PRESENT:

Mr. M. Rogers (Chairman), Mr. B. Abbott, Mrs. N.M. Cowsill, Mr. G.M. James, Mrs. M.M. Stainton

In attendance: Dist.Cllr. David Foot and Mr. R. Wilson (member of public)

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Mr. M. Stables (Tarn Assoc.) and later by Mr. B. Butterfield who was unable to attend due to accident when leaving house for meeting.

FORUM:

Dist.Cllr. Foot informed members that as a result of the ongoing problems of vandalism and anti-social behaviour arising at the School in Urswick he had spoken to the Head and she had agreed he arrange a meeting of the various people concerned, e.g. police, members of the Parish Council, etc. This would take place on Monday next, 5^th November at the School at 1.30 p.m. and Mr. Rogers and Mr. James agreed to attend.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST:

Mr. James declared a personal interest re. the Tarn and Mrs. Cowsill re. Stainton Green.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:

The Minutes of the previous meeting on 11^th October, 2007, copies of which had been distributed to members prior to the meeting, were signed as a true record.

Proposed Mr. James, seconded by Mrs. Stainton and carried.

MATTERS ARISING:

Speed Indicator: Mr. Rogers had made contact with Roger Mallett who had informed him he now only had one unit and this would not be available until mid-December.

It was decided, therefore, to leave for the time being.

Allianz Insurance:

(a) Libels/Slander cover: We still await this information which we are told is in the post but the limits are £250,000, the policy holder paying the first 10%.

(b) Cycling on the Hagg: We are told that our present cover would suffice if the children are using the common land for normal cycling and the Parish Council ensured all areas of land are safe for intended use. However, it is not acceptable for soil or anything else to be used as ramps. If, on the other hand we comply with the guidelines given by ROSPA or the NPFA and various other restrictions, the Public Liability section of the policy would extend to include legal liabilities of the insured as far as they could apply. Some of these conditions are: weekly visual inspections of areas; fencing to prevent access from walkers; signs to be erected re. safety clothing to be worn; and any independent organisation using facilities would require their own Public Liability insurance.

All cover being subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy and the Limit of Indemnity of £5,000,000.

The only signs acceptable were those prohibiting access: so the warning of danger signs already prepared will now need to be scrapped and replaced accordingly and then photographed. Any ‘hazards’ prepared by the children will be removed.

Dist.Cllr. Foot suggested that this matter might be included in any newsletter which may be circulated after the meeting he had arranged on Monday. Byelaws may have to be considered.

POLICE MATTERS:

No police officer present.

VEHICLE ACTIVATED SIGNS:

The Chairman had contacted Nick Raymond of Cumbria C.C. to check whether the posts that need installing require electrical connection or are solar powered, and whether the Parish Council could install the posts or this would require to be done by Highways.

The posts available in the parish are unlikely to be high enough. The estimated cost to C.C.C. is approximately £6,500, plus £100 per movement of a unit. We are informed that the cost of a suitable post is £500. Mrs. Cowsill presumed we could join in at a later date.

Mr. James was interested in producing a safety programme for the whole of the parish and to this end to establish a Steering Group. This matter to be considered for the future.

PRECEPT ADJUSTMENT:

At the last meeting it had been decided to apply for £8,000 but Mr. James felt that in view of the expected increased expenditure, particularly with regard to training for a new clerk, this might not be enough, despite the fact we expect to start the new financial year with a healthy balance. After some discussion it was proposed by Mr. Abbott, seconded by Mrs. Cowsill and carried that we increase the amount from £8,000 to £8,500, this being the revised amount of the Precept. Mr. James suggested that next year a list of items of expenditure be provided .

Proposed Mrs. Cowsill, seconded Mr. James and carried unanimously.

GRANTS:

It was agreed to make the following grants:-

Air Ambulance £ 50.00

Playground £220.00

Proposed Mr. James, seconded Mrs. Cowsill and carried, the former with two abstentions.

We had received a letter from CALC informing us that their long-standing officer, Mr. Stan Simpson, was retiring and asking if we would like to contribute to a farewell gift.

After some discussion it was proposed Mrs. Stainton, seconded Mr. Rogers and carried (with the Chairman using his casting vote) that a nominal sum of £10 be contributed.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS:-

Applications Nos. SL/07/1134 & SL/07/1175 had not yet been seen by all members.

REGISTRATION OF PARISH LAND:

The Clerk had checked the position with our solicitors but was told there was a delay because one of the partners was off ill and the others had to take over his workload.

However, she had passed this work to her trainee (who was nearly qualified) who would be working on this under her supervision. It was agreed to check on the position again before the next meeting.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

The leaflets warning the community of the coming survey had been distributed to all residences in the parish and the content had been inserted in the "Tarn News"; the survey was due to be sent out by CRHT next week.

Mr. Rogers had learned the Government is to boost affordable housing allowance to £10.2 million for social homes to be built within the next few years, of which amount the North West is to receive £8.01 million.

