5849 Minutes: of a meeting of the Arnside Parish Council held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 10th February 2003.

5850 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.(David) Willacy, Councillors P.E.(Ted) Casey, J.(Jean) Colwell, R.(Ros) Hunt, T.(Terry) Keefe, R.(Richard) Rollins, D.(David) Scarisbrick,

the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, PC David Barnes and four members of the public.
5851 Apologies for Absence: Councillors I.(Ian) Crossman, K.(Ken) Hargreaves, J.(John) Howell, E.(Ed) Mycock, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart and District Councillor P.(Patricia) Himsworth

5852 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on the 13th January 2003 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.

5853 Police Report

(1) PC Barnes reported that a youth had been apprehended in connection with damage to a telephone kiosk.

(2) There had been a particularly nasty burglary where two burglars had been disturbed by the occupant and left the premises only to return shortly afterwards and continue the burglary having placed a bag over the head of the occupant. The persons concerned have since been arrested.

(3) There have been a number of thefts from vehicles and the Police have strong suspicions as to the identity of the person concerned.

(4) There has been a spate of hoax fire calls made from the public call box in Silverdale Road during weekday evenings.

(5) There have been a number of problems with youths gathering in the grounds of the Arnside School, some climbing onto the roof of the building. Names have been taken and letters sent to parents. If the offences persist, prosecution will follow.

(6) PC Barnes had noted that the Parish Council is considering the purchase of a speed gun, in the hope of persuading motorists to observe speed limits. He was able to inform members that the cost would be £1575 + vat, plus an annual servicing charge of £90. Whilst information about persistent offences would be useful to the Police, no direct prosecutions could result from the use of the speed gun. Two such speed guns have been purchased by the Police for the use of Divisional Staff and, once the officers are trained, it may be that they will be able to put them to good use in the villages such as Arnside.

5854 Further Presentation re proposed Arnside Bike and Skate Group facility

Further to the introductory item at last month’s meeting, Mr Colin Blain gave an update on the situation. Progress has been slow, because the members have been trying to reactivate the old Skateboard Park bank account, but might have to start with a totally new account. Further enquiries had revealed that the required equipment is significantly more expensive than had been envisaged. A formal Constitution has been drawn up. Members of the group are hoping to submit a Planning Application for consideration by the Parish Council, before formal submission to SLDC. A Coffee Morning is to be held on the 1st March, in aid of a wider youth project, but it is hoped that this will provide a suitable occasion for the members of the skateboard group to present their ideas for public discussion.

Councillor Scarisbrick expressed his concern about the legal basis for the Parish Council to transfer the £1000, currently being held for the skateboard project, to the members of this group. The Clerk will consult CALC about the concerns.

In answer to a question about insurance, it was noted that the Parish Council Treasurer has already confirmed that the development would be covered by the Council’s insurance policy.

5855 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

(1) A member of the public expressed his concern that residents of Church Hill had not been consulted about the possible skateboard park. The main basis for concern seemed to be that of the noise generated from the activities. In answer to his question about the size of the proposed area, it was intimated that it could be in the region of 25 x 35 metres.

(2) Another member of the public queried the fact that District Councillor Patricia Himsworth has not attended a meeting of the Parish Council since October 2002. It was explained that attendance of district and county councillors at parish council meetings is voluntary, although customary whenever practical.

(3) A resident of Swinnate Road pointed out that his house had been burgled, but had not been included in the Police report. The Chairman understands that the burglary of a neighbouring property in Swinnate Road had also gone un-reported.

5856 Finance

(a) In the absence of the Treasurer, the Clerk gave a brief report on the financial situation as at the 14th January and gave details of a payment made since then, together with details of payments to be made.

(b) The Clerk explained that an invoice had been received from District Audit for an audit fee of £250, whereas the expected fee was £120. On checking, it was realised that the purchase of the replacement tractor had taken the total expenditure for 2001-2002 over the £25,000 threshold and that the £250 was therefore correct. The Clerk also pointed out that the Council’s agreement to the effect that the purchase of major items for club premises on the Playing Field could be made through the Parish Council, may have similar consequences. The assistance given to the clubs would not therefore be without cost to the Council, although the actual situation would not be known until the end of each financial year.

5857 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

(1) There have been several complaints about the number of trees cut down in Beachwood, but it is understood that all the work had been approved by Ms Alizon Hall, of SLDC.

(2) The Chairman has requested that all life rescue rings be numbered, by SLDC, so that any rings retrieved from inappropriate locations can be returned to the correct posts, without having to conduct a survey.

b. Highways

(1) The Chairman reported on a site meeting which he had attended earlier in the day, and which was also attended by County Councillor Ian Stewart, Mrs Maureen Stewart (SLDC) and Mr Graham Anderson (SLDC). The purpose of the meeting was to inspect areas suffering from a lack of the action which is required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It was agreed that there should not be any dead autumn leaves remaining on roads/footways in February. It was also accepted that, by not having cleaned the areas scheduled in accordance with the SLDC Schedule of Routine Maintenance, it would take a determined effort to rectify the problems. A number of roads have growth at the kerbsides and edges of the road, eg Church Hill and Redhills Road. The failure to clean regularly results in debris getting washed into the storm drain system, causing blockages (which have to be cleared by Cumbria C.C.).

