8222    Minutes: of an Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 10th January 2004.

 

8223    Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker, J.P.(John) Gallagher, T.(Terry) Keefe, R.J.(Ros) Lishman, P.A.(Pete) McSweeney, M.P.(Pat) Pierce, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson, District Councillor R.(Richard) Rollins, PC Belinda Friend, and 2 members of the public.

 

8224    Apologies for Absence:

A letter of apology was received from Councillor S.V. (Sue) Gibson - academic examinations.

Verbal apologies were received from Councillors J.M.(Jean) Colwell, K. (Ken) Hargreaves, and County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart.

 

8225    Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

The Chairman reiterated his previously declared non-prejudicial interest in item 18, insofar as the item might refer to Ashmeadow House.

 

8226    Minutes of Previous Meetings:

The Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 13th December and the Special Meeting held on Friday 17th December 2004, were amended as follows: 8220(2): the word “would” replaced by “might”.

            They were subsequently approved, and then signed by the Chairman.         

 

8227    Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings

None

 

8228    Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

One member of the public made comments that:

(1) the potholes reportedly filled on Christmas Eve, appeared to have been done in only about 50% of cases, and

(2) she was dismayed at the apparent attitude of the Council (as she saw it) towards the Police Sergeant who attended the last meeting.

 

8229    Police Report

PC Friend’s report included: (1) the theft of a lifebelt, (2) a burglary at Ashmeadow, (3) poisoning of a tree behind the top end of Far Close Drive, (4) damage to a car, (5) disorderly behaviour, (6) a person behaving suspiciously behind Gallery H, (7) two domestic incidents, (8) pavement parking in New Barns Road, and (9) a report of an aerial photography salesman behaving oppressively.

A member of the public was permitted to ask PC Friend about (a) parking close to the junction with Springfield, and (b) noisy scooters being raced around the village late at night.

PC Friend also asked whether, or not, it is intended to lock the public toilets at night. The Chairman advised that one lock has been unreliable, but that it is intended that the toilets should be locked.

 

8230    Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart was not in attendance and his report was not available.

 

8231    Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins’ report covered the following subjects: (1) the report relating to the suspensions of three SLDC officers should be available soon, (2) the land in the old quarry at the end of Queens Drive is deemed to be unsuitable for Affordable Housing, and the District Council is appealing for offers of other land, (3) South Cumbria Assisted Technology Service for people with disabilities, via 01539-742633, and (4) Councillor Rollins requested a copy of the District Council’s reply regarding the offer of the existing foreshore area for construction of a formal car park.

 

8232    Finance

The Financial Summary for December 2004 was received and approved.

 

8233    Correspondence

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

                 1.   Ms Barbara France - letter about pavement parking (referred to Police).

                 2.   APPT - Suggestions for road signs and road markings.

RESOLVED that consideration be deferred as several Members have been unable to study the document.

                 3.   Cumbria Highways - letter declining offer of part of foreshore for car park.

                 4.   BT - proposal to remove payphone (agenda item 16)

                 5.   CCC - acceptance of offer for a senior Librarian to attend the Parish Assembly.

                 6.   SLDC - letter confirming that the Council will give further consideration to offer of foreshore land for a car park.

                 7.   Morecambe Bay Partnership - Beachcare Newsletter, December.

                 8.   Countryside Agency - Countryside Focus, November/December

                 9.   Voluntary Action Cumbria - County Wide, December.

                 10. Northern Rock Foundation - Rock Reports, winter.

                 11. Voluntary Action Cumbria - Rural Social Inclusion Bulletin, December.

                 12. NALC - Local Council Review, January.

                 13. Arnside Messenger - Christmas/Winter

                 14. NALC - Legal Update, Freedom of Information Act.

                 15. CALC - Training Programme, Winter/Spring.

                 16. CALC - Circular, December/January.

                 17. Cumbria Community Foundation - details of Holehird Trust grants (applied for).

                 18. CCC - revised bus timetables.

 

8234    Planning Matters:

            a.  It was noted that the following Applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25, and decisions made as indicated:

SL/2004/1561 - Woodside, Far Close Drive - demolition of existing bungalow and erection of house: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2004/1486 - Bridleway, Knott Lane - partial change of use from dwelling to class A3 (café): OBJECTIONS on the grounds that:

1. There is no off-street parking and surrounding roads are not suitable to accommodate the full potential of vehicles,

2. The consequential increase of parking would add to the congestion at the ‘T’ junction, and

3. A commercial undertaking should not be introduced into this residential area.

SL/2004/1522 - Crossfield House, Redhills Road - replace existing sash windows with uPVC windows: NO OBJECTIONS.

            b.  The following applications were considered:

SL/2004/1627 - Ashmeadow to Sandside - removal of hedgerow: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2004/1608 - Flat 2, 53 Silverdale Road - new balcony to rear and new external steps to basement: NO OBJECTIONS

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

SL/2004/1291 - 10 Plantation Grove - balconies to south and east elevations: GRANTED

SL/20004/1462 - 2 Inglemere Drive - rear conservatory: GRANTED

SL/2004/1419 - Apartment 21, The Grange, Knott Lane - Installation of roof light: GRANTED.

            d.  The following decision of Cumbria County Council was noted:

5/04/9008 - Ashmeadow - construction of a Control Building (United Utilities): GRANTED

 

8235    Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning).

