14th August 2006 
8714 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 14th August 2006. 

8715 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, 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, County Councillor I (Ian) Stewart and 3 members of the public.

8716 Apologies for Absence:  

Verbal apologies were received from District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins (holiday).

8717 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

Cllr Jones declared that he had an interest in item 10.b)planning application SL/2006/0773 - Beachwood Lodge, Redhills Road - detached garage, being that his property is adjacent to this.

8718 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 10th July were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8719 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

It was NOTED that there were no matters arising.

8720 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

No members of the public wished to raise any matters.

8721 Police Report:

A written report had been received prior to the Meeting.  The report referred to: (1) damage to a ceramic house sign, (2) damage to a car’s windscreen and wiper, (3) mountain bike stolen from outside a house in Hollins Lane, (4) two instances of criminal damage at the Youth Hostel, (5) car parked in Silverdale Road was severely scratched, (6) theft of cash from handbags of two elderly residents at Holly Bank, (7) damage to a window and front door at the Sailing Club and a local man arrested for being in possession of a knife, (8) a group of youths causing a nuisance on the Promenade, (9) neighbourly parking dispute in Swinnate Road, (10) HM Coastguard divers and vets tried to save a dolphin which had strayed into the estuary but which, unfortunately, could not be saved, (11) youths in the rear yard of the fire station causing a disturbance, (12) litter strewn about on the beach and a sewerage pumping station manhole cover on the beach removed, (13) persons in the water when the tide was coming in - children in the group had found a human femur amongst the rocks and further small bones were later found - the finds were reported to the coroner and forensic enquiries are ongoing, (14) a disturbance in the street at Kings Close, (15) a group of youths on the shore carrying alcohol, (16) a prowler reported at Westmorland Court, (17) the sudden death of a 72 year old man at his home, (18) vehicular damage to a garden wall in Silverdale Road, (19) the Coastguard rescued two/three children stuck in a channel between Silverdale and Far Arnside, (20) a road accident in Silverdale Road involving two vehicles one of which was parked, (21) an accident on the beach car park involving a parked car, (22) three men selling fish from the rear of a van in Church Hill were checked by police.

8722 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart’s report covered the following: (1) in order to develop rail links, Trans Pennine Express are running a celebratory train over the Leven Viaduct on Tuesday 15th August in order to confirm re-opening of the line, (2) composters are available to residents of Cumbria at a cost of £6.00 each - to date, 10,000 have been sold, (3) policies on speed limits on A and B roads are being reviewed, (4) at the recent, very well attended meeting regarding the future of Kendal’s hospital it was decided that an open letter would be submitted to the Gazette with the emphasis being on quality of service rather than savings, (5) the Chairman requested that Cllr Stewart ask Trans Pennine to cut down the snowberries and buddlias adjacent to the railway line, (6) the Chairman stated that he is still unhappy with the way in which the tide siren issue is being dealt with - SLDC have not as yet contacted the volunteer regarding sounding the siren and the Chairman is concerned that costs incurred with present operators will result in SLDC executives recommending to discontinue the tide siren service - Cllr Stewart will advise SLDC that this is an unacceptable level of contact and this matter is now extremely urgent, (7) the Chairman is to meet with Cllr Stewart on Thursday 17th August to give an update on a variety of highway matters around the village.

8723 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins did not attend the meeting therefore there was no report.
8724 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1.  CCC - receipt from County Archives.
2.  CALC - free Broadband and computers.
3.  SLDC - letter re upkeep of cemetery.
4. Mr D Mackie - letter re trees in Ashmeadow Woodlands.
5.  CCC - letter re consultation on review of acute medical services.
6. SLDC - letter re Code of Conduct.
7.  CCC - pilot Lengthsman scheme.
8.  SLDC - review of provision of Recycling Banks.
9.  Digital UK - notice of switchover details.
10. Arnside Bowling Club - copy letter re use of toilets by Tennis Club.
11. AONB - “Waymarker”, July.
12. English Nature - “Sitelines”, Summer.
13. CALC - Circular, July/August.
14. Countryside Agency - “Countryside Focus”, Summer.
15. Countryside Agency - Landscape Access.
16. AONB - Annual Review 2005-2006.
17. AONB - “Waymarker”, August.
18. CALC - QP Development Programme Update.
19. Clerks and Councils Direct - July.
20. CCC - “Working Together “, (Cumbria Highways), Summer.

