The following are the minutes of the Colton Parish Council meeting held on in the Monday 12th February.

            at Finsthwaite Village Hall at 7.30pm.

 

Members Present

Cllr R Mein (Chair)   Cllr T Atkinson   Cllr C Barr  Cllr S Baxter   Cllr I Cunliffe   Cllr P Harrington  Cllr P Lovegrove  Cllr J Watson.  Cllr C Potts   Mrs J Dove (Clerk)

Also present:  Cllr T Walsh (CCC) Cllr G Jenkinson (SLDC) Mr W Collinge (CALC Chair) Mr P Rogers (Parish Support Officer) and 16 members of the public.

 

19.                   Apologies

There were apologies for absence form Mr D Baxter and Mr J Johnson who had been invited to the meeting as guests but were regrettably unable to attend.

 

20.                   Minutes

It was resolved that the Chairman be authorised to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 8th January 2007.

 

21.                   Declaration of Interests

Cllr Lovegrove declared a personal interest in item 14 on the agenda and  a personal and prejudicial interest in item 16 on the agenda and signed the register of interests.

             

22.                   Public participation

Mr W Collinge presented the council with the certificate of Quality Parish Status. He congratulated the parish council on their achievement.  Ron Mein, chair of the parish council, thanked the clerk, members of the council and all the people of the parish for their support in making Colton a Quality Parish in which to live, not just a Quality Parish Council.

 

The chairman adjourned the meeting for refreshments.

 

23.                   Comments from District and County Councillors

Cllr G Jenkinson (SLDC)

Cllr Jenkinson said that he had spoken to Mr R Mallett of the CRASH team who would be willing to come and speak to the council.  It was resolved to invite him to the next meeting.

 

Cllr Cunliffe reported fly tipping at Spark Bridge.  A hope was expressed that this was not as a result of the new rules in place at public amenity sites.  The chairman said that he would investigate.

 

Holes in the road over to Colton Hill were reported.  A sign at the ‘triangle’ at Finsthwaite was reported as having come off its brackets.  The clerk to report these to the Hotline.

 

Cllr T Walsh (CCC)

Cllr Walsh reported the following:

·         Council Tax increase this year would be 4.99% to cover single status pay which is costing the council £50m.

·         Speed Indicator Devices  (SIDS) may soon be available to those parish councils which would agree to fund the pole on which to mount them.  One could be positioned at Tottlebank Crossroads.

·         No further development on the Royal Mail changes to collections.

·         If a map of salt bins positions was sent to the council they would replenish them on demand.

·         No further definite news on the changes in the reorganisation of the hospitals in Cumbria.

 

24.                   Update on issues from last meeting

·         Cllr Lovegrove  reported that Mr Christopher Slater has been appointed as Lengthsman and will start on Friday 16th February.  She gave a background of how the selection process had been conducted. 

·         Railings at Tottlebank Crossroads.  This was now in the hands of CCC and the insurers of the vehicles involved in the accident which caused the damage.

·         Windermere Lake User Forum.  It was resolved that it was inappropriate for the council to put forward a nominee.

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25.               Planning

7/2006/5676 West Sinder Hill, Finsthwaite, Ulverston.  First floor extension, porch extension, rear canopy and relocation of gas tank.  It was resolved that a concern be expressed about the materials used for the extension as being out of keeping with the local stone.

 

26.               Payment of Accounts

It was resolved that the following account be paid:  Cheque number 00340 -  £38.99 J Dove.  Clerk’s expenses: Postage, stationery, ink cartridges.

 

27.               Report on CALC Meeting 3rd February 2007

Cllr Harrington gave an outine of the meeting ‘Future of Local Government in Cumbria’, and distributed copies of the report.  It was resolved to defer discussion on this item until the next meeting,  to give councillors time to read the report.

 

28.               CALC Training Opportunities

                  Councillors Harrington, Baxter, Cunliffe, Atkinson and Lovegrove wished to attend The Effective Councillor course on Wed 26th September at 6.30pm.  Cllrs Barr, Lovegrove, and the clerk wished to attend the as yet undated Development Control Course.  Cllr Harrington also wished to attend the Chairman’s Event 13th September.  The clerk to book the appropriate places.

 

29.               Nomination for CALC Parish Council Representative in the Lake District National Park

Nobody wished to be nominated.

 

30.               Consultation on Revised Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members

It was resolved that no objections to the changes be made, as they were deemed sensible amendments in the interest of councillors.

 

31.               Rural Housing Trust  Affordable Housing Seminar - Grasmere 15th March.  Attended by HRH Princess Royal.

Cllr Lovegrove and the clerk were nominated to attend.

 

32.               Safety Clothing for Lengthsman and Administrator

It was resolved to provide a safety jacket and helmet for the administrator, but the Lengthsman would be expected to provide his own safety clothing.  Cllr Cunliffe reminded the meeting that a good helmet was required and that it would need replacing regularly.

 

33.               Correspondence

The following correspondence was noted:

1.           CCC 

·             School organisation.

·             One Council One Vision One voice.  Unitary Authority document.

2.            CALC

·             Training programme – see agenda item 10.

·             Election of Parish Representatives – request for nominations – agenda item 11.

3.           SLDC  Electoral Cycles for District and Parish Elections.

4.           Malcolm Wilson Rally.  Details of route in Grizedale Forest.

5.           Satterthwaite PC minutes of last meeting & agenda for 22nd January.

Planning Approved7/2006/5442  The Boathouse, Stott Park, Lakeside Increase height of boathouse and length of jetty.

6.           St Georges Day Celebration Ideas document.

7.           Cumbria Rural Housing Trust Letter.

8.           Hedge Trimming at Thwaite Head.  Letters of complaint from Mr C Benefield and Miss C McNeil.  The chairman is dealing with this with CCC.

9.           Letter from Tim Farron:  Save our Post Offices.  It was resolved that Cllr Barr would respond to this appeal on the council’s behalf.

 

PART 2

34.               Lengthsman Administrator’s Expenses

Cllr Lovegrove left the room for this item on the agenda.  It was resolved that travelling expenses should be paid to Cllr Lovegrove in her capacity as the Lengthsman Administrator. 

 

35.        Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is the Annual Open Parish Meeting followed by a Parish Council Meeting on 19th March 2007 at Colton Church Room at 7.30pm.