2005/05/09
8322 Minutes: of the Annual Parish Council Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 9th May 2005.
8323 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker, J.P.(John) Gallagher, K. (Ken) Hargreaves, 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 Alan Salter, and 1 member of the public.
8324 Election of Chairman
RESOLVED that Councillor Willacy be elected as Chairman. Immediately following the Resolution, Councillor Willacy signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by the Clerk.
8325 Election of Vice Chairman
RESOLVED that Councillor Casey be elected as Vice Chairman.
8326 Apologies for Absence:
Letters of apology were received from Councillors S.V. (Sue) Gibson: family commitments; J.M.(Jean) Colwell: recovering from an operation; P.E. (Ted) Casey: attending brother-in-law’s funeral in Belgium; and County Councillor I.(Ian) Stewart: late attendance.
8327 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.
None.
8328 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:
The Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 11th April 2005 had the date corrected. They were then approved, and subsequently signed by the Chairman.
8329 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings
8278(c) Finance: The Treasurer advised that the new account has now been opened in the name of Arnside Cemetery Chapel Development Fund and that it has been credited with £28,869.34, previously held in the Parish Council’s account.
8330 Nomination of Committees, References and Representatives
RESOLVED that the following appointments be made:
Finance Committee
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Cllrs. Colwell, Gallagher, Hargreaves, Lishman.
Internal Audit Committee
Cllrs. Colwell, Gallagher, Hargreaves, Lishman.
Foreshore Committee
Cllrs. Willacy, Keefe, Lishman, Hargreaves.
Cemetery Chapel Development Committee
All Councillors are automatically members of this Committee.
Chairman and Secretary: Cllr. McSweeney
Playing Field Advisory Committee
All Councillors are automatically members of this Committee.
Chairman: Cllr. Baker, Secretary to the Committee: Cllr. Pierce
Arnside Knott Management Committee
All Councillors are automatically members of this Committee.
The Chairman of the Council is automatically Chairman of this Committee.
Allotments - Cllr. Lishman.
Cemetery Custodian - Cllr. Casey. Deputy Custodian - Cllr McSweeney
Footpaths - Cllr. Lishman
Highways - Cllr. Willacy.
Tree Preservation - Cllr. Willacy
Kent Estuary Neighbourhood Forum - Cllrs. Gallagher and Keefe
Morecambe Bay Partnership - Cllr. Keefe
Police Liaison - Cllr. Willacy
AONB Executive Committee - Cllr. Keefe
AONB Joint Parishes Committee - Cllr. Keefe
Beetham Exhibition Trust - Cllr. Lishman
Burton in Kendal Educational Foundation - Cllr. Casey
CALC - Cllr. Hargreaves
CALC South Lakeland Committee - Cllr. Pierce (+ one un-filled vacancy)
8331 Confirmation of Standing Orders
RESOLVED that Standing Orders, as re-printed in December 2004 are correct and appropriate, although it is felt that some items could be re-written so as to give greater clarity, when the next review is undertaken.
8332 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.
The member of the public suggested that the following sites should be added to those in item 18 of the agenda:
Redhills Road, Silverdale Road - opposite to the allotments and near to the Playing Field, and Black Dyke Road.
8333 Police Report
A written report had been circulated to Members and was supplemented by a verbal update. The reports referred to (1) a car window being smashed, (2) a couple leaving a pub without paying, (3) theft of an election poster, (4) staffing of Milnthorpe Police Station, (5) road works for United Utilities, (6) signs for road closure from the Yealand direction, (7) the expected unauthorised party on the foreshore was held on the Knott instead, and (8) recommendation for a review of fines under foreshore and playing field byelaws.
8334 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart
Councillor Stewart’s report was taken later in the meeting, as he was unable to attend in time.
8335 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins
Councillor Rollins’ report covered the following subjects: (1) SLDC’s suggested addition of Arnside railway station to the CCC Local Transport Plan, and (2) the “Adopt a Station” conference in June.
Councillor Rollins was questioned about the disappearance of litter bins from The Promenade (near to the Post Office), the entrance to the Playing Field, and near to the Coastguard Station.
