12th June 2006

8663 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 12th June 2006.

8664 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, Councillors J (Jack) Baker, P E (Ted) Casey, S V (Sue) Gibson, K (Ken) Hargreaves, S R (Sue) Hewett, R G (Glyn) Jones, T (Terry) Keefe, R J (Ros) Lishman, P A (Pete) McSweeney, the Clerk - P G (Peter) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk - J M (Jayne) Beaumont, District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins. and 1 member of the public.

8665 Apologies for Absence:

Verbal apologies were received from Councillor J P (John) Gallagher and County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart.

8666 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

Cllr Hewitt declared that she had an interest in item 11 b) - SL/2006/0528 - 1 Meadow Bank - extensions and alterations.

8667 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Monday 8th May were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8668 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

The Chairman informed the meeting that the tide siren had not been sounded at the weekend and the coastguards had subsequently been called out to persons caught in the tide at New Barns. There is growing concern about the fact that SLDC seemingly do not want to continue to operate this service which has been highlighted by the fact that the position of tide siren operator has not been advertised. The Chairman proposed that a letter be written to SLDC asking whey this position had not been advertised and if they have decided not to sound the siren at weekends; the letter should also emphasise the dangers of failure to sound the siren, such as have recently occurred. A copy to be send to Cllr Rollins for his information.

8669 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

The following were reported: (1) although the grass verge has now been cut along Black Dyke Road it is still too high and the road sign cannot be seen, (2) there are still a number of potholes around the village which are unfilled, (3) the railings on the promenade are still unsightly and it was asked if they would be repaired, (4) the station hedge requires trimming, (5) the stone wall near the bus stop on station road is breaking up, (6) the playing field toilets are in a terrible state, (7) there was a suggestion that the national press be contacted regarding the tide siren and the attitude of SLDC towards it. Cllr Casey reported on behalf of Mrs Ruby Smith what a marvellous event the Cemetery Chapel Open Day had been.

8670 Police Report:

A written report was circulated to Members. The report referred to: (1) theft of power tools from a building site, (2) a man arrested for trying to steal a car, (3) a man arrested in possession of two imitation firearms, (4) a car badly scratched on the bonnet whilst parked, (5) two men arrested following a fight outside the football club, (6) a resident spotting two youths in her garden at 6.30am, (7) door to door fish sellers reported and found to be in order after checks were made, (8) a suspicious male seen around Silverdale Road and Briery Bank, (9) a large group of youths drinking on the beach, (10) planks stolen from the grounds of Ashmeadow but later discovered to have been borrowed, (11) two men in a maroon Ford Escort acting suspiciously, (12) local youths thought to be responsible for egg throwing in Church Hill, (13) several incidents of sheep on the road, (14) persons driving around the quarry at the end of Queens Drive, (15) noise from several youths on the playing field in the early hours, (16) Milnthorpe Police in conjunction with Dallam School and Capita are running a sponsored cross bay walk on 19th July which is expected to include approximately 800 people. Cllr Casey enquired as to whether all the people patronising the football club when the football is being shown are actually members.

8671 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

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

8672 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins report covered the following:- (1) the tide siren issue will be taken up with SLDC; any photographs of crowds of people using the beach would be useful as evidence to support the case, (2) with relation to the proposed barbecue at the Fighting Cocks on Sunday 18th June, the licence for the establishment is currently for indoor and outdoor food and music on their own premises between the hours of 12 noon and midnight, however, dancing is restricted to indoors only.
8673 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for May was received and approved.
(2) The Clerk was authorised to purchase the 7th Edition of Local Council Administration by Charles Arnold -Baker at £48.00 + £5.00 postage. The 6th Edition to be handed to the Deputy Clerk.
(3) It was NOTED that an ‘emergency cheque’ for £7,050.00 was paid to L Stephenson & Son to cover outstanding work at the Cemetery Chapel. The cheque was signed by Cllrs Willacy and Lishman.
(4) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
United Utilities (water for allotments (£15.93) and cricket pavilion (£32.25)) £48.18 (671)
Arnside WI Hall Committee (room hire for Parish Assembly) £15.00 (672)
OES (toner for photocopier) £31.73 (673)
SLDC (rates for store on playing field) £59.61 (674)
The Society of Local Council Clerks (7th Edition of Council Admin Book) £53.00 (675)
Mrs S Horncastle (office cleaning for 8th and 23rd May) £10.00 (676)
Mr P Challenor ( wages for April (STD failure)) £513.60 (677)
Mr D Willacy (Chairman’s allowance left over from 2005/06) £32.50 (678)
TT Carpets Ltd (flooring for toilet in Cemetery Chapel) £405.38 (679)
Mr P McSweeney (reimbursement for Chapel keys and paint materials) £339.63 (680)
Halifax Credit Card Ltd (reimbursement to J Beaumont for insurance) £2,164.31 (015)
APC (transfer to deposit account) £3,000.00 (014)
L Stephenson & Son (electrical works carried out at Chapel) £4,700.00 (015)

