8103 Minutes: of an Ordinary Meeting of the Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 13th September 2004.

8104 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors P.E.(Ted) Casey, J.M.(Jean) Colwell, R.J.(Ros) Lishman, T.(Terry) Keefe, P.A.(Pete) 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, PC McCanney and five members of the public.

8105 Apologies for Absence:. Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker and J.P.(John) Gallagher.

8106 Death of a former Councillor.

Before the commencement of business, the Chairman announced the recent death of Jocelyn Innes, who had become ill whilst serving as a Member of this Council. He paid tribute to her happy and enthusiastic attitude, even during her illness, and said that she would be greatly missed by many people in the area.

8107 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

None

8108 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 12th July 2004, were approved, and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8109 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings

none

8110 Resignation of a Councillor.

It was noted that Councillor Murphy resigned from the Council on Thursday 2nd September, and that the statutory notice was displayed on 3rd September.

RESOLVED that, in the event that a by-election is not called, and that there is only one candidate, the said person should, if qualified, be co-opted at the start of the next Ordinary Meeting. If there is more than one candidate, the persons concerned will be interviewed at the earliest opportunity.

8111 Receipt and Confirmation of Standing Orders.

One Member drew attention to three grammatical errors, which might convey an incorrect meaning. It was agreed that proposals for further amendment will be presented at the next Ordinary Meeting, and then stand adjourned, in accordance with Standing Order 32, unless all Members are present.

8112 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

none.

8113 Police Report

(a) PC McCanney gave details of several small crimes in the area.

(b) He then went on to express Police concerns about the proposed skateboard park. As the facility will appeal to youths from a wide area, who will be old enough to drive vehicles, there is likely to be a parking problem, at the cul-de-sac end of Church Hill. This in turn could lead to serious obstructions for residents and the emergency services. He was also concerned that there should be adequate lighting, in order to discourage criminal activity. The Police will urge the Parish Council to make additional by-laws, controlling the way in which the facilities can be used, and the hours during which such use can be made. The Clerk pointed out that the making of by-laws is a lengthy process, with no guarantee that the desired restrictions would be accepted. Furthermore, the restrictions may have to apply to existing users of the Playing Field.

(c) The Chairman informed PC McCanney of the accident, which had occurred outside The Albion.

8114 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart’s report covered the following subjects:

(a) he suggested contact with Windermere Parish Council, to discuss their experiences with the establishment of a skateboard park, (b) changes in leadership of Cumbria County Council, (c) concern about the level of service from Capita, and (d) a consultation exercise regarding maintenance of footpaths.

In answer to a question, Councillor Stewart confirmed the County’s intention to take-up the 50% Government funding for Community Support Officers, even though there were still some doubts about the effectiveness of the scheme.

8115 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins’ report covered the following subjects:

(a) partial purchase of properties in the private sector, in association with Impact Housing (www.impacthousing.org.uk), (b) possibility of an SLDC car park on the foreshore, (c) disabled persons access to Arnside Station, (d) Home Housing will investigate the possibility of affordable housing at Queens Drive, and (e) the move from category A to category C, in the Housing Strategy, for affordable housing in Arnside, simply because the Housing Needs Survey has not yet been completed - both District Councillors agreed that this was unjustified and would be opposed.

8116 Finance

(a) The Financial Summary for July and August 2004 was received and approved. The Treasurer also announced that the invoice from Lancaster City Council, has been cancelled, because of the complaints made by this Council.

(b) A subscription of £40 to the Confederation of Burial Authorities was authorised.

(c) The Treasurer was authorised to seek quotations for the transfer of the Council’s insurance policy from the Royal & Sun Alliance to Allianz & Cornhill, in order to enable the Council to obtain insurance cover for the proposed skateboard park.

8117 Correspondence

Receipt of the following items was noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:

1. Arnside Cricket Club - donation of £50 from car boot sale.

2. AONB - Waymarker, August

3. Cumbria CC - Local Transport Plan progress report.

4. SLDC - Executive Decisions 25th June to 23rd July

5. Arnside Cricket Club - queries about ground rent and insurance for the RBL hut.

6. SLDC - SCI consultation draft.

7. CALC - Training Programme

8. APPT - request for funding towards Tourist Information Leaflet (agenda item)

9. Mr Howse - request for permission to provide a commemorative seat.

RESOLVED that permission be given, in principle, but final approval full approval be determined by agreement on the type of seat, and its proposed location.

10. APPT - recommendations for additional litter bins.

RESOLVED that SLDC be asked to provide additional bins at the junction of Redhills Road and Knott Lane, and near to the Coastguard Station, and that the Council be asked to add these locations to its emptying round. Sponsorship of litter bins will also be suggested.

The need for a bin near to the shelter, on the Lower Promenade, is acknowledged, but there are concerns that bins previously placed at this location have been vandalised. The Chairman is liaising with SLDC.

11. AONB - Waymarker, September

12. Cumbria CC - notice of examination in public for Joint Structure Plan.

It was noted that the amended proposals for alteration to the Joint Structure Plan have suggested that Arnside should become a Key Service Centre. Enquiries are to be made as to what this re-classification will entail, apart from changes to Housing Policy.

13. APPT - recommendations for dropped kerbs

It was noted that this report refers to kerbs and footways which are not ‘disabled friendly’. The Chairman has had a site meeting with the APPT reprentatives and is pursuing the matters with Capita. He will make a report at a future meeting.