8336 Finance
(a) The Financial Summary for April was received and approved.
The Treasurer asked about the intended use of the £950 from SLDC, for a new path across the Playing Field.
Cllr. McSweeney asked about his own responsibility for the money raised for the proposed Cemetery Chapel Development Project. The Clerk confirmed that the Treasurer is employed by the Council to facilitate approved financial procedures, but that overall responsibility rests with the Council, as a corporate body. No individual Councillor can be given responsibility for such matters, regardless of any appointment s/he may hold. If any person has any queries about any financial matter, relating to the Council, s/he should write to the Treasurer, and then only write to the Council if dissatisfied with the reply, or lack of one.
The Treasurer felt that some person(s) might be making the assertion that he was providing unsatisfactory service, and he therefore called for a vote of confidence. Members signified that he enjoys the confidence of the Council
(b) The Statement of Assurance to be submitted to the External Auditor, under Section 2 of the Annual Audit Return for the year ended 31st March 2005 was approved, and the Chairman and the Clerk were authorised to sign the said Statement on behalf of the Council.
(c) The insured values of Council-owned properties were reviewed. It was determined that the replacement value of the rotary (gang) mower should be increased to £7,500 and the number of public seats should be increased to 47.
8337 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart
Councillor Stewart reported that the turnout for the County votes in the Arnside and Beetham ward had been 75%. There had been little change in the distribution of Political representation for the County.
He was asked about signposts and stated that they were “on the list”.
8338 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1. Confederation of Burial Authorities - subscription renewal request (£40):
RESOLVED that the subscription should not be renewed.
2. Capita - Provision of dropped kerbs (referred to APPT)
3. Mrs Urquhart - comments about having a Library on the Playing Field
4. Pumptrack - suggestions re a Trench Arch sewage disposal system.
5. APPT - Proposals for better liaison
RESOLVED that the Council feels bitterly disappointed that the APPT has refused the request to have a Council observer at meetings of the Trust, and that the alternative of having a Councillor attend meetings of the five working groups is neither reasonable nor satisfactory. Cllr. Keefe will draft a reply, for consideration by the Chairman and Clerk, before it is sent by the latter.
6. Cumbria Constabulary - advertising for Special Constables
7. Tim Collins MP - reply from Network Rail (crossing) and SLDC (tide siren)
RESOLVED that copies be sent to Tim Farron MP.
8. SLDC - letter re granting of Planning Permission for Our Lady of Lourdes Church
9. Tim Collins MP - reply from Transpennine Express re a barrow-crossing
RESOLVED that copies be sent to Tim Farron MP.
10. Cumbria Constabulary - appeal for donation to “Festival of Sport” (no powers available)
11. Tim Collins MP - reply from Nick Raynsford MP, to the Clerk’s legal query.
12. CALC - South Lakeland agenda for 12th May (Kendal)
13. CALC - notice of General Meeting, 22nd June (Penrith)
14. FLAG - support for our efforts to have a barrow-crossing installed at Arnside Station.
15. FRS Ltd - details of impact-absorbing matting for playgrounds - handed on to the Playing Field Advisory Committee.
16. Morecambe Bay Partnership - Coastal & Marine seminar, 21st May, Educational Institute
17. Friends of Ashmeadow - notice of AGM 15th May.
18. Friends of the Lake District - newsletter, Spring.
19. CALC - Circular, April
20. Trafalgar weekend - invitation to participate (Oct 21st - 23rd)
RESOLVED to refer the matter of a beacon to the National Trust.
21. AONB - “Waymarker”, May
22. English Nature - “Sitelines”, Spring/Summer
23. NALC - “Local Council Review”, May
8339 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:
SL/2005/0361 - Arnside Methodist Church - upgrading of existing disabled access: NO OBJECTIONS.
b. The following applications were considered:
SL/2005/0431 - 1 Stewart Close - formation of new vehicular access (from Silverdale Road): NO OBJECTIONS.
