MINUTES OF MEETING OF URSWICK PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN STAINTON RECREATION HALL
ON THURSDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY, 2008 AT 7.00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mrs. M.M. Stainton (Chairman),
Mr. B. Abbott, Mr. B. Butterfield,
In attendance:
Cty.Cllr. J. Hemingway, Dist.Cllr. David Foot, Mr. M. Stables (
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from Mr. G.M. James and Mr. D.J. Stubbs
PRESENTATION BY INSPECTOR
Inspector
Our main concern was dog fouling,
particularly in front of the
He pointed out that Graham Anderson of S.L.D.C (who had spoken to our last meeting) was more than willing to be involved in future efforts to catch offenders and would be available to contact to arrange patrols. PCSO Madden would still be continuing her surveillance but would welcome any community support, i.e. local people with information. They were proposing to focus attention on this particular problem and hope to be involved with joint publicity in the “Evening Mail”. Flyers were also being considered. It was pointed out that this was a high priority in Urswick’s Parish Plan.
The placing of a covered camera was mentioned but this requires authority from at least Superintendent level Covered cameras were mentioned but these are normally used in cases of serious crime and could be used for anti-social behaviour It was suggested that the Parish Council sends a letter asking for technical cover equipment.
The Chairman thanked Inspector Vernon for his attendance at the meeting.
FORUM:
Mr. Martin Stables drew attention to the letter which had been sent to the Evening Mail criticising the Parish Council for ‘removing the memorial seat on Birkrigg’. He read out the reply sent by the Clerk pointing out that removal of this particular seat had not been discussed, nor was there any intention to do so, but that the discussion at the meeting had related to a new application and the location for this. Mr. Stables also read out a letter he had sent as a member of the public in which he stated he had been present at the Parish Council meeting and, and in no uncertain terms, confirmed that the writer had got his facts completely wrong.
CO-OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR:
It was proposed by Mrs. Cowsill, seconded by Mr. Butterfield and carried unanimously that Mr. Jeffrey Martin Keen of Kempsey Lodge, Little Urswick, LA12 OPS, be co-opted as a member of Urswick Parish Council and he would be informed accordingly.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
Mrs. Cowsill re. Stainton Green and Mr. Butterfield re. Urswick Tarn Association.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 3rd January, 2008, copies of which had been circulated to members prior to the meeting, were signed as a true record.
Proposed Mrs. Cowsill, seconded Mr. Butterfield and carried.
MATTERS ARISING:
Railings: Matter being pursued with Mr. Nick Raymond, Head of Engineering.
Memorial Seat:
Since the last meeting the Clerk had contacted Mr. Kevin Walsh who
was happy that the seat be located on the
Tipping at Gleaston: Mr. Nick Hayhurst of the Planning Department would visit the site and report back to us thereafter.
Voluntary Action
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
The Clerk asked for authorization to pass through the following cheques:-
“
N.W.Evening Mail – Advertisement for New Clerk £ 93.77 (incl.VAT)
Stainton Recreation Hall rental 7.2.2008 £ 12.00
SLDC Bardsea ‘Bus Shelter Rental of Field £ 50.00
Telephone Account (9.1.2008) £131.76 (incl.VAT)
Computer Services £ 35.00
Society Local Council Clerks
“Governance &
Accountability in Local Councils”
£ 16.99
Proposed by Mr. Winder, seconded by Mr. Butterfield and carried that the above were in order.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS &
DECISIONS:
Sl/2007/1396:
Well House,
Proposed design of breakfast room doors is not in keeping with the other windows (new and existing) of the property.
Otherwise no objections.
REGISTRATION OF PARISH OWNED
LAND:
The Clerk, together with Mr. Michael
Rogers, had again visited the solicitor regarding the Hagg, the Croft and
the Landings and pointed out that the map provided by the Land Registry was
not correct. Mr. Martin
Stables of the Tarn Association had discussed the plan with Mr. Rogers but
as this had been discussed over the telephone
this had not been very satisfactory,
and it was agreed that he, together with Mr. James and Mr.
Butterfield, have a meeting
with Mr. Rogers to clarify the correct boundaries of the
AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Dist.Cllr. Foot confirmed that because of changes to the planning system, new boundaries were to be drawn up or existing boundaries confirmed in order to identify where new housing can be located , i.e. looking within existing boundaries or outside areas which can be included.
VITAL VILLAGES/PARISH PLAN:
Voluntary Action Cumbria were already in possession of our Parish Plan but had now requested that an electronic copy be e-mailed to them. Mr. Ray Wilson had kindly agreed to do this on our behalf.
VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT:
As Mr. Wilson had been spending full time on setting up the website on behalf of the Parish Council he had been unable to progress this matter at present, but, as the former was now nearing completion, he would be able to devote more time to this.
