Arnside Parish Council

11th September 2006 
8738 Minutes: of the Ordinary Meeting of Arnside Parish Council, held in the Cemetery Chapel, Silverdale Road, Arnside on Monday 11th September 2006. 

8739 Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, J (Jack) Baker, S E (Sandy) Felton, S V (Sue) Gibson, K (Ken) Hargreaves, S R (Sue) Hewett, 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, District Councillor R (Richard) Rollins, PC Ben Woodburn  and 4 members of the public.

8740 Apologies for Absence:  

Written apologies were received from Councillors P E (Ted) Casey (holiday), R G (Glyn) Jones (work commitments) and P A (Pete) McSweeney (holiday).

8741 Receipt of Declaration of Members’ Interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda:

It was NOTED that there were no Members’ interests relating to any items appearing on the Agenda.

8742 Minutes of the Previous Meeting:

In Cllr Casey’s absence the Deputy Clerk read out a letter received from him regarding amendments he wished to propose to the following minute numbers:- (1) 8735 b). - Cllr Casey reported that: (1) he had drawn up financial comparison with last year’s figures for the period January to July and was concerned that this year’s income at £1,195 for that 7 month period was £1,450 less than last year’s income had been - and over half of this (£625) had only been received in July, (2) only three graves had been sold this year compared with ten in the same period last year- Cllr Casey would put a notice in the October Broadsheet to ask local people to pre-invest in grave spaces and ashes plots in order to hope offset the Council’s expenditure in modernising the Cemetery Chapel, (3) generally, business had been very slack - until July! (2) 8732 - It was not agreed that the Cemetery Chapel should be renamed as the ‘community rooms’ but it was agreed that the C and CCAC should use this term as a marketing ploy when promoting the premises, (3) 8736 - Cllr Casey informed the Council that small grants are available from the Burton-in-Kendal Education Foundation for sixth form and further education students starting courses this September/October and had asked the Broadsheet to publicise this fact.  It was RESOLVED that these amendments be accepted and the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 14th August were approved and subsequently signed by the Chairman.

8743 Matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings:

It was NOTED that there were no matters arising.
8744 Matters raised by members of the Public for future consideration:

Mr Colin Blain expressed his concern regarding the previous minutes of APC in connection with the proposed multi-wheel park.  Mr Blain felt that without the backing of APC it would be difficult for Arnside Youth Group to continue with the project as the parents themselves would not be able to insure the multi-wheel park.  Mr Blain asked what APC’s concerns were with regard to the project management of the scheme and pointed out that people are not employed for this purpose and are only volunteers.  He also stated that the project has taken a considerable amount of time due to the limited amount of time and resources available.  Mr Blain said that now planning permission has been granted it is hoped that funds can now be raised for the project and permission from APC would be sought before any works are to be started.  It was RESOLVED that the multi-wheel park project be put on a future agenda for further discussion.

8745 Police Report:

PC Ben Woodburn attended the meeting and a written report had been distributed prior to the Meeting.  The report referred to: (1) domestic harassment offence, (2) damage to wing mirror of parked vehicle, (3) road accident involving three vehicles, (4) domestic argument in the street, (5) lone female with young children in camper van parked on Promenade reported voices and banging outside, (6) two drunken males from Grange refused entry to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, (7) police attendance to Millom Court following concerns for the welfare of elderly female resident, (8) report of drunken youths on Promenade harassing passers by, (9) report of older youths playing on the playing field swings and drinking alcohol, (10) suspicious persons looking into houses on Redhills Road, (11) local youth found in collapsed condition in Silverdale Road and taken to hospital in ambulance, (12) concerns for the welfare of 13 yr old girl in Briery Bank, (13) report of persons riding round the playing field on the tractor used for cutting grass, (14) persons trying to gain entry to a locked garden in Silverdale Road, (15) police attendance to the sudden death of a 35 yr old male.  The Chairman also reported on a number of incidents including youths causing a disturbance in Ashmeadow who were mainly from other villages, fence in Inglemere gardens smashed, bins being strewn across the road, Church View sign being taken from the wall and youths throwing a dinghy into the tide.