Various footpaths and footways were inspected. Some had grass and weeds encroaching, thereby reducing the width, whilst others had weeds growing where the surface had deteriorated and moss is also growing on them. A priority list will be compiled and sent to SLDC for future reference, but the current priority is for cleaning of Shady Bowers and the footpath from St.James’ to the Methodist Church. It is hoped that this work will start within one week.

Councillor Keefe stated that he had heard mention of a ‘hotline’ for reporting of potholes in the highway. This was not within the knowledge of the Clerk or Chairman, but enquiries would be made and, if available, the number would added into the Minutes of this meeting. [enquiries made since the meeting have revealed that the number is 0845-6096609]

(2) Litter bins will be replaced, where necessary, in April.

(3) Councillor Rollins expressed his concern at the non-gritting of public footpaths such as Shady Bowers and the one running through Station Field. It was confirmed that the written confirmation of insurance cover has still not been received from the Council’s insurers, despite repeated requests by the Treasurer, and that, until it is received, the Council’s contractor should not be asked to do any gritting. The Chairman informed the meeting that he understands that, in the meantime, some gritting of the two named footpaths might well be carried-out by two residents acting on their own initiative.

Councillor Rollins also expressed his concerns about the hazards caused by the accumulation of leaves on Shady Bowers.

c. Playing Field Advisory Committee

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 4th March.

d. Cemetery

Nothing to report

e. Allotments

Councillor Hunt had compiled a report which had been circulated to all members, prior to the meeting. Most plots are currently tenanted, although the people on the waiting list will be contacted in the near future concerning the few vacancies which have just occurred. Councillor Hunt has also produced an Allotments Journal which had been available for inspection in the Parish Office.

There is a reasonable amount of interest in having meetings in the Parish Office, for allotment tenants to meet together, and one is likely to be arranged quite soon. Councillor Hunt suggested that it might also be appropriate to advertise the Allotments facility, as the waiting list for new tenants is almost exhausted.

f. Vital Villages - Parish Plan

Councillor Keefe reported that there had been frequent meetings of the Steering Group, concentrating on the formulation of the Questionnaire. This is scheduled for printing on 11th February and it is hoped that distribution will commence around 20th February. Residents will be asked to return completed questionnaires to various collection boxes, preferably within 10 days of receipt.

Councillor Hunt is exploring Supplementary Planning Guidance.

g. AONB Executive Committee

Councillor Scarisbrick had compiled a report on the meeting held on 15th January and had distributed copies to members, prior to the meeting.

In addition to the report, Councillor Scarisbrick drew the attention of members to the AONB Conference, held on January 30th, during which he understood Mr Tony Riden to state that “the AONB wish to purchase the building which they occupy at Arnside Station and to extend it.” Councillor Scarisbrick expressed his concern at the possibility of the sale of the building, thereby preventing its use being re-established for the benefit of railway passengers, in the future, and that he felt strongly that this matter should be discussed by the Parish Council as a matter of urgency. He was reminded that a letter had been sent to the AONB, on this subject and that a written reply had been received and circulated to all members. Despite this, Councillor Scarisbrick feels that the matter should be discussed formally and it will therefore be listed as an agenda item for the next meeting.

Councillor Keefe wished to make a comment about the ‘visioning’ exercise at the AONB Executive meeting, but his right to do so, under the Code of Conduct (Declaration of Interests) was challenged by Councillor Scarisbrick. Councillor Keefe declared that his ‘interest’ was only as editor of “Keer to Kent” and that he did not feel that this should prevent him making comment. The Clerk advised that this is a Non-Prejudicial Interest and that Councillor Keefe should feel free to comment. The comment he wished to make was by way of explanation that the ‘visioning’ exercise was only intended to assist the AONB staff in developing a Management Plan and that non of the individual group comments were being incorporated into the Management Plan.

h. Arnside Youth Project

(1) Councillor Colwell advised members that the Arnside Youth Project had been established in conjunction with the Cumbria Association of Clubs for Young People and was intended to be of benefit to young people aged between 8 and 18 within the Arnside area. An explanatory note and a copy of the Constitution were presented to the meeting and copies will be distributed to members, as soon as possible. Whilst currently the most major project is the creation of a Skate & Bike Park, it is hoped that the project will be able to provide other facilities for young people.

(2) Councillor Colwell advised that a Young Persons Bus Scheme has been established for the period 14th February to 18th April 2003, to transport young people to and from Kendal on Friday and Saturday evenings. Notices are to be displayed around the village.

i. Joint Parish Transport Scheme

Councillor Rollins expressed a willingness to attend the meeting at Holme Village Hall on February 19th and it is hoped that several other members would be able to attend.

