MINUTES OF MEETING OF URSWICK PARISH COUNCIL
HELD IN URSWICK PARISH ROOM
ON THURSDAY, 6TH MARCH, 2008 AT 7.00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mrs. M.M. Stainton (Chairman), Mr.
B. Abbott,
In attendance:
Dist.Cllr. David Foot, Mr. M. Stables (
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from Mr. B. Butterfield, Mr. D.J. Stubbs, Mr. J.M.. Keen and PCSO Helen Madden (Police)
PRESENTATION OF WEBSITE:
Mr. Ray Wilson, with the help of a laptop, showed members the website he had prepared on behalf of the Parish Council, which met with the approval of all present. There were some items still to be completed, e.g. details of some councillors, etc., but it was almost ready to be launched. (See P/C Website)
FORUM:
Mr. Martin Stables was prepared to arrange and carry out a litter-pick on Sunday, 23rd March, covering Urswick and boundaries, and also Birkrigg and Bardsea if volunteers available. He was further prepared to arrange for any collected items to be collected by the refuse people. This proposal was met with the full approval of members.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
Mrs. Cowsill declared a personal interest re. Stainton Green, and Mr. James re. Urswick Tarn Association.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 7th February, copies of which had been circulated to members prior to the meeting, were signed as a true record.
Proposed Mr. James, seconded by Mr. Winder and carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING:
Railings: A reply on this matter was still awaited from Mr. Beattie, and Mr. James offered to contact him again.
POLICE MATTERS:
Nothing to report.
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
The Clerk asked for authorisation to pass through the following cheques:-
Mrs. M.M. Stainton – Chairman’s Allowance (One quarter) £ 37.50
Miss J.D. Simmonds – Clerk’s Salary (1/4 ended 31.3.2008) £909.00
“ “ “ T/Exs. ( “ “ £ 18.75
Coot on Tarn- Hire of Room for Interviews £ 10.00
Urswick P.C.C. – Room Rental for meeting of even date £ 12.00
SLDC – Bardsea Toilets Contribution – Final Quarter £259.25
CALC Annual Subscription £236.50
CALC Annual Subscription for Monthly Review x 2 copies £ 27.00
Proposed by Mrs. Cowsill, seconded by Mr. Winder that the above are in order.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & DECISIONS:
Sl/2008/0119
: Land at
No objection.
REGISTRATION OF PARISH OWNED LAND:
The Clerk, together with Mr. Rogers,
had visited the solicitor, taking with them the plan of the
VITAL VILLAGES/PARISH PLAN:
Mr. James had undertaken to prepare a road safety project for Urswick but, in view of the recent meetings held in Urswick by Mr. Raymond of SLDC in conjunction with Neighbourhood Forum on this subject, this matter had now been overtaken, and the outcome of the aforesaid meetings would be awaited.
VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT:
Mr. Wilson was now able to spend more time on this matter and, although not wishing to commit himself, hoped to be able to complete this within the next month or so.
LITTER-PICK:
Cf. Forum above.
BARDSEA MATTERS:
(a) Cocklers: Dist.Cllr. Foot said there was nothing to report at present, as we were waiting for the surveys to be completed, the results of which were not expected before May or June. No other comments had been received.
(b) Public Convenience: Mr. Foot clarified the comments in the previous minutes in that the full time opening of the toilets was in jeopardy if there was not enough money in the “pot”, which had increased this year with inflation only. It will depend on how many put in a claim for 50/50 partnership and we can only wait and see.
STAINTON MATTERS:
Footpath: Mr. James had contacted Mr. Nick Raymond informing him Lord Derby had no objection to the path and Mr. Raymond confirmed he would be willing to help with the design and advise us on what was required and whether we need planning permission. Moreover, he now has money available for this project. We therefore need to have meeting with him on site.
Mrs. Cowsill now has a set of plans, with scales, showing the three small areas concerned, and will obtain copies and send these off to Lord Derby’s Agent.
GREAT URSWICK MATTERS:
(a)
Notice: As the notice put up by Mr. James had again been damaged, it was proposed by Mr. James, seconded Mr. Winder and carried that a more permanent notice be obtained. However, as our insurers had informed us that the cycle track on The Hagg and The Landings constitutes a risk that they are unwilling to cover, and have advised that we should remove the track as well as put up notices to prohibit cycling in the area, it was further proposed that the track and area be put back to as near its original state as possible. Mr. Martin Stables offered to approach Mr. Waddington in this connection.
(b) Flooding:
As Mr. James had been approached by residents regarding flooding,
causing loss of shrubs and plants, he had contacted Mr. Nick Raymond, who
had passed him on to Mr. Wheelhouse, who agreed to arrange for the drains to
be cleared. After the
exceptional weather the level of the
Grass Verges: No account had yet been received from Mr. Kirkbride and Mrs. Cowsill would contact him to check whether he was prepared to carry on with cutting the Urswick verges.
Broken-Down Cars:
Two properties in Kirk Flatt have for some time had dilapidated cars
parked in their front gardens, which detract from the neighbourhood, and it
was agreed to look into this matter.
LITTLE URSWICK MATTERS:
Greenbank House: It was agreed that we contact the owner of this property which is, and has been for some time, in a poor state of disrepair.
Building Rubbish: A letter would also be sent to Mr. Malcome Grainge of Ealinghearth Cottage, Haverthwaite, regarding the building rubbish outside Signet Cottage.
Caravan at
MARKET TOWNS INITIATIVE:
Dist.Cllr. Foot pointed out that the meeting between MTI and the Town Council, mentioned in the previous minutes, was not to decide but was basically going to consider the future of the partnership and whether or not it should continue, the Town Council deciding purely in terms of where it would go from here. With the finishing of MTI next year a decision has to be made as to whether it is to go on or not. It is also necessary to put any propositions to CALC. Ideas have been requested.
P/C WEB SITE:
Mr. Wilson is now reaching the stage when we need to host our website for which monies will be required. Mr. James had provided three possibilities and it was proposed by Mr. Winder, seconded by Mrs. Cowsill that we use Red Abbey, particularly as they were a local concern. It was further proposed by Mr. James and Mr. Winder and carried unanimously, that Mr. Wilson go ahead with this arrangement.
ALLOTMENTS:
As no progress had been made in this connection, no land being available, it was decided to leave this matter over for the time being.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK:
The Chairman was delighted to welcome Mr. David Foot as the successful candidate, this appointment having been approved by members at a special meeting earlier this evening.
Mr. Foot would take up his responsibilities as from 1st April, 2008.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. CALC Circular, March 2008
2.
Notice of Neighbourhood
Foum meeting at
3. Requests for donation from MENCAP and also Great Air Ambulance
4. New Technology Printweek 30/1/2008
5.
Various Literature,
including: Open Space Spring
Journal; The Clerk;
Clerks & Councils
Direct, March, 2008; Business Gazette Feb.2008, etc.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Winder drew attention to the
account for £75 for the ‘bus shelter at the
As this field is being sold at present, the Clerk would contact SLDC to check the present ownership and ask for a copy of the lease.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
This will be the Annual Assembly which will be held at Bardsea Schoolroom on Thursday, 3rd April, 2008 at 7.30 p.m.
This being all the business the meeting was closed at 9.40 p.m.