Prior to the commencement of business, the meeting was addressed by PC Brooks, who attended whilst off-duty, but needed to proceed to a private engagement. Whilst there have been a few incidents of criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and speeding, PC Brooks reported a general improvement in the overall situation. He was particularly pleased to report a significant improvement in the behaviour of young people. The last Police Surgery was well-attended. Members expressed their appreciation for the work of the COPS team and thanked PC Brooks for making a special effort to attend and make his report.

6070 Minutes: of a meeting of the Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 10th November 2003.

6071 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors P.E.(Ted) Casey, K.(Ken) Hargreaves, R.J.(Ros) Hunt, T.(Terry) Keefe, P.A.(Peter) McSweeney, C.J.(Chris) Murphy, M.P.(Pat) Pierce, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, District Councillor R.(Richard) Rollins and seven members of the public.

6072 Apologies for Absence:. Councillors J.P.(John) Gallagher, J.G.(Jack) Baker, J.M.(Jean) Colwell, County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart,
6073 Minutes: The Minutes of the Special Meeting held on Saturday 11th October and the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 13th October 2003, were approved and then signed by the Chairman.

6074 Police Report

As PC Brooks had left the meeting, the Chairman endorsed the report presented prior to the start of business. The Chairman added that he had received a call about some problems in Inglemere Close, but he considered that these were being resolved.

6075 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart had been delayed at an earlier meeting and had therefore found it necessary to telephone his apologies.

6076 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

1. Councillor Rollins advised that SLDC has now determined that the delegated powers for maintenance of footpaths should be returned to Cumbria County Council, as from April 2004. It was also noted that the designated SLDC Footpaths Officer has emigrated, and is not being replaced.

2. Councillor Rollins had been supplied with a copy of the second draft of the AONB Management Plan, which he passed to Councillor Keefe.

3. Councillor Rollins referred to the ongoing dispute between the Parish Council and SLDC, as to who should pay for the replacement of the light removed from Black Dyke Road. It was agreed that he should refer the impasse to the Solicitor for SLDC.

4. The Chairman asked Councillor Rollins to investigate the background to Minute 372 of the SLDC Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 9th September.

5. The Chairman asked Councillor Rollins to investigate the background to a leaflet, produced by the North Lancashire Rural Transport Partnership, which includes the statement “Carnforth Shopper provides transport that enables people from the rural hinterland of Carnforth and Arnside (South Cumbria) to visit Carnforth to do their shopping on three days a week.”

6. Councillor Murphy asked Councillor Rollins to arrange for repairs to be undertaken to the kissing-gate at the entrance to the footpath alongside The Common, at the end near to High Knott Road.

6077 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration (discussion not permitted).

1. A member of the public, Mr Brian Walker, identified himself as the new Chairman of the Arnside Plan Management Group, which is intended to carry on the work of the former Parish Plan Steering Group. In addition to his own election, the APMG meeting, on 15th October, had elected Mrs Pat Kelly to be Honorary Minutes Secretary, and Mrs Joan Simpson to be Honorary Treasurer. Mr Walker indicated that it is the express wish of the Group to operate independently, but this necessitates some further resolution of certain practicalities, which should be addressed at the meeting scheduled for November 12th. Mr Walker acknowledged that arrangements have already been made for him to address the Parish Council, in a formal capacity, at the December meeting, when Members will be given an opportunity to enter into discussions about points raised.

2. Another member of the public expressed concerns about the hazards created by trees within the cemetery, adjacent to the boundary with Silverdale Road.

3. A member of the Bowling Club expressed the opinion that the Members of the Council may have been misinformed about matters relating to the proposed replacement of wire fencing, with panelled fencing. He stated that many members of the Club are at a loss to understand the refusal of the Council to permit this replacement

4. A comment was made that the re-submitted Planning Application for Sandhurst, on The Promenade, has not been advertised by way of a public notice at the premises.

5. A further member of the public thanked the Council for arranging for the overhanging trees, at Station Gardens, to be cut back..

6078 Arnside Bike and Skate Group

There was no representative present at the meeting.

