Minutes: of the Annual Meeting of the Arnside Parish Council held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 12th May 2003.

5920 Welcome and Tribute

Before commencing the statutory business of the meeting, the Chairman:

(a) welcomed the new Members and those who had been re-elected to serve as Members of the Council, and

(b) announced that the Vice Chairman and former Chairman, Edwin (Ed) Mycock had sadly passed away on Monday 5th May. His funeral and internment had taken place earlier today. All members of the Council and members of the public then stood for a minute of silence, as a mark of respect for a valued friend and colleague, noting that his contribution to the Council and the life of the village would be very much missed.

5921 Election of Chairman: RESOLVED that Councillor Willacy be elected as Chairman, who accepted and then signed the statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Chairman.

5922 Election of Vice-Chairman: RESOLVED that Councillor Casey be elected as Vice-Chairman.

5923 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M. (David) Willacy, Councillors J.M. (Jean) Colwell, J.P. (John) Gallagher, K. (Ken) Hargreaves, R.J. (Ros) Hunt, J.A. ( Jocelyn) Innes, T.(Terry) Keefe, C.J. (Chris) Murphy, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, District Councillor R. (Richard) Rollins, PC Noble and seven members of the public.
5824 Apologies for Absence: Councillor P.E.(Ted) Casey and County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart.

5925 Declarations of Acceptance of Office

The Clerk advised that all nine of the persons elected to hold office, as Members of Arnside Parish Council, had signed the statutory Declarations of Acceptance of Office.

5926 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on the 14th April 2003 were approved and then signed by the Chairman.

5927 Election of Committees and Representatives.

(a) RESOLVED that members of Committees and representatives to outside organisations be elected as follows:

Finance Committee

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Cllrs. Colwell, Gallagher, Hargreaves, Innes.

Foreshore Committee

Cllrs. Willacy, Keefe, Hunt, Hargreaves.

Cemetery Committee

Cllrs. Casey, Hargreaves.

Playing Field Advisory Committee

All Councillors are automatically members of this Committee.

Chairman: Cllr. Colwell, Secretary to the Committee: Cllr. Murphy

Allotments

Cllr. Hunt.

Arnside Knott Management Committee

All Councillors - The Chairman of the Council is automatically Chairman of this Committee.

Planning Committee

RESOLVED that this Committee is now redundant.

Highways Officer

Cllr. Willacy.

Tree Preservation Officer

Cllr. Murphy.

Footpaths Officer

Cllr. Colwell.

Police Liaison Officer

Cllr. Willacy

Educational Institute Committee

Cllr. Keefe

AONB Joint Parishes Committee

Cllr. Keefe

AONB Executive Committee

Cllr. Keefe

Beetham Exhibition Trust

Cllr. Hunt

Burton in Kendal Educational Foundation

Cllr. Casey

CALC

Cllr. Hargreaves

CALC South Lakeland Committee

Cllr. Innes

Kent Estuary Neighbourhood Forum

Cllr. Gallagher

Morecambe Bay Partnership

Cllr. Innes

Board of School Governors, Arnside First National School

Cllr. Murphy

.

(b) RESOLVED that an Internal Audit Committee be created and that the following members be elected to serve on this Committee: Cllrs. Colwell, Gallagher, Hargreaves, Innes.

5928 Standing Orders, as re-printed in June 2002, were confirmed as correct and appropriate.

5929 Police Report

PC Noble indicated that there had not been any major developments since the last meeting. There followed a discussion about traffic and parking problems the previous day, which were exacerbated by the volume of cross-bay walkers who had parked near the station and returned to them, by train, at the same time. The proprietor of Station Garage had reported to the Police that he had been unable to get vehicles into and out of his premises and asked if something could be done about it. As there would seem to be considerable problems and delays in obtaining any additional Traffic Regulation Orders, it was suggested that white lines might be painted at selected locations. The Clerk will also write to Sergeant Murphy to request that Police cones be placed at such locations, in anticipation of problem days or events. The problems created by parked vehicles outside the former Claremont flats, on Silverdale Road, were also discussed and PC Noble will try to ease the problem by placing cones at strategic points.

PC Noble was advised of further vandalism on the Lower Promenade. He also acknowledged that the Playing Field byelaws do enable a Police Officer to take action to remove ‘troublemakers’ from the Field and examples of anti-social behaviour were drawn to his attention.

