8450 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside on Monday 10th October 2005.

8451 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, Councillors, P E (Ted) Casey, J (Jack) Baker, J M (Jean) Colwell, S V (Sue) Gibson, T (Terry) Keefe, R J (Ros) Lishman, the Acting Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, the Treasurer - A (Tony) Cookson, District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins, P C Alan Salter and 1 member of the public.

8452 Apologies for Absence:

Written apologies were received from Councillors, P A (Pete) McSweeney and M P (Pat) Pierce - holiday, the Clerk P G (Peter) Challenor -sick leave. Verbal apologies were received from Councillors, J P (John) Gallagher (work commitments) and County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart (work commitments).

Non-attendance - Councillor K (Ken) Hargreaves.

8453 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

Cllr Gibson declared her non-prejudicial interest in Item 10, number 7, being that she is an employee of the Educational Institute.

8454 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The minutes of the meeting held on 12th September 2005 were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8455 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

(1)The Treasurer referred to 8447 f) and asked for clarification as to who is responsible for the cost of dismantling the garage and also responsibility for removal of the asbestos; this was confirmed as Carr Bank Garden Centre.

(2)Cllr Keefe referred to 8447 h) and expressed disappointment that the decision had been taken not to include his covering letter as it could be detrimental to the Quality Parish application. It was agreed that a separate letter should be sent if the need arose to follow up and support the application.

8456 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration:

One member of the public enquired about the future safety of Briery Fields with regard to development plans. The Chairman pointed out that the Planning Officer for SLDC has given him assurance that this piece of land would not be developed in the near future.

8457 Police Report:

A written report had been circulated to members by PC Alan Salter. The report referred to (1) a domestic incident at Carr Bank resulting in two women being arrested for assault and drink driving, (2) an exterior lamp shade at Arnside Sailing Club was damaged overnight during September, (3) two incidents at Carr Bank where lambs have been injured, (4) a land rover had a tyre damaged whilst parked in Sandside Road, (5) a man was arrested following a domestic incident in Briery Bank, (6) police attended a domestic incident in Mount Pleasant, (7) a fence was kicked in Inglemere Gardens and a commotion heard in the area, (8) police were called to investigate motorcyclists on the beach at Arnside but none were found to be there, (9) residents may have noticed the ’speed aware device’ which will appear on local roads, (10) the driver of the HGV tractor unit sometimes parked on the beach car park at weekends has been spoken to and asked to refrain.

The Chairman also reported that police had been called to the coastguard station after a suspected break-in and a disturbance on the playing field in the early hours one morning by children of 12/13 years of age.

8458 Report from County and District Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart had sent his apologies to the meeting and therefore there was no report.

8459 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins’ report covered the following: (1) the tide siren situation - following the meeting held at the Parish Council Office suggestions of using a local person to operate the siren and the possibility of purchasing a cheaper siren have been put forward to SLDC and are currently being chased up, the situation will be reassessed in 2 to 3 months; (2) the District Council have a new newspaper, ‘South Lakeland News’ which will be distributed to all households on a six monthly basis.

The Chairman brought up the subject of the asbestos at New Barns. Cllr Rollins will chase this up again.

8460 Finance:

The Financial Summary for September was received and approved.

8461 Correspondence:

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

1. Invitation from Arnside Branch of Royal British Legion - 2 minutes silence at war memorial playing field at 11am on Friday 11th November and Remembrance Service at St James’ Church at 10.30am on Sunday 13th November.

2. Ian Henderson - copy of letter sent to Laurence Conway of SLDC re tide siren (agenda item).

3. SLDC - local development framework and consultation on draft sustainability appraisal scoping report.

4. SLDC - receipt for Cemetery Chapel Trench-Arch Sewerage planning application fee.

5. SLDC - extract from minutes of meeting 21st September re car parking, from Cllr Rollins.

6. Lancashire County Council - joint Lancashire minerals and waste development framework submission draft statement of community involvement.

7. Arnside Educational Institute - agreeing to application for a grant for childrens’ playground equipment.

NOTED that the EI are prepared to fund a specific item of apparatus.

