8347 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside, on Monday 13th June 2005.

8348 Present: Chairman - Councillor D.M.(David) Willacy, Councillors J.G.(Jack) Baker, J.M.(Jean) Colwell, J.P.(John) Gallagher, K. (Ken) Hargreaves, T.(Terry) Keefe, 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 John McCanney, and 3 members of the public.

8349 Apologies for Absence:

Letters of apology were received from Councillors: P.E. (Ted) Casey - on holiday; S.V. (Sue) Gibson - Course studies; P.A.(Pete) McSweeney - on holiday; and R.J.(Ros) Lishman - recovering from childbirth.

8350 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

The Chairman declared his non-prejudicial interest in item 17 - Ashmeadow public access.

Councillor Gallagher declared his non-prejudicial interest in item 11(b) - the Albion Public House.

8351 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 9th May 2005 had the Country of Councillor Casey’s attendance at a funeral corrected to Denmark. They were then approved, and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8352 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings

8344f - report of the meeting of the CCDC - the Treasurer considered that item 8.1 is not clear. Members agreed, and asked that the Committee should provide clarification.

8353 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration.

One member of the public referred to (1) marking of potholes along the B5282, (2) the need for hedge-cutting along Station Road, and (3) overgrown shrubbery at Station Gardens.

8354 Police Report

A written report had been circulated to Members by PC Alan Saltar (who was unable to attend). The report referred to (1) damage at Arnside Cricket Club, (2) theft of plants from Wood Close Gardens, (3) graffiti, (4) damage at, and theft from, a telephone kiosk, (5) a prowler in the Briery Bank / Swinnate Road area, (6) camping / drinking on The Knott, (7) bottle-throwing from The Pier, (8) roadworks / traffic flow, (9) speed cameras, and (10) a track-laying amphibious vehicle visiting the foreshore by crossing the river from Grange.

The report was supplemented by a verbal update from PC McCanney, who referred to: (1) a theft from a vehicle, (2) an assault, (3) youth activities on the Playing Field, (4) speed gun successes, and (5) further information about the track-laying vehicle from Grange.

The Chairman made comment about the probable need for additional parking restrictions in Station Road, during closure of Black Dyke Road.

8355 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart’s report referred to: (1) he is no longer a member of the Police Authority, but is now a member of the Crime Reduction Panel, (2) he is also a member of the Joint Highways Panel and is Cabinet Member for Organisational Development, (3) he is involved with the equal pay and single-status initiative, (4) the SLDC re-structuring, (5) street light 330 is to be replaced during the next few weeks, and (6) he is to address a national Conference about Public Scrutiny

The Chairman made comments about (1) the lack of signs along those stretches of Station Road, which have restricted parking, and (2) the renovation of County boundary and similar signs.

Councillor Stewart was asked to clarify the brief to the AONB Unit for clearing vegetation, along public footpaths.

8356 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins’ report covered the following subjects: (1) application lists for public entertainment licences, (2) re-grading of SLDC staff, subject approval.

The Chairman referred to weedkiller, applied by SLDC staff, killing his own plants. He also referred to the fly-tipping of asbestos on The Knott, reported a month ago, but only being cleared very recently.

8357 Finance

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

(b) The Treasurer was authorised to open a Treasurer’s Deposit Account with the Bank of Ireland and to close the Deposit Account held with Barclays Bank, in order to attract a higher rate of interest.

8358 Correspondence

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

1. Barnes Trust - Minutes for 25th April

2. SLDC - Kerbside re-cycling information pack

3. CALC - details for General Meeting, 22nd June

4. AONB - comments on proposal for American Airboat

5. CALC - Circular, May

6. CALC - first Quality Parish in Cumbria (Keswick)

7. Cumbria CC - Station adoption scheme

8. Tim Farron MP - reply re access to Station

9. English Nature - comments on proposal for American Airboat

10. Cumbria CC - consultation re Minerals and Waste Development Framework

11. Land Registry - search report re land at the confluence of footpaths 502034, 502035, and 502036.

12. Village Society - comments re location for new library

13. Mrs Uquhart - concern about inadequate road repairs following work by United Utilities. It was noted that the defects have already been attended to.

