13th March 2006 
8577 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Parish Council Office, Church Hill, Arnside on Monday 13th March 2006. 

8578 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, Councillors, P E (Ted) Casey, S V (Sue) Gibson, K (Ken) Hargreaves, S R (Sue) Hewett, T (Terry) Keefe, R J (Ros) Lishman, P A (Pete) McSweeney, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart, District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins, P C Belinda Friend and 2 members of the public.

8579 Apologies for Absence:

Written apologies were received from Councillors J (Jack) Baker (holiday) and R G (Glyn) Jones (work commitments).  Verbal apologies were received from Councillor J (John) Gallagher (work commitments).

8580 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda: 

The Chairman declared his interest is agenda item 22.

8581 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

It was NOTED that Cllr Keefe’s name had been omitted from item 8572.  The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 13th February 2006 were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8582 a). It was NOTED that Mrs Susan Hewett and Mr Glyn Jones have been co-opted to this Council and have submitted their Declarations of Acceptance of Office.  These appointments were made by the Clerk under delegated powers in accordance with the unanimous recommendations of the six Members who attended the meeting of Councillors on Thursday 23rd February.
b). The new Councillors were subsequently welcomed to the Council. 

8583 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

It was NOTED that there were no matters arising.

8584 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

One member of the public reported that she was pleased to see that Leighton Beck Bridge has now been repaired.

8585 Police Report:

A written report had previously been circulated to members.  The report referred to (1) damage to the Promenade toilets, (2) damage to a vehicle windscreen wiper outside Meadowbank, (3) rolls of insulation taken from The Old Smithy, (4) burglary at Willacy’s office cabin where money was taken, (5) attendance to a personal attack alarm in Newbarns Road, (6) report of Hyundai car being driven erratically by railway station, (6) intelligence submitted following a passer-by believing they had witnessed a drug deal on the Promenade near the Fighting Cocks, (7) Isuzu Trooper seen acting suspiciously at Far Arnside, (8) elderly residents of Plantation Avenue becoming distressed due to youths throwing stones at windows and doorbells rung, (9) false burglar alarm in Redhills Road, (10) sudden death of elderly resident of Holly Bank but there were no suspicious circumstances, (11) report of youths playing football in the grounds of Arnside National School, (12) advice given to neighbourly dispute in Silverdale Road, (13) non-injury road accident in Silverdale Road when cyclist struck by car wing mirror, (14) complaint on Redhills Road from a woman regarding builders annoying her dogs and making then bark, therefore causing nuisance, (15) gentleman on Silverdale Road had a ‘visit’ from an elderly man who appeared to be confused and had been reported missing from Millom Court.

8586 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart’s report covered the following: (1) Cumbria County Council have received a Fair Trade award which was presented on Saturday 11th March at Keswick by George Alagaya, (2) Cllr Stewart had had a meeting with John Slee, the director of Capita, concerning Leighton Beck Bridge, who asked to express his apologies to Mrs Friend regarding the reply she had received from CCC, which Cllr Stewart has passed on to her, (3) Nick Raymond of CCC has estimated costings for a safety barrier at Leighton Beck Bridge at around £50,000 and a cheaper alternative is being looked into, however, in the meantime, CCC will provide bend warning signs and possibly two grit bins, (4) Cllr Stewart explained where money is to be spent at the Council - out of £500 million, half will be spent on education, half to social services (1/3 into the fire service, 1/3 into roads and 1/3 into libraries/economic development) An estimated £17 million will be spent on waste disposal, £10 million on landfill sites, almost £3 million on gritters, £12 million on highway maintenance throughout Cumbria and £354,000 on Cumbria sea fisheries, (5) a letter was handed to Cllr Stewart requesting double yellow lines outside the allotments on Silverdale Road, which residents are starting a campaign for, (6) the Chairman pointed out that there have recently been two accidents at Leighton Beck Bridge, (7) the Chairman also requested that Silverdale Road and Black Dyke Road be surface dressed again as the state of work undertaken is unsatisfactory, which Cllr Stewart has previously complained about to Amey who confirm that surface dressing can only be done during the ‘season’ which will possibly be May - the Chairman suggested some compensation as this had been done incorrectly in the first instance, (8) one Member asked for acknowledgement by CCC that there is a need for barriers at Leighton Beck Bridge and asked whether a temporary measure could be implemented if barriers are too expensive - Cllr Stewart confirmed that CCC acknowledge that there is a need for some sort of safety measure and will try to get that stretch of road into the Winter maintenance run.

8587 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins’ report covered the following: (1) Council Tax is to go up by 4.9% this year - Cllr Rollins is not happy with this and will continue to help propose savings wherever possible, (2) the tide siren will re-start again this year, although no date has yet been set, and will be operated by a retired gentleman from Storth - this is a short term measure and the SLDC are exploring longer term solutions with the Environment Agency - Cllr Rollins thanked APC, Beetham PC and the Coastguards for putting this case forwards.

