8400 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside on Monday 8th August 2005.

8401 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, Councillors, P E (Ted) Casey, J (Jean) Colwell, T (Terry) Keefe, R J (Ros) Lishman, P A (Pete) McSweeney, M P (Pat) Pierce, the Clerk - P G (Peter) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont and 1 member of the public.

8402 Apologies for Absence:

Letters of apology were received from Councillors J G (Jack) Baker - working abroad; S V (Sue) Gibson, the treasurer A (Tony) Cookson, District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins - holiday;PC Alan Salter - police commitments. Verbal apologies were received from Councillors J P (John) Gallagher and K (Ken) Hargreaves. County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart did not attend.

8403 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda

There were no interests to declare.

8404 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 11th July 2005 were amended at 8380 and 8381 so that “increase” be included after “budget”. They were then approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8405 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

There were no matters arising.

8406 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration:

There were no matters raised.

8407 Police Report

As apologies had been sent by PC Alan Salter, the Chairman gave a verbal report referring to (1) an arrest of 2 people last week following a disturbance, (2) damages being done to phone boxes with an air pistol, (3) police presence on the playing fields during last weekend following disturbances from children as young as 12, (4) youths racing cars around the village.

8408 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart

Councillor Stewart did not attend the meeting, therefore, there was no report.

8409 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins

Councillor Rollins had sent his apologies to the meeting, therefore there was no report.

8410 Finance

a). The Financial Summary for July was received and approved.

b). It was agreed that an invoice for £47.00 for repairs to the maintenance tractor tyres be paid.

8411 Correspondence

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

1. Cumbria Community Foundation - news update and newsletter.

2. Land Registry - unable to register land at The Promenade, near Beachwood Café.

3. Lancaster City Council - reply re draft Statement of Community Involvement.

4.Cumbria County Council - reply re disabled access lift for Arnside Library.

NOTED that it would be acceptable to install a lift, however, this still does not improve the steep gradient of Pier Lane which is deemed unsuitable for disabled access.

5 .Friends of the Lake District - campaign for undergrounding of overhead wires.

6. SLDC - consultation, draft Statement of Community Involvement (15th July)

7. SLDC - consultation, draft Statement of Community Involvement (13th July )

8. SLDC - consultation, draft Submission Statement of Community Involvement (and others)

9. Silverdale PC - letter re linking of public footpaths.

10.Smith of Derby - confirmation re Clock maintenance contract.

11. English Nature - letter re use of amphibious vehicles in the bay (agenda item).

NOTED that English Nature are monitoring the operation of this vehicle.

12. Cllr Rollins - copy of letter to TransPennine Express, re telephone at Arnside Station.

13. Cumbria CC - leaflet about roadside verges.

14. Mr High - copy of letter objecting to extension of drinking hours at the Albion.

NOTED that an objection had been made but the Council is unable to take any action as it is not a licencing authority.

15. Mr P Rogers - Assessment for QP Status (agenda item).

16. APPT - Minutes for 14th July.

17. AONB - “Waymarker”, August edition.

18. Allotments Regeneration Initiative - summer newsletter.

19. Eclipse Energy Co - Non-technical assessment of the Ormonde Project.

20. English Nature- summer edition of “Cumbrian Nature”.

21. Clerks & Councils Direct - July edition.

8412 Planning Matters:

a). It was noted that no Applications have been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25, since the last meeting.

b). It was noted that there were no Applications to be considered.

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

SL/2005/0542 - The Albion Public House - formation of 2 x sections of timber decking to existing external drinking area : REFUSED.

SL/2005/0431 - 1 Stewart Close - formation of new vehicular access (from Silverdale Road): REFUSED.

8413 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)

(1) The land owner of the proposed site for a new public noticeboard, at the east end of The Common on Redhills Road, has given permission for a board 25″ deep to be erected. It was noted that this noticeboard will not be used for the display of Parish Council statutory documents and it has been agreed that it can be dedicated to the memory of a loved one. The donors were advised to seek approval from the land owner.

(2) The pews from the Cemetery Chapel, with the exception of three, are to be removed by AC Removals at no cost to the Council.

(3) The lower branches of the copper beech tree at the entrance to the Cemetery are to be pruned, at no cost to the Council.

8414 To execute the Deed of Trust for Arnside Parish Community Development Trust

There was a lengthy discussion about this and the support needed from the Parish Plan and the requirement to undertake a survey of all households on a regular basis.

NOTED that all Trustees in attendance signed the Deed of Trust in the presence of the Deputy Clerk.

RESOLVED that the Clerk is to contact all Councillors who have still to sign the Deed of Trust.

8415 Request for Permission to operate a Hagland Amphibious Vehicle

The Chairman NOTED that this vehicle, owned by Messrs Barker and Pugh, was now operating pleasure trips from the foreshore and around the bay. As it is coming up the slipway by the fountain it is breaking bye-laws. It was felt that if permission was granted for its operation, this would encourage other water sport activities which could be potentially dangerous in our special conservation area.

RESOLVED unanimously, that permission to operate a Hagland Amphibious Vehicle on the council-owned stretch of foreshore be refused and P C Alan Salter and Messrs Barker and Pugh to be informed.

NOTED that AONB had also recommended refusal.

