The following are the minutes of the Colton Parish Council meeting held on Monday 25th June 2007 in Finsthwaite Village Hall at 7.30pm.

 

Members Present

Cllr  C Barr (Chair)   Cllr T Atkinson  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)  Mr C Slater (Parish Lengthsman) and 1 member of the public.

 

91.               Apologies

Cllr A Hall (SLDC)

 

92.               Minutes of last meeting

It was resolved that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the council meeting held on 14th May 2007 as a true record.

 

93.               Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest in respect of this agenda.

 

94.               Public participation

The chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members of the public the opportunity to ask questions or raise matters of interest.  Mr Lovegrove asked why Bouth did not have a 20mph speed limit as had many other villages, especially as there is a children’s playground in the centre of the village.  Cllr Walsh said that 20mph speed limits were to be reviewed, and that new ones were unlikely to be granted except for a specific reason, such as a playground.  It was decided to ask the opinion of the village green committee, and possibly to site the speed monitoring device in Bouth.

 

95.         Comments from District and County Councillors

Cllr Walsh reported the following

·         Public consultation on Unitary Authority is now closed.  An extension has been granted until 18th July for financial considerations, but a decision should be made by the government by 23rd July.

·         The next Community Board meeting is at Lower Holker Hall on Thursday 26th July at 6.00pm.

·         The next Neighbourhood Forum is on 11th September at Greenodd Village Hall.

·         Resident Parking Scheme.  Consultation with SLDC is ongoing, no schemes has yet been decided.

·         A review is being undertaken of the criteria for funding bus services.  This will affect         little-used routes.  Buses used to get people to work are likely to remain unaffected.

Cllr Harrington asked if the change of Secretary of State would affect the Unitary Authority submission Cllr Walsh said most probably not.

 

96.               Update on issues from last meeting

·         Bouth Village Green Voluntary Committee.  The clerk reported that a meeting with Roderick Smith had proved to be productive.  It was agreed that the BVGVC should become an advisory committee to the parish council, with the council having financial control.  The  new constitution is to be put before the BVGVC for approval.  The insurance has been checked, and the only aspect not covered by the insurance is the use of personal equipment on working party days.  This to be taken up with the BVGVC.

·         Speed Monitor.  The clerk to contact Roger Mallett to arrange further borrowing.

·         Notice Board at Lakeside. Cllr Harrington reported no outcome as yet, but would continue to try to speak to the manager of the Lakeside Hotel to try to re-site the notice board.

·         Parish Charter for South Lakeland. Cllr Barr reported that he had submitted a response to this consultation on the council’s behalf, which was generally in favour of the charter.

·         CALC response to the government Consultation on CCC bid for Unitary Authority.  The clerk read part of a letter from CALC to the committee scrutinising the bid, which highlighted its 3 main concerns

·   It questions the effectiveness of the Community Boards.

·   The roles of a new Authority’s Area Committees and Area Partnerships are underplayed

·   The promotion of ‘bottom up’ community engagement is being done in a ‘top-down’ manner.

97      Planning

·         7/2007/5318 The Sheiling, Finsthwaite, Ulverston LA12 8BJ Extension to garden with patio.  It was resolved to send objections on the following grounds:

·         It sets a precedent for change of use of farm land to garden in the Finsthwaite area.

·         It expands a holiday let business footprint with potential adverse noise and sight impacts on neighbours, walkers, and visitors to the church.

·         The development will not, as claimed, "hide the garage eyesore" as the main aspect of the garage seen from the nearby lane and footpath is unaffected by this application.  Rather, the proposed retaining wall could create a further poor visual impact as it provides for a sitting area elevated on pre-stressed concrete blocks.

·         The plans do not show the alternative ‘level route’ to the adjacent property, Karenwood’.

 

·         Pool Foot Farm alteration to occupancy condition.  It was resolved to send objections on the grounds that widening the area of ‘local’ occupancy would set a precedent for other applications in the parish, against the spirit of ‘local occupancy’ clauses.

 

98      Payment of Accounts

It was resolved that the following accounts should be paid:

·         Cheque number 00353 - cheque cancelled - Bouth Village Green Voluntary Committee £300.00   Filed for audit

·         Cheque number 00356  - cheque written in error.  Filed for audit.

·         Cheque number 00357  -  £385.00 –  C Slater - Lengthsman salary for May.

·         Cheque number 00358  ­ -   £42.00  - SLDC -Parish election costs 2004/2005.

·         Cheque number 00359  -  £119.62  J Dove - clerk’s expenses from 24.02.07.

·      Postage – £34.75

·      Ink cartridges – £68.55

·      Stationery – £16.32

·         Cheque number 00360 –- £10.00 - Finsthwaite Village Hall - room hire.

Receipt of the following cheques was noted:

·         CCC  -  £255.34 – Lengthsman contribution from 16.02.07 – 30.03.07.

·         CALC -  £73.83  – Lengthsman contribution from 01.04.07 – 31.04.07.

·         CCC   -  £73.83  – Lengthsman contribution from 01.04.07 – 31.04.07.