8725 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/2006/0742 - The Shielings, 33 Church Hill - single storey extension: NO OBJECTIONS.
b). It was RESOLVED that the following comments were offered for the following applications:
SL/2006/0773- Beachwood Lodge, Red Hills Road - detached garage: - NO OBJECTION.
SL/2006/0834 - 11 Coles Drive - single storey extension to replace existing sunroom: - NO OBJECTION.
SL/2006/0835- Coastguard Garage, Red Hills Road - retention of former Coastguard Garage: - NO OBJECTION.
c). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting:
SL/2006/0605 - 17 Plantation Avenue - re-siting of existing patio doors to form bay window: - GRANTED.
SL/2006/0579 - Arnside Memorial Playing Field - formation of multi-wheel park area: GRANTED.

8726 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that:
(1) the Clerk is authorised to make payment of the Planning Application fee of £67.50 for external lighting at the Cemetery Chapel.

8727 Multi Wheel Park on Memorial Playing Field

There was a discussion regarding the fact that the whole project to date has not been well managed and members were unhappy that all responsibility for the multi wheel park could ultimately fall upon APC.  It was felt that an assessment is required of how much the project is going to cost.  It was also pointed out that APC have agreed to maintain the multi wheel park but not to insure it.  It was RESOLVED that until all monies have been raised to pay for the project to be completed and a suitable business plan audited, work should not commence on the creation of the multi wheel park.  It was further RESOLVED that APC is not prepared to insure the equipment and any damage to persons whilst using the said equipment.

8728 Tennis Club Toilets

The possibilities were discussed: (1) to build their own toilet accommodation - this would be impracticable and expensive due to sewerage having to be directed uphill, (2) to hire a portable toilet for the summer season only - this could be a target for vandalism and planning permission may be an issue depending on the length of time it remains there, (3) taking over the existing toilet block, for the exclusive use of tennis club members, including the cleaning of the accommodation - if a cleaner is found for the toilets APC is likely to want to re-open the toilets for public access.  The possibility of a Trench-Arch system was discussed with possible Sustainable Development Funding available from the AONB for such a project.  Cllr Baker is to take this suggestion to the tennis club.

8729 Interview Panel and Interview Date for Casual Vacancy

It was RESOLVED that the interview date will be postponed until a date in September. 

8730 Disabled Drivers Bay at Cemetery Chapel

Under the Disability Equality Duty APC has a duty to provide a car parking area, however, very little funding is available for this work to be carried out.  L Stephenson & Sons have provided a quote of £5,500 + VAT for tarmacking the area at the top of the banking adjacent to the back door of the chapel and as far back as the edgings.  There is concern that if the area is left as it is, fallen leaves over Autumn and Winter will create a bog like area.  After a discussion as to the area size of tarmacking required and whether tarmac was the best surface option it was RESOLVED that L Stephenson & Sons be invited to carry out the work, including disabled line markings for one parking space, at a cost not more than £5,500 + VAT.

8731 The Disability Symbol

The Symbol is awarded to employers who show their commitment to employing and retaining disabled people.  Cllr Keefe had met with a Disability Employment Advisor who explained the criteria.  It was RESOLVED that APC will continue to:
• interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job agency and consider them on their abilities;
• ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees, what can be done to make sure they can develop and use their abilities;
• make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment;
• take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work;
• each year review the five commitments and what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Job Centre Plus know about progress and future plans.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Keefe for his time and effort in looking into this matter.

8732 Renaming of the Cemetery Chapel

There was concern that members of the public might object to the re-naming of the Cemetery Chapel for functions which do not involve a burial or memorial service and also that the public would not know where the “Parish Assembly Rooms” were.  Members felt that it would be more appropriate to re-name the Cemetery Chapel as the “Community Rooms” rather than the “Parish Assembly Rooms”.

8733 Report on the Meeting with Mr Colin Jex and the Chairman

The Chairman reported that after a lengthy meeting with Mr Jex regarding the slipway issue, Mr Jex insists on his right to a reply from APC to his questions and it is expected that he will be writing to the Clerk again in the near future.