8. SLDC - invitation to attend meeting of the Standards Committee on 13th September.

9. AONB - leaflet explaining Sustainable Development Fund.

10. AONB - request for financial contribution towards running costs.

11. SLDC - public roadshows re further electoral review.

12. Arnside Cricket Club - request for approval to dismantle old British Legion hut.

13. Trafalgar Weekend - beacon chain to commemorate Trafalgar Day.

14. Arnside Sailing Club - foreshore permits, suggesting mutual meeting to clarify requirements of their members.

15. Carr Bank Garden Centre - quote to remove old garage at Cemetery.

16. AONB - “Waymarker” - October edition.

17. Clerks and Councils Direct - September circular.

18. RoSPA - Play Area Safety Inspection Report (agenda item).

19. Tim Farron MP - advice surgeries Autumn 2005.

8462 Planning Matters:

a). It was NOTED that the following Application had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25, since the last meeting.

SL/2005/1003 - Stonycroft, Stonycroft Drive - alterations to roof and existing dormer and new dormer - NO OBJECTIONS.

b). The following applications were considered:

SL/2005/1046 - Sandhurst, 47 Promenade - installation of windows to provide light to garages: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2005/1057 - Albion Hotel - formation of one section of timber decking to existing external drinking area: NO OBJECTIONS

SL/2005/1066 - Arnside Cemetery Chapel - installation of Trench-Arch Sewerage System: NO OBJECTIONS

c). It was NOTED that no decisions had been taken by the District Council since the last meeting.

8463 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

(1) It was NOTED that one wall map, indicating the latest designation of the Mean High Water Mark, had been ordered from Henry Roberts Bookshop at a cost of £62.60. This map is to be put on the wall of the Parish Council Office.

(2)It was NOTED that the quotation from Carr Bank Garden Centre of £196.00 + VAT, for the removal of the old garage at the Cemetery, has been accepted.

8464 Future of the Tide Siren:

The Chairman and Cllr Baker attended a meeting with SLDC along with AONB, Coastguard and local councillors at which it was unanimous that the siren be retained. Cllr Rollins has been asked about the use of an automated siren and is to contact Lancaster University about this. Cllr Colwell had also attended a meeting of Morecambe Bay Leisure User at which George Crossman of Arnside Coastguards gave sound reasons for keeping the siren, being the danger and uniqueness of the tidal waters together with the facts and figures of lives saved. After a few minutes discussion the meeting proposed unanimously that the siren should be retained. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should write a suitable letter to SLDC regarding retaining the tide siren at Arnside.

8465 Purchase of Parking Bollards and Combination Padlocks to deter the unauthorised use of the foreshore slipways:

The coastguards and fire service have agreed to bollards being used on the foreshore and it was generally felt that they were essential. It was RESOLVED to purchase 2 x SFDAT1 drop down Parking Bollards at £99.50 each (plus VAT) from Barriers Direct and 3 x Squire All Weather Combination Padlocks at £17.49 (inclusive of VAT). It was also RESOLVED that an additional Squire All Weather Combination Padlock be purchased for the existing barrier at New Barns.

8466 To receive a report regarding liaison with Arnside Parish Plan Trust:

Cllr Keefe felt that the presence of an Arnside Parish Councillor at APPT meetings was the best way forward regarding liaisons. However, the APPT request that the Cllr needs to be a trustee of APPT which presents considerable technical difficulties. Cllr Keefe has sent a letter to explain these difficulties to their Chairman and is waiting for a reply. The Chairman agreed that a Cllr should be nominated to attend their meetings with speaking but no voting rights and should not be a trustee of APPT.