5858 Correspondence:

a. 33 items of correspondence received since the last meeting were tabled for the information.

b. Action was agreed on the following items:

(1) A letter received concerning dog fouling, particularly in the Briery Bank area, will be forwarded to the SLDC Dog Warden, together with a comment that the situation had improved when the Dog Warden had last had a purge in the area, but has relapsed since.

(2) The SLDC Footpaths Officer has responded to several matters raised by the Parish Council, one of which was a suggestion that some form of white lining be created at the head of Pier Lane, in order to warn pedestrians about the hazard of stepping-out into the paths of cars. It was noted with great dismay that the Footpaths Officer had decided that this was not justified and the suggestion would not therefore be implemented.

5859 Planning Matters:

a. The following applications were considered:

5/02/3636 - Plot 1, The Grange, off New Barns Road, Arnside - proposed dwelling house: NO OBJECTIONS, but the Council strongly urges that the new driveway to the house should be re-aligned in such a way as to avoid the need to fell any trees and such as to avoid damage to the roots of any trees.

5/03/0081 - Arnside Educational Institute - modifications to provide disabled persons lift: NO OBJECTIONS

5/03/0145 - Saltcotes Hall, Arnside - extension of cottage into barn and conversion of barns to dwellings: NO OBJECTIONS. The Council notes with regret that the provision of ‘affordable houses’ on this site, as proposed in the previous application, is no longer included.

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

5/02/3428 - Grafton, 35 Briery Bank, Arnside - garden equipment garage, potting shed and greenhouse: GRANTED.

5/02/3603 - Beaumont, Stonycroft Drive - extensions, conservatory and detached garage: GRANTED.

5/02/3630 - 83 Silverdale Road - detached triple garage with domestic storage over: GRANTED.

5860 Proposed upgrading of sewage disposal system by United Utilities

The Clerk reported that he had attended a meeting with the outgoing and incoming Project Managers from United Utilities, specifically concerning the possible workings at Ashmeadow. Recognising that the explanations given at the meeting would be of considerable interest to the Parish Council, he had asked that the new Project Manager should provide a ‘brief’ for the Council, copies of which were distributed at the meeting of the Council. The Project Manager has freely admitted that he is not able to give any form of reliable indication as to the way in which the “Unacceptable Intermitted Discharges” (UIDs) problem will be resolved. Flow readings will be taken of the two UIDs up to the end of August, so that computer modelling can calculate an indication of the total flows and storage capacities which might be required.

The Environment Agency has now extended the deadline for completion of the work until June 2005, in order to allow the UID work to be incorporated into the current scheme.

It seems inevitable that a very large underground storage tank will be required in the grounds of Ashmeadow and it was noted that United Utilities would be prepared to use their powers for compulsory purchase, if the Executors for Ashmeadow are unwilling to enter into a sale agreement. Councillor Scarisbrick wished the Minutes to record that he is opposed to the creation of any form of sewage storage tanks in the grounds of Ashmeadow, on the presumption that (in his opinion) there would be an inevitable and unacceptable odour problem.

The Clerk will arrange a meeting with the new Project Manager as soon as it is thought that he will be in a position to say anything which might be relied upon.

5861 Flooding of the Playing Field

In accordance with Minute 5815c, the Clerk had contacted Lakes Plant and invited the proprietor, Mr John Rooney to inspect the Playing Field and give advice as to the work required to rectify the flooding problems. This had been done, free of charge, and his report was brought to the attention of members. Mr Rooney had also quoted for undertaking the remedial work, although this had not been invited. The matter was referred for consideration by the Playing Fields Advisory Committee.

5862 Review of Street Lighting

A site meeting had been held at Black Dyke Road, attended by the Chairman, the Clerk and Mr Steve Geoffreys, a Highways Technical Assistant in the Agencies Division of SLDC. It had been provisionally agreed that it would be desirable to provide two street lights, with an underground supply being taken from Briery Bank. Mr Geoffreys agreed to seek two quotations for undertaking the work and would advise the Parish Council in due course. This information is still awaited.

5863 Programme for replacement of the Pier Railings

In the absence of Councillor Hargreaves, this matter is deferred to the next meeting.

5864 Purchase of a Traffic Speed Gun

The Clerk had written to the Chief Constable and has received an e-mail reply from the Chief Constable’s Staff Officer. Arrangements are being made for the Clerk to be contacted by the new Area Police Commander, who has practical experience of using this equipment in rural areas.

5865 Items for Information

(1) Councillor Casey distributed photocopies of an article published in The Guardian, relating to the vulnerability of nuclear power installations to sabotage. He felt that this was particularly pertinent, following the briefing given to members by the County Emergency Planning Officer.

(2) Councillor Scarisbrick drew attention to the possible implications for the Parish Council’s annual fireworks display, arising from the new fireworks Bill presented to Parliament.

(3) Councillor Scarisbrick drew attention to an impasse that had arisen over the possible purchase of land at Arnside Station Yard. Cumbria County Council is restricted to the valuation assessed by its own valuer, which is a long way short of the valuation obtained by the land owner.

5866 Date of next meeting:

Monday March 10th 2003 at 7.15pm in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm
Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council