The following are the minutes of the Colton Parish Council meeting held on Monday 26th November 2007 in the Rusland Reading Room at 7.30pm.

 

Members Present

Cllr  C Barr (Chair )  Cllr T Atkinson  Cllr I Cunliffe   Cllr A Robinson     Cllr P Lovegrove

Mrs J Dove (Clerk)

 

Also present:  Cllr Ted Walsh (CCC)  and 2 members of the public

 

170.        Apologies 

Cllr S Baxter    Cllr P Harrington   Cllr C Potts  Cllr J Watson    

 

171.        Minutes of last meeting

It was resolved that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the council meeting held on 15th October  2007 as a true record.

 

172.        Declarations of Interest

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

 

173.        Update on Issues from Last Meeting

·         RoSPA Playground Report.  The clerk reported that her letter to RoSPA asking for their comments on the August Safety Report had not been passed on by them to the engineers.  This has now been done and the council will be informed of their findings as soon as possible.

·         Seat at Oxen Park.  The seat has not been delivered.  Clerk to contact Mr Minton as Cllr Watson and Cllr Barr have arranged to place the seat during the coming weekend.

·         Lakeside notice board.  Still no response from the manager of the Lakeside Hotel.  Cllr Baxter to be asked to report this to the village hall committee and ask what more the Council can do.

·         Completion of the CALC Pilot Lengthsman Scheme Assessment Document. Cllr Lovegrove reported that this had been completed and sent to CCC.  Cllr Walsh said that he would be collating all the lengthsman assessment returns next week.

·         Village Green Registration.  The Clerk reported that the application had been returned for more supporting evidence of 20 years continuous use.  Roderick Smith has been informed, and his opinion will be sought when he returns from holiday. 

·         Reporting of damaged drains.  The clerk reported that the  blocked drain on the road from Bouth to Oxen Park, opposite the gate into Moss Wood, has been inspected and repairs will be included in future programmes of work. The collapsed surface further down this road has been repaired.  Other blocked drains were reported on the road half way up the Beeches, and down the road from Graythwaite to Crosslands.  Clerk to report these to the hotline.

·         Local Communications Service Improvement.  Cllr Barr reported that he had sent letters to mobile phone and internet providers with little success.  He had also discussed Broadband service with Tim Farron, MP, who is to take up the matter with the service providers.

 

174.      Public Participation

Mr Lovegrove said that he had been appointed Chair of the Bouth Village Hall committee and that the committee would be approaching the council next year for financial help to provide a disabled toilet. He was reminded of the possibility of applying for a grant from the Low Furness Neighbourhood Forum.

 

175.        Appointment of New Clerk

Cllr Lovegrove reported that there had been one applicant who had been interviewed and offered the post: Ms Mandy Lane would commence duties on 1st December. The Chair placed on record the Council's appreciation for all the hard work carried out by the outgoing clerk who had worked with three different Chairmen, overseeing the achievement of Quality Parish status, and setting high standards over a 5 year period.

 

176.        Comments from District and County Councillors

Cllr. Ted Walsh (CCC)

Cllr. Walsh reported the following:

·         Community Board.  The new ‘Joined up Working’ between CCC and SLDC will probably bring about a rebranding of the Board, to embrace SLDC which until now has played a minor part in its operation.  The council, being a Quality Parish, needs to start thinking about the extent to which it wants to be involved in taking on some of the functions now undertaken by the SLDC.

·         Council tax is likely to rise by 4.9% next year to cover CCC’s commitments to salary increases and to backpay resulting from the single status review.

·         A review of county council care homes is to be undertaken with a view to refurbishment or rebuilding.

·         Post office closures.  It is likely that South Lakeland will lose 10 post offices.  It is unlikely that a decision will be announced until after the May elections.

·         Highways Agency overnight working (8pm – 6am) on the A590 at Gilpin Bridge is to start at the end of November to improve the Windermere turn-off and signage.

·         There is to be a Public Meeting about the Steam Railway's proposals at Leven Valley School on Wed. 5 December at 7.30pm.

Cllr Cunliffe asked why the salting of roads appeared to be inappropriate, seeming not to take into account the weather forecast.  As a result money was being wasted on workers sitting in lorries or on salting dry main roads when not needed, and not salting minor roads when it is needed.  Cllr Walsh said that he could not disagree with this concern, and he would pass it on to the appropriate department.

 

177.        Planning

·         7/2007/5271 Land Adjacent to Bluebell Barn, Tottlebank, Ulverston, LA12 8HX..  No objection   

      to workshop.