SL/2005/0402 - Flat 2, Shortacre, The Promenade - new fire escape and access stairway plus platform: NO OBJECTIONS
c. The following decisions of the District Council were noted:
SL/2005/0306 - Oakthwaite, New Barns Road - single storey extension to study: GRANTED
SL/2005/0211 - 1 Hollins Lane - extensions and alterations: GRANTED
8340 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning).
None
8341 Matters arising from the Parish Assembly
(a) Feelings regarding a new site for Arnside Library. The Clerk reminded Members of the voting, which did not give a clear indication of the majority opinion, and which would not be binding upon the Council. A Member of the Council had suggested that the existing building could be brought up to the standard deemed reasonable for disability access and this was not entirely refuted by the CCC Buildings Programme Manager.
RESOLVED that the Clerk should write to the Library Service (a) to seek an unequivocal answer as to whether, or not, the existing building could be upgraded to a standard acceptable for disability access (ignoring cost and ownership of the building), and (b) to seek a list of all premises considered and exactly why each one has been rejected.
(b) Wishing Well provided by the Westmorland Round Table. A representative of the Rotary Club had asked for opinions about taking over the Wishing Well that had been provided by the now defunct Round Table. The structure stands on land owned by the Parish Council, but no rent is charged.
RESOLVED that permission be granted, but that the Rotary Club be asked to liaise with the 41 Club. This Council does not accept any responsibility for the structure, either directly or indirectly.
8342 Recommendation from the APPT for siting of portable Police Speed Cameras
A report from the APPT was considered but it was agreed to reject the Sandside Road recommendation. Four more sites were added.
RESOLVED to recommend to the Police that they deploy their portable speed cameras at the following locations (1) The Promenade near Bullough’s Newsagents , (2) The Promenade near to the Fighting Cocks , (3) Redhills Road, (4) Black Dyke Road, (5) Silverdale Road near to the Allotments, and (6) Silverdale Road near to the Playing Field.
8343 Update on Waste Water Transfer Project.
A written report was not available. The Chairman commented as follows:
(a) United Utilities has still not received permission from the Crown Agents for work proposed below the Mean High Water Mark.
(b) Information has not been forthcoming about the possible closure of Black Dyke Road.
(c) The contractor has encountered difficulties when working in Brick Pond Field and Arnside Marsh (as they were warned by this Council).
(d) Work in Ashmeadow is now behind schedule because of delays with the Coastguard Garage.
8344 Committee Reports:
a. Foreshore
The Chairman produced a photograph of an articulated amphibious vehicle in the waters of the Bay, but the ownership is unknown. It does not have any right to move onto Council-owned foreshore, and will be in breach of byelaws if it does.
b. Highways
A tractor has been using the bridleway from Park View to Black Dyke Road, making it very muddy.
c. Playground Working Group
No report.
d. Playing Field Advisory Committee
The toilets are much cleaner. The barrier posts have not yet been replaced. A revised Planning Application has not yet been submitted for the proposed multi-wheel park.
e. Cemetery
No report. The Chairman expressed concern about the lack of attendance either by an undertaker, or Councillor, at a recent burial of ashes. He requested an agenda item for a meeting to be attended by the Cemetery Custodian.
f. Cemetery Chapel Development Committee.
The report of the meeting held on 27th April was received. The following items were given particular consideration and decisions made as indicated.
(1) access to the burial register to take photographs - RESOLVED that permission be granted, and (2) approval to spend of £957.94, payable to United Utilities, for the installation of a water connection - RESOLVED that approval be given.
The Treasurer sought approval to pay Messrs Fisher Wrathall the sum of £1250. The expenditure was approved under Minute 8257(b), although the sum was not specified and is now approved.
g. Allotments
Nothing to report.
h. AONB
Councillor Keefe reported that there is a proposal to extend the area of the AONB. Silverdale Parish Council is starting a fresh initiative to combat nuisance from dogs. It was also noted that Cumbria County Council has agreed that some vegetation control can be undertaken by the AONB unit.
8345 Items for Information
None
8346 Date of the next Meeting
It was noted that the next meeting will be held on Monday 13th June 2005, at 7.15pm Items for the agenda, to reach the Clerk before Friday 3rd June, and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 6th June.
Peter G. Challenor
Clerk to the Council