8588 Finance:

(1)The Financial Summary for February was received and approved.
(2)It was RESOLVED that the Council’s banking arrangements are to be changed so that both accounts are with the Alliance & Leicester Bank in order to promote transfer efficiency, rather than a higher rate of interest.
(3)The Financial Regulations were unavailable, therefore, this item is deferred to April’s agenda.
(4)It was RESOLVED that any officer of the Council who provides a Broadband connection for Parish Council use and a *.arnside.gov.uk e-mail identity, an allowance of £15.00 per quarter.

8589 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1.  SLDC - Cumbria wind energy supplementary planning document.
2.  Boundary Committee - acknowledgement of further representations.
3.  SLDC - reply to Mrs Gina Murphy re lighting at Ashmeadow House.
4. Mr Colin Jex - further comments about blocking of slipways.
Members discussed the possibility of issuing day permits for holidaymakers wishing to sail with the possibility of permits being downloadable from the APC website.
5.  Ms Gillian Wilson - claim for compensation re flooding of car.
It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should write an appropriate reply.
6. FLAG - newsletter, February.
7.  NALC - “Local Council Review”, March.
8.  Countryside Agency - “Countryside Focus”, Winter.
9.  AONB - “Waymarker”, March.
10.  Environment Agency - “Your Environment”, Feb-April.
11. Landscape Trust - “Keer to Kent”, Spring.

8590 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/2005/0442 - 2 Parkside Drive - extension to domestic garage (retrospective).
SL/2006/0020 - Cambridge House, Ashmeadow Road - change of use from part residential and part children’s day nursery to sole residential use.
c). The following applications were considered and it was RESOLVED that comments should be made as indicated:
SL/2006/0161 - Arnside National C of E School, Church Hill - single storey extension: NO OBJECTIONS.
SL/2006/0185 - Holgates Caravan Park Ltd, Cove Road, Silverdale - alterations and extension to form new offices: Members felt that this extension was too encroaching and would have no objection to this being at the rear of the property rather than the front.
d). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting:
SL/2006/0022 - 4 Swinnate Road - dormer window: REFUSED.
SL/2006/0026 12 Plantation Grove - single storey rear extension and alteration to flat roof to form pitched roof: GRANTED.
SL/2005/1422 - Yew Tree, New Barns Road - single storey rear extension and rear dormer extension: GRANTED.
SL/2005/1417 - 47 The Promenade - windows to gable elevation and installation of two rooflights: GRANTED.
SL/2005/0894 - Netherleigh, Mount Pleasant - dormer window: GRANTED.

8591 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that trees obstructing the light pipes at the Cemetery Chapel have been removed by Westmorland Tree Care Ltd.

8592 Elections to Committees:

Finance Committee - there were no volunteers for this vacancy.
Internal Audit Committee - leave vacant until APCM.
Cemetery Chapel Development Committee - all Councillors are automatically Members.
Playing Field Advisory Committee - all Councillors are automatically Members.
Arnside Knott Management Committee - all Councillors are automatically Members.
CALC South Lakeland Committee - Cllr Hewitt volunteered for one post, there is one other vacancy.

8593 Confirmation of Appointment of Mrs Jayne Beaumont as Deputy Clerk/Deputy RFO:

It was RESOLVED that the appointment of Mrs Jayne Beaumont as Deputy Clerk/Deputy RFO was confirmed following her satisfactory period on probation.

8594 Proposed amendments to Standing Orders:

It was NOTED that the proposed amendments to Standing Orders will be considered at the April Ordinary Council Meeting.

8595 Terms of new Contracts of Employment for the Clerk/RFO and Deputy Clerk/RFO:

Consideration was given to the new terms of Contracts of Employment for the Clerk/RFO and Deputy Clerk/RFO and it was RESOLVED that these were accepted.
8596 Authorised Bank Signatories:

(a) It was RESOLVED that Mrs Jayne Beaumont and Mr Peter Challenor become authorised signatories (other than for signing cheques) for the Community Instant Access Deposit Account at the Alliance & Leicester Bank with immediate effect.
(b) It was RESOLVED that the following Members become authorised signatories (for signing cheques) at the Alliance & Leicester Bank: Councillors David Willacy, Terence Keefe, Edward Casey and Peter McSweeney, as from 1st April 2006.

8597 Certificate in Local Council Administration:
(a) It was NOTED that the Deputy Clerk, Mrs Jayne Beaumont, has indicated her willingness to undertake the necessary studies, leading up to the award of the Certificate in Local Council Administration.
(b) It was RESOLVED to authorise any such expenditure as may be desirable in pursuit of these studies without further reference to the Council.

