Parish Council Minutes - July 29th 2008

Present: Carolyn Cripps chaired the meeting. Other members present were D. Angus, J. Fleet, T. Foster, R. Bragg, G. Duxbury

Apologies of absence: were received from T. Roberts, T. Robson, Les Dalzell, Roy Fisher and PC Andy Holliday

Also present: William Airey and Mark McKay (EDC Community Safety Officer)

Declarations of interest: None

Minutes of the previous meeting: these were signed.

Footpath from Gategill to Scales – nothing to report.
Recycling Bins – The area was being overseen by a small group of people on a rota system.
Safety Barrier A66 – No update. This would be put on the next Agenda.
Highway Stewards – Les would be meeting up with Alan Huer to look at work in need of action around the village ie the pothole outside the Village Hall and the gravel problems over at Guardhouse.
Cars Parked Outside Melbutts – No response received from Stagecoach.
New Houses at Town Cross – Joiners, electricians and slaters had been on site. Outside stone work was also underway.
Dickney – The donation box for parking at Dickney had generated £168 that month.
Kiln Howe – The Environment Agency would be back in 2009 to clear out both the top and bottom ponds.
Red Squirrel Signs – A large post was needed for the sign, John Fleet would look in to this.
Joiners Shop – Carolyn Cripps had spoken with Mr Skelton who was open to suggestions regarding the building. Carolyn would get back to him to further talk about access etc.
Gates in need of repair at the bottom of Station Road – Cumbria County Council would be chased regarding these gates.
Bus Stop sign at Horse and Farrier – No update.

Public Representations:
William Airey – Cars Parked outside Melbutts. He produced recent photographs to highlight the extent of the ongoing problem of parking outside Melbutts and the dangerous obstruction it caused. These would be sent to the Chief Fire Officer, the Ambulance Service and the Highway Authority.

Daffodils - Mr Airey had tended this area (which was Highway land) for many years. He felt strongly that trees and shrubs should not be planted on the land in question, that would obstruct his view, whereas a flowerbed would be more appropriate. This would be put on the next agenda.

Mark McKay (EDC Community Safety Officer) – He gave a brief resume of his background. Having been brought up in Seascale he had pursued a career in the police force in London and had retired to Worcestershire where he had been involved in Community Safety for the fire service, having moved back to Cumbria in 2007. Mark explained his current role which was both strategic and front line based.

3rd Cumbria Green Build Fortnight 2008 – Tim Foster distributed the programme of events scheduled during the fortnight. On Weds 27 Aug, Sustainable Communities – Sustainable Buildings Event would be held in Threlkeld Village hall from 4.30pm then at 6.30pm would continue up at the Blencathra Centre to focus on the FSC Eco Centre status.

Housing – A date would be set to discuss this in detail. Tim Foster handed round copies of the village plan.

Tile Kiln rent & St. Mary’s Church – The annual amount of £121 from the Tile Kiln field rent would be passed on to St. Mary’s Church as was usual. An annual contribution towards the upkeep/grass cutting of the churchyard would also be made and would be put on the next agenda.

Mike Howe rent – This had previously been set at £10 for garage, £10 for the oil tank and £5 for access. It was noted that the oil tank was no longer on this land. A letter would be sent to Mike to acknowledge this and as a token of appreciation for his keeping of the area tidy and the grass cut etc the total rent would be reduced to £10 pa.

Gate at Station road – Les had met with Alastair Birket. He said the gate belonged to Cumbria County Council along with the wicket gate at the bottom of Station Road. This would be chased up with CCC.

Jubilee Croft School Field Wall – It appeared that work had been done on the wall in past years by Jason Salkeld and paid for by CCC. Les Dalzell would be asked to contact Jason for a copy of the old invoices.

Audit Report – The External Audit Form was agreed and signed.

Finance:
Monies Received-
16.07.08 £20 Beneath Blencathra Ad
27.07.08 £127.95 Dickney Car Park donations
27.07.08 £1,000 Neighbourhood Forum grant from CCC

Cheques Made Out –
24.06.08 £50 M. Stevens, noticeboard repair
8.07.08 £150 Francis Clark – Internal Audit

Village Hall Revitalisation Project –
Monies Received –
Total at end of June £13,634.28

27.06.08 £250 An Evening of TV
9.07.08 £114.67 An Evening of TV - bar
9.07.08 £5 Donation, R. Cowper
16.07.08 £28 Recipe Books
16.07.08 £192.76 Keswick Threatre Group

Current Total £14,224.71

Planning Applications –
New Scales – Blease Road, no objections (although T. Roberts had requested a note be submitted to say that the existing trees should be kept).
Transmitting Station, High Row Farm, Blease Road – installation of 2x yagi antennas and 1x dish antenna – no objections

Correspondence:
EDC – A letter had been received from Tony Brunskill, new Chairman of EDC, who would like to come along to meet the Parish Council. He would be invited to the next meeting.
Open space, sport and recreation study questionnaire – T. Robson/R. Bragg to complete.
Lakeland Trails - Letter promoting the International Lakeland Trails Festival in Keswick on 6 September 2008. A note would be put in Beneath Blencathra.
EDC – Guide to Planning Application Requirements, leaflets handed round.

Representatives Reports – none.

Matters for Next Agenda
Safety Barrier A66
Daffodils
Tile Kiln Rent & St. Mary’s Church
Sycamore Tree – Ruth’s field

There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 9.30pm. There would not be a meeting in August, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 September 2008 at 7.30pm in the Public Room.