6079 Finance

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

(b) RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting, held on 20th October, be accepted, and that the revised draft budget, determined at the meeting, be approved (copies having been circulated to Councillors with the Agenda). Further RESOLVED that the Precept for the Financial Year 2004-2005 be set at:

For ordinary purposes £23,884

Parish Council Lighting costs £ 696

Parish Election costs £ 41

Total Precept £24,621

6080 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

The Chairman reported that nothing new has been heard from United Utilities, regarding the proposed new Wastewater Transfer Scheme. The Chairman has noted that four new springs have appeared near to the Pier.

b. Highways

The Chairman expressed his concern that nothing appears to have been done about the traffic hazard referred to in Minute 6051(5). The Clerk will bring this to the attention of County Councillor Stewart.

c. Playing Field Advisory Committee

The Clerk announced that there would not be a report from the Committee, because the Chairman, Councillor Colwell, has been faced with the need to receive urgent medical treatment and face a long period of recuperation. Whilst it is not normally acceptable to deal with a matter which is not on the published agenda, the Clerk expressed the view that there was a need to appoint an Acting Chairman, with immediate effect. RESOLVED that Councillor Murphy be appointed as Acting Chairman, and that Councillor Pierce be appointed as Acting Secretary. It was also noted that Councillor Colwell has the reference of Footpaths Liaison Officer and it was therefore RESOLVED that Councillor Hunt be appointed as Acting Footpaths Liaison Officer.

d. Cemetery

Councillor Casey reported that several grave spaces have been sold recently. There has been a need to attend to several trees.

e. Allotments

Councillor Hunt presented a comprehensive written report, copies of which were distributed at the meeting. All of the plots are currently let, and there are still three applicants on the waiting list. It is hoped to have a meeting of allotment-holders in the Spring of 2004. There is some ongoing discussion about the possibility of all plots becoming ‘organic’, but this could not become mandatory. The site is generally in good order, but the title sign has disappeared. As 2004 will be the 50th anniversary of the allotments, it is suggested that a replacement title sign might incorporate some reference to this fact. It has also been suggested that the allotment-holders might co-operate in obtaining a large quantity of manure. It was agreed that the Council’s tractor could be used, subject to the availability of a suitable trailer.

f. Joint Parish Committee

Councillor Keefe reported that he had attended a meeting of the Joint Parish Committee on October 22nd (as had the Clerk). Members attending had expected that they would have received copies of the second draft of the AONB Management Plan, and the meeting had been arranged primarily to discuss the contents. However, only the Chairman had received a copy, and therefore members were unable to address that item on the agenda. Councillor Keefe had been given to understand that comments were required by 12th November, but this was clearly not possible, and the Clerk was therefore asked to take-up the matter with the AONB Unit.

6081 Proposed Constitution of the new Cemetery Chapel Advisory Group / Development Committee.

The Clerk had circulated a synopsis of the possibilities of (a) a formal committee of the Council, (b) an independent advisory group, or (c) an independent group being licensed to occupy the Cemetery Chapel. Having studied the listed advantages and disadvantages, Councillor Keefe advised the membership that it seemed appropriate to establish a committee. RESOLVED that the committee be established as the Cemetery Chapel Development Committee, with membership being comprised of all Members of the Council, plus several members of the public, who would be co-opted, as appropriate. The Clerk will call the inaugural meeting, in line with statutory procedures, and will also prepare a draft Constitution, for consideration by the Committee.

6082 Correspondence:

a. 19 items of correspondence, received since the last meeting, were tabled for information.

b. Action was agreed on the following items:

(1) The Kent Estuary Neighbourhood Forum has asked for full contact details of Councillors, for inclusion in future mailing lists. Only those Members who wish to receive mailings will be included in the response.

(2) A letter has been received from the occupier of 10 Lawrence Drive, asking the Council to undertake some pruning of the oak tree, on adjacent Parish Council land, which has branches extending over his property. As this tree is not the subject of a Tree Preservation Order, the Chairman will try to arrange for the minimum essential work to be undertaken, without charge.

6083 Planning Matters:

(a) The Clerk advised that he has received a definitive ruling that Planning Applications which are not listed on the agenda, for a meeting, cannot be considered. Although urgent applications can be dealt with by the Clerk, in accordance with Standing Order 34, he considered it would not be appropriate to use this facility in the case of an Application, which had been received for “Sandhurst”, on The Promenade. It was therefore RESOLVED to call a Special Meeting of the Council for 7.15pm on Monday 24th November, at which this particular Application, and any others listed on the agenda, will be discussed.

(b) The following decision of the District Council was noted:

SL/2003/1964 - Kincraig, Stonycroft Drive - extension and alterations including decking area: GRANTED.