5930 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins had not yet attended a meeting. He gave an assurance that he would use strenuous efforts to represent the residents of the area.

5931 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

(a) Two members of the public expressed opposition to the suggestion that there should be a scheme established whereby residents could use Police-owned Traffic Speed Guns. The Chairman confirmed that this Parish Council has already decided not to purchase speed guns and has not yet discussed the possibility of becoming involved with the Police scheme. In answer to a question about there being any pre-determination of decisions on the matter, the Chairman also confirmed that this was not the case, and that the publication of the article by the Westmorland Gazette was both misleading and without any prompting by, or prior knowledge of, this Council. The subject will be set as an agenda item for the next meeting.

(b) One member of the public suggested that there should be clear signs, at the County and Parish boundaries, to indicate that drivers were entering Cumbria.

(c) One member of the public expressed her thanks to the Council and various members, for doing such hard work on behalf of residents and particularly in having the footway, along Station Road, tidied and cleared. She did however indicate that the hedge is already growing out above the pavement and suggested that there might be further attention.

5932 Finance

(a) The Financial Summary for April 2003 was received and approved.

(b) It was noted that a “yes” answer could be entered for all the questions contained in The Statement of Assurance to be submitted to the External Auditor, under Section 2 of the Annual Audit Return for the year ended 31st March 2003. The Chairman and the Clerk were authorised to sign the said Statement on behalf of the Council.

5933 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

There has been considerable vandalism on the Lower Promenade, including removal of a rainwater down spout from the shelter, breakage of a concrete seat and graffiti on walls. The lid of a litter bin opposite The Fighting Cocks was retrieved from the foreshore in the Beechwood area and there are now three other litter bins missing.

There have been reports of abusive language to visitors, from young people.

It is understood that letters have previously been sent by the Police to the parents of young people who are known to have engaged in anti-social behaviour, but these do not seem to have had the desired effect. A letter will therefore be sent to the Police Inspector.

Consideration may need to be given to the possibility of paying a contractor to clean the foreshore and this will be an agenda item for a future meeting.

b Highways

A letter has been received, drawing attention to the parking of vehicles in Silverdale Road, creating a hazard for drivers exiting Ashmeadow Road. This will be brought to the attention of County Highways.

The Chairman reiterated the comments he had made earlier about traffic congestion and the coincidence of Cross-Bay Walks. As this could also cause delays for emergency services, a further letter will be sent to the Police.

c Playing Field Advisory Committee

Councillor Colwell reported that the former Scout Hut is ready for demolition.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on Tuesday June 3rd, at 7.30pm.

The Chairman reported that there is considerable evidence of under-age drinking and that he has picked up three bags full of bottles and cans. Many bottles are being smashed and it is difficult to remove glass from the grass. The toilets have been damaged and there has been skateboarding on the roof of the toilets. A boundary wall, not belonging to the Council, has been damaged and a future meeting will need to address the question of how we should deal with this recurring problem.

d Cemetery: Nothing to report

e Allotments

Councillor Hunt distributed copies of her comprehensive report, indicating that the annexed items would be available for inspection.

There are now three residents on the waiting list for plots to become available.

All rents have been paid except that one cheque has gone astray and will be replaced.

There continue to be enquiries from residents of Silverdale, who are then advised to contact their own Parish Council.

A meeting had been held with tenants and will be repeated on an annual basis.

New tenancy agreements are being drawn up.

f Vital Villages - Parish Plan

Councillor Keefe reported that work is continuing on collating the results of the Questionnaire and that he is anxious to get the results distributed very soon. Task Groups have now been formed to work on practical proposals. There will be one more public meeting and it is hoped to complete the Plan by the end of July. Copies will be distributed to all households during August and September. There is a need to establish what will happen after the Task Groups have been disbanded.

g Beetham Educational Trust (report deferred from Parish Assembly)

Councillor Hunt distributed copies of her report, which indicated that the School Lots are being sold for around £46,000, but the actual figure will not be known until the price of the ‘milk quota’ has been received.

Grants are available for young people living in the parishes of Beetham and Arnside who are continuing in full time education beyond primary school. The deadline for requests for grants during the current year is 28th May. Applications should be sent to Mrs M.W.S. Richards, Clerk to the Trustees, Beetham Exhibition Trust, 4 Burton Park, Burton-in-Kendal, Carnforth, LA6 1JB, or telephone 01524-781910.