BARDSEA MATTERS:
Cockling: Dist.Cllr. Foot reported that CEFAS, the Government Agency, no longer has the relevant recent statistical information to allow opening of what were existing beds without conducting a new EU requirement to complete a shoreline sanitary survey. Only after a survey is completed will a sampling point be provided to enable us to start gathering shellfish samples that will ultimately lead to a classification being gained for this area. Until they are told by CEFAS where to do sampling the District Council cannot go and collect samples, after which it takes up to 3 months before scientists can establish classification
As Aldingham beds have been closed for some time, their classification had expired and therefore it needs to be classified again. Although CEFAS had been informed last April, it has taken up to January of this year for a decision to be made as to where the sampling point should be. Therefore Aldingham beds will not be fished again until later this year, providing there are enough cockles to be fished. Some illegal cockling has been carried out, i.e. on unclassified beds, but this has been fairly minor. However, the process of catching illegal cocklers is beset with problems. Hence the desire by local fishermen to get the beds classified.
Public Convenience: Dist.Cllr Foot reported that the situation would not be clear in terms of money available until the budget for April 2008/March 2009 had been finalised.
Bardsea was at present the sole exception to the 50/50 share agreement but if the’pot of money’ would no longer cover this then this status could be waived.
STAINTON MATTERS:
Footpath: Mrs. Cowsill was in contact with Lord Derby’s Agent regarding his signing over Adgarley Green to this Parish Council and was now in pursuit of the necessary maps. Our solicitor, Sharon Clark, was advising her in this connection.
Cty. Cllr. John Hemingway, whose backing is required to obtain funding, had visited Stainton on Tuesday last when he had taken photographs of the proposed site, and he was prepared to help in this connection. He was due to attend a meeting with Nick Raymond on Monday next.
URSWICK MATTERS:
Mr. Stables had noted that there were still some heavy branches on the Hagg and Mr. James would be consulted about these on his return.
Grass Verge: The grass had now been trimmed but, in view of the wet weather, this had made little or no improvement.
Drainage: Mr. James had now received a reply from Graham Wheelhouse of Capita Syumonds re. flooding at the Hagg, in which he states it may be necessary to increase the size/capacity of pipe but will ensure gullies are cleaned out. Mr. Butterworth pointed out that even if the drains are cleared it may not necessarily help if the links between are not flushed through.
MARKET TOWNS INITIATIVE:
This initiative effectively comes to an end next year because the funding runs out, unless an alternative source becomes available.. The money allocated todate has been put in primarily for tourist initiatives and to support some small businesses.
The Coronation Hall project will be taking off within the next week or so and the Canal project is ongoing. We are now looking at “Son of MTI” and there is to be a meeting between the Partnership Committee and the Town Council in a couple of weeks’ time to decide who shall take over, but funding is the big issue.
MTI Representative: Confirmation had been received from CALC that Cllr. David Foot is to continue as representative on Ulverston Market Town Initiative, as requested by all six Parish Councils.
WEBSITE:
Mr. Wilson confirmed that this was nearly ready and he was prepared to show this before the next meeting, if members so wished. He had also produced a paper copy of this which would be circulated to members and he would be pleased to receive any comments. A copy of Mr. James’ costs of suppliers had been circulated to members before the meeting but no decision had been made.
ALLOTMENTS:
No progress had been made in this matter, due to the shortage of suitable land. As the quoted price for a small area without water was quoted at around £5,000 it was considered preferable if suitable land could be found to lease.
CLERK:
Although Mr. Abbott was happy to help with the selection of a Clerk he did not wish to be involved in interviewing the applicants. It was therefore agreed that this would be carried out by Mr. James, Mrs. Cowsill and Mr. Winder. Three applications had been received todate.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.
CALC Circular, February
2008 & Consultation paper “Greater Influence for Local Councils –
A Call for Action”
2.
CALC (a) Advice on
Standing Orders/Public Participation & (b) Changes to Distribution of
CALC Circular
3. CALC “The Effective Council” – Training Dates
4. SLDC Association of Local Councils Meeting 6the March, 2008
5. Date of District Council Elections – Thursday, 1st May, 2008
6. Furness Partnership Agenda & Minutes for 18th January, 2008
7.
Audit Commission re.
appointment of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP as our External Auditor for a 5
year period
8.
SLDC Cumbria Wind Energy
Supply Planning Document available on Council’s website
www.southlakeland.gov.uk or at Local Library
9.
10. Notice of SLCC Conference on 13th March, 2008
11. Consultation on Amendments to the Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members
12.
Various Literature
including: Cumbria CAV “Your
News”; Clerks & Councils Direct,
Jan.2008; Business Gazette, Jan.2008; The Clerk Journal
Jan.2008 etc.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Winder asked if Little Urswick could in future be made a separate item on the Agenda, rather than come under the general heading of Urswick Matters, and there appeared to be no reason why there should be any objection to this.
He also drew attention to two houses in Great Urswick with defective cars in the front garden, which had been there for some time; to Greenbank House, Little Urswick, the development of which had been continuing for some three years and the state of the property was deteriorating and had become an eyesore; and also to a caravan sited near the end of Hooks Lane in which people were obviously resident and had been for some time, and he wondered whether planning permission had been granted.
These items would be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Thursday, 6th March, 2008 at Urswick Parish Room at 7.00 p.m., the meeting being preceded by a presentation by Mr. Ray Wilson of the proposed website (for Councillors and Clerk only).
This being all the business the meeting was duly closed.