The following are the minutes of the Colton Parish Council meeting held on Monday 15th October 2007 in the Bouth Village Hall at 7.30pm.

 

Members Present

Cllr  C Barr (Chair )  Cllr T Atkinson  Cllr S Baxter  Cllr P Harrington Cllr P Lovegrove  Cllr C Potts  

Cllr J Watson   Mrs J Dove (Clerk)

 

Also present:  Cllr Ted Walsh (CCC) Gail Knopfel (Voluntary Action Cumbria) and 3 members of the public

 

146.        Apologies 

Cllr A Robinson   Cllr I Cunliffe  Cllr Anne Hall (SLDC)

 

147.        Minutes of last meeting

It was resolved that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the council meeting held on 3rd September 2007 as a true record.

 

148.        Update on Issues from Last Meeting

·         Fixed Asset Register.  Clerk had been advised that the council has no assets large enough to be classed as ‘fixed’.

·         Playground Report RoSPA.  Clerk said that the report had been received and was an exact copy of the previous year’s report, pointing to defects that have already been remedied.  She has written to RoSPA for an explanation of this.

·         20mph speed  limit and yellow lines or slow signs at Bouth.  Mr R Smith reported the results of the survey of villagers.  The results were inconclusive, having 7 in favour of the 20mph signs, 9 in favour of SLOW signs painted on the road, and 6 in favour of no action.  The chairman thanked Mr Smith for conducting the survey.  This discussed further in item 162.

·         Portable speed indicator.  Reply from Mr Mallett to the effect that the speed indicator would not be available until December.  The clerk to remind Mr Mallett that the council was still wishing to have the speed indicator on loan as soon as it became available.  Bouth to be added to the list of places to site the indicator.

·         Seat at Oxen Park.  Clerk reported that Mr Hool’s solicitor had agreed that the measures in place to protect the area around the seat were acceptable to him.  Clerk to write to Mr Hool, and Cllr Watson to approach Mr Hool to confirm this.

·         Damaged signs at Finsthwaite and Bouth sign at Colton Church.  The sign at Finsthwaite has been replaced and a new sign to Bouth has been placed at Colton crossroads, but the problem with the wooden sign pointing to the church and Bouth remains.  In addition , a formal Council sign to Bouth has been added at the Old Vicarage.  Clerk to contact Nick Raymond again to ask if the council could remove the reference to Bouth from the wooden sign.  Cllr Walsh to be copied into this correspondence.

·         Lakeside notice board.  Cll Harrington reported that despite strenuous efforts, he has been unable to obtain an appointment with the manager of the Lakeside Hotel.  Clerk to write a letter to the manager to request permission to site the notice board on the side of the Lakeside Hotel.

 

 

149.        Declarations of Interest

Cllr Potts declared a prejudicial interest in planning application 7/2007/5544 - Nether Croft, Finsthwaite, Ulverston LA12 8BJ.  Proposed Alteration and Extensions.  He signed the register of interests book.  The chairman drew the attention of councillors to the reply from Debbie Storr of the  Standards Board which confirmed that councillors with a declared prejudicial interest could make a statement before leaving the room but they could take no part in the discussion either in the days before the meeting or during the meeting at which the matter was to be discussed.   On returning to the meeting, the councillor should be given a summary of the discussion and the decision reached

 

150.        Public Participation

Gail Knopfel addressed the meeting on the development of a Parish Planning Community Statement, and how she could help the council formulate this.  The Community Statement is a mini Parish Plan, to fit in with the Community Board of which Colton PC is a member, and is needed by March 2008.  The chairman and Clerk to have a meeting with Gail Knopfel to discuss the requirements in detail.

 

Mr R Smith, for the BVGVC, reported that an estimate of £247 for the upgrade of the electricity supply for the Christmas tree on the village green had been received.  The council approved the go-ahead for this work to be undertaken, some of which would be done by Mr Smith.  He also reported that the holes in the road reported at the last meeting had been filled, but the drains at the end of the ‘coffin road’ were blocked again.  The clerk to report this to CCC Highways.

 

151.        Comments from District and County Councillors

Cllr. Ted Walsh (CCC)

Mindful of the length of the Agenda, Cllr Walsh said that he had nothing pressing to report.  He was asked, in light of the 20mph speed limit, why speed monitoring vans did not come into country lanes.  Cllr Walsh said that the vans were sited only in accident blackspots.  However, it was possible for parish councillors to be offered Community Speed Watch training in the use of hand held speed monitors if they so requested.

