12th December 2005

8502 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside on Monday 12th December 2005.

8503 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, Councillors, J (Jack) Baker, P E (Ted) Casey, J M (Jean) Colwell, K (Ken) Hargreaves, T (Terry) Keefe, R J (Ros) Lishman, the Clerk - P G (Peter) Challenor, the Treasurer - A (Tony) Cookson, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins, P C Tony Suart and 2 members of the public.

8504 Apologies for Absence:

Written apologies were received from Councillors, S V (Sue) Gibson (family commitments) and P A (Pete) McSweeney (work commitments). Verbal apologies were received from Councillor J (John) Gallagher and County Councillor Ian Stewart (work commitments). Councillor P (Pat) Pierce did not attend the meeting.

8505 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

It was NOTED that there were no declarations of interest.

8506 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The minutes of the Special Meeting held on 7th November and the Ordinary Meeting held on 14th November 2005 were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8507 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

With reference to 8499 b) (2), Cllr Keefe has spoken to Ian Henderson regarding the views of AONB concerning the necessity for a car park in Arnside. Although it is the policy of the AONB to encourage the use of public transport to and from the village, they have no objection to a car park.

8508 Receipt of Resignations from Councillors Colwell and Pierce with effect immediately following 31st December 2005:

The Chairman thanked Cllr Colwell for her work on the Council over the last 10 and a half years and on the Playing Field and Finance committees. Cllr Pierce was also thanked for her work on the Council and the Playing Field Committee.

8509 Matters raised by Members of the Public for consideration:

One member of the public pointed out that the piece of road by Leighton Beck bridge is very dangerous, particularly when approaching Arnside, as in icy weather it is not gritted and there have recently been two accidents caused by cars skidding and veering off into the ditch - the former hedge has now been removed and there are no replacement barriers at present. She felt that this matter needed to be looked into. South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council and Arnside Parish Council will all deal with the matter alongside the police. It was also pointed out that the hedge running alongside Station Road needs to be cut back as it is often difficult to walk along the pavement.

8510 Police Report:

A written report had previously been circulated to members by PC Alan Salter, who was unable to attend the meeting. PC Tony Suart attended in PC Salter’s absence. The report referred to (1) Arnside Sailing Club was broken into in November when a DVD player, cash and alcohol were stolen, (2) a gate was damaged on Arnside Knott, (3) an Apollo ATB youth’s mountain bike was stolen from a driveway in Hollins Lane and later found abandoned in Briery Bank, (4) fence panels were damaged in Inglemere Gardens and this appears to be a regular occurrence, (5) Carr Bank Garden Centre was broken into in November and computer equipment and other items stolen, (6) a caravan disappeared from Hollins Farm, Far Arnside and enquiries are ongoing, (7) icy roads caused three vehicles to leave the road near to the level crossings but nobody was hurt - police to follow this up with Highways Department, (8) two suspicious males were seen in a red Ford Transit van in Redhills Road, taking an interest in a parked car, (9) two vehicles have been parked near the entrance to the beach car park for some time - it is not clear on whose land they are but if it is a public place SLDC will be required to attach seven day notices to the vehicles and have them removed - enquiries are in hand to trace the owners, (10) a male who had left Arnside in a Transit van was arrested for drink driving a short distance from Arnside, (11) with Christmas nearly upon us, this is probably an opportune time to remind residents of the following:

Not to advertise any absence from home or display unattended Christmas presents beneath the Christmas tree or in full view to anyone who may call (who is not Santa Claus)!! Keep them all out of sight until at least Christmas Eve.

We are lucky enough to live in a relatively low crime area. This just highlights the fact that we do not have much of a criminal element living amount us but we must not become complacent and forget that others can and could travel to us. South Cumbria has excellent transport and communication links with Cumbria divided by the longest stretch of M6 in the Country. So please don’t sit back thinking it only happens to others as seen on TV and in the newspapers - IT COULD HAPPEN HERE.

