8291 Minutes: of an Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 11th April 2004.

8292 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker, P.E. (Ted) Casey - part only, J.M.(Jean) Colwell, J.P.(John) Gallagher, K. (Ken) Hargreaves, T.(Terry) Keefe, R.J.(Ros) Lishman, M.P.(Pat) Pierce, the Clerk - P.G.(Peter) Challenor, District Councillor R.(Richard) Rollins, PC Alan Salter, and 5 members of the public.

8293 Apologies for Absence:

Letters of apology were received from Councillors S.V. (Sue) Gibson: training course commitments; P.A.(Pete) McSweeney: working in Gloucestershire; the Treasurer - A.(Tony) Cookson: convalescing after operation; and County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart: reason not given.

8294 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

None.

8295 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 14th March 2005 were approved, and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8296 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings

None

8297 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

1. One person asked about maintenance of the pier railings.

2. Another asked about this Council’s response to the Cumbria County Council’s Local Transport Plan.

8298 Police Report

A written report had been circulated to Members and was supplemented by a verbal update. The reports referred to (1) two burglaries, one of which was by a person posing as a tradesman, (2) one criminal damage to a car, (3) assessment of measures needed to cope with roadworks, (4) manning of Milnthorpe Police Station, (5) sponsorship request for festival of sport, (6) parking of cars close to the junctions of Springfield and Orchard Road, with Silverdale Road, (7) attendance to various nuisance calls, and (8) a suggestion for update of by-laws.

Comments were made by Members about (a) burnt remains of cigarettes and drugs in the northbound shelter of the Station, (b) broken glass placed on the children’s slide, ©) a car window smashed on the Playing Field, (d) although Milnthorpe Police Station is to be manned 24 hours a day, emergency calls will not be received there, and (e) petty damage to vehicles is not being reported.

8299 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart was not present and his report was not available.

8300 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins’ report covered the following subjects: (1) the re-cycling service can now accept telephone directories, and (2) SLDC has also responded to the Transport Plan and has made similar comments that Arnside seems to have been disregarded.

Councillor Rollins was questioned about (1) the reported practice of checking the contents of wheelie bins and boxes, and (2) the possibility of plastics re-cycling in the near future.

8301 Finance

Councillor Colwell presented the following Financial Reports, on behalf of the Treasurer, and both she and the Treasurer were thanked for their efforts at this very difficult time.

(a) The Financial Summary for March 2005 was received and approved.

(b) The Financial Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005 were received and approved.

(c) The Treasurer’s Report on the Financial Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005 was received and approved.

(d) Councillor Keefe found it regrettable that the Council had not established a charity sooner, for the Cemetery Chapel Restoration Project, so that a bank account could be opened which would pay a higher rate of interest, than is available to the Council. He acknowledged that it was expected that the money raised would have been spent quite soon and that the delays could not have been anticipated.

8302 Correspondence

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

1. Ms France - thanks for efforts of Council & Police re removal of parking on pavement - noted and complimentary comments gratefully received..

2. SLDC - Scheme of remuneration for Councillors

3. CALC - Subscription request for £257.50

RESOLVED that payment be authorised

4. United Utilities - advice to landowner re work on the foreshore

5. Arnside Cricket Club - request permission for Car Boot Sales, May and August

RESOLVED that permission be granted. A donation to the Council of £50 per day is anticipated.

6. SLDC - explanation of procedures for Licensing Act 2003

7. APPT - Minutes of joint meeting, 10th March.

8. SLDC - Urban Potential Study consultation draft.

9. Mr Parsons - request for permission to operate an airboat from Arnside, for tourists.

RESOLVED that this be an agenda item for the next meeting. In the meantime the AONB, RSPB and English Nature will be consulted.

10. AONB - “Waymarker”, March

11. Tuesday Club - donation of £250 towards a public seat.

RESOLVED that this donation be gratefully received.