8674 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1. Village Society - suggestion for location of new library (email reply sent).
2. SLDC Planning - copy of letter re decking at The Albion.
3. APPT - agenda for ordinary meeting on 17th May.
4. APPT - minutes of meeting 15th March.
5. APPT - review of activities during 2005/06.
Members were concerned regarding the wording of this document and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk would ascertain whether the document was intended for initial inspection by APC only, with a report to be given back to APPT, prior to its release to the public.
6. APPT - financial agenda for AGM.
7. APPT - accounts.
8. APPT - budget 2006/07
9. SLDC - letter re Register of Interests (email reply sent).
10. Tim Farron MP - response of Network Rail to request for information about barrow crossings.
11. EI - reply re termination of lease (reply sent).
12. Landscape Trust - grant to commemorate 20th Anniversary (agenda item).
13. CALC - agenda for South Lakeland district, 15th June.
14. SLDC - notice of 1st revision to Local Development Scheme.
15. Cricket Club - request for a reduction in rent (agenda item).
16. Mr John Stride - donation to cemetery chapel development fund (email reply sent).
17. Rev William Ross -complaint about the state of Red Hills Road pavement (reply sent).
18. Cumbria Playing Fields Association - request for affiliation fees.
It was RESOLVED that the annual fee of £19.00 would not be renewed.
19. CALC - Circular, May.
20. Cumbria Community Foundation - Spring Newsletter.
21. AONB - Waymarker, May.
22. AONB - Waymarker, June.
23. War Memorials Trust - news release about Somme Day.
24. AONB -notice of increase in charges.
25. Clerks and Councils Direct - May.
26. Nationwide Fire Training - certificate for servicing of fire extinguishers.
27. Environment Agency -Your Environment, May - July.

8675 Planning Matters:

a). It was NOTED that the following applications have been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25 since the last meeting.
SL/2006/0484 - Arnside Sailing Club, 19 The Promenade - extension to accommodate disabled facility and refurbishment of existing toilets: NO OBJECTIONS.
SL/20060450 - Flat 2, The Moorings, 56 The Promenade - certificate of lawfulness for use of part of property as a self-contained flat: NO OBJECTIONS.
b). It was RESOLVED that NO OBJECTIONS was offered for the following applications:
SL/2006/0566 - 61 Plantation Avenue - front porch.
SL/2006/0528 - 1 Meadow Bank - extensions and alterations.
SL/2006/0579 -Arnside Memorial Playing Fields - formation of a multiwheel park area.
SL/2006/0605 - 17 Plantation Avenue - re-siting of existing patio doors to form bay window.
c). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting:
SL/2006/0327 - 10 Stewart Close - two storey side extension: GRANTED.
SL/2006/0236 - Eversley, Hollins Lane - single storey extension to include granny flat: GRANTED.

8676 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that:
(1) very urgent authority was given for the Deputy Clerk to pay for the renewal of the tractor insurance using her credit card and to claim reimbursement from the Council,
(2) four fire extinguishers were ordered for the Cemetery Chapel from Nationwide Fire Training for £265 + VAT. This sum to be paid by APC.
(3) authorisation was given to offer £100 to Mr John Mansfield in order to tidy up the Station Gardens. It this sum turns out to be inadequate the Clerk is authorised to offer an additional sum, subject to evidence of satisfactory workmanship. It was NOTED that The Albion Community Fund have made a donation a further £100 for this work.

8677 Thanks from APC to Arnside Educational Institute:

It was NOTED that Arnside Parish Council would like to thank Arnside Educational Institute for the hospitality extended to it during the years when the Council held a lease on the former Parish Offices at the EI premises. The Chairman reiterated this thanks.

8678 Request from Cricket Club for Financial Consideration re Maintenance of Cricket Pitch:

It was RESOLVED that the Cricket Club should be asked to give their thoughts on this matter at the next Playing Fields Committee meeting.

8679 Renewal Premium for Public Liability Insurance held by Parish Contractor:

It was RESOLVED unanimously that confirmation is given that APC will pay the renewal premium for the Public Liability Insurance held by Mr Reg Taylor (Parish Contractor).