8467 To consider a request from the AONB for a contribution, based upon the contents of the AONB Annual Report:

a). The Chairman stated that he was happy with the Report.

b). The Treasurer queried the donation amount of £950 as the budget is set for £900. An amendment was proposed by Cllr Casey and seconded by Cllr Colwell. It was therefore RESOLVED that a donation of £900 should be made under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

8468 To consider the RoSPA Report of the Playground:

The Chairman went through the Report and highlighted items needing attention as follows: (1) benches - impossible to replace slats in a concrete bench, they just need to be sanded down and preserved, (2) see-saw - this will be repainted for winter and the tiles on the ground need to be repaired, (3) climber and net - broken netting needs to be repaired and the tiles on the ground need to be reglued, (4) activity trail - projecting bolt thread on wobble plank needs to be planed down, the length of the worn chain links in the chain crossing needs to be adjusted and the timber should be preserved and monitored, (5) grass - the worn ground areas should be made good, (6) the slide has come to the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced (7) junior swings - new cradle seat needed and seat bolt-caps need to be replaced.

Cllr Baker reported that the EI would be prepared to grant a maximum grant of £5,000 which could be used to purchase a new slide. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Lishman attend the EI Committee Meeting on 10th November to give a presentation on behalf of APC to ask for a grant to purchase a new slide for the playground.

8469 To determine the long-term strategy for development of Parish Council property:

The Chairman reported that the Council needs to be aware of the property owned and to keep a yearly update of the state of things. Cllr Lishman felt it would be beneficial to conduct a survey of householders to determine what the Council should be developing in the future. The Chairman proposed that upon completion of the Cemetery Chapel project this item should be put onto the agenda again and discussed as the Council does not have sufficient funds to enter into another major project at the present time.

8470 To receive an update of the proposed Waste Water Transfer Scheme:

The Chairman reported that Station Road is now completed and open again after further re-surfacing. The white lines have been repainted and there are two new slow signs by the station. White lines have been repainted on The Promenade and 12 extra parking bays have been created. At present some repairs are being made to Back Lane. Weather permitting, the heavy plant vehicles should be out of Ashmeadow by the weekend.

8471 To receive reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a). Foreshore

The Chairman reported that (1) people had been camping on the beach over the weekend and lighting fires and suggested that a sign asking people to refrain from these activities be put up, (2) there have been more sewerage bursts at Beechwood, the previous repairs having been unsatisfactory, (3) nothing has yet been done regarding the emergency access for Network Rail on the beach car park.

b). Highways

The Chairman reported that (1) he would ask SLDC how often traffic wardens attend the village and feels Arnside could justify a car park, (2) the dropped kerb at the junction of Redhills Road is difficult to see on coming traffic, (3) dropped kerbs have also been put at Springfield junction, (4) Leighton Beck Bridge is dropping which causes problems for cars coming into the village, (5) it would be mentioned to Cllr Stewart that some pedestrian signs seem to be missing around the village and need to be replaced.

c). Playground Working Group

There was nothing further to report on the Playground.

d). Playing Field Advisory Committee

The Chairman reported that the gates should shortly be locked and will check that all relevant clubs using the field have keys.

e). Cemetery

Cllr Casey distributed a plan of the cemetery plots and indicated which ones were to be allocated for woodland burials. He also reported that (1) he would need to get clarification on the orchid situation with regards to the moving of grass and (2) he would like to increase burial charges to bring them into line with current rates.

f). Cemetery Chapel Development Committee

The minutes of the meeting held on 29th September had previously been distributed. Cllr Keefe reported that (1) the Treasure Hunt had not been well attended and had made £13.50 - Cllr Colwell was thanked for her considerable efforts and time, (2) the main services are to be installed in the chapel by the end of Autumn so it may be possible to use the chapel over winter, (3) money is needed, possibly from the AONB, for the Trench-Arch System, (4) the time schedule for completion of the project is hopefully one year, (5) there is a possibility that APC could have an office based at the chapel and this is to be discussed at the next CCDC meeting, (6) possibility of an electronic information centre and funding would be required for this.

The Chairman also reported that the removal of the asbestos on the garage roof had already started. It is unclear whether the quote from Carr Bank Nurseries includes the disposal of the asbestos.

g). Allotments

There was nothing to report.

h). QP Status Working Group

The application for Quality Parish status will be sent off by the Clerk.

I). Any other committee

There were no other committee reports.

8472 To receive items for information:

There were no items for information.

8473 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 14th November 2005 at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 4th November and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 7th November.
Jayne M Beaumont

Deputy Clerk to the Council