2005/05
New Library
It is considered, by staff of the Cumbria CC Library service, that the existing Arnside Library cannot be upgraded to achieve a reasonable standard of access for disabled people, especially as it is within a multi-occupied rented building.
Capita wrote to the Parish Council for permission to build a new library on a disused corner of the Playing Field, but it appears that, in so doing, they were not acting as agents for the Library Service. By the time that this was made known, the agenda for the Annual Parish Assembly had been printed, with an item relating to the request, and circulated, and so there was a large attendance to air views on this request.
Several speakers made points for and against the idea, and the discussion concluded with a vote:
Opposed to use of the Playing Field - 29
In favour of using the Playing Field - 26
Abstentions (show of hands) 20
Presumed ineligible to vote 15
A vote at a Parish Assembly is not binding upon the Parish Council, but the latter is grateful for the views expressed, and will bear them in mind.
The representatives of the Library Service gave an assurance that they wished to maintain a static Library building in Arnside, but appealed for help in finding suitable premises.
Waste water transfer scheme
The contractors working for United Utilities have been making good progress with the scheme, and we are well pleased with the lack of intrusion into our community life, compared with what we expected and feared. Our message to them is “thank you for being so considerate”.
Tide siren
South Lakeland District Council has been looking at ways of saving money and, as psrt of this exercise, has offered the Tide Siren to the Parish Council, to maintain and operate. Unfortunately, there are no legal powers, under which the Parish Council could take-over this important role (regardless of whether or not Members think they should do so).
We have made a big fuss about the retention of this safety feature, because we believe that it has been instrumental in saving quite a few lives, over the years. Hopefully SLDC will think of cost-cutting elsewhere!
Children’s Playground
We have now had our Safety Inspection Report, from RoSPA, and it is not as bad as had been feared. We have set up a Working Group, under the Chairmanship of Councillor Sue Gibson, to look at detailed implications, and to obtain estimates. Hopefully we will soon be in a position of being to rectify the deficiencies, so that our children can continue to enjoy the facilities, in relative safety.
One bit of really good news is that the Holehird Trust has sent us a grant of £2,000 towards the cost of the work. It is a pleasure to be able to say “thank you” for the second time in this newsletter.
Cemetery Chapel
Once again we have to state that “we are almost able to proceed with the installation of essential services, so that the building can be brought into use, on occasions other than warm sunny afternoons”. There was an unexpected setback, in the last few months, but, once again “we think that we have sorted out those few technical obstacles which were holding us up, but we still have to jump over a few more bureaucratic hurdles”. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter, although it seems to be a very long tunnel. Keep watching this space, or the Parish Council Minutes, over the next few months, to see some signs of progress (we hope).
“Buy a Brick” is just one of the money-raising ventures promoted by the Cemetery Chapel Development Committee. Your £5 donation won’t actually result in you being handed a brick, but the allocations are building-up the gable wall (on paper). If you would like to chip in, in this way, please contact Terry Keefe, on 762846, or t.keefe@lancaster.ac.uk
New charitable trust
It has become apparent that the Parish Council is hampered by the reluctance of grant-aid organisations to give grants to a council, for projects, such as the Cemetery Chapel. It is thought that it is desirable to form a registered charity, but with control still effectively being with the Council. Although further schemes are not envisaged at this stage, it has been decided to create a charity which will have the object of developing any Council-owned premises, or land, for fuller community use than would be a reasonable use of Council Tax money.
The charity has been created in embryonic form, but we are engaged in a dialogue with the Charity Commission, for registration. More in due course.
Car Park
Most people know that we have any area of the foreshore which is used for the parking of cars. We don’t call it a ‘car park’, because it isn’t. In fact, the potholes have grown so big and deep that we can only call it a ‘car trap’. We had hoped that those kind people at United Utilities would donate the stone, which they excavated from Ashmeadow, but they couldn’t spare any, as they need it at Milnthorpe.
The Parish Council cannot afford to do anything worthwhile, to improve the surface, so we have offered it (on a long lease, at nominal rent) to both Cumbria County Council, and South Lakeland District Council, to form a proper car park (only). The County Council is not interested, but the District Council might be. We shall see.