14. SLDC - update confirmation for registration of interests.

RESOLVED that copies would be circulated to each Councillor for completion and return.

15. CRHT - completed housing needs survey.

RESOLVED that the assessment of this Council should be that, as the results of the survey were based upon only a 23% return, the observations should be treated with some caution. It was noted that the results call for 12 new affordable housing units, with 5 of them required at the present time.

16. SLDC - consultation draft for statement of community involvement.

17. AONB - “Waymarker”, June

18. Cumbria CC - Parish Profile.

19. RAPRA - test certificate for Safagrass

20. Morecambe Bay Partnership - BeachCare Newsletter

21. Environment Agency - Bye-bye Waste

22. Environment Agency - Down to Earth

23. Clerks & Councils Direct - May newsletter.

8359 Planning Matters:

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

SL/2005/2156 - 1 Station Road - extension & alterations (revised scheme SL/2003/2156): NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2005/0530 - 8 Coles Drive - two storey extension & single storey front porch: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2005/0533 - 12 Plantation Grove - single storey extension & re-roofing flat roof to pitched roof: NO OBJECTIONS

b. The following application was considered:

SL/2005/0542 - The Albion Public House - formation of 2 x sections of timber decking to existing external drinking area: NO OBJECTIONS, but this Council is concerned about the following: (1) the decking comes to within 50mm of the top of the boundary wall, but the Application does not include details of the proposed railings, (2) the Disabled Parking provision appears to have been removed, and (3) the applicant appears to be proposing to use railway sleepers. If they are wooden they are almost certain to be treated and are therefore unsuitable for a place of public resort. We would not like to see concrete sleepers used at this location.

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

SL/2005/0361 - Arnside Methodist Church - upgrading of existing disabled access: GRANTED.

SL/2005/0318 - 18 Stewart Close - single storey extension to form garage: GRANTED.

SL/2005/0402 - Flat 2, Shortacre, The Promenade - new fire escape and access stairway plus platform: GRANTED.

8360 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning).

Permission granted for United Utilities to form a short path, with a permissive right of way, (for the Barnes Charitable Trust) from the proposed new opening in the boundary wall of Ashmeadow, in the land adjacent to the Tide Siren, insofar as this Council is able to give such permission.

8361 Appointment of a Deputy Clerk / Deputy RFO

The Council has become aware of the fact that no provision is currently made for a suitable person to deputise for the Clerk, or the Responsible Financial Officer (Treasurer), should either of them become unavailable to work. This is recognised as a significant threat to the effective discharge of the powers and duties of the Council.

RESOLVED

(1) to advertise for, and appoint, a Deputy Clerk / Deputy RFO as soon as possible.

(2) that the approved hours of duty be 10 per month, with the option of these being increased to no more than 16 per month, on authorisation of the Clerk.

(3) that any claim for hours worked beyond 16 per month should be approved by Council,

(4) that the salary shall be 75% of the incremental scale (SCP 26-29) except after 4 weeks of acting-up, and

(5) that the full terms and conditions should be based upon those prevailing for the Deputy Clerk / Deputy RFO at Silverdale Parish Council, but with ratification of the full details by this Council.

8362 Quality Parish status

(a) Members reviewed the decision made at the meeting of 13th September 2004, when it was resolved that this Council would not pursue accreditation for the Quality Parish scheme unless it becomes apparent that it would be advantageous to do so. It was recognised that there are now advantages that were not available at that time, and that, now that the Clerk has obtained the CiLCA qualification, accreditation is not likely to involve a lot of work. The application will cost £25.00 + vat.

RESOLVED to apply for accreditation as a Quality Parish Council.

(b) RESOLVED

(1) to form a Working Group to research such matters as may be necessary, and to compile an application for Quality Parish accreditation, for consideration and approval by the Council,

(2) to appoint Councillors McSweeney, Keefe, Colwell and Pierce to the Working Group,

(3) to appoint Councillor McSweeney to be co-ordinator for the Group (subject to his confirmation),

(4) to accept the offer of Councillor Keefe to assist Councillor McSweeney in the task of co-ordination, should the latter so desire,

(5) to accept the CALC offer of the assistance from Mr Paul Rogers (employed for promotion of the QP scheme), and

(6) to invite the equivalent Working Group from Silverdale Parish Council to participate in the training sessions by Mr Rogers.

