5782 Minutes: of a meeting of the Arnside Parish Council held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 11th November 2002.

5783 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.(David) Willacy, Councillors P.E.(Ted) Casey, J.(Jean) Colwell, I.(Ian) Crossman, J.(John) Howell, R.(Ros) Hunt, T.(Terry) Keefe, E.(Ed) Mycock, R.(Richard) Rollins, D.(David) Scarisbrick, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, and five members of the public.
5784 Apologies for Absence: Councillor K.(Ken) Hargreaves, County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart and District Councillor P.(Patricia) Himsworth

5785 Minutes: The Minutes of the previous meeting held on the 14th October were amended at 5774 by the addition of the words “and Church Hill” immediately following the words “the road surface of Pier Lane”. The Minutes were then approved and signed by the Chairman.

5786 Reports in the absence of the Police, County Councillor and District Councillor

The Chairman informed the meeting that there had been a Police speed check on the evening of Saturday 9th November, with several people being caught for speeding. There had been quite a lot of vandalism on Halloween, with one youth being escorted home by the Police. There was also an incident in which a car (probably stolen) had collided with another vehicle, but the driver had abandoned the vehicle and escaped.

The Chairman advised that he was liaising with County Councillor Stewart concerning outstanding highway and associated matters. There had been a problem over the County Council taking responsibility for clearing a blocked drain in Silverdale Road, when it was found to contain sewage. The Chairman did however praise the response of SLDC in dealing with this latter aspect. Councillor Stewart is attempting to have the drain clearance procedures reviewed, so as to avoid a recurrence of this responsibility problem.

The Chairman reported that residents had congratulated SLDC on the promptness of the response to the blocked drain at the junction of Ashleigh Road and The Promenade.

5787 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

One member of the public spoke on behalf of at least two of those present, stating that they had come to the meeting in order to address District Councillor Himsworth and they were dismayed to find that she had sent her apologies.

The lady concerned also commented that she had been unable to read the Minutes of the previous meeting, displayed in the window of the Parish Office, because of condensation on the inside of the window. This problem was acknowledged and the Clerk explained that there was a further set of Minutes on display in the main noticeboard on The Promenade. Printed copies of the Minutes are supplied to the Library for display, but back-copies are not kept at the Library. All back-copies can be viewed in the Parish Office each Wednesday morning between 10.30am and 11.30am. The new Web Site (www.arnside.gov.uk) will contain all the Minutes of Council Meetings (not committees) commencing October 2002. The web site can be accessed via Arnside Library. The Clerk has been in discussion with the County Library Services Manager to see if an arrangement can be made for all persons to have free access to the Parish Council’s web site via the Library. This suggestion had been well received and it is understood it will be put before Senior Officers and Elected Members for consideration.

5788 Finance

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

b. The draft budget, proposed by the Finance Committee, was considered in detail. Councillor Rollins expressed his concern at the proposed 11% increase in the precept. He suggested that the money currently allocated in reserve funds for replacement of the pier railings should instead be used to reduce the precept. As the replacement of the pier railings was deemed necessary to comply with safety regulations, this suggestion was not adopted by the remainder of the members. Acceptance of the budget proposal was put to the vote and it was RESOLVED, by a vote of nine for and one against, that the proposal be adopted unchanged. Councillor Rollins asked that the Minutes should record that he voted against the proposal.

5789 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

nothing to report

b. Highways

The Chairman indicated that he will submit reports on highways matters to both County Councillor Stewart and District Councillor Himsworth. It was noted that the path next to the W.I. Hall contains a large puddle, after rain, making it difficult to use the path. The Chairman will report this to Mr Flynn, SLDC Footpaths Officer. It was also reported that water collects in a dip in the high road to Silverdale, just before the turning to Far Arnside. The Chairman will investigate this matter.

