149.  Apologies

Cllr Dean

ACTION

150.  Minutes of Last Meeting

      It was resolved that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 20^th October 2008 as a true record.

151.  Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest by members in respect of items on this agenda.

152.  Update on Issues and Actions from Last Meeting

The following action reports were received and noted:

·      Notice-board repair:  Mr Helme had now repaired the Lakeside notice board and had asked that the Council monitor its state in case any further attention was required.

Cllr Harrington

·      Flyer: 'Tips for Visitors': This had been completed and was downloadable from the website. Copies would be available with the next newsletter for delivering to holiday let owners.

·      Bouth Village Green registration: The Clerk had recently been told that Bouth registration was pending with 5 other applications ahead of it.

·      BT Payphone at Oxen Park: BT would not allow the adoption of the kiosk without the electricity supply and associated costs, so in view of the decision made at the last Council meeting, the kiosk would not be adopted and BT would remove it.

·      Affordable Housing: Cllr Potts and Cllr Barr had met with Witherslack Community Land Trust to learn about their approach to affordable housing. Their need was different to Colton's: a high proportion wanted ownership of housing, and land had been donated for self-build.

Clerk

153.  Public Participation

·       PC John Baldwin reported on crime levels in the area:

-         Deer poaching was the main problem, with venison much in demand. Residents should phone the police if they suspect poaching. The police were conducting patrols whenever possible. The Clerk would put information into the newsletter, notice boards and website. 

-         Owners of quad bikes should notify PC Baldwin if they would like them 'smart-watered'.

-         Oil/Diesel thefts: There was some suspicion of a link between door-to-door fish-sellers and oil/diesel thefts; residents should let PC Baldwin know if fish-sellers are around.

·       A presentation from Mr Malcolm Leadbetter from the STOP campaign against the Stribers wind-farm was received, with the following main points:

Photomontages showing the visual impact of the planned turbines from Cartmel and Greenodd were presented, as were figures giving energy output and CO₂-saving as a fraction of claimed levels. Planning policy (County, LDNPA, SLDC) constrained renewable energy development based on environmental, landscape, social  and heritage impact. Maps were presented showing that the landscape and visual impact was likely to be high. Access and construction impact would also be high, since this would use the Cartmel Valley, with talk of significant alteration of the narrow roads to accommodate vehicles. There were strong concerns about likely effects on tourism, local businesses, heritage, wildlife and hydrology.

Questions were asked about: land ownership (answer: land would be leased with an annual payment to land owners); links with other campaign groups (yes and following closely CCC's recent concerns about on-shore wind energy and landscape value);  other proposed sites (Standish, Furness peninsula); the time-table for the planning application (Spring 2009, same time as the environmental impact assessment). The Council was given a folder containing the presentation and accompanying information for circulation (contact the Clerk to view).

·       Council Tax: a member of the public asked that the Council consider a proposal that Council Tax be tied to the rate of inflation. The government was proposing that increases should be no more than 4% this year. The question was addressed by County and District Councillors: Cllr Walsh (CCC) explained the difficulties County had at the moment in funding equal pay requirements and were trying hard to keep costs under control. The revenue support grant had been fixed for 3 years, which helped. Cllr Davies (SLDC) explained that SLDC were having to undertake major re-structuring to cut costs.

Clerk

154.  Comments from District and County Councillors

·       Report from Cllr Davies (SLDC):

-         The timing of Colton PC meetings seemed to clash with Satterthwaite. Monday nights tended to be the most convenient night for Councillors and it was difficult to ensure staggering of dates with other Councils.

-         He was concerned that Health and Safety issues were leading to unsuitable solutions for reasons of speed and cost: Hawkshead cobbles had been removed and replaced by tarmac in some places. Cllr Davies had led a campaign for replacement and had been assured that the cobbles would be replaced.

·       Report from Cllr Walsh (CCC):

-         Two salt bins were available for Colton Parish. The Clerk would liaise with Councillors and let Cllr Walsh know where they should be located.

-         The road surface from Cuckoo Bridge towards Finsthwaite was scheduled for re-surfacing next year. Cllr Potts asked that it be given high priority.

Clerk

155.  Accounts

·       The following payments were approved:

-         Cheque 000428: Clerk's half-year salary (April 08-Sept-08):  £1029.75

-         Cheque 000429: Clerk's expenses: stationery, parking, electricity meter:  £69.18

-         Cheque 000430: C.Slater (Lengthsman) hours for October 2008: £308.00

-         Cheque 000431: The Royal British Legion - wreath for Rusland remembrance service, 2008: £16.50

-         Cheque 000432: Website domain name renewal (Cllr Barr): £14.98

-         Cheque 000433: Peter Helme, Lakeside notice board repair: £116.00

·       Meetings and travel claims: The Clerk was concerned that the travel budget had been exceeded already for both Clerk and Councillors. It was resolved that attendance at meetings and associated travel claims would be approved in advance unless short notice was received for important meetings. The Clerk had spoken to Haverthwaite about a lift-sharing arrangement. It was agreed that she should try to agree a system for sharing costs.