8363 Wetpour for Playground Swings

Only one quotation has been received. Another firm has referred this Council direct to its suppliers, who have not yet been able to quote. RESOLVED that the Clerk should have delegated authority to accept a suitable quotation, subject to it not being in excess of £4,000, exclusive of VAT

8364 Grounds of Ashmeadow House

The Council has been asked to declare its attitude to the revelation that the Trustees of the Abbeyfield (Arnside) Society have decided against having the grounds of Ashmeadow House open for free roaming by members of the public.

RESOLVED

(1) that this Council respects the rights of private landowners to such privacy as they may choose, and that Ashmeadow House should be treated in this manner,

(2) there is a public seat within the grounds and it is considered desirable that the public should have access to this area,

(3) the Clerk will write to the Chairman of the Trustees, expressing the attitude of the majority of Members of this Council and

(4) the Chairman will liaise with the Trustees, in the hope of maintaining a harmonious relationship.

8365 Tide Siren

The attention of Members was drawn to the reports that Mr Conway had stated that he would hold talks with all interested parties. Several months have elapsed without contact. RESOLVED that the Clerk should write to ask when the representatives of SLDC wish to meet the Parish Council.

8366 Land Title

The Council does not have any Title Deeds for the land that it owns and maintains, near to the Tide Siren. RESOLVED to authorise the Clerk to negotiate with the Land Registry for the first registration of the Possessory Title to land at the confluence of footpaths 502034, 502035, and 502036, and to authorise the expenditure of the £30 registration fee.

8367 New shed at the Cemetery

The free-standing garage in the cemetery needs to have the asbestos roof removed and it is most cost effective to have this done at the same time as the roof lining to the garage attached to the Cemetery Chapel. RESOLVED to purchase a new timber shed to replace the old concrete-panelled garage, and to invite three competitive tenders.

8368 Update on Waste Water Transfer Project.

A written report was received from United Utilities and the contents were noted.

The Chairman also made reference to (1) the date for work on the foreshore, between Ashmeadow and Beachwood, has been deferred again, and (2) the spoil form the demolition of the old primary treatment unit, will be brought through the grounds of Ashmeadow House, rather than along the foreshore.

8369 Committee Reports:

a. Foreshore

The Chairman gave a verbal report referring to (1) stones have come off the wall near to the fountain and will be replaced by the Parish Contractor, (2) one tide sign is missing, but will be replaced by SLDC, and (3) the lifebelts still require numbering by SLDC.

b. Highways

The Chairman gave a verbal report referring to (1) replacement signs are still needed around the area, (2) the Promenade railings need repair by Cumbria County Council, and (3) some split-barrel flower tubs have been donated by Arnside Taxi Service.

c. Playground Working Group

No report was available.

The Chairman reported that an anonymous person had made up some phosphor-bronze bearings for the swings, and another person had repaired the tractor’s exhaust. Thanks were expressed to these people.

d. Playing Field Advisory Committee

A written report of the meeting held on 17th May had been distributed separately and was received.

The Chairman also reported that he had moved-on some youths creating a disturbance on the Playing Field at 3am. The next morning he discovered that they had left behind 11 wine bottles and other litter. He also reported some deliberate fouling of the ladies toilet, and the discarding of underwear in the gents.

e. Cemetery

No report was available.

f. Cemetery Chapel Development Committee.

The report of the meeting held on 1st June 2005 was received. Councillor Keefe explained that matters were proceeding slowly although many problems were being experienced.

The Chairman reported that the proceeds of an Open Day at Holly Bank were to be donated to the Cemetery Chapel Fund.

The meeting expressed thanks particularly to Councillor McSweeney, but also to Councillor Keefe, and latterly the Clerk, for all their efforts on behalf of the project.

g. Allotments

No report was available. It was however known that there is a waiting list and one further application has been received.

8370 Items for Information

The Treasurer advised that he is not aware of any completed work record sheets having been received from the Parish Contractor. The Clerk confirmed that they had been issued and the Chairman stated that he would chase them up.

8371 Date of the next Meeting

It was noted that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 11th July 2005, at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 1st July and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 4th July.

Peter G. Challenor

Clerk to the Council