was agreed on certain items, as follows:

(1) A letter had been received from Miss Dean, alleging that Mr Peter Hunt, of United Utilities, had told her that the only reason why United Utilities had not pursued the possibility of a treatment works in Arnside was that Councillor Hargreaves had told him that such works would not be acceptable at any location within Arnside. The letter also demanded that the Parish Council make a formal apology for misleading the electorate and allowing United Utilities to face unwarranted hostility at the Public Meeting.

The Clerk advised the meeting that, upon receipt of this letter, he had immediately written to Mr Peter Hunt requesting that he confirm in writing exactly what he had said to Miss Dean.

In considering this letter, members recognised that this accusation was totally inappropriate, as the opinions of any one member, whether Chairman or not, could not be taken as being the basis of an authoritative statement from the Council. Councillor Hargreaves denied having attempted to present his own views as being those of the Council. Furthermore, United Utilities had visited the Parish Office in June 2001 to discuss proposals for three possible sites for a treatment works within the Parish. All of these sites were considered reasonably acceptable to the Council. The Council had also agreed with Mr Hunt’s preference for the siting of the works within the grounds of Ashmeadow, near to the redundant swimming pool, subject to planning and design considerations being sympathetic to the nature of the site.

It was agreed that there was no basis for the complaint and that a reply would be sent accordingly.

(2) A request had been received from Cumbria Crimestoppers for a donation of £200. It was not considered appropriate to make such a donation.

(3) Details were given of the CALC AGM, to be held in Carlisle on 9th November. No member of the Council would be able to attend.

(4) A letter had been received from SLDC relinquishing management of Silverdale Road Quarry and returning the title document. As this had been conveyed to the National Trust in 1962, the document would simply be filed with Council title deeds.

(5) A reply had been received from Cumbria County Council to the Parish Council’s complaint about unauthorised quarrying at Holgates Caravan Park. The reply indicated that there had indeed been illegal quarrying and this had been taken up with the owner of the site. Subject to the condition that no further quarrying would take place and that the stone already removed be used for work on the caravan site, Cumbria County Council did not intend to take further action on this matter. It was agreed that this reply be held on file for future reference.

c. Matters for which a response is outstanding, were considered as follows:

(1) Reply from Mr Peter Hunt of United Utilities, to our letter requesting that he comment in writing on the contents of the letter from Miss Dean, concerning liaison with United Utilities. As no reply has been forthcoming, the Clerk will write to Miss Dean and to Mr Tim Collins MP, explaining that Mr Hunt has failed to reply to the Council’s request that he advise us, in writing, of exactly what he had said to Miss Dean.

(2) Reply to our e-mail request to NALC (via CALC) for legal advice regarding the possibility of the Parish Council taking legal action to stop United Utilities from proceeding with the intended sewage pumping main along the roadways. The Clerk will contact CALC to ask that pressure be put on NALC for an urgent response.

5779. Proposed upgrading of sewage disposal system by United Utilities

Further consideration of this matter is deferred, pending receipt of legal advice as to the possibility of the Council taking action to persuade United Utilities to take the proposed pipeline along the foreshore.

District Councillor Himsworth left the meeting after this item.

5780 Deferral of agenda items

Due to the time taken to progress through the agenda, it was agreed that the following items be deferred until the next meeting:

(1) To determine the approach which should be made to the Disability Rights Commission, regarding the Cemetery Chapel. (2) To discuss the implications of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. (3) To determine the policy for the Parish Council’s use, and payment for such use, of the photocopier purchased with the assistance of the Parish Plan grant. (4) To determine a programme for the replacement of the railings on the pier. (5) To consider the purpose of the street lighting account and whether or not the Council should pay for the cost of any additional street lights. To consider whether part of this account should be used to provide an electricity supply to the cemetery chapel.

5781 Date of next meeting:

Monday November 11th at 7.15pm in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside.

The meeting closed at 1015pm
Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council