 

Cllr. Anne Hall (SLDC)

Cllr Hall was unable to be present, but had forwarded information which included topics on playground upgrades, Multi Use Games Areas, an  increased the number of bring sites, waste credits for commercial waste recycling and housing to rent in Rural Areas  Her full report was circulated to the meeting.

        

152.        Planning

A resolution of no objections was recorded for each of  the following planning applications:

· 7/2007/5504  The Sheiling, Finsthwaite, Ulverston LA12 8BJ.  Replacement pitched roof dormer.

· 7/2007/5511  15, Landing How, Lakeside, Ulverston LA12 8DH. Erection of conservatory.

· 7/2007/5489  The Sheiling, Finsthwaite, Ulverston LA12 8BJ.  Extension to garden.

· 7/2007/5544  Nether Croft, Finsthwaite, Ulverston LA12 8BJ.  Proposed Alteration and   Extensions.

The following was noted:

Grant of planning permission

7/2007/5293  Pool Foot Farm, Rusland Pool, Ulverston.  Alteration to occupancy condition.

Withdrawal of planning permission

7/2007/542  Vacant plots at Landing Close, Lakeside, Newby Bridge.   Erection of 2 new properties

 

153.        Accounts

It was agreed that the following accounts should be paid:

·         Cheque number  000371  -  £385.00 – C Slater – Lengthsman salary for August

·         Cheque number  000372  -    £70.00 - C Potts - Finsthwaite seat expenses.

·         Cheque number  000373  -    £70.50 - Playsafety Ltd - Playground inspection.

·         Cheque number  000374  -  £308.00 – C Slater – Lengthsman salary for Sept.

·         Cheque number  000375   -   £15.00 – Peter Harrington - Remembrance Wreath

·         Cheque number  000376 -   £100.00  - J Dove -  Playground maintenance expenses

 

Receipt of the following cheques was noted:

·         Cumbria County Council -  £109.83.  Lengthsman salary reimbursement.

·         CALC - £109.83.  Lengthsman salary reimbursement.

·         HM Revenue & Customs return of VAT - £229.00.

 

154.        Colton PC Housing Survey Report

The Cumbria Rural Housing Trust Housing report on Housing Needs in Colton had been received.  An extra parish council meeting was arranged for Monday 12th November.  Clerk to circulate venue and agenda.

 

155.        Report of Grange & Cartmel Community Board meeting 18th September

          Cllr Barr reported the following points from the above meeting:

·     There is political and possibly financial support for continuation of Community Boards. 

·    We need to check our Parish Plan against the new draft Development Plan (on which we can still comment).

·     In order to meet various targets, it will be necessary to build about 400 new homes a year in South Lakeland, targeted at ‘key service centres’

·     Parishes councils are asked to promote and discuss the new directs Payment Scheme - this provides payments to organise own support, normally provided by Social Services.

·    Winter gritting - top-ups of salt heaps and salt-bins will be through the hotline ONLY - asked whether drivers aware of 'normal' locations of salt-heaps.

·    Parishes invited to consider including a precept for SID poles (could be up to £500 each).

·    Future of Lengthsman scheme in balance- may wish to precept for it - CALC may not have money next year – we may wish to increase our precept to cover the shortfall.

·    Board will push harder for lengthsman to be allowed to make use of Civic Amenity Sites.

 

156.        Grizedale Consultative Group Meeting Report

Cllr Atkinson reported the following points from the above meeting:

·         The first car park has been completed.

·         The shuttle bus plan is going ahead, with places on the bus for passengers and bikes (11-14 seats, depending on the number of bikes).  The route will pass through Oxen Park and can be used by locals.

·         Alan Russel is taking over from Graham Prest as the ‘front-man’ for the development.

·         The next meeting is on December 6th – any problems or items for the agenda to be passed to Cllr Atkinson.

 

157.        CALC Course Report

Cllr Harrington reported that the two courses that he had attended were worthwhile although the Chairman’s course which both he and Cllr Barr attended tried to cover a lot of issues in the time available.

