10th April 2006 
8606 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside on Monday 10th April 2006. 

8607 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, Councillors J (Jack) Baker, S V (Sue) Gibson, K (Ken) Hargreaves, S R (Sue) Hewett, R G (Glyn) Jones, T (Terry) Keefe, R J (Ros) Lishman, the Clerk - P G (Peter) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart and 5 members of the public.

8608 Apologies for Absence:

Written apologies were received from Councillors P A (Pete) McSweeney (holiday), P E (Ted) Casey (choral commitment) and District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins (work commitment).  Verbal apologies were received from Councillor J P (John) Gallagher (coastguard duty).

8609 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda: 

There were no declarations of Members’ interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda.

8610 Minutes of the Previous Meeting/Special Meeting:

Minutes of the Special Meeting held on Thursday 16th February and the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 13th March were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8611 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

It was NOTED that there were no matters arising.

8612 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

Mr Colin Jex spoke on the issue of the public access to the foreshore via the slipway.  He asked why there had never been a ‘No Parking’ sign placed there and suggested that the public assume the slipway is not in use as it is chained off, plus there are inadequate noticeboards, the emergency access sign being old and damaged.  Mr Jex advised the Council that there was nothing that could be done about Personalised Water Craft (PWC) as they could launch anywhere, however, he suggested that Arnside is not the place for jetskiers as there is too much mud and the Lakes would be their preferred place.  Mr Jex advised that as the slipways were built for public access to the river over 100 years ago, it presents the visitor wishing to launch their sailcraft with a bad and unfriendly impression of Arnside.  Mr Jex pointed out that 3/4 of the beach is not APC property and it has therefore blocked off access to other property.  Mr Jex asked that APC reconsiders its decision to block the slipway and to take into account more local and legal knowledge on this issue.  He suggested that the chains and poles could be taken down in such a way that they could be easily erected again if a major problem with jetskiers should occur.  Mr Jex also suggested that a ‘No Parking’ sign be erected and the emergency access sign replaced.

8613 Police Report:

A written report was circulated to members.  The report referred to (1) theft of rolls of loft insulation, (2) damage to wing mirror of VW Golf, (3) storage cupboard broken into and paint thrown about, (4) elderly man found wandering at Cornercroft, Silverdale Road, (5) lady in Briery Bank having problems with youths causing nuisance, (6) a lady from Kings Close having problems with her teenage son, (7) an incident regarding two vehicles being driven on The Knott, (8) a suspicious incident on The Promenade after a male was seen continually ringing the doorbell of a vulnerable adult, (9) Royal Mail bag found in King Close, (10) report of excessively loud music at The Fighting Cocks Hotel, (11) report for concern of the welfare of a man living on Briery Bank later found to be safe and well, (12) police attendance at The Fighting Cocks Hotel regarding a man who wouldn’t leave on request of staff, (13) police attendance to a false personal attack alarm at Averys.

8614 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart’s report covered the following: (1) there is to be an industrial tribunal to settle pay regarding CC employees, (2) in response to Government consultation, there will be many nuclear issues in the near future -however, more information needs to be made available before a conclusion can be made, with the West Coast of Cumbria being a potential site.

8615 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins did not attend the meeting.  However, Cllr Stewart reported on behalf of SLDC on the following: (1) Cllr Stewart has become a member of the Budget Steering Working Group which is intended to make £1.3million savings for next year’s budget, (2) the Chairman reported to Cllr Stewart that the testing for the tide siren had been done at an inappropriate time as it was six minutes before high tide on the highest tide of the year, therefore the tide had already come in.

8616 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for March was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
Mrs S Horncastle (office cleaning)       £10.00   (651)
EON (lighting for Xmas tree on Pier)      £34.38   (652)
P Challenor (quarterly expenses)       £144.22  (653)
J Beaumont (quarterly expenses)       £338.25  (654)
CALC (training expenses for Cllrs Jones and Hewitt and J Beaumont - CiLCA)    £70.00   (655)
EI (rent for room)        £515.00  (656)
APC (transfer from Reserve a/c)       £2,000.00  (011)
CALC (annual subscription)       £264.50  (657)
APC (transfer from Reserve a/c)       £1,000.00  (012)

8617 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1.  Mr Vic Gray - letter expressing views about affordable housing.
2.  Mr Dick Brown - letter recommending a baggage crossing at Arnside Station.
3.  Clerks and Council Direct - March.
4. SLDC - notice of adoption of alterations to Local Plan.
5.  CALC - Circular, March
6. Vitalise - request for donation.
It was RESOLVED that a donation would not be sent.
7.  Cumbria in Bloom - invitation for 2006.
8.  SLDC - remuneration for parish councillors.
9.  Mrs M Robinson - letter about parking of cars opposite to allotments.