So the message is, have a Happy Christmas, keep an eye open, not only on yourselves but also on your neighbours. Report to the Police anything you regard as out of the ordinary or suspicious. Last year there were several reported burglaries in the area, where the theft of unattended Christmas presents was the sole object of the crime. Also remember the elderly among us who live alone, often find this a lonely time and often become depressed. So if you have somebody living near you in similar circumstances, please keep an eye on them and make sure they have the chance to enjoy the festive season.

8511 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

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

8512 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins’ report covered the following: (1) the problem of gritting on minor roads and the erection of safety barriers will be looked into, (2) the new ward boundaries for the District Council are being drawn up at present with the key issue being fair representation for the elector - the Boundary Commission are unlikely to accept Arnside as a ward in it’s own right with two councillors as this would be an over representation of 24% and the Cllr Rollins feels the best option would be to leave the ward as it is at present, (3) a recycling booklet is to be delivered to all households, (4) cash offices for payment of rates are to be closed down from 31st January 2006 due to their being uneconomical, (5) the arboricultural policy is currently being drawn up and there needs to be more community involvement in letting SLDC know which trees are to be preserved, (6) there is a copy of the Local Development Framework on display at the library, however no document had been received by the APC and therefore it was not in a position to forward comments as requested, (7) two sites are being looked at for affordable housing, being Barnes Playing Field, which SLDC believe could afford approximately 5 small units, and Brickpond Field on Black Dyke Road - Vital Village Housing Group of APPT have been asked for their comments - Cllr Rollins to update both APPT and APC simultaneously of development, (8) the Chairman reported that there was now even more rubbish at New Barns, with the asbestos, and the Environmental Agency are now dealing with this - Cllr Rollins to continue to pursue this matter, (9) no report back as yet on the tide siren - there is to be a meeting regarding this in January when a decision should be made as somebody needs to be employed to sound the siren by March 2006.

8513 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for November was received and approved.

(2) After much discussion on the determination of policies for the use of Reserves as a means of reducing the budget for 2006/07, Cllr Keefe put forward the following proposal:

The policy of the Council is that when it would be proposing an increase in the Precept significantly above the level of inflation, it should consider using Reserves in order to reduce the budget for the forthcoming year.

This was seconded by Cllr Lishman and the decision RESOLVED unanimously.

Cllr Colwell proposed that £1,400 be taken out of the General Contingency account in order to reduce the Precept, and this was seconded by Cllr Casey. This was RESOLVED unanimously.

(3) It was RESOLVED to increase the Chairmans’s Allowance to £175 per annum to take account of the donation to the Royal British Legion, in respect of the annual donation for a Remembrance Wreath.

8514 Correspondence:

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

1.       Charity Commission - acknowledgement of registration application.

2.       Cllr Cowell - resignation (agenda item).

3.       CALC -South Lakeland AGM.

4.       Remuneration Panel - acknowledgement of written representation.

5.       The Boundary Committee - acknowledgement of representation.

6.       Great North Air Ambulance Service - request for donation.

          It was RESOLVED that no donation should be sent.

7.       Charity Commission - further enquiries.

8.       Mrs Doig - letter of thanks for assistance after fall.

          It was NOTED that Cllr Lishman was thanked.

9.       Cllr Pierce - resignation (agenda item).

10.     Cumbria Accreditation Panel - notice of QP success.

The Chairman thanked those Councillors involved in helping to obtain Quality Parish status. The Clerk and Treasurer were also thanked and the Clerk congratulated on his qualification. It was NOTED that APC is the first council in the South Lakes to obtain this award.

11.     Clerks and Councils Direct - November.

12.     CALC - Circular, November.

13.     CALC - results of functions survey.

14.     CALC - full functions survey.

15.     CALC - QP update.

16.     Mr McQueen - email re Local Transport Plan.

17.     Environment Agency - “Your Environment”, Nov - Jan.

18.     SLDC - draft Statement of Community Involvement.

19.     Landscape Trust - “Keer to Kent”, Autumn/Winter.

20.     AONB - “Waymarker”, November.

21.     Countryside Agency - “Countryside Focus”, Autumn.

22.     CCC - Cumbria Highways, Working Together, Autumn.

23.     Voluntary Action Cumbria - Annual Report.

24.     AONB - “Waymarker”, December/January.

25.     CCC - Countryside Access Strategy.

8515 Planning Matters:

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

SL/2005/1225 - Ashmeadow, The Promenade - timber shed: OBJECTIONS on the grounds that the proposed shed will block the permissive path, provided by the Barnes Charitable Trust, to enable residents and visitors to gain access to the Ashmeadow Woodlands from the western end of the Promenade.

