Members Present

25.     Apologies

·       Cllr Robinson. 

·       Cllr Barr reported that Cllr Baxter had written a letter of resignation from the Council due to ill health; he had replied with a letter of thanks for her contribution during her term of office. It was agreed that the Council would wait until the May elections to fill the position.

26.     Minutes of last meeting

It was resolved that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the council meeting held on 10^th January 2008 as a true record.

27.     Update on Issues and Actions from Last Meeting

  ACTION

·       Newsletter: The Winter 07/08 Newsletter had been sent out.

·       Bouth Village Green Registration: Mr Roderick Smith had completed the required evidence questionnaires. The Clerk would re-submit the registration documents.

Clerk

·       Portable speed indicator: This device should now be available. Cllr Harrington expressed an interest for use at Lakeside. The Clerk would contact Mr Mallet again.

Clerk

·       Signs to Bouth from Colton: The wooden signpost at Greenhead Farm, Colton still indicated a route to Bouth over the unmetalled ‘coffin road’. This should be painted out or altered to point via Snows. Cllr Atkinson would check the signpost and recommend action to be taken.

Cllr Atkinson

·       Seats at Oxen Park: A new seat had been made and paid for by David Oldham and awaited collection from Mintons. Cllr Watson offered to store the bench and Cllr Barr offered to collect it

Cllr Barr

·       Heating Oil: It was agreed that the Clerk would contact heating oil providers about reduced prices for village consortia. Mr R Smith offered to provide a list of providers and contact numbers.

Clerk

·       Post Office Closures: Information had been included in the recent Parish Newsletter. It was agreed that the Clerk would write a second letter on behalf of the Parish Council during the Cumbria consultation period (18^th March for 6 weeks).

Clerk

·       Drain on road from Bouth to Longmire: The Clerk had reported the blocked drain and the need for monitoring and regular clearing to the Highways Hotline. It was agreed that the drain would be monitored and another call made if necessary.

·       NHS Consultation: Cllr Robinson had agreed to make a copy of the questionnaire sent on behalf of the Council.

Cllr Robinson

·       Adult Social Care: Sources of help and contacts had been included in the newsletter.

28.     Declarations of Interest

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

29.     Public Participation

A Guidance Note had been received from CALC on the need to amend parish councils’ Standing Orders and Codes of Conduct to ensure that councillors and members of the public had equal opportunity to make representations, give evidence or answer questions on an item. There should be no adjournment for the public participation session, but instead it should be considered as a formal part of the meeting and minuted as such. A vote was held and it was agreed unanimously that the amendments be adopted. The Clerk would issue Councillors with copies of the revised Standing Orders and Code of Conduct.

Clerk

Issues raised by members of the public:

·       Mr K Dean asked about procedures for becoming a Councillor: Cllr Barr explained that if more than nine names were put forward, elections would be held on 1^st May. Elections were handled by SLDC 'Electoral Services'. Anyone wishing to stand for Councillor should look out for notices on the Parish notice boards for information on how to apply.

·       Mr R Smith provided information on Forest Enterprise (FE) activities behind Old Hall Farm, Bouth. FE were to devise a management plan for the woodland and ask the Parish Council and Bouth villagers for comment. It was suggested that the Clerk should send her contact details to Andy Bennet at Grizedale.

Clerk

·       Mr B Cooper asked whether all Councillors were required to, and whether they had, signed the Code of Conduct. Cllr Barr confirmed that they were required to and they had done so.

·       Ms C Salisbury explained that she was putting herself forward in May for District Councillor, Hawkshead; this ward includes the central and east wards of Colton Parish.

30.     Comments from District and County Councillors

None was present

31.     Planning

A paper on valid criteria for planning objections was discussed and it was agreed that Councillors would use this for reference.

The following planning applications were noted:

-      7/2007/5279 - Boaters, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston LA12 8AS. Demolition of vacant hotel and construction of replacement hotel building and associated access and car-parking. Objections sent.

-      7/2008/5037 - Aquarium of the Lakes, Lakeside, Ulverston, LA12 8AS. Replacement of wall-mounted signs. No objections.

-      7/2008/5018 - Green House Farm, Bandrake Head, Ulverston. LA12 8HN - Erection of garage. No objections

-      T/2008/0006 - Ridding Bay, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston LA12 8AU - Tree preservation application - felling ash tree, pruning oaks, removal of dead and wind-blown trees. Objections sent

-      7/2008/5052 - Landing Close, Lakeside, Ulverston, Cumbria - Erection of 2 new properties with garages, sewage treatment plants & timber decking. Objections sent.

The following grants of planning permission were noted:

-      7/2007/5271 - Blue Bell Barn, Tottlebank - Workshop

-      7/2007/5595 - Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge - Extensions to conservatory

-      7/2007/5673 - Flass Wood, Spark Bridge - Installation of dish on tower & cabinet

-      7/2007/5648 - Mill Gate, Greenodd - Demolition and re-build of extension & garage

The following refusal of planning permission was noted:

-      7/2007/5628 - Green Cottage, Finsthwaite - First floor extension.

