The following are the minutes of the Colton Parish Council meeting held on

Thursday 10th January 2008 in Colton Church Hall at 7.30pm.

 

Members Present

Cllr C Barr (Chair )  Cllr T Atkinson  Cllr P Harrington  Cllr A Robinson  Cllr C Potts  Cllr J Watson   

Cllr A Robinson  Ms M Lane (Clerk)

 

Also present:  3 members of the public

 

1.         Apologies

       Cllr P Lovegrove    Cllr I Cunliffe

 

2.         Minutes of last meeting

It was resolved that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the council meeting held on 26th November 2007 as a true record.

 

3.         Declarations of Interest

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

 

4.         Update on Issues from Last Meeting

·       RoSPA Playground Report: The Clerk reported that an email had been received from the engineers clarifying the report. The one item requiring work had been attended to.

·       Seat at Oxen Park:  Cllr Watson reported that the seat was now in position and that further fixing and landscaping was in progress. Cllr Barr read out a letter from Mr David Oldham of Oxen Park offering to pay for the bench and requesting leave to add a plaque in memory of his wife, Ann Oldham. This was agreed unanimously. The Clerk would write to Mr Oldham.

·       Lakeside Notice Board: The Lakeside Hotel had contacted Cllr Harrington indicating a willingness to cooperate but explained that they were busy at present. Cllr Harrington would follow up in due course.

·       Colton Notice Board: The Council expressed its thanks to John King for repairing the notice board. It was agreed that the Clerk would review the condition of PC notice boards.

·       Bus service X35 to stop at Greenodd: The Clerk had written in support of the campaign.

·       SLDC functions that could be taken on by Colton PC: It was agreed that the Council would wait for feedback from Anne Hall following her attendance at a meeting on the subject (22nd Jan: "Making Sense of the National Policy Context") and would ask for someone to talk to the Council on the subject.

·       Location of Salt Heaps: It was agreed that Cllr Barr would provide a map, showing the location of salt bins and heaps, and circulate this to Cllrs for updating in time to inform the Highways Dept. for next winter.

 

5.         Public Participation

 

The following issues were raised by members of the public:

i) Post-Office closures: The Council was asked to write again in support of Greenodd PO during the 6-week consultation period which begins in March and was also asked to highlight the issue in its next Newsletter. This was agreed.

ii) Concern over rising fuel prices: Examples were given on how fuel bills could be reduced: Eskdale's heating of public buildings with biofuel, cooperative purchasing of fuel oil, and the allowance for individuals to manufacture a certain amount of their own biodiesel. It was agreed that the Council would monitor green energy use and fuel-saving options.

iii) Drain on the road from Bouth to Longmire: The drain at the end of the ‘coffin road’ to Colton needed to be  cleared and monitored. The road alongside the woodland needed clearing of leaves. The Council would follow this up, but Cllr Barr reminded the meeting that the Highways Hotline (0845 6096609) could be contacted directly in such circumstances.

iv) Council Tax/Parish Precept: The Parish was taking on more responsibilities and there was concern that parishioners were being expected to pay. As a large but sparsely populated parish, any extra work taken on by Colton PC represented a larger proportion of Council Tax per household. Cllr Barr assured the meeting that this issue was being addressed by Colton's District Council representatives at meetings concerned with devolution of responsibilities.

 

6.         Comments from District and County Councillors

None was present

 

7.         Planning

·       7/2007/5595. Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge, Ulverston LA12 8AT. Extensions to existing conservatory & provision of access ramp from existing conservatory to garden terrace. No objections.

·       7/2007/5647.  Ridding Bay, Lakeside, Ulverston LA12 8AU.  Rebuild boathouse, new sewage treatment plant, jetty extension, replacement jetty at former jetty location and dredging. Objections sent on grounds of inappropriate and escalating development.