8734 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for July was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
Lancaster City Council - hanging baskets     £359.55   (698)
S Hewett - cleaning items       £17.13  (699)
Powergen (garage and store)       £14.57  (700)
Viking Direct - photocopying paper      £38.62  (701)
T Milligan - fixings for slipway bollards      £102.62  (702)
L Stephenson & Sons - cemetery chapel works     £2112.77  (703)
United Utilities - water for Chapel      £11.03  (704)
SLDC - planning application fee      £67.50   (705)

8735 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Allotments
Cllr Lishman reported that: (1) one plot has not been cultivated all year due to the allotment holder being ill and several other allotment holders have complained to Cllr Lishman about the state of this plot - the Clerk has written to the allotment holder requesting that the weeds are kept under control, however, a reply has not yet been received - Cllr Lishman is concerned about the non-cultivation of this plot as there is a waiting list for allotments, (2) Cllr Lishman is considering drawing up a set of rules for allotment holders, (3) a post number is missing which appears to have been physically removed.

b).  Cemetery
Cllr Casey reported that: (1) he had drawn up financial comparisons with last year’s figures for the dates January to July and found that on average income is £625 this year as opposed to £400 in 2005, (2) three graves have so far been sold this year as opposed to 10 for the same period in 2005 - Cllr Casey will put a line in October’s broadsheet to ensure that the public are aware that they can purchase graves, (3) generally, business has picked up, being busy with burials.

c).  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Cllr Hewett report that: (1) the next meeting of the C and CCAC will be held on Thursday 24th August, (2) the carpet tiles are now down in the corridor and office together with a doormat, the noticeboard and whiteboard have been put up in the office and Cllr Hewett has been purchasing items for the kitchen, (4) there has been one enquiry about using the Cemetery Chapel (and kitchen) for a Sunday afternoon seance/spiritual meeting, (5) the C and CCAC will do their best to repay APC the funds they owe.

d).  Foreshore
The Chairman reported that: (1) the tide siren has previously been discussed, (2) two people have been found camping just beyond the dingy park and were moved on, however, they left their rubbish - a resident of Beachwood removed this and the Chairman will thank them for this, (2) froth and foam has appeared washed up on the beach over the weekend which appears to be coming downsteam and the Chairman has contacted the Environmental Agency regarding taking a sample of this.

e).  Highways
The Chairman reported that: (1) the hedge at station road is still a problem as is the hedge on the other side of the road belonging to Network Rail, (2) white line markings are required on Station Road, (3) there is a sewerage problem outside the Grosvenor on the Promenade, (4) Leighton Beck Bridge still requires attention, (5) the railings at Ashmeadow slipway are now finished, (6) another seat has been requested for the Promenade.

f).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Baker reported that: (1) the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 19th September, (2) the Chairman pointed out that the football club have paid for Grasscare to cut the field after the APC contractor had previously mown it, (3) Cllr Gibson has now obtained the licence for the football club in relation to drinking on the premises during the recent World Cup Finals in which it is stated that children should not have been in the bar area.

g).  Playground Working Committee
Cllr Gibson is still awaiting the third quote for the playground.

h). AONB Executive Committee
Cllr Hewett had attended the meeting on 26th July 2006 on behalf of Cllr Keefe and reported that: (1) members were asked to support funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in respect of a Landscape Partnership Scheme which will involve the restoration of Arnside, Beetham and Hazleslack towers - Cllr Hewett recommended that the Clerk replies to the AONB to confirm that APC will fully support this project, (2) a report on the Cemetery Chapel and the Sustainability Development Fund appears in the AONB’s newsletter, (3) the AONB proposes to move from their current premises to Slackwood Farm, Silverdale which is to be a huge £2.5 million development - Cllr Hewett suggested that APC may wish to monitor what will happen to the AONB’s current premises in the future.

I) Any other Committee
There was nothing to report.

8736 To receive items for information:

Cllr Casey informed the Council that small grants are available from the Burton-in-Kendal Education Foundation for six months to students.

8737 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 11th September 2006 at 7.15pm   Items for the agenda and reports to reach the Clerk before Friday 1st September 2006 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 4th September 2006.

 

 
Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council