(1) Instructions issued to Fisher Wrathall to provide architectural drawings for the Cemetery Chapel Development project and submit them to SLDC for Building Regulation Approval for a total cost of £1,250.

 

8236    Request for permission to build new Library on the Playing Field.

Members noted that the request for plans, dated 14th December 2004, has not received a reply. RESOLVED that consideration of the request for permission be deferred, pending receipt of a set of plans.

 

8237    New Agreement on Salaries and Conditions of Service for Clerks

(a) Members received the new Agreement on Salaries and Conditions of Service for Clerks, and similar Officers of Local Councils, recommended, on behalf of the National Joint Council for Local Government Services, by the National Association of Local Councils and the Society of Local Council Clerks

(b) It was noted that the Contracts of Employment, agreed between this Council and the Clerk and Treasurer, in 2002, are invalid, inasmuch as they refer to the NJC Agreement which has now been superseded. RESOLVED that a working party be established to look at the Agreement in detail, and report back to the Council. Councillors Keefe, McSweeney and Pierce were appointed, together with the Clerk. Councillor Keefe to act as convener.

 

8238    Foreshore Car Park

Members have been made aware that there is a suggestion of extending the area of the foreshore used for car parking. RESOLVED that the Council will not permit any extension of this area.

 

8239    Proposed removal of a Public Payphone

A letter has been received from BT advising that “… the removal of the Station Road payphone has been cancelled, at least for the time being.” The letter also asked “BT cannot continue to sustain three loss making payphones in Arnside, therefore I ask which payphone can we remove?” RESOLVED that all three payphones are important for emergency and social purposes, and that this Council will oppose the removal of any of them.

 

8240    Office Telephone

This item deferred until February.

 

8241    Update on Waste Water Transfer Project.

In the absence of a report from United Utilities, the Chairman presented verbal extracts from the report received by the Abbeyfield Society.

 

8242    Committee Reports:

            a.  Foreshore

SLDC has closed the area around the former boathouse, including the footpath known as Shady Bower, because of a dangerous structure.

            b.  Highways

The Chairman reported that a large number of potholes had been infilled on Christmas Eve, but about half of them had lost their filling material by Christmas Day. He also referred to the survey carried out on 14th April 2004, allegedly resulting in a 90-day notice.

c. Playground Working Group

Cllr. Gibson was not present and no report was available.

d. Playing Field Advisory Committee

No report was available.

The Chairman reported that the recent gales had damaged some property used by the Cricket Club and the Bowls Club.

e. Cemetery

The Chairman reported that the lower end is now waterlogged and requested authority to have a load of quarry bottoms dumped on the driveway and them compacted. RESOLVED that permission be granted.

            f.   Cemetery Chapel Development Committee.

The last meeting of the Committee took place too late for a written report to be sent out with the agenda. Councillor McSweeney’s verbal report included (1) estimates received from two out of the three builders who had been invited to quote, (2) there will be a need for formal quotations once Building Regulations Approval has been received, (3) Fisher Wrathall have started on preparation of the drawings to be submitted for approval, (4) lining material in the garage is thought to contain asbestos and a sample is currently being analysed.

Councillor Keefe announced the “Buy a Brick” appeal, with each brick costing £5. He also reported that they were experiencing difficulties with the rules of eligibility for various grant-aid bodies.

            g.  Allotments

Councillor Lishman stated that she would write to allotment-holders inviting them to renew their tenancies, at the increased fees.

            h.  Beetham Educational Trust

Councillor Lishman announced meetings on 7th February and 29th June.

            i.   Finance Committee

The Treasurer reported that the Finance Committee, at the meeting on January 5th, had decided to recommend to Council that (1) we should continue with our present insurers for the present time, and (b) amendments should be made to the draft Financial Regulations, before they are adopted by the Council. A full report will be submitted for an agenda item at the next meeting.

 

8243    Items for Information

(1) The Chairman reported that the bridleway (from Silverdale Road, towards the Station) and the footpath alongside The Common are both impassable, as a result of recent storms. He will submit a report next month, detailing action which he thinks needs to be taken.

(2) The Treasurer distributed copies of the revised budget, agreed at the Special Meeting on December 17th 2004.

 

8244    Date of next Ordinary Meeting

The next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 14th February 2005, at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda, to reach the Clerk before Friday 4th February 2005, and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 7th February.

 

 

Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council