12. Cumbria in Bloom - invitation to participate.

13. AONB - “Waymarker”, April

14. Environment Agency - “Your Environment”, February - April

15. Friends of the Lake District - changing character of rural roads in Cumbria

16. Assoc. of Burial Authorities - Info newsletter, Spring.

17. Clerks & Councils Direct - March.
8303 Planning Matters:

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

5/04/9008 - United Utilities’ waste water transfer scheme, Ashmeadow - change of colour of doors to Control Building from Grey to Nut Brown: NO OBJECTIONS.

b. The following applications were considered:

SL/2005/0306 - Oakthwaite, New Barns Road - single storey extension to study: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2005/0318 - 18 Stewart Close - single storey extension to form garage: NO OBJECTIONS

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

SL/2005/0072 - Arnside Methodist Church, Chapel Lane - upgrading of the access for the disabled: GRANTED

SL/2005/0012 - land adjacent to New Barns Farm - erection of two porches on unit 1 and unit 2: GRANTED

SL/2004/1648 - Sandhurst, 47 The Promenade - demolition of existing dwelling and replace with 6 apartments (amended plans): GRANTED

SL/2005/0040 - Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Silverdale Road - erection of conservatory/entrance hall, access ramp and WC extension to serve the disabled (amended plans): GRANTED

8304 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning).

(1) Approval given for the cost agreed at Minute 8281(1) to be increased to £3155.49 for repair of the gang-mower.

(2) Approval given for the annual donation of £100 to the Landscape Trust for maintenance of Beachwood Nature Reserve.

(3) Approval given for the design fee for an “Trench-Arch” sewage disposal unit for the Cemetery Chapel, at an estimated cost of £350 (+vat).

8305 Moveable posts on the Playing Field

It was noted that (a) some drivers are able to drive their vehicles between the posts, and (b) that the posts are repeatedly removed. RESOLVED that the AONB unit should be asked to increase the number of posts by two, space them evenly and concrete the posts in place.

8306 Repair and Maintenance of Street Lights

Members expressed the view that SLDC is not maintaining those street lights for which it has assumed responsibility, in a satisfactory manner. A bad instance is light No.330 in Church Hill, which was demolished in the January gales. It was reported by the Clerk on 15th January and again on 2nd March, but no action has been taken. RESOLVED to write to the Chief Executive expressing dissatisfaction with the standard of maintenance and repair.

8307 Acceptable design of grave markings in the Cemetery

This items was deferred, pending the arrival of the Cemetery Custodian, Councillor Casey.

8308 Update on Waste Water Transfer Project.

A written report was not available. The Chairman commented that he had heard that Black Dyke Road is to be closed once Station Road is re-opened.

(Councillor Casey joined the meeting)

8309 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

A lorry tractor has been parked on the foreshore over the last two weekends - Police to be informed, plus a letter to be placed on the windscreen.

b. Highways

Nothing to report

c. Playground Working Group

New chains and links have been obtained. The Clerk to invite three quotes for Wetpour beneath the swings.

d. Playing Field Advisory Committee

The minutes of the last meeting had been circulated to Members and the contents noted. There is concern about repeated flooding, and the cleaning of the toilets.

e. Cemetery

There have been complaints about a recent grave which has been surround with a low plastic fence and chippings, plus other adornments. It was confirmed that this is not permitted under the 1974 rules and the bereaved person has been written to in a kind manner, asking her to remove the surround. Enforcement action will be taken, if necessary.

Income from burial fees is currently larger than had been expected.

f. Cemetery Chapel Development Committee.

(1) The report of the meeting held on 31st March 2005 was received.

(2) Preliminary advice on bio-heating has been sought, but this would require the Chapel to be fitted with a false ceiling, so it will not be considered any further.

(3) It has been learned that a septic tank is unlikely to function well with the anticipated low usage. Advice is being sought on a trench-arch system, which is likely to be more appropriate. The Clerk is making enquiries about the issue of a Faculty from the Carlisle Diocese, although he thinks it is unlikely to be necessary.

Once the sewerage system has been resolved, representations will be made to United Utilities, if they are still causing a delay to the installation of water and electricity.

g. Allotments

One person has decided not to renew the tenancy, but the plot has been re-let. There are now three people on the waiting list.

8310 Items for Information

The Chairman expects to receive copies of the Annual Newsletter, and will request the assistance of Councillors in distribution.

8311 Date of the Annual Parish Council Meeting

It was noted that the Annual Parish Council Meeting will be held on Monday 9th May 2005, at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda, and copies of reports, to reach the Clerk before Friday 29th April 2005.

Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council