·       7/2007/5673. Flass Wood, Spark Bridge, Ulverston.  Installation of a 0.3m dish at height of 26m on existing 30m tower; also a small gas bottle cabinet, exhaust flue and generator. No objections.

·       7/2007/5628 Green Cottage, Finsthwaite, Ulverston, LA12 8BN First floor extension. No objections.

·       7/2007/5648 Mill Gate, Greenodd, Ulverston. LA12 8HZ Demolition of existing extension and erection of single storey extension, sun-room & detached garage. No objections.

 

8.         Accounts

It was agreed that the following accounts should be paid:

·      Cheque number 000383 - £141.00 - Audit Commission Audit Fee

·      Cheque number 000384 - £231.00 - C.Slater - Lengthsman's salary for November:

·      Cheque number 000385 - £36.00  - Hawkshead PCC - photocopying

·      Cheque number 000386 - £37.31 - Clerk expenses (Dec): Stationery £8.31, Stamps £29.00

·      Cheque number 000387 - £55.81 - Ordnance Survey paper map-copying licence fee.

Receipt of the following cheques was noted:

·      CALC Lengthsman salary reimbursement (Claim 9, Oct): £112.33

·      CCC Lengthsman salary reimbursement (Claim 9, Oct): £112.33

 

It was agreed that the Clerk should purchase a dedicated printer, robust enough to handle the significant amount of paperwork required in supporting the Council.

 

9.         Colton PC Affordable Housing Working Group

Cllr Potts reported on the Group’s first meeting. The key findings from the Colton Housing Survey indicated that the principal housing need was for families with adult children in need of rented 2/3-bedroom accommodation. There was also a need for suitable housing for elderly people wishing to down-size to single-storey housing. The Working Group was seeking advice on procedures for access to existing affordable housing in the parish, and on standard definitions for housing designation.

 

10.      Community Statement Update

The Council had been asked to update its draft Community Statement, based on current information and opinion. Cllr Barr had drafted a short questionnaire for parishioners that could be included in the next newsletter (due in February) and circulated around local group meetings. This was agreed. This questionnaire would also serve the purpose of updating the Parish Plan.

 

11.      Lengthsman Scheme

No report was given at this meeting.

 

12.      Meeting with Haverthwaite Parish Council

Cllr Barr reminded Cllrs of the forthcoming meeting with Haverthwaite Parish Council at 18.00 on Monday 14th Jan at Leven Valley School.

 

13.      Bouth Village Green and Play Area

The Clerk reported that the registration process was in-hand. The December SLDC risk-assessment report highlighted one issue which had now been remedied. The Clerk would respond to the Allianz Insurance Company that all highlighted issues had been attended to and advice noted. It was felt the Council had done all it could to remind the SLDC about invoicing for inspections in 2006/2007.

 

14.      Reports of Meetings

Cllr Atkinson reported on the Grizedale Local Consultative Meeting held on 6th Dec 2007. The main buildings at Grizedale were to be demolished shortly, including the theatre. Eleven firms had tendered for the mini-bus shuttle and 2 had been short-listed. The shuttle was to operate from Haverthwaite Railway Station to Grizedale via Oxen Park and would hold 14 people plus 5 bikes. The aim was to reduce traffic and to encourage people to go to Grizedale for the whole day.

 

15.      NHS Consultation

Cllr Robinson reported on the consultation by NHS Morecambe Bay Trust on 'Foundation Trust Status'. If approved, it would be launched in July. She would respond on behalf of the Council by the deadline date of 13th Jan.

 

16.      Sharing of Parish Clerk and Possible Amalgamation of Parishes

Due to absences, it was agreed to defer discussion until the next meeting.

 

17.      Community Board Topic: Adult Social Care and Child Care Provision

Cllr Barr asked for ideas on how the Council could help. It was agreed that some information on sources of help and advice would be put in the next Newsletter.