SL/2005/1224 - Ashmeadow, The Promenade - illuminated sign: NO COMMENTS (out of time).

SL/2005/1264 - 18 Stewart Close: NO COMMENTS (out of time).

b). It was NOTED that there were no applications to be considered at this meeting.

c). It was NOTED that the following decisions had been taken by the District Council since the last meeting:

SL/2005/0991 - Fife Lodge, 70 Silverdale Road - extension and alterations to house, re-site access and new garage: GRANTED.

SL/2005/1148 - High Ridge, Mount Pleasant - extension and alteration to detached garage: GRANTED.

SL/2005/1115 - Stonycroft, Stonycroft Drive - alterations, new dormer windows and conversions of flats to form one dwelling: GRANTED.

S;/2005/1017 -Woodbine Cottage, Black Dyke Road - two storey extension: GRANTED..

8516 Urgent action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that no action has been taken.

8517 Cemetery Chapel Chimney Stack:

It was felt that the quote received for the removal of the chimney stack was too high at £950 plus VAT and a decision could be made through email if other quotes are to be obtained. Further clarification is also needed with regard to the re-using of the stone from the chimney stack. It was therefore RESOLVED that the Clerk would email all Councillors for their decision on the quote.

8518 Request from Cllr Henderson (Silverdale) for assistance in establishing a public right of way along a track           from Eaves Wood to Black Dyke Road:

It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would write to the owner of Dallam Estate, which owns the land in question, asking permission for the footpath to become a public right of way.

8519 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a). Foreshore

The Chairman reported that (1) Beechwood is now connected to the new sewerage system and other properties will be connected shortly, (2)the footpath adjacent to the pumping station is reinstated.

b). Highways

The Chairman reported that (1) Leighton Beck Bridge is collapsing and is a problem with no satisfactory answer being received from CCC regarding this and the erection of a safety barrier, (2) Promenade railings adjacent to the second slipway were damaged in January, (3) the disabled parking bay near the pier requires ‘disabled’ wording in white markings, (4) limited parking signs are now up by the station.

c). Playground Working Group

Cllr Baker reported that there has recently been a meeting with Playdale and some plans for a new play scheme are to be left in the Parish Office - the opinion of the surveyors was that the whole scheme should be replace which would cost around £45,000 for which there is funding available.

d). Playing Field Advisory Committee

Cllr Baker reported that there had been no meeting and was therefore nothing to report.

e). Cemetery

Cllr Casey reported a quiet month.

f). Cemetery Chapel Development Committee

The minutes of the meeting held on 1st December had previously been distributed. Cllr Keefe reported on issues relating to the use of the chapel in the future. The current state of the CCD is currently over £16,000 in credit.

g). Allotments

Cllr Lishman reported that (1) one more person has applied to be put on the waiting list for an allotment, (2) permission has been given for a plot sharing partner to be named as tenant, (3) one rent is outstanding, (4) there has been a request to look into ways to stop the deer eating the vegetables but this was thought to be impractical as the cost of a perimeter fence would be too great, (5) there have been a few complaints about the rent increase and Cllr Lishman asked for clarification on this matter as to where the figure have come from - although the water charge per annum is low, the cost of the contractor is a hidden cost and the plots work out at approximately 50p per week which was felt to be a reasonable amount by the Council.

h). Any other committee

Cllr Keefe reported that the CCDC had been represented at the Kent Estuary Forum and had asked for £1,000 towards the fund.

8520 To receive items for information:

Cllr Casey asked for permission to put information about Burton-in-Kendal’s Education Foundation in February’s broadsheet. This was granted.

8521 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 9th January 2006 at 7.15pm. Items for the agenda and reports to reach the Clerk before Thursday 29th December 2005.

 

Jayne M Beaumont

Deputy Clerk to the Council