32.     Accounts

It was agreed that the following accounts should be paid:

·       Cheque number 000388  - C.Slater (L'man) salary for December (Claim 11) - £231.00

·       Cheque number 000389  - C. Slater (L'man) salary for January (Claim 12) - £308.00

·       Cheque number 000390  - Clerk's expenses: Total: £85.85

(Photocopying and stamps: £14.49; Stationery/office supplies: £56.36;

Village Hall Hire: £11.00; Hawkshead car parking (for newsletter copying): £4)

·       Cheque number 000391 - C. Barr for Parish Printer: £114.98

·       Cheque number 000392 –Leven Valley Electrics: Bouth Village Green electrical fittings and safety inspection: £247.

Receipt of the following cheques was noted:

·       CALC Lengthsman salary reimbursement (Claim 10, Nov 07): £73.83

·       CCC Lengthsman salary reimbursement (Claim 10, Nov 07): £73.83

·       CALC - Lengthsman salary reimbursement (Claim 11, Dec 07): £73.83

·       CCC - Lengthsman salary reimbursement (Claim 11, Dec 07): £73.83

It was agreed that the Audit Commission's appointment of an external auditor, BDO Stoy Hayward LLP,  for 5 years, starting 2007/2008, should be accepted.

33.     Affordable Housing Working Group

·       Cllr Potts reported that he had reminded the Cumbria Housing Trust about sending someone to talk to the Council about procedures & criteria for housing allocation; he was still waiting for a response.

·       The Clerk asked Cllrs to try to complete their housing designation surveys by next meeting. They were asked to note the decision not to include as ‘holiday let’ any accommodation obviously connected to someone’s home, e.g. by a connecting door.

All Cllrs

34.     Community Statement and Parish Plan Updates

A questionnaire had been sent out with the newsletter to ask residents to review and update issues of concern. A Parish Plan Update meeting would be arranged in early March.

Clerk

35.     Lengthsman Scheme and Highways

CALC had confirmed continuation of the Lengthsman Scheme until the end of March. However, the CALC newsletter had warned that the Scheme might be dropped in favour of Cumbria Highway’s own scheme. Cllr Barr reported that:

·       he had sent a letter of support for the Lengthsman Scheme to CC Cllr Ian Stewart.

·       Colton had budgeted about 3 months of funding for the Scheme in the next FY.

·       the Community Board was considering allocating funding for the Scheme next year

Cllr Atkinson asked that poisonous plants (e.g. yew, laurel) be removed from vegetation left for disposal at his farm by the Lengthsman. Cllr Lovegrove would inform Mr Slater.

Cllr Lovegrove

CALC had asked for feedback on the work of the Cumbria Area Highways Team. It was agreed that there was a prompt response to reporting, but that the work done was very poor, resulting in return to pre-work condition within days. The Clerk would report to CALC.

Clerk

36.     Notice Boards

The Clerk had conducted a survey of notice boards. The 4 smaller, cheaper boards were in a poor condition. The meeting was reminded that the makers of these boards had already been asked to repair them, but nothing had been done; the Clerk would check. It was suggested that the Council consider asking local businesses to sponsor notice boards; the Clerk would check whether this was permitted.

Clerk

37.     Reports of Meetings

·       Cllr Barr had provided a written report on the Grange & Cartmel Community Board meeting on 12^th February. The Board had agreed, subject to higher approval, that it would contribute something towards the continuation of the Lengthsman Scheme in its constituent parishes.Cllr Walsh had confirmed that the Board had been given an extension until September 2008.

·       Cllr Barr had been asked to speak at the forthcoming CALC conference (29^th March) on "The Community Board – a small parish council experience".

·       Cllr Barr asked Cllrs to read the CALC consultation document "Greater Influence for Local Councils" and provide feedback to the Clerk by 27^th March.

·       Cllr Harrington reported on the joint meeting with Haverthwaite Parish Council; their main interest was in the Lengthsman Scheme and the Affordable Housing Survey.

·       Speed Limits through villages: the meeting scheduled for 12^th Feb had been postponed

·       SLDC meeting – ‘Making Sense of the National Policy Context’ – awaiting feedback.

All Cllrs

38.     Sharing of Parish Clerk and Possible Amalgamation of Parishes

The Council had been approached by Sattethwaite PC on the possibility of either sharing a Clerk or amalgamation, should Satterthwaite have difficulty filling positions in May. This hypothetical situation was discussed: The Clerk felt reluctant to take on two parishes, being new to the role and given the likely work-load. Amalgamation of parishes was not regarded as desirable for Colton; as an already large and sparsely populated parish, this would only add to the associated difficulties. Cllr Barr would report back to Satterthwaite PC.

Cllr Barr

39.     Training Courses

Planned attendance at the following courses was noted:

·       Cllr Robinson: New Councillor course, June 12^th

·       Clerk: "Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA)" course - 4 days Apr-Jun 08

The Clerk would find and circulate details of a suitable course on planning procedures. Cllrs would let her know if they were interested in attending.

Clerk

40.     Correspondence

     The following correspondence was discussed:

·       Consultation on 'Orders and Regulations relating to the Conduct of Local Authority Members in England' and response by Cllr Barr by deadline date of 15^th Feb.

·       Letter from Mr Wroe regarding the withdrawal of some mobile library stops in Bouth. Cllr Lovegrove offered to draft a letter to the Library Service.

Cllr Lovegrove

The following correspondence was noted: