8165 Minutes: of an Ordinary Meeting of the Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 8th November 2004.

8166 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker, J.M.(Jean) Colwell, J.P.(John) Gallagher, S.V. (Sue) Gibson, K. (Ken) Hargreaves, T.(Terry) Keefe, P.A.(Pete) McSweeney, M.P.(Pat) Pierce, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, District Councillor R.(Richard) Rollins, District Councillor Tim Farron (representing County Councillor Stewart), P.C. John McCanney, Mrs L.D. Challenor (representing the Clerk) and 4 members of the public.

8167 Apologies for Absence:

Letters of apology were received from the following:

Councillor R.J.(Ros) Lishman - medical advice to rest, and not to attend non-essential meetings.

Councillor Casey - household removal commitment for son, moving to Andalucia.

the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor - heavy cold.

County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart - medical advice to rest, and not to attend non-essential meetings.

P.C. Belinda Friend also sent her apologies.

RESOLVED that apologies be accepted.

8168 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

Councillor McSweeney declared a prejudicial interest in item 21(f) in that his verbal report would relate to the possibility of connecting the sewer to that serving three houses, one of which was his own, and for which the three owners have attached conditions

8169 Minutes of Previous Meetings:

The Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 11th October 2004, were approved, and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8170 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings

8158 Sale of Ashmeadow House: It was noted that a Professional Briefing, for Members of the Council, by the Trustees of the Barnes Charitable Trust, has been arranged for Monday 15th November, at 2.30pm. Cllr. Colwell apologised, as she will be unable to attend.

8171 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

There are several sacks of garden refuse by Station Gardens, which seem to have been there several days, the relevant body needs to be asked to move them.

8172 Police Report

P.C. John McCanney stated that there had been several instances of damaged cars, one being near the school, where the youths have been gathering. At the promenade shelter there have been youths with alcohol, fireworks lit, pipe damage and litter. The police have been using the “It’s your choice” initiative to deal with them and it seems to be effective. This is a scheme where the names of the offenders are taken and if they are caught offending again, the police write to the parents; on next occasion the parents receive a visit from the police and on the third, criminal action is taken against the youth. It has been found that some offenders are coming to Arnside from other areas.

On Mischief night, patrols were stepped up and little damage was done.

There has been a ‘walk in’ burglary.

8173 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart was represented by District Councillor Tim Farron, whose report covered the following subjects:

The foreshore car park area. SLDC is not in a position to fund any improvements at the moment, however it may be possible by 2006/07.

Footpath maintenance, which is currently not done often enough, should improve, as the funding for it is to double.

All the roads marked for repair are scheduled to be completed by Christmas. However, it was pointed out that although the roads are in a dangerous state, particularly Sandside Road, some will shortly be excavated by United Utilities progressing with their sewerage works. Cllr. Tim Farron will follow it up

Anti-Social Behaviour orders - does the Parish Council want the power to impose them?

Fire Service Headquarters - there is a proposal to reduce the number of Control Centres from 49 to 9.

The Chairman drew Cllr. Farron’s attention to the footpath called Beachwood Lane, running from Redhills Road to the foreshore, where the tarmac is lifting because the drains need replacing and therefore the surplus water is causing damage. Cllr. Farron will see what can be done.

8174 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins’ report covered the following subjects:

Disabled access for railway station users. Cllr. Rollins would like to know what provision is preferred.

The proposal to build affordable houses above the garages on Queens Drive, has met with some difficulties, as the Planning Department has stated that the development should only be two storeys high.

There is to be a further parking restriction made on Silverdale Road, near Ashmeadow Road, and limited-time parking opposite to the Station entrance, on Station Road.

8175 Finance

(a) The Financial Summary for October 2004 was not available. A report for October and November will be presented at the next Ordinary Meeting.

(b) The precept request will be for £32,007 (plus lighting costs), which represents an increase of 32%. Whilst this is recognised to be a large increase, it is considered necessary to update staff and contractor costs.

Cllr. Keefe proposed that some money be taken from reserves to reduce the impact on Council Tax payers, but the proposal was not seconded, as the rest of the Councillors considered it wise to keep the reserves.

RESOLVED that the draft Budget, as proposed by the Finance Committee, be approved.