 

158.        Parish Lengthsman Pilot Scheme Report

Cllr Lovegrove reported that there were still very few referrals for work to be done from the public.  Cllr Atkinson said that Chris Slater was very self motivated and efficient and saw the jobs that needed doing and went ahead and did them on his own initiative.  Cllr Lovegrove suggested that it might be possible to put a book on the notice board in which people could report jobs needing to be done.  Various problems about this idea were identified, but it was agreed that this should be discussed further at the next meeting.

 

The council agreed that Cllr Barr and Cllr Lovegrove should meet to complete the CALC Pilot Scheme Assessment Document.

 

159.        SLDC Democracy Speed Dating Request for Volunteers

No names were put forward to go to the above meeting.

 

160.        SLDC Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment

No gypsy and traveller sites were identified in the parish.

 

161.        Nominations for CALC Parish Representative South Lakeland Standards Committee

No names were put forward for nomination for a place on the above committee.

 

162.        Speed Limits Through Villages

Clerk to reply to Torver Parish Council that the council was in sympathy with their desire for speed limits, and Cllr Harrington volunteered to attend the meeting called by Claife Parish Council at High Wray on 30th October discuss the possibility of pressing for speed limits.

 

163.        Meeting with Haverthwaite PC

The clerk to write to Haverthwaite Parish Council agreeing in principle to closer association, and to request suggestions for topics that could be on the agenda for a meeting between members of each council.

 

164.        Newsletter

A meeting of the newsletter group was arranged for Wednesday 24th October to compile the November newsletter.  Time and venue to be arranged and circulated by clerk.

 

165.        Local Communications Service

The chairman outlined the difficulties experienced in certain parts of the parish with both mobile phones and broadband internet connection.  It was agreed that, on the council’s behalf,  the chairman should write to the appropriate service providers to explore possible improvements in these services

 

166.        Correspondence

          The following correspondence was noted:

1.       LDNPA

·     Letter from Dave Robinson explaining the changes in the operation of Trails Management in the LDNPA .

2.       CCC

·     Minibus brokerage – posters for notice boards.

·     Integrated Youth Support Services information.

·     Temporary Road Closure C5024 Rusland Cross to Ealinghearth Road – 29th October for 3 days.

·     Temporary Road Closure U5221Fern View Nr Backbarrow – 29th October for 2 weeks.

·     Rural Wheels – explanatory leaflets.

3.                       SLDC

·     Publicity for the Annual Electoral Canvass.

·     Notice of Standards Committee meeting 11th October 2007 2.00pm Kendal Town Hall.

·     Licensing Act 2003 - Review of Statement of Licensing Policy.

4.                       CALC

·     September Circular.

·     Training and Development programme autumn 07 – spring 08.

5.                       Voluntary Action Cumbria Guidance for communities under threat.

·                 Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service (CVC) Newsletter information.

·                 Cumbria Learning Links courses  More at www.cumbrialearninglinks.org.uk.

6.                       Cumbria Police Authority

·     Annual Report.

·     Appointment of independent Custody Visitors – request for volunteers.

7.                       Satterthwaite PC  Minutes of meeting 23rd July and agenda for meeting 17th September

8.                       Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency Get Started Event for new businesses.

9.                       defra – Ways to tackle climate change – booklet of information.

10.                       Debbie Storr, Executive Director (Central Services) SLDC.  Clarification on Code of Conduct - declaration of prejudicial interests.

11.                       Notification of badly cut verges and poorly maintained roads.  B Alexander and M Dickinson.

12.                       Citizen’s Advice South Lakeland.  Request for grant of £100.00. No grant to be made.

 

 

167.            Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting was confirmed as Monday 26th November 2007 in the Rusland Reading Room at 7.30pm.

 

Part 2

 

168.            Budget setting for the 2008-2009 Precept

The budget for 2008/09 was discussed and a preliminary list of costs identified.  Uncertainty about whether or not the Lengthsman scheme was to be continued was considered.  Further calculations needed to be made, and a completed accounts sheet and precept forecast to be presented for approval at the next meeting.

 

169.     Appointment of New Clerk

      Clerk and Chairman to set a timetable for advertising the vacancy for clerk.  An interviewing panel was approved.  This to be Cllr Harrington (chair), Cllr Lovegrove, Cllr Potts and the Clerk.