6084 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 34 (other than Planning).

1 A quotation of £190.00 + vat, from L.A. Earl & Co, for modification to the Parish Council noticeboard on the front wall of the E.I., accepted on the recommendation of Councillors Willacy, Hargreaves, Sweeney and Keefe (cf Minute 6063)

2 Permission granted to the following groups, to use the Parish Office, without charge, subject to the presence of a Member, or Officer, of the Council:

Educational Institute Committee - Keyholder: Councillor Hargreaves

Arnside Youth Project - Keyholder: Councillor Colwell

Barnes Charitable Trust - Keyholder: The Clerk

Cumbria Constabulary - Keyholder: Councillor Willacy

Allotment Tenants Group - Keyholder: Councillor Hunt

Arnside Plan Management Group - Keyholder: Councillor Keefe.

Permission granted on the recommendations of Councillors Casey, Hunt, Murphy, Keefe, Pierce, McSweeney, Hargreaves, and Willacy.

6085 Replacement of the two garage doors to the store on the Playing Field.

The Chairman reported that the two sets of garage doors, to the store on the Playing Field, are rotten and have now been broken. The Chairman will obtain quotations for (a) repair, or (b) replacement.

6086 AONB Memorandum of Agreement.

The six parish councils within the area of the AONB have been asked to sign a Memorandum of Agreement for payment of specified donations to the AONB. The Clerk advised that this may be illegal, if the donations are to be made under the Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, unless the AONB Unit and/or Executive are prepared to offer a Service Level Agreement, to cover the same period. The Clerk has engaged in protracted discussions about this matter, but without agreement being reached. RESOLVED that this Council should refuse to sign the Memorandum of Agreement, unless a suitable Service Level Agreement is offered in return.

6087 SLDC Joint Policy Advisory Committee

The South Lakeland Committee of the Cumbria Association of Local Councils has invited nominations for election to appointment, as the Committee’s representative (for the Sedbergh group of parish councils), on the SLDC Joint Policy Advisory Committee. RESOLVED that Councillor Keefe be nominated for consideration.

6088 Minute 372 of the SLDC Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Members briefly considered the implications of Minute 372 of the SLDC Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 9th September, in which it was “RESOLVED that the scope of the review of maintenance arrangements for non-SLDC play areas be broadened to consider the overall provision of play areas within the District”. It was agreed that further consideration of the implications should be deferred, to await a report from District Councillor Rollins.

6089 Opening hours for Parish Office.

Several Members reported that they had attended the Parish Office, for Saturday opening hours, but had not had a visit from any member of the public. It was suggested that the Saturday opening be discontinued, or the frequency be reduced. RESOLVED that the current opening hours be maintained, but should be reviewed in six months’ time. In the meantime, a record will be kept of the number of persons visiting on Saturdays mornings, together with a brief record of the matters concerned. Councillor Hunt will make appropriate arrangements. A public reminder will be submitted for inclusion in the Broadsheet.

6090 Matters Arising from Minutes of Previous Meetings

6061 Review of Street Lighting: The Chairman reported that agreement has been reached for the new “Green Column” to be sited outside number 42 Black Dyke Road. A query was raised about ‘references’ for the effectiveness and reliability of this unit. As there are no such units within reasonable travelling distance of Arnside, it had been considered that it would be impractical to view such a light, during the hours of darkness. The Clerk will however contact the owners of a site, where they had been installed (in the south of England), to get a verbal reassurance.

6091 Items for Information

1. Councillor Hunt gave further information about the return-home of Councillor Colwell, and the arrangements she will make for a card and flowers to be sent from the Council. Reimbursement of costs will be claimed via the Clerk. Members wished to emphasise their good wishes for the rapid return to health of Councillor Colwell.

2. The Clerk gave brief details of the revisions to the format of agendas, for Council meetings, which will be necessary, in order to become eligible for Quality Parish status. It was acknowledged that these revisions will sometimes hamper the effectiveness of Council operations, but they had to be accepted. The revisions will come into effect for the January meeting. It was particularly emphasised that reports from committees, and external organisations, must be submitted, in writing, in adequate time for distribution with the relevant agenda, unless the contents are merely for information, without any discussion. The Clerk will publish a timetable of deadlines and will send copies to all Members.

6092 Date of next Ordinary Meeting

The next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday December 8th 2003, at 7.15pm.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm
Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council