The following are the minutes of the Colton Parish Council meeting held on in the Monday 19th March 2007 at Colton Church Room, following the Annual Open Parish meeting.

Members Present

Cllr R Mein (Chair)   Cllr C Barr  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)  and 3 members of the public.

36.           Apologies for Absence 

Cllr A. Hall (SLDC) Cllr G Jenkinson (SLDC) Cllr T Atkinson  

37.           Minutes

 

It was resolved that the Chairman be authorised to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 12th February 2007 as a true record.

38.           Declaration of Interests

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

39.       Public participation

Cllr Walsh was asked by a member of the public if he could explain why there is a difference in the figures for ‘percentage amount of the council tax raised for parish council use’ in the statement of Council Tax due, and the amount shown in the flyer that accompanied the statement.  Cllr Walsh explained that it had to do with the differences between the amount provided by the District Council and the County Council.  The possibility of a member of the parish wishing to set up a turbine on the Rusland Pool was also raised.  The chairman said that until a planning application to that effect had been received there was nothing that the council could do.

40.           Comments from Cumbria County Councillor

Cllr Walsh reported on the following:

·         Reminder of the Hotline number – 0845 609 6609

·         Neighbourhood Forum to meet Tuesday 20th March at Finsthwaite at 7.30pm.

·         Peter Stybelski, Chief Executive has just had a kidney transplant and is doing well.

·         The Waste and Minerals Consultation is underway, and councils are invited to comment on it.

·         The Unitary Authority looks as if it will go ahead.

·         Once a Unitary Authority is agreed, a pilot Community Board is to be set up and Cllr Walsh hopes that Colton will be involved.

41.           Update on issues from last meeting

·         Fly tipping at Spark Bridge.  Cllr Mein told the meeting that he had reported to SLDC the fly tipping of tyres.  Inspectors had visited the site and said that as it was not on the roadside, it was the farmer’s responsibility.  Several councillors remember this site as being a South Lonsdale DC  tip for many years before SLDC took over, and so it was presumably still their responsibility.  Cllr Walsh agreed that a letter be sent to SLDC again reminding them of their responsibility, particularly with regard to fly tipping now that new rules were in operation at waste disposal sites.  It was resolved that Cllr Mein should write again to SLDC.

·         Holes in road at Colton Hill and broken signpost at Finsthwaite.  Both had been reported, and the hotline update said it had been done.  The signposts to be replaced out of next year’s budget.  Cllr Cunliffe said that some had been filled in but others, deeper than the required 25mm, had been left untouched.  He also added that SLDC lorries were using that road despite a 6’ 6” restriction.  It was resolved that the clerk should write to SLDC on both counts.

·         Save our Post Offices campaign.  Cllr Barr reported that he had sent a letter on the council’s behalf in response to the survey, giving reasons why there was a need for rural post offices to be kept open.  However, he stressed that members of the community must use the local post offices to prove that indeed they are needed.  A plea for better use of the Post Offices to be in the next Parish Council Newsletter and also in the other community newsletters to which the council contributes.

42.           Planning

It was resolved to send a return of no objection to planning application 7/2007/5095.  Thornlea, Colton, Ulverston LA12 8HB.  Roof alterations and new dormer  windows, replacement of rear extension and access improvement

43.               Payment of Accounts

It was resolved that the following accounts should be paid.

·         Cheque number 00341 -  £10.00  -   Finsthwaite Village Hall

·         Cheque number 00342  - £10.00   -  Hire of Colton Church Hall. 

·         Cheque number 00343 -  £171.00  - CALC subscription

·         Cheque number 00344  -  £90.00  -.  CALC course fee

·         Cheque number 00345  -  £61 03  -   Cllr Barr expenses. 

·         Cheque number 00346   - £167.60  - J Dove   (20 weeks website management)

·         Cheque number 00347  -  £43.20 -  Hawkshead PCC – printing of Newsletter.

44.               Parish Lengthsman Salary Payments

It was resolved to authorise the cheque signatories to sign cheques for the lengthsman’s salary if the month end did not coincide with a parish council meeting.  The cheque to be approved at the meeting following this payment.  It was resolved that cheque number 00349 for £209.00 be paid to the Lengthsman C. Slater for 19 hours work from 16th – 19th February, as per contract.

45.            Parish Lengthsman Pilot Scheme

Cllr Lovegrove’s  report was given at the Open meeting.  It was reported that the scheme was progressing well.

46.               Future of Local Government in Cumbria and CALC Meeting Report

Councillors had received Cllr Harrrington’s comprehensive report on and information received at the above meeting, and no discussion was necessary.

47.               Cumbria Minerals and Waste Development Framework Consultation

Cllr Mein had read the report on the above, and it was resolved that  that no response be made.

48.                Insurance increase

It was resolved that advice should be sought from CALC on  increasing the council’s insurance by £37.48 to include Libel & Slander Indemnity.

49.                   New Seats

It was agreed that one seat was to be positioned at Colton Church, Cllr Cunliffe to confirm with Mr Dixon the exact place, and the other to be at Oxen Park, Cllr Watson to confirm exact site.  Payment of cheque number 348 for the agreed price of £423.00 was authorised.

50.                   Reporting Defects

The chairman reminded the meeting that anyone could report faults without going through the clerk.  A list of contact numbers and which authority is responsible was distributed.

16.               Standards Board Meeting

It was reported that the meeting planned for Thursday 29th March 2007 at 7.30 in Finsthwaite Village Hall had been cancelled.

17.        Correspondence

The following correspondence was noted:

1.       LDNPA  Notes from Lake Windermere Lake Activities Workshop.

2.       SLDC Playground report – moss algae needs clearing.

3.       SLDC.  Agenda for meeting of Standard’s committee 8th March 2007 2.00pm Kendal Town Hall.

4.       CALC

·         March circular.

·         Notice of meeting 1st March  Stonecross Manor Kendal.

·         Emails re Future of Local Government in Cumbria to Ruth Kelly & Peter Stybelski Chief Executive CCC.

5.       Carlisle City Council.  Report of meeting 24th February 2007 ‘Better Cumbria’.

6.       Audit Commission notice of new External Auditor.

7.       Grant of Planning Permission: 

·         7/2006/5641Tottlebank Farm, Greenodd.  New building for storage of hay/straw/machinery.

·         7/2006/5691 Devonshire House, Finsthwaite Ulverston Demolition of existing flat roof garage and construction of new detached garage, single storey extension and creation of new door opening.

8.       CALC – cheque received for £255.33 towards Lengthsman salary.

9.       Citizens Advice Bureau – leaflets for notice boards.

18.               Chairman’s announcement

The chairman announced that he would be retiring at the next meeting which is the Annual Parish Council meeting.

19.               Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Council meeting on Monday 14th May 2007 at Bouth Village Hall at 7.30pm.