VITAL VILLAGES/PARISH PLAN:

Mr. Rogers pointed out that at the last meeting he had asked how members wished to progress the items on the Plan, but this was not taken up. Several matters were ongoing.

However, Mr. James offered to follow up Road Safety Aspects in Urswick and would try over the next three months to produce a draft covering speeding vehicles.

VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT:

Mr. Wilson reported that this was progressing.

BARDSEA MATTERS:

Cocklers: Clarification of the status of the cockle beds at Aldingham/Newbiggin was somewhat confusing. The beds were currently unclassified with commercial gathering being illegal. Gathering for personal use was, so it appeared, still permitted. Permits were required. Classification was still awaited as CEFAS, a Government Agency, still had not provided details of where SLDC should take samples.

There was a mixed opinion as to the adequacy of powers and resources to effectively monitor and enforce the various regulations. A meeting to hear the opinion of SLDC Environmental Protection Officers and NWNW Sea Fisheries Officers was being arranged. It was hoped that representatives from Urswick P.C. would attend. Currently no cockling activity or access had been reported at Bardsea, though Aldingham and Newbiggin had been used.

The stock of harvestable cockles on our side of the Bay was reported as being poor, but we needed to make sure adequate resources would be available to "police" access and gathering if/when the local beds are opened.

Public Convenience: Dist.Cllr. Foot reported the Task Group is now up and running, and

he expected to attend their next meeting when he hoped it would be agreed that Bardsea would continue to be regarded as a permanent exception.

STAINTON MATTERS:

Parking: No problem at present.

Footpath: Mr. Rogers had tried to contact Mr. Nick Raymond, but he was out of the office until next Monday. He was also unable to contact Cty.Cllr John Hemingway of C.C.C., but will continue to try.

Bonfire: The Clerk had been unable to contact Mr. Wormall of the Stagger Inn to check if he would be responsible for the fireworks and safety of the public, but his associate had informed her that he was unlikely to provide fireworks this year. Moreover, todate, there was no sign of a bonfire on the Green.

URSWICK MATTERS:

Tarn: Members had received a copy of Mr. Harry Stables’ comprehensive report: "Wildlife and Management for May, 2007 to October 2007".

Jetty: There are still problems in this connection. A response had been sent to Mr. Hayhurst but he doesn’t want to know. Dist.Cllr. Foot was pursuing it further, and he confirmed that it states quite clearly that a written report is required before commencement of the work. We ought to be there backing up the Tarn Association who are not happy about the situation and would still like some action.

Perhaps the Parish Council should talk to Mr. McPherson again. If there is some willingness to put back some reeds it would probably end matter. It was agreed that Mr. Hayhurst should be contacted again.

Proposed by Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Abbott and carried that a letter be written to Mr. McPherson stating that he has not received permission from us, as owners, to have this jetty in the Tarn, and we, as owners, insist that he reinstates the reeds, as outlined in Clause 3 of the planning permission. Moreover, we would like to have his written assurance that he proposes to do this within the few weeks.

Seat on Hagg: Thanks were given to Mr. Martin Stables in his absence for repairing the seat on the Hagg.

Priapus Stone: This matter is in hand.

Grass Cutting: Mrs. Cowsill had left a message with Mr. Kirkbride to carry out one cut by the end of October at a fee of £20 and, if this proved satisfactory to both sides, to continue with this work over next year. However, the grass had not yet been cut and Mrs. Cowsill would again contact Mr. Kirkbride to find out the reason for the delay. It was suggested by members that perhaps it was time for the nettles to again be sprayed and Mr. Wilson said that if Mr. Kirkbride was not available he would arrange to carry out the work on the verges on our behalf.

Bicycle Track at Hagg:

(Cf. Matters Arising.)

MARKET TOWNS INITIATIVE:

Nothing to report.

P/C WEB SITE:

Mr. Wilson now hoped to be in a position to start working on the software recently purchased. He had suggested sites that members might look at, but now required some input as to the Parish Council’s ideas/requirements.

ALLOTMENTS:

Mrs. Cowsill reported she had been unable to contact the person suggested at the last meeting who might possibly allow us to use some of his land, but will continue to try. We had further been informed that DEFRA would be able to given us information with regard to change of use of agricultural land and this would be followed up.

GREEN ISSUES/CLIMATE CHANGE:

Mrs. Stainton would try to obtain information on this matter.

CORRESPONDENCE:

CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR:

SLDC Electoral Services had been informed of the resignation of Mr. H. Gardner, and the relevant notices giving the electorate a chance for an election - if 10 people or more so desired - had been placed on the notice boards in the villages. Should an election not be requested before the 14 days allowed, i.e. 14^th November, we would be informed by SLDC that we may co-opt.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

There was no other business.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

This will be held at Bardsea Schoolroom on Thursday, 6^th December, 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

This being all the business the meeting was closed at 10.35 p.m.

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