Clerk

156.  Planning

·       It was resolved to implement a new system for planning applications to comply with guidelines received via CALC, with a review in 6-months. The following clause would be included in the Standing Orders:

"The Clerk is authorised to determine the Council's observations on uncontentious planning applications following consultation with the Chairman and other appropriate members. Which plans are deemed "uncontentious" and who are the "other appropriate members"  shall be determined by the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman. The decision of the Clerk shall be reported to the next meeting of the Council. If plans are deemed potentially 'contentious' then they shall be discussed at the next meeting of the Council, the Clerk seeking an extended deadline from the planning authority where necessary."

·       The following planning applications were noted:

-          7/2008/5550 - Laurel House, High Nibthwaite: extensions and alterations. No objections.

-          7/2008/5540 - Rusvale, Rusland:single storey extension to front of house. No objections.

-          7/2008/5480 - Abbot Park, Bandrake Head: Change of use of agricultural land to campsite, including building for toilets/showers/storage. No objections. A member of the public asked whether this was an application for tents only; this was confirmed.

The following grants of planning permission were noted:

-           7/2008/5550 - Laurel House, Nibthwaite - extensions and alterations

-           7/2008/5540 - Rusvale, Rusland - single storey extension to front of house

The following appeal decisions were noted:

-           7/2007/5588 - The Lodge, Ridding Bay, Lakeside - raised portion of boundary wall. Appeal dismissed, enforcement notice upheld.

The following property naming was noted:

-           The Old Post Office, Oxen Park.

Clerk

157.  Precept for 2009/2010

The late addition of £170 by SLDC for election expenses to the precept for 2009/2010 was noted, making a total precept of £9024.

158.  Bouth Playground Inspections

It was resolved that a system of weekly playground inspections be initiated through volunteers from Bouth, in order to meet the demands of the insurance company. It was agreed that the Clerk would investigate requirements of other insurers for inspections, and that she would write to SLDC to terminate the current system of 'professional' monthly inspections.

Clerk

159.  New Model Publication Scheme

It was resolved to adopt the government's new 'Model Publication Scheme' for publication of information under the Freedom of Information Act. The Clerk would prepare the necessary paperwork and implement the system.

Clerk

160.  Training

It was agreed that the Clerk should attend the SLDC Code of Conduct training course (free) in Ulverston on 17^th February.

Cllr Barr asked that the list of training courses attended be checked and kept up-to-date.

Clerk

Clerk

161.   Reports of Meetings

i) CALC/LDNPA Planning Seminar, 6^th November: Cllr Barr and the Clerk had attended. The LDNPA required clear and concise responses, based on material considerations, from the Council as a collective body. It was not necessary only to object or not object; they would take account of any relevant comments made.

ii) CALC South Lakeland District Committee meeting, 27^th October. Cllr Harrington and the Clerk had attended. Key points: i) Highway Stewards: Cumbria Highways were keenly aware of the need for feedback on work done and were working on a reporting system for parishes. The liaison person was key to success of the HS scheme. Arisings were now the responsibility of the County Council 'Cumbria Strategic Waster Partnership'. ii) Locality Working / Local Area Partnerships: there will be a second consultation phase shortly. CALC were unhappy about the initial wording of the document to be sent to parishes, hence the delay for re-writing. iii) Next meeting would be 5^th March at Gilpin Bridge at which the Land Registry would be speaking about registering green spaces. The Clerk planned to attend.

Clerk

162.  Consultations

·         Responses sent to the following consultations were noted:

-    Communities in Control - making and enforcing byelaws. Cllr Lovegrove had responded.

-    South Lakeland Speed Limit Order at Spark Bridge. The Clerk had consulted residents and asked for 30 mph signs to be moved to include 3 houses and blind brow on Bridgefield road.

-    LDNPA - recreational use of water resources. Cllr Potts had responded.

·         New consultations:

-    Communities in Control: Code of Conduct - by 24^th Dec: Cllr Lovegrove would prepare draft response.

-    Lake District Parish Charter - by 31^st Jan: Cllrs Barr and Fishwick would prepare draft response.

Cllr Lovegrove

Cllrs Barr and Fishwick

163.  Correspondence

The following correspondence was discussed:

·         Forestry Commission - design plan meeting for Bessie Bank wood, 22^nd January 9.30. Cllr Robinson and the Clerk would attend.

·         Forestry Commission: wall repairs were taking place between Whitestock and Satterthwaite between 11^th and 23^rd December. The FC requested that no large vehicles use this route.

·         Low Furness Neighbourhood Forum meeting Tuesday 2^nd Dec at Greenodd. No Agenda had been received, despite request from Clerk.

Cllr Robinson

Clerk

The following correspondence list was noted:

164.  Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting was confirmed as the Monday 12^th January 2009 in Blawith & Nibthwaite Village Hall at

Water Yeat at 7.30 p.m..