8746 Report from County Councillor Ian Stewart:

Cllr Stewart’s report covered the following: (1) changes to service and delivery of the Fire and Rescue Service in Kendal are imminent, (2) a review of route and branch of the Carnforth Connect is underway with the possibility of buses linking with one another and possible links with the train at Arnside, (3) planning rules are to be amended in that solar panels and small micro-generation wind turbines are to be treated as permitted development and therefore will not need planning permission, (4) talks have been underway with First Pennine Express to bid for funding to enhance Arnside station with the possibility of disabled parking bays.   The Chairman reported that Station Road hedge has still not been cut back and the white line marking down Silverdale Road has not been carried out.  He also further reported an open sewer on the Promenade which has now been unresolved for 19 days.  Cllr Stewart will look into these issues.
8747 Review of the SLDC Tide Siren:

A report from the Chairman had previously been distributed which highlighted the fact that SLDC had made no further progress with the permanent implementation of the tide siren and members are fearful that SLDC may decide to discontinue this service.  After debating this subject it was RESOLVED unanimously that the following statement be adopted as APC’s comments on the matter:

Arnside Parish Council (APC) recognises SLDC’s current need to make economies in its budget.  Nevertheless, unanimously, it is categorically opposed to any proposal that would result in the cessation of the tide siren at Arnside.
Its opposition to any such proposal - unlike its resistance to the withdrawal of certain other services or facilities - is based specifically on danger to life and limb.  Those in danger would include some Arnside residents, but also - and perhaps particularly - visitors to Arnside.
In the light of hard evidence, both recent and long-standing, APC is entirely convinced, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the cessation of the siren would result, within a relatively short time-span, in more incidents requiring the intervention of the coastguard and other rescue services than would otherwise be the case.  It also believes it likely that, at least within a slightly longer time-span, fatalities would occur that might otherwise have been avoided.
Although SLDC is apparently under no statutory obligation to operate a tide siren, it has done so for many years and would undoubtedly be blamed by many for accidents and fatalities occurring after the withdrawal of this service.  Its own figures demonstrate that it would be impossible for APC to bear the cost of the siren (and the coastguard service is, equally, unable to do so).  At the same time, running costs are low in relation to those of many other less critical services and certainly low in relation to the value of even a single human life.
This is not the only time recently when SLDC or CCC has appeared to APC to pay too little regard to physical danger to people and APC is deeply unhappy about the way in which the issue of the tide siren has been handled by SLDC over the past year or so.  However, its crucial concern at present is the safety of Arnside residents and visitors.  This will be gravely compromised if the siren ceases, no matter how many new signs are erected or what they say.

8748 Report from District Councillor Richard Rollins:

Cllr Rollins’ report covered the following: (1) SLDC is concerned about adverse reaction to dustbins containing micro-chips in their lids to monitor the refuse - this idea is to go for approval/rejection before the full council, (2) SLDC has written to APC in relation to the siting of a plastic recycling bank, however, the Clerk informed Cllr Rollins that this letter had not been received - Cllr Rollins will chase this up - the Chairman pointed out that the recycling banks at Black Dyke Road are not emptied regularly, (3) two people had recently become struck on the sands at Sandside and Beetham Parish Council had therefore asked for more danger signs as the tide siren is not being sounded there, (4) a sub-group has been set up with regard to concessionary travel and many bus passes have been taken out - Cllr Rollins is looking into the possibility of Arnside residents being able to use trains along with this scheme, (5) it had been suggested that the Promenade area from the parade of shops down towards Ashmeadow could be made into a Conservation Area.
8749 Correspondence:

Receipt of the following items were noted and action determined, by resolution, as indicated:
1.  Mrs Cawey - refusal of permission to prune trees for benefit of ‘Green Column’
2. Mrs Turnbull (Silverdale) - copy of letter to MCA, re rescues by builders
3. AONB -Sustainable Development Fund, Newsletter, Summer 2006
4. Mr Colin Jex - questions re locking of slipways.
It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should reply to Mr Jex and also to confirm that no further correspondence on this matter will be entered into.
5. Tim Farron, MP - letter suggesting that residents of Arnside object to lockable mailboxes
6. SLDC - letter inviting further submission to Parish Remuneration Panel.
7. FLAG - newsletter, July
8. Fisher Wrathall - insurance valuation of Chapel at £245,000
9. CALC - Circular, September
10. CALC - training schedule
11. CALC -notice of AGM
12. Townsweb Archiving - details of service
13. SLDC - Code of Conduct Training

8750 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 RESOLVED that the following comments were offered for the following applications:
SL/2006/0911- 27 The Meadows - rear conservatory: - NO OBJECTION.
SL/2006/0915 - 20 The Grange - installation of roof light: - NO OBJECTION.
c). It was NOTED that the following decisions have been taken by the District Council since the last meeting:
SL/2006/0742 - The Shielings, 33 Church Hill - single storey extension: - GRANTED.
SL/2006/0688 - 121 Silverdale Road - detached garage/shed: GRANTED.

