6097 Un-confirmed Minutes: of a meeting of the Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 8th December 2003.

6098 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker, P.E.(Ted) Casey, J.P.(John) Gallagher, K.(Ken) Hargreaves, R.J.(Ros) Hunt, T.(Terry) Keefe, P.A.(Peter) McSweeney, M.P.(Pat) Pierce, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart, District Councillor R.(Richard) Rollins, and six members of the public.

6099 Apologies for Absence:. Councillors J.M.(Jean) Colwell, C.J.(Chris) Murphy, and PC Brooks.
7000 Minutes: The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 10th November 2003, and the Special Meeting held on Monday 24th November 2003, were approved and then signed by the Chairman.

7001 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings

5815(a) Councillor Hunt reported an increase in the amount of rubbish left on the foreshore, mainly by the large number of anglers, who had visited over the last weekend. As there had not been any response from the “Angling News”, when the matter was raised in December 2002, the Clerk will pass on the information to the Morecambe Bay Partnership.

7002 Police Report

In the absence of PC Brooks, the Chairman mentioned that Police are now planning to meet the groups of ‘undesirable’ visitors, who arrive by train. Enquiries from the Westmorland Gazette about a report of a number of cars being scratched, whilst parked along Station Road, have been referred to the Police. In recent months there has been a moderate attendance at the Police surgeries, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month

7003 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart’s report referred to:

(a) cars being scratched on Station Road, (b) liaison with Network Rail, (c) Fire Service structure review, (d) need to re-locate the Library, (e) new Highways Hotline, (f) Boundary Committee proposals for unitary authorities, (g) poor Performance Assessment of SLDC, and (h) interim arrangements for maintenance of footpaths.

7004 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins gave an update on all the matters referred to in Minute 6076.

He also made comments about the Boundary Committee’s recommendations for unitary authorities.

Councillor Rollins advised that Network Rail has been granted a dispensation enabling them to defer, until 2025, the implementation of measures necessary to ensure satisfactory access for disabled persons.

7005 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

No members of the public wished to address the Council.

7006 Arnside Plan Management Group

Mr Brian Walker, current co-ordinator of the Group addressed the meeting, and gave details of the honorary officials. Four committees have been established. involving a total of 17 residents, and a fifth committee is envisaged. Mr Walker explained that it had been resolved to keep the operation of the Group independent from the Parish Council, although it is hoped that there will be considerable liaison and co-operation.

7007 Finance

The Financial Summary for November 2003 was received and approved.

7008 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

Nothing to report.

b. Highways

The Chairman reported that Cumbria County Council is still investigating the dangerous situation in the vicinity of Leighton Beck, along the continuation of Black Dyke Road, reported in Minute 6051(5).

c. Playing Field Advisory Committee

Nothing to report, as the Minutes of the last meeting were not available for distribution at the time of publishing the agenda.

d. Cemetery

Councillor Casey reported an increase in fee receipts. He will make a full report to the next meeting.

Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee.
Councillor McSweeney presented a written report, copies of which had been distributed with the agenda. The following points were noted:

(1) There is a need for professional legal advice about the ownership of the Chapel and any restrictions upon its use.

(2) The Educational Institute can provide financial assistance for any educational use.

(3) There is a need to define the project, before addressing the question of funding.

(4) Members of the Committee have compiled a wide-ranging list of possible uses, but will welcome any additional possibilities.

(5) There will need to be a public meeting, in order to resolve the project ideas.

(6) The next formal meeting of the Committee will be held on January 19th, 2004.

f. Allotments

Councillor Hunt presented a verbal report, indicating that there are now four people on the waiting list for allotments. Tenancy Agreements will not now be introduced until 2005. Councillor Hunt will be writing to advise of the 50p per year increase in allotments rates. She is hoping to arrange an Allotment Holders meeting in March.

g. Arnside Youth Project

Councillor Colwell had submitted a written report, and copies were circulated with the agenda, but she was unable to attend and present the report. In her absence, the Clerk stressed the urgent need for adult help in running the older section of the youth group. Anyone interested should telephone 761039.

Arnside Knott Advisory Committee.
Minutes of the meeting held on 17th November were distributed with the agenda, and received at the meeting.

Kent Estuary Neighbourhood Forum.
Councillor Keefe reported on the meeting he had attended on December 4th, which had included a presentation about the “Gateway” project.

It was noted that Arnside Educational Institute has been awarded a grant from the Forum, to assist with the costs of the current building works.

7009 Planning Matters:

(a) The following Planning Applications were considered , and comments made as indicated:

SL/2003/2215 - High Ridge, Mount Pleasant - garden shed: NO OBJECTIONS.