8680 AONB Landscape Trust Grant Application:

Members considered possible options of a suitable project to put forward as a grant application to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the AONB Landscape Trust. It was felt that it would not be appropriate to dedicate the new Cemetery Chapel kitchen to the AONB, however, Members were in favour of the Grant being used to purchase an item of play equipment for the new playground development. There was also a suggestion that the money could be used to revamp the Beachwood Café gardens.

8681 Cemetery Chapel Hire Fees:

After a discussion regarding the importance of setting fees at a correct and appropriate scale for the activities required, and bodies continuing to use the APC premises rent free for meetings, it was RESOLVED that these matters be discussed fully at the next Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee. At this time fees relating the hire of rooms at the EI can also be compared and subsequently a decision as to fee structure can be made at a future APC meeting.

8682 Honorarium for Mrs Jayne Beaumont:

It was RESOLVED unanimously that Mrs Jayne Beaumont be awarded an honorarium of £100 in recognition of the extra hours she has spent on Council financial affairs consequent upon the resignation of Mr Cookson.

8683 Valuation of Cemetery Chapel (for insurance purposes):

It was RESOLVED that the Clerk obtain a valuation of the Cemetery Chapel for insurance purposes. The usual three tenders rule is to be disapplied in this case.

8684 New Web Site Support:

It was RESOLVED that £125 per year is to be paid to Mr Ian Schofield to provide support for the new web site (this is half the fee of £250 - the other half is to be paid by Silverdale Parish Council).

8685 Future Safety and Maintenance of the Proposed Multiwheel Park:

After receiving information from another Parish Council regarding safety and insurance aspects of their multiwheel park it was RESOLVED that the matter of insurance and stipulations set by insurance companies should be looked into in greater depth. Members are concerned over the current management of the project and communication with APC. It was RESOLVED that Colin Blain should be included in all correspondence received in relation to the multiwheel park.

8686 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a). Foreshore
The Chairman reported that (1) there are regular parties on the beach where litter such as smashed bottles are left behind, (2) vehicle seen in dingy park whose occupants were said to be working for United Utilities but had no identification - this to be investigated by the Chairman.
b). Highways
The Chairman reported that (1) there had been no response from the Highways Hotline regarding potholes, although some have now been repaired by BT and Galiford Costain, (2) trees, which are on Network Rail property, are scratching cars along Station Road, (3) weedkiller has been put down along Station Road and by Ashmeadow.

c). Playground Working Group
Cllr Gibson reported that (1) following the informal meeting of 12th May it had been suggested that a fundraising week be held next Easter inviting all local organisations to stage one event with the central theme being ‘play’, (2) it was suggested that the current playground be closed for safety reasons, however, it was presumed that the RoSPA report would not be any worse than previously.

d). Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Baker reported that (1) the general condition of the playing field is satisfactory, (2) the litter strewn about the field is under police control, (3) the public toilets are locked, (4) the cricket and bowling clubs are prosperous, however, the tennis club requires new committee members, (5) the tennis club enquired about hiring toilets and it was confirmed that they could install a toilet in their pavilion at their own cost, (6) the next Playing Fields Advisory Committee meeting is 19th July.

e). Cemetery
Cllr Casey reported that things were very quiet.

f). Cemetery Chapel Development Committee
Cllr Keefe reported that (1) the final handover meeting to the Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee is to be 29th June and Cllr Hewett was wished well for her Chairmanship, (2) all committee members were thanked for their support on the CCDC in particular, Shelia Keefe, Rachel Dutfield, Bernard Higgins and Stuart Platts, (3) special thanks was given to Cllr McSweeney for all his hard work in implementing and managing what has been a far more complicated and lengthy project than at first thought, (4) Cllr McSweeney thanked Cllrs Hewitt and Keefe for their work on the committee and for the Open Day organisation, (5) thanks were also given to L Stephenson & Son for their excellent building work which was delivered on time and more or less to budget, (6) approximately £11,000 is still required for the car parking area, which needs to be completed by the end of the autumn and sealed before winter, (7) a scrap merchant has taken the scrap away so there is no need to hire a skip.

g). Allotments
Cllr Lishman had nothing to report.

h). Any other committee
There was nothing to report.

8686 To receive items for information:

There is to be outside music at the Fighting Cocks on Sunday 18th June from 12noon until late. The Clerk is to obtain a licencing application to check if it allows music to be played outside.

8687 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 10th July 2006 at 7.15pm Items for the agenda and reports to reach the Clerk before Friday 30th June 2006 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 3rd July 2006. THIS MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE CEMETERY CHAPEL IN THE GROUNDS OF ARNSIDE CEMETERY, SILVERDALE ROAD, ARNSIDE.

Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council