7088 Minutes: of a meeting of the Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 19th April 2004.

7089 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker, P.E.(Ted) Casey, J.M.(Jean) Colwell, K.(Ken) Hargreaves, R.J.(Ros) Hunt, P.A.(Pete) McSweeney, C.J.(Chris) Murphy, M.P.(Pat) Pierce, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart, PC Wilcock, and two members of the public.

7090 Apologies for Absence:. Councillors J.P.(John) Gallagher, T.(Terry) Keefe, and District Councillor R.(Richard) Rollins.

7091 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

The Chairman, Councillor Willacy, declared his non-prejudicial interest in item 17 of the agenda, insofar as it might relate to Ashmeadow, in that he is a member of the Abbeyfield Society (Ashmeadow Building Committee). This interest has been included in the formal Notification of Members’ Interests.

7092 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 8th March 2004, were approved, and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

7093 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings

7073 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings: 7038(b) Planning. It was noted that the two District Councillors have separately obtained verification that the objections of this Council were correctly reported to the Planning Committee on 14th October 2003, and duly considered. These facts were not reported in the Minutes, and the relevant entry incorrectly indicated that the Parish Council was not objecting to the Application. Members of the Committee failed to notice this clerical mistake before approving the Minutes, which cannot be changed. There is now no scope for meaningful action and the matter will be allowed to rest.

7094 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

A member of the public made comments about (a) rough pruning of trees at the Cemetery, (b) unsightly conspicuity painting of the new driveway entrance to 2 Stewart Close, (c) delays in restoration work for the pedestrian bridge at the Station and difficulties for users of the temporary bridge, and (d) opposition to the possible new community building on the Playing Field.

7095 Police Report

PC Wilcock stated that there had been 19 incidents during the past month, but none of them involved burglaries. There had not been any further reports of nuisance caused by riders of scooters. Enquiries were ongoing regarding the damage to the Bowling Club premises. The Police are monitoring the activities of youths, on the Playing Field, particularly as regards alcohol offences, and are intervening regularly.

Councillor Murphy reported finding a lot of broken glass along the bridleway from Park View, which he had cleared up.

The Chairman made reference to the increase in numbers of Police officers to be based at Milnthorpe and hoped that this would increase the Police presence in Arnside.

7096 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart expressed the view that Arnside has a reasonably high Police presence, even though the Local Policing Team project has had to be curtailed, due to central government threats of capping. There are more police “on the beat” now than there were 12 months ago, and their posts are secured.

Councillor Stewart had done a tour of the village, in company with the Chairman and Mr Chris Baines, assessing outstanding highway work. As there will be a small amount of extra money, for highways work, from the increased tax on second homes, the Parish Council is invited to produce a wish list.

In response to a question from Councillor Colwell, Councillor Stewart stated that the recently promoted Traffic Regulation Orders have now gone through the local committee and should be implemented during the next few months.

In response to a question from Councillor McSweeney, Councillor Stewart confirmed that the proposed TRO for the stretch of Silverdale Road between Stewart Close and Spinney Lane, has been amended, in response to comments by residents. The imposition of parking restrictions only on the allotment side of the road, was seen, by Members, to be a waste of time and money, as there is no record of any cars ever being parked on that side of the road. The County Council was severely criticised for making this amendment.

7097 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins was unable to attend the meeting, but had sent a message, asking Members to look at a possible site for the construction of Affordable Homes, in the old quarry, behind Kings Close, accessed from Queens Drive.

7098 Finance

(a) The Financial Summary for March 2004 was received and approved.

(b) The Accounts for the year 2003 to 2004 were received and approved.

(c) The Treasurer submitted a draft Risk Assessment, which was considered, in detail, and approved. It was noted that Members are expected to inspect all Council property annually and it was agreed that this would be done in May, at a time when most Members are available.

(d) In response to a query from the Clerk, the Treasurer had contacted the Council’s insurance broker to establish whether, or not, volunteer workers would be covered, in the same way that Members are covered, when engaged in any activities on behalf of the Council. The Treasurer advised that Mrs Irene Charlton, of McClure & Witaker Ltd, had stated that volunteers are fully covered. She has undertaken to write to the insurance company, advising them that she has given this advice, but she does not intend to confirm it, in writing, to the Council.

7099 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

It was noted that the padlock has disappeared from the foreshore barrier at New Barns Bay.