·         7/2007/5588 Ridding Bay Lodge, Lakeside, Ulverston LA12 8AU.  Retention of raised portion of boundary wall.  Objections on grounds of safety sent.

·         7/2007/5566 Saltpetre Barn, High Nibthwaite, Ulverston LA!2 8DF. Replacement roof and new door.  Concern over wooden roof being of historic interest reported to LDNPA.

 

178.        Accounts

It was agreed that the following accounts should be paid:

·         Cheque number  000377  -   £308.00  - C Slater – Lengthsman salary for October.

·         Cheque number  000378  -     £35.00 -  Information Commissioner – Data Protection registration.

·         Cheque number  000379  - £1087.50 -  Clerk’s half year salary.

·         Cheque number  000380  -     £10.00 -  Finsthwaite Village Hall.

·         Cheque number  000381  -      £10.00 -  Rusland Reading Room. 

·         Cheque number  000382  -    £171.97 - Clerk's expenses from June 2007.

    Printer cartridges: £78.42   

    Postage:               £55.13

    Stationery:            £38.42

 

Receipt of the following cheques was noted:

·         Cumbria County Council -  £236.16.  Two months Lengthsman salary reimbursement.

·         CALC -  £236.16.  Two months Lengthsman salary reimbursement.

 

179.       Colton PC Housing Survey Meeting

·         The minutes of the meeting held on 12th November were signed by the chair as a true record.  Clerk to set up a meeting of the Housing Working Group.

·         Housing Status Survey reports were collected by the clerk from members present.  Reports from the absent members to be collected and then all the results to be collated by the clerk and reported at the next meeting.

 

180.       Reports

CALC AGM 

The clerk reported the meeting at Carlisle Racecourse Saturday 10th November.  In addition to the formal part of the meeting there were 2 speakers.  The first was Mike Muir, Chief Executive of Impact Housing, who described 2 case studies which contrasted the differing needs of communities.  Keswick, a town location and Thirlmere, a rural location.  Secondly, Stuart Pate then gave an update on the progress of the Strong and Prosperous Communities, and was supposed to speak on the Community Board but said very little on that topic.

Community Board meeting and Community Statement Meeting

Cllr Barr reported that the main topics discussed at the meeting were Adult Social Care and Child Care provision.  He suggested that the council should consider these two topics at a future meeting.  It was reported that Roger Mallett had said that SIDS were unsuitabable for rural areas.  Cllr Barr added that much of the agenda was still Grange-centred and parochial.  Cllr Walsh said he was aware of this problem and was changing the agenda to avoid this in future.

The community statement meeting.  As a result of Gail Knopfel’s visit to the council meeting, Cllr Barr and the clerk had another meeting with her.  The community statement is based on the parish plan, but there has to be further consultation with parishioners.  Ideas of how to achieve this to be brought to the next meeting.  Cllr Cunliffe suggested that when the newsletters are next delivered, householders could be asked about their main concerns.

    Meeting of Lake District Parish Councils

Cllr Barr gave a report of the joint LDNPA /CALC meeting at Ambleside on 19th November.  LDNPA chief Executive Richard Leafe explained his vision of how the National Park is to move forward.  Cllr Peter Stones gave an update on the Lake District National Park Partnership meetings, and Cllr Leslie Johnson gave an update on the World Heritage Status bid.  A roadshow is to visit the parishes giving information and a chance for consultation on the proposed bid.

 

181.       CALC Courses for Autumn/Winter

    Identification of suitable courses for councillors to attend to be deferred until the next meeting.

 

182.       Parish Lengthsman Pilot Scheme Report

Cllr Lovegrove reported that the scheme was progressing well but, as ever, there were very few referrals from members of the public.  It was suggested that continual reminders in the newsletters or possibly an item on the radio may encourage reporting.  Cllr Lovegrove to try to set up a meeting with the Hawkshead chair and administrator to discuss progress.  She also reported that the Milestone Society suggested  that the lengthsman could find out where any milestones are still remaining in the parish, and these could be restored.  This was thought to be a good idea and could be included in the next newsletter.

 

183.       NHS Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust Consultation

Cllr Robinson agreed to read the consultation document and present her findings at the next meeting.

 

184.       Speed Limits Through Villages Meeting

The meeting at Claife Village Hall attended by Cllr Harrington came to no definite agreement.  Another meeting to be held on February 12th 2008.  A further email on the setting up of a Google discussion group to be circulated to members.  Cllr Walsh said that a new Department For Transport consultation document has been released, proposing a 10mph lowering of national speed limits, which could have a bearing on this campaign. 

