Summer 2008 News Articles: Lake District National Park Local Development Framework
We felt that, in general, the sensible options had been selected and we expressed our support for these. However, some were short on detail and there were some gaps, for example: water quality. We commented on the need for policies that helped local communities and especially on partnerships between tourism and local economies. We supported the idea of regional planning policies which best reflect the character of different parts of the National Park (for planning purposes, Colton is viewed as 'open countryside' in a larger area called 'the South' which includes Coniston, Hawkshead, Broughton and Backbarrow). We also made some lesser comments (including our perennial issues such as off-roaders, speed limits and post offices, as well as some new ideas including heat insulation of older properties, 'renewable' energies and even questioning the over-riding importance of tourism) - all of these can be viewed on our website. There will be a further consultation phase in about a year's time and, if any residents read the relevant documents (see www.lake-district.gov.uk/ldf) and wish to make comments, the Council would be pleased to hear from them. Each year the Parish Council has to set a precept. This is the amount that it calculates will be needed to perform its functions properly in the coming financial year. The amount required is notified to South Lakeland District Council and forms a small part (<1%) of the total Council Tax demand. We are keenly aware of the need to keep this demand as low as possible. The last rise was two years ago in order to finance the Lengthsman Scheme. We try to be as cost-effective as possible (Councillors choose not to receive an allowance, for example) but, as everyone knows, we live in a world of ever-rising charges. Unfortunately, many costs are unavoidable. One example is the need to renew the safety tarmac in the Bouth playground. The Bouth Village Green Committee is contributing from its fund-raising activities but the Parish Council is the responsible authority and an additional £300 will be required to meet this cost. We need to ensure that our contingency fund has enough to cover such occasional payments when they arise. Our activities have also increased significantly in the last few years. The Clerk now has a workload that far exceeds her 5 contracted hours per week and much of what she does is not costed properly. This is something we need to examine carefully. In the coming months the Council will be deciding which of its services are essential and which activities could perhaps be cut or reduced. Only when every aspect has been examined will the precept be set. We should be pleased to hear views from any parishioners on this important matter. Mental health is a difficult and emotive issue, and it is particularly hard to get support in rural areas like South Lakeland. Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and dementia are all included under the generic title of mental health. We are told in a new report by Cumbria Primary Care Trust that "Mental health services have changed significantly for the better over the past three of four years". The report contains proposals for further changes, including the concentration of resources in fewer, higher quality facilities. For example, the current arrangement for psychiatric intensive care, six beds in Carlisle and four beds contracted out at Lancaster, would be replaced by a single 10-bed unit in Carlisle. Other proposals include changing the numbers and uses of beds in other major towns in Cumbria. For example, 20 beds in Ulverston used for inpatient services for those with dementia would be relocated to Barrow. Overall, the numbers of beds in South Lakeland would be reduced. A copy of the report can be found at www.cumbriapct.nhs.uk Meanwhile, Cllr Anne Robinson is coordinating a response on behalf of the Council and would welcome views from residents. Please contact Ann on 01229 860242 or email her on ANNE@annerobinson46.wanadoo.co.uk. We must complete our return by mid-September so don't delay!
Councillor Penny Lovegrove attended a presentation
called 'Owning the Assets', run by Cumbria Rural Housing Trust and
the Development Trust Association. There is a growing interest in
how community-owned assets could help create long-term social and
economic stability, particularly in relation to housing. Community
Land Trusts are ‘not-for-profit’ organisations, based in and run by
the local community, that own land and property for the long-term
benefit of local people. If suitable land can be found, this
approach seems a possible way forward for Colton where the main
problem is affordable housing for local young people who want to
live in their home area and be near their families.
You may be aware of the wind-farm proposal (6 x 125m turbines) at Stribers on Ellerside (Cartmel peninsula). Your Council has responded to the initial consultation explaining that it is likely to object. Protection of the ‘visual amenity’ of our Parish emerged as a high priority (5th of 15 issues) in our recent questionnaire; many of our best views are to the south-west, dominated by the Ellerside ridge. We also expressed concern at the precedent this wind-farm could set for wind turbines 'ringing' the National Park, and possible consequences for the tourist economy. Our full response is on the website.
At our July meeting, Mr Andy Bennet of the Forestry Commission presented a management plan for Old Hall Wood. In summary, the proposal is that all the spruce will be removed (1.5ha), probably all in one go. The larch will be gradually thinned to leave a mixture of larch and broadleaf trees. The FC will be liaising with the Woodland Trust to ensure similar management plans for adjoining woodlands, e.g. some open areas of coppice. Footpaths and permitted paths will be diverted during timber operations and re-instated thereafter. Local wildlife conservation statements are being prepared. Andy Bennet is happy to receive comments by phone on: 01229 860373 or by email: andy.bennett@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Round the Bend! A reminder to everyone - locals and visitors — we all want Colton Parish to remain a safe rural area, so please, motorists, drive carefully and SLOW DOWN coming up to blind bends. There are many other users of our lanes - horse riders, runners, walkers, sheep and cattle—that might be just around the corner, so if you can’t see to your stopping distance, SLOW DOWN !! Lengthsman and Highway Steward: Please keep requests coming in for our Lengthsman by contacting Penny Lovegrove (see below) or, to report larger problems (holes in roads etc.), use the Hot-Line (0845 609 6609). A Highway Steward should be operating in the Colton area by September (contact address the same as for the Lengthsman). Tips for Visitors: We are producing a ‘flyer’ for our visitors to provide them with information about local services, rubbish collection, parking, etc. This will be based on one produced for Satterthwaite. Future Parish Council Meetings
All meetings
begin at 7.30pm. Agendas and authorised minutes of meetings are
available from the Clerk,
Your Councillors
|
The Lake District Local Development Framework (Core
Strategy) has been out for consultation and your Parish Council has
made its formal response. This document brought together a number
of options for future planning policies, under headings that ranged
from housing to wildlife. Most of the options had been identified
during earlier consultations and the purpose of this document was to
identify the preferred options; there were 45 of them! 