84167 Consideration of Quotations received for a shed to replace the garage at the Cemetery

RESOLVED that

(1) Carr Bank Nurseries should supply and erect the new shed which is 14′ x 8′ at a cost of £1,055 including VAT;

(2) the Clerk to obtain a price from Carr Bank Nurseries to also dismantle the existing garage;

(3) the garage to be emptied as a matter of urgency to enable building works to proceed - the Chairman to ask Reg Taylor to do this;

(4) the roof of the existing garage is asbestos and therefore needs to be disposed of in a controlled manner.

8417 Tide Siren not sounded on 23rd July 2005

The Chairman reported that he had been approached by coastguards asking why the siren was not sounded on this particular day. There has also been a letter in the Westmorland Gazette.

RESOLVED that the Clerk should write a strong letter to SLDC advising that somebody should be on siren duty every day in order to ensure that no accidents occur and to point out that it cannot be the responsibility of the coastguards to sound the siren.

8418 Litter Bins not emptied properly at Weekends

The Chairman reported that the 2 bins near the boathouse were overflowing at the weekend. Bins at Ashmeadow Lodge and Ashmeadow Road had not been emptied for a week. A temporary refuse collector had been on duty who was unfamiliar with the whereabouts of the bins.

8419 Update on Waste Water Transfer Scheme

The Chairman reported that Black Dyke Road is now re-open and most of the heavy plant will be moving out of the village shortly. United Utilities regrets the inconvenience of digging up the foreshore and that the slipway at Beachwood is temporarily unusable. Roads in the village are to be reinstated in September. The Chairman had heard good reports about Lawsons.

RESOLVED that the Clerk send a letter of thanks to Lawsons for their good work, courteousness, and consideration to the villagers.

8420 Committee Reports:

a). Foreshore

The Chairman will investigate where to obtain barriers.

b). Highways

The Chairman reported that (1) the road surface between Carr Bank and Sandside is now marginally better, (2) Silverdale Road has been resurfaced instead of Black Dyke Road, (3) pot holes by the Cemetery had been filled in, (4) the police have not yet removed the bollards along Station Road. The Chairman is to speak to Cllr Ian Stewart about the possibility of white lines being painted at the side of the road as well as the centre between Carr Bank and Sandside.

c). Playground Working Group

The annual safety inspection had not yet been carried out. The Chairman reported a gap beneath the see-saw and advised that after the safety report this should be rectified. Cllr Lishman suggested the annual budget be reviewed for the playground.

d). Playing Field Advisory Committee

The meeting for this is 23rd August 2005. The Chairman reported that vehicles have been driving beyond the bollards on the field and that the fencing to stop this should be in place this week. The field is now clearer of rubbish due to police presence, however, there is a substantial amount of litter around the back of the football club. This to be mentioned at the meeting.

It was NOTED that the Cricket Club will not now be open after 11pm and then only by a committee member.

e). Cemetery

Cllr Casey reported that there had been many activities in the Cemetery recently. Cllr McSweeney to act in Cllr Casey’s impending absence of 4 weeks. The ground down the left hand side of the Cemetery has an embargo stating that it cannot be mown until the end of July due to the orchids that are growing there. The Council is under no obligation to repair headstones except for the war graves.

f). Cemetery Chapel Development Committee

(a) Cllr McSweeney drew attention to item 5.1 of the report of the meeting held on 28th July 2005, regarding the order to go ahead with the proposed works.

(b) After much discussion, it was agreed that a report on the Chapel in its own right be put in shops, libraries, dentist, doctor, etc.

( c) See item 8413 c)

g). Allotments

Cllr Lishman reported that the grass at the front had been cut but the grass in the centre was patchy with longer areas. Plot No 10 has not been cultivated - Cllr Lishman to send an invoice. There had been a request for the overhanging branches of cherry trees to be pruned as they were making cultivation of Plot No 2 difficult. The Chairman to ask for this to be done at the same time as the Cemetery trees. There are 5 people on the waiting list for allotments.

h). QP Status Working Group

There was considerable discussion concerning the Quality Parish Status where it was felt that the minute academic detail was confusing the more important assessment as to whether or not the Council deserves accreditation.

It was NOTED that an annual newsletter could not be produced in November as the annual newsletter must include the accounts for the previous year by 30th June.

RESOLVED to go ahead with the application to CALC together with a strong covering letter with a copy to be sent to NALC.

I). Other Committees

a). Cllr Keefe had attended the AONB annual meeting on 27th July 2005 and reported that (1) a report was given by Tony Riden, the Countryside Officer, (2) there is now a database with all volunteers and activities listed, (3). AONB have also recently produced a good leaflet re ticks and lyme disease, (4) 30 people are taking part in a new stewardship scheme involving checking sites and footpaths, (5) there had been 15 walks and talks in the past year, (6) improved resources, ie, digital photographs, (7) tourism and recreation strategy being developed.

b). Cllr Pierce had attended the CALC meeting with SLDC and reported that (1) more money will be provided for local Councils to do things themselves, ie, emptying litter bins, (2) electoral boundary review, (3) Parish Councils given more powers to do things, (4) revenue from the sale of council houses down.

8421 Items for information

The Chairman reported incidences of fly tipping at New Barns and Hagg Wood.
8422 Date of the Next Meeting

It was noted that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 12th September 2005 at 7.15pm. Items for the Agenda to the Clerk before Friday 2nd September and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 5th September 2005.

Peter G Challenor

Clerk to the Council