8598 Constitution for proposed Cemetery Chapel Management and Users Advisory Committee:

Members felt it was important that Cllr Casey as Cemetery Custodian should be involved in this Committee and should not feel responsible to the same Committee.  It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should make reference to this in the Constitution.  Concern was expressed about the use of ‘Management’ in the title and it was RESOLVED that the title should be amended to read ‘Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee’.  Many Members were keen to be involved in the Committee, however, no volunteer to act as Chairman came forward. 

8599 Tide Siren:

As previously mentioned in 8587 Cllr Rollins confirmed that the Tide Siren will be re-commencing this year, although a date has not yet been set.  Cllr Rollins will look into this.  The Chairman thanked Cllr Rollins for his work in this matter on behalf of APC.

8600 External Lighting at Ashmeadow House:

The Chairman handed the meeting over to the Vice-Chairman.  The letter from Mrs Gina Murphy and reply from Mrs Kate Bellwood of SLDC were considered and after discussion the Council were of the agreement that the general feeling was that the lighting is too bright for the purposes for which it is intended.  However, with regards to the conifers, the Council felt that they were in keeping with the gardens and property.  As the Trustees of Ashmeadow House have not officially been made aware of Mrs Murphy’s complaint, it was RESOLVED that the Clerk should write to Mrs Murphy requesting that she forward her original letter and reply from Mrs Bellwood to the Trustees in order that they are made fully aware of the situation.  The Vice-Chairman handed the meeting back to the Chairman.

8601 Employment of Parish Lengthsman:

It was RESOLVED that it would be incorrect to contemplate employing a Parish Lengthsman when this Council already employs a contractor.

8602 Cleaning the Foreshore:

There are often broken bottles, glass, litter and various other debris found on the foreshore and apart from volunteers to clean this up, no suggestions were made for an efficient beach clearing system.  It was RESOLVED that Members should all give this matter some thought.

8603 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that (1) United Utilities have now demolished the old pumping station but have left two heaps of rubble, which he will investigate, (2) Norweb need to come and demolish the small electricity building, (3) Back Lane has again been dug up, (4) Network Rail still haven’t removed the rubbish they were asked to six month ago, (5) the tide siren is to re-commence, (6) the bottom slipway will not be padlocked until United Utilities have completed their work.
b).  Highways
The Chairman reported that (1) Leighton Beck Bridge has now been repaired but there have been two recent accidents, (2) a street light on Silverdale Road has a bit hanging off, due to trees, (3) the street light on Black Dyke Road is still not working although CCC now have a suitable machine to fix this, (4) a tree has snapped off down the bridlepath and is partially blocking the way - it is the responsibility of the landowner to remove this.
c).  Playground Working Group
Cllr Gibson reported that (1) a plan has been received from Wicksteed which will be left in the Parish Council office for perusal together with brochures detailing the play equipment; this scheme is more involved than the first plan from Playdale, with an estimated cost of £96,385, (2) Cllr Gibson is to follow up a third quote, (3) it is hoped to hold a Playground Working Group Meeting during the week beginning 10th April.
d).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Gibson reported that she is concerned about the broken cricket screen - the Chairman confirmed that this will be taken away this week by a scrap metal merchant.  It was reported that the cemetery garage doors are outside the football club - the Chairman to see if anything can be done with them.  A toilet attendant is required to clean the toilets during the summer months, which shouldn’t be unlocked until an attendant is found - this to be advertised in the Broadsheet.
e).  Cemetery
Cllr Casey reported that (1) there has been one burial, (2) fees are due in for headstones, (3) Fishwicks funeral directors are having difficulty moving the hearse round parts of the cemetery ; Stephensons are providing a quote for hardcore to build up the path - Cllr Casey to also ask the gravedigger for a quote.
f).  Cemetery Chapel Development Committee
Cllr McSweeney reported that (1) when the AONB grant is received shortly the works can be completed and the building will be habitable, however, there will be no toilets, kitchen or car park, (2) Parish Council meetings will be able to take place in the Cemetery Chapel from May onwards, (3) approximately £9 - £11,000 needs to be raised for the toilet, car park and kitchen - the car park (approx £6,000) should be completed before the bad weather - this needs a disabled parking area and must be tarmacked, (5) Cllrs McSweeney and Keefe have been looking into fundraising options together with the Clerk.
g).  Allotments
Cllr Lishman has completed the rent notices which will be sent out shortly.
h).  Any other committee
There were no other reports.

8604 To receive items for information:

(1) The Chairman requested anything for the next newsletter to be given to him by the end of March.
(2) A copy of a letter received from Knowles and Co solicitors concerning an accident when the Council’s tractor had hit a car had been received and a copy will be forwarded to the Council’s insurance company.
(3) Cllr Keefe was requested to ask a representative from AONB to speak at the Parish Assembly on 27th April.

8605 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 10th April 2006 at 7.15pm.  Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday 31st March 2006 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 3rd March 2006.

 

 

Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council