8176 Correspondence

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

1. NWDG - exhibition of proposals for “Offshore Wind Power”

2. Arnside Cricket Club - £100 offer for former British Legion hut (agenda item)

3. North West Air Ambulance - request for donation (agenda item)

4. Planning Aid North - details of service.

5. Planning Inspectorate - appeal allowed for Sandhurst, 47 The Promenade.

6. Mr Crabtree - complaint about the state of Station Field footpath.

7. SLDC - Extract of Minutes re priorities for affordable housing,

8. SLDC - Guidance on Code of Conduct.

9. ODPM - new ethical framework regulations.

10. Cumbria CC - acknowledgement of offer of land for car park.

11. SLDC - arrangements for concessionary travel scheme.

12. Cumbria Constabulary - letter re skateboard Park (agenda item)

13. Tim Collins MP - reply from Minister for Disabled People re Arnside Station.

14. Cumbria CC - proposed changes for registration of births and deaths.

15. Roscoes, Solicitors - Transfer, and Gaming Application for Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

16. Clerks & Councils Direct - November issue

17. Landscape Trust - “Keer to Kent”, autumn/winter.

18. SLDC - Minutes of meetings.

8177 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/2004/1305 - Orchard Close, Orchard Road - double garage & attached bin store: NO OBJECTIONS.

b. The following applications were considered:

SL/2004/1382 - Ashmeadow, The Promenade - erection of garage for HM Coastguard, and associated works: NO OBJECTIONS

5.04.9008 - Ashmeadow, The Promenade - amendment to approved construction of a Control Building by United utilities: NO OBJECTIONS

c. It was noted that the Parish Council has not been notified of any decisions of the District Council.

8178 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 34 (other than Planning).

Representations that the new road at New Barns should not be named Woodend Lane, but should be named Briarfield Drive, because it was previously the driveway to Briarfield Convalescent Home. Councillors agreed this was a more appropriate name.

8179 RESOLVED that Standing Orders be further amended as follows:

1(b): replace the whole section by the words:

Members of the public shall be permitted to address the Council for a period of up to 3 minutes each, not exceeding 15 minutes in total. These time-allowances shall not be exceeded, unless specifically permitted by resolution of the Council.

4: Insert the month “August”, after June.

17(a): the word “thereof” be changed to “whereof”.

30: At the beginning of the Order, add the words: “Apart from the periods specified in Standing Order 1(b)”

Add a new section to Standing Order 1:

(d) If the business of an Ordinary Meeting, or the Annual Meeting (of the Council), cannot be completed by 9.30pm, Members may decide to continue until no later than 10.00pm, or may resolve that the meeting be adjourned, or the outstanding business be deferred to the next Ordinary Meeting. If Members are minded to adjourn a meeting, they shall not so resolve if any Member would wish to be present at the re-convened meeting and would be unable to attend on the date proposed.

There was some confusion over the meaning of the wording in section (d). The Clerk is to see if it can be re-written to clarify and this should be an agenda item for December.

8180 (a) The AONB report confirmed the belief that the Council is justified in making a donation to the AONB for the work they do within the parish. If there is to be another donation made next year, then the Council will again require a report of jobs accomplished.

(b) The Donation to the AONB will be £900.

8181 The noticeboard outside the Dentist, is to be put into Parish Council use again. Since it is an inadequate size, it will in future, only be displaying the minutes and agenda.

8182 The offer of Arnside Cricket Club to purchase the former Royal British Legion hut, on the Playing Field, for £100, is to be accepted “as is”.

8183 The North West Air Ambulance Service, which is making an appeal for funds to purchase a new helicopter, will receive the £100, from the sale of the hut.

8184 Arrangements for the Parish Assembly, booked for Thursday April 28th, will be decided upon next meeting.

8185 The telephone extension for use in the Parish Council office is currently out of use even though rent is being paid. Cllr. Gibbs and Mr Cookson will attempt to get the connection working. If this proves impossible, then the agreement will be terminated. Agenda item for next meeting.

8186 United Utilities are currently a month ahead with their Waste Water Transfer Scheme. A new gravity main is now programmed for January 2005. The Council would like the Clerk to reiterate to United Utilities, that it needs to be fully informed of any difficulties ahead.

8187 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

All aspects have been dealt with elsewhere in the minutes.

b. Highways

Again dealt with elsewhere in the minutes.

c. Playground Working Group

The areas of concern have been checked on the playing field and several are in need of attention. Cllr. Gibbs will list and provide three quotes for all the materials needed and present this at the next meeting. A contractor will be approached to do the work when appropriate.

d. Playing Field Advisory Committee

The committee have received a report from the police which now favours the plans for the skateboard park but makes several suggestions. These will be implemented including the provision for CCTV. The council will make it an agenda item for next month, if Colin Blain will email the plans to the Clerk in time. The Council was anxious to point out that they cannot fund this scheme but are prepared to insure and maintain the equipment.

e. Cemetery

Nothing to report.

f. Cemetery Chapel Development Committee.

Cllr. McSweeney withdrew from the meeting, having previously declared an interest. It has been proposed to link the chapel’s sewerage system into the one which serves the nearby houses. The residents do not object to this, providing that the builders L Stephenson & Sons are used, as they have maintained the system for the last 30 years.

To help raise funds for the project there will several public events and possibly a ‘buy a brick’ initiative, car boot stalls, and a cross bay walk.

It is hoped that residents will not object to giving their donations to the Parish Council.

g. Allotments

Nothing to report.

8188 Date of next Ordinary Meeting

The next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 13th December 2004, at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 3rd December, and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 6th December.

L. Denise Challenor

representing

Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council