 

99.           Councillor Vacancy

Two people had expressed an interest in being co-opted onto the council for the vacancy in Central Ward;  Mr W Phillipson from West Ward and Mrs A Robinson from Central Ward.  Both had submitted excellent letters expressing their suitability as councillors.  A vote was taken and Mrs Robinson was co-opted onto the council for Central Ward.

 

100.    Standards Board New Code of conduct

·         The council voted on the motion that ‘Colton Parish Council adopts the new Code of Conduct contained in Statutory Instrument 1159(2007) as it applies to Parish Councils, with the addition of paragraph 12(2) as a code of conduct which is expected of members and co-opted members of the authority in place of the existing code of conduct with effect from 25th June 2007’.  The motion was carried.

·         The Declaration of Financial Interests forms were completed.

·         The Code of Conduct Guide for Members were distributed to members.

·         Training dates were identified.   Tuesday 10th July Coronation Hall  6.30pm; Cllrs, Baxter, Cunliffe,  Atkinson, Lovegrove and the clerk.  Victoria Hall Grange 31st July 3pm, Cllrs Potts and Harrington.

 

101.        Internal Audit Review

The Internal Audit Plan for 2007/2008 was approved.

 

102.        Annual Return to Parish Remuneration Panel

It was resolved that a parish allowance for members for 2007/2008 should not be claimed.

 

103.        Voting for CALC Parish Representative 

It was resolved not to vote for any of the candidates as none was known to the council.

 

104.    Report on Community Board Meetings

Cllr Barr and Cllr Lovegrove reported on the first 2 meetings of the Community Board.  Cllr Potts asked if more details of these meetings could be given as they were so important to the future of the council.  Cllr Walsh said that he would arrange for the minutes of future meetings to be distributed to councillors.

 

105.     Parish Lengthsman Pilot Scheme Report

Cllr Lovegrove reported that the scheme was progressing well but no referrals had yet been made by members of the public.  There was still a problem with getting rid of arisings (cut brushwood etc), but arrangements were being made for tip licenses.  Cllr Atkinson suggested composting them, and he would be willing to put aside some land for this.  Cllr Lovegrove and Cllr Atkinson to research the possibility of this.  Cllr Barr reported that the meeting he had attended with the area engineer and other members of the pilot scheme was taken up almost entirely by the insurance problems being experienced by other parishes, and consequently was of little benefit to Colton Parish Council.

 

106.    Greenwood Eco- Musee  Meeting Report

Cllr Barr gave a report on the meeting held at Haybridge with Anna Gray from Leader Plus.  He explained that the Greenwood project produces high quality leaflets of woodlands trails on which remains of former industries are identified.  A decision was made to support the project, subject to consultation with the parish council before any proposed new pathways are considered in Colton parish.

 

107.    Grizedale Project Meeting Report

Councillors had received the minutes prior to the meeting.  Cllr Barr, who had attended the meeting, expressed disappointment that the minutes failed to report adequately his expressed concern about continuing traffic problems.

 

108.    Correspondence

The following correspondence was noted:

1.       Letters from Mr W Phillipson and Mrs A Robinson of application expressing an interest in the vacancy in Central Ward.

2.       Satterthwaite PC - Minutes of meeting on14th May & Agenda for next meeting 22nd May.

3.       CALC

·     June Circular.

·     Agenda for meeting 7th June 7.15pm Council Chamber, Kendal.

·     Notes from meeting with SLDC re Better Governance for Cumbria.

4.       LDNPA.

·     Planning.  New protocol for site visits.  Previous decision reversed.  Parish council representatives will again be invited on site visits.

·     Old Vicarage Rusland.  Notification of alteration to plans for orangery to incorporate a chimney breast on outside to accommodate a fireplace.

·     West Sinder Hill.  Notification of permission to alter plans to include 3 roof lights to existing lean-to.  Withdrawal of plan for first floor extension and porch extension.

·     Grant of planning permission.  Little Barn, Finsthwaite

·     Certificate of Lawful Use or Development.  The Shippon, High Nibthwaite.

5.       CCC

·     The Case for a Unitary Cumbria – booklet of explanation.

·     Notice of road closure U5218 Great  Lindeth, Bouth -  21st June for 1 week.

·     Notice of road closure  C5025 Ashes Beck.  Monday 13th August for 7 weeks.

6.       SLDC

·     Notice of extraordinary meeting 5th June to consider proposals in Better Governance for Cumbria.

·     Standards Committee meeting agenda for 7th June 2007.

·     South Lakeland Play Partnership - Play Strategy.  Offer of support for new play projects in the parish.

7.       South Lakeland Strategic Partnership – Sustainable Community Strategy Consultation.

8.       Friends of the Lake District.  Flora of the Fells Project report ‘Picturing Upland Futures.

9.       Tim Farron MP – list of surgery dates for notice boards.

10.   Ministry of Defence.  Response to letter of support of Tewkesbury District Council re charges for parcels for British Forces overseas.

 

109.    Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting was confirmed as Monday 23rd July 2007 in the Rusland Reading Room at 7.30pm.