 

18.      Training Courses

The Clerk asked that Cllrs should complete and submit to her the form for courses attended during 2007. The list of possible CALC courses was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk would attend the CiLCA course required for Colton's Quality Status this year. It was agreed that Cllr Robinson should attend the 'New Councillor' course.

 

19.      SLDC Overview and Scrutiny Committee

SLDC had written to ask for suggestions for topics for this Committee. None was forthcoming at the meeting. Any subsequent ideas should be sent to the Clerk.

 

20.      Update of Website Pen Portraits

The Clerk asked that Cllrs look at their pen portraits on the website and let her have any amendments.

 

21.      Winter Newsletter

The Clerk would ballot for dates for a Newsletter Working Group meeting shortly, as the Winter Newsletter was due in February.

 

22.      Voluntary Action Cumbria (VAC)

VAC had asked for permission to put the Colton Parish Plan on their website. This was agreed.

 

23.      Correspondence

The following correspondence was noted:

 

1.  SLDC

·           SLDC - Notice of council meeting Thursday 6th December S Lakeland House 6.30.

·           SLDC - Register of Electors for 2008 - notification of new update and notices for Notice Boards.

 

2.  CCC

·           Cumbria County Council: Temporary Road Closure Spark Bridge and Tottlebank to patch highway. 21st January from 9.00 am for 8 days.

·           Cumbria County Council, Annual Report 2006/07

 

3.  CALC

·           CALC Circular December 2007/January 2008

·           CALC - South Lakeland District Association. Minutes of Meeting on 29th Nov 2007.

 

4.  Grizedale Project

·           Grizedale Project Newsflash

·           Grizedale Local Consultative Group Meeting Minutes - Dec 6th

·           Christmas card from Forestry Commission. With some tree seeds to plant.

 

5.  VAC

·           Voluntary Action Cumbria - The Gazette: Community Action Plans. Issue 5, Winter 2007.

 

6.  FELLS (Friends of Eden, Lakeland and Lunesdale Society): update on spread of wind farms.

7.  Cumbria Energy Efficiency Advice centre – Newsletter.

8.  Water Park Adventure Centre.  Newsletter and Christmas card.

9.  Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) November/December Newsletter.

10. 'Link-up' Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2007 - Third Sector Network News

11. ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) - Confirmation and notification of Renewal of Registration under DPA 1998.

12. Mobile Phone mast:       Vodafone - no plans to extend coverage.

13. T-mobile - our letter forwarded to appropriate dept.

14. Broadband:  Andrew Lathwell, Garsdale & Grisedale Broadband Group - emailed as result of contact from MP. Offered info/advice.

15. Judith Dove's thank-you card to Council

16. Christmas card from Tim Farron

 

            Late Correspondence:

17. CALC request for agreement that Cllr David Foot continues as parish representative on the Ulverston Market Town Initiative. (Agreed).

18. CALC: Notes of meeting of Lake District Parish Councils held on 19th Nov 2007. Next meeting to be held on 28th April in Keswick.

19. Anne Hall (SLDC Councillor): Information about a meeting on 'Making Sense of the National Policy Context' that she will be attending on 22nd January, and invitation for Cllrs to send any representations they wish her to make on devolution of responsibilities to parishes.

20. Letter from CCC re postponement of Grange and Cartmel Community Board meeting due to be held on 10th Jan. It will be postponed until 12th February.

 

24.      Date of Next Meeting(s)

A schedule of meeting dates for 2008 was agreed as follows:

 

(Thursday 10th January     Colton Church Hall )

Monday 18th February       Bouth Village Hall

Thursday 27th March         Rusland Village Hall               Parish Open Meeting & Parish Council

Monday 12th May             Finsthwaite Village Hall           Annual Parish Council Meeting 2008

Monday 23rd June            tba

Monday 28th July              tba

Monday 8th September     tba

Monday 20th October        tba

Monday 1st December      tba

 

The next meeting was confirmed as Monday 18th February in Bouth Village Hall at 7.30 p.m..