c. Playing Field Advisory Committee

The Minutes of the Playing Field Committee meeting held on 10th September 2002 were distributed. Councillor Colwell reported that she had received several telephone calls concerning the possible skateboard park and three parents were particularly interested in taking the matter further. Use of the Parish Office, for a meeting, had been offered. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on 3rd December.

d. Cemetery

nothing to report

e. Allotments

Councillor Hunt had submitted a comprehensive report, which was circulated with the agenda for this meeting. The Chairman thanked her for doing so much work and producing an excellent report. It was noted that none of the tenants had ever been issued with tenancy agreements and it was felt that this should be rectified. A draft document had been obtained and this will be tailored for the needs of the Arnside allotments. Despite considerable research into affairs of the past fifty years, Councillor Hunt had been unable to establish the basis upon which two allotment holders, who have their permanent place of residence outside of the parish, had been granted allotments. Various possibilities were suggested and it was agreed that the Clerk should write to each of the persons concerned. It would be emphasised that there was no intention of terminating their tenancies, even though future conditions may stipulate a priority allocation for Arnside residents.

Councillor Hunt was authorised to purchase two allotment reference books on behalf of the Parish Council.

Councillor Hunt indicated that she would be submitting quarterly written reports, with additional verbal reports as and when necessary.

f. Vital Villages - Parish Plan

Councillor Keefe circulated a report on the last meeting of the Steering Group. Preparations are well in hand for the Parish Plan Open Day, to be held in the Educational Institute on Saturday 16th November. He would however appreciate assistance in displaying posters around the village

g. AONB Executive Committee

Councillor Scarisbrick had attended the last meeting of the Executive Committee and presented a verbal report. He emphasised the need for the Council members to make a detailed study of the draft constitution and recommended that a special meeting of the Council should then be called to discuss the matter. AGREED that Councillor Scarisbrick will forward a copy of the draft constitution to the Clerk, for copying and circulation to members, before a special meeting is called.

5790 Planning Matters:

a. The following applications were considered:

5/02/2972 - 43 Redhills Road, Arnside - new front door entrance & first & second floor increased stairway landing - NO OBJECTIONS

5/02/3053 - Church View Cottages - bedroom en-suite to be built in roof space

- NO OBJECTIONS

5/02/3015 - 2 Black Dyke Road - erection of replacement conservatory

- NO OBJECTIONS

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

5/02/2485 - Horton House, 16 Silverdale Road, Arnside - change of use from police office back to residential in keeping with surrounding area: GRANTED

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: GRANTED

c. It was noted that the three Planning Applications numbered 5/02/2584, 5/02/2632 and 5/02/2634, in respect of proposed developments at Saltcotes Hall, have been withdrawn.
5791. Correspondence:

a. 28 items of correspondence received since the last meeting were tabled for the information of members.

b. Action was agreed on the following item:

A reply should be sent to Mrs Ann Kitchin, concerning her letter registering her opposition to the use of the foreshore for the pumping main (rather than the roadways).

c. A matter for which a response is outstanding, was considered as follows:

A 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. A reminder had been sent, but no response had been forthcoming. It is now assumed that he either does not recall making the comments reported by Miss Dean, or that he feels such comments were without foundation and indefensible.

5792. Proposed upgrading of sewage disposal system by United Utilities

The Clerk reported that he had received a verbal response from NALC, via CALC, to the Council’s request for legal advice. NALC’s legal advisors had concluded that the Parish Council could not take any action to enforce any modifications to any scheme proposed by United Utilities. The only action which could be taken would be to scrutinise any Planning Applications for above-ground installations, and/or to monitor the procedures for obtaining road closure orders for any below-ground works.

Tim Collins, MP, had received a response from OFWAT and a copy had been forwarded to the Council, together Mr Collins’ comment that he was “sorry to send such a deeply disappointing reply”. The substance of the reply from OFWAT was very much in line with that from NALC.

The Clerk reported that he had sent a letter to the Editor of the Westmorland Gazette, responding to the published letter from Mrs Dorah Shepherd. The Clerk’s letter made it clear that the legal advice had been obtained completely free of charge and that the action taken would not result in any cost, either to the Council, or to the residents of Arnside.

A letter had been received from United Utilities advising that the start of the proposed work would be deferred until early in the New Year. The Clerk had posed several questions by e-mail and had subsequently published the replies, together with a map indicating the new time schedule.

Concern was expressed about the affect which this new time schedule might have on the Cross-Bay Walks programme, as a considerable amount of car parking space would be lost during the working periods. It was thought that the results of the promised traffic survey might be useful in considering this matter and the Clerk will therefore write to SLDC.

5793 Access to the Cemetery Chapel for Disabled Persons

The Clerk had been in contact with the Disability Rights Commission and had established that the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act would apply to the Cemetery Chapel and that “reasonable adjustments to physical features” may need to be made by October 2004. It was noted that “reasonable adjustments” would have to take into account a number of factors, one of which would be financial and other costs of making the adjustments. As the Chapel is very rarely used it was AGREED that the Clerk should write to the Commission explaining the situation and suggesting that the Council be excused from making any alterations. Once a reply is received, the Council will be in a better position to evaluate any work and costs involved. In the event that excusal is not to be granted, it is suggested that the matter be placed on the agenda of the annual Parish Assembly, so that the views of a significant portion of the community can be considered.

5794 Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Clerk has assessed the literature sent by the Information Commissioner and had concluded that the Council would be best advised to adopt the minimum statutory publication scheme. RESOLVED that the Clerk should complete the Declaration Form, giving the title as “Model Publication Scheme for Local Councils (Core Classes only)” and that the Form should be registered with the Information Commission, before 31st December 2002.

5795 Authorised use of the Photocopier

It was noted that the only member of the Parish Plan Steering Committee authorised to use the photocopier for Parish Plan work is Councillor Keefe. It was agreed that all councillors could use the photocopier for Parish Council matters, subject to recording such use in the log book provided. The Clerk will ensure that replacement supplies of paper and toner are obtained and will advise OES of the monthly ‘meter-click’ readings. The Treasurer will use the log book to assess the proportion of Parish Council use, before preparing his accounts.

5796 Replacement of the railings on the Pier.

Councillor Hargreaves will be asked to provide a report on the legal requirements relating to the safety of the pier railings, together with a report on the steps which need to be taken in order to comply.

Councillor Mycock will investigate the possibility of obtaining a grant from the Local Heritage Initiative.

5797 Street Lighting Account

It was noted that the current balance in the street lighting account is £2,882.00. The use of this fund was discussed and it was RESOLVED that the fund should be used for the provision of additional lighting of the public highway. It was noted that the stretch of Black Dyke Road immediately to the north of the junction with Briery Bank is very badly illuminated and it was AGREED that an additional light should be provided for the benefit of the general public. The Chairman had obtained a quotation of the costs of installing a light standard and the cost per metre of cabled electricity supply. A specific quotation for the Black Dyke Road lamp will be obtained.

5798 Proposed re-development of the garden centre, at Berners Close, Grange-over-Sands

Councillor Scarisbrick explained the proposal and asked members to consider whether or not this development would have any affect on Arnside traders. Having introduced the item, he then declared a non-prejudicial interest, as also did Councillor Crossman. The remaining members discussed the situation, but there being no proposer for a motion, the matter was dropped.

5799 Items for Information

Councillor Crossman announced that an unexpected change in his employment conditions meant that he would be unable to discharge the duties of his designated Council references for at least the next few months. He therefore felt obliged to relinquish the duties of (a) member of the Finance Committee and (b) specific reference for the Foreshore. Recognising the importance of these duties it was agreed that appointments be made immediately despite the fact that due notice had not been given. AGREED that Councillor Rollins take over as a member of the Finance Committee and that the Chairman take over the reference for the Foreshore. These appointments to take effect immediately, but to be subject to ratification at the next meeting.

5800 Date of next meeting:

Monday December 9th at 7.15pm in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm
Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council