 

185.       Proposed Meeting with Haverthwaite Parish Council

It was agreed that the council should accept the invitation to attend the next Haverthwaite Parish Council meeting, but unfortunately the date coincided with the council’s own meeting.  A change of dates to be considered in item 191 below.

 

186.       Campaign for Bus Service X35 to stop at Greenodd

It was agreed that the council should support this campaign, provided that a safe stopping place could be agreed.  Cllr Walsh said that he would take up the matter with Ian Stewart.  The clerk also to write to Mr Stewart.

 

187.       Location of Salt Heaps

It was agreed that Cllr Barr would produce maps based on newsletter delivery rounds, and members would mark positions where salt heaps are required.

 

188.       Proposed Diversion of Footpath at High Bethecar

Cllr Atkinson reported that he had attended a site meeting and was in agreement with the proposed changes to the footpath.  Clerk to send an email to approve the changes.  He also asked for any items for the next Grizedale meeting to be sent to him as soon as possible.

 

189.      Sharing of Parish Clerk and Possible Amalgamation of Parishes.

The Council had been approached informally and asked to consider the possibility of sharing the Colton Parish Council Clerk with Satterthwaite Parish Council. The possibility of amalgamating the two Parish Councils was discussed. As four members of the council were absent, it was decided that members should give thought to the general idea and it would be discussed again at the next meeting.

 

190.       Correspondence

    The following correspondence was noted:

1.        SLDC

·         Playground Inspection Report for October 2007 – all ok.

·         Notice of new Returning Officer -  Debbie Storr. 

·         Notice of Council meeting -Tuesday 30th October 6.30pm, S. Lakeland House.

·         Public Corporate Plan Consultation Events – Nov 12th Kendal, Nov 13th Windermere, Nov 16th Coronation Hall – for notice boards.

·         Notice of Review of Polling Stations - Schedules of polling districts.  Colton Church Hall to replace Oxen Park Village Hall as a polling station.

2.       CCC

·         Direct Payments – Article for Newsletter.

·         Cumbria Mineral and Waste Development Framework (for parts of Cumbria outside the National Parks).

·         Changes to Ulverston office arrangements.  Open access to be replaced by appointment system.

·         Trial Service Development Highways Response Teams – Replacement (information enclosed).

·         Transforming Passenger Transport (information enclosed).

3.       LDNPA 

·         Notice of closure of public rights of way for  Grizedale Rally stages – Sat 8th December 2007.

·         LDNPA -CRHT housing survey update.  Applies to parishes not already surveyed.

·         Re-naming property.  Way Green House, Bouth is now called Way Green House Farm, Bouth.

4.       PLANNING

   Permission Granted

·         15, Landing How, Lakeside – conservatory.

·         Pole opposite Railway Cottages, Newby Bridge.  

·         Calvert Cottage, Finsthwaite – extension to existing holiday cottage.

·         1&2 Pool Foot Farm, Haverthwaite – new garage/workshop.          

5.       CALC

·         Circular for November 2007.

·         Notice of new Parish Liaison Officer – Amanda McCleery.

·         Next Meeting 29th November 2007.

6.       Cumbria NHS – Closer to Home Report of Consultation on providing more healthcare in the Community - North Cumbria.

7.       Standards Board request for confirmation of adoption of new Code of Conduct. Confirmed.

8.       Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) Newsletter, Notice of Funding Fair 23rd November and Cumbria Third Sector Network consultation, Penrith Dec 3rd 10.00am -12.00.

9.       Satterthwaite Parish Council.  Agenda for meeting 6th November and Minutes of meeting 17th September.

10.   Satterthwaite Minutes of meeting 6th November and agenda for meeting on 19th November.

11.   The Local Channel -  notice of link to Colton PC website on Local Channel website.

12.   Data Protection Training DVD & check-list.  To be circulated.

13.   S Lakeland Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership – consultation.  To be circulated.

 

It was noted that Notice Completion of 2007 Audit has been received.  Publication of the Audit has been placed on the website and the notice boards

 

191.       Date of Next Meeting

To note change of date of next meeting.  New date to be circulated by clerk as soon as possible.

 

  Part 2

192.       Confirmation of Budget for 2008/2009

The budget for 2008/2009 was confirmation as £5854.00.  The precept forms were signed by the chair, a member and the clerk.