8618 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 insufficient responses to be able to make comment on the following applications:
SL/2006/0236 - Eversley, Hollins Lane single storey extension to include granny flat.
SL/2006/0218 - 47 Church Hill - alternations to form garage.
c). The following applications were considered and it was RESOLVED that comments should be made as indicated:
SL/2006/0327 - 10 Stewart Close -  two storey side extension - NO OBJECTIONS.
d). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting:
SL/2006/0161 - Arnside National C of E School, Church Hill - single storey extension: GRANTED.
SL/2006/0060 - Cambridge House, Ashmeadow Road - change of use from part residential and part children’s day nursery to sole residential use: GRANTED.
SL/2006/0442 - 2 Parkside Drive - extension to domestic garage (retrospective): GRANTED.
SL/2006/0185 - Holgates Caravan Park Ltd, Cove Road, Silverdale - alterations and extension to form new offices: GRANTED.

8619 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that:
(1) office furniture at £486 plus handling charge has been ordered and
(2) computer, etc at a total of £587 + VAT (three quotes were invited) has been ordered.

8620 Election of Chairman for Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee:

It was RESOLVED that Cllr Hewitt take on this role.  It was further RESOLVED that the Vice Chairman should normally be the Cemetery Custodian, but not necessarily so, and some discretion as to whom takes on the role may be appropriate.

8621 Confirmation of Office Opening of Refurbished Cemetery Chapel:

It is confirmed that the official opening of the refurbished Cemetery Chapel will be on Saturday 10th June.  A formal invitation is to be sent to Tim Farron, MP, who will perform the official opening probably sometime between 12noon and 1pm (subject to confirmation).

8622 Proposed amendments to Financial Regulations:

It was RESOLVED that the proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations be accepted.

8623 Proposed amendments to Standing Orders:
It was RESOLVED that the proposed amendments to the Standing Orders be accepted.

8624 Confirmation of amended Constitution for the Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee:

After discussion on the role of the Cemetery Custodian it was RESOLVED that the amended Constitution should be further amended to incorporate that the Custodian should provide advice and guidance as well as Cemetery management.

8625 Minutes of APPT Board Meeting, 15th March 2006:

The Minutes of the APPT Board Meeting held on 15th March 2006 were noted.  After being invited to speak by the Chairman, Mr Brian Walker, of APPT reassured members of the Council that any Councillors attending APPT meetings would be made most welcome and be allowed to participate fully in meetings.

8626 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that (1) there is a car parked on the foreshore with no tax, (2) three seats have been donated to be placed on the foreshore, (3) United Utilities have now completed the slipway at Beechwood.
b).  Highways
The Chairman reported that (1) the road surfacing continues with work recently being carried out on Black Dyke Road.

c).  Playground Working Group
Cllr Gibson reported that (1) a further playground manufacturer will be met in May, (2) further details will follow regarding a date for a meeting of the Working Group.

d).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Baker enquired about the vacancy of toilet cleaner, which has not yet been filled.  It was RESOLVED that the Playing Field Advisory Committee meeting due for Tuesday 25th April would be postponed until a later date.  The Chairman reported that there had been some vandalism on the field over the weekend when glass bottles, asbestos and wood with nails in were all found and which could cause injury to playing field users - he requested that residents adjacent to the field should be vigilant and inform police of any nuisances when they occur.

e).  Cemetery
Cllr Casey did not attend the meeting therefore there was no report.

f).  Cemetery Chapel Development Committee
Cllr Keefe reported that (1) the pews have now been removed from the Chapel prior to the electrical work being carried out, with one pew being retained, (2) the official opening ceremony is planned for Saturday 10th June when Tim Farron, MP will attend - Cllr Hewitt and Mrs Rachel Dutfield are organising the proceedings for this event, (3) Cllrs Keefe and McSweeney met with the Clerk to discuss funding issues for which there are a number of options available - approximately a further £11,000 is required, (4) after a discussion about the concern regarding the need for a toilet in the Chapel, for which more funds need to be raised, it was RESOLVED that toilets should be hired for the opening ceremony and the Clerk is to contact a suitable firm.

g).  Allotments
Cllr Lishman reported that (1) most of the rent money has been received for this year, (2) nobody has relinquished their plot, therefore, there are still no vacancies.

h).  Any other committee
Cllr Keefe reported that the AONB Strategy Group are in the process of formulating a strategy document regarding tourism which will be sent to APC once available.

8627 To receive items for information:

(1) The Chairman advised that he has a list of future Cross Bay Walks which he will display on noticeboards for information.

8628 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 8th May 2006 at 7.15pm.  Items for the agenda and reports to reach the Clerk before Friday 28th April 2006.

 
Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council