14. Rail Passengers Council - reply to queries about disabled access to Station (agenda item)

15. Awards for All - notification of £5,000 grant for Cemetery Chapel.

16. SLDC - consultation on draft statement of Licensing Policy.

17. ODPM - consultation drafts on (a) Code of Conduct for Employees, and (b) restrictions on the political activities of certain employees.

8118 Planning Matters:

a. It was noted that the following Applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 34, and decisions made as indicated:

SL/2004/0884 - 2 Park View - Dormer Extension: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2004/0915 - 37 Redhills Road - conservatory: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2004/0977 - 26 Inglemere Close - conservatory: NO OBJECTIONS.

SL/2004/0981 - Arnside W.I. Hall - single storey chair store and wheelchair ramp: NO OBJECTIONS

b. The following applications were considered:

SL/2003/2052 - Arnside Memorial Playing Fields - engineering works to create a play area for skateboarding and use by BMX bikes: Although this Council is sympathetic to the proposed project, a number of serious concerns have arisen, which have not, so far, been satisfactorily addressed. In order to reserve its position, the Council must therefore OBJECT to the application. This objection may be withdrawn if the concerns are subsequently resolved.

SL.2004/1162 - land at The Grange, Knott Lane - garden shed: NO OBJECTIONS

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

SL/2004/0509 - Station Garage, Station Road - replacement garage workshop: GRANTED

SL/2004/0700 - Branxholm, Knott Road - polytunnel for growing plants for personal use: GRANTED

SL/2004/0722 - New Barns Caravan Park - conversion of redundant farm building to form shop/café for caravan park: GRANTED.

SL/2004/0758 - Tanglewood, New Barns Close - enlargement of loft conversion and balcony (revision to Planning Permission 5/96/0979) : GRANTED

SL/2004/0785 - 11 Lawrence Drive - alterations to roof to allow loft conversion: REFUSED

SL/2004/0791 - Gallery H, The Promenade - porch: GRANTED

SL/2004/0884 - 2 Park View - Dormer Extension: GRANTED

SL/2004/0915 - 37 Redhills Road - conservatory: GRANTED

SL/2004/0927 - Branxholme, Knott Road - conservatory: GRANTED.

SL/2004/0940 - Arnside Cemetery Chapel - cemetery chapel and extended community use: GRANTED.

SL/2004/0981 - Arnside W.I. Hall - single storey chair store and wheelchair ramp: GRANTED

8119 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 34 (other than Planning).

The finalised logo, supplied by Mr Murphy, has been accepted for formal use by the Council.

8120 Custody of Parish Council Documents.

RESOLVED that the Clerk be authorised to recover all Parish Council documents, currently held by Messrs Powell & Sykes, Solicitors. Further RESOLVED that the Clerk should purchase suitable fireproof chests, up to a maximum of £200, for storage of Deeds. Original copies of Deeds will be held at the Parish Office, and photocopies will be held elsewhere.

8121 Quality Parish scheme and AQA Qualification.

(a) The Clerk had submitted a report, in which he suggested that the perceived benefits deriving from the Quality Parish scheme, now seemed to be available to all parish councils, and he suggested that there would be no advantage to the Parish, for the qualification to be pursued, particularly as (1) it would involve additional expenditure, and (2) it could be taken-up again, at a future date, if circumstances changed. RESOLVED that this Council will not pursue accreditation for the Quality Parish scheme, unless it becomes appararent that it would be advantageous to do so.

(b) The Clerk submitted a report, which indicated that his studies for the AQA Certificate in Local Council Administration were linked to the Quality Parish scheme, and he therefore asked Members to consider whether, or not, they wished him to continue. RESOLVED that this Council will support the Clerk in continuing with his studies to attain the AQA qualification. It was noted that the remaining costs are likely to be well within the existing training budget.

8122 Parish Plan and Supplementary Planning Guidance.

This item was deferred to a future meeting, as the Clerk is exploring a scheme, which is being pioneered in Cornwall.

8123 Cemetery Chapel Development.

In response to recommendations from the Cemetery Chapel Development Committee, RESOLVED as follows:

(1) the increased costs for test drillings, and associated consultancy reports, amounting to almost £1,000 be authorised,

(2) the installation of electricity, water, and sewerage services, as soon as practical, be authorised, and

(3) the Committee be authorised to launch a public appeal for donations, and to manage the received funds.

8124 Alteration to Order of Business.

In recognition of the need to adjourn the meeting, it was RESOLVED, in accordance with Standing Order 14(d), to take item 26(c) of the agenda next.

8125 Report from Playing Field Advisory Committee.

A report of the meeting, held on 22nd June was received, and the contents noted.

The recent resignation of the Chairman of the Committee, had given rise to a need to appoint an acting chairman, for which it had not been possible to give proper notice, and to do so before the Committee meeting scheduled for September 21st. As Councillor Murphy had previously typed the Minutes, taken by Councillor Pierce, there was a need to make different arrangements. RESOLVED that Councillor Pierce be appointed as Acting Chairman, and that she should either take the Minutes, or enlist the services of a volunteer. Councillor Colwell agreed to type-up the agenda and Minutes. It was AGREED that this may be a temporary arrangement, pending the co-option of a replacement Councillor, and the named Members were thanked for their assistance.

8126 Adjournment of Meeting.

As it was apparent that there would be insufficient time to consider the remaining items on the agenda, it was RESOLVED that the meeting be adjourned, in accordance with Standing Order 14(j) and be re-convened at 7.15pm, in the Parish Office, on Monday 20th September 2004.

Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council