5934 Correspondence:

a. 27 items of correspondence, received since the last meeting, were tabled for information.

b. Action was agreed on the following items:

(1) A letter has been received from SLDC requesting permission to address Members, concerning the need/potential for additional Affordable Housing in Arnside. At the insistence of Members, this request had been supplemented by some background figures, which had only been received a few hours before the meeting. As the originator had specified that the figures should be treated as being confidential, it was agreed that copies should be circulated to all Members, before any further consideration would be given to the request for facilities to address the Council.

(2) Details have been received of (a) a Conference entitled “Power to the Parishes” at Penrith on14th June, and (b) an Induction Course for New Councillors. Councillor Innes was authorised to attend both events and to be reimbursed event fees and mileage expenses.

(3) A letter has been received from Arnside Bowling Club, expressing concern about the proposal to create a skateboard park on the Playing Field, and asking to be included in future discussions. The letter will be forwarded to Mr Colin Blain for attention.

(4) A letter and photographs have been received from Mr John Watts, concerning the traffic hazards created by the parking of vehicles on Silverdale Road, very close to the junction with Ashmeadow Road. These will be forwarded to County Highways.

5935 Planning Matters:

a. The following applications were considered, with NO OBJECTIONS to any of them:

5/03/0911 - 17 Church Hill - conservatory extension over basement and detached garage.

5/03/1013 - Yew Tree Cottage, off Redhills Road - rear extension

5/03/1028 - 10 Parkside Drive - conservatory

5/03/1172 - 10 Far Close Drive - garage extension / studio at first floor, to existing bungalow.

b. The decisions of the District Council to GRANT Planning Permission to the following were noted:

5/03/0638 - 2 Stewart Close - new vehicular access.

5/03/0719 - Hollinsfield, Hollins Lane - rear conservatory.

5/03/0677 - Sundown, The Promenade - vehicular access to front of subject property.

5/03/0814 - W.I. Village Hall - replace existing wood windows with white uPVC frames.

5/03/0815 - 27 Swinnate Road - dormer extension: GRANTED.

5936 Parish Assembly

AGREED that the following items should be included in the agenda for a future meeting:

a To consider whether or not this Council should be involved in the Police scheme for use of Traffic Speed Guns by volunteer residents.

b To consider the possibilities for future additional uses of the Cemetery Chapel (this item to be left in abeyance until after the production of the draft Parish Plan).

c To review the implementation of the new refuse disposal system.

5937 Arnside W.I. Hall

Councillors Colwell and Innes declared non-prejudicial interests and abstained from participation in this item.

A request had been received from the “Arnside W.I. & Village Hall Committee” for a donation, under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, to assist with the costs of renovation of the Hall. RESOLVED by votes of three in favour, two against, and three abstentions, that a donation of £300 be made.

5938 Review of Street Lighting

An alternative quotation is still awaited from Capita dbs.

A provisional estimate of £3,000 per light, subject to site inspection, has been received from a firm specialising in the provision and installation of solar-powered street lights. It was a agreed that this might present a viable alternative and a site inspection will be requested.

5939 Programme for replacement of the Pier Railings

Councillor Hargreaves reported that he had been unable to locate any specifications for the design of railings for use in places such as the pier. He did however think that it might be appropriate to adopt the 100mm ball principle, used in other locations. On this principle, he estimated that the cost of replacement could be in the region of £7,000 to £8,000. To simply replace the existing railings would probably cost in the region of £3,000. The Clerk advised that he is still awaiting a quotation from KeeKlamp. The matter will receive further consideration at a future meeting.

5940 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings.

5824 Publicity Leaflet and Parish Council property awareness visits: Councillor Hunt explained the suggestion of awareness visits, for the benefit of new Members. A date will be arranged for a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, with the visits starting at the Cemetery Chapel.

5857 b. Highways (3): The Treasurer announced that he had had a meeting with the broker for the Council’s insurance, during which they discussed the matter of cover for claims arising out of a decision to ask the contractor to apply salt to public footpaths. The broker had drawn attention to paragraph 1 of Section 2 of the Policy, which appeared to cover this contingency, provided we have given specific instructions.

5943 Date of next meeting: Monday June 9th 2003, at 7.15pm.

The meeting closed at 10.05pm.

Peter G. Challenor - Clerk to the Council