8751 Action taken in accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning):

It was NOTED that:
(1) authority was given for the Parish Council to pay an extra £100 to Mr John Mansfield for work undertaken at the Station Gardens (making £300 to be paid by the Council and £100 already paid by the Community Fund),
(2) authority was given for the Clerk to purchase a copy of the updated Definitive Footpaths Map at £35.00.

8752 Reserve Coastguard Rescue Boat

Correspondence has recently been received from the MCA stating that a reserve Coastguard Rescue Boat is not in their budget at the present time.   The MCA are currently reviewing the types of boats required.

8753 Report from Internal Audit Committee

Cllrs Felton and Hewitt formed a Working Group to look at the finances and reported that all appeared to be in order.

8754 Finance:

(1) The Financial Summary for August was received and approved.
(2) The following cheques were authorised and signed:
SLDC -street lighting liability       £736.00   (706)
Mrs S Hewett - door mat at Chapel      £6.96  (707)
Smith of Derby -promenade clock maintenance     £158.63  (708)
Mrs AP Mansfield - clearing station garden     £300.00  (709)
Mr Glyn Jones - travel expenses for Project Access Briefing   £9.60  (710)
Audit Commission - audit fees for 2005/06     £411.25  (711)
Mr P E Casey - travel to and from Penrith     £34.40  (712)
Powergen - electricity for Cemetery Chapel     £51.45   (713)
Fisher Wrathall - insurance survey for Chapel     £235.00  (714)
Mrs Jayne Beaumont - reimbursement for water for cricket pavillion  £285.22  (715)
Neptune - bench         £500.55  (716)
Houghtons - reimbursement to D Willacy      £79.00  (717)

8755 Reports from the following committees and/or meetings:

a).  Allotments
Cllr Lishman reported that: (1) the level of weeds on plot 10 have now come down, (2) there have been no new applications for plots and no complaints received.

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

c).  Cemetery and Cemetery Chapel Advisory Committee
Cllr Hewett report that: (1) at the last meeting of the C and CCAC hire charges for rooms at the Chapel were discussed and the amounts are as follows:
£12.00 per session
£30.00 per day
£20.00 for a funeral/burial service
£5.00 for the hire of the kitchen
£25.00 refundable deposit for breakages
It was RESOLVED that these figures be accepted and they will be put in the October Broadsheet - a booking form will be made available and will also appear on the APC website, (2) advertising is necessary and Cllr Hewitt is drawing up a small programme of events to be held at the Chapel over the winter, (3) the next edition of the quarterly newsletter and the Chairman’s Annual Newsletter/Report will contain a list of Hire Charges, (4) Cllr McSweeney has been looking into a database to permit automated booking of the Cemetery Chapel, which is very user friendly.

d).  Foreshore
The Chairman had nothing to report.

e).  Highways
The Chairman reported that: (1) still waiting for Network Rail to cut down the hedge and snowberries, (2) he had been asked about cutting the hedge back down Hollins Lane, however, this does not belong to APC and is the responsibility of the landowner.

f).  Playing Field Advisory Committee
Cllr Baker reported that: (1) the Tennis Club are interested in the Trench Arch system in relation to the possible installation of toilets and requested a rough price guide.  It was pointed out that the matting at the entrance to the playing field is dangerous - the Chairman is to get rid of this as soon as he is able to.

g).  Playground Working Committee
Cllr Gibson reported that: (1) as she is still awaiting the third quote for the playground it may be worthwhile contacting another firm, (2) questionnaires are to be sent out to schoolchildren asking how they would like their playground to be, (3) SLDC is currently consulting young people as to what they want in conjunction with the Big Lottery Fund - £200,000 has been given to SLDC.

h) Any other Committee
There was nothing to report.

8756 To receive items for information:

The Chairman welcomed Sandy Felton as a new Councillor for Arnside Parish Council.  Formal confirmation will be included in the next agenda as her co-option was made too late for inclusion in the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

8757 Date of the next Meeting:

It was NOTED  that the next Ordinary Meeting will be held on Monday 9th October 2006 at 7.15pm   Items for the agenda and reports to reach the Clerk before Friday 29th September 2006 and reports to reach the Clerk before Monday 2nd October 2006.

 

Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Council