The Chairman suggested that it might be appropriate to make an application for Planning Permission to create a raised car park on the foreshore, within the area currently used for informal parking of vehicles. This is to be an agenda item for the May meeting.

b. Highways

The Chairman reported that he had accompanied County Councillor Stewart and Mr Chris Baines on a tour of the village, which highlighted the need for repairs to potholes, footways, railings, and bridges over becks. He also stated that cuttings from trees and shrubs between Silverdale Road and the Inglemere Estate will be removed in the near future.

c. Playing Field Advisory Committee

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16th March were received.

Councillor Murphy presented a report, copies of which had been previously distributed, and which was based on the Playground Safety Inspection Report. The report was discussed at length and it was agreed that there is a need to implement certain actions as a matter of urgency.

RESOLVED that (a) the Parish Contractor be asked to attend to those matters which are suitable for his duties, (b) RoSPA be invited to carry out a Safety Inspection and Risk Assessment, (c) quotations be sought for the installation of “Wetpour” impact-absorbing surfaces, in place of the existing tiles, (d) the playground be assessed by a many Members as possible, at the annual property inspection, and (e) the Arnside Parish Plan Trust be informed of the situation.

The Chairman drew attention to the fact that the person who has previously cleaned the toilets, on the Playing Field, has resigned, and that there is a need to advertise for a replacement.

The Chairman also indicated that a section of the easterly stone wall has collapsed and will need repairing.

d. Cemetery

RESOLVED that Councillor McSweeney be appointed to act as Deputy Cemetery Custodian.

Councillor Casey stated that the decorator has commenced remedial work on the Chapel wall, inside the porch.

e. Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee.

Councillor McSweeney submitted a Report of the Committee meeting, held on 8th April 2004, together with the agenda for the next meeting. The contents of the Report were noted and particular mention was made of the Open Day, to be held on Saturday 24th April.

Councillor McSweeney also presented preliminary drawings for the development of the Chapel and these were approved.

The comment was made that there will be a need for a replacement garage, at a different location, if the Chapel plans are implemented.

f. Allotments

Councillor Hunt presented a Report of the Allotment Holders Meeting, held on 27th March, copies of which had been distributed with the agenda. Members discussed the items referring to (a) strimming by the Parish Contractor, (b) problems envisaged with the introduction of parking restrictions on Silverdale Road, (c) manure-sharing scheme, and (d) organic cultivation.

Councillor Hunt expressed concern about the Birch trees at either side of the allotments, which are close to neighbouring houses. RESOLVED that quotations be obtained.

Councillor Hunt will also obtain quotations for a sign to commemorate 50 years of cultivation on the site.

8000 Alteration to order of business.

RESOLVED that items 19, and then 15, be taken next, in accordance with Standing Order 14(d).

8001 Proposed AONB Memorandum of Agreement.

The Clerk read out a statement, explaining that he is of the opinion that it would be illegal for Members to sign the Agreement, proposed by the AONB, as it incorporates a commitment to make donations of specified amounts, to the AONB, each year, up until 2008, or possibly 2014. He had requested that the AONB provide a Service Level Agreement, or similar, in order to address the underlying legal problem, but this request had been refused. He therefore saw no way in which Members could meet their obligations under Section 137(1)(b).

In addition to taking note of the Clerk’s advice, Members felt that it would be inappropriate for them to commit this Council, and future Councils, to making specific donations, when they could not anticipate the financial obligations relating to other Council activities and responsibilities.

Members wished to stress that they hope to continue their support for the work of the AONB, by making annual donations, but that they would determine the sum involved each year, without a prior commitment.

RESOLVED that this Council should refuse to sign the proposed Memorandum of Agreement.

8002 “Parish Assembly” (Annual Parish Meeting).

Members finalised arrangements for the Parish Assembly, to be held in the W.I. Hall, on Thursday 29th April at 7.30pm. It was noted that the representatives of United Utilities have refused the Council’s invitation to attend the Assembly.

8003 Adjournment of Meeting.

As it was almost 10.00pm, the Chairman proposed that the meeting be adjourned, in accordance with Standing Order 14(j). RESOLVED that the meeting be adjourned, and re-convened at 7.15pm, on Monday 26th April 2004, in the Parish Office, Church Hill, Arnside.

Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council