SL/2003/2173 - Grange View Bungalow, Knott Lane - demolition of existing bungalow and erection of new dwelling house: NO OBJECTIONS.

(b) The following decisions of the District Council were noted:

5/03/0686 (LISTED BUILDING CONSENT) - Ashmeadow House - conversion to ten residential units, househeepers unit, communal facilities and associated parking and landscaping works: GRANTED.

5/03/0687 - Ashmeadow House - conversion to ten residential units, househeepers unit, communal facilities and associated parking and landscaping works: GRANTED.

SL/2003/1966 (RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION) - 87 Silverdale Road - railings adjacent to road: GRANTED.

7010 Correspondence

Nine items of correspondence had been received since the last meeting, and were listed on the agenda for consideration.

1. RESOLVED that Councillor McSweeney be authorised to attend the 5-module “Effective Local Councils” course, at Penrith, on Wednesday evenings during February, March and April 2004, with the fee of £35.00 being paid by this Council. Travelling expenses to be reimbursed under Section 174 of the Local Government Act 1972 (in arrears).

2. A letter has been received suggesting that the Christmas Tree, on the Pier, be illuminated during daytime, in addition to the current evening hours. Members were concerned that the lights would not be noticed during periods of strong sunshine, but accepted that the suggestion would be appropriate for dull conditions. RESOLVED that the lighting harness be fitted with a PIR sensor, in time for the 2004 festivities, so that the lights are not illuminated during periods of strong sunlight, and that the possible period of illumination should include appropriate daytime hours .

3. The Chairman informed the meeting that he had received a letter from the Royal British Legion, which could not receive formal consideration because it had not been sent to the Clerk, and had not therefore been listed on the agenda. It was noted however, the letter expressed displeasure at the non-attendance of Members at the Service of Remembrance.

7011 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 34 (other than Planning).

No actions to report.

7012 Format of Agendas and Conduct of Meetings.

It was noted that the intention of this Council to seek “Quality Parish Status” will necessitate several permanent changes to the format of future agendas and conduct of meetings, and that these will be implemented commencing January 2004. Members noted that there will be strict deadlines for submission of items for an agenda, and that reports of committees should be submitted in writing (for copying and distribution with the agendas), unless they are for note only. Members have already been issued with a schedule of deadlines for 2004.

7013 History and Status of the W.I. Hall.

Councillor Pierce, as President of the Arnside Women’s Institute, responded to a request that she clarify the status of the W.I. Hall, which is also known as the Village Hall. Her statement indicated that the Hall is owned and operated by the Women’s Institute, but that it also operates as a ‘village hall’. Councillor Pierce offered to provide a copy of the Deed of Trust and this offer was accepted.

7014 Possible new Community Building.

Members considered whether or not it might be appropriate to construct a ‘community centre’, on the Playing Field land, just inside the boundary with Silverdale Road, and whether or not this should be of two-storey construction, incorporating a new Library, and a Parish Council office & meeting room. This possibility was presented to the meeting in order that the suggestion should come into the ‘public forum’, and so as to encourage members of the community to make their views known to the Council.

RESOLVED that this Council should explore the possibilities of having a new community centre constructed at the Playing Field, and should welcome public observations, and expressions of interest.

7015 Rent payable by Arnside National School for use of part of the Playing Field.

Having received a letter from the Head Teacher, Members were asked to consider granting a reduction on the rent payable by the School for use of part of the Playing Field. It had not previously been appreciated that the rent is paid out of the School’s own budget, and that such funds are ’stretched’ to meet important educational needs. Members expressed considerable sympathy with the School and wished to assist, by the granting of a reduction, even though such a decision would adversely affect the Council’s budget for the coming year.

RESOLVED that the scheduled rent of £593 + vat, for 2004-2005 be reduced to £250 + vat, and this level of rent be fixed until April 30th 2007.

7016 Amendment to Standing Orders.

A proposal was received that Standing Order 13(i) be deleted. As there were some Members absent from the meeting, this proposal stands adjourned, without discussion, until the next Ordinary Meeting of the Council.

7017 Items for Information

1. An approved tree surgeon has been asked to inspect the oak tree on Council land, adjacent to 10 Lawrence Drive, and to give an estimate for any necessary work.

2. Councillor Hunt reminded Members of the need to complete the log book for Wednesday and Saturday openings of the Parish Office.

3. A report has been received about fly-tipping in the car park for disabled persons on Sandside Road (Beetham Parish), but there has been a further report indicating that the refuse has been removed.

7018 Date of next Ordinary Meeting

The next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday January 12th 2004, at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk by no later than Friday January 2nd, and copies of reports to